Have you set health goals, and are struggling to make the steps to a healthier, happier you?  How about working with a Holistic Health Coach!

Valerie Waters is a graduate of  The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which  focuses on overall wellness…not only nutrition, but also work life,  how we are in relationships, and other choices in our life that afect our general well-being.

Contact Valerie today at http://vitalitywithvalerie.net/ for your free initial consultation!

North Raleigh is finally getting West African drum classes! Susan Petrie from Orbital Rhythms is now offering beginner classes on Tuesday nights, for adult and kids over the age of 12.  Classes will be held at Dynamic Sound Studios, 241 Horizon Drive off Six Forks Road near Sawmill Road.

The 75 minute class starts at 6:40 pm.  The fee is $20.00 per class or $65.00 for the 4 weeks if paid in advance. The first session starts Tuesday, March 29th.

Learn to play the djembe (African hand drum) in a fun group setting. In these classes you will learn the basics of how to play bass, tone and slap, and simple African rhythms. The class will include both time for instruction and open jamming.  You will become comfortable playing the drum in a group setting as well as community drum circles.  No experience is necessary.  Drums will be available for use during class or to purchase.

Beginners who are trying this for the first time are suggested to do all 4 classes, more experienced players can come anytime as a drop in!

 Susan Petrie is a graduate of a two year instructor training program and continuing student of West African music, studying with Bill Schiedt at the Tam Tam Mandingue school of the djembe in Winston Salem, a branch of the Tam Tam Mandingue USA  international School founded by Master, Initiated Djembefola Mamady Keita.  www.TTMUSA.com  She has also studied with other talented drummers around the country. Susan is also a dedicated member of a local performance group, Rhythmicity.

Susan has studied Drum Circle Facilitation with many world known teachers and a trained Remo Health Rhythms Facilitator.  She will incorporate some “free form” drumming into the classes.

The Masters say the djembe is a traditional instrument invented by the Mandingue people of West Africa. It is the way of the djembe to give thanks to those who passed the spirit to us. It is our way of thanks to pass the spirit to those who will come next.

Email Susan at DrumWithSusan@gmail.com to reserve your seat!  Or, for more information, call her at 919-601-6684

Did you know that laughter is good for you ?  Not only does it increase levels of happiness, it turns out that laughter can also be a form of exercise!  When we laugh, we tend to breathe much deeper, just like we do when participating in aerobic exercise.  If we laugh hard enough, we also engage our abdominal muscles, and can actually get a mini-workout in!

Laughter also provides several physiological benefits.  It helps to decrease stress, thereby lowering our blood pressure and increasing blood flow.  What a great way to reduce the risk of  a heart attack!   When we are less stressed, our muscles relax, and our immune system also gets a boost. It can also increase energy, and reduce pain through the release of endorphins.  Think about it…how much better do you feel when you are laughing on a regular basis?

Many years ago, I was a whitewater raft quide.  One day, in the midst of an incident, I found myself and half the paddlers from my boat sitting on top of a large rock in the middle of the river,  my boat wrapped around the rock, with rushing water preventing me from easily getting the raft off the rock.  None of my paddlers were comfortable in the water to begin with, so the entire time I worked to get the boat ready for the crew on shore to peel it off the rock, I cracked a bunch of jokes.  This helped alleviate the stress of the situation for the nervous paddlers.  Other people in our boating party were on the banks of the river thinking we were having a grand time…which  we were!  I recall after the trip my participants saying how my light attitude and ability to make them laugh helped calm their nerves.  Using humor helped to shift our perspective from feeling threatening by the situation to it just being part of the adventure.

Find more ways to increase the laughter in your life…learn some new jokes and share them with friends….go to a comedy club….learn to laugh at yourself.  Take life less seriouisly, and feel better!  Its certainly cheaper and a lot more fun than going to the doctor!

The We are 1 Women’s Conference is being held at the RDU Holiday Inn in Morrisville from April 8 -10, 2010. Workshops topics will include spirituality, health and wellness, inner healing, relationships, social justice, and more.
There is also a great performance Thursday night, celebrating the arts. There will be dance, spoke word, comedy, and music, including a local group of women drummers performing.
For more information, go to http://www.infinitydiamondclub.com/infinity_diamond_club_f_015.htm

Pregnancy is  a wonderful time, which can also be riddled with aches and pains.  Besides getting regular massage, it is a good idea to take part in a prenatal yoga class.

Prenatal yoga helps to strengthen uterine and pelvic muscles, improves circulation, and can aid digestion, while increasing the mother-to-be’s overall comfort.  The class consists of gentle postures, breathwork, and meditation. 

Anisha Desai will be offering prenatal classed as Gateway Yoga on Oberlin Road in Raleigh, on Fridays from 11:15 to 12:30, beginning on April 23rd.  There is a FREE introductory class on April 18th from 4:00 to 5:15.  No experience is necessary. 

For more information on Anisha, go to  http://www.AnishaDesai.com

For more information on the class, or to register, got to http://www.gatewayyoga.com

Have you ever thought about learning how to play a drum?  It is a wonderful way to reduce stress, while having fun and exercising your brain.  Studies have shown that drumming also boosts your immunce system! 

If you are in the Raleigh/Durham area, and would like to learn how to play the djembe, a traditional drum from West Africa, new classes are starting up soon with Ronnie Pulley, one of the areas’ best instructors.  A six-week beginner/intermediate class is being held at Music Explorium in Durham, only 15 minutes from Raleigh, starting March 16th, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.  Classes are $85.00 for the entire six weeks, or $15/class.  You will learn basic hand-drumming strokes, discover ways to improve your sound,  learn traditional African rhythms, and build confidence to playin drum circles.  Ivory Coast Djembes are for loan or sale through the instructor.

If you’ve been playing the djembe for a while, another option is the Intermediate/Advanced class meeting on Monday nights in Cary. The next session starts on Monday, March 8th, and runs from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.  the fee for the class is $100 for the entire six weeks, or $20 per class.  This class is designed for serious drummers, and you learn both Djembe and Dundnun parts of traditional West African songs, as well as learn to play solo tecnhniques and other advanced techniques. 

If you would like more information on these classes, contact Ronnie Pulley at snorlp@yahoo.com.

It’s the Holiday Season, that time of year  when many of are looking for the perfect gifts to honor the ones we love.  Most women welcome gifts that truly show how much they are cared for and appreciated.  A gift that is all about them, that will give them time to nurture and care for themselves.

 What better way to show the women in your life how much you care, than giving them a gift of massage? During the month of December, all session-specific gift certificates are 15% off. (Not valid on dollar amount gifts) These can be purchased online at Raleigh Massage Gift Certificates for Women  or in person, by arrangement, by calling 919-602-5742.

Give that special woman in your life a gift that feel good to both you you, the gift of massage!

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine in California participated in a 12-week seminar based on the book The Artist’s Way – A Spiritual Path To Higher Creativity  by Julia Cameron.  My friend was so inspired by  the group, she continues to this day to practice the things she learned, has been taken courses at one of the local colleges, and is on her way to becoming a graphic designer.

Since then, I have been searching for a similar workshop to participate in.  I am happy to say, I have finally found a seminar right here in Raleigh!  Conduit For Change is a local organization dedicated to providing classes, workshops and retreats for people looking to reconnect with their creative side.  (I say “reconnect” because I believe that we all have a creative side, some of us just don’t know it yet!) 

They are offering a four-week creativity seminar that is based on the book mentioned above, as well as a few others.  The series begins Tuesday, July 21st, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., and will be held for four consecutive weeks.

For more information, go to www.conduitforchange.com

Mothers.  Where would we be without them?  They are the glue that holds the family together.  Mothers work hard, day and night, to make sure all the needs of the family are being met.  Who in your family does most of the  grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework supervision, and driving children to the multitude of activites they are involved with….the list doesn’t end.

Because of this, it is very important to show the mothers in your life just how much you appreciate all they do.  What better way than to give her a gift certificate that will allow her to stop running for a while and take some time for herself?

This Mother’s Day, Metamorphic Massage For Women is offering a special Mothers Day Package.  Mothers receive a 60 or 90-minute session, which consists of their choice of including a 30-minute Body Polish or the addition of heated stones to the massage.  After the session, they will enjoy some berries and chocolate.

Another option is for both mothers and daughters.  Come in together for a special afternoon together…you each choose the service you would like to receive, either a body polish with a massage or a heated stone masssage, and meet up in the reception area afterwards to share a few moments over berries and chocolate.    What a great way to spend some girl time with a family member!

Show the mother in your life how much you appreciate her and give her the gift of relaxation.

Looking for something new to do, where you can both give and receive at the same time?  An interesting event is being held at Moving Mantra Yoga Studio in Raleigh, to benefit the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle.  On Saturday, May 30th, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, several opportunites are presented.  You can take part in a yoga class or sit in a meditation group, giving you a chance to try one of regular offerings at the yoga center.   You can also receive special self-care services including chair massage, paraffin hand waxes, haircuts, Ayurvedic treatments, and foot reflexology. If you are one who likes to shop, items such as jewelry, t-shirts, and refreshments will be available.  Raffle tickets are also being sold for some really cool prizes, including a gift certificate for a one-hour massage from Metamorphic Massage For Women!

All proceeds from this event benefit the Inter-Faith food Shuttle, a Raleigh-based organization working to alleviate hunger through recovering, preparing and distributing wholesome food to poor, hungry, undernourished and homeless people in the area.
For more information on the event, go to http://www.movingmantrayoga.com.  To learn more about the Interfaith Food Shuttle, go to http://www.foodshuttle.org.

Spend some time May 30th at Moving Mantra Yoga Studio, and help feed the hungry,  while you nourish your own body and spirit!