Noretheast Florida Chronic Pain Support Group

 James McCaughern-Carucci, MHS, DD, CNHP, RMT

*Professor of Biological Sciences at St.Johns River State College, Orange Park, FL

*Board Certified Natural Health Practitioner

Chronic pain, regardless of the cause, affects us on all levels of being: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. This group will provide you with the space to freely express what you feel, learn pain management tools, share with others that understand first-hand what chronic pain is like and support one another in an environment that is warm, affirming and safe. People with all forms of chronic pain and their loved ones are welcome. Pain is something you have – don’t let IT have YOU!

This support group is free – coffee and tea will be available!

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 Living Well with Depression and Anxiety

James McCaughern-Carucci, MHS, DD, CNHP, RMT

*Professor of Biological Sciences

St.Johns River State College, Orange Park FL

 *Board Certified Natural Health Practitioner

 This is a FREE  Seminar to the Public

 Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities. Our ability to diagnose and treat the many forms of depression has improved dramatically over the past quarter century and the social stigma associated with depression has largely disappeared.

In this seminar, we will look at the different forms of depression, how depression relates to anxiety and how depression manifests differently in women, men, seniors and children. We will discuss the types of medications available including the newest generation anti-depressants as well as the wealth of complementary and alternative therapies with clinical benefit. Finally, we will identify steps you can take right away to help fight depression in your everyday life.

Educate. Empower. Live Well.

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 Living Well with Fibromyalgia

   James McCaughern-Carucci, MHS, DD, CNHP, RMT

*Professor of Biological Sciences at St.Johns River State College, Orange Park, FL

*Board Certified Natural Health Practitioner

This is a Free Seminar to the Public

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder affecting approximately 10 million Americans, mostly women. While the cause of this syndrome is unknown, the disorder can have profound physical, psychological, mental, and spiritual effects on individuals and their families. The symptoms vary from person-to-person, and the most common ones include: chronic widespread pain and fatigue, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and environmental sensitivities. No two cases are exactly alike! A person with Fibromyalgia may often  go undiagnosed or mis-diagnosed for months, even years. What is currently known about Fibromyalgia will be explored in this free seminar along with current conventional approaches to treatment and clinically proven complementary and alternative therapies available to help manage the disease.

Knowledge. Strength. Hope.

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During this seminar, Natural Health Practitioner, University Professor and Medical Researcher, James McCaughern-Carucci, MHS, DD, CNHP, RMT will share what is currently known about fibromyalgia along with current conventional approaches to treatment and clinically proven complementary and alternative therapies available to help manage the disease.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects about 10 million people in the United States, typically women to men at a ratio of 9:1.

The National Institute of Health describes fibromyalgia as “a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.”

“The tender points that are characteristic of fibromyalgia affect specific parts of the body – the elbows, around the neck, the front of the knees and the hip joints” (BBC Health).

The New York Times reports that in addition to chronic pain, other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); memory and concentration problems; numbness and tingling in hands and feet; palpitations; reduced ability to exercise; and tension or migraine headaches.

Womenshealth.com, a project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, suggests that therapies such as Acupuncture, Massage Therapy and Yoga can help reduce the chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Kimberli Hargnett, Owner/Director of Life’s Journey Yoga and Wellness Center, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1995, which led her to seek natural ways to heal and help others.

“It is hard to exercise with the pain associated with fibromyalgia,” Harnett said. “I found gentle yoga and the breath with movement as being a true life saver for fibromyalgia. It keeps me flexible, feels wonderful to stretch, and helps with cardio and circulation which so many of us with this syndrome are lacking.”

For Hargnett, natural therapies have offered a relief from pain without the side-effects associated with medications.

“Using natural therapies has helped me really heal areas in my life and be aware of what needs attention,” Hargnett said. “Taking prescriptions for the daily pain only numbed me to the point of a robotically routine. This option was becoming a downward spiral of illness. Although I continue to struggle daily with the symptoms that come with fibromyalgia: pain, foggy thinking, depression and fatigue, I now have practical and effective tools to keep a clear mind and have more vitality in my day to day journey. I always search for ways that are healing to myself and to share with others at Life’s Journey Yoga and Wellness Center. God continues to open doors to greatness.”

Deepen your relationship with your significant other by learning the art of massage!

In this workshop, both you and your partner will gain the skills you need to nurture each other in a whole new way. Not only will you learn technical skills for giving a great massage, but Licensed Massage Therapist for 19 years, Cindy Whitley (LMT # MA48692), will also teach you how to reconnect and make time for each other and your relationship.

This workshop is designed for not only couples in relationships but friends, family members, and all are welcomed to learn how to give a safe, effective and proper massage. You will also learn techniques on how to give undivided attention and connect with the person you are massaging.

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Instructor: Kenyon Gatlin

Level: Multi Level

Do you understand the stress cycle and how to manage stress and return to the state of relaxation? Do you know how to take yoga off your mat and use the techniques of yoga while at work, in your car, running errands or wherever you find yourself? If  not, this is the workshop for you!

In addition to the above and discovering the power of thoughts and how to manage them, in this workshop, you will also learn:

* Focusing and calming techniques to reduce anxiety and worry

* Four different breathing techniques that initiate the relaxation response and quickly move you out of stress

*How to use movement and poses to release tension and relax.

Then, complete the workshop with a guided deep relaxation!

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The New Year is upon us and with it comes all those resolutions we try to convince ourselves will really happen. This is the year you are going to lose those 10 pounds, quit smoking, get that bikini body, find that someone special, or ‘insert your specific resolution here’.

How many of those resolutions actually come true? Very few! Why? It’s because the energy behind them is negative. Those resolutions are born out of something being wrong with your life. When you try to create something out of negativity, all you will get is negativity. It’s like building a castle on sand; if there is no solid energetic foundation, the building cannot stand.

Does that mean losing those 10 extra pounds is a lost cause? Absolutely not! It simply means that one needs to adjust the way thinking about the goal and lay the energetic groundwork to make it happen. The best way to do that is to commit to a larger goal: being well mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Once you commit to being well, you pave the way to achieving other goals.

Here are some steps to get you started:

1) Give up thinking that anything is wrong! When something is “wrong,” you are focusing on the negative rather than the positive. What you resist persists! Instead of trying to create a goal out of a negative place, start from a place of positive perfection: you are whole and perfect the way you are! For many of us, this is the hardest step to take. Thinking this way takes daily practice. So, say your positive affirmation to yourself in the mirror every morning and then again every night before bed. Master this, and the whole world will shift in your favor.

2) Define what “well” means for you! If you don’t know what it means to be well, then how will you know when you get there? What does “well” look like? Be realistic and be specific.

3) Enroll others in your goal! When you speak your goals into the world, you are setting the energetic stage for them to happen. By sharing them with others, not only do you keep yourself committed, but you will also generate supporters in your cause. Plus, having others join you on your wellness journey will make it fun.

4) Start with simple dietary changes! Crash diets always fail, and that is because you are stressing the body and triggering starvation hormones. Instead, make small changes for long-term benefits. For example, go meatless once a week. Not only will this reduce your intake of saturated fats, but it reduces your carbon footprint, too. Bonus!

5) Get moving! According to the American Heart Association, getting 30 minutes of exercise every day can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and risks of heart disease. That does not mean go and buy a gym membership! Exercising 30 minutes a day TOTAL can simply mean three sessions of 10 minutes each, such as a brisk walk. As long as you get those 30 minutes in, it doesn’t matter how you scheduled them.

6) Learn something new! When we use our brains in a new way, we form new wiring in the brain which can help slow down age-related dementia and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Take an adult education class, try a new hobby, join a social group – just keep using that brain to keep it healthy. Use it or lose it!

7) Take time every day to do something you love! It may be art, scrapbooking, reading, music…whatever. Simply give yourself time to unwind and enjoy. This will reduce your stress levels and your risk of stress-related illness.

Reduce the toxicity in your life! Every day, we are assaulted with toxic chemicals, toxic environments, and toxic people. Commit to reducing your exposure. How? Reduce processed foods in the diet, alcohol intake, smoking, dyes and perfumes wherever possible. Have people in your life that are toxic (really, who doesn’t)? Reduce your exposure to them and don’t allow yourself to get dragged into other people’s drama. Surround yourself with positive, affirming people.

All of these steps support the whole person and lay the groundwork for positive, productive change in your life. When you practice each of these, an opening to other related goals is created. For example, by reducing the number of toxic people in your life, you create space for that someone special to appear. By eliminating meat once a week, you can introduce new foods, such as more fruits and veggies that will help promote weight loss.

Be patient, be consistent, be committed, and be well!

 Instructor: Barbe Kelly

Current Series: February 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd.

Yoga can beautifully meet the needs of the expectant mom’s changing body! The postures explored in this class will gently and safely stretch the pregnant body while stimulating body awareness for the mom-to-be. Prenatal yoga has been known to help women experience easier and more peaceful deliveries and begin their motherhood journey in a more relaxed state of being.

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Instructor: James McCaughern-Carucci

Level: Beginner

Current Series: February 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th

Meditation is an easily-learned practice for improving health and wellness. It triggers the relaxation response and reduces the effects of stress and fatigue in the body.

In this beginning series of meditation classes, students will learn the basics of meditation and conscious breathing through guided in-class exercises, daily practice, and discussion. By the end of the series, students will have the skills to meditate independently with confidence and be prepared to explore advanced meditative skills.

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