| Stress
management classes accepting registrations
The Stress Management series of classes co-sponsored by St Mary’s Hospital and Emergence, an integrative health service based in Grangeville, is now accepting registrations. The two hour classes will be held each Wednesday evening from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Cottonwood Community Center during October and September following the hospital sponsored yoga class. 
The MBSR sessions will be taught by Deanna English, RN, a mindfulness based stress reduction instructor. “I have used many of the items in the tool kit Deanna provided us including yoga, meditation and focused breathing techniques to help me cope with stress,” said a participant from the class offered in Orofino last spring. “It has also helped me get a better night’s sleep and approach my day with a little more balance.” English is a registered yoga teacher and yoga therapist who has studied and taught yoga for heart disease and cancer. She also serves as an integrative health coach helping people integrate all modalities into their healthcare. “I first became interested in nontraditional approaches to achieving and maintaining maximum health after working as a Registered Nurse. I believe integrating ancient therapies within the scope of traditional western medicine offers the best of both worlds,” said English, who studied with Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, developer of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program. There are currently more than 200 MBSR programs operating in the United States and beyond. MBSR was originally developed through the University of Massachusetts Medical Center as a means to help patients with chronic pain or illness. “Although originally designed for patients with chronic pain or illness it is now recognized as a means to help people manage stress in their everyday lives,” said English. “We teach the use of meditation practice, yoga, deep breathing, etc. to help people react to and manage stressors in their life. None of us can erase the stressors, but we can each learn how to react to them. Reacting to stress in unhealthy ways can do permanent damage to our bodies.” “Although western medicine has the answers for a multitude of physical illnesses and chronic conditions oftentimes using alternative forms of healing and preventive methodologies can benefit many people, especially those living with chronic pain or stressors that impact their lives and health,” said Dr. Jeremy Ostrander, SMHC family practice physician. Registration for the MBSR class is limited to 25 registrants. The class must have a minimum of ten enrollees. The first class will be held on Wednesday, September 7 and conclude on Wednesday, October 26 with a half day retreat on Saturday, October 15th. The $200 registration fee covers all classes, the half day retreat, the workbook and a set of CDs. To register call SMHC, 962-3251 during business hours by September 1. For more information on mindfulness based stress reduction or integrative health visit English’s website: www.emergence-mindfulness.com |
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