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glossary
Below are general definitions of each of the categories represented in our annual print and web directories, plus even more to enhance your learning.

Acupressure: Based on the same system as acupuncture where fingers and hands are used instead of stimulation by needles to restore the balanced flow of the body’s life energy known as chi. This force moves through the body along 12 energy pathways called meridians, which practitioners unblock and strengthen. Styles of acupressure include Jin Shin and Shiatsu whose techniques vary in pressure and duration of point stimulation.

Acupuncture: In acupuncture, specific points along energy channels – the body’s vital pathways – relate to specific organs and systems of the body. The practitioner manipulates these points with fine needles or the use of heat, cold, pressure or minute electrical currents. These methods stimulate, disperse or regulate the flow of the vital energy, or ch’i, to help bring about a balance of energy. This therapy is part of the system known as traditional Chinese medicine. 

Acutonics: It's like acupuncture without needles! Using various tuning forks, the practitioner works acupuncture points & energy centers throughout the body to bring about relaxation & healing.

Addictions: Addiction is an uncontrollable compulsion to repeat a behavior regardless of its consequences. A person who is addicted is sometimes called an addict.

Advanced Change Technologies: A synthesis of cognitive, behavioral and hypnotic techniques, including Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Time Line Therapy, that can produce profound changes in how a person thinks, communicates and processes emotions.

Aerobics: The word aerobic means with oxygen. Aerobic exercise is any repetitive activity that you do long enough and hard enough to challenge your heart and lungs. In order to work your heart and lungs hard enough, you must get your largest muscle groups involved. They include your legs, glutes, back and chest.

African Yoga: (aka Egyptian or soul yoga) A blend of African music, mantra and meditation with dance and ritual components. Ranging from African dance that is choreographed into the flow of yoga postures to low-impact classes where one meditates and relaxes.

Aikido: A defense-oriented martial art based on harmonizing with and redirecting the energy of one’s opponent.

Alexander Technique: A system of re-educating your body and mind so you can use your self in a way that facilitates proper posture, ease of movement, and attainment of optimum health. Through gentle manual guidance accompanied by verbal directions, the Alexander teacher coaches the student to become aware of unnecessary tension to achieve greater ease in performing physical tasks.

Animal Communication: Practitioners receive and deliver direct thoughts, emotions and images from and to an animal through the use of telepathic communication. The goal of communication is to understand the thoughts of the animal or the ‘essence’ of the animal. 

Animals: Natural care for our furry friends!

Anusara Yoga: Anusara is a combination of Hatha yoga and biochemical principles. It is a very modern style of yoga developed by John Friend. Practice is described as heart-oriented and spiritually inspiring and concentrates on outer and inner body alignment. Different students' abilities and limitations are deeply respected.

Applied Kinesiology: An individual’s structural, chemical and mental condition are evaluated through the use of muscle testing (testing a patient’s resistance to the practitioner’s pressure on an arm or leg) and nerve reflexes in the body. It can be used to determine whether an imbalance is nutritional, structural or psychological in nature and then to determine the appropriate treatment.

Aquatic Therapy: The use of water and specifically designed activity by qualified personnel to aid in the restoration, extension, maintenance and quality of function for persons with acute, transient, or chronic disabilities, syndromes or diseases. The buoyancy effect of the water provides a gravity eliminated environment which improves movement of affected limbs. Exercise in water can increase circulation, strength and endurance and, protects joints during exercise, reduces stress, decreases swelling. The water's effects of buoyancy, viscosity, surface tension, turbulence, are used for relaxation, and exercise with resistance.

Architecture: The art or science of building; specifically : the art or practice of designing and building structures. Professional design of the built environment.

Aromatherapy: Essential oils distilled from flowers, leaves, stems, bark, seeds, roots or fruits are used to therapeutically address physiological and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression and muscular tension. Oils can produce an energizing or calming effect, sharpen concentration, or promote a desired mood. Oils are inhaled from vaporizers, massaged into the skin or placed in baths.

Art Therapy: Using the creative process to deepen a person’s self-awareness by accessing emotions and unconscious thoughts, art therapy is often used in reducing physical, emotional, and behavioral difficulties and encouraging self-development. By encouraging a person to express feelings through the nonverbal creative process, and by observing the processes, forms and content, the therapist makes a diagnosis and determines treatment plans.  

Ashtanga Yoga: A dynamic, sequentially paced practice that energizes your body from the inside out to burn off toxins and give you a total body workout. This type of yoga presents a series of rigorous postures in a continuous flow that builds strength and stamina- definitely a workout.

Astrology: A science and intuitive art that correlates planetary energies with aspects of the psyche and mundane occurrences. The insights and trends revealed are always subject to the client’s own free will and how she/he chooses to use the information that is given. It can be useful for perceiving personal and interpersonal dynamics and patterns, for geographical relocation, or for auspicious ceremonial or business dates.

Aura-Soma Color Consultations: A non-intrusive soul therapy, Aura-Soma utilizes the healing properties of light and color. Clients choose from a spectrum of colored formulas consisting of 49 different herbs that contain unique vibrational frequencies. Each formula assists the client in accepting and moving through their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth in a manner that is gentle and positive.

Avatar: An experimental set of exercises that enables one to rediscover the self and align with what one wants to achieve. Avatar is a course based on the idea that one’s beliefs will create or attract situations and events that one experiences as her or his own life. The goal of the three section course is to guide a person in an exploration of her/his own belief system and provide tools to positively affect her/his own life.

Axiatonal Alignment: Alignment of one's axiatonal meridians and chakra grids with the grids of the higher bodies and dimensions. This activation can be called forth from Metatron during meditation. This can also be requested for the planet, or for either a planetary or cosmic level.

Ayurveda: A system that addresses three subtle energies (doshas) that make us look and behave the way we do. These energies are Vatta (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water). These doshas combine to give us our unique constitutions. When they are not balanced, we experience stress, depression, fatigue, disease and premature aging. The major causative factor in disease and premature aging is the gradual accumulation of toxins and waste, causing systemic imbalance. To balance the system, Rasayana (rejuvenating) and Pancha Karma (purification) treatments may include herbs, individualized diets, yoga and meditation.

Ayurvedic Beauty: Ayurvedic beauty care is holistic and all-natural. The skin is not an isolated part of the body. The skin is widely connected -- intellectually, physically, sensually and spiritually. It is the largest organ and it performs a lot of functions. So, when we are talking about skin care, we have to take care of all these aspects. It should not be an isolated or partial approach. It should be a holistic approach, and that is what ayurvedic beauty care is doing.

BalleCore: A methodical series of bends and stretches that combines aspects of ballet, Hatha yoga and Pilates in an exercise routine designed to strengthen “core” muscles – those deep in the abdomen that help with posture and stabilize body parts such as the spine.

Balneotherapy: A range of treatments with warm mineral water, from bathing or underwater massage jets to plain drinking. Alkaline water helps stimulate the secretion of bile, whilst hypotonic water has diuretic effects and is often used for treating kidney stones.

Belly Dance: A Western name for an Arabic style of dancedevloped in the Middle East. A fusion of different dance styles it has several different origins, many of them in ethnic folk dances. It is fundamentally an improvisational dance with its own unique dance vocabulary that is fluidly integrated with the music's rhythmn. Music is integral to the dance, and the dance expresses the emotion evoked by the music. Despite its name it uses every major muscle group in the body and provides a good cardio-vascular workout and helps increase both flexibility and strength, focusing on the core muscles of the torso. It is suitble for all ages and body types and is as physical as the dancer chooses.

Bereavement Therapy: Aiding people overcome feelings of loss associated with situations such as the death of the death of someone close to you, the death of a pet, or a loss of a limb or breast. Feelings of loss can also occur if the personality of someone close changes due to due to an illness.

Bikram Yoga: 26 postures and balances as well as breathing exercises are performed in a heated room ( up to 105 degrees) to keep muscles warm allowing for easier extension and stretching and to encourage the flushing of toxins through cleansing and detoxification. This is an offshoot of hatha yoga practices. Proponents say that this demanding aerobic take on yoga tones the body, improves posture, relieve stress, promotes better sleep and alleviates symptoms of chronic illness.

Biofeedback: Teaching a client to consciously alter unhealthy automatic body functions through observing measurements on an electric monitoring device. The machine monitors functions such as heart rate, pulse, digestion, blood pressure, brain waves and muscle behavior and reports back through sounds, lights and numeric displays. The client learns to change the output to healthy readings by using meditation, visualization and relaxation techniques, gaining skill to self regulate without the device.

Birth Centers: Freestanding birth centers are home-like primary care centers with access to hospital services. Programs focus on safe and sensitive care with the philosophy that pregnancy and birth are a normal process.

Body and Mind Balancing:
This modality seeks to integrate the physical, intellectual, spiritual and emotional bodies using various holistic methods ranging from nutrition to physical movements to personal paradigm shifts.  


Body and Skin Care:
Skin is the body's mirror of its inner health and beauty. Natural, organic skin care treatments; including facials, Facial Peels and Face-Mapping to give precise and professional care for skins requiring special care.

Bodywork: This term refers to a general collection of modalities that are often used together to form a comprehensive technique. They may or may not involve physical touch, but they all facilitate the body’s own healing response.

Bookstore: Shop selling new and used books on human and spiritual development.

BrainGym® / Edu-K: A series of specifically conceived movements which activate the brain and the rest of the body for particular skills of learning (i.e. visual, auditory, etc.). Also known as Educational Kinesiology this technique focuses on movements for whole-brain learning.

Breathwork / Rebirthing: This modality focuses on the breath. The practitioner guides the client through a breathing process which fills the body with an abundant amount of oxygen, supplying cells with freshly charged blood. Breathwork can rejuvenate the body and mind and release emotional memories that are stored in the individual cells.

Breema Bodywork:
A system of bodywork done on a padded floor with the client comfortably dressed. Breema supports the body as a dynamic energy system connected to all levels of existence. It releases tension and activates the body’s self-healing forces, de-crystallizing and unifying the body, mind and emotions. It’s unique and rhythmic movements have an energizing and deeply nurturing effect.

Brennan Healing Science:
A holistic healing modality based on the Human Energy Consciousness System and its relationship to health and disease.

Buddhism:
World religion based on the spiritual teachings of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. There are a number of versions or sects of Buddhism generally teaching paths to Nirvana (enlightenment or bliss) though the four noble truths (recognizing existence and source of suffering) and the eight fold path (correct understanding, behavior and meditation).

Builders:
A general contractor or sub-contractor who is in the business of constructing new housing or substantially renovating housing on land owned or leased by that builder.

Built-Environment Design: The practitioner, with the client, analyzes the balance of subtle energies (associated with the chakras) as they are manifest in the client’s life. The goal of the design process is to create a living or work space (which is an ordered expression of the whole person through function, form, materials, light color and flow) and ultimately strengthen both the actuality and experience of integration (wholeness) of the client. The client is encouraged to explore and participate actively during programming and schematic design, and is involved during the later phases of design, documentation and construction.

Business Counseling: Provide specialist advice about the information requirements of your enterprise. With this, it empowers enterprises to collaboratively plan, automate, track and improve business processes to become more productive, responsive and profitable.

Capoeira: Described as a martial art, a dance, an art form, a form of self-defense, or any hybrid of these. It is a form of movement that combines spins, turns, precisely-aimed kicks, evasive defense moves, and breathtaking acrobatics into a rich fabric of motion, percussion, and song. It is a dance which is a fight and a fight which is a dance.

Cardiac Yoga: A highly respected and nationally renowned system of health promotion and stress management which focuses on the special needs of heart patients and their families. Highly recommended by physicians and cardiologists for assistance in managing stress and reducing risk factors, it is tailored specifically for the health and well-being of heart patients. The classes and workshops promote a heart healthy lifestyle through the practice of gentle cardiac yoga, deep relaxation, stretching, breathing, healing imagery and a healthy diet. The Cardiac Yoga program embraces a holistic emphasis and supports a mind, body, spirit integration.

Cardio Barre: Ballet and strength training combines to sculpt the primary problem areas for women – triceps, buttocks and thighs. The high energy, fast moving classes give you a great cardio workout as well.

Career Planning: The process of studying careers, assessing one's self in terms of careers and making decisions about future careers.

Catering: The business of providing food service at a remote site.

Cell Salts: Created by grinding and potentizing each of the 12 basic mineral compounds naturally present in the body’s tissues. They gently, safely and effectively address a wide range of acute and chronic problems. Cell salts are said to reorganize and correct the way that bodily tissues function.

Chakra Balancing: Chakra balancing is based on the ancient Indian belief in a series of seven chakras, or energy centers. Chakra is the Sanskrit word for wheel. These energy centers are believed to be located at specific points between the base of the spine and the top of the skull. Chakra balancing is believed to promote health by maximizing the flow of energy in the body, much as a tune-up enables a car to operate at peak efficiency.

Channeling: Transmission of information or energy from a nonphysical source through humans. These persons called "channels," "channelers," or "mediums" are sometimes in an apparent trance during the communication. Sources include angels, discarnate former humans, extraterrestrials, and levels of consciousness.

Chelation Therapy: The intravenous administration of the amino acid EDTA that latches onto and helps remove excess heavy metals from the body. It is often used to treat arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and dangerously high amounts of lead, mercury, nickel and copper in the body. It also provides an alternative to bypass surgery and angioplasty.

Childbirth Education: A general term that covers a variety of approaches to birth preparation. Classes that take a holistic approach to a mother and her family include topics such as nutrition, pain coping practices, postpartum support, family involvement and care during labor and birth.

Children's Health: The extent to which an individual child or groups of children are able or enabled to: develop and realize their potential; satisfy their needs and develop the capacities that allow them to interact successfully with their biological, physical, and social environments.

Chinese Medicine/Herbs: An ancient art that has been in existence for over 23 centuries. Although acupuncture is the most well known aspect of Chinese medicine in the U.S., other forms of treatment include acupressure massage, dietary modifications, Chinese medicinal's, qi-gong, moxibustion (a form of heat therapy) and various modern methods of stimulation of the energetic system. Meridians–channels of energy–invigorate proper functioning of muscles, nerves, vessels, glands and organs.

Chiropractic: Proper alignment of the spine and vertebrae allow the central nervous system to function smoothly. Misalignments caused by poor posture or trauma result in pressure on the spinal nerve roots that often leads to diminished system function, and illness. Chiropractic adjustments are used often for musculoskeletal problems and organic conditions such as migraine headaches, high blood pressure or nervous disorders.  

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An ongoing illness characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue worsened by exertion. It is often accompanied by disturbed sleep, joint and muscle pains, forgetfulness, depression, headaches and digestive problems. The onset of these symptoms usually follows severe stress such as an injury, viral illness or chemical exposure.

Chua Ka Massage: Deep tissue self-massage which uses ch’i, or vital energy, to release tension and return awareness to areas of the body that have suffered injury or stress.

Coaching: A personal coach is a trained professional who assists others in identifying and reaching their goals and desires. Coaches work with individuals in just about any area of life that one desires to enhance: personal, spiritual, physical, business, etc. Professional coaches are trained to ask critical questions which stimulate the client’s self-discovery and help in planning a course to reach their personal goals.

Colon Hydrotherapy: A process of cleansing the colon that is similar to an enema, but more comfortable and thorough. Colonic irrigation cleanses the colon walls of fecal plaquing, removing putrefactive materials and toxins. Results have been reported to increase stamina, encourage clear glowing skin and increase one’s sense of well-being.

Communities; A community is a set of people with some shared element — in particular a group of people who live in the same area is a community. The substance of shared element varies widely, from a situation to interest to lives and values. The term is widely used to evoke sense of collectivism.

Consulting: Expert advice and opinion within a particular industry used for specific issues and situations. This process includes identifying and analyzing the client’s needs and problems. To accomplish this, the consultant may need to gather information and conduct research in order to implement the appropriate strategy.

Continuum Movement: A unique field of movement education. Continuum uses breath and sound to stimulate a spectrum of internal sensations and movements. Vivid palettes of sensation provide more choices in our responsiveness. Wave motion is cellularly inspired movements curving, arcing, spiraling and undulating. When we engage the organic fluid systems, we tap the essence of flexibility, fluidity and wholeness.

Core Energetics: Breathing exercises, body movement, hands-on therapist touch and emotional expression intended to unblock thee flow of energy and activate the greater consciousness dwelling within every human soul (the “core”).

Corporate Wellness: Today’s creative business leaders know that a workplace that enhances well being benefits everyone. Corporate Wellness embraces the mind, body and soul. Corporate Wellness programs support healthy choices and provide information and activities to enhance the working community.

Counseling: Services may focus on a specific issue such as career, grief, addictions, health, etc., or a variety of issues found in family and marital challenges. Typically shorter term than psychotherapy in duration, it will address specific behavioral patterns exploring and finding new options to help facilitate change.

CranioSacral Therapy: The Craniosacral mechanism is composed of the brain, spinal cord, bones of the skull, sacrum and interconnected membranes, and the cerebrospinal fluid. The head, neck and spine are massaged when CranioSacral therapists gently manipulate the cranium and the sacrum to correct misalignments in the structure of this system. It has been used to treat chronic pain, migraine headaches, TMJ and has been especially beneficial in head or neck injuries. 

Cupping: Cupping is a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for certain health conditions. Glass or bamboo cups are placed on the skin with suction, which is believed to influence the flow of energy and blood in the body. Cupping is a safe, non-invasive, and inexpensive technique. It is used to treat colds, lung infections, and problems in the internal organs. It is also used to treat muscle and joint pain and spasms, particularly in the back.

Dance Therapy: Dance/Movement therapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process to assist in the emotional, cognitive, social and physical integration of the individual. Dance/Movement therapists help a wide range of people, from ill children to seniors in their declining years, from the mentally ill to normal people who have lost touch with their inner truth. When words alone are not enough, dance/movement therapists are there to help.

Day Spa: A nurturing, safe, clean and caring, serene atmosphere. Professional, licensed estheticians and therapists on staff. Spa products used for which estheticians and therapists have received training in their use.

Deep Tissue Massage Therapy: The movements are directed across the grain of the muscles using the fingers, thumbs, or elbows and begins gently and progresses deeply as the outer muscle fibers relax, allowing the second and third layer of muscle to be addressed. This vigorous approach is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension in a specific problem area using small strokes, direct pressure or friction.

Dentistry: A branch of medicine that involves diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of any disease concern about teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures.

Detoxification: Cleansing techniques have been frequently and successfully prescribed by holistic healers for moderate to severe immune system disorders. Toxins are in food and the environment, and persist because of our insufficient metabolic ability to rid the body of all that we are exposed to on a daily basis. They can drain the body of energy and make you more susceptible to disease and infection. Toxins tend to concentrate in the liver and gastrointestinal tract, both places responsible for eliminating toxins from the body. Since everyone is exposed to toxins, everyone can use detoxification.

Diagnostic Intuitive: Using tools of imagination, inspiration and intuition to discern the deeper causes of illnesses, chronic pain, relationship problems and other stresses. Use of intuitive services can assist the individual as well as the physician in diagnosis where test results are not precise.

Digestive Health: Treatment with a focus on the importance of digestion and the role that enzymes play in maintaining a healthy individual. Treatment for specific digestive disorders, and diet guidance, detoxification and cleansing .

Directional Non-Force Technique: A radical departure from traditional chiropractic. It is an innate, non-force system of correcting not only total body osseous misalignments, but soft tissue as well.

Doula: Is a woman who supports the mother through pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period. Studies have revealed that support in labor has profound benefits including shorter labor, less desire for pain medication, lower rate of Caesarian delivery, and more ease in initiation of breast feeding. Fathers reported that they were more relaxed with a Doula present, because they felt reassured and therefore freer to support their mates.

Dreamwork: Any systematic inquiry into or use of dreams with the purpose of healing or self-development.


Education: Instructional courses and individual sessions to teach healers and alternative practitioners how to create and manage a thriving practice.

Educational Kinesiology: An integrative method that assesses and accesses mind-body connections. It applies kinesthetic's to the study of whole brain/body integration to eliminate stress and maximize one’s full learning potential. It is a process for drawing out innate learning abilities through movement and its relationship to whole-brain learning patterns.

Emotional Freedom Technique (E.F.T.): This technique is based on the premise that all negative emotions are caused by a disruption in the body’s energy system. It involves tapping on various meridian points and is often likened to acupuncture, without the needles. It’s effective with phobias, addictions, traumas, stress, grief and anger.

Energetic Healing: A deeply integrative healing of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. Rejuvenates the life force, the DNA and immune system allowing a freer flow of energy. It is effective in the treatment and prevention of all illness, chronic pain, chemotherapy, stress and emotional trauma.

Energy Balancing: Practitioners of this range of therapies look for blockages or stagnation in the energy field in and around the body and seek to restore its proper circulation and balance. Some types of energy work are acupuncture, polarity therapy and reiki. Sessions may or may not involve physical touch.

Energy Imaging: The visualization of energy fields using specialized computer-based technologies. Biosonic voice analysis displays an individual’s energy spectrum in terms of color and sound. The Gas Discharge Visualization device displays whole body aura, chakras and physical systems. Pictures are taken before and after bodywork and meditation to promote energy shifts.

Energy Kinesiology: A non-invasive method using muscle feedback and body awareness. It can help to reduce stress and pain, improve performance at school, work and home, in sports, in relationships and promote health and well-being.

Energy Work: Practitioners of this range of therapies look for blockages or stagnation in the energy field in and around the body and seek to restore its proper circulation and balance. Some types of energy work are acupuncture, polarity therapy and reiki. Sessions may or may not involve physical touch.

Enneagram: The Enneagram of personality is a well -established model of human development describing nine personality types and their interrelationships. The Enneagram provides a structure for observing how we develop and use our personality in everyday life. This can bring awareness about how habit affects our choices and limits our freedom. There are many Enneagrams through which we can come to appreciate ours and others’ styles of intuitions, leadership, relationship, work, play and prayer—basically any aspect of the human condition.

Environmental Products: Companies that produce innovative environmental products and services—or have replaced wasteful practices with more environmentally sound alternatives.

Equine-Assisted Health: Users interact with horses to address stress, anxiety, depression, addictions and poor physical fitness. The sessions explore intent, presence and body language in relationships as well as awareness, confidence, communication and self-esteem. This awareness is carried over into daily life and relationships with food, body and self. The guided sessions are done individually or in group settings. Most of the work takes place on the ground with no prior experience required.

Ergonomics: Essentially about “fitting work to the person”. It is the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products or systems so that they fit the people who use them. This can be done through proper arrangement of existing furniture or equipment, use of better fitting and ergonomically sound furniture or equipment and/or modifying the task performed based on a person’s body size, shape, strength, skill, speed and sensory abilities.

'Falun Dafa: A form of Qi Gong which consists of five simple exercises, study and endeavoring to live accordingly to the principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance in order to get back to our true selves. In addition to evolving spiritually, illnesses, addictions and family difficulties diminish greatly. Free instruction. Practiced outdoors.


Far Infrared Technology:
Refers to a portion of light that is given off by the sun. The earth absorbs this light as heat energy. Through processes researched by NASA, far infrared technology can be captured in such a way that we can maximize its beneficial qualities to relieve many of our discomforts and aches.


Feldenkrais Method: A neuro-muscular re-education using hands-on techniques and guided awareness. Practitioners gently guide their students to an ability to sense themselves and their movement, promoting ease, comfort and effectiveness. Applications range from people with severe disabilities and chronic pain, to athletes honing their skills.


Feng Shui: The art and science of arranging spaces and elements to create harmonious energy flows and patterns, tempering or enhancing the energy where necessary. Feng Shui consultants can be an asset to both personal and business spaces, either before or after the spaces are created.


Fertility: Fertility awareness can help a woman to become more familiar with her own body, and enhance her health and feelings of control over her health care. Fertility charting uses a woman's naturally-occurring physical and emotional fertility signposts to determine when she is most fertile. Simply by recording her signs of fertility and the feelings associated with each part of her cycle, a woman becomes more in tune with her body.

Fitness: Centers or individuals offering courses and personal instruction in a wide variety of different classes and sports ranging from squash to yoga, athletic conditioning and aerobic exercises to pilates to maintain the body's health and well-being.


Flower Essences: A form of vibrational treatment. Each flower has a unique vibrational pattern which is transferred to a remedy by steeping it in water. The essence is then preserved and diluted to a high degree as in homeopathy. The remedies are then selected according to a person’s (or animal’s) mental and emotional state.


Fluidity: A combination of ballet, yoga, Pilates and therapeutic movement that improves posture, stretches muscles and tones the entire body. Upper-body strength moves and ballet-based lower body positions (arabesques, kickbacks and ballet squats) are done using resistance bands and “Fluidity Bars” which are similar to ballet bars. The emphasis is on moving slowly while lifting and lowering the band, then stretching each muscle group helps to more fully sculpt the muscle while keeping it flexible.


Focusing: A self-help therapeutic technique pioneered by Eugene Gendlin and coworkers at the University of Chicago in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The core of the technique is described in the text Focusing, and consists of six steps that aim to establish a connection between our rational understanding and the somatically rooted part of our psychological problems.


Food Cooperatives: A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.


Functional Medicine: Also called complementary medicine, integrative medicine, or natural medicine, this discipline focuses on using a holistic approach to analyze and treat interdependent systems of the body and to create a dynamic balance integral for good health.


Geriatric Massage: Good for to the elderly person recovering from or living with disease and/or disability. Geriatric massage uses modifications of standard techniques especially suited to debilitating physical conditions. Clients exhibit a variety of physiological changes commonly associated with ageing. Typically, these changes include lost of elasticity of the skin, thinning of the subcutaneous layers, loss of muscle mass, tendency to bruise easily, osteoporosis and decreased range of motion. A lighter touch is typically used and deep tissue techniques are only to be used with extreme caution, if at all.


Gestalt Therapy: To identify blocked emotions, clients put feelings or thoughts into action by dramatizing a current conflict. The focus is more on the process then on the specific content discussed.


Gliding: An aerobic workout originated in California that employs a series of slippery, thin discs in conjunction with yoga and Pilates thereby creating a calorie-burning workout. Your torso or “core” works hard to stay in control even during the simplest movements. Great for strength training, cardio and body sculpting.


Guided Imagery: Guided imagery is the use of relaxation and mental visualization to improve mood and/or physical well-being. One of the biggest benefits of using guided imagery as a therapeutic tool is its availability. Imagery can be used virtually anywhere, anytime. It is also an equal opportunity therapy. Although some initial training in the technique may be required, guided imagery is accessible to virtually everyone regardless of economic status, education, or geographical location.


Gynecology: Care for the reproductive system of females from teenage through mid-life. Treatment approaches are tailored to patient preferences: lifestyle, diet, prescription medications, herbs, and supplements. Offering annual exams, birth control, paps, menstrual problems, infections and mid-life concerns in a calm and unhurried environment.


Hakomi Method: A body centered, somatic form of psychotherapy. It is based on five therapeutic principles: Mindfulness, Organicity, Non-Violence, the Mind-Body Connection and Unity - which give rich meaning and a spiritual dimension to work. The body's structures and habitual patterns become a powerful doorway into unconscious core material, including the core beliefs which shape our lives, relationships and self-image.


Hatha Yoga: Considered traditional yoga, it is performed slowly with held poses called asana. The goal is to forge a mental, physical and spiritual union using breathing techniques and gentle movements that induce mental calm as well as physical flexibility.


Healing Garden Design: Landscapes that are designed to aid wellness. The best designs come from the integration of landscape design and the healing and transformative arts as well as the participation of the end user. Gardens might be intended for contemplation, daily ritual practice, exercise, spiritual or personal expression or to enhance quality outdoor life.


Healing Story: As the wisdom of living well on earth is carried in stories, the goal is to use stories to inspire, nurture and heal. The storytelling process can promote recovery, inspire hope and stimulate insight and personal growth. Drawing from mythology, folk tale and traditional lore from world cultures, the storyteller brings stories that respond to your core life questions. Understanding the deep story brings healing awareness as people or communities recognize the mystery that surrounds us and therefore can identify their place in it.


Healing Touch: The use of hands-on and energy based techniques to balance and align the human energy field. Body, mind, emotion and spirit are touched through this therapeutic process, and each individual is empowered to participate fully in her or his healing journey.


Health Centers: Facility offering instruction in, and use of equipment for exercise. Group classes and individual instruction offered. Facilities include spin studio, pilates studio, swimming pool and therapy pool. Extra amenities offered include day spa, on-site child care and physical therapy staff.


Herbs: A plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory or aromatic qualities. Herbs have been applied to everything from skin irritations to hormonal imbalances, allergies to cancer and depression to hyperactivity. Some herbs have a cumulative effect on the body (tonics), while others have shorter-term effects (specifics).


Holistic Medicine: A personal and comprehensive approach to natural health and the manifestation of human potential through healing and evolving spirit, mind, emotion and body. The practitioner may use any variety of natural healing suggestions to work in partnership with an individual toward greater health, wholeness, balance and integration. This approach to health recognizes the patient as a whole person, not just a disease or a collection of symptoms.


Holochromatic Life Sciences: An integration of healing disciplines that encompass energetic medicine, nutrition, psychology and education. The principles demonstrate that the human body exists as dynamic energy that animates our structure, emotions, thoughts and observations. Chromatic is defined as the science of colors relating to musical scales and the color properties of light and natural bodies. Holo refers to the hologram of the human body, in that each part contains information about all of the other parts.


Home Birth: Having your baby in a safe, familiar environment with individualized support and guidance provided by trained birth attendants. Your pregnancy and birth are viewed as a natural healthy experience that belongs within the sphere of family and friends of your choice.

Home Improvement: Products for your home that are chemical free, hypo-allergenic, durable and fairly-traded.


Homeopathy: Developed over 200 years ago, homeopathy is a system for treating illness based on the Law of Similars. Homeopathy recognizes the importance of treating the patient as a whole being and avoids the specialization characteristic of conventional medicine. Through the uses of safe, non-toxic, natural medicines in extremely small doses, homeopathic treatment gently and effectively stimulates the healing process.


Hot Stone Therapy: This is a therapy to experience for deep relaxation, in which hot stones are used to promote certain effects on the nervous, circulatory and muscular system.


Hydrotherapy: This therapy involves the therapeutic use of water- in the form of baths or showers- in a treatment.


Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy facilitates access to a client’s subconscious mind in order to uncover and explore memories, emotions and past events that may affect a person’s conscious mind. It has been used to treat functional disorders such as blindness or paralysis and personality disorders, habitual behaviors and phobias.

Imagery: A mind/body therapeutic approach performed with the client in a deep level of relaxation. The imagery guide/practitioner encourages the client to elicit and interact with their own images and tap into the depth of personal inner resources for health, insight, and empowerment. It is used in a variety of therapeutic settings from pain relief to stress management.

Imago Relationship Education: The focus is on the unconscious influence of childhood experiences on mate selection and the unconscious desire for personal healing and self-completion. The emphasis is on acquiring procedures and skills to help couples create a conscious relationship, characterized primarily by safety and passion.

Integral Yoga: Integral Yoga is a vehicle for practicing collaboration within a collective. Collaboration within Integral Yoga harnesses the gifts and talents we each carry and calls us to bring them forth in the group. It allows for differences of expression and opinion and respects these differences while offering venues that encourage consensus. These are not easy tasks to accomplish within any group, yet they pave the way toward peaceful co-existence in the world.

Integrative Accupressure: Form of acupressure whose chief distinction is a technique called acupressure lymphatic release.

Integrative Medicine: Draws upon therapeutic models to create a more comprehensive approach to the arts of science and medicine. Geared to the promotion of health and the prevention of illness, it neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative medicine without serious evaluation.

Integrative Teaching Centers: Responsible for extending teachings and resources that are reflective of multiple spiritual paths and disciplines and for training strong, effective leaders in methods of self-mastery, self-integration, and self-actualization.

Intravenous Therapy: Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the administration of liquid substances directly into a vein. It can be intermittent or continuous; continuous administration is called an intravenous drip. The word intravenous simply means "within a vein", but is most commonly used to refer to IV therapy.

Intuitive Arts: This discipline involves guidance from intuitive consultants who use their clairvoyant, empathic and precognitive abilities to facilitate growth and awareness.

Intuitive Channeling: Accessing realms beyond the physical world by connecting with spiritual fourth-dimension guides and the client’s higher self. The channeler connects with the wisdom of a spirit, assisting the client to obtain personal advice, higher wisdom and accelerated growth opportunities.

Intuitive Consulting: Designed to promote greater understanding of the personal and universal energy affecting our lives. Using self-awareness, color, creative visualization, meditation, and intuitive analysis, individuals and business clients are provided with specific guidelines and suggestions for creating a new energy flow and for opening the door to new problem solving techniques.

Intuitive Healing: Intuition and your subtle energy system play a vital role in maintaining your physical health, in self-diagnosis, pain control and in accelerating healing. Better nurturing yourself by noticing your beliefs, being in your body, sensing your body’s subtle energy, asking for inner guidance and listening to your dreams, help to clarify many aspects of your life.

Iridology: The art and science of analyzing the markings and structures of the iris- a unique system for identifying behavioral, communication and relationship patterns through the eyes. Each specific area of the iris corresponds to a particular area or organ of the body and reflects changes or conditions of that area of the body. This information is used to determine the condition of various parts and systems of the body or to find an area which naturally tends to be deficient.

Iyengar Yoga: Focuses on technique and body alignment. Ideal for the detail-oriented, this precise practice will improve strength and balance and create a powerful foundation for other forms of yoga. This form of yoga makes use of props and breath to encourage alignment, flexibility and stability.

Jaffe Mellor Technique (JMT): Utilizing a combination of applied kinesiology with substance vials to identify and neutralize with laser acupuncture, suspected allergens and pathogens that cause pain. It energetically intervenes in autoimmune attacks and then re-patterns the body to accelerate healing.

Jin Shin Do: A method of bodywork that is a synthesis of acupressure, Taoist philosophy, and psychological theory. The primary emphasis is on using finger pressure applied to acu-points to release segments of the body where tension is held.

Jin Shin Jyutsu: A gentle art which balances one’s energy by using the fingers and hands over clothing to eliminate stress, create emotional equilibrium, relieve pain, and alleviate acute or chronic conditions. It is a philosophy, a psychology, and a physiology that may be received from a trained practitioner and learned for application on self and others. Learning Jin Shin Jyutsu engages one in self study and self help, enabling one to learn from the body about tensions and imbalances.

Jivamukti Yoga: A contemporary yoga form combining the physical demands of Ashtanga with the spiritual foundations of Kundalini. May include spiritual readings or evocative music and inscense.

Joint Mobilization: Use of specific passive procedures to restore accessory movements, stretch joint capsules and ligaments and to reduce pain and muscle guarding of stiff joints.

Kinergetics: Kinergetics is a painless, fast, non-invasive method of healing that works on the body's energy fields and is usually effective in helping a wide range of health problems. These include pain, limitation of joint movement, muscle injuries and sprains, TMJ, sensitivities, candida, as well as psycho-somatic conditions, especially where the underlying factor is related to emotional stress. It can also be used to assist in the elimination of toxins from the body.

Kripalu Yoga: Kripalu Yoga literally translates from the Sanskrit as compassionate union of body, mind, and spirit. The Kripalu method of teaching and practicing yoga uniquely blends the physical postures of hatha yoga with the contemplative meditation of raja yoga. Strong emphasis on breath awareness and breathing techniques is part of the foundation of Kripalu Yoga. Swami Shri Kripalvanandji, the founder of Kripalu Yoga, said, “Pranayama (control of the breath or life force) is 100 times more powerful than postures.” To contain the energy created by Pranayama, the body must be strong. The postures strengthen the body, creating the vessel needed to hold this energy.

Kundalini Yoga: Combines movement, breath, chants and meditation to induce a heightened physical and mental awareness. This spiritually rich practice claims to improve metabolic, glandular, emotional and nervous-system imbalances through chakra (energy zone) balancing.

Labyrinth: A simple path, a pattern with a purpose. Unicursal, it has one path into the center, the same path out. It’s uses include walking meditation, problem solving and prayer.

Light Therapy: A treatment for various disorders including seasonal affective disorder, depression, hypersomnia, and delayed phase sleep disorder. Natural sunlight and various forms of light therapy can help reestablish the body’s natural rhythm and are becoming an integral treatment for many health-related conditions.

Lightbody Integration: Assists the process of transmuting the physical cells of the body to the pure energy of Light by accelerating their vibrational rate. All cells are then merged into a unified field of Light. Because of our connection to the web of life, this process also affects our planet, as well as all life on it.

Lymphatic Drainage: This system drains fluids, detoxifies and regenerates tissues, filters out toxins and foreign substances and helps us maintain a healthy immune system. Practitioners manually attune the specific rhythm, pressure, quality and direction of the lymph flow by using a combination of precise anatomical science and distinct manual techniques. People have used this practice for detoxification of the body, relief of sinusitis and bronchitis, relief of chronic pain, regeneration of tissue, including burns, wounds, stretch marks and wrinkles and more.

Magnetic Products: The use of magnetics can restore and maintain the proper magnetic balance. It can involve sleeping on a magnetic bed and pillow to using magnetic pads on the body. When a magnetic product is placed next to the body, electrically charged waves pass through the tissue, stimulating blood flow to the area, thus allowing the body to heal itself more effectively. It is helpful for degenerative joint disease and certain forms of arthritis.

Martial Arts: Martial arts, also known as fighting systems, are bodies of codified practices or traditions of training for unarmed and armed combat, usually without the use of guns and other modern weapons. People study martial arts for various reasons including fitness, self-cultivation (meditation), mental/character development, and self-defense.

Massage Therapy: This is a general term which covers a variety of disciplines for the manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise affecting muscles and connective tissue by hand or mechanical device with the intent of increasing circulation and detoxification, reducing physical and emotional stress and increasing general wellness. 

Mediation: The intervention of a third party in a dispute with intent to settle equitably for both sides, as well as avoiding more costly, usually damaging litigation.

Medical Intuition: The skill of interpreting the language of human energy. A health assessment performed through a system of intuitively scanning the emotional, physical, and spiritual bodies.

Medical Massage: Medical Massage is performed with the intent of improving conditions or pathologies that have been diagnosed by a physician; a wide variety of modalities or procedures are utilized to focus the treatment based on the diagnosed condition.

Meditation: Meditation is a focusing of the mind. The object of focus is often the breath, but may also be an object or an image. Meditators may also silently chant a mantra–a simple word or phrase (often in Sanskrit)–to help clear the mind of wandering thoughts and enhance mental clarity.

Midwifery: A midwife is a birth attendant who assists a woman through the prenatal, labor, birth and postpartum stages of pregnancy. The mother is encouraged to be involved and to feel in control of her birthing experience. Midwives are knowledgeable about normal pregnancy, labor and birth and they respect the process of birth as an innate and familiar process.

Movement Education: This is an educational process which assists individuals in recognizing and improving their quality of movement in relation to specific tasks. Through particular exercises, a practitioner will assist the individual in finding movement patterns which cause difficulties, then suggest exercises to amend the patterns or use hands-on re-patterning techniques to bring about new, healthier patterns.

Movement Therapy: A psychotherapeutic process that uses body awareness and movement as well as verbal interaction for transformation. Exploration, self-expression, and communication are encouraged through direct experience. By linking body experience with images, feelings, thoughts, words and actions, movement therapy clarifies and gives meaning to one’s experience and perception.

Moxibustion: A technique used in traditional Chinese medicine in which a stick or cone of burning mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris, is placed over an inflamed or affected area on the body. The cone is placed on an acupuncture point and burned. The cone is removed before burning the skin. The purpose is to stimulate and strengthen the blood and the life energy, or qi, of the body.

Music/Sound Therapy: As sound has the ability to affect or evoke emotions, it can also help bring about the relaxation response, a state in which the body is most able to heal itself. Music can be listened to or created by the client. As a nonverbal form of communication, music can offer significant advantages in self-expression over modalities requiring dialogue. Used in reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and alleviating pain and headaches.

Myo Sim Karate: A balanced approach to training the mind, body and spirit. Students learn and practice formalities, stances and technique through kata, mat work and sparring.

Myofascial Release: A therapeutic treatment utilizing a gentle form of stretching, producing a healing effect upon the body tissues, eliminating pain and restoring motion. Fascia is a connective tissue which surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel and organ of the body. Malfunction of the fascial system due to trauma, posture, or inflammation can create a binding of the fascia, resulting in abnormal pressure on nerves, muscles, bones, or organs.

Natural Foods: Minimally processed foods that remain as close as possible to their whole, original state. Natural foods are generally more nutritious than their refined counterparts. Natural foods are not, by definition, organically grown.

Naturopathic Physicians: Naturopathic doctors are trained as full family practice doctors, but their philosophy is unique in that they strive to use the least invasive and most natural therapy possible. They tailor the healing protocol to the needs of the individual with methods that are effective for both chronic and acute conditions, aiming to remove the root cause of the disease and not just the symptoms. Healing modalities include nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, eastern and western medical traditions and lifestyle modification.

Naturopathy: Naturopathic doctors are trained specialists in a distinct healing art that uses non-invasive, natural medicine. They tailor the healing system to the needs of the individual with methods that are effective for both chronic and acute conditions. Healing modalities include nutrition, supplementation, herbal therapy, homeopathy, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and modification of lifestyles.

Network Chiropractic: A network of independent chiropractic offices utilizing Network Spinal Analysis. The relationship of the individual to his or her environment is dependent upon a clear and flexible nervous system; the individual who is clear of interference in his or her nervous system has a more effective connection between his or her emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects.

Network Spinal Analysis (N.S.A): Utilizes a sequence of spinal evaluations and adjusting techniques, including low force adjustments to reduce or correct mechanical tension and interference in the nervous system at the spinal level. This enables the nervous system to better express the body mind’s organizing intelligence and vital life force.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (N.L.P.): A model of communication that focuses on identifying and using patterns of thought that influence a person’s behavior as a means of improving the quality and effectiveness of their lives. It offers a paradigm of how the brain works (neuro), about how language interacts with the brain (linguistics), and how we use this interaction to get the results we want for ourselves and others (programming). It is an effective, proven vehicle for accelerated human change, radically altering the “old way” of lengthy psychotherapy.

Neuromuscular Therapy: Often used to relieve tender or congested spots in muscle tissue and compressed nerves that may radiate pain to other areas of the body. The role of the brain, spine and nerves are emphasized in neuromuscular therapy.

NIA / Neuromuscular Integrative Action: A mind and body exercise regimen that encourages free expression while incorporating elements of jazz, African and modern dance, martial arts, yoga , the Alexander technique, Feldenkrais and meditation. Chakra and qi- Eastern energetics concepts- are usually employed as well. This is a non-impact aerobic workout.

Nine Hypergnostic Systems (service mark) Training: The study of the anatomy and functions of the nine body systems which discovers the interconnectedness of our physical and psychological experience by means of honest self observation.

Ninja Yoga: Founded on the idea that the positive change of an individual can affect positive change in a community, a region, a country and the world. Ninjitsu philosophy is rooted in many of the same principals as traditional yoga. More than just stretching and breathing, it’s an exercise in community building and improving the world.

NUCCA Chiropractic: A procedure that is a highly advanced, unique method of locating and correcting the cause of spinal imbalance and brain stem pressure for the restoration of health and well-being. Each individualized spinal correction is precise, gentle and designed to influence the whole body, including the entire spine, pelvis and associated nerves, muscles, ligaments and organs. 

Numerology: The study of the mysterious and hidden meaning of numbers and their relevance to our society and existence. Numerology grew as a branch of mathematics a more concrete and operational system of numbers. However, to use numerology successfully one must implement mathematical symbols, computations, and logarithms. This data forms a numerological chart that can explain one's personality and predict their future.

Nursing: Nursing is a discipline focused on assisting individuals, families and communities in attaining, re-attaining and maintaining optimal health and functioning. Modern definitions of nursing define it as a science and an art that focuses on quality of life as defined by persons and families. Nursing is not only concerned about health and functioning but with quality of living and dying, lived experience, and universal lived experiences of health.

Nutritional Counseling: To support you in lifestyle changes, a nutritional counselor will assess and recommend according to an individuals personal needs. Through the use of several diagnostics they will determine various nutrient supplementation to aid in digestion, assimilation and metabolism; other herbal therapies and exercise programs to help you restore and attain optimum body functioning and performance.

Nutritional Medicine: Proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes are the basic elements that our bodies use to create and maintain life. A specific balance of these elements is required to maintain optimal health. When a body becomes ill, nutritional medicine calls for higher, therapeutic doses of basic nutrients to address illnesses and disorders. It can be effective in addressing diseases of deficiency that may be caused by poor diet or extreme environmental factors. Because this method uses substances that are vital to human physiology, nutritional medicine is well received by the body.

Nutritionist (Certified): Assists the individual in developing a comprehensive, confidential nutritional analysis with the objective being to design a strategy for overcoming the weaknesses in one’s present health program and to provide specific recommendations to assist in the achievement of improved health objectives. A Certified Nutritionist recognizes the need to consult with other professionals in other specialties and is responsible for coordinating the work of specialists.

Nutritionist (Clinical): A teacher of many principles of wellness, including lifestyle changes, proper food selections, correct eating patterns, proper use of nutritional supplements, fitness programs and stress management. She/he guides and educates clients toward personal goals and actively encourages clients to share responsibility for personal health and well-being.

Occupational Therapy: A treatment aimed at improving abilities to carry out daily living, recovering from work related injuries, limitations following a stroke or heart attack, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, birth injuries, learning problems or developmental disabilities, mental health or behavioral problems including Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress.

Optometry: An optometrist will examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system. They are skilled in the co-management of eye health. Behavioral/ holistic optometrists evaluate vision not only in relation to clarity of sight and eye health, but also consider visual efficiency, comfort and ocular nutrition, sometimes providing visually directed activities to improve performance.

Organic Products: Organically grown products (i.e. food, cotton, hemp) are grown without artificial fertilizers or pesticides. Instead, organic growers used composted fertilizer and natural pest management to produce healthy crops. Since there are no chemicals involved in the production, these products generally cause fewer allergic reactions in the consumer. Because composted or natural fertilizer contains more minerals, the food produced organically has more nutrients.

Osteopathy: A system of therapy founded in the 19th century based on the concept that the body can formulate its own remedies against diseases when the body is in a normal structural relationship, has a normal environment and enjoys good nutrition.

Pain Relief: Both physical and psychological aspects of pain can be dealt with through alternative treatment. Some of the most popular treatment options include herbal therapies, nutritional therapies, homeopathy, acupressure and acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques, such as yoga, hypnosis, and meditation. Hydrotherapy can also be very beneficial for pain relief.

Past Life Therapy: Past life practitioners assist an individual in tracing the situations they are experiencing in their present life to events that occurred in past lives. Through hypnosis or guided meditation, the client will ultimately recognize and then release the emotions or trauma associated with events from past lives.

Personal Chef: A Personal Chef is keenly focused on meeting the palate requirements of his or her employer. Professionally trained and seasoned in the various cuisines, these chefs combine technical expertise with dedication to understanding and catering to the preferences, tastes and cookbooks of their employers.

Personal Growth: Personal development (also known as self-development or personal growth) comprises the development of the self.

Personal Trainer: A private instructor to teach, assist and encourage a trainee of any sport at any level. Personal fitness instructors play an important role in the lives of many struggling and aspiring health- and condition-conscious people.

Pest Control: Pest control refers to the regulation or management of another species defined as a pest, usually because it is detrimental to a person's health, the ecology or the economy.

Physical Therapy: Assists the healing of a body using a variety of techniques and equipment including exercise, hot and cold treatments, electrical stimulation and massage therapy. It is used after physical injuries and surgery to accelerate the recovery process by regaining strength, relieving pain and restoring full range of motion. Physical therapists also aim to help prevent recurring injuries.

Physicians: Internists or general/family practitioners who treat a variety of medical problems across all patient age groups and who frequently serve as the patient’s first point of contact with the healthcare system. In some cases, obstetricians, gynecologists, and pediatricians are considered primary care physicians.

Pilates Method: Originated by Joseph H. Pilates, many of the exercises are based on yoga movements and aim to coordinate mind, body and spirit through the correct use of muscles and breathing. It combines control of the core musculature—stomach, back, buttocks, arms and legs—for ease of movement and mental focus. Used by anyone looking to increase endurance and improve flexibility, balance and muscle tone.

Polarity Therapy: Recognizes three distinct fields of energy in the body each holding a positive, neutral or negative charge. The goal of polarity therapy is to balance the flow and harmony of these fields for optimal health. It uses four main modalities to help an individual achieve balance: diet, exercise, bodywork and self-awareness.

Pregnancy Massage: Several different massage techniques that are safe and effective prenatal, during labor and postpartum. Skilled techniques can reduce pregnancy discomforts and enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of the mother. Skilled, appropriate touch can facilitate labor, often shortening labor times and easing pain and anxiety. In the postpartum period, specialized techniques rebalance structure, physiology and emotions of the mother.

Prenatal Yoga: Strength, flexibility, relaxation, inner peace, and breath awareness are essential to a healthy and positive pregnancy. By using, stretching and cultivating the muscles for birth, you inherently make birth easier. The muscles are prepared by the yoga to do their job efficiently in labor.

Process Oriented Bodywork: Through bodywork, meditation and deep listening, the client is supported to access their inner wisdom and release stores memories, feelings and deeply held patterns. These process tools can then be applied by the client in their daily living.

Professional Development: Balances the demands of your business with the needs of your mind, body, family and spirituality. Lifestyle strategies are taught to help stay optimistic, to help one be well prepared, have plenty of reserves and help with confidence and composure.

Psychic: One who demonstrates or expresses abilities that range far beyond the five physical senses.

Psychotherapy: A psychotherapist helps one look objectively at their behavior, feelings, thoughts and problematic situations to determine more effective ways of understanding and dealing with them.

Qi Gong: Literally means “energy cultivation”, Qi Gong is a system of practices for rejuvenation and health preservation. Qi Gong improves flexibility, strength, mental focus, physical and emotional balance through visualization, meditation, stretching, movement, self-massage and sound.

Radix Therapy: The uniting of physical exercises and body awareness with psychotherapeutic techniques. Specific processes loosen the “body armor” that trap feelings in the musculature, thereby allowing the universal life force (the radix) to freely flow.

Raindrop Protection Therapy: Highly microbial herbal essential oils are used along with a unique massage to detoxify, strengthen the autoimmune response and reduce stress. This therapy is a strong defense against bacteria and viruses and great for immune system protection.

Rebirthing: This modality focuses on the breath. The practitioner guides the client through a breathing process which fills the body with an abundant amount of oxygen, supplying cells with freshly charged blood. Breathwork can rejuvenate the body and mind and release emotional memories that are stored in the individual cells.

Reflexology: Based on the acupuncture system of meridians running throughout the body, accessible throughout the feet, hands and head. Reflexology uses deep compression massage to detect and release blocked energy in the organs and the rest of the body.

Rehabilitation: The combined and coordinated use of medical, social, educational, and vocational measures used for training or re-training individuals disabled by disease or injury to the highest possible level of functional ability.

Reiki: The practitioner places her/his hands on the recipient’s clothed body, moving the hands every few minutes. It is a form of energy work that works on the physical, etheric and subtle bodies by restoring and balancing the natural life force energy within the body. It can also be performed at a distance from the client by a Reiki Master.

Restaurants: Nutricious, organic and natural food!

Retail: Shops selling a unique selection of books, meditation cushions, yoga mats, Tibetan rugs, and ceremonial items such as drums, incense and singing bowls.

Retreat Centers: Spiritual Programs in a tranquil, country setting. A meeting place for groups seeking a private and peaceful setting for their conference, meetings, workshops or even weddings.

Ro Hun Therapy: A rapid acting psychotherapy which combines “talk” therapy, energy therapy and guided meditation. While lying on a padded table, clients are helped to recognize, express and manage their emotions. It works by releasing blocked negative energies that are trapped on five levels: in the body, in memories of past experiences, in current behaviors, in thoughts and views about life and in one’s self-concept.

Rolf Method: This method of bodywork consists of deep connective tissue manipulation and client education about how the body is positioned in relation to gravity. The major sections of the body – the head, shoulders, chest, pelvis and legs – are “reordered” to enhance flexibility, ease of breath and movement. As parts of the physical body are adjusted, so are corresponding parts of the emotional body.

Rubenfeld Synergy Method: A system that integrates psychotherapy, intuition and bodywork. Painful experiences stored in our bodies can result in energy blocks, imbalances, and chronic coping behaviors. Rubenfeld uses talk, movement, awareness, imagination, humor and gentle touch as gateways to contact and relieve frozen tensions and emotions, freeing the body from pain and the mind from suffering.

Sacral Occipital Technique (S.O.T.): A system of removing the cause of nerve malfunction using minimum force to restore and maintain health. This chiropractic technique employs the use of wedge shaped blocks to allow the body to seek its correct alignment and balance. There are many combinations of block positions used, and these are determined by tests that precede each adjustment. S.O.T. recognizes the importance of body language in the form of neurological tests, weak muscles, tender areas and other signs and indicators, to determine the type of adjustment needed.

Sacred Geometry: Known by the Ancient's as the "language of light", this is the study and application of primary geometric forms considered to be the crystallization of the creative thoughts of the Divine. In healing, these forms are used to open awareness and release blockages within the physical and subtle bodies, so to energize and heal our human body, mind and spirit, thus providing a deeper connection to our own Divine essence.

Sandtray: Work that incorporates the use of miniature figures and objects placed in a tray of sand. The client creates a world or scene using the figures and objects chosen, then tells a story about what they created. The practitioner helps the client explore the meaning and personal implications of each object or figure.

Senior Health: Dynamic and welcoming community for adults with active lifestyles, offering activities to challenge, enrich and surprise. With over 100 programs available, classes include tai chi, yoga, hiking, aerobics, drama and travel.

Sensory Awareness: A profound practice that helps us wake up to a deeper level of experiencing. Through experimentation with everyday activities like walking, eating a strawberry, or meeting another person, we can gain deep insights into why and how we limit ourselves. And guess what? When we allow it, we can uncover our natural tendencies toward healing, vitality and joy!

Sexuality/Sex Therapy: A specialized treatment focusing on the resolution of sexual concerns. The mode of treatment is talking; there are neither sexual relations nor nudity in the sessions. The client talks explicitly about their problems, and with the help of the sex therapist, learns about the etiology of their concerns and explores various options to improve their sexual life.

Shamanism: This centuries old practice of spiritual healing is performed throughout the world. In shamanism, all of life–including illness, trauma, accidents and misfortune–are perceived to be spiritual in origin. Therefore, it is necessary to heal them in the spirit realm. A shamanic practitioner journeys on behalf of a client to reclaim lost power, vitality and essence, retrieve a power animal or remove an uninvited spirit.

Shiatsu: A therapeutic acupressure technique used to address a wide variety of symptoms. It also enhances the actions of acupuncture, herbs and chiropractic care. The heightened awareness gained from shiatsu treatment facilitates personal and spiritual development.

Sivananda Yoga: This form of yoga combines postures, breathing techniques and mantra chanting.

Social Investing: Also r