Here is a great event that the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing is excited to be a part of, right here in Regent Square! CELEBRATING WOMEN'S WISDOM Join us for a day of workshops connecting, celebrating and honoring women’s wisdom.  Saturday, October 17, 2009 9:30 am to 5pm Environmental Charter School, Regent Square 829 Milton St.  15218 Facilitated by Cindy Petrakis-Mason and Diane Feliciani $45 (includes lunch) or $40 (bring your own lunch) $25 student rate You will have the opportunity to participate in four of the following workshops presented by women for women:   WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS Creating a Personal Mandala – In this workshop you will be creating a piece of artwork that is ancient in its history and a personal expression of your inner spirit.  Deb Kline has been on her spiritual journey for 10 years and enjoying every aspect of it.  She has been  teaching about and creating mandalas for 4 years. Bellydance – This is a fun workshop designed for beginners who want to discover more about the art of bellydance.  Janim will guide you through the basics, dancing along to Arabic pop music.  Come join us for creative movement and exercise in a fun setting!  Dress comfortably and bring a scarf to tie around the hips.  Janim holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and is a member or the Adjunct Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University. West African Dance – Becky Bickford learned West African Dance while studying at Penn State. She teaches classes with kids and adults. West African Dance is a high energy, all in, full body connection with traditional rhythms played by drummers.  The dance is liberating, yet a gracious connection to the tradition is felt.  This will get your endorphins going, your energy flowing, and your faces glowing! Energy Healing – Are you creating optimal health in your body, mind, and spirit?  Brennan Healing Science is a hands-on-healing modality that helps to clear and charge the human energy field to remove energetic blocks and to enhance the body’s natural healing capability .  This workshop is designed to provide an understanding of the transformational power of energy healing.  Nancy Lishack is a teacher, healer, and seeker of spiritual renewal.  She has been teaching high school students for the past 32 years, is a graduate of the inernationally renowned Barbara Brennan School of Healing and has been on the Hero’s Journey for Women support staff for the past five years. Crafting Meditation Beads – The word bead comes from the anglo-saxon “bede” meaning prayer. Beads have been used throughout history by many different religions and cultures as a means to prayer and meditation.  In this workshop we will each craft a personal strand of meditation beads to use as a reminder that with each touch of a bead we are in the present moment. Twenty years ago Jean Haller founded Journeys of Life, a book and gift store in Shadyside, dedicated to supporting life’s many choices, challenges and celebrations.   Jean worked with Eleanor Wiley author of A String and a Prayer, in the art of making Contemporary Prayer Beads. Yoga – Diane Feliciani will lead a gentle but energizing class that is appropriate for all levels.  She will complete her 200 hour yoga certification in December and is certified to teach yoga in the schools. Hand Drumming – No previous experience needed to bring out your inner rhythm.  Toeknee Bailey believes everyone is a drummer and will have you drumming at the end of this fun-filled workshop.  Learn basic techiques and be a part of the joy and community of drumming together.  Toeknee has taught and facilitated many drumming circles for adults and children.  She was instrumental in bringing drumming to women in Pittsburgh. Movement & Memoir  -  A hybrid class blending yoga and creative autobiographical writing. We will focus on writing and observing our environments as a catalyst for releasing tension and broadening our awareness.  Finding inspiration in our senses and perceptions, anatomy, literature, performance, music, art, meditation, and critical analysis, we will explore different aspects of observation and expression, stillness and animation.  Expect a gentler yoga practice with an emphasis on wrists, shoulders, and low back.  Bring a notebook and an open mind!  Dana Killmeyer has written two books:  Paradise, or the Part that Dies and Pendulums of Euphoria.  She is currently pursuing training as a yoga teacher and as a Somatic Movement Educator.    Meditation – Meditation is a way to access your inner self by quieting your busy mind and focusing your awareness on the present moment.  It can lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, anxiety and stress, and increase recognition of compulsive behavior patterns.  Joni Sturgill is a 200-hour registered yoga teacher with a daily meditation practice for the past 8 years.  She currently teaches at several local studios including Schoolhouse Yoga. Naturopathic Medicine – Living in balance:  Tools for every woman to achieve health and harmony throughout the phases of life.  Joy Sakonyi, ND is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, specializing in the synergistic use of homeopathy, herbs, nutrition and lifestyle counseling and a compassionate, individualized approach to help patients achieve optimal health and wellness. *Raffles for free massage, energy work, belly dancing class and more* ***Art, Jewelry, and various items from Journeys of Life will be available for sale.*** To register, please contact Cindy or Diane by Friday, October 9th to: Cindy Petrakis-Mason   412-242-2806 or cpetrakismason@gmail.com or Diane Feliciani  412-726-9567 or dsf428@gmail.com