We may be in the final weeks of 2017, but lots of exciting changes are taking place at Blueberry Gardens! New practitioners, new classes and more! We invite you to join in celebrating the conclusion of a reflective and inspiring year and moving into the new year with enthusiasm and joy.

 

Catchin' Some Rays

The warmth of the sun's rays is now powering our operations at Blueberry Gardens. We recently installed solar panels on the studio and house to further our commitment to eco-friendly, sustainable living and working. We're currently pulling in enough energy to power us with 100% solar energy. Aren't those solar panels wonderful??

Blueberry Gardens welcomes a new addition to our family of practitioners: Jeremy Ford, Licensed Massage Therapist. Jeremy specializes in the modalities of Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release.

Using a combination of these modalities, Jeremy believes massage therapy should be applied in harmony with a client's concurrent care, from conventional medicine to energy work. Jeremy is very excited to share his passion for massage therapy with the local community at the healing space at Blueberry Gardens.

Jeremy is also available to provide onsite seated massages at businesses and events, including sports massage at athletic events.

Jeremy brings a varied background and multidisciplinary perspective to his career as a massage therapist. Prior to earning his license, Jeremy graduated from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he studied classical music performance in double bass. During school and for several years afterward, he worked in retail management and learned the value of excellent customer service.

In 2000, Jeremy enlisted in the U.S. Army working for the Special Operations Command. Since leaving the military, Jeremy has been employed for 11 years with a non-profit veteran's service organization in Washington, DC assisting disabled military veterans in getting their disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Jeremy graduated on the Dean's list from massage therapy program at Anne Arundel Community College's School of Health Sciences. He has personally experienced the physical demands of the performing arts, the rigors of military training, and the stagnation that the body endures from sitting behind a desk. These experiences fanned his passion for massage therapy and attention-to-detail to provide customized sessions for each of his clients.

Schedule an appointment today with Jeremy at 571-723-5890 or [email protected]

New T'ai Chi Class Forming

Special events fill the calendar at Blueberry Gardens at this time of year. If you feel like you're living on overload, rejuvenate and relax at a session held in our little slice of serenity. Our calendar of special events is updated frequently, for the latest information, please visit our website: www.blueberrygardens.org.

Dharma Teacher Michael Nguyen guides a variety of meditations at Cultivating Our Garden of Love: A Day of Mindfulness. Sitting, walking and eating meditations, as well as mindfulness and trauma-releasing exercises, are among the techniques to be shared to enhance self-care and awareness. The session is set for 8:45am to 3:30pm, Saturday, Dec. 10. All experience levels are welcome. Suggested dana is $50-$90. Info: 240-731-3732 or [email protected].

Clarify what you really want from life and focus on achieving those goals by creating a vision board. Celebrate Your Life Vision-Board Workshop offers a time-proven vehicle for intentionally manifest your dreams in the new year. Scheduled for 10am to 2pm, Saturday, Dec. 31,  this workshop is a New Year's Eve immersion to focus on your authentic life and ideal. Cost: $100. Info: [email protected].

Become a Certified Integrative Reflexologist in a weekend and spread a little more healing throughout the world! Learn the basic techniques of foot, hand and ear reflexology through the four-theory approach of structural alignment, zones, oriental meridians and proprioceptors. This three-day session is 9am to 6pm, Jan. 6-8 and is NCBTMB approved. Cost: $445 by Dec. 9, $475 after. Info or registration: 919-885-1069 or www.cultivatinginnerstillness.com.

Stressed out, anxious and feeling a void in your life? Learn to quiet your mind, navigate stress and connect to inner peace by learning meditation and mindfulness skills. Meditation and More with Stacie is a six-week evening session that starts Wednesday, Jan. 11, 7 to 9pm. Instructor Stacie Rogers shares techniques and strategies to physically, emotionally and mentally enhance your life. Beginners welcome. Cost: $250 includes book and CD, military and senior discounts available. Info: 301-801-3401 or [email protected].

Welcome the new year and nourish your happiness at New Beginnings: A Day of Meditation Practices, 9:30am to 3:30pm, Saturday, Jan 21. Each day is a new beginning, each mindful breath is a new beginning, presenting a new opportunity to grow in peace and love. Mindfulness meditation, Qi Gong, deep relaxation, walking and sharing experiences Bring a vegetarian potluck offering, water bottle and any special pillows. Cost: $45. Info: [email protected].

Conscious Healthy Mama offers a one-day Winter Getaway for Moms, a Yoga and Self-Care Retreat. These retreats are an opportunity for busy mothers to recharge, renew and gain clarity about their lives through yoga, meditation, journaling, creative practices and connecting with other moms. Retreat is scheduled for 10am to 5pm, Saturday, Jan. 28. Cost: $100 before Dec. 15, $120 after. Info: www.consciousmama.com.

Ready to write your book and share your story? Yoga Writers One-Day Retreat explores the power of the memoir, yoga for release and freedom, an organizational writing workshop, and the healing practices of meditation and crystal work to sustain writers during the process. Cost: $147. Info:

Zero Balancing is a hands-on body-mind system to enhance health and well-being by balancing body energy through touch. Touching the Whole Person is a four-day course for experienced Zero Balancers to expand their understanding of held energy and emotional and physical imbalances. The course is set for March 10-13. Cost: $595 ir registered 60 days in advance, $795 after. Info: 617-354-8360 or 571-330-1805 or www.zerobalancing.com.

Learn to facilitate Family Systems Constellations and develop the resource of systemic thinking and perspective at the 2017 Systems Constellation 21-Day Facilitator Training, starting March 24-25. Session continue in April, June, July, September and October. This training will help expand your professional impact and joy and vibrancy in your own life. Professionals from many healing disciplines have completed this training and enjoy a broader understanding of the dynamics of family, human, community and natural systems. Francesca Mason Boring, of All My Relations Constellations and an author, trainer, teacher and facilitator, will provide the training. Cost: $3,000 by Feb. 1, $3,200 after. Info: 202-255-8602 or [email protected].