Strength/Flexibility/Health/EDS

Earlier today, I saved an article to read later. The article that I saved was about an 85-year old woman, living with severe osteoporosis and a terrible hunch back, who made incredible progress in her posture and pain through yoga. 

Tonight, after YTT (Yoga Instructor Training),  I finally had the chance to read the article I saved. I love this article for so many reasons — it made me think of my…

Wellapalooza 2016 Sponsor Raffle Prize Winners!!

Below are our 2016 Sponsor Raffle Prize Winners – Please make sure to read below! If you see your name please send an email to [email protected] so we can get your prize shipped ASAP.  If you have any concerns about the prize you won (ie. do not have a child to give a very cool Mast Cell Aware shirt to) please send me an email. We will try to find something more appropriate. We MUST have…

Kendra Neilsen Myles shares the “Just 5 Minutes” mission. Kendra Neilsen Myles is the Executive Director & Founder of EDS Wellness, Inc.     EDS Wellness, Inc. Mission Statement: EDS Wellness is a non-profit organization promoting health education, integrative healthcare, and wellness strategies for living well with Hypermobility…

It’s hard to summarize your feelings when smack in the middle of planning or running any kind of event. I may have a variety of both good and some not-so-good feelings about this amazing 3-day retreat weekend, but I can honestly say…. THIS is what I’m most proud of – the Wellapalooza 2016 Physicians Learning Lunch with Dr. Larry Afrin. And guess what? This was easy part of putting Wellapalooza…

Wellapalooza 2016 Day 2

Wellapalooza 2016 Retreat Newsletter Day 2 – Dr. Afrin’s Keynote Presentation after a great 2nd day, including presentations by Rebecca Snow & Dr. Clair Francomano. It’s funny how each presentation was on a different “topic,” yet all seemed to overlap in so many ways. There was clearly an underlying tone of how our lifestyle can impact the expression of our genes and the presentation of our…

EDS Population Survey – Utah and Surrounding Areas

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a common comorbid condition to Mast Cell Activation Disorders. For those who have been diagnosed with EDS and live in Utah or surrounding areas, please consider taking this survey.

“Make your EDS voices heard!

There is a medical institution in Utah that is considering opening an EDS devoted center or clinic. One of our main volunteers and personal close friend, has…

Make your EDS voices heard! There is a medical institution in Utah that is considering opening an EDS devoted center or clinic. One of our main volunteers and personal close friend, has been asked to help collect data to convince the funding side of this potential project that there is need, that there are enough of us, and that we would show up for diagnosis and/or treatment, if a center exists.…

Post-Wellapalooza 2016 Update, Details & Resources

Wellapalooza 2016 was amazing. In fact, it was everything that we would hope for a Wellapalooza and more.  While I was running around like mad during Wellapalooza, there were many moments when I was able to enjoy being with the Wella attendees, take classes, and enjoy the moment. I can honestly say that I really enjoyed all of the moments for what they each were – different, unique, and hopeful.…

Wellapalooza 2016 Physician Presentation Slides

Below are the physician presentation slides from Wellapalooza 2016. As we receive each presenter’s slide presentation, we will add it to this page. Please check back.   Dr. Larry Afrin – MCAD Overview 2016 – Wellapalooza General

Integrative Healing Brochure for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)

The Integrative Healing Brochure for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) was a year-long collaborative project between Kendra Neilsen Myles, EDS Wellness, Dr. Clair Francomano, Charles Thorpe, Emily Telfair, N.D., and the professional help of an editor and graphic designer. If you are interested in downloading or printing the brochure yourself, please send an email to [email protected], or submit a…

’51 Tips for Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)’ publishing release update – please read!  Well, here we are …. about to finish the 2nd full week in June, and we are even farther away from the May 31st publishing release date of ’51 Tips for Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)‘ – the anticipated e-book that Sarah Wells and I put…

Day 1 summary, Day 2 details, and important reminders –  Please make sure to read entire message or scroll down to important details and reminders for those attending Wellapalooza 2016!

Wellapalooza 2016 is off to a fantastic start! Yesterday was beyond incredible in so many ways. We were able to record Dr. Norris discussion and part of Dr. Afrin’s Q &A, but we tested out Facebook Live via the Wellapalooza Facebook page. However, we did not post a ton on social media, because we were thoroughly able to be present in the moment and enjoy this experience with both our older friends and those we met yesterday. Friday was our “lightest” day regarding attendance for this year’s retreat, but I’m fairly certain everyone fell in love with my personal sanctuary – The Mindfulness Center.

We experienced Dr. Deborah Norris‘ amazing restorative yoga class and discussed evidence-based support for managing chronic pain with mindfulness therapies. Additionally, we had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet in a small group and ask as many questions as we wished in an open Q & A session with Dr. Larry Afrin. Seriously awesome! 

Later in the afternoon, we took Tai Chi/QiGong, and then some of us stayed for Jessie Norris’ amazing candlelight yoga class in the evening. The retreat schedule on Friday was the perfect balance between educational presentations and discussions, and activity to help us put what we learned into practice. We didn’t just sit there!  We also had plenty of comfortable seating and various support tools to help us sit as comfortably as possible — a huge benefit to holding a health, wellness, or medical retreat in a wellness facility and yoga studio.

While some people participated more than others, several people tried things or watched with interest, when they would not have previously.

Friday set a strong and positive tone for Wellapalooza 2016, and we can’t wait to see everyone this morning! Saturday is our busiest day with the most attendees; however, we have made a few updates to the retreat schedule and registration was extended again based on interest.

Anyone who is in the Maryland area is welcome to join us!

To view the retreat schedule for today and Sunday, go to http://www.wellapalooza.com/retreat-schedule/

Our sponsor page for Wellapalooza 2016 is finally published. We have a few last-minute sponsors to add today, but we are incredibly grateful to everyone who pitched in to help make Wellapalooza 2016 a great event for our attendees.

If you weren’t’ able to make Wellapalooza 2016, you can still support this fantastic cause by becoming a Wella Partner!

http://www.wellapalooza.com/wella-partners/

We can’t thank The Mindfulness Center enough for hosting us. Wellapalooza Day 1 made a big difference in a few lives and opened the eyes of a few more. I’m blessed to be a tiny part of this amazing organization, while also working side by side to help improve the lives of those who need help the most.

Please read important details for those attending Wellapalooza 2016 below. 

Added a special support group ticket for those who are already in the DC/MD/VA MCAS/Mastocytosis/MCAD support group. The local support group can join the Sunday morning casual Q & A book signing with Dr. Afrin for $20. This ticket doesn’t include access to Haven on the Lake, or any of the other presentations scheduled for Sunday — this includes the Physicians Learning Lunch, even if you are already at Turf Valley in the same room. Registrations will be checked against the emails already on the support group list.

Registration was extended again. If anyone is interested, they can register by going to Wellapalooza 2016 – Retreat Registration

Please remember to call Haven on the Lake starting at 7 am TODAY to reserve your spot in the classes you would like to take, or to book a salt cave session. 410 – 715 – 3020 

If you are participating in the private Aquatic Yoga at 4:30 pm, you must have a bathing suit.

If you plan on using the Healing Environments at all, you must have a bathing suit.

The Watsu Aquatic Massage seminar is confirmed; however, it’s in one of the yoga studios and not the indoor pool.

If you wish to book a Watsu Aquatic Massage session, Tom will be taking appointments after the seminar. Personal Watsu sessions are NOT part of your registration. All wellness services and spa appointments are the responsibility of each attendee.

The indoor pool is INDOOR – meaning there’s chlorine in the air. If you are sensitive to chlorine, you may want to see if the room is tolerable for you if you are interested in aquatic massage or other healing environments.

Similarly, you have to WALK THROUGH the indoor pool area to get to the salt cave or the outdoor lounge area associated with the healing environments. Again, all personal preference and level of tolerance.

Main pool is around 88F,

The hot tub is around 104F

Cold plunge around 55F

The steam room is usually set to 116F.

Our saunas in the men’s and women’s retreats are around 160F

Healing environment air temps are usually around 86-89F (not sure if this includes salt cave or not, but I believe that it does)

KidSpace is $8/child for up to 2 hours, ages 6weeks to 13 years old.

Close-toed and closed back shoes are required (no flip flops or sandals) for kids

Parents must remain on site the entire time their child is in KidSpace (walking around the lake is not considered on-site)

Dr. Afrin’s Keynote Presentation is tonight at 6:30 pm at Turf Valley Resort – approx. 10 minutes away from Haven on the Lake. Driving directions are attached below.

Haven on the Lake is holding a community event on Sunday, June 12th – Yoga on the Lawn at 10am. Anyone can join.

I’ve attached a bunch a PDFs with various articles and information that will be discussed today in different seminars.

Please make sure to check your email a few times during the day, the Wellapalooza site, Retreat schedule and Facebook page for announcements and important information. I’m still updating the schedule and posting reminders.

  Wellapalooza-specific information

Wellapalooza 2016 3-day schedule

Wellapalooza 2016 Liability and Photo Release

Directions from Haven on the Lake to Turf Valley Resort

Directions from Turf Valley Resort to Haven on the Lake

Movement/”Just 5 Minutes”/Yoga

Hypermobility – Nutritious Movement

Hypermobility (and 12 Steps to stronger, more stable shoulders) – Nutritious Movement

About – Nutritious Movement

Practicing Yoga with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome:EDS – The Hypermobile Yogi

Yoga and The Hypermobile Yogi – The Hypermobile Yogi

Meditation/Mindfulness

Learn Yoga Nidra in 10 Simple Steps | Yoga for Relaxation

As Restorative As Sleep – Relax Yourself With Yoga Nidra | The Art of Living

  Series 3 – Mindfulness Meditation Series 2 – Mindfulness Meditation

Series 1 – Mindfulness Meditation

Full Catastrophe Living (Revised Edition): Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pa

  Current Allergy and Clinical Immunology 2014

Mast cell activation disease- a concise practical guide for diagnostic workup and therapeutic options (2011)

MCAS/MCAD/Mastocytosis 

Afrin MCAS Concise, practical guide & quiz Wella news 1

ER_Protocol

TMSERBrochure

Wellapalooza 2016 Packing and Planning Information

Final Wellapalooza 2016 Updates, Packing, and Planning Information Final Wellapalooza 2016 Details – Packing & Planning. The fun stuff! The information included in this email may not all be pertinent to you; however, information about packing, planning, and directions should be helpful for everyone. Registration has been extended and is open for those interested in still registering for…