Community Education

Staying healthy and getting healthier are never-ending quests! There's always more to learn on your journey to full, holistic health, and KCHA offers a variety of continuing education classes to help along the way.

We're always happy to talk with you about classes that catch your eye. And if there's something you'd like to see us offer that's not listed here, just let us know! With a minimum number of participants, private classes can also be arranged for any group.

Yoga Flow

This yoga practices flows between and through postures with awareness. There is an emphasis on honoring and healing the body, flowing with the breath, and deepening core alignments. We participate fully with our bodies in hopes of creating quiet spaciousness inside. It is here that the mind unwinds and opens to the beauty of self, life and peace. Inspired by Kali Ray's TriYoga. Instructor Gina Greene. Open to all levels.

Tuesdays, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Full session $80, drop-ins $12/session, students $8/session

The Best of Natural Birth

Natural birth matters. After all, it's the way our bodies were meant to give birth, and we're meant to experience it with awareness. While we're grateful for technology when it saves moms and babies, routine interventions and medication can also lead to a cascade of complications. The Best of Natural Birth isn't a rigid method—it's a toolbox. A toolbox of natural birthing techniques that you won't find anywhere else, from an independent instructor who works only for you. As of January 2008, 93 percent of Jessica English's students who've birthed vaginally have done so without pain medication—that includes first-time parents, VBAC moms, and even several third-time parents who just wanted to find a new way to birth. Classes begin four times a year and can be completed at any time before (or close to!) mom's due date. Private classes and refresher series also offered. Instructor, Jessica English. Click here for more information.

8-week series
Thursdays, 6 p.m.
January, April, July and October 2008
Late starts possible
$200 per couple

Tai Chi

Tai Chi originated in ancient China. Tai Chi focuses on fluid, circular movements that are relaxed and slow in tempo. Breathing is deep and slow, effective and safe. This gentle art increases flexibility, muscle strength, and heart and lung activity, while aligning posture, improving balance, and integrating the mind and body. Instructor Ed Kehoe. Open to all levels.

Please call for dates and times

Hatha Yoga with Kay

Let yoga bring warmth and light into your life! This class focuses on eliminating the stress we carry in our shoulders and jaws, hips and minds. We practice poses for length and strength, while meditating on serenity and peace. Surrender and breathe, and imagine what we can learn from each other. Instructor Kay McAdam. Open to all levels. 8 week sessions, new students welcome at any time.

Please call for dates and times

Relaxation Massage Workshop

Would you like to try out your healing hands? This four-week workshop teaches the basic techniques for giving a relaxation massage, couched in the larger framework of holistic health.

Please call for dates and times
$100 per person or $175 per couple

KCHA Kids Kamp

Hey kids, no parents allowed! This jam-packed adventure includes hands-on instruction in a variety of massage and bodywork techniques. We also embark on a lot of other healthy, fun activities, including crafts and the ever-popular jerk-a-cise! Includes a t-shirt, snack, handouts and more. Ages 7-12.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Held annually in June
$75 one month in advance, or $85 after that time
$35 discount for each additional sibling

Making the Most of Who You Are

Everyone has a natural learning style. In this course you will learn to:

• Identify how you take in information
• Use your creative imagination
• Trust your inner sense
• Problem solve
• Listen to your body and its needs
• Understand your emotional feedback mechanisms.

Come along for this 8-week course and discover what works for you!

Please call for dates and times

Grief Recovery Seminar
and Workshops

Grief is the normal, natural emotional reaction to a significant loss of any kind, but our society doesn't prepare us well for loss. There are six unfortunate myths often repeated to people who are grieving: time heals all wounds; don't feel badly, or you are lucky; replace the loss; keep busy; be strong; and grieve alone. The three-hour seminar examines why you are in pain and what actions and tools are needed to move forward. Our nine-week workshop takes a much deeper look at what grief is and isn't, prompting you to examine your history and beliefs, then take new action to complete your pain.

3-hour seminar
Please call for dates and times
$25

9-week workshop
typically offered once per year, please call for dates and times
$225

Introduction to Homeopathy

Growing in popularity in the United States faster than any other method of alternative healing, homeopathy treats "like with like," using dilute doses of remedies. Join us for a brief introduction to what homeopathy is and how it can work for you.

6 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, May 21
$15

Homeopathy I

This class delves deeper into the study of homeopathy, its history, development and basic principles. Several specific remedies will be discussed.

3-week series
Scheduled regularly throughout the year, please call for dates and times
$120

Polarity I and II

Polarity therapy is the science of balancing the subtle energy currents in our bodies to promote relaxation and healing. Learn and practice basic techniques in Polarity I, then move on to more advanced techniques in Polarity II.

Polarity I
Please call for dates and times
$60

Polarity II
Please call for dates and times
$60

Reflexology I and II

Foot and hand massage are easy and effective ways to relieve stress. Join us to learn more about the art of reflexology, practiced for centuries as a natural method of healing. Reflexology I covers the basics of feet, while Reflexology II builds on that information and augments it with hand reflexology and in-depth information on aiding specific conditions.

Reflexology I
Please call for dates and times
$60

Reflexology II
Please call for dates and times
$60

Intro to Cranial Sacral Therapy

Continuing education for massage therapists. Cranial sacral therapy uses very light touch to correct imbalances in the cerebrospinal fluid and membranes. This class is designed for practitioners with little or no experience with the cranial sacral system, giving them the basic tools they need to use it effectively with their clients. The course is a highly interactive and hands-on—expect to give and receive each session. Open to all certified massage therapists and massage therapy students.

June 7, 8 and 21
$280

Exploring the Cranial Sacral System

Continuing education for massage therapists. In-depth exploration of the anatomy and physiology of the cranial sacral system will be intertwined with table work. This course is designed to help each practitioner develop his or her own professional relationship with the cranial sacral system. Effective, fun and plenty of time on the table! Days and times for the six months of classes to be determined by group consensus. Pre-requisite: Intro to Cranial Sacral Therapy.

Exploring the Cranial Sacral System is offered periodically throughout the year, please call for dates
$720

Detox and Cleansing I and II

Cleansing and fasting can be fun! These hands-on workshops will support you in implementing your cleansing program. Detox and Cleansing I explores juicing, how to make rejuvelac, skin cleansing treatments, movements to enhance the cleansing process, rewards and more. The higher-level seminar takes you deeper, exploring food combining, iridology and an introduction to colon therapy.

Detox and Cleansing I, 3-week seminar
Begins annually in February, May and October
$120

Detox and Cleansing II, 8-week seminar
Please call for dates and times
$480

Natural Remedies

This course will give you hands-on experience with a variety of natural remedies, including ginger compresses, castor oil packs, poultices, baths, teas, and ear candles, just to name a few.

1-day course taught four times a year
Please call for dates and times
$60

Herbology I

This workshop provides a simple and direct introduction herbology, basic herbs and how herbs are used in cleansing. A number of practical applications are explored.

3-week series, begins annually in late March, late June and September
Please call for dates and times
$120

Herbology II

This class picks up where Herbology I leaves off, with more herbs and theory. Learn about how to prepare herbal compresses, teas, poultices and other applications. Depending on the season, we also take time to gather locally available herbs.

10-week series, spans April to October
Please call for dates and times

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Other classes offered at the Kalamazoo Center for the Healing Arts (for dates or more information, please call us at (269) 373-0910, or send e-mail to school@kcha.com):

• Massage for Families
• Massage for Pregnant Partners
• Relaxation Massage Workshop (weekend)
• Yoga for Gardeners
• Menopause – Another Way to Go
• Healthy Breast Class
• Herbs for Women
• Headaches – Looking for Alternatives?
• Meditation and Visualization