Anne Marie Rowse, Certified Care Manager and Principal, Senior Care Advisors, LLC. Old Age isn't for Sissies (NEW) Anne Marie has over 15 years’ experience consulting with senior care organizations. She has worked as a marketing director and business development consultant for various hospitals, assisted living and nursing home facilities. She has been involved in the health insurance industry and consulted for a quality improvement initiative in nursing homes. Anne Marie is a licensed nursing home administrator, and has a BS in Rehabilitation Services.
Nicki Barker, CPT Resistance Bands for Strength & Mobility, Game Plan - Injury Prevention in Young Athletes (NEW), Total Body Resistance Band Workout (NEW) Nicki is a personal trainer and TRX instructor at Personal Training International. She appreciates working with a broad spectrum of clients and specializes in injury prevention, running and gait biomechanics, as well as postural awareness. Nicki holds certifications from the American Council on Exercise and TRX and has over 14 years of athletic experience as a distance runner.
Libby Barnett, MSW Reiki: Advanced Techniques, Reiki: Level I Training, Reiki: Level II Training Libby teaches the traditional Usui System of Reiki Healing. She has over 30 years of experience blending Reiki with conventional health care and has taught over 7,000 people nationwide. She learned Reiki I in 1979 and Reiki II in 1981 from John Harvey Gray, one of the 22 Reiki masters trained by Hawayo Takata, the late grand master of the Reiki lineage, who brought Reiki to the United States in 1973. Libby teaches Reiki at many local hospitals and health centers, and she is dedicated to teaching this sacred healing art to promote health and conscious living on the planet. She is co-author of the best-selling book, Reiki Energy Medicine, Bringing Healing Touch into Home, Hospital, and Hospice, with over 65,000 copies sold in seven languages.
Jane Aire Beckwith, Licensed massage therapist Reflexology-the Joy of Touch (NEW), Reflexology for the Respiratory and Circulatory System (NEW) Jane attended the Florida School of Massage and Natural Health and has been a certified reflexologist and licensed massage therapist since 1985. Jane's classes are infused with warmth, joy and sensitivity for her students. As a child she developed her compassion for others by caring for her mother who was challenged with pain.
Tiarra Bentley Pilates: Mixed Level Tiarra Bentley is owner of IM=X Pilates. She also teaches indoor cycling, muscle strengthening and sports-specific training. She believes that a regular fitness routine and healthy eating habits can help people of any age or fitness level to improve their overall health, wellness and quality of life. Tiarra is passionate about teaching IM=X programs as she feels they are a wonderful blend of therapeutic and strength training exercises. She has certifications in Spinning, IM=X® Basic, IM=X® Advanced and IM=X® Super Advanced, TRX.
Frances Bigda-Peyton, EdD, psychologist and certified psychoanalyst Taming Anxiety Dr. Bigda-Peyton has practiced individual and couples therapy for over 30 years and is a popular speaker at the center. A psychologist and certified analyst, she teaches and advises research at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis. Her current research interests are in understanding obstacles to maintaining satisfying relationships and developing ways to build personal and community resilience.
Bill Bradley How to Eat Mediterranean (NEW) Bill is a Registered Dietitian, lecturer and writer. He has led over 1,500 workshops including many on the health benefits of Mediterranean cuisine and lifestyle. Recently, Bill went to the island of Crete to research the traditional cooking techniques of the healthiest people in the world. He recently completed his second cookbook called Foods of Crete: Traditional Recipes from the Healthiest People in the World. His first book, Things to do With Black Bean Stew, is in its third printing. Bill’s most recent series of newspaper articles were entitled In Search of the Cretan Diet and were published in The Cretan Journal, Crete’s largest English language newspaper.
Loocie Brown Acupressure for Menopause, Acupressure for Migraines or Stress Headaches (NEW), Acupressure Massage for Back Pain, Acupressure Points for Joint & Nerve Disorders Loocie is a Licensed Acupuncturist who effectively works to promote vitality and health for her patients. She has been formerly credentialed to practice acupuncture at Boston Medical Center as a clinic supervisor. Loocie works out of Lexington and has spent the last decade developing programs for stress reduction. She has also been a professor at the New England School of Acupuncture since 1996. Loocie’s patients benefit not only from the results of her techniques but also from the gentle care she provides. Her treatments are a reflection of the dedication and commitment to patient wellness that has defined her practice for the past 25 years.
Catherine Collins, RN, MS, CHES Sleep 101 Catherine is a nurse and a certified health specialist with over 30 years of experience in health care, including 12 years as a nurse practitioner. She has designed and facilitated workshops on a variety of health topics, including stress management, balancing work and family, body image and lifestyle issues for both adults and college students. In addition, Catherine is a Qualified Therapeutic Touch Practitioner and a certified Reflexologist. She is also certified in Integrative Imagery. Catherine has a practice in Concord.
Nancy Dorenfeld, RYT Yoga:Gentle, Yoga:Pink Ribbon (NEW) Nancy is a Kripalu-certified instructor and has additional training in Vinyasa and Restorative Yoga. She is registered with the National Yoga Alliance, a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists and a member of the Kripalu Yoga Teacher’s Association. Nancy’s classes are often infused with yogic philosophy. Her approach is experiential, and she invites students to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life. Nancy began practicing yoga over 10 years ago, after being drawn to yoga as a way to complement the benefits she had experienced through Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Program.
Diane Gallagher Improving Fibromyalgia through Exercise (NEW) Diane Gallagher was certified by The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America in 1991, and has been teaching therapeutic fitness at Artisan Exercise, her studio in Wayland, for 20 years. Once a competitive swimmer, a dancer, a personal trainer and an aerobics instructor at a number of health clubs and studios in Cambridge, she woke up ill one morning many years ago and was eventually diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and later, with fibromyalgia. Not wanting to add deconditioning to the list, once she recovered enough to get off the Bed-Couch shuttle, she developed a fitness program she could do herself, and then began offering it to others with chronic illnesses.
Johanna Glazer Self-Defense: Seirenkai Jujitsu for Children (Grades 1-5), Self-Defense: Seirenkai Jujitsu for Middle School to Adult, Self-Defense Seminar for Women - 8th Grade and Up Sensei Johanna Glazer began her martial arts training in 1990 and she earned her first black belt in 1993. She currently holds the rank of Sandan (third-degree black belt) in Seirenkai Karate and Seirenkai Jujitsu and is a certified instructor in both arts. Sensei Glazer has taught numerous women’s self-defense and safety seminars at many schools and universities and has taught Karate and Jujitsu at youth centers. As the founder and chief instructor of the Concord-Carlisle Adult Education Karate and Jujitsu program since the 1990s, Sensei Glazer directly impacts the community through clinics as well as on-going Jujitsu classes. Sensei Glazer is also a teacher at Concord-Carlisle High School and incorporates her understanding of educational theory to her martial arts instruction.
Len Glazer Self-Defense: Seirenkai Jujitsu for Children (Grades 1-5), Self-Defense: Seirenkai Jujitsu for Middle School to Adult, Self-Defense Seminar for Women - 8th Grade and Up Sensei Len Glazer has been studying martial arts for 29 years. He commenced training in Okinawan Karate in 1982 and has been studying Karate and Jujitsu with Master Dan Cohen since 1990 at Brandeis University. Sensei Glazer currently holds the rank of Sandan (third-degree black belt) in Seirenkai Jujitsu and Seirenkai Karate and is a certified instructor of both arts. He also continues to train as a member of the Yudanshakai (Black Belt Association) and at international seminars. Sensei Glazer often incorporates his academic and professional background in psychology with his martial arts teaching and training.
Patricia Howard Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Stress Reduction & Focusing Tools for Teens, The Gathering: Dealing with Life Changes & Challenges (NEW), Stress Reduction for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue (NEW), Mindfulness for the Family (NEW) Patricia is a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing Certificate Program where she also completed advanced studies in Education, Individual Group Supervision and Brennan Integrative Therapy training. She has completed the Practicum in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Teacher Training at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Patricia has a passion for providing people with the tools and support they need to transform fear and self-limiting beliefs into life force and creative expression.
Karen L. Kenney OrganizingWORKS! Karen is a professional organizer at OrganizingWORKS, which serves many of the towns surrounding Boston. She specializes in home and office moves and can help organize any room in the house including garages, basements, attics, playrooms, craft/sewing rooms, kitchen pantries and cabinets and closets. She also provides administrative office duties such as helping to set up for meetings, ordering catering, getting materials together, making copies, putting together packets or binders and setting up filing systems to find important papers and receipts. Karen produced a DVD called The Organizing Cheerleader: The Busy Person’s Guide to Getting and Staying Organized.
Holly Kouvo, CPT, CNS Fusion Fitness: Starting Your Day Healthy (NEW) , Weight Loss Camp for Kids, Quick FIT (NEW!), Kids Fit & Fun Camp (NEW) A lover of fitness all her life, Holly Kouvo is a certified personal trainer and aerobics instructor through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Holly has taught aerobics at various clubs over the past 22 years and has been working as a personal trainer for 11 years. In addition, she’s a certified nutrition specialist with American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists (AASDN). She speaks regularly on topics pertaining to health, fitness, nutrition and weight loss.
Susanne Liebich Dance & Movement for Parkinson’s Susanne Liebich is trained as a Dance for PD® instructor, dancer, teacher and choreographer. Susanne volunteers extensively as Cultural Enrichment Coordinator and Dance Coordinator for the Concord Public Schools. She has also taught classes to at-risk teenage girls who reside at the Metro Youth Services Facility in Dorchester. She is a Certified Stott Pilates® Instructor and Brown Belt Nia® Instructor and continues to explore interests in various forms of dance, music and movement. Most recently, her classes include instruction in both dance and injury prevention to older adults and other special population groups with limited mobility.
Stephen Lisauskas Self-Defense: Seirenkai Karate for High School to Adult Sensei Lisauskas holds fourth-degree black belts in both Seirenkai Karate and Seirenkai Jujitsu. He began his martial arts training in 1990 and received his first black belt in 1995. He began teaching in New York and Massachusetts in the 1990s and internationally in 2002. He currently teaches Karate at Emerson Hospital, Brandeis University and Babson College. He also serves as a Director of the International Seirenkai Organization. A nationally recognized innovator in public policy and city administration, Sensei Lisauskas brings outstanding communication and leadership skills to the Emerson community in his teaching of Seirenkai Karate.
Michele O'Toole, RYT, RN, BSN Prenatal Yoga for a Healthier Pregnancy, Postnatal Mom & Baby Yoga (NEW) A yogi and a nurse, Michele began practicing yoga in 1988. Certified in Forrest Yoga in 2005 and pre-natal yoga in 2011, she has continued throughout her adult life to practice and study various yoga disciplines. In 2000 she studied Ashtanga yoga in Mysore, India, with Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois and studied Indian philosophy with a local Indian professor. She continued her yoga practice through the years. She loves teaching yoga because she enjoys helping others find out for themselves how yoga can effect positive change in their lives.
Joseph Packard Smoking Cessation with Hypnosis, Weight Loss with Hypnosis As the founder of the Dynamic Mind Institute in Bellingham, MA, Joe is a full-time hypnotherapist working with clients daily. He has successfully completed basic and advanced training as a hypnotherapist with the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH), which is the largest professional hypnotism organization in the world. He became board-certified by the NGH in 2004 and then became a certified instructor to train NGH-certified hypnotherapists two years later. He has 25 years experience as an adult educator, changing people’s minds for the better.
Becky Patterson Babysitting Training Becky has been teaching the babysitting class at Emerson Hospital for over 12 years and is a volunteer at Emerson Hospital with over 2,000 hours. She is a graduate of Framingham State College with a degree in Home Economics Education and earned a Master of Science in textile chemistry at UCLA. After college, she spent four years teaching for the Cooperative Extension Service. Becky is certified in the AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Program. She has three grown children and seven grandchildren for whom she regularly babysits.
Linda May Sieck, RYT Arthritis Foundation Exercise ProgramSM Linda is a NSCA-certified Personal Trainer and Arthritis Foundation-certified instructor. She is certified to teach Classical Pilates and has adopted the contemporary approach of Stott Pilates®. Linda has completed courses in matwork and all apparatus from the Essential through Advanced Levels. Completed coursework with Stott and NSCA has helped her adopt programming for special populations like those suffering from arthritis. She is also certified in Yoga (RYT), Zumba Latin Fitness Dance and is a PSIA Downhill Ski Instructor. Linda’s diverse background allows her to provide a holistic approach to her clients.
Fran Spayne, MA, Holistic Therapist/Inspirational Life Coach Power of the Mind-Mind Body Connection (NEW) For over 30 years, Fran has devoted her life to helping others heal their minds to find peace and joy in daily living and the world. She has taught courses all over New England on the power of the mind, the mind body connection, the universal law of attraction, spirituality (ACIM), visualization, & meditation. She is also a Therapist/ Life Coach and Reiki Master.
Gary Stanton, MD Sleep 101 Dr. Stanton is a neurologist at Emerson Hospital. He is board-certified in neurology, neurophysiology, pain management and sleep medicine. He has studied traditional and ear acupuncture in the US and in France. Dr. Stanton earned his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine.
Pam Vlahakis, RYT, MEd, RD Enlighten Up: Yoga, Nutrition, Wellness Workshop (NEW), Yoga & Meditation Pam is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Teacher Alliance. She has a Masters in Education and over 20 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian. She completed her yoga teacher training in 2001 at Yoga Spirit Studio in Essex, MA. Her eclectic teaching style integrates various yoga traditions including Kripalu, Iyengar and Astanga. Her teaching is also inspired by continuing-study and training in Yoga Therapy and Medical Qi Gong. She has been teaching yoga for adults, teens and kids for the past 10 years.
Alexandra (Sasha) Watkins, LMHC Finding Focus: Adult ADD/ADHD (NEW), Adult ADD/ADHD:Finding Focus Alexandra is a psychotherapist, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and martial artist. She provides individually tailored services to diverse populations with the emphasis on performance/life satisfaction enhancement, career and academic achievement and skill development. She integrates metacognitive and executive functioning skills building, neurophysiological findings, experiential modalities (art therapy and psychodrama techniques) and ancient techniques of meditative self-reflection into her work. Alexandra’s overall approach to counseling: holistic, solution-oriented, skill-focused, dynamic, creative and culturally competent. She has been facilitating a support group for adults with learning disabilities and attention deficits in Cambridge for over six years.
Nancy Wolfe, Kripalu-certified instructor Yoga on Your Lunch Break (NEW) Nancy is a registered yoga teacher with Kripalu Teachers Association. She aims to bring inspiration and strength to each student's yoga practice, honoring their individual styles and rates of progression.
Ming Wu, PhD Cooking with Qi: Part 3, Qi Gong: Beginner Level , Qi Gong: Intermediate/Advanced Level, Tai Chi: Beginner Level, Tai Chi: Intermediate/Advanced Level Ming Wu, PhD, a third-generation herbalist, has studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Qi Gong and Tai Chi since 1972. In 1981, he attended the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangzhou, China. In 1986, he received his doctorate in TCM and worked for Chouchow Hospital to practice TCM. With over 20 editorials published in the Chinese Medical Journal, he is recognized in The Annals of China's Contemporary Famous Doctors of TCM. He has studied Tai Chi in China and the U.S. for 40 years. He has received authentic Yang Style instruction from his Sifu Grandmaster, Gin Soon Chu, disciple of Yang Sau Chung, and has been teaching in the U.S. for over 20 years. He has dedicated his life to healing and teaching others how to live well.