Brattleboro, VT — Self Care for the Whole Person – a full day of wellness workshops – will take place on Saturday, November 9, from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at Medicine for the People in Putney, Vermont. The event is $25 per person for those who register before October 31. Limited scholarships are available.
The day will offer nine different topics in four workshop sessions, for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied communities. The event is hosted by Green Mountain Crossroads, a local LGBTQ community organizing nonprofit, and Medicine for the People, a holistic health care clinic. Frog Meadow Farm Bed & Breakfast in Newfane, VT, has provided generous community support for this event.
“The LGBTQ community is strong, creative and resilient,” said Debbie Potter, Executive Director of Green Mountain Crossroads. “Our hope for this day is to celebrate and reinforce those qualities. As LGBTQ people we may be exposed to a lot of negativity, messages of hatred, and discrimination. We want to spend the day talking about how we care for and celebrate ourselves.”
As a local business with a long history of supporting the broader community, Frog Meadow Farm appreciated that focus in offering their support. “We’re pleased to support a wellness day, an event focused on the positive ways our community takes care of itself,” said Scott Heller, co-owner of Frog Meadow Farm Bed and Breakfast and Massage Oasis for Men. “As a rural bed and breakfast with a spa environment of massage, relaxation, beautiful surroundings, and excellent food, this is exactly the type of self-care we want to encourage.” [pullquote]“The LGBTQ community is strong, creative and resilient,” said Debbie Potter, Executive Director of Green Mountain Crossroads. “Our hope for this day is to celebrate and reinforce those qualities. As LGBTQ people we may be exposed to a lot of negativity, messages of hatred, and discrimination. We want to spend the day talking about how we care for and celebrate ourselves.”[/pullquote]
“Medicine for the People is delighted to host this day of workshops,” said Makote DeGuevara, co-owner of Medicine for the People. “We welcome and appreciate this great group of professionals who are offering these learning experiences.” She will be facilitating two of the workshops, on Thai Self-Massage and Sound Yoga.
Other topics will include neuroscience, herbalism for wellness, art forms that foster relaxation and mindfulness, meditation, acupuncture, and storytelling for healing. Experienced practitioners will offer introductory presentations and experiential workshops for attendees. “This will be a good way for people to get a taste of various wellness models,” said Potter, “and see what stress reduction techniques may work best for their life.”
At lunch, Vermont Health Connect Navigator Joan Bowman will attend to answer questions about Vermont’s new healthcare exchange and how to sign up for your health care plan.
The cost of the day is $25 per person for Early Bird registration, before October 31. Registration includes all workshops, materials, light breakfast, snacks, and lunch. After October 31, registration will rise to $50 per person, and day-of walk-ins will be welcomed at $55. Limited scholarships are available and people applying should contact Debbie Potter at Green Mountain Crossroads – greenmountaincrossroads@gmail.com – as soon as possible.
Those interested in a single workshop may attend just that workshop for $10, but should still register through the Green Mountain Crossroads website. Interested parties are welcome to come by at lunchtime for free to hear Joan Bowman discuss Vermont Health Connect, but those not registered for the Wellness Day are asked to please bring their own lunch.
Allies of the LGBTQ community are welcome as well. “It can be a harsh world for everyone and our events are open to supportive allies,” said Potter. “We are committed to this being safe queer space,” she added, “and folks should understand that LGBTQ issues will be the primary focus. But we always encourage allies to check out our website and the events that we host and support.”
Credit card payment can be accepted through the website at www.greenmountaincrossroads.org. Payment by cash or check is also accepted and checks should be made out to Green Mountain Crossroads and mailed to Debbie Potter, Green Mountain Crossroads, PO Box 1685, Brattleboro VT, 05302-1685. For more information visit the website, or email or call Debbie at greenmountaincrossroads@gmail.com, 802-490-0692. For more information about Medicine for the People (www.medicineforthepeople.org) and Frog Meadow Farm (www.frogmeadow.com) visit their websites.
[From a News Release]
