Mindful Metropolis August 2011 : Page 20

Change by krisTen guZZardo Careers—and Change Your Life If your current job leaves you unfulfi lled, a career in natural health could change your life A t some point in our modern history, it became normal to drag ourselves to work every day, to operate at stress levels that interfere with good sleep and personal relationships and to feel gener-ally unfulfi lled by a particular line of work. Th ese realities, while certainly not true for everyone, can be typical life circumstances for the average “grown-up.” And since we have yet to discover the real-life Never Never Land, some people fi nd the next best thing is a career change that battles the symptoms of alleged drudgery. In some cases, the buildup of stress or body negligence from a demanding career can drive a person to seek relaxation or ho-listic therapies. Such was the case for Berna-dette Doran, owner of EQUILIBRIUM En-ergy + Education, who sought Reiki therapy while on a job transfer in Australia. “It changed my life, so I changed my ca-reer,” she said. Now in its fourth year, EQUI-LIBRIUM Energy + Education off ers train-ing programs for Reiki practitioners and teachers who want to further their knowl-edge of the healing energy therapy. “We have been very fortunate to weather this economic storm,” Doran said. “We love to teach people, and it’s an aff ordable invest-ment for a practitioner and a teacher.” In the current economy, there is no guar-antee that any new business will survive and prosper, however, there is speculation that alternative health care is rising in popularity, which will make the natural health industry a lucrative and sustainable place to be. Ac-cording to the Institute for Alternative Fu-tures (IAF), studies show between 33 and 69 percent of Americans use some sort of “al-ternative” therapy, identifi ed as chiropractic, oriental medicine and homeopathy. Th e IAF put out a report in 2000 that forecasted al-ternative treatments to be widely recognized as primary or complementary therapy for a wide range of conditions by 2010 ( altfutures. com ). Th is statement holds up as health care reform threatens to increase costs for aver-age working Americans, and as people continue investigating alternatives to the symptomatic and prescription-based treatments of Western medicine. For starters, acupuncture has been recognized by the National Institute of Health as eff ective therapy for postop-erative and chemotherapy nausea, as well as chronic pain conditions. Dr. Malina Chin, owner and acupuncturist at Vital Points Th erapy in Libertyville, Ill., fi rst pursued acupuncture as a way to ease her migraines without the use of medication. “We had to find a balance between helping and healing as many people as possible and still keeping our doors open.” “If I missed a pill, I had a headache,” she said. “I wanted to have more control of how I feel, rather than being at the mercy of a chemical.” Her interest in alternative medicine brought her to the master’s degree program at the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, where she learned about the physi-ological and emotional cause of common and serious ailments, eventually leading to Illinois State licensure in acupuncture. “I look at the body like a tree,” she said. “Th e branches are the symptoms a patient has, and the roots are what’s causing it. My job is to put out the fi re and also support the root.” With a fresh perspective, Dr. Avani Patel-Miller joined her colleague, Dr. Frank Sutter, to start the Chicago Institute of Natural Health, one of the only naturopathic practices in Chi-cago’s Loop. After both completing degrees from the National University of Health Sci-ences, they are able to practice a broad scope of physical and internal medicine, with special interest in chiropractics and homeopathy. “Starting a practice is not easy by any means,” said Dr. Patel-Miller. “We had to fi nd a balance between helping and healing as many people as possible and still keeping our doors open.” Having completed their fi rst year in business, and now working twelve-hour days, Patel-Miller and Sutter feel their practice is continuing to thrive as more people seek alternative care. A common thread among health practi-tioners is a deep desire to help people, often in the same way they themselves have been helped—to simply make life better for oth-ers. Toni Anderson, a student at Zen Shi-atsu Chicago, sees the job of a Zen Shiatsu practitioner as supporting people in fi nd-ing greater spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellness. Th is learning is refl ected in her training experience. “Not only have I been provided with stellar instructors and training,” she said. “But I have been led on a journey of self-discovery. I am so much more self-aware of my own strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to be more open and available to the needs of my clients.” For anyone considering a career in the natural health fi eld, here are some education programs available in Chicagoland this Fall. 20 august 2011

Change Careers-And Your Life

Kristen Guzzardo

If your current job leaves you unfulfilled, a career in natural health could change your life At some point in our modern history, it became normal to drag ourselves to work every day, to operate at stress levels that interfere with good sleep and personal relationships and to feel generally unfulfilled by a particular line of work. These realities, while certainly not true for everyone, can be typical life circumstances for the average “grown-up.” And since we have yet to discover the real-life Never Never Land, some people find the next best thing is a career change that battles the symptoms of alleged drudgery. In some cases, the buildup of stress or body negligence from a demanding career can drive a person to seek relaxation or holistic therapies. Such was the case for Bernadette Doran, owner of EQUILIBRIUM Energy + Education, who sought Reiki therapy while on a job transfer in Australia. “It changed my life, so I changed my career,” she said. Now in its fourth year, EQUILIBRIUM Energy + Education off ers training programs for Reiki practitioners and teachers who want to further their knowledge of the healing energy therapy. “We have been very fortunate to weather this economic storm,” Doran said. “We love to teach people, and it’s an aff ordable investment for a practitioner and a teacher.” In the current economy, there is no guarantee that any new business will survive and prosper, however, there is speculation that alternative health care is rising in popularity, which will make the natural health industry a lucrative and sustainable place to be. According to the Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF), studies show between 33 and 69 percent of Americans use some sort of “alternative” therapy, identified as chiropractic, oriental medicine and homeopathy. Th e IAF put out a report in 2000 that forecasted alternative treatments to be widely recognized as primary or complementary therapy for a wide range of conditions by 2010 (altfutures.Com). Th is statement holds up as health care reform threatens to increase costs for average working Americans, and as people continue investigating alternatives to the symptomatic and prescriptionbased treatments of Western medicine. For starters, acupuncture has been recognized by the National Institute of Health as eff ective therapy for postoperative and chemotherapy nausea, as well as chronic pain conditions. Dr. Malina Chin, owner and acupuncturist at Vital Points Th erapy in Libertyville, Ill., first pursued acupuncture as a way to ease her migraines without the use of medication. “If I missed a pill, I had a headache,” she said. “I wanted to have more control of how I feel, rather than being at the mercy of a chemical.” Her interest in alternative medicine brought her to the master’s degree program at the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine in Chicago, where she learned about the physiological and emotional cause of common and serious ailments, eventually leading to Illinois State licensure in acupuncture. “I look at the body like a tree,” she said. “Th e branches are the symptoms a patient has, and the roots are what’s causing it. My job is to put out the fire and also support the root.” With a fresh perspective, Dr. Avani Patel- Miller joined her colleague, Dr. Frank Sutter, to start the Chicago Institute of Natural Health, one of the only naturopathic practices in Chi-cago’s Loop. After both completing degrees from the National University of Health Sciences, they are able to practice a broad scope of physical and internal medicine, with special interest in chiropractics and homeopathy. “Starting a practice is not easy by any means,” said Dr. Patel-Miller. “We had to find a balance between helping and healing as many people as possible and still keeping our doors open.” Having completed their first year in business, and now working twelve-hour days, Patel-Miller and Sutter feel their practice is continuing to thrive as more people seek alternative care. A common thread among health practitioners is a deep desire to help people, often in the same way they themselves have been helped—to simply make life better for others. Toni Anderson, a student at Zen Shiatsu Chicago, sees the job of a Zen Shiatsu practitioner as supporting people in finding greater spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellness. Th is learning is refl ected in her training experience. “Not only have I been provided with stellar instructors and training,” she said. “But I have been led on a journey of self-discovery. I am so much more self-aware of my own strengths and weaknesses, allowing me to be more open and available to the needs of my clients.” For anyone considering a career in the natural health field, here are some education programs available in Chicagoland this Fall. National University of Health Sciences Lombard, Ill. (nuhs.edu) Offering degree programs in chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, oriental medicine, biomedical science and massage therapy, students complete training on a trimester basis. Graduate, Dr. Avani Patel- Miller originally chose NUHS because of their strong basic sciences program, comparable to a fi rst year of medical school. Midwest College of Oriental Medicine Chicago, Ill., and Racine, Wisc. (acupunc ture.edu/midwest) Programs in acupuncture and nutrition related to oriental medicine can be completed in 36 months with the opportunity to do a foreign internship in China. Graduates apply for state licensing in acupuncture and oriental medicine. EQUILIBRIUM Energy + Education Chicago, Ill. (equilibrium-e3.com) EQUILIBRIUM’s certification programs start at practitioner level up to Reiki Master Teacher level. Th e first level costs $150 and is off ered as a full-day seminar once a month, taught by owner Bernadette Doran. Students can also participate in free Reiki Student Mentoring Nights, where they can practice what they’ve learned. Zen Shiatsu Chicago Evanston, Ill. (zenshiatsuchicago.org) The 625-hour Zen Shiatsu certification can be completed over an 18-month parttime schedule. Th e program focuses on anatomy and physiology, working in an integrative medical environment, nutritional therapy and professional development. Cortiva Institute Chicago, Ill. (cortiva.com) Students complete a 750-hour program in massage therapy over a period of 4 or 5 quarters, working toward a state licensure in massage. Current student, Brandon Baldwin, compares his experience to becoming a “body therapist” since the program focuses intensely on physiology and pathology so therapists know how to treat varying ailments. Thai Bodywork School of Thai Massage Evanston, Ill. (thaibodywork.com) Owner, Chuck Duff , started the training program in 2001 as a series of workshops that build to a certification in Th ai bodywork, or Th ai yoga massage as it is sometimes called. To be a certified Thai bodywork practitioner, students complete a 220-hour training with on-site teachers. Workshops can be completed over a weekend with no prerequisites, and costs $450 per class. DGEA LEE Center Mount Prospect, Ill. (dgea.us) Programs in qigong and hypnotherapy are completed over several sessions, culminating in a fi nal exam called “winter swim” where students plunge into an icy Lake Michigan and use their meditative and selfcentering capabilities to weather the subzero temperatures. Chicago College of Healing Arts Chicago, Ill. (thechicagocollegeofhealing arts.com) Massage therapy, herbalism and structural therapy are the main focus for students completing certification or continuing education. Priding themselves on aff ordable education, all programs have monthly payment plans split up over the course of study. For the aspiring herbalist, field work must be completed on an herb farm in Indiana as well as clinical practicum. National College of Naprapathic Medicine Chicago, Ill. (naprapathicmedicine.edu) Naprapathic medicine incorporates manual therapy, nutritional counseling and other therapeutic modalities to relieve pain related to connective tissue disorders. NCNM is the only four-year professional college of naprapathic medicine in the United States, and graduates are eligible to take the naprapathic medicine exam for licensure in Illinois. Pacific College of Oriental Medicine Chicago, Ill. (pacificcollege.edu) One of the nation’s leading schools for acupuncture, massage, Chinese herbal medicine and integrative medicine, programs cover an array of courses including acupuncture, shiatsu, tui na, Th ai massage and the principles of natural nutrition. The New School for Massage, Bodywork & Healing Chicago, Ill. (newschoolmassage.com) A leading Chicago-based educational institution for massage, bodywork and the healing arts, they off er a comprehensive, state-approved massage and bodywork diploma program continuing education classes and a clinic for the general public. Chicago School of Thai Massage Chicago, Ill. (chicagoschoolofthai massage.com) CSTM seeks to promote health and peace through excellence in education, compassion in action, service to our community and honoring the connection to Th ailand and the lineage of Th ai massage. Th ey offer a 6-month diploma program that is an in-depth educational experience preparing you to enter the field upon graduation, a 4-month advanced training program that gives students experience working particular parts of the body and specific knowledge about conditions and how to treat them. Moksha Yoga Center Chicago, Ill. (mokshayoga.com) A premier yoga studio in Chicago off ering an interdisciplinary approach to this ancient practice with a full variety of off erings, including classes, workshops, teacher training, bodywork and kirtan. Teacher training with in-depth studies is a 200-hour certification program approved by Yoga Alliance. Chicago Yoga Center Chicago, Ill. (yogamind.com) Committed to presenting a variety of the main yoga traditions, they have been off ering classes since 1984. Teacher training is registered with the Yoga Alliance and meets the National Educational Standards. Th e program addresses the subtle aspects of teaching methodology, detailing the inner and outer techniques of asana, (including classical Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga and Yin traditions), vinyasa, pranayama, kriyas and meditation. Akasha Yoga Crystal Lake, Ill. (akashayogacenter.com) Completed over a 9-month period, the comprehensive yoga teacher training covers philosophy, anatomy, meditation, relaxation and teaching techniques, as well as nutrition and ayurveda. Th e next program begins in September 2011 and runs through May 2012.

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