Happy New Year!

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Uptown Minneapolis Office hours: Monday and Wednesday 11am - 9pm, Fridays by appointment (office or on-site)

Seward Neighborhood Home Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm - 6pm Weekends by appointment only.

To schedule bodywork, call Scott at 612-756-2671, or email scott@apeacefultouch.com

My friend was able to feel the energy flowing right away, and afterward stated that, "the energy coming out of your hands felt much the same as your long massage strokes." I was very happy to have provided some much needed relaxation for him. Reiki is a technique that I often don't get asked to do, but it is my favorite form of bodywork to use. To me, it's almost like a massage for internal organs, the breath, emotions, and one's inner spirit. Some describe Reiki as feeling like a "glowing radiance" that seems to flow through and around you as it treats the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.

Reiki has actually been scientifically shown to have many positive effects on the body. It can reduce symptoms of nausea among persons experiencing cancer treatments and chemotherapy. It can relieve symptoms of mild depression, sleeplessness, anxiety, and everyone's favorite - stress. Reiki has been shown to help virtually every known illness and malady, and can work in conjunction with other medical and therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

Since my friend's visit, I've begun to incorporate more Reiki energy into my massage sessions. Because I'd like to share Reiki more often, I'm discounting all Reiki sessions in January to $30 for a one hour session. I'm also planning a free "Reiki Open House" next month, and will be teaching a Reiki Level I class in Northfield, MN on February 3rd. Stay tuned, as I hope to also add a section to my website on Reiki, and provide many more resources in my office for clients as well.

Like many things in life, we should share in the things that we love, and that which bring us joy. Reiki is definitely one of those things for me, and I'm happy to begin to put forth my energy and intention to share in its abundance.

In Peace,
Scott

There are three core ethics of Permaculture:

1. Care for the Earth
2. Care for People
3. Set limits to consumption and Share in Abundance.

Many of the guiding principles of Permaculture help us to reach beyond some of the "quick fixes" or "problem vs. solution" limiting arguments that are all too often started when talking about sustainability. It's a way of systematically thinking and designing that insures abundance, not only for the present, but for the needs of generations to come.

Naturally, I wanted to place many of the ethics of Permaculture into my own work. And so, consciously, I set out to build some systems that could provide multiple positive effects. I find that I learn every day and am adding to my efforts, but here are some of the things I've done that come from these permaculture values:

• I use an unscented organic massage cream with no nut oils, no alcohols, no paraben waxes. It's hypo-allergenic, doesn't leave folks feeling oily, is good for the skin, and it breaks down in water if you get it on your clothing. I never get oil stains on my sheets either.
• I use washable flannel face cradle covers. Some massage clinics and spas are using the disposable type. In reality, when you throw something away, there really is no away.
• Sheets, towels, face cradle covers, etc, are all washed with a biodegradeable detergent. I use both Lotus Touch and Seventh Generation laundry detergents. I never use fabric softeners or dryer sheets which can build up on fabric, and can cause sensitivity and itching.
• My prices are affordable. I provide many discounts, and offer a sliding fee whenever asked in confidence. Massage and bodywork should be affordable enough that it isn't just a "once a year" indulgence.
• I provide discounts for those who take mass transit or ride a bike to their appointments.

This is just a small list, and I'm continually thinking of other ways to make my business a more sustainable one. Some ideas I have in the future are a "baby plant" give away (if you've been to the office you know that some of the plants are quite big now!), promotions during Metro Transit's Commuter Challenge months, and making face cradles and pillow cases from recycled fabric.

If you have ideas or other sustainable tips, please send them my way! scott@apeacefultouch.com

Some of my favorite Permaculture links:

Permaculture Collaborative
Aranya Gardens
Permaculture Institute
Bioneers

• The history of Reiki
• An introduction to energy healing and the seven chakras
• Reiki hand positions and practice for self-healing
• Reiki hand positions and practice for healing others
• The Reiki Principles
• The process of attunement, where Reiki energy is passed from master to student

Location: Starwalkers Learning Community, Rural Northfield, MN (35 miles south of the Twin Cities)
Click here for a page with a map and directions.

Date and Time: Saturday, February 3 - 10am to 4pm

Cost: $125 - includes a detailed class manual.

Space is limited. Please Register by January 22nd, by calling Scott Schumacher at 612-756-2671 (a $25 registration deposit is requested for ordering and shipping of class manual).

In need of a voice lesson? Maren Amdal is both a vocal coach and a Reiki healer in Minneapolis. She recently became the music director for Calliope Women's Chorus, the twin cities' only feminist women's choral organization. Maren has over 20 years of experience as a singer, songwriter, and performance artist. Check out her website at www.marenamdal.com.

Hongji Lee is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, practicing at Point Clinic in Saint Paul, MN. If you are looking for alternative treatment with acupuncture or herbs, she and Kathy Carey of Point Clinic can provide treatment in a very comfortable and welcoming setting.

For more information, visit Point Clinic on the web at www.pointclinic.com.

Do you have a haiku to share? It's a simple formula - 5 syllables in line 1, 7 syllables in line 2, and 5 syllables in line 3. That's it, 3 little lines, 5-7-5. Send your haikus to me at scott@apeacefultouch.com.