Intensive Workshops are approximately 3 ½ - 4 hours in length. The Intensives offer participants an opportunity to experience specific topics in greater depth and also provide the opportunity to study more closely with individual teachers. The fee for each intensive is $35. We suggest registering in advance rather than at the Conference, as intensives are limited in space and generally fill up quickly. You can call and/or email your Intensive Choices and pay either by check, credit card or paypal (on line). Office phone and email: 802-479-9825; sage@sagemountain.com.
FRIDAY 2:30 – 6
1. A Holistic Approach to Cancer Care with Margi Flint & Sylvia Gaboriault.
A whole foods diet and herbal medicine can be an effective way to support our clients with cancer regardless of their choice in treatments. A diet packed with nutrient dense foods & herbs to assist the body through this intense period can have a big impact on treatment outcomes. In this intensive Margi and Sylvia will share their experience in empowering and supporting clients in their healing during cancer treatment and recovery. Practical suggestions for incorporating healing foods in to the diet, recipes and tasting will be shared with participants.
Intermed/Ad, but all welcome
Margi Flint runs a busy herb practice and EarthSong Herb School in Marblehead, Ma. A well known herbal teacher, she has taught at hospitals, medical schools, community colleges and herb conferences. Margi is the author of The Practicing Herbalist, Thoughts for Meeting with Clients.
Sylvia Gaboriault is an herbalist, registered dietician and director of the Diabetic Department at the Central Vermont Hospital in Barre, VT. She helped start the Free Herb Clinic in Vermont and has been active in the herbal community for many years. She is known at the WHC for the Sari Project which benefits orphans in India.
2. Alchemical Healing and Egyptian Shamanism w/Nicki Scully.
Explore the leading edge of Alchemical Healing, the powerful technique created by Nicki Scully and expressed in her acclaimed books. Learn basic principles of alchemy and shamanism to renew the body, reclaim inherent powers to heal, and to discover and fulfill your sacred purpose. Shamanic journeys with deities from the Egyptian pantheon provide support and empowerment, and renewed vitality and confidence. Together we reclaim our power and use it to manifest healing and to consciously co-create a beneficial future for ourselves and our World.
Nicki Scully has been teaching healing, shamanic arts, and the Egyptian Mysteries since 1983. She developed Alchemical Healing, a comprehensive healing form that is practiced by thousands of practitioners internationally. In the late '80s, Nicki founded Shamanic Journeys, Ltd., and continues to guide inner journeys and spiritual pilgrimages to Egypt and other sacred sites. She is the author of several popular books and CD’s on Shamanic healing.
SATURDAY 9 – 1
3. Traditional Zapotec Pre and Post Natal Care Techniques with Grandmother Dona Enriqueta Contreras (Mexico).
Traditional Mexican pre and post natal care has its roots in thousands of years of effective and efficient practices that help prepare mothers for the ‘welcoming’ of their child. In this inspiring intensive, Dona Enriqueta will share important techniques such as the ‘manteada’, a technique using a shawl to adjust the baby in utero and the ‘cerrada’, a technique to close the mother’s energetic aura, as well as herbal baths, herbs, tinctures, and ‘temascal’ or sweat. Pregnancy is viewed from a spiritual standpoint, with many implications for self care, couple care and family care.
Mothers, mothers to be, midwives and practitioners all welcome and all will benefit.
Dona Enriqueta is a well known and respected member of the Meso-American Zapotecan indigenous people located in Oaxaca and is a descendant from a long line of Zapoeteca shamans that date back to 500 B.C. Her history as a practicing midwife of more than fifty years has yielded a flawless career with no mother or child ever lost during the birth process..an extraordinary feat, even by western standards.
4. Goethean Plant Study; Unfolding the power of plants by walking the path of conscious development with Julie Mitchell.
How can you intuitively learn what a plants medicine might be? Goethean science is the study of nature where the observer cultivates the clarity of their consciousness as an organ of perception. Developed by the poet and ecstatic, J.W. von Goethe, this participatory study explores the connection that exists between the individual and the green world. Through observation, drawing/painting, and discussion we’ll learn to see with fresh ears and eyes and observe plants with renewed comprehension. This exercise can allow, with time, to deepen perception and understanding of the plant realm. A powerful intensive that helps confirm our deep connection to the plants and our inherent ability to understand their healing powers.
Julie Mitchell: Julie is a clinical herbalist trained at the College of Phytotherapy with a BSc degree in Phytotherapy and a MSc degree in Herbal Medicine both from the University of Wales. She has been an adjunct professor at Middlebury College in Vermont, teaching Medical Botany and Therapeutic Herbalism. Julie also works at the University of Vermont, College of Medicine teaching physical assessment skills to medical students.
SATURDAY 2 - 6
5. Ayurveda for Women ~ a Guide to Using this Ancient System of Healing to Provide Balance and Well Being for Women with Anne McIntyre.
In this highly informative class, we will take an in-depth look at the use of herbs, diet and lifestyle to enhance health and wellbeing through the cycles of womanhood. Anne will discuss Ayurvedic herbs for balancing menstrual cycles, enhancing fertility, support through pregnancy and childbirth, treating a range of gynecological conditions and steering us through menopause and beyond. We will also review the 3 constitutional types, how to recognize them in ourselves and those around us and how to keep them in balance as a prerequisite for health. This class will serve as an excellent introduction to Ayurvedic herbs and healing practices as well as an over view of women’s health issues.
Ann McIntyre (England) is a practicing medical herbalist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She is the author of over 10 popular herb books including The Complete Women’s Herbal and The Herbal for Mother and Child. She was the director of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists in England for four years and maintains a busy practice in Cotswolds.
6. Spiritual Bathing and Healing Ceremonies of Ecuador with Rocio Alarcon (Ecuador).
In this special intensive, Rocio will guide participants through the experience of ‘spiritual bathing’ and cleaning rituals using herbs, water, flower, and oils. Ancient healing ceremonies of the Andes will also be shared and experienced. Rocio is a gifted healer and is renowned throughout Ecuador, the US and Europe for her healing work. This is a rare opportunity to share with her in a more in depth way.
Rocio Alarcon (Ecuador) is renowned as a shaman, healer and teacher. She received her teachings from her mother and grandmother and shamans of the Rainforest and Andes and has worked for over 20 years in the tropical forests of Ecuador. Rocio currently resides in England where she obtained her degree in Holistic Therapy.
SATURDAY 3:30-6:30
7. Saturday 3:30-6:30 Special Hands on Intensive: The Creative Herbal Home
Co-presenters and long-time herbal cohorts, Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox use herbs in many facets of their everyday life. During this lively, interactive program, they will discuss using herbs and essential oils and favorite recipes for cleaning house, making herbal spa products and home remedies, as well as herbal products for gardener’s comforts. They will show you how to use common household ingredients to make recipes from their book The Creative Herbal Home. Each participant will make a household cleaning product, a sugar scrub, an herbal salve, a jewelweed vinegar, and an insect-repellent oil. This is an excellent hands on intensive for those wanting to learn more about how to make their own products and bring herbs into their daily life.
Susan Belsinger is a culinary herbalist who delights in kitchen alchemy. She travels about the country educating and inspiring people about herbs, gardening, cooking, and crafts. She has authored/co-authored over 20 books, is contributing editor for Herb Companion and has contributed to numerous national magazines.
Tina Marie Wilcox is a naturalist, herbalist, and fabulous story teller who specializes in culinary herbs, herb walks, wild food cooking, and traditional Southern folk medicine.
SUNDAY 9- 1
8. The Heart as an Organ of Perception w/Kathleen Maier.
Indigenous peoples have been using direct perception for sensing their environs for millennia. Today this is referred to as ‘heart literacy’ or ‘heart coherence’. This intensive will teach clear techniques for accessing this incredible center for perceiving the world around us. Many of these skills are not relegated to only the healer or shamanic realms but are meant for our everyday relationship with life. This being said, we will also share stories of how profound these skills are for practitioners in the realms of diagnosis. Just as natives were able to ask the plants directly for information, we too can develop the elegance of an inquiry that speaks directly to organ systems and accesses the plants sacred medicine.
Kathleen Maier, AHG. PA, has been a practicing herbalist for over twenty years. Her training as a Physician’s Assistant allows her to translate the language of medicine we know today and ground it in the wisdom of earth-centered practices known for millennia. Kathleen is the co-founder/Director of Dreamtime Center for Herbal Studies.
9. Breezing though Menopause with HRT (Herbal Replacement Therapy) w/Kathi Keville.
Use every natural healing trick including herbs, diet, and aromatherapy to breeze through menopause and to make it an easier transition both emotionally and physically. We’ll take on all the controversies: natural vs. synthetic hormones, wild yam vs. progesterone, hormones vs. phytoestrogens, soy vs. dairy. What really offers protection from osteoporosis and cancer? What causes hot flashes and what can we do about them? What herbs and other natural therapies are most effective for the emotional roller coaster so many menopause women experience? These and other issues of menopause will be discussed in detail in this highly informative and empowering Intensive.
Kathi Keville has been working with medicinal herbs and aromatherapy since 1968 and has written 14 herbs and aromatherapy books, including Women's Herbs, Women's Health, and Aromatherapy, The Complete Guide to the Healing Art, as well as 150 national magazines articles. She teaches seminars worldwide and is director of the American Herb Association.
Friday 4:30 – 8 and on Saturday from 8 – 12:30
Purification Lodge Intensive with Trishuwa & assistant Sara Caldwell.
We are honored to have Trishuwa bring us the teachings of the purification, or sweat lodge this year at the WHC. The purification lodge helps balance one’s physical, emotional and, most importantly, spiritual aspects through our connection with Mother Earth.
Trishuwa is the Ceremonial Director of the Church of Gaia and founding member of Foundation for Gaian Studies. She has taught earth centered ceremony and has been a vision quest guide for many years. She is of mixed blood; Irish, Cherokee, African American and English. Her genetic mixture and spiritual visions influenced her to advocate the inclusion of people of all races in indigenous ceremony
Please note; there is limited space in the lodge intensives. Be sure to register early if you wish to participate. The lodges always fill up quickly. (Dinner will be set aside for Sweat Lodge Participants on Friday evening.)