No matter who you are or where you are from — there is a strong possibility you have experienced trauma in your life that may have knocked you down. “Resilience,” is the process of bouncing back and adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems, or workplace and financial stressors.
The Air model of programing is designed to strengthen participants and give them the ability to “rise” above the trauma and cultivate skills that foster health and wellness.
Training & Consultation: We develop specialized programs for individuals and organizations to facilitate team strength; reduce stress and help participants experience deep relaxation, reflection and resilience.
Leadership Development Clergy Coaching: We provide group and individual leadership coaching for faith leaders. We also provide sessions in stress management; spiritual formation and discernment and provide evaluations for those discerning the call to ministry. To schedule time to discuss how we might work together, contact Rev. Dr. Shelley D. Best.
Spiritual Direction/Sacred Listening
This session is designed for those who want to better hear what God is speaking in their life. The “Direction” comes out of what each individual hears the Spirit of God expressing. It is based on the ancient practice of the Desert Fathers and Mothers.
Air Sessions for Group Relaxation (GROUPS UP TO 6)
This is a special "Air" session for relaxation, reflection and restoration for small groups. We craft an experience based on the discussion of group needs. A Group Air session could include practices such as: guided meditation, sound healing, yoga, yoga nidra and spiritual direction.
Air Sessions as Care for Caregivers & Healers
This is a special "Air" session for relaxation, reflection and restoration for ministers, therapists and social workers. We craft the structure of an individual in-person or online retreat based on discussion of individual needs and practices such as: guided meditation, sound healing, yoga, yoga nidra and spiritual direction.
Meditation as a spiritual path
Psychological stress has a devastating effect on health. One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to simply focus attention on your breath. This session is an "entry level" meditation that anyone can do. Participants will notice an immediate sense of relaxation that when cultivated can help protect their health over time.
Contemplative Prayer as Conversation with God
In this session participants will share in Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word. We will also expose them to other methods of contemplative prayer as a spiritual practice.
Sacred Listening for groups and individuals
This session can be for individuals or groups. It helps participants listen to others as a spiritual practice as well as listen to the still small voice within.
Journaling as a tool for Revelation
It is often said that “Life is a journey.” In this session participants will use cues of reflection to bring into reflection ideas and reflections deep within. The session will explore the thereputic and spiritual benefits of journaling and will give those who use the tool with evidence of their inner work.
Understanding The Enneagram
The Enneagram is a system of nine personality types combining traditional wisdom with modern psychology - a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and the people in our lives. The Enneagram assessment is a basis of personal understanding and used as a foundational tool for those who participate in Air programming.
Chair Yoga as movement and meditation
A practical alternative to floor yoga which can be presented in on-line or in office training. It deepens flexibility and strengthens personal body awareness. Chair yoga classes are sometimes made available at senior fitness centers, retirement facilities, and adult daycare centers. Clients can learn many kinds of yoga postures, yoga breathing techniques, meditation, and ways of relaxation, with the aid of a chair.
Yoga as the Mind, Body and Soul
A systematic practice of physical exercise, breath control, relaxation, diet control, and positive thinking and meditation aimed at developing harmony in the body, mind, and environment. The practice entails low-impact physical activity, postures (called asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), relaxation, and meditation. Yoga techniques are being applied in health promotion programs, substance abuse treatment programs, and as a complementary treatment for diseases such as anxiety disorders, depression, coronary heart disease, cancers, and HIV/AIDS. Yoga is a low-cost self-help approach to well-being. This season introduces individuals to the practice of yoga or can be applied as a tool for other activities on retreat or for overall wellbeing.
Sound Healing [Crystal Singing Bowls]
What is sound healing? In short, it's a practice that uses vibrations (vocal or instrumental-like gongs, Tibetan singing bowls and tuning forks) in order to relax your mind and body. Some proponents also believe it can relieve certain ailments, including anxiety and insomnia
Sound Healing [Playlist Journaling]
Music therapy uses different aspects of sound to improve your emotional and physical well-being. Our music therapy sessions are developed for participants to experience deep relaxation or open new reflections.
Self-Reflexology as self-care
Reflexology is an ancient healing practice that involves applying pressure to specific areas of the feet, hands, or ears to stimulate a healing response. Reflexology is based on a system of points on the body, similar to acupuncture points, that correspond to an orderly arrangement resembling the shape of the human body overlaid on the feet, hands, and outer ears. Participants are taught how to provide self-reflexology as a relaxation technique and to contribute to health and wellness throughout the body.
Restorative Rest & Yoga Nidra
Yoga nidra, or yogic sleep as it is commonly known, is an immensely powerful meditation technique, and one of the easiest yoga practices to develop and maintain. While the practitioner rests comfortably in savasana (corpse pose), this systematic meditation takes you through the pancha maya kosha (five layers of self), leaving participants with with a sense of wholeness and deep relaxation.
Guided Meditation as a way to see
Guided meditation is a state of relaxed concentration invoked and led by another party. ... Guided meditation can be as short as a few minutes or as long as several hours. Either way, the purpose is to achieve mental, emotional and physical healing and stress relief.
Asset Mapping & Resiliency:
Asset Mapping is a tool that relies on a core belief of asset-based resiliency. Through this session we help individuals see the good things that exist in their life that can aid in moving ahead and advancing life.
Resiliency & Dream Teams
In this session we help individuals identify their dream team of individuals who will aid them in meeting long term goals. In addition we will look at how to keep your team engaged and motivated by your actions.
Art & Spirituality
In this session, participants will explore their spiritual path and tap into emotions to improve self-esteem, manage addictions, relieve stress, improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, and cope with a physical illness or disability. Artistic talent is not a necessity for art therapy to succeed, because the therapeutic process is not about the artistic value of the work, but rather about finding associations between the creative choices made and a participants inner life. The artwork can be used as a springboard for reawakening memories and telling stories that may reveal messages and beliefs from the unconscious mind.
Storytelling
storytelling is a powerful team-building. experience instead of bringing your team to the next paintball game or to bridge. the gap between two chairs with yogurts. try to set up next time a storytelling exercise with them because you will discover a new side of your colleagues.
Labyrinth Walking as a Spiritual Path
Labyrinth Walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. Entering the serpentine path of a labyrinth, participants walk slowly while quieting their mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer. The labyrinth symbolizes a journey to a predetermined destination (such as a pilgrimage to a holy site), or the journey through life from birth to spiritual awakening to death.