Tao Healing Arts Center is offering a 250-hour certification training in Elixir Healing Qigong beginning March 17. “Qigong will emerge as the healing and fitness revolution of the twenty-first century,” says Dr. Camilo Sanchez, OMD, L. Ac, MQG, owner of Tao Healing Arts.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese healing art to strengthen the function of the internal organs, improve health, prevent disease, promote longevity and cultivate the enlightened nature of the mind. In traditional Chinese medicine health is viewed as a strong flow of internal energy or Qi.

Elixir Qigong is a registered method of exercises designed to awaken the healing elixir within the body. The system follows a unique sequence and combination of Qi exercises based on the six phases of cultivating Qi.

“The training program is systematically designed to prepare students to become certified Qigong practitioners and enter the exciting field of opportunities for Qigong healing,” says Sanchez, who has practiced and taught Tai Chi and Qigong for 12 years. “Elixir Qigong provides the student with a complete method of self-healing and healing others with Qi.”

For more information about Elixir Qigong training and certification contact Tao Healing Arts at 704-542-8088 or visit www.taohealingarts.net.

Breathe Easier in Rock Hill Smoking Ban Passed. York County Next? 

Rock Hill is the first city in the Charlotte area to ban smoking in all indoor public places. By a vote of 5 to 2 the city voted in January to cease smoking in restaurants, bars and workplaces. The ban will begin May 1.

The York County Council is considering a similar ordinance that would cover the unincorporated areas of the county. According to Alan Nichols, MD, chairman of the Tobacco-Free York County Coalition, grassroots efforts began in the region over two years ago, but gained momentum last year when the S.C. Supreme Court confirmed that local ordinances were allowable under state law.

In 2008, the York County Medical Society passed a resolution calling for 100% smoke-free workplaces, based on statistics that show secondhand smoke is responsible for the early deaths of 53,000 Americans annually, mostly from heart disease, but also from   respiratory disease and lung cancer.

According to Dr. Nichols, his group will continue to push for similar protections in other surrounding cities, including Fort Mill, Tega Cay, York and Clover.  Efforts are also underway by groups in Mecklenburg County, but at present, local ordinances are not permitted under North Carolina law.

Natural Awakenings Magazine Celebrates 50th Issue Anniversary!

February 2009 marks the 50th issue published of the Charlotte edition of Natural Awakenings. As a free consumer resource guide, the monthly magazine has quickly taken its place as the primary communication tool in the conscious living community.

"Our editorial speaks to lifestyles of health and sustainability. Charlotteans are very receptive to a holistic approach to personal and planetary wellness. Of course, this is a trend reaching critical mass in our country right now," explains Natural Awakenings Publisher, Rebecca Fowler. "Hopefully in the years to come wellness-based lifestyles will no longer be considered 'alternative' and they will just be the norm."

"We are fortunate to enjoy so many excellent resources via local businesses and healing arts practitioners who share that mission. Their ongoing support has made the continued growth and success of Natural Awakenings in Charlotte a reality," Ms. Fowler goes on to say. "Each month there is a dynamic exchange of energy, ideas and information between the readers, the advertisers, the community and our talented production team. We look forward to another record breaking year!"

With humble grassroots beginnings over 15 years ago, Natural Awakenings is now the nation’s largest natural living publication. The free magazine is available in 64 cities nationwide reaching a combined readership of 2.5 million each month.

For more information call (704) 499-3327. Tell us what Natural Awakenings means to you, email [email protected]. We want to hear your story. To post ongoing discussions, resources and community events, visit the new user friendly Forum on www.AwakeningCharlotte.com.

Louise Hay Workshops Heal Your Life with Your Thoughts

Janet Jetsen Lama, certified Heal Your Life workshop leader and life coach, will present workshops based on internationally renowned author and lecturer Lousie Hay's Heal Your Life, Achieve Your Dreams work.

According to Hay, "The thoughts we think and the words we speak create our experiences. If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed."

To introduce Hay's philosophy, two free screenings of "You Can Heal your Life" will be held on February 8 and 9 at The Bag Lady. Following the film, Lama will discuss how Hay's methods have impacted her own life and will answer questions.

Two workshops held on February 15 and 22 will focus on learning how to love ourselves to attract truly fulfilling love and other positive experiences into our lives.

No registration is required for the free screenings on Feb 8 from 5-7:30pm and Feb 9 from 7-9:30pm. Heal Your Life Workshops are from 9am-noon and cost $40 per class. For registration: 704/338-9778 or [email protected]. For more info: www.myspace.com/thebagladync. The Bag Lady is located at 1710 Kenilworth Ave.

TIMEWAVE 2013 Screening Will we reach the destiny that awaits us?

Unity Of Charlotte will show TIMEWAVE 2013, a movie that explores the questions of the time we are living in,  exploring what lies ahead for the human race beyond the world of 2012.

International experts on mythology, alchemy, astrology, anthropology, and ancient history discuss topics such as the shift of the ages, the galactic alignment, global warming, renewal of the American spirit and the transformation of humanity. This film is firmly based on a rich perspective of our past history and a new understanding of the times we are living in.

TIMEWAVE 2013 will be shown Feb 13 at 7pm. Tickets are $5. Unity of Charlotte is located at 401E. Arrowood Road. Information: 704-523-0063 or www.unityofcharlotte,org.

Kundalini Yoga Workshop Feb 7 Awaken your cosmic energy

Patty McLaughlin, certified Kundalini Yoga instructor, will conduct a Kundalini Yoga workshop designed to improve health for all body systems and to increase mental clarity, emotional stability, development of intuition and energetic balancing.

Kundalini, the oldest form of yoga, uses gentle exercises, mantras, meditation and deep relaxation to awaken and release dormant kundalini energy at the base of the spine up through the body’s seven energetic centers, or chakras. Appropriate for beginners and advanced yogis, participants will feel energized, balanced, peaceful and centered as a result of this ancient practice

Held at Harmony Yoga in South Charlotte from 1-5pm, $50. Info/Registration: 704-277-3887.

Free Fairy House Festival Connecting kids to wildlife conservation

Children can find a magical way to look at wildlife habitats Feb. 14 from 10am-4pm at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve’s first Fairy House Festival. This free event will feature storytelling, face painting, crafts and food. The highlight is a chance for children to build their own fairy house—a natural structure habitat—on a specially-marked nature preserve trail.

Environmental educator and event coordinator Gay Lemiec says there is a connection between fairies and wildlife conservation “The whimsical nature of this event encourages children to use their imagination and ingenuity instead of relying on television and video games,” explains Lemiec. “They may construct a habitat for fairies or gnomes at first and then see insects or other small animals using it. The idea of seeing fairies at their house will bring them back again and again, but seeing actual wildlife using it will be a memory they can take with them forever.”

Children are encouraged to dress as a fairy or gnome for the festival. Prizes will be given for the best costume and the best fairy house in two age categories. For the grownups, this event will feature a raffle that includes three yard gnomes by esteemed artist Tom Clark of Davidson.

Latta Plantation Nature Preserve is located at 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville. Info: 704-875-1391 or www.parkandrec.com.

Winter Garden Series at Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary

Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary, a 3-acre garden in the heart of Charlotte's Myers Park neighborhood, is holding a Winter Lecture Series with 20 lectures and workshops running from mid-January through mid-March. Topics include landscape design, habitat development, birding, conservation and preservation.

The classes, presented by regional specialists, reflect Wing Haven's mission to preserve the historic Clarkson home and habitat gardens and to offer educational programs to adults and children.  “Our goal is to encourage and enable people to have a peaceful relationship with nature,” says Development and Public Relations Director Cathy Tolman,

For a complete series listings and registration information visit www.winghavengardens.com or call 704-331-0664.  All classes are held at Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Avenue.

Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Tasting Celebrate the Sweetness of Life

Healthy Home Market hosts their second annual Wine and Cheese Tasting. Open your heart with wines from around the world, cheeses to match and chocolates to boost your endorphins. Healing practitioners from Charlotte and entrepreneurs from Mecklenburg County and Asheville present green ways to heal your life and our planet. This informative event will include presentations on wine/food/cheese pairing, raw foods prep, fitness and Feng Shui.

Tickle your taste buds on February 7th from 1-4pm. Healthy Home Market is located at 2707 South Blvd. Info: 704-522-8123 or www.hemarket.com.