Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
All rights reserved. This book is licensed for your personal use only. No part of this book may be
reprinted or reproduced in any form without the written permission of the author.
Copyright 2014 by Parama K. Williams
Photographs by William Oliver Pillow
Cover art by Alison Maupin
The information in this book is provided as an educational resource and is not intended as specific
medical advice or as a substitute for medical treatment or diagnosis. Anyone seeking medical advice
or diagnosis should consult his or her primary care provider. Do not attempt self-diagnosis, and do
not embark upon self-treatment of any kind without qualified medical supervision. The author, the
publisher, and its employees disclaim any liability, loss, or risk incurred directly or indirectly as a
result of the use or application of any of the contents of this book.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the following people for their contributions to The STAR Method:
My husband John for your loving companionship, patience, keen intellect, and encouragement;
My graduate degree advisor, Elissa Wolfe Poel, for your support and guidance;
Chuck Woodson, Ginny Mitchell, and Marty Collins for providing needed resources;
Constance DAngelis for your mentorship as an author;
Jim Fowler for your friendship, and for hugging my favorite tree;
Dwight Carter for being a shining example of personal discipline, integrity, and dedication to ones
life mission;
All my teachers, for sharing your knowledge and wisdom, and for your inspiration;
Thank you.
Dedication
This book is dedicated with appreciation to those who have helped in many ways.
To my grandmother Mary, who mentored me from a young age to become a professional massage and
bodywork therapist
To my parents, Kelli and Leo, who raised me in a home with wholesome family dinners and plenty of
scholarly books
To my husband John, whose enduring love has transformed my life
To all my teachers, who dedicated their lives to imparting knowledge
To future generations of brave warriors, whose legacy will be a cultural revolution
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Praise for The STAR Method
Prologue: Radical Reform
Introduction: An Urgent Call to Action for All Humanity
How to Use This Book Series
The STAR Method: Self-Healing, Transformation, Awareness, and Realization
Benefits of Therapeutic Touch
Testimonials and Anecdotes
Activating Your Awareness of Energy
How to Apply The STAR Method to Heal Oneself
Guiding Principles
Instructions
Hand Position 1: Opening Affirmation/Prayer
Hand Position 2: Centering
Hand Position 3: Scanning the Body
Hand Position 4: The Spiral Symbol
Hand Position 5: The Chalice
Hand Position 6: The V
Hand Position 7: The Sun
Hand Position 8: Right Hip
Hand Position 9: Right Abdomen
Hand Position 10: Left Abdomen
Hand Position 11: Left Hip
Hand Position 12: The Cross Symbol
Hand Position 13: The Lovers
and techniques, but are students learning how to manage their own behavior? Are teachers being
trained to effectively manage their own stress, so that our children are spending most of their day
with peaceful, calm, balanced, healthy adults who can mentor them properly?
With the expert guidance of my graduate degree advisor and co-author, I published my first article
about The STAR Method in 2006 in a peer-reviewed online journal, Teaching Exceptional Children,
entitled Stress Management for Special Educators: The Self-Administered Tool for Awareness and
Relaxation (STAR). I originally published The STAR Method as a program to help schoolteachers
manage stress, prevent job burnout, and increase self-awareness of the impact of stress in their
professional lives.
I used The STAR Method in my classroom and offered training workshops to other teachers and
professionals within the education system. I endeavored to share the tools and techniques of The
STAR Method on a regular basis with my students and colleagues. During this time, I became
enthralled with the idea that all schools should have quiet rooms for meditation and ample, clutterfree spaces in which students and teachers could learn stress management techniques, like yoga and
therapeutic touch.
But I knew that this wasnt enough.
There was something missing.
For years, I couldnt figure out the missing piece; regardless, I kept on trying to help.
One of my jobs was in a public school as a specialist for preschool children with multiple disabilities,
including autism. Many of my students exhibited severe behavioral problems; for example, when they
were upset, they would frequently hit, scratch, and bite themselves or other students. As a Special
Education Teacher, my school district required me be certified in Physical Restraint Training so
that I could learn how to properly restrain my behaviorally challenged students before they injured
themselves or someone else.26
At the time, it seemed like a good idea to me: I wanted to be sure that my students were safe in my
classroom. But on the first day of training, I was horrified.
I learned that these techniques were adapted from those used in psychiatric wards and high-security
prisons.
In the most severe cases, I would be required to follow an exact procedure that involved me and at
least one other fully grown adult holding my preschoolers tiny bodies face-down on the floor with
their hands restrained behind their backs. As stated in the training manual, I would be required to hold
my students in this position for as long as it took to calm them down.
I thought to myself, Holding a child face-down on the ground and pinning their hands behind their
backs is supposed to calm them down?
To me, it seemed like a humiliating, disempowering, brutal, and potentially harmful thing to do to
any child, especially to a tiny preschooler. I later learned from further research that Physical
Restraint Training is currently required by law for schools nationwide as an approved method of
behavior intervention.27
The instructor of the training session that I attended was a portly, middle-aged man who had used the
restraint technique numerous times on emotionally disturbed high school boys. I approached him and
asked, So, let me get this straight. Youre telling me that I am supposed to flip my preschool kids
onto their faces, pin them to the groundthe same exact way you do with your fully grown, adult
studentsand the goal of this technique is to calm them down?
He replied curtly, Yep.
I excused myself from the training session and made a phone call to the supervisor of the Special
Education Department in my school district.
I dont agree with this approach, I said, I refuse to treat my students this way, under any
circumstances.
Butyou are required to be certified in Physical Restraint Training. You have to comply with this
districts policies, she said.
What do you mean? I asked.
If you dont complete the training, then you will be held personally liable for any injuries that
happen in your classroom.... This school district will not be held responsible, my supervisor told me.
This was the galvanizing moment: I realized that our education system had failed our children.
I realized that the modern-day education system was frantically busy trying to force round pegs (our
kids) into square holes.
The next day, I signed my resignation letter and quit my teaching job.
I had reached a point of no return. I was unwilling to compromise my integrity in order to keep my
foot in the door of a stable job that required me to harm children. I emancipated myself and walked
off the plantation. I was completely checking out of what I now believe to be a failed system. I walked
away and started investing my time and energy into something new and different. But I wasnt giving
up: I was preparing to follow a higher calling.
I radically transformed my life over the course of the next few years. I used The STAR Method every
day and recorded notes in my journals about how the exercises were impacting my life. I expanded
my vision for The STAR Method to include more tools and techniques. I practiced, developed, and
refined a series of physical exercises and meditation exercises to include in The STAR Method.
I designed and completed a wellness retreat in which I maintained a vow of silence for one year.
During this retreat, I meditated daily. I reflected on my halcyon days as a graduate student and firstyear teacher, when my naive optimism led me to believe that modern-day schools were places where
children could go to learn how to be healthy, happy, peaceful, and self-empowered.
One day, I had an epiphany. I realized that I couldnt change a failed system from within the failed
system. I decided that I had to create an entirely new system: A radical reform.
The STAR Method is the first instantiation of this new system. I have since written and published my
vision for a holistic, experiential learning environment called The Farm School, located in a rural
setting where children can learn how to be healthy and thrive in a self-sustainable community. I
moved to Central America, where I write, teach, travel, and offer seminars.
I originally published The STAR Method in 2006 as an article in a peer-reviewed journal for
educators. Schoolteachers and public school administrators, whose jobs are typically demanding and
stressful, were among the first beneficiaries of the stress management and relaxation techniques of
The STAR Method.
For over a decade, I consulted and taught in a variety of public and private school settings. I witnessed
first-hand how my colleagues and students were stressed out by the many demands placed on them in
school. In 2011, The STAR Method was launched as a pilot program to help prevent job burnout and
provide teachers with a practical method for managing stress. I received much positive feedback and
support for The STAR Method.
The scope of The STAR Method is more far-reaching and in-depth than what I was able to convey in
one article. Since its original publication, I have expanded The STAR Method and offered the tools
and techniques to real people from all over the world who are interested in health and wellness:
parents, mental health clients, professionals in corporate settings, college students, rural farm
workers in Central America.... The STAR Method is a practical and effective method for anyone who
is impacted by stress in our modern-day, industrialized age.
Perhaps you simply want to reduce the stress level in your life. Perhaps you simply want to be healthy
so that you can grow old gracefully while you watch your children have children of their own.
But, wait.... Have you considered the possibility that there may not be a habitable planet left for your
children and your childrens children to live on? Over-consumption of the Earths natural resources
has wreaked havoc on our environment, to such a degree that humanity may now be on the brink of
its own extinction.3
You may be thinking to yourself, What does this have to do with me? These problems are too big.
The obstacles are insurmountable. I cant do anything to stop global warming, keep the ice caps from
melting, or save the polar bears. Somebody else will fix that stuff. Its not my problem.
Not my problem.
Really? Since when is the potential extinction of humanity not your problem?
It sounds to me like we need some kind of radical intervention, right away. We cant afford to wait
another second.
The STAR Method is a transformational tool designed to help you realize your purposeyour
mission on Earth. The STAR Method is a comprehensive system for self-healing, developing selfawareness, transforming your body and mind, and realizing your life mission. The STAR Method
also comes with the fringe benefits of getting a healthier body and feeling more relaxed.
But, lets face it: The planet is in a crisis. The schools are among the most stressful places in which to
work and learn. Humanity is suffering. What we need is not simply a bunch of relaxed, physically fit
people. We need a cultural revolution!
I believe that we can all be healthy, happy, and peaceful. I believe it is not only possible, but it is the
purpose of our lives on Earthto radically transform our bodies and minds into wholeness and the
planet into a living paradise. What else could be more important, more radical, and more necessary at
this time?
Here and now, I affirm that The STAR Method will motivate you to achieve your personal goals for
success, health, and wellness in your life. It is my prayer that The STAR Method will inspire a radical
cultural revolution to heal Planet Earth. Our future generations deserve a chance to thrive in harmony
on a healthy planet.
As a complete system, The STAR Method can help you achieve much more than stress reduction and
relaxation. By learning and practicing the techniques presented in this entire program, you can
transform your life.
Module 1 will teach you how to use the power of universal symbols and life-force energy for healing
oneself and the Earth. There has never been a more urgent time than now to achieve these important
goals.
How to reduce stress by increasing your self-awareness of the connection between your body,
your mind, and its behavioral and emotional responses
How to effectively apply therapeutic touch using a sequence of hand positions especially
designed to help you manage stress and receive a variety of physiological benefits
How to heal your body with therapeutic touch by following three simple, guiding principles
How to use universal symbols and color for personal and planetary healing
Throughout this book, when the phrase use The STAR Method appears, this refers to the use of any
of the tools and techniques presented within the seven modules of The STAR Method.
This book (Module 1) offers several helpful features:
Step-by-step approaches to a variety of effective techniques, tools, and exercises
Photographs, informational tables, and color-coded, visual models supplemented with
important details and descriptions
Testimonials and personal anecdotes from people who have benefited from The STAR
Method
Useful appendices for quick reference
Please use this book as a personal training manual for healing yourself and the Earth. In so doing,
you are sowing the seeds from which our future generations will harvest.
The STAR Method is a practical, comprehensive, self-help program for personal success, health, and
wellness. The STAR Method integrates a variety of effective tools to reduce stress and increase your
awareness of the connection between your body, your mind, and its behavioral and emotional
responses. The STAR Method is designed to help you achieve personal transformation, selfawareness, and self-realizationthe fulfillment of your highest potential. Only by realizing your
mission on Earth can you be truly fulfilled.
You can transform your life by developing your awareness of your body, mind, and the subtle,
powerful, life-giving energy that animates all living things. If you want to be able to manage stress in
your life, then you must become aware of how this life-force energy works in your own body, and
how your body and mind can be affected by external influences.
In Module 1, you will learn the relationship between energy, your physical body, the colors of the
rainbow, and how colorthe most universal of all symbolselicits physiological responses in your
body.
Painting was one of my father s favorite hobbies. When I was young, he painted a large rainbow on
the wall of my bedroom, right next to my bed. The rainbow mural was the first thing I would see upon
waking in the morning. I can remember lying in my bed, staring at the bright colors. The rainbow
seemed to have a soothing, uplifting effect on me as a child. I have since learned that the colors of the
rainbow have a direct connection to our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
After I came to Belize, Central America, I learned from my friend Ana Arzu, a traditional healer and
wisdom keeper of the indigenous Garifuna nation, that a rainbow model of health has been passed
down for generations and is still used today by traditional Garifuna healers as a framework for
Navel Center
(Svadhisthana)
yellow
Solar Plexus
Center
(Manipura)
g reen
blue
Heart Center
(Anahata)
Throat Center
(Visshudha)
indig o
violet
Crown Center
(Sahasrara)
Emotional and
rainbow
red
orang e
yellow
g reen
blue
indig o
violet
endocrine
g lands
behavioral responses
when activated
adrenals
being, having
gonads (ovaries,
testes)
feeling, wanting
pancreas
acting
thymus
loving
thyroid
communicating
pituitary
seeing, perceiving
pineal
knowing
Chakras are key energy centers in the body that correspond to specific physical parts of the body,
which are connected to various physical, emotional, and psychological responses. The STAR Method
will teach you how to place your hands in a specific sequence of positions on these chakras to activate
a variety of physiological benefits.
The hands are directly connected to the heart center. Try this: Hold your arms out straight in a T
shape. If you draw a straight line from one hand to the other, you cross your heart. From the
perspective of the chakras and their corresponding physiological responses, our hands are at the
same level as our hearts. The heart center is associated with how we express our love, affection,
caring, and compassion in the world.
How we use our hands is an outward expression of our hearts. It is no wonder why our hands are such
powerful tools for healing.
The following
physical areas of
your body are
affected,...
The Chalice
urinary bladder,
reproductive organs,
colon, rectum, bottom
of the sacrum
The V
The Sun
The Lovers
The Butterfly
The Crown
Decreased symptoms of
allergies, asthma, and heart
conditions
Improved regulation of the
bodys metabolism
Stress relief by supporting the
endocrine glands in the mid-brain
cavity
Supports the brain functions
associated with language-making,
comprehension, problem-solving,
and various aspects of personality
Relieves sinus pressure, allergies,
and headaches
Supports brain functions in the
cerebrum, associated with
conscious thought, voluntary
actions, sensory awareness, and
deliberate movement
Improves the function of the
corpus callosum, which is
responsible for communicating
information between the left and
right hemispheres of the brain
In this program, you will learn how to effectively apply therapeutic touch to specific parts of your
own body, following a specified sequence. When I use the term therapeutic touch throughout this
book, I am referring to a special kind of physical contact with your hands that is conscious, caring,
loving, gentle, safe, and healing. Therapeutic touch is a holistic approach to health and wellness that
aims to treat not only the physical body but, also, the underlying psychological, mental, and
emotional levels.
Therapeutic touch is scientifically proven to be healing: It relieves stress and activates a relaxation
response by promoting biological and physiological changes in the body.9 Therapeutic touch is
effective in reducing and relieving stress, anxiety, and pain; accelerating healing; and providing a
greater sense of wellbeing. People who receive therapeutic touch during a treatment session generally
report improved quality of life physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.10
Therapeutic touch fulfills our core human needs. It is not a mere indulgence to receive caring,
conscious touch that feels good. Vimala McClure, a world-renowned therapist who has extensively
studied the effects of therapeutic touch on infants, has found that touch is essential for healthy human
development.11 Research at the University of Miami School of Medicine shows that therapeutic touch
is as important to infants and children as eating and sleeping.12 Research indicates that therapeutic
touch triggers healthy growth and development in children by stimulating nerves in the brain that
lower stress hormone levels, resulting in improved immune system functioning and the ability to
handle stress as an adult.
informed me that the typical healing period for a partial fracture to these bones should be more like
four to five weeks.16 When I told him that the fingers had healed completely within a few days, he was
incredulous.
While therapeutic touch can be a powerful healer, I am not suggesting or advocating that you should
use The STAR Method as an alternative to conventional medicine or medical procedures. I respect
that each person should make his or her choices based on the information and resources available. In
many cases, a person may receive maximum benefit from the combined application of modern,
conventional medicine with safe, effective, research-based, holistic therapies. By achieving the
balance between modern technologies and the power of healing touch, you can make the widest
possible choices for your optimal health and wellness.
For a little over a decade, I worked as a full-time classroom teacher and consultant in private and
public schools. As a specialist working with children who were diagnosed with moderate to severe
developmental disabilities, including autism, I often felt stressed out from the many challenges and
demands of my work. On the weekends, I used to seek solace on my favorite hiking trail that wound
its way up a small mountain along the Central California coastline. Towering redwood trees grew in
clusters at the base of the mountain, where a stream flowed year-round.
Whenever I hiked on the trail beside the stream, one redwood tree in particular caught my attention. It
stood tall and proud, like a sentinel guarding the entrance to the mountain. One day, when I arrived at
this tree, I wrapped my arms entirely around its trunk. I remained motionless and breathed deeply. I
instantly perceived a strong flow of energy in my hands. I felt a subtle, steady tingling sensation. After
a few minutes, I let go of the tree and noticed that I felt alleviated from tension, anxiety, and fatigue. I
felt flooded with a feeling of comfort and relaxation. I had suspected that hugging a tree would have
such a transformative effect: the healing power of therapeutic touch.
From an early age, I had the privilege to learn and practice how to perceive the flow of life-force
energy through my hands. When I was young, my grandmother used to ask me to give her a
shoulder rub, coaching and guiding me to use the most effective techniques. She would exclaim,
Oh, I just love those little hands of yours! While I rubbed and eased the knots out of my
grandmother s shoulders, I noticed that I was able to sense some kind of electricity in my hands.
As you practice the techniques presented in this program, you will gradually improve your sensitivity
and ability to perceive the flow of energy through your own hands. At first this may seem difficult. Be
patient. With more and more practice, you will increase your sensitivity to the flow of energy during
your treatment session. You will discover that the quality of the energy flow can be described in terms
of its temperature, sensations, frequency, and how intensely it is drawn through your hands.
Rating
temperature
frequency
sensations
The STAR Method is designed on the premise that the body and mind operate as one integrated whole
and are maintained by energy. The study of quantum physics has demonstrated that all physical
phenomena are appearances of energy in different stages of activity.14 The food we eat, the houses we
live in, and the coins we spend are nothing but energy in condensed, materialized form. Researchers
have discovered that energy and vibration are the building materials of the physical world, including
our physical bodies.
Energy circulates throughout the body along a network of passageways. Scientific research has
demonstrated that these passageways are intimately connected with the body organs and their
functions. This life-giving energy is referred to by many names in various different traditions around
the world. In the system of Ayurvedic Medicine, this life-force energy is referred to as prana; in
Oriental Medicine, chi or ki; in the Native American tradition, the spirit that moves in all
things.15 This universal, life-giving force will be referred to as energy throughout this book.
You are energy: You are not separate from it. Therefore, it is readily accessible and available to you.
Energy is inherently intelligent, as there is order in the universe. The moment you place your hands
on yourself or another living thing, whether it be human, animal, or otherwise, this intelligently
directed life-force energy automatically flows in a way that benefits you and the recipient. You are
simply acting as a channel; therefore, all you have to do is to place your hands on the physical body,
and a universal intelligence directs the energya subtle, gentle, yet powerful healerto whichever
parts of the body are in need of healing.
Instructions
To experience the full benefits of The STAR Method, you are advised to practice a full treatment
session on yourself at least once a day for seven consecutive days. To maximize the benefits, you may
try using The STAR Method at different times of day or in different locations, including outdoor
settings. Do not be discouraged if you do not experience immediate benefit. Since the effects of stress
are cumulative, the process of healing occurs over time.
You may find it helpful to refer to the full-color spectrum model of The STAR Method as you learn
and practice the exercises presented in this book. This model, which is color-coded, can help you
increase your awareness of specific behavioral and emotional responses in your own body, which
correspond with each of the seven colors of the rainbow.
You may lie down, remain standing, or be seated throughout your treatment session. You may choose
to keep your eyes closed or open. It is important for you to feel comfortable and relaxed:
If you are lying down, you may wish to place a pillow under your knees for maximum
comfort.
If you are standing, be sure that you are on a level surface with your feet flat on the floor, hipwidth apart, and knees slightly bent. Keep your spine straight and your shoulders relaxed.
If you are seated, be sure that your spine is straight, your feet are flat on the floor, and your
shoulders are relaxed.
Photographs are included to provide guidance and to clarify the instructions for how to perform a
treatment session using The STAR Method. Instructions are worded in a way that seems to be most
helpful to people who are learning how to use The STAR Method for the first time.
During your treatment session, breathe slowly and deeply through your nose, allowing your chest and
belly to expand on each inhale. Relax. Breathing deeply will help you to relax as you focus on the
quality of the energy flowing through your hands. At first, you may or may not be able to feel
anythingthis is okay. Your awareness and sensitivity to the flow of energy through your hands will
improve with practice.
If you are able to sense the flow of energy during your treatment session, then simply notice its
quality. You may be able to feel the temperature, sensations, and intensity of the energy flow, which
can range from high to low along a rating scale (see Table 4).
Hold each hand position for thirty seconds to one minute. You may wish to hold the positions for a
longer period of time, especially if the quality of the energy is strong, intense, or hot. You may be
able to feel when the flow has fallen away or dropped, indicating that you can move your hands
to another position.
The hand positions in The STAR Method are presented in a step-by-step format:
How to place your hands
Physical areas to be treated
Benefits of treatment
Conditions and ailments to be treated
The thirty hand positions of The STAR Method will be described in detail in the next section. A full
treatment session consists of all thirty hand positions and typically lasts for about forty-five minutes.
You also have the option to use these techniques in a short treatment session, which typically lasts for
about twenty minutes and contains only eight hand positions. When first learning The STAR Method,
it is recommended to practice a full treatment session, as described in the next section.
Once you have learned and practiced the sequence of hand positions by following the steps in this
section, you may find it helpful to use the appendices at the end of this book as a quick reference
during your daily, ongoing treatment sessions.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
The opening affirmation and prayer set the tone for the entire treatment session
Place the palms of your hands gently together, with your thumbs lightly touching the breastbone in
front of your heart.
Silently or out loud, state exactly what you would like to accomplish, gain, or experience from the
treatment session. Be specific. Here are some examples:
Today I am asking specifically for relief from pain in my lower back.
I would like to relieve the tension in my neck.
I want to stop worrying about my deadlines at work and feel more relaxed.
Your affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I want to be healthy and happy.
I wish to feel more joy in my life.
Today I am asking for protection and guidance.
An affirmation is a statement that validates a positive result or outcome. Research shows that positive
thinking decreases stress and activates a relaxation response.17
The mind plays such a significant role in creating stress. However, if we are able to
become more aware of the negative thoughts and feelings that enter our minds and
develop ways to replace them with positive ones, we will be able to live happier, less
stressful lives.18
This position has a calming, grounding, soothing effect. It sends a signal to the body to relax,
preparing you for the treatment session.
Gently place both hands, one on top of the other, slightly below the navel.
Breathe slowly and deeply through your nose, allowing your chest and belly to expand on each
inhale. Relax. Breathing deeply will help you to relax as you focus on sensing the flow of energy
through your hands. Remember, it is okay if you do not feel anything right away. With practice, you
will increase your sensitivity to the flow of energy.
Hold the hand position for thirty seconds to one minute or longer if desired.
Scanning the body can provide information about specific areas of your body that need the most
attention.
Imagine that your hands are an x-ray machine and you are using them to scan the entire body for
areas most in need of therapeutic touch. This will provide you with important information about your
body.
Hold both hands palms down, shoulder-width apart, about 10 inches above the body. Begin at the head
and slowly scan down the entire length of the body, ending at the pubic area. Repeat as many times
as necessary. With repeated practice, you will increase your sensitivity and accuracy.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax. Focus on the flow of energy through your hands. Scan the body for
thirty seconds to one minute or longer.
Now, you will learn how to use universal symbols for healing. Three symbolsthe spiral, the cross,
and The STAR Methodwill be used in a sequence of hand placements. Symbols speak to our
collective human experience, as shapes ranging from the most basic to the complex have been
consciously rendered for millennia in human art, religions, literature, and psychology to signify a
variety of physical and metaphysical phenomena.
The spiral is depicted in ornamental art all over the world and is commonly seen in nature and
astronomy, as in this photograph of Messier 74, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Pisces and home
to about 100 billion stars.19 The spiral is most commonly interpreted to represent the evolution of the
universe. It is also a classical form symbolizing growth, arising out of the concept of the rotation of
the Earth. In the Egyptian system of hieroglyphs, the spiral denotes cosmic forms in motion, or the
relationship between unity and multiplicity.20
When depicted in its expanding form, as in the nebula, the spiral symbolizes the creative breath of life
the creative force of the universe. Since the spiral arises from a single point, it also symbolizes the
relationship between the circle (or Oneness) and the mystic center of the circle (or the origin of the
universe), thereby being associated with the power of healing through a pattern of creative movement
and expansion.
During your treatment session, you will apply therapeutic touch using a specified sequence of seven
hand positions on parts of your body within your abdominal area. First, you will draw a Spiral
Symbol above your body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands in
seven positions on your abdominal area.
The Spiral Symbol serves to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands on
various parts of your abdominal area. In particular, the Spiral Symbol activates the functions of three
Reproductive organs (for males): testes, prostate gland, seminal vesicles, vas deferens
Sigmoid colon (the last segment of the large intestine)
Rectum
Coccyx (tailbone) and bottom of the sacrum (large triangular bone at the bottom of the spine)
Legs, ankles, and feet
Femoral arteries (blood vessels that supply blood to the lower extremities)
Lymph nodes of the groin area (responsible for generating antibodies to fight infection of
abdominal organs)
Benefits of treatment:
Increased pelvic mobility
Improved nerve flow through the sciatic, sacral, and gluteal nerves
Increased blood flow to the abdomen, hips, legs, and feet
Supports the lower limb, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive system
functions.
Comforts and soothes the bodys memory of early childhood traumas, such as sexual abuse
and painful falls
Helps fight infections of abdominal organs by stimulating the lymph nodes in the groin area
Helps fight infections of the reproductive organs due to sexually transmitted diseases
Conditions and ailments to be treated:
Urinary tract infections
Impotence
Prostate cancer
Uterine and cervical cancer
Yeast infections
Infertility
Menstrual cramps
Pregnancy
Diarrhea, constipation, and bloating
Increased blood circulation through the inferior mesenteric artery and inferior vena cava that
carries blood into this area from the heart and back
Supports the many nerve pathways that travel through this area and toward other parts of the
body
Improved function of the urinary and gastrointestinal organs
Many clients can sense the energy radiating out from the nerve pathways as they travel to
other parts of the body
Conditions and ailments to be treated:
Menstrual cramps
Pregnancy
Lower back pain
Kidney stones and kidney failure
Indigestion
Knots in the stomach
Anxiety
Nausea
Blood circulates more efficiently through major arteries and veins, speeding up digestion
Improves the bodys ability to absorb vital nutrients (minerals and vitamins) from food
Conditions and ailments to be treated:
Indigestion
Heartburn
Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)
Cirrhosis of the liver
Jaundice
Benefits of treatment:
Blood circulates more efficiently through major arteries and veins, speeding up digestion
Improves the bodys ability to absorb vital nutrients (minerals and vitamins) from food
Blood sugar levels stabilize more quickly
Conditions and ailments to be treated:
Diabetes
Indigestion
Heartburn
Colon cancer
Special notes:
The positions Left Abdomen and Right Abdomen can help you to relax before or after a stressful
event.
The symbolism of the cross is complex and can be interpreted in such a way that neither denies nor
supplants the historical meaning in Christianity. The cross is often represented in medieval art as the
Tree of Lifethe bridge or ladder by means of which the soul may reach the heavens.21 The cross
affirms the primary relationship between the two worlds of the celestial and the earthly. The cross is
analogous with the human form, as the horizontal line represents the arms, and the vertical line
signifies the body in an upright position.
The predominant meaning of the cross is the conjunction of opposites: wedding the vertical (or
spiritual) principle with the horizontal (the physical world of phenomena), thus bearing its
significance as a symbol for struggle and martyrdom. In Egyptian hieroglyphics, the cross stands for
life or living and forms part of words such as health and happiness.
The Cross Symbol depicts a cross contained within a circle. As shown frequently in ancient art and
literature, the circle is most commonly used as an emblem of the sun. It also symbolizes the return to
unity from multiplicity and has been seen to stand for heaven, perfection, and sometimes eternity as
well. The circle corresponds to the ultimate state of Onenessa profound psychological implication
that the circle represents a human who has achieved inner unity (perfection). Thus, the cross inside of
the circle can be interpreted to symbolize the human who has realized oneness and perfection by
virtue of merging the physical with the spiritualuniting body and spirit.
During your treatment session, you will apply therapeutic touch using a specified sequence of seven
hand positions on parts of your body within your chest and neck area. First, you will draw a Cross
Symbol above your body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands in
seven positions on your neck and chest. In particular, The Cross Symbol activates the endocrine
glands located in this area of your body: the thymus, the thyroid gland, and the parathyroid glands.
The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by controlling how quickly the body uses energy.
The parathyroid glands control the level of calcium in the blood.
The thymus directs the bodys immune system response.
Now, you will learn how to draw The Cross Symbol above your body to support the optimal
functioning of these endocrine glands, as well as the bones, organs, tissues, muscles located in the
area of your chest and neck.
The Cross Symbol looks like a plus sign inside of a circle. Imagine that you are drawing this symbol
with your palm above the chest area. Begin by holding one of your hands (the dominant hand,
preferably) about 12 inches in front of your heart, not touching the body.
Part 1: Draw a plus sign.
First, draw a plus sign. Draw a straight line down to the xiphoid process, then straight up to the throat,
then back down to the heart. Starting at the heart, draw a straight line directly across the chest, from
one breast to the other, ending once again at the heart.
Part 2: Draw a circle.
Now, draw a circle around the plus sign that you just drew. Begin at the top of the plus sign (at the
throat). Draw a clockwise circle around the plus sign, ending at the same point where you started (at
the throat).
The Cross Symbol will now be followed by seven specific hand positions located in your chest and
neck area.
Helps drain the lymph nodes, which can hold residues from infections in the tissue
Clears congestion from head colds, allergies, and ear infections
Conditions and ailments to be treated:
Allergies
Muscle tension and pain in the shoulders, neck, and face
Whiplash
Relaxing sensation
Conditions and ailments to be treated:
Respiratory tract infections
Stress (especially after a traumatic event)
Special notes:
This position is recommended to practice on oneself at night in bed just before falling asleep, as it
benefits the major organs and glands most vulnerable to stress, especially the adrenal glands. It can
have a calming, soothing effect.
The hand positions, Left Breast and Right Breast can be especially helpful for women with breast
cancer who may be recovering from a lumpectomy or mastectomy.
As a light shining in the darkness, The STAR Method is a symbol of the spirit. Stars have been
incorporated into emblematic art all over the world.22 The ultimate meaning of The STAR Method
seems to be expressive of intercommunication between the different worlds, or the activation of the
celestial realms within the purely material elements of earth and water.
The white space in the middle of The STAR Method is suggestive of the mystic centerof the force
of the universe in expansionalso representing universal energy. Two complete triangles, one in the
normal position and one inverted, superimposed so as to form a six-pointed star, symbolize the
human soul. A six-pointed star contained within a circle signifies the ultimate state of perfection:
realizing the self to be a unified whole.
During your treatment session, you will apply therapeutic touch using a specified sequence of seven
hand positions on parts of your body on your face and head. First, you will draw a Star Symbol above
your body to activate, amplify, and contain the energy as you position your hands in seven positions
on your head and face. In particular, The Star Symbol activates the endocrine glands located in this
area of your body: the pineal gland and the pituitary gland.
The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain that is responsible for secreting
hormones that regulate the bodys homeostasis (temperature, blood pressure, water balance,
and other important processes).
The pineal gland is located near the center of the brain and produces melatonin, a hormone
that controls the bodys sleep/wake cycle and other 24-hour biological rhythms.
Now, you will learn how to draw The Star Symbol above your body to support the optimal
functioning of these endocrine glands, as well as the bones, organs, tissues, muscles located in the
area of your face and head.
The Star Symbol looks like an upright triangle superimposed on top of an upside-down triangle
inside of a circle. Imagine that you are drawing this symbol with your palm above your head and face.
Begin by holding one of your hands (the dominant hand, preferably) about 12 inches in front of your
forehead, not touching the body.
Part 1: Draw an upright triangle.
First, draw an upright triangle. The apex (top point) of the triangle starts at the top of the head. Draw
one side of the triangle down the edge of the face, stopping at the mouth. Continue drawing the
bottom of the upright triangle across the mouth. Draw the other side of the triangle up the edge of the
face, stopping at the apex (top point) at the top of the head.
Part 2: Draw an upside-down triangle.
Next, draw an upside-down triangle directly on top of the upright triangle that you just drew. The
bottom point of the triangle starts at the chin. Draw one side of the triangle up the edge of the face,
stopping at the forehead. Continue drawing the top side of the upside-down triangle across the
forehead. Draw the other side of the triangle down the edge of the face, stopping at the bottom point at
the chin.
Part 3: Draw a circle.
Now, draw a circle around the two triangles. Begin at the top of the head. Draw a clockwise circle
around the two triangles, ending at the same point where you started.
The Star Symbol will now be followed by seven specific hand positions located on your head and
face.
Herpes simplex
Meningitis (infection in the cerebrospinal fluid)
Special notes:
This position seems to have special benefit for anyone who is actively fighting infections or has
suppressed immune system functions, as this area of the brain triggers many immune system
mechanisms.
This hand position provides you with a sense of closure for the session. This move also helps you to
integrate the therapeutic benefits of the session and end on a positive note.
Place your right hand below the navel and your left hand on the forehead. Hold for thirty seconds to
one minute.
Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax. Focus on the flow of energy through your hands. Hold the hand
position for thirty seconds to one minute or longer.
Hold your slightly cupped left hand above the top of the head (not touching) and hold your slightly
cupped right hand just below the pubic bone (not touching). Keep your hands in this position for thirty
seconds to one minute.
This image is from one of my favorite places in the tropics of Guatemala, where a natural hot spring
Silently or out loud, express gratitude. Affirm the therapeutic benefits of the session by restating the
intention you set at the beginning. Be specific. Here are some examples:
Thank you for this session. I affirm that I am feeling relief from pain in my lower back.
I would like to express my gratitude for the benefits of this session. I affirm relief from the
tension in my neck.
I am thankful for this session. I affirm that I am not worried about my deadlines at work and
that I now feel more relaxed.
Your closing affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I am grateful for being healthy and happy.
Thank you for the joy in my life.
I am now expressing my gratitude for being provided with protection and guidance. Thank
you.
Dedicate the benefits of your treatment session to another person or group of people in a specific or
general way. A dedication is offering a special gift to the person or group of people you choose. It is
a way of sharing the positive results that you have gained from your session with other people in
your life. Here are some examples:
I dedicate the benefits of this session to my uncle, who just had knee replacement surgery.
I would like to dedicate these benefits to the refugees around the world who need the
protection of shelter and food.
Today I dedicate all the benefits of my session to the health and happiness of everyone
Now that you have practiced the steps for healing yourself using The STAR Method, you have
increased your sensitivity and awareness of the flow of energy through your hands. You have
probably become more empathic to the needs of the people and other living things around you. You
may occasionally find yourself feeling a strong desire to offer therapeutic touch to another person,
animal, or plant.
As you develop and increase your sensitivity to the subtle energy that flows through all things, you
may find that you are able to pick up on the pain, discomfort, and suffering of other people,
animals, and plants. Sometimes, this feeling can be overwhelming. If you use the techniques presented
in this book, then you can help ease the suffering of others.
If I feel intuitively called upon to give therapeutic touch to another person or living thing, then I
know that there must be a need for the recipient to heal. By the simple act of offering conscious touch
to another living thing, I receive benefits in return. Here is a story to illustrate how this works:
I was walking through a parking lot, when a large cargo truck backed up into the overhanging limb
of a tree, breaking it off with a loud snap. The limb tumbled to the ground. I stood from a distance and
watched as the sap began to flow from where the limb had been torn off. I intuitively sensed that the
tree was crying in pain. I felt strongly called to send the tree some healing energy.
The severed part of the tree was too high up for me to reach from the ground, so I stood beside the
tree and placed my open palms against its trunk. I closed my eyes and waited, taking deep, slow
breaths. After about a minute, I began to feel a palpable sensation in my hands, distinctly different
from the one I received whenever I touched the redwood tree growing beside the stream along my
favorite hiking trail. Instead of a steady tingling, the flow of energy within the recently injured tree in
the parking lot felt more like an intense, hot pulsation. I stayed with the tree for a few minutes. The
sensation shifted to a more stable, wavelike pulsing that felt warm. When I removed my hands, I
noticed that my own body felt more relaxed and less tense than before I had offered therapeutic,
healing touch to the tree.
In this section, you will learn how to send healing energy to the entire planet, to specific geographical
locations, or to specific regions on Earth. Many traditions consider the Earth to be a living, breathing
organism, complete with its own set of lungs, a nervous system, and other analogous body parts.23
When you channel healing energy to the Earth, it receives therapeutic benefits, in much the same way
that you can receive specific physiological benefits from a treatment session.
Whenever you witness catastrophes, injustices, emergencies, or traumatic events play out on the news
or in your immediate surroundings, you are not obliged to stand aside and watch in despair, wishing
that you could help. Whether you are outside in a natural setting, in a large, bustling city, on the train,
or walking through your neighborhood, you can send healing energy to a specific geographical area
where an event is taking place, to a group of people, animals, or plants in any location, or to the
entire planet in general.
Recall from the introduction to this book how the Earth is in a healing crisis, as environmental
destruction continues to take its toll on our natural ecosystems. Humanity is facing unprecedented
crises on a global scale. The news media are replete with stories of death, suffering, and calamity all
around the world.
Instead of feeling a sense of hopelessness or indifference, you can take meaningful, purposeful action
whenever you hear about horrible injustices, see news footage of disasters, or witness first-hand the
suffering of others. You can channel healing energy to a specific location or to the entire world,
benefiting people and other living things. By healing the Earth, you are healing yourself, too.
When I lived in Guatemala City with my husband, we rented a small apartment in a busy urban area.
Our neighborhood featured a relatively safe, secluded public park that was located on the top of a hill
overlooking a large, forested area and ravine. I jogged in the park regularly, as it had plenty of trees,
flowers, and fresh air, in contrast to the grit and grime of most of the city.
Early one morning as I approached the park, I noticed that a maintenance crew was busy performing
various landscaping duties. A group of men were high up in the tallest trees, chopping off large limbs
that were apparently interfering with electrical power lines.
I was dismayed by what appeared to be a brutish approach to tree maintenance: Instead of carefully
pruning the branches, the men were chopping off the largest limbs with no thought to how the trees
would appear after the massacre was over. Whether they lacked proper training or simply didnt care,
the park was left in a hellish state after they left that day. I was overcome with a feeling of sadness.
I returned a few days later to find large limbs still lying beneath the now barren, seemingly lifeless
trees. There were no birds circling overhead. I felt as though the spirit of the place had been forcibly
removed, and the park did not offer me the familiar, nurturing feeling that it had before. An
overwhelming sadness and pain filled my heart. All I could do was sit down on a park bench, bow my
head, and pray, asking for forgiveness for the thoughtless destruction that humanity has wrought on
our natural landscapes.
At that moment, I remembered the technique for healing the Earth using The STAR Method. I held my
hands with my palms facing inward at the level of my heart. I closed my eyes, breathed deeply, and
prayed for healing to be sent to the trees, birds, and insects that had been disturbed or displaced. I held
this position and noticed a warm, pulsing sensation between my hands. When I felt the energy drop
off, I removed my hands, rubbed them together, and said one last prayer. I offered my gratitude for
the opportunity to channel healing energy to the Earth. I affirmed that the land would regain its natural
balance. I felt a sense of relief and hope.
Instructions
Use this technique to send healing to a specific geographical location on the Earth, or to the planet in
general. You could do this after you hear about a terrible disaster or catastrophe in a specific location,
for example. This technique can be effective, whether or not you are physically in the target location.
Energy is universal and limitless, and the power of healing knows no boundaries.
Step 1. First, state exactly what you would like to accomplish, gain, or experience from the treatment
session (silently or out loud). Be specific. Here are some examples:
Today I am asking specifically to help the people in (name of country).
I request that the people in our government are guided to make good decisions today.
I want to send hope and comfort to anyone who may be suffering from pain.
Your affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I want to send healing energy to the Earth.
I wish to see an end to violence and war on the planet.
Today I am asking for protection and guidance for everyone on Earth.
Step 2. Imagine that the Earth is between your two hands. Hold your hands at the level of your heart
about 12 inches apart with your palms facing each other. You may focus on a specific place on Earth
where you want to send healing, or you may simply wish to send healing to the planet in general.
Step 3. Send healing energy to the Earth. You may or may not feel anything at first. Simply allow
your intention to be made clear, and the energy will be directed to wherever it needs to go.
Remember: You are simply a channel for the flow of healing energy. Relax and breathe deeply. You
may close your eyes or keep them open, imagining the Earth between your hands.
Step 4. Breathe slowly and deeply. Relax. Focus on the flow of energy through your hands. Hold the
hand position for thirty seconds to one minute, or for as long as you feel it is helpful or necessary to
do so. When you feel a drop-off in the flow of energy through your hands, this indicates that the
treatment session is complete. Slowly remove your hands. Clap your hands at least once, blow on
them, or shake them out. This shows that you have completed the session, and your hands are now
free to be used for other activities.
Step 5. Silently or out loud, express gratitude. Affirm the therapeutic benefits of the session by
restating the intention you set at the beginning. Be specific. Here are some examples:
Thank you for this session. I affirm that the people in (name of country) are being helped.
I would like to express my gratitude for the benefits of this session. I affirm that the people in
our government are being guided to make good decisions today.
I am thankful for this session. I affirm that anyone who may have been suffering from pain is
now filled with hope and comfort.
Your closing affirmation/prayer can also be more general:
I am grateful for being able to send healing energy to the Earth.
I am now expressing my gratitude that everyone on Earth is protected and guided today.
Thank you.
Thank you for peace and happiness on Earth.
Dedicate the benefits of your session to all living things on Earth. A dedication is like offering a
special gift. When you dedicate the positive results of your treatment session to the entire planet, you
are allowing the benefits to become limitless and to multiply exponentially. Here are some examples:
I dedicate this session to the health and happiness of everyone on Earth.
I dedicate this healing to peace on Earth.
May the benefits of this treatment session be dedicated to helping every person and every
living thing on Earth.
By affirming the health of planet Earth, you are affirming your own health, happiness, and wellbeing.
Recall how positive thinking decreases stress.24 When we replace negative thoughts and feelings with
positive ones, we activate behavioral and emotional responses of relaxation and happiness, allowing
us to access health and wellness in our lives.
After you use The STAR Method to heal the Earth, you may find that the people around you seem to
be friendlier, happier, and more loving. You may find that you feel more peaceful and relaxed
throughout your day. When you receive these kinds of positive results, then you are realizing the
power of your hands for personal and planetary healing.
In Module 2 of The STAR Method, you will learn how to heal your interpersonal relationships. By
learning the techniques presented in Module 2, you can improve your relationships with the people in
your life: your spouse, your children, your colleagues, and your family and friends.
If you would like to pre-order the next book in this series, please click here.
In Module 1 of this program, the full-color spectrum model of The STAR Method includes the seven
energy centers of the body and a sequence of hand placements that are designed to activate specific
physiological responses in the body (see Table 2).
In Modules 2-7 of The STAR Method, this full-color spectrum model will be expanded to include
other important information, tools, and techniques.
1. The Chalice
2. The V
3. The Sun
4. The Lovers
5. The Butterfly
6. The Minds Eye
7. The Crown
8. The Waterfall
Endnotes
1. World Health Organization (2014). Preventing suicide: A global imperative [First WHO
World Suicide Report]. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/suicide-prevention
Notably, suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds globally.
2. Koehler, G. (2001). Stress management exercises for professionals and students. Strategies,
15(2), 7-10.
The body responds to stress by producing adrenaline, cortisol, beta brain waves, and nervous
tension. Constant adrenaline results in fatigue; cortisol weakens the immune system; and
constant stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system results in muscle tension and
nervousness, while depleting energy. Such over-stimulation can lead to serious illness (p. 7).
3. McPherson, G. (2014, November 11). Climate-change summary and update [Blog post].
Retrieved from http://guymcpherson.com/climate-chaos/
4. Williams, K., & Poel, E.W. (2006). Stress Management for Special Educators: The SelfAdministered Tool for Awareness and Relaxation (STAR). TEACHING Exceptional Children
PLUS, 3(1) Article 2. Retrieved from http://journals.cec.sped.org/tecplus/vol3/iss1/art2
5. Arzu, A. (2014). Healing the healers: who we are [Essay]. Retrieved from
http://arzumountainspirit.com/who_we_are
6. Frawley, D. (1996). Ayurveda and the mind: the healing of consciousness. Twin Lakes, WI:
Lotus Press.
7. Shang, C. (2001). Emerging paradigms in mind-body medicine. The Journal of Alternative &
Complementary Medicine, 7(1), p. 83.
8. Davidson-Rada, M., & Davidson-Rada, J. (1993). The rainbow model of health as ongoing
transformation. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 11(1), 42-55.
9. Burden, B., Herron-Marx, S., & Clifford, C. (2005). The increased use of Reiki as a
complementary therapy in specialist palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing,
11(5), 248-253.
10. Wardell, D.W., & Weymouth, K.F. (2004). Review of studies of healing touch. Journal of
Nursing Scholarship, 36 (2), p. 154.
11. McClure, V. (2000). Infant massage: a handbook for loving parents. 3rd ed., New York:
Bantam Books.
12. University of Miami Medical School Touch Research Institute (2014). Research at TRI
[Report]. Retrieved from http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/Research.html
13. Goodman, S. (1990). The book of Shiatsu: the healing art of finger pressure. New York:
Avery Publishing Group, Inc.
26. Harkins, T. (2014, February 12). Dangerous use of seclusion and restraints in schools
remains widespread and difficult to remedy: A review of ten cases [United States Senate Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Major Committee Report]. Retrieved from
http://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Seclusion%20and%20Restraints%20Final%20Report.p
Due to the lack of a clear federal law regarding appropriate behavior interventions in the
nations schools, under current law, a family whose child has been injured, experienced
trauma, or, in the worst case, has died as a result of use of seclusion or physical restraint in a
school has little or no recourse through school procedures or the courts.
27. U.S. Department of Education (2014). Office of Civil Rights [Data collection]. Retrieved
from http://ocrdata.ed.gov
Seclusion and physical restraints are used at least 66,000 times every year in U.S. schools to
address behavioral concerns of students with and without disabilities.
References
Altshuler, L. (2004). Balanced healing: combining modern medicine with safe and effective
alternative therapies. Washington: Harbor Press.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2014). OrthoInfo: Your connection to expert
orthopaedic information [Webpage]. Retrieved from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org
Arzu, A. (2014). Healing the healers: who we are [Essay]. Retrieved from
http://arzumountainspirit.com/who_we_are
Benson, H. (1975). The relaxation response. New York: Morrow.
Billingsley B.S. (1993). Teacher retention and attrition in special and general education: A
critical review of the literature. Journal of Special Education, 27, 137-174.
Boe, E. E., Bobbitt, S. A., & Cook, L. H. (1997). Whither didst thou go? Reassignment,
migration, and attrition of special and general education professionals from a national
perspective. Journal of Special Education, thirty, 371-389.
Borg, M., Riding, R., & Falzon, J. (1991). Stress in teaching: A study of occupational stress and
its determinants, job satisfaction and career commitment among primary school professionals.
Educational Psychology, 11, 59-75.
Brady, R. (2004). Schooled in the moment: Introducing mindfulness to students and
professionals. Independent School, 64(1), 82-87.
Brown, S., & Nagel, L. (2004). Preparing future professionals to respond to stress: Sources and
solutions. Action in Teacher Education, (26)1, 148-156.
Bucci, T. (2003). Techology in teacher education. Action in Teacher Education, 24(4), 1-73.
Burden, B., Herron-Marx, S., & Clifford, C. (2005). The increased use of Reiki as a
complementary therapy in specialist palliative care. International Journal of Palliative Nursing,
11(5), 248-253.
Cirlot, J.E. (1971). A dictionary of symbols. London: Routledge.
Darling-Hammond, L. (2001). The challenge of staffing our schools. Educational Leadership,
58(8), 12-18.
Davidson-Rada, M., & Davidson-Rada, J. (1993). The rainbow model of health as ongoing
transformation. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 11(1), 42-55.
Deckro, G.R., Ballinger, K.M., & Hoyt, M. (2002). The evaluation of a mind/body intervention
to reduce psychological distress and perceived stress in college students. Journal of American
College Health, 50(6), 281-297.
Dennison, P. E., & Dennison, G. E. (1994). Brain gym (Professionals ed. rev.), California: Edu
Kinesthetics, Inc.
Embich, J.L. (2001). The relationship of secondary special education professionals roles and
factors that lead to professional burnout. Teacher Education and Special Education, (24)1, 5869.
Frawley, D. (1996). Ayurveda and the mind: the healing of consciousness. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus
Press.
Goodman, S. (1990). The book of Shiatsu: the healing art of finger pressure. New York: Avery
Publishing Group, Inc.
Harkins, T. (2014, February 12). Dangerous use of seclusion and restraints in schools remains
widespread and difficult to remedy: A review of ten cases [United States Senate Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Major Committee Report]. Retrieved from
http://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Seclusion%20and%20Restraints%20Final%20Report.p
Hastings, R.P., & Brown, T. (2002). Coping strategies and the impact of challenging behaviors
on special educators burnout. Mental Retardation (40)2, 148-156.
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face
stress, pain, and illness. New York: Dell Publishing.
Klinger, J., & Vaughn, S. (2002). The changing roles and responsibilities of an LD specialist.
Learning Disability Quarterly, 25(1), 19-31.
Koehler, G. (2001). Stress management exercises for professionals and students. Strategies,
15(2), 7-10.
Kovalik, S., & Olsen, K. (1998). How emotions run us, our students, and our classrooms.
NASSP Bulletin, 82(598), 29-37.
Kyriacou, C., & Sutcliffe, J. (1979). Teacher stress and satisfaction. Educational Research,
21(2), 89-96.
Lamar-Dukes, P., & Dukes, C. (September, 2005). Consider the roles and responsibilities of the
inclusion support teacher. Intervention in School & Clinic, 41(1), 55-61.
Liungman, C.G. (1991). Dictionary of symbols. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Maskell, B., Shapiro, D.R., & Ridley, C. (2004). Effects of Brain Gym on overhand throwing in
first grade students: A preliminary investigation. The Physical Educator, 61(1), 14-22.
Matthews, B. (1978). The Herder symbol dictionary. Wilmette IL: Chiron Publications.
McClure, V. (2000). Infant massage: a handbook for loving parents. 3rd ed., New York: Bantam
Books.
McLeskey, J., & Waldron, N. (2002). Professional development and inclusive schools:
Reflections on effective practice. The Teacher Educator, 37(3). 159-172.
McPherson, G. (2014, November 11). Climate-change summary and update [Blog post].
Retrieved from http://guymcpherson.com/climate-chaos/
Module 1
Self-Healing with Therapeutic Touch
*
Module 2
Healing Others with Therapeutic Touch
*
Module 3
Realizing Your Lifes Mission on Earth
*
Module 4
Mentoring Future Generations
*
Module 5
Expressing Your Highest Truth
*
Module 6
Activating Your Intuitive Awareness
*
Module 7
Receiving Guidance from Your Highest Source
Your reader reviews are important to me! If you liked this book, please help me by providing your
review on Amazon. Your honest feedback is always appreciated and will help me make the next book
in this series the best it can be.
In exchange for providing your review, I would like to provide you with a free Life Reading on my
website. To find out more about this free offer, please click here.
If you found the information in this book helpful and would like to pass it along to friends and family,
you are invited to share and comment on social media:
Facebook
Twitter
Thank you!
www.ParamaWilliams.com
Parama K. Williams, MA, CMT, CYT is a published authorwith a Master of Arts in Education and
fifteen years of international experience as a Certified Massage Therapist and Yoga Teacher. She is an
avid practitioner of yoga and meditation.
As a classroom teacher and consultant in public and private schools for over a decade, Parama
specializes in educational interventions for children and adults of all ages who are diagnosed with a
variety of developmental and learning disabilities. In 2012 she conceptualized and founded The Farm
School, a network of experiential learning centers in Central America that emphasize practical skills
training for the health and wellness of the community and the land.
Parama currently lives in Central America, where she writes, provides therapeutic massage and
bodywork, and offers ongoing wellness retreats, classes, and seminars. On her blog, she provides
intuitive Life Readings to help people discover their unique lifes mission.
Contact the Author:
Facebook.com/ParamaYogaMethod
Twitter.com/ParamaWilliams