If you are passionate about improving health and the quality of life for yourself and others…and want a rewarding professional career that’s more than just a job…your success starts here at New York College of Health Professions.

New York College has been pioneering Holistic Health Education for 30 years; merging thousand-year-old traditions of Eastern medicine with the future.

Chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York, this institution’s history is filled with “firsts”:  the first school approved by New York State to offer a degree in Massage Therapy, the first degree program in therapeutic bodywork in the U.S. and the first acupuncture and Oriental medicine program approved by the New York State Education Department!

New York College is a premier institution offering nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate programs in some of the fastest growing areas of health care.  Institutionally accredited degree programs include Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine and Herbal Medicine. All prepare students to become licensed, successful health care providers. Additionally, the College provides continuing education in many fields such as Holistic Nursing for RNs, instructor certification in Yoga and Tai Chi, workshops in wellness, Reiki and more.  It has provider status for continuing nursing education through the New York State Nurses Association.

The main campus is in Syosset, Long Island with additional locations in Manhattan now in midtown at the NY Open Center, as well as on the upper west side and in the SoHo/Chinatown area. There is also a facility in China where students can visit on 2-week cultural immersion trips.

The student body ranges from those looking to advance their education or adult learners looking to change or augment their careers. Students can attend part-time or full-time in as little as 2 days per week with convenient day, evening or weekend schedules.  Financial Aid and scholarships are available to those qualified.

New York College has worked with major hospitals like Bellevue Hospital, Beth Israel Medical Center, North Shore/LIJ and others.  It is on the cutting edge of world leading technologies in health care with a rich IP portfolio.  The College Commencement ceremonies receive extensive coverage and have featured luminaries such as Shirley MacLaine and Al Roker.

Graduates from the College are able to work in hospitals, spas, resorts, on cruise ships, with sports teams –or like so many alumni – start their own business.

There is a future in health care for everyone.  Health care is growing, and Holistic Health Care is the Future! A future where professionals are needed, respected and make a difference.  New York College of Health Professions offers its graduates the security of being a licensed professional in one of the hottest, growing and rewarding careers in the world.

Students interested in more information or wishing to make an appointment at the Open Center can call 800-922-7337 x351 or attend an upcoming Open House.  Dates and times and more details are posted on the College website www.NYCollege.edu.

Pacifica Graduate Institute's motto is anima mundi colendae gratia-for the sake of tending soul in and of the world. The MA/PhD degree in Depth Psychology with emphasis in Jungian and Archetypal Studies affirms Pacifica's mission through an in-depth engagement with the work of C.G. Jung and the post-Jungians. This area of study responds to Marie-Louise von Franz's visionary idea: "The real psychology is a psychology that is for everybody. It naturally includes the problems of clinicians, but is not concentrated solely on that area." Students in this program work with faculty mentors in studying the Jungian and archetypal theories and practices most applicable to healing, transformation, self-expression, and the development of consciousness.

The second degree program that will be hosted at the Open Center twice a year is an MA in Engaged Humanities and the Creative Life. Pacifica believes that the wisdom traditions of the humanities and depth psychology influence the arts and new media, and this influence and confluence can help inform and enrich the creative life. In keeping with Pacifica's mission, this program suggests there is no fundamental difference between engaging in art-making and soul-making, that we can tend to soul in the world by tending to our creative life in the world. The world itself has a creative life, manifested in the archetypes of the collective unconscious, whose symbols, images, metaphors, and movements are all the prima materia for the creative movement of humanity.

To learn more about either of these innovative degree programs, you can visit Pacifica's website at www.pacifica.edu.

Unable to attend the Information Session on January 22nd? Pacifica invites you to listen in on a teleconference!

Join other prospective students from all over the world to learn and inquire about the M.A. Engaged Humanities & Creative Life program and Jungian & Archetypal Studies specialization of the Depth program with the Director of Hybrid programs, Dr. Jennifer Selig. Please call 805.969.3626 ext. 305 or email admissions@pacifica.edu for more information and to reserve your spot on one of the teleconference calls.

Wednesday, January 25 - 3 p.m. PST
Monday, February 13 - 5 p.m. PST

Pacifica is accepting applications for spring and fall 2012 enrollment.

All graduate degree programs at Pacifica Graduate Institute are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

For additional information contact Pacifica Graduate Institute at 805.969.3626 ext. 305 or email admissions@pacifica.edu

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Basically, you need a software application on your mobile phone to scan a QR code. Once you have the app on your phone, you can use it to scan the code, which will bring you to a special webpage we have set up that lists current Open Center discounts.

Thomas Moore, Pat Berry, Steve Aizenstat and others

The great psychologist James Hillman (1926–2011) died in late October last year. In honor of his life, his enormous contribution to Archetypal Psychology, and to his revisioning of Soul in the contemporary world, we felt it appropriate to gather some of his friends and colleagues. Thomas Moore writes: “James Hillman was my friend and mentor for over thirty-five years. The world has no idea what he achieved in his long life or how he embodied his ideas in his life. I hope to sum up what he has to offer us and how he exemplified his philosophy in the way he lived.” James Hillman’s work is uniquely furthered at Pacifica Graduate Institute, whose chancellor, Steve Aizenstat, will speak on Dream Tending and the Anima Mundi. Pat Berry, James Hillman’s patient, student, companion, wife and colleague (1966 –1991), will also speak on Carrying On.

A MEMORIAL EVENT
Sunday, March 25, 2:30–5:30pm
12WSI60P
$45 (No Member Discount)
Please call for location.

Experience outstanding holistic programs from anywhere in the world with Open Center Online Learning webinars. This season, the Open Center is launching a compelling new initiative: a series of live webinars with distinguished faculty, accessible from the comfort of your own home. It’s time to take the Open Center’s work worldwide via the Internet! To participate in any of these events, only a computer and broadband connection to the Internet is needed. Each webinar is an interactive, two-hour experience with an intimate feel. We encourage you to let friends and family outside the greater New York area know that these new programs are now available.

By registering, for each webinar event you will receive the following:

• 90 minutes of live, interactive webinar content.
• 30 minutes of question-and-answer time with the teacher.
• Access to download a recording of the complete webinar, after the event. (Free software provided to view.)

Computer System Requirements
No matter where you are on the planet, as long as you have a computer with a broadband connection, web browser, and sound capabilities (microphone and speakers or headset), you will be able to participate and engage in the question-and-answer period. If you can watch YouTube videos, you can attend this webinar online. Recommended System Requirements: Windows 2000 (PC) or Mac OSX 10.5 or higher, and browsers version Internet Explorer 6, Firefox 3, Safari 4, and Chrome 11 or higher. ACCESS INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTERED STUDENT A FEW DAY PRIOR TO THE EVENT.

The Science of Flourishing and Happiness: An Interactive Webinar on Flow, Purpose, Achievement and Positivity
with Louis Alloro, MEd, MAPP, and Emiliya Zhivotovskaya, MAPP
The dynamic new field of Positive Psychology uses rigorous research to understand happiness and well-being and is expanding rapidly worldwide. Discover a scientific model that explains human flourishing and how to increase your experience of positive emotions, engagement, meaning and achievement. Join Louis and Emiliya, two of the first 100 people to hold a Master of Applied Positive Psychology degree from the University of Pennsylvania (where the field began), to understand the inner workings of human flourishing and how to use this new science and art to benefit daily life and work.
AN ONLINE WEBINAR
(4 sessions) Sundays, April 29, May 13 & 20,
and June 10, 1–3pm EST
12OLWP101
$129 (No Member Discount)
$99 Early Bird rate by April 15
To register click here

Alexandria: The Ancient and Ongoing Quest for Spiritual Harmony in a Global Civilization
David Fideler, PhD
The Greek philosophers had spoken of the cosmopolis or “world-city” in which all individuals are related to one another, regardless of country, race, or religion. With the coming of the Hellenistic age, global civilization became a tangible reality, and Alexandria, Egypt, its most significant expression—a meeting point between East and West, philosophies and religions. We will explore how Alexandrian learning and spirituality changed the course of world civilization, and their relevance today. David Fideler, now based in Sarajevo, was editor of the journal Alexandria: Philosophy, Myth and Culture. His books include Love’s Alchemy and the forthcoming Nature’s Intelligence.
AN ONLINE WEBINAR
(1 session) Sunday, January 29, 1–3pm EST
12OLWSW101
$25 (No Member Discount)
$20 Early Bird rate by January 15
To register click here

End-of-Life Doulas: A New Model for Guiding Patients Through
the End Process of Dying
Henry Fersko-Weiss, LCSW
End-of-Life Doulas are transforming the time when a person is actively dying into a sacred experience. Using guided visualization, meditation, light therapeutic touch, aromatherapy, legacy work, and rituals, EOL Doulas alleviate fear and deepen the meaning of the dying process. People are helped to face dying with truth and courage. This approach is deeply valuable at the bedside of the dying. Henry has trained Doulas at the Open Center for the last 4 years and has worked extensively with individuals and in hospices.
AN ONLINE WEBINAR
(1 session) Sunday, February 12, 1–3pm EST
12OLWSI102
$29 (No Member Discount)
$25 Early Bird rate by January 29
To register click here

Philosophy and the Future of Our World
Jacob Needleman, PhD
The crisis of our era, from top to bottom, is a philosophical crisis. The dramatic changes brought by advancing technology; the rapid erosion of moral values in politics and human relations; the shadow of hatred and fanaticism— at the root of all these forces lies deep confusion about the fundamental questions of the heart: How Can We Choose what is Good? Why Are We Here? What Are We Searching For-—and Why? Our theme is the path of philosophy as a the search for wisdom in the midst of life.
AN ONLINE WEBINAR
(1 session) Saturday, February 25, 1–3pm EST
12OLWSI103
$29 (No Member Discount)
$25 Early Bird rate by February 11
To register click here

Medicine Melodies: The Music that the Healers Hear
Silvia Nakkach
The shaman hears the hidden music of the universe and sings it back through “medicine melodies,” tonal configurations that reflect a sacred unity with nature and have the power to heal. Many people today are visited by such melodies—as if the spiritual world is “singing in” to the person rather than the person “singing out.” These archetypal melodies clear and open energetic channels. Silvia Nakkach, composer and pioneer in the field of sound and consciousness, is professor of music and healing at California Institute of Integral Studies.
AN ONLINE WEBINAR
(2 sessions) Sundays, March 25 & April 1, 1–3pm EST
12OLWHH102 • $59 (No Member Discount)
$50 Early Bird rate by March 11
To register click here

Cancer as a Turning Point
Lawrence Leshan, PhD, and Ruth Bolletino, PhD
This webinar offers a wealth of information and strategies for cancer patients and family caregivers to empower them to live fuller, more meaningful and more zestful lives. In the first session, LeShan will discuss his legendary psychotherapy approach designed to mobilize the self-healing abilities of cancer patients. In the second session, Bolletino will draw on her 20 years of experience with this approach to discuss its practical applications as well as common concerns of patients. Since from the moment of diagnosis, the life of everyone in the family is changed, the third session will focus on caregivers’ concerns. www.cancerasaturningpoint.org
AN ONLINE WEBINAR
(3 sessions) Sundays, March 3, 10, & 24, 1–3pm EST
12OLWHH101
$75 (No Member Discount)/ Individual Sessions: $29
$60 Early Bird rate by February 18
To register click here

Balancing the Inner and the Outer: Feng Shui for Health
Judith Wendell and Rosalie Prinzivalli
More than object placement, Feng Shui is concerned with the optimal circulation and balancing of qi (chi)—the life energy in us and the universe. In this class we will explore how to use Feng Shui core principles to balance both our internal organs and our environments. We will also cover the use of objects and furnishings to maximize qi flow, color and design to relieve stress, Feng Shui techniques to lessen financial worries and stress, simple exercises to enhance personal qi, and much more.
AN ONLINE WEBINAR
(3 sessions) Saturdays, April 14, 21 & 28, 1–3pm EST
12OLWAF101
$75 (No Member Discount)
$60 Early Bird rate by March 31
To register click here

Tantra is a path that uses sexual energy and deep intimacy to reach profound spiritual states. In a safe, supportive space, we will use meditation, breathwork, sound and movement to open our hearts, relax our minds, and discover the healing of communication through intimacy. This workshop is particularly valuable for those new to tantra and is for both hetero- and homosexual couples and singles. Singles can pair up for the experiential portions of the class if they feel comfortable doing so.

Note: Wear comfortable clothing. Sexual activity is not part of the program, but survivors of childhood sexual abuse may find some of the methods emotionally challenging. Please indicate if you are in a couple when registering (give partner’s name).

A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
Sunday, February 12, 10am–5pm
12WPX06SBW (Women)
Women click here to register

12WPX06SBM (Men)
Members: $120 / Nonmembers: $130
Men click here to register

Coaching supports people in living creative and resourceful lives. The idea that freedom and wholeness are our birthrights are two of the Core Principles that the Coaching for Transformation* method uses in supporting people in realizing their creative potential. In this article we will explore a spiritual luminary’s thoughts on freedom and  wholeness and a story about a coaching client taking small steps to become more whole and free.

The first core principle of Coaching for Transformation is Wholeness. People are whole and at the same time moving towards a greater experience of that wholeness. Consider: What is wholeness? How do we experience it? What about the principle of wholeness is useful?

The fifth principle of Coaching for Transformation is Freedom. At every moment people have the freedom to choose our reactions to what is happening. Consider: How do we live from that freedom? Where is our freedom when we are feeling stuck?

I picked up a book that articulated a thought-provoking perspective on these principles by a great and realized spiritual master.

In 1893, Swami Vivekananda came from India and spoke at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. I first read his writings when I began practicing yoga in the early 70’s, and recently had the joy of revisiting some of them. His words on freedom and our inherent wholeness are as relevant today as the day he uttered them.

Vivekananda says, “One curious fact in the midst of all our joys and sorrows, difficulties and struggles, is that we are surely journeying towards freedom… your actions, your very lives will be lost without it. Every moment nature is proving us to be slaves and not free. Yet simultaneously arises the other idea, that still we are free. At every step we are knocked down, as it were, and shown that we are bound; yet at the same moment, together with this feeling that we are bound, comes the other feeling that we are free. Some inner voice tells us that we are free.

…All human life, all nature, therefore, is struggling to attain freedom. …Everything is struggling towards that. The saint is going towards that voice…so is the sinner. The charitable man is going straight towards that voice and cannot be hindered. The miser is also going towards the same destination. The greatest worker of good hears the same voice within; he cannot resist it; he must go towards the voice. So is the most arrant idler. One stumbles more than another; he who stumbles we call bad and he who stumbles less we call good. Good and bad are never two different things; they are one and the same. The difference is not one of kind, but of degree.”

As I put down the book, VIVEKANANDA: The Yogas and Other Works, I thought of a coaching client in a battle to seize her inherent wholeness and freedom. In our sessions, we explored how to find work that was meaningful; how to deal with her finances; how to redefine her relationship with money; how to work through a growing gap in her marriage, and how to face the fear of heart surgery. A successful professional woman, she was now faced with challenges which had her deeply question what freedom she had, and whether she broken or whole.

As the surgery date drew near, it became clear that she needed to see herself as whole, not just isolated pieces that needed to be fixed. Deciding to face the discomfort of what was happening without judging it, our coaching helped her to allow her heart to lead the way, and literally and metaphorically, to open itself to transformation.

Through coaching she got in touch with the strength to look squarely at what was keeping her stuck. As she was able to talk about her resistance and fear, she laughed and we explored how she could turn her desire for freedom and wholeness into action. She made a bold move and invited her husband to help her sort out the medical bills and insurance issues that had been piling up for 18 months. After taking this step she sent me an e-mail that describes the transformation that began that moment.

“Subject: Took the next step!!

So we set the timer for 60 minutes and dug into a box of clutter – medical bills, old receipts, old flyers bidding discounts for shopping, articles clipped out and read or not etc. We sorted and shredded our way through an entire box!!!! The buzzer went off just as we reached the bottom of the box.

We are planning the next step – focus on the pile of medical bills - organize them first so I can do battle with the insurance company. AH HA! That will be tomorrow morning.

Anyway.... As a reward, I made dinner – totally an improv from whatever was in the fridge and pantry. Joe thought it rivaled any restaurant we’ve had the pleasure to dine in. At the risk of sounding smug, it definitely was one of my better efforts; in fact I’d go so far to say it was a winner – simple, visually beautiful and a great mix of tastes and texture.

As a bonus, we sat after dinner with our wine and talked about what we had just accomplished TOGETHER. For the first time in 21 years we were able to talk about our fears around money and how isolated each of us felt. We both felt ashamed and it was good to just say it. I think we started a new relationship with each other and with our money and our lives.”

As coaches we partner with people in the process of uncovering the wholeness and freedom that are not only their birthright, but the imperative that is always moving to make itself known. More than advisors we are mid-wife’s to this process of awakening. It is a process each of us is in, as each of our clients is also engaged in.

Throughout this and other coaching sessions with this client, we did not avoid the hard places. We explored and respected the messages of those parts of her that were holding her back, as well as those parts impassioned to move ahead. In creating the space to hear both, her self-awareness brought confidence and new ways of approaching old habits.

The process of coaching is one way into the experience of wholeness and freedom. With its focus on the here and now; on self-awareness and action, we support others in listening and connecting to the great potentials pushing to be born within them. Our journey may be very individual, and at the same time very related. As you discover and share glimpses of your wholeness and freedom you help me to remember mine. Coaching is a two way street, growing both coach and client, on the path of uncovering our inherent capacity to experience freedom and wholeness.

*Coaching for Transformation is a holistically and multi-culturally oriented coaching program that is accredited by the International Coaching Federation, ICF. For upcoming programs see www.leadershipthatworks.com or www.opencenter.org/coaching-for-transformation-personal-and-professional-coach-training/

**Richard Michaels & Madhu Maron will be teaching Empowering People Through Coaching on Saturday, October 15, 9:30-6pm.

Richard Michaels, MCC, CPCC, is a masterful coach, Gestalt therapist, and artist. In 2005 he co-created the Coaching For Transformation Certification Training. A partner in Leadership That Works, he has been leading workshops on personal, spiritual, and professional development for over 30 years. Richard is a founding member and former trustee of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Lenox, Massachusetts. He recently published "Moments on Canvas: Paintings by Richard Michaels," and “Coaching for Transformation: Pathways to Ignite Personal and Social Change.” www.leadershipthatworks.com. www.RichardMichaelsArtist.com.

by Judith Farber

My passion is photographing split second moments. Just from holding a camera and being a devout people watcher, the challenge of being quick on the shutter and creating well-framed images keeps my creativity flowing and my eyes and my heart open.

I learned not to be afraid to photograph on the streets. I just picked up my camera and forced myself to photograph strangers, quickly and discreetly.

We have an instinctual awareness of who we should be afraid of, who likes us, who doesn't, etc. Tapping into that part of ourselves is a virtue, a valuable tool when shooting on the streets. It’s knowing who to approach and who not to. Subjects are more themselves when they do not feel threatened, and tend to calm down if you honor and respect them, look them in the eye and are kind.

I might ask...."do you mind if I take your photo? I think you are very appealing, look great, interesting, and this inspires me." A compliment draws them in closer.

And of course a smile goes a long way.

I do not ask them to do something FOR my camera. I keep it natural, working around them, letting them be who they are, and always showing gratitude. Sometimes I get their number/email, send a photo, if that feels right.

Three Ways To Shoot Street Photos

1. Communicate with your subject
If you honor them, they will rarely be upset. If you take their photo and they see you shooting and then you just turn and walk away, it might feel to them like you've taken a piece of their soul.

Perfectly stated by my NY Open Center participant, Gabriella,"...I was reminded, from the man in Harlem, who shouted at us to stop taking pictures, of the personal struggles we each have to deal with and how, sometimes, we don't want anyone coming into our space, to take one more thing, after so much has already been taken."

2. Photographing a moment without them knowing
Telling a story, a quick interaction, being discreet, a Henri Cartier-Bresson moment.

3. Photographing people in hard times
Photographing people in hardship, suffering, a dynamic that feels unfair or unjust. Some people do NOT want their life to be a secret, desiring others to be aware of their plight. Even in the hardest of times, with the right approach of calmness, quiet and respect, there could appear a visual exchange of understanding which honors them and their situation.

Remember it’s the people, the subjects who are most important. The camera is only a tool to communicate. When I am refused a photo I might discuss it, but always with an apology. Other times I just talk, keeping my camera hidden. Those moments are cherished too.

Because of photography, I have been given extraordinary moments, a mix of friends from around the world and a purpose in life. I share emotions from my perspective. It's all there with every step.

I teach street photography in NYC. You can check out my teaching schedule on my website: http://SundaysInNY.com

Hope to see you in class!
Judith
http://judithfarber.com
©judith farber

Judith Farber will be teaching Street Photography: The Art of Seeing at the Open Center beginning on Sunday, October 16th.  For complete details click here.

It seems like only yesterday that everyone looked forward to retirement as the “golden years,” a time of relaxing, playing golf, some travel and visiting grandkids.  I remember leading an early retirement workshop at IBM 15 or so years ago when a 55 years old man, eagerly accepting the early retirement option, said he planned to sail around the world in his boat with his wife. When I asked him what he would do after that, he hadn’t even thought of the future.  The thought of freedom to pursue a dream was so appealing that life beyond was not even considered.

There has been a shift now.   The longevity revolution, where many people are living active lives 20-30 years and more beyond retirement age is part of the reason.  Boredom in Paradise!  Life without structure, community, and a deep soul nurturing sense of purpose is not satisfying for most of us.  Added to this, the economic downturn has caused many who were considering retiring at 65 or earlier to realize that they have to work to make ends meet.

In my career coaching practice, I hear many clients in later midlife and beyond questioning their future.  Those who are still working often feel stymied and frustrated in their work. The exciting challenges have been met and they long to express more of themselves. Those who have retired or are unemployed realize that endless days of freedom and time is often not enough. Their careers provided a framework for their lives. When this is ripped away, they feel unsettled and disconnected.

If midlife is a time of self- reflection, this time of later and beyond midlife is even more so.  It is time to ask the big questions:  Who am I really?  What is the unlived part of me? What is my legacy to the world? How can I serve and be connected to a larger purpose. As Carl Jung once said: “ We cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning—for what was great in the morning will be little at evening, and what in morning was true will at evening become a lie”

Jane Fonda, on a book tour for her new book “Prime Time” recently spoke in Berkeley about her life and observations at age 73.  She left Ted Turner because with him life was great but “horizontal”.   She had the need to go deeper and examine the earlier stages of her life to fully live what she calls her “third stage”.  Fonda looks at the years beyond 60 not as a decline but as an “ascending staircase.”   She didn’t mention God but spiritual as well as personal growth was strongly implied.

Marc Freedman in his newly published book “The Big Shift: Navigating the New Stage Beyond Midlife” really nails it.  He calls for a new map of life and names the years between middle age and being elderly the “encore stage”.  We are beyond middle age and not yet old.  We have energy, creativity, experience, time, and a desire to serve, to do something meaningful and to leave our legacy.

In this book and his previous one called  “Encore:  Finding Work That Matters in the Second Half of Life” Freedman interviews scores of individuals leaving corporate and professional jobs and transitioning to work in the nonprofit, educational, and public service areas.  This subject has long fascinated me and as I recently looked through my files I see that I have collected numerous ideas and articles related to it since 2003.  Thank you Marc for naming it .

There has been some talk in the media recently of older people being a burden on society.  This certainly doesn’t have to be so.  The need to connect, to be part of a community making a difference in the world, to leave a meaningful legacy calls us and is part of our human journey.  It is time for more of us to do the inner work and then find our own individual path and direction for this important next stage of our lives.

Please join me Sunday September 18th at the New York Open Center in New York City where I will be leading my workshop “Encore Careers: Creativity, Work and Meaning in the Wisdom Years." I promise it will be a fulfilling and valuable experience.   And who knows what we will be beginning here? Perhaps a future revolution!

Allie Roth is a career and life coach with 30 years of experience in Fortune 500 companies and in private practice helping people find more prosperity, fulfillment and meaning in their work and their lives.  Featured in articles in The Wall Street Journal,  The New York Times,  the Denver Post and The Los Angeles Times, Allie integrates Jungian psychology, traditional career counseling, and Eastern and Western spiritual traditions with concrete strategies for today’s job market.  Her newest work focuses on careers for those over 55.