For your health

The Asheville wellness scene only gets more vibrant as the spring months approach. Take a look at some of these upcoming, healthy events in WNC from learning to use weeds as medicine to walking for a cause.

Weeds as Medicine

Common weeds like dandelion and stinging Nettles have tremendous health benefits when used appropriately. Jeannie Dunn, owner of Red Moon Herbs, a local company with national reach, is teaching a community class on harvesting, handling and preparing medicinal foods and extracts. In addition to discussing the nutritional benefits of weeds, this class incorporates hands-on processing and bottling techniques as outlined by good manufacturing practices. Each participant receives a tincture, herbal salve and elixir sample to take home.

Offered in partnership with BioNetwork of A-B Technical Community College Tuesday on March 25 from 6-9pm. $49.30. Register here.

Yoga Unites

Showing that good fun can be good for the body, mind, spirit and planet, Yogi’s Beyond Coal is meeting for a fourth evening event, this time at Go Yoga in downtown Asheville.

The evening brings together several types of yoga, including the yoga of action (karma yoga), with a talk on how yogis can help move Asheville beyond coal-fired electricity and into a sustainable, green future; the yoga for the body (hatha yoga), with a class by Lisa Sherman; the yoga for the heart (bhakti yoga) with a kirtan — a kind of call and response chanting by Michael and Stephanie Johnson; and yoga for the mind (jnana yoga) with a meditation by Will Hamilton.

The evening also includes tea donated by Dobra and chocolate donated by the Chocolate Lounge. March 28th 7-9pm at Go Yoga, 65A Biltmore Avenue.

For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page.

Walk on Purpose

People of all ages will walk to honor and raise critical funds for those affected by multiple sclerosis, a chronic, often disabling disease that currently has no cure.

The 3rd annual WNC MS Awareness Group’s Annual Walk & Wellness Fair, includes a 1 to 3-mile route, a wellness fair highlighting local wellness professionals, a raffle with exciting prizes and food by local vendors. The goal is to raise $50,000 to help fund cutting edge research that will rid the world of MS and provide vital services for those currently living with the disease — approximately 14,500 people in our community.  The free event is March 30th, 1-5 pm at Fletcher Community Park, 5 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher, NC 28732.

For more information about walking, donating, the wellness fair and more, visit the group’s Facebook page.

Meditation for All

Stepping outside cultural and spiritual traditions, Co-Luminate, a community space in downtown Asheville, continues its series of non-denominational meditations, April 2nd from 6-8pm.

Meditation, an almost universal practice that leads an individual into a state of stillness and silence, helps clarify the mind.  When shared as a group, the practice can increase focus, energy and motivation.

The non-denominational meditation is sparse and simple, using no mantras, chanting or figurines, and is available to any one who is interested.  There is a brief introduction that includes posture assistance from 6-6:30pm.  Donation of $5-10 is requested.  Bring blankets, cushions or towels to sit on.

More information here.

Dancing Begins at Birth

“Baby’s can be birthed through dance instead of trauma,” says Michelle Dionne, teacher of the sacred and healing arts and birth dancing. The six week series leads women into world dance techniques and movements that stretch, develop muscle memory and activate each phase of the birthing process, from conception and pregnancy to labor and recovery.  The class is open to all women and teaches effective, basic movements, as well as when to apply each to achieve a peaceful birth. To learn the ancient art of birth dancing, join Michelle at the Women’s Wellness and Education Center on April 3rd from 5 to 6:15pm. Cost is $15 per session.

More information here.