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January/February 2007 NW Newsmakers
Northwest Newsmakers

The Right Touch for Healing

Reach out and touch someone, and you could help them to thrive and heal.

The TLC Touch Program is based on research showing that regular touch therapy, given for 20 minutes daily for one month, results in both physical and psychological improvements for people with disabilities, chronic conditions or life-limiting illnesses.

The benefits of TLC Touch go deep within the body. TLC Touch increases the red and white blood cell count in people with leukemia and improves their immune function. Regular touch reduces pain from arthritis and burns, increases pulmonary function in asthma sufferers and enhances cognitive performance in learning disabled children. Touch therapy also decreases anger and muscle tension while improving a person's mood, relaxation and sleep.

Samuel Schoonover, director of TLC Touch, offers free ongoing weekly one-hour introductory classes in Bellingham. For details on class schedules, visit www.tlctouchforkids.org.

Mastering Your Subconscious Power

Many adults spend most of their lives subconsciously
responding to life rather than consciously creating it.

"The missing link between good intentions and effective actions is the ability to align subconscious beliefs with conscious goals," says Robert M. Williams, author of PSYCH-K: The Missing Peace in Your Life.

PSYCH-K, which uses psychological kinesiology, helps you quickly and easily communicate directly with your subconscious mind. Using whole-brain integration techniques, you identify subconscious beliefs that perpetuate old habits and behaviors that you would like to change.

"To make change that lasts, you have to use the only part of the mind that can re-program changes in behavior -- the subconscious. By updating the programs on the subconscious level, you can profoundly affect your conditioning," says Rita Soman, a PSYCH-K practitioner based in Oregon. "By changing the self-sabotaging beliefs (I'm not smart enough, pretty enough, good enough) to self-supporting beliefs (I am good enough, I can lose weight, I can speak to that group with ease) you make changes naturally and effectively."

Soman focuses on shifting seven belief systems to empower people: self esteem, relationships, prosperity, health/body, spirituality, personal power and grief/loss.

For details on PSYCH-K and workshops, visit Soman's website at www.beliefmantra.com.

One Last Cup: Touchstone Coffee House Closes in April

The tradition of coffee and community ends at Touchstone Coffee House in NE Portland when doors close in April.

"I created a job for myself and my employees, and created a place of service for the community," says Becky Bilyeu, owner of Touchstone Coffee House. "I always wanted Touchstone to be more than just a coffee house, and I think that I have achieved that."

Bilyeu put Touchstone up for sale in late 2006 to pursue her art and photography career. A potential buyer for Touchstone decided to partner with the building's landlord instead of purchasing the coffee house. The business's lease at the NE Glisan Street building was not renewed, forcing the closure of coffee house that for the past eight years has invited patrons inside to rest their spirit with other kindred souls.

Bilyeu asks for the community's support in closing the coffee house by stopping in for companionship and a hot mug of coffee, tea, hot steamers, cocoa or juice. Pick up whole bean coffee for home, and hand-crafted art and cards for friends and loved ones. As the end draws near, Bilyeu plans to sell furniture, display items, mugs, books, and other coffee-related items.

"The past eight years have been an incredible ride and I have witnessed the true meaning of community," says Bilyeu. "So many friendships would not have been made had the little pink place not been there."

Touchstone Coffee House is located at 7631 NE Glisan, 503-262-7613. Visit www.touchstonecoffeehouse.com.

Experience the Magick

Join followers of Earth-based spiritualities at Magickal Winter Weekend on Feb. 9-11 in Portland. Pagans celebrate with three days of workshops, panels and rituals. Keynote speakers include John Michael Greer, leader of the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA) and author of The Druidry Handbook, as well as Mike Nichols, author of The Witches' Sabbats. Other offerings include drum circles, an art gallery, vendors and children's programming.

For details on registration and hotel accommodations, visit www.magickalwinterweekend.org.