Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Harlem Holistic Wellness Collective

The Harlem Holistic Wellness Collective (HHWC) was developed after a number of talks between me and Dr. Robert Woodbine, president of San Bao Holistic Care in Harlem, concerning the need to organize the wellness practitioners we know into a body that provides health treatment and maintenance options for Harlem residents and others seeking alternative ways to address health problems.

HHWC was introduced during the Harlem Day 2009 Health Village exhibit. That day, wellness practitioners under the HHWC banner joined other health care providers and hospitals to provide hundreds of people with treatment and alternative ways to address health problems. Willie Walker, director of the Harlem State Office Building (HSOB), was so impressed with the experience that he suggested creating a wellness program at the HSOB. Consequently, Mr. Walker, Dr. Woodbine and I developed a working foundation for a community wellness program.

Every Wednesday, between 12 - 3pm, I’ll give free Ki Energy Chunsoo demonstrations in room 806 of the HSOB. These treatments are known to reduce stress, high blood pressure, back pain, depression, insomnia and other stress related health challenges (go to: www.kienergycenter.com or my blog at www.theartofwarogers). Dr. Woodbine will conduct a community acupuncture program - for times and dates call 212 234-9125.

The current HHWC members are: Dr. Robert J. Woodbine, N.D., M.AC.O.M., who’s formal medical training includes a doctorate in naturopathic medicine (N.D.) and master of acupuncture and oriental medicine (M.Ac.O.M.). He’s licensed in both disciplines. He’s also studied Qigong and Taijiquan in the U.S., China, Thailand, France and Switzerland.

Aswad Foster is trained in auricular acupuncture and works with Acupuncturist Without Borders. He holds a black belt in Shotokan Karate and is a certified Integral Hatha Yoga instructor, teaching New York Public school children yoga for over ten years.

Norman Spiller is a 1998 graduate of the Swedish Institute of New York, specializing in Swedish, Shiatsu and Clinical massage techniques. He’s studied at the Upledger Institute, specializing in Cranio-Sacral Therapy. Norman is also a Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan practitioner.

Lillian Butler and Eddie Robinson, owners of Raw Soul, a full service vegan, raw restaurant and juice bar located at 348 West 145th Street. Raw Soul also offers fresh, unique organic juices and smoothies.

Ruth Spiller is a teacher/Reiki Master who’s also a certified Yoga therapist. She’s taught Harmonic Movements (a rehabilitative movement form) for 10 years in Harlem and Chelsea.

I have trained in the martial arts for over thirty years, hold a six degree black belt in Goju Karate, and was inducted into the World Professional Martial Arts Organization in 2008 at Madison Square Garden. After training in the mountains of South Korea, I became the first African American master in the ancient Taoist Ki Energy stress management system called Chunsoo.

Together, The Harlem Holistic Wellness Collective’s goal is to provide effective and affordable care to address the root causes of chronic illness in communities of color. For more information on HHWC call Dr. Woodbine at 212 234-9125 or my office at 646 329-6727.

1 comment:

  1. THIS IS AWESOME!!! WILL DEFINETLY COME AND CHECK IT OUT!!!! Are there any programs for kids?

    ReplyDelete