Guest Speaker
Bhante Sujatha
Bhante Sujatha was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka. As a child he knew he wanted to become a Buddhist monk. At age 11, his wish was finally granted and his parents gave their permission for him to enter the monastery. He studied under the school's ordination in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. Theravada is regarded among its practitioners as the lineage closest to the original form of Buddhism and was brought to Sri Lanka around 250 B.C. After his ordination he taught in Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, and Michigan before making his home in Illinois. He is the founder and director of the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock. His hope is to blend traditional Buddhist teachings with American culture to bring peace and balance into our fast-paced and sometimes stressful lives. He teaches Loving-kindness, Mindfulness, & Insight meditation and their application in our everyday lives. He is a kind, wise, and gentle Teacher whose open and easygoing style is conducive to teaching meditation for all levels. He believes his purpose is not only to teach Meditation but also "teaching people how to be happy."
Guest Speaker
Dr. Thomas J. Karas
As Founder and CEO of The Karas Natural Brain Performance Institute, Thomas J. Karas teaches 2 simple ideas: The more you know about your own brain the better your life will go… and The more active your brain is at any given time the fewer mistakes you will make. A dentist by profession, Dr. Karas earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of Detroit and his doctorate from the University Of Detroit School Of Dentistry. In 1980, Dr Karas started his private practice in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Starting almost immediately, Dr. Karas taught at his alma mater, the University of Detroit School of Dentistry, eventually for 23 years, in Behavioral Sciences.
Guest Speaker
Sally Palaian, Ph.d
Sally K. Palaian, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice for over 20 years, specializing in the treatment of Trauma and Addictive Behaviors (Money, Food, Alcohol, Gambling, Relationships, Sex) as well as Imago Couples Therapy. Sally speaks on compulsive spending, shopping addiction, paying off debts, developing budgets, and financial underachievement. For the past 15 years, she has worked with countless folks individually crunching numbers, visioning their future, and making long-term financial and lifestyle decisions.
Guest Speaker
Sandra M. Schiff, Ph.D. , LMSW
Sandra M.Schiff, LMSW, Ph.D., is currently Director of Business Development and the Jason Foundation Coordinator for Havenwyck Hospital. The Jason Foundation is a prevention program for youth suicide and Dr. Schiff has launched this initiative. Her expertise includes development of addiction programs, geriatric programs and coaching programs. She has presented at national & local conferences on Life Coaching, Addiction, Workplace Eldercare Issues, Mother/Daughter Relationships, New Roles for Grandparents, Balancing Family and Work, Diversity in the Workplace and many other topics. Her past experience has included the development of Employee Assistance Programs and 12 years as adjunct faculty at Wayne State University in the Masters Program of Social Work. She serves on a variety of professional boards, and is currently an Adjunct Professor at Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan.
Guest Speaker
Chris Vaisnoras, Certified Team Leader for the Healthy For Life Program
The Healthy for Life Program by Dr. Ray Strand has helped thousands of people get their energy back, eliminate carbohydrate addiction, and to shed those unwanted pounds. Chris has been certified and teaching this program for the past 3 years and will share how to make simple lifestyle changes to achieve similar results in your life. Chris is extremely knowledgable and able to educate us on lifestyle changes with long lasting effects. Chris inspires to alleviate the burden and implement changes while empowering to utilize suggested tools to make successful transition.
Facilitators
Marla K. Ruhana, LMSW
Psychotherapist in private practice and public speaker. A graduate of UofM-D and WSU. A Board-Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. A cognitive therapist with 15 years of clinical and medical practice within the Henry Ford Health System. Her practice focuses on facing fears, recognizing options and making healthier life choices.
Amanda Birkner
Amanda Birkner Graduated from Irene's Myomassalogy Institute in February 2007. She currently workes at Fair Court Wellness Center located in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. She specializes in Custom massage, Sugar scrubs, Pre-natal, Chair Massage, Deep tissue, and Hot Stone massage.
Michael Fronczak B.S. Psychology
Over the past decade, Michael has resided and studied in Buddhist Temples in Chicago, Australia, and Sri Lanka. He received training in Yoga, Meditation, and Ayurvedic Massage. In addition to his unique style and ability to provide these invaluable mind, body, spirit services, the wisdom Michael has obtained within the US and abroad is extraordinary.
Justine Nazarko, Massage Therapist
Justine is a June 2006 graduate of Lakewood School of Therapeutic Massage. Some of Justine’s interests are oncology and palliative massage, temporal mandibular joint disorder, reflexology and skin care. Currently, Justine is employed by Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. When she is not working with patients at the hospital, she sees clients in her private practice in Chesterfield Township, Michigan. Justine is a professional member of both Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, and Associated Skin Care Professionals.
Kathleen A. Roy, RYT
Has studied yoga since the year 2000. Her teaching integrates breath and movement with music and meditation, to heal mind, body, and spirit. Her soothing voice and clear descriptions of the postures help students connect with their inner wisdom, reduce stress, and experience a greater sense of peace and well being.Kathleen is a Registered Yoga Teacher, Certified by Yoga Alliance. She belongs to the Yoga Association of Greater Detroit and is affiliated with the Center for Contemporary Healing and Wellness in Troy, Michigan. She teaches classes in Farmington, Royal Oak, and Detroit.
Brent E Steepe, CEO, Advanced Training Techniques, Inc.
B.S. Exercise Science, Biomechanics, MSU, 1996, Master Personal Trainer w/over 500 active client cases supervised.
Brent Steepe is leading area personal trainer. He trains and supervises all of his staff as personal trainers. Brent is extremely passionate about his work, he is gifted, devoted, disciplined, and caters to the individualized needs of his clients. Brent goes beyond the scope of training as he is extremely knowledgeable and attuned to the human body. He makes the client feel safe as his brilliance and expertise allow the client to trust in him and see immediate results. Brent is diligent and concise in the prevention of injury. He is also highly evolved and recognizes the mind, body, spirit connectedness.
Support Staff
Mark and Kim Lewandowski
Mark and Kim Lewandowski are the Executive Chefs and owners of Silver Creek Personal Chef Service. Together Mark and Kim compliment eachother with their separate areas of expertise. Their ethnic backgrounds and love of travel lends to a uniquely infused cooking style! Mark has a BS in Engineering from U of M, and a Master’s Degree in Polymer Science from UofD Mercy. He is also employed as a Senior Chemist. Kim has a BS in Biological Sciences from WSU, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from UofM-Flint. Kim is also a member of the United States Personal Chef Association and is ServSafe certified through the State of Michigan. Winner of the Greater Port Huron Area Chamber of Commerce 2007 Fresh Waters Flavor Award.
 Chef Cathryn UrbaniakGourmet Chef Healthy Cuisine |
 Kathy RuggerilloChef Cathryn's assistant |
August Oliver
Purebreed yellow lab, male, will be providing pet therapy services to all retreat attendees. August has had obedience training. Please check with Marla prior to registration as August will provide Pet Therapy at many upcoming retreats.
For more information on August's pedigree please visit his Dad, Dusty's website at: www.downtowndustybrown.com
