The Center notes

For information, call (630) 837-7486.

Upcoming programs

•My Body, Myself -- held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month.

Explore physical/spiritual issues related to women's health. Physical symptoms and emotional stresses are interrelated.

The September topic will be how beliefs affect the immune system. Future topics include breaking through collective fear, shame and silence in October; whether life would be different if our bodies were our friends in November; and health and our relationship with time in December.

Facilitated by Alexanne Osinski. Fee is $5.

•Gray Areas, Deep Discussions -- Held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. The non-judgmental series probes the gray areas of issues that invite deeper thought.

The Sept. 11 topic will be God. Upcoming topics include the purpose of life Oct. 9; patriotism Nov. 13, and the Christmas spirit Dec. 11.

Facilitated by Ruth Baggech. R.S.V.P. required. Fee is $5 per session.

•T'ai Chi Chih -- Wednesdays and Thursdays. T'ai Chi Chih is a moving meditation that deepens awareness of the Holy. Through 19 gentle, flowing movements, reach the inner stillness that is so elusive in a busy life. T'ai Chi Chih helps to align with the Divine Energy at the heart of all creation to restore and revitalize body, mind, and spirit.

Beginning T'ai Chi Chih for new students will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays. Series one takes place Sept. 12, 19, 26, and Oct. 3, and series two will be held Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 30 (series one required) Fee is $45 per series.

Beyond Beginning deepens the experience for those who already know the movements. Classes will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays.

Series one takes place Sept. 13, 20, 27, and Oct. 4, and series two will be held Oct. 11, 18, 25, and Nov. 1.

Facilitated by Diana Welsh Durkin. Fee is $45 per series.

•Hatha Yoga -- held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Hatha Yoga is an ancient system of stretches and postures designed to bring the body into alignment and develop flexibility, balance and strength.

The gentle practice that teaches awareness of self as a body, mind and spirit. Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a mat or a towel.

Sessions run from Oct. 11- Nov. 15 (fee $60), and Nov. 29-Dec. 20 (fee $40). Facilitated by Lori Lane.

•Reflective reading group -- Held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month.

Join others for spirited discussion on selected titles. Titles include "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd Sept. 18; "Urgent Message from Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World" by Jean Shinoda Bolen Oct. 16; "Lying Awake" by Mark Salzman Nov. 10; and "For One More Day" by Mich Albom Dec. 18.

Facilitated by Fran Dionisio. Fee is $5 per session.

•Autumn Equinox -- held at 7 p.m. Sept. 22.

This year's Equinox celebration will be held at the Wayne satellite, where the loveliness of the season can be experienced in all its fullness.

Share and celebrate the spirit of autumn as a group, then walk the labyrinth by "starlight" or head for home.

Facilitated by Kristin Armstrong and Ruth Baggech. Free will offering.

•Living in Peace on Mother Earth: Insights from Jainism -- held at 7 p.m. Mondays, beginning Sept. 24.

This workshop explores some of life's deepest questions, offering insights from the Jain tradition on living peacefully with all beings on the planet. A textbook with thought-provoking illustrations is included.

The first session is complimentary. Dates of subsequent sessions will be set by the group on Sept. 24.

Facilitated by Andy Momaya. Fee is $20 per session.

•Chakras, the human energy system -- held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

Chakras bridge the physical and spiritual aspects of life. Studying the Chakras helps in understanding and balancing energy.

Upcoming topics include fourth Chakra, center for love and forgiveness Sept. 25; fifth Chakra, center for self-expression Oct. 30; and sixth Chakra, center for inner wisdom Nov. 27.

Facilitated by Alexanne Osinski. Fee is $10 per session.

•Draw Your Dreams: Bringing Symbols To Life -- held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sept. 29.

Dreams are gifts that provide insight and inner wisdom, but they speak in symbols only we can understand. Images, textures and colors are important clues.

Explore dreams though drawing, writing and sharing. Bring a dream, a fragment, or a favorite symbol. Materials provided.

Facilitated by Fran Dionisio. Fee is $20.

•The Write Thing -- held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22. What is remembered may reveal who we are. Bring the imagination home.

Center spirits through 25 minutes of reflective writing, creating a moment in time that may serve as a gate to personal enlightenment. Insights will be shared with participants in a supportive environment.

Facilitated by Alexanne Osinski. Fee is $40.

•Singing for your soul -- held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

Lyrics can bring back memories and enhance future possibilities, change a mood, or create one. Share experiences, sing, play, and talk about songs, rhythms and the emotion projected through engaging the musical voice.

Facilitated by Judy Feldhausen. Fee is $10.

•Walking A Labyrinth -- held from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 and/or Oct. 27.

The labyrinth is an ancient meditative tool found in many spiritual traditions. Labyrinths follow a single path to the center and out again.

People in transition, or those seeking inner guidance on their life journey will find walking the labyrinth helpful. The labyrinth is located at the satellite in Wayne.

Group size is limited to 12. Early reservations are encouraged.

Facilitated by Kristin Armstrong. Free will offering.

•Body Prayer -- held from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 10. Experience the rhythm of the spirit as it is expressed through the body.

Our bodies intuitively know how to move to heal our spirits. Explore joy and sorrow; love and laughter; fear and pain through movement meditation.

This class is for adults of every age and physical condition interested in spiritual growth and healing through body prayer.

Participants encouraged to bring a journal, comfortable clothing, and soft-soled shoes or slippers.

Facilitated by Kristin Armstrong. Fee is $20.

•Celebrating the Winter Solstice -- held at 7 p.m. Dec. 19.

The darkness of the longest night of the year is a beautiful time to celebrate the light of the world. Honor the ways that Divine Light is reflected in our lives and give thanks for the times we have been enlightened.

Participants should bring a favorite candle to the celebration. R.S.V.P. encouraged.

Facilitated by Ruth Baggech. Freewill offering.

Ongoing programs

•Mindfulness Meditation -- Held from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Mondays, mindfulness meditation is based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.

Includes sitting and walking meditation, as well as discussions on the art of mindful living. Open to anyone interested in developing mindfulness in daily life. Freewill offering.

•Hypnosis -- Move out of "stuck" behaviors and become more focused through the power of suggestion.

Certified hypnotist Jo Ann Larsen offers an experience of deep relaxation for relief of stress.

Sessions are approximately one hour. Fee is $60, 10 percent off for seniors and students. By appointment.

•Reiki -- Reiki, based on the Japanese "palm healing," is a gentle method of energy work that promoted deep relaxation.

Certified Reiki master Cheryl Craig channels chi to flow in a healthy way and relieve pain.

Fee is $60 per hour, $50 per hour for following visits. 10 percent discount for seniors. $35 for half-hour session or children under 12. By appointment.

•Naprapathy -- Naprapathy provides pain and stress relief through direct manipulation of musculoskeletal tissue.

Alexanne Osinski, doctor of naprapathy, uses her hands to affect soft tissue health.

Sessions are approximately 60 minutes. Fee is $50. By appointment.

•Healing Touch -- Healing Touch is a 45-minute session with Marilyn Kunard, RN, certified healing touch practitioner.

Kunard clears and balances the body's energy fields. Sessions include health intervention and education.

Fee is $60, $45 for seniors. By appointment.

•Spiritual Companionship -- Advance spiritual growth through dialogue and reflection with one-hour sessions. Ruth Baggech and Fran Dionisio available.

Dionisio is certified by the Institute of Spiritual Companionship in Evanston.

Fee is $40. By appointment.

General info:ŒThe Center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, provides programs and services to help people explore and nurture their spirituality.

R.S.V.P. no later than two days prior to the programs offered. There is a $10 deposit for each program. Deposits are deducted from the balance but not refundable due to absence. Make checks payable to The Center.

For more information or to R.S.V.P., call (630) 837-7486, e-mail at rbr801@sbcglobal.net, fax to (630) 837-8044, or mail a name, address, telephone number and selected program to: The Center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103.