Information about the Renewing Life Program for Minneapolis-St. Paul Women!
This pilot program is being offered to women who are members of Lean In Together Minneapolis-St. Paul and to other women who have a connection to Mari or Alex. It is offered by two Lean In members and Renewing Life facilitators, Alex Acker-Halbur and Mari Ruddy.
This 9-week pilot program will be offered weekly from September 20 to November 22, 2016. We will have Tuesday, November 8th, Election Day, off. The meeting place is in North East Minneapolis. Upon acceptance in the program, the address for the meeting location will be given out. We will meet from 5:30 PM – 7:45 PM each Tuesday.
There is space in this program for up to 12 women. Please contact Mari or Alex if you are interested. Our email addresses are at the bottom of this page.
Let us know as soon as possible if you want to be in this amazing program. The first step is to set up a phone call with you. We look forward to meeting you and working with you!
What is Renewing Life™?
Renewing Life™ combines the best of emotional support groups and educational programs, offering a variety of healing and restorative techniques that enable participants to discover what assists them on their healing journeys. This is an intensive 9-week program designed to empower participants to live authentically, using practical tools that support and encourage them to view life-changing experiences as an opportunity for spiritual and emotional growth.
This program is designed for anyone in the process of a life-changing event. It is also for anyone who has gone through a life-changing event. It is ideal for those who are grappling with a challenging health condition.
Renewing Life Objectives:
- Become an active agent in the healing and restorative process.
- Learn communication techniques to enhance relationships.
- Utilize stress recognition and reduction techniques.
- Recognize how the mind, body, and spirit connection affects well-being and healing.
- Enhance individual problem-solving skills and develop a peer support system.
- Become aware of and seek out other support services as needed.
- Develop a wellness lifestyle that includes a purpose for life, a satisfaction in living, and a sense of joy.
- Discover inner wisdom and self-authenticity.
When was Renewing Life created and by who?
Renewing Life was created in 1989 by Carol Troestler, MSW; Ingrid Dilley, OTR; and Josiah Dilley, PhD. Carol worked in the school setting developing group programs, Ingrid worked as an occupational therapist, and Josiah is a psychiatrist. Carol and Ingrid are both cancer survivors. This program is now found in comprehensive cancer centers, wellness clinics, community health facilities, and spiritual settings throughout the United States.
Who owns Renewing Life?
Pathways is a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide resources and services for people with life-changing crises or circumstances to explore and experience complementary healing approaches. For more information, go to www.pathwaysminneapolis.org.
Who embraces this program?
Renewing Life has been enthusiastically embraced by Dr. Carbone, University of Wisconsin Medical School; Dr. Bernie Siegel, author and professor, Yale University Medical School; and Dr. Joan Borysenko, author and founder of the Mind/Body Clinic, Harvard Medical School.
Who are the facilitators?
Alex Acker-Halbur is a two-time, Stage IV cancer survivor and is certified to facilitate the Renewing Life course. She has lived with insulin-dependent diabetes since 1972. Alex participated in Renewing Life in 2008. She has facilitated more than 30 groups in the Renewing Life course. Alex is also a published writer, workshop presenter, and public speaker. Alex’s website is: http://nevergiveupinstitute.org.
Mari Ruddy is a two-time breast cancer survivor and is in the process of becoming a fully certified Renewing Life facilitator. Mari has lived with insulin dependent type 1 diabetes since 1981. She participated in Renewing Life as a group member in the spring of 2015. Mari is an author, speaker, and educator.
How long is this program?
Renewing Life is offered as a nine-week course. Participants are encouraged to commit to attending the entire program for maximum effect.
What does the program involve?
Each participant is given a manual to respond to activities and exercises discussed in each session. The program is presented in nine sessions. The themes for each session are listed below.
What is the format of this program?
Renewing Life has a set format and involves learning while giving participants the opportunity to talk about concerns and to feel less alone. Renewing Life is not a therapy group or a replacement for therapy.
Renewing Life covers the following themes throughout the nine-week program:
September 20, 2016 Session One: Renewing Life
Using the circumstances of our lives as a springboard for living well.
September 27, 2016 Session Two: Partnering with Mind/Body/Spirit
Supporting our well-being by aligning our mind/body/spirit through authentic living.
October 4, 2016 Session Three: Nourishing Relationships
Creating a support system that enables our healing process.
October 11, 2016 Session Four: Restoring Spirit
Learning ways to understand losses and express our feelings around them, to help us feel more in control and free up energy for healing.
October 18, 2016 Session Five: Expressing Feelings
Opening channels of communication by comforting our fears and using attitudinal healing.
October 25, 2016 Session Six: Making Meaning
Understanding how our choices to forgive, reframe, and make meaning of our life challenges empower our lives.
November 1, 2016 Session Seven: Creating Healing Spaces
Accessing our intuitive wisdom and love energy can help us find a healing path, both emotionally and physically.
November 15, 2016 Session Eight: Loving Life
Making intentional life wishes that propel us into living life fully.
November 22, 2016 Session Nine: Celebrating our Renewed Lives!
Note: We will take Election Day, November 8th, off!
Participant Cost BIG DISCOUNT!!!!!!! Because it is a Pilot Program!!!
Participants are charged $180.00 $90.00 to cover the cost of the Renewing Life workbook and program materials/handouts. This amount breaks down to $10.00 per session. This is the deal of the century!!!
Please do not let the cost prevent you from learning more about the program. Limited scholarships may be available.
Interested? Please send an email! Let us know as soon as possible!
Mari’s email is: mari.ruddy [at] gmail [dot] com
Alex’s email is: alexisackerhalbur [at] gmail [dot] com