Stress reduction and healing were the focus of activities on display at the recent Inspirations from The Garden event at the Cancer Resource Centre in Munster.
“I had no idea anyone could maneuver rocks like that,” Lewis Heart of Munster said as he watched artist Michael Grab of Gravity Glue sculptures. “This is amazing.”
Heart was referring to Grab’s ability to balance large stones of various sizes on top of each other without using any type of glue or adhesive. He showcased his craft for visitors in the June-Hawk Franklin Garden of Meditation and Healing located behind the Cancer Resource Center building.
“The rocks balance me like I balance them,” Grab said as he began a new sculpture of fitting rocks one on the other. “Time doesn’t exists when I do this. It’s like meditation. In fact, I call it ‘active meditation.’ “
The Cancer Resource Centre offered the event to introduce its programs to the community. The mission is to reach out to those touched by cancer, offering educational resources to support emotional healing of individuals and families, as well as scheduling mind-body programs and support groups.
Services are available free of charge, funded by donations from the Community Healthcare System, area businesses, organizations and individuals.
In addition to the demonstrations by Grab, the day’s agenda included a qigong demonstration by Cancer Resource Center senior yoga instructor Andy Wichlinski, a live painting by Shari Smith LeMonnier of Munster, a discussion of healing herbs by master gardener and master naturalist Vickie Jostes, a discussion of essential oils for health and wellness by Krys Stevens of Munster, and demonstrations in ikebana, the traditional art of Japanese floral arranging, by Lisa Sagami and crystal bowl sound healing by Cancer Resource Centre instructor Pam Kozy.
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“Everybody resonates to sound,” Kozy told her audience, as she introduced the seven crystal bowls she would use to produce sounds made inside the bowls to help alleviate stress and “still the mind.” “Sound healing helps to balance you and disperse negativity.”
The crystal bowls were purchased with a donation from the Friends of the Cancer Resource Centre, according to center director Tony Andello.
Judy Reck of Munster took part in many of the activities and took a tour of the Cancer Resource Centre building.
“I had no idea what was offered here,” she said, as she left the garden for the qigong demonstration. “Now that I know, I believe that this center is very needed, especially the garden. It’s very soothing and comfortable, somewhere the cancer patients can relax.”
Rodney Holt of Cedar Lake echoed Reck’s comments, adding that the garden is an amazing area. “In the middle of urban land, there’s this little aisle of tranquillity,” he said.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Learn more
For more about the Cancer Resource Centre: 219-836-3349.