tree of life yoga and wellness

The Genesis Tree of Life Residential program for kids with cancer is based on the concept that "kids want to have fun." The lives of children with cancer are too often centered around the various therapies they are undergoing, and our societal structure, especially in the inner cities, is such that children are further over-burdened with homework followed by non-physical activity of sitting at computer games or in front of a television set. The latter is, of course, a problem that is endemic in our current lifestyles, but for children with any disability or illness, the opportunity to experience life in a more holistic way, a way that integrates mind and body and connects them with the real world around them rather than the virtual world of a digital reality, we believe may dramatically strengthen their ability to heal.

In our residential program we offer children a week of fun and learning in which there are planned activities such as hiking with a naturalist and educational nature programs in coordination with the Pocono Environmental Education Center, story-telling, massage therapy, swimming, or just sitting on our deck overlooking a lake having organic cookies and herbal ice tea, playing a game of checkers and watching a beautiful sunset. While the children are with us they will participate in our on-going program of yoga and karate for kids with cancer. In this program the children will not only strengthen their bodies and minds, but they will develop attitudes and strategies for health and healing. Meditation as well as healing visualizations are emphasized.

This program is available to children with cancer from anywhere in the world, however the only currently available continuation of our program of yoga and karate for kids with cancer is at our center in New York City (Queens). We do have an in-reach program through which we can come into an organization and train staff in the elements of our program and we are hopeful that organizations will avail themselves of this service in order to establish a local resource for children with cancer and their families, For information about this part of our in-reach program, please contact Rene David Alkalay at 718-544-5997.

We recommend that parents participate by practicing yoga and karate with their children. This is in no way obligatory and we are not currently in a position to offer this portion of the program to parents without charge, but our program for the children is a free program and is based on our mission and our commitment to improving the lives of our children. Arrangements have been made with local motels where parents can stay for very reasonable rates and from where they can come to our retreat center daily for visits with their children and to participate in all education classes that may be of interest to them (nutrition, yoga, karate, story-telling, massage therapy, hiking, swimming, and other holistic approaches to healing).

The residential program will be limited to 10 children per week and, depending on funding, it is planned to be offered for 12 weeks each year from May through September so that we can be of service to 120 children and their families per year. The expected start date of this program is May 2010. If funding becomes available sooner, we will begin this program as early as August of 2009.

Through the local health care system we are preparing to have a medical staff prepared to meet the special needs of children who are being treated for cancer. Medical professionals are being asked to be available 24 hours a day during the time of retreats. Our staff is trained to make sure that campers take any necessary medication.

Thank you to all our donors who have contributed the following: bedroom furniture for six bedrooms: dressers, night tables, lamps, bedding and bed frames.

Please consider sponsoring one child for a week-long program at our retreat center. Sponsorship for one child for a one week retreat is $500.00.

Our retreat center is located in East Stroudsberg, PA. For further information, please call Dr. Rene Alkalay at 718-544-5997, or visit our website www.genesissociety.org

	GENESIS TREE OF LIFE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR KIDS WITH CANCER
	The Genesis Tree of Life Residential program for kids with cancer is based on the concept that "kids want to have fun." The lives of children with cancer are too often centered around the various therapies they are undergoing, and our societal structure, especially in the inner cities, is such that children are further over-burdened with homework followed by non-physical activity of sitting at computer games or in front of a television set. The latter is, of course, a problem that is endemic in our current lifestyles, but for children with any disability or illness, the opportunity to experience life in a more holistic way, a way that integrates mind and body and connects them with the real world around them rather than the virtual world of a digital reality, we believe may dramatically strengthen their ability to heal. In our residential program we offer children a week of fun and learning in which there are planned activities such as hiking with a naturalist and educational nature programs in coordination with the Pocono Environmental Education Center, story-telling, massage therapy, swimming, or just sitting on our deck overlooking a lake having organic cookies and herbal ice tea, playing a game of checkers and watching a beautiful sunset. While the children are with us they will participate in our on-going program of yoga and karate for kids with cancer. In this program the children will not only strengthen their bodies and minds, but they will develop attitudes and strategies for health and healing. Meditation as well as healing visualizations are emphasized. This program is available to children with cancer from anywhere in the world, however the only currently available continuation of our program of yoga and karate for kids with cancer is at our center in New York City (Queens). We do have an in-reach program through which we can come into an organization and train staff in the elements of our program and we are hopeful that organizations will avail themselves of this service in order to establish a local resource for children with cancer and their families, For information about this part of our in-reach program, please contact Rene David Alkalay at 718-544-5997. We recommend that parents participate by practicing yoga and karate with their children. This is in no way obligatory and we are not currently in a position to offer this portion of the program to parents without charge, but our program for the children is a free program and is based on our mission and our commitment to improving the lives of our children. Arrangements have been made with local motels where parents can stay for very reasonable rates and from where they can come to our retreat center daily for visits with their children and to participate in all education classes that may be of interest to them (nutrition, yoga, karate, story-telling, massage therapy, hiking, swimming, and other holistic approaches to healing). The residential program will be limited to 10 children per week and, depending on funding, it is planned to be offered for 12 weeks each year from May through September so that we can be of service to 120 children and their families per year. The expected start date of this program is May 2010. If funding becomes available sooner, we will begin this program as early as August of 2009. Through the local health care system we are preparing to have a medical staff prepared to meet the special needs of children who are being treated for cancer. Medical professionals are being asked to be available 24 hours a day during the time of retreats. Our staff is trained to make sure that campers take any necessary medication. Thank you to all our donors who have contributed the following: bedroom furniture for six bedrooms: dressers, night tables, lamps, bedding and bed frames. Please consider sponsoring one child for a week-long program at our retreat center. Sponsorship for one child for a one week retreat is $500.00. Our retreat center is located in East Stroudsberg, PA. For further information, please call Dr. Rene Alkalay at 718-544-5997, or visit our website www.genesissociety.org
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