Those that are interested in sitting on the board of directors or various committees, please contact Dean Colford at deanjcolford@live.ca or www.mindbodyandsoul.ca.

Dean Colford, President of MBS

Dear friends and community members,

I sincerely want to thank everyone who has stood by me during this very difficult time. You may or may not be aware that I had a total right hip replacement not too long ago. Prior to that, I was in a great deal of pain and just being at the centre was a monumental effort due to the fact that I was unable to walk. Over the last month or so, I had been recovering slowly and attending rehab daily and I hope to be back as soon as possible. A special thank-you to all those dedicated volunteers, facilitators, and members that have been running Mind Body and Soul on a day to day basis. Without this joint effort, it would not have been possible to continue with MBS. A special thanks to Susan for her dedication and courage during this difficult time. I will be blogging from now on a regular basis and would welcome the company. I’d like to thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely, Dean.

P.S. We are in need of facilitators and volunteers. If you are in a position to do so, please contact me at deanjcolford@live.ca.

Mind Body and Soul is pleased to host a series of events in recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month. The Diabetes Dialogues: 30 talks in 30 days, is a community project organized by Connecting the Community (an affiliate organization of OnRichmondHill.com), with support from Mind Body and Soul.  Dr. Angela Lee, a Richmond Hill Naturopathic Doctor and volunteer with the Canadian Diabetes Association, presents these sessions. She will present 30 diabetes education talks (prepared by the Canadian Diabetes Association) to various groups in and around Richmond Hill during the month of November. Details about the other talks in this series are available at Vitalchecks.ca or OnRichmondHill.com

This is a great opportunity to hear Dr. Lee speak about “Diabetes: What You Need to Know” and “Living Healthy with Diabetes“. After each presentation there will be ample time for discussion, to have your questions answered, and to get your blood pressure checked. Take charge of your health; drop by to get expert information and advice on preventing diabetes, or to find healthy ways to manage if you already have it.

You’ll learn:

• the signs, symptoms and risk factors of diabetes
• the lifestyle changes you can make to prevent or delay Type II Diabetes
• effective strategies for managing your health if you already have diabetes

Where: Mind Body and Soul, 10132 Yonge Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 1T6

When:

Saturday, November 5:

2 – 4 pm “Diabetes: What You Need to Know”

Wednesday, November 9:

6:30 – 8 pm during Women Empowering Women (all women are welcome to attend) “Diabetes: What You Need to Know”

Sunday, November 13:

11 am – 1 pm “Diabetes: What You Need to Know”
2 – 4 pm “Living Healthy with Diabetes”

Sunday, November 20:

11 am – 1 pm “Diabetes: What You Need to Know”
2 – 4 pm “Living Healthy with Diabetes”

Sunday, November 27:

11 am – 1 pm “Diabetes: What You Need to Know”
2 – 4 pm “Living Healthy with Diabetes”

Mark your calendar, and bring your family and friends; with so many times, there’s no excuse not to come!

Dr. Angela Lee, Diabetes Prevention & Management Expert

About Dr. Lee: The founder and clinic director of VitalChecks, Dr. Lee is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who also has a first class Bachelor of Science degree. She completed her 4-year naturopathic medical training at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

She currently lives and works in Richmond Hill and is actively involved in many community outreach programs. She is passionate about community based medicine and public health and hopes to increase integrative health awareness to York Region.

When: Monday, October 17 & Monday, October 24

Time: 8:00 pm

Location: Mind Body and Soul, 10132 Yonge Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4C 1T6

Admission: Free (donations welcome)

The aim of this workshop is for deepening and better understanding some of major standing posture which we make almost every single yoga class. The detailed explanations and muscular focusing will be given to students for self evaluation in order to make more effective practice. New comers are welcomed.

When: Friday, October 28th, 7:00 – 10:00 pm

Where: Mind Body and Soul, 10132 Yonge Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 1T6

RSVP: Please let us know you’re coming by October 24th! Call 905-237-5615 or email yop [at] mindbodyandsoul.ca

When:

Where: Richmond Green, Section A (between building 11A and 11B), 1300 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, ON

Admission: Barbecue is FREE; bring some money for the FUNdraising games and activities!

As our first kick-off event, we want you to know what Mind Body and Soul’s Youth Outreach Program (YOP) is all about. From free barbecues and movie nights, to minimal cost trips, to events that we want you to orchestrate, YOP is all about having fun, building networks with new people, and learning to build a world with no prejudice starting at our age.

This first barbecue will be our first event after weeks of organization and advertising. This barbecue will be our time to show what we represent, what we believe in, and what we promote while enjoying the free barbecue and music provided and having fun, participating in our low-cost activities. Make new friends and bring your current ones! As we are all teens, supporting teens. We know what teens want and need and we will do our best to bring those desires forward. Be sure to bring money to participate in these fun races and awesome face painting!

YOP is for everyone and anyone! All teens (ages 13-18) are welcome to attend our Kickoff BBQ. Also, we would love to meet your parents and family! But remember, the actual YOP meetings will be exclusive for teens only!

…And finally, you’re probably wondering, what will we do at YOP’s Kick Off BBQ? Well, its simple. You’ll understand our mission, to promote teen support for the mind body and soul! Not to mention, there will be a lot of fun activities for all to participate in! From low-cost three-legged races to potato sack races to facepainting, and more! And best of all, you may win prizes! Be sure to remember your money. All we want is to create an atmosphere where everyone will feel comfortable, which is what we continue to strive for!

Please see our Facebook Event Page!

When: Saturday, October 22, 2011   2:00 – 4:00 pm

Where: Mind Body and Soul, 10132 Yonge Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1T6

Admission: Free (donations welcomed)

Guest Speakers:

Ana Nair - Founder, Anti Bully Support Group, Richmond Hill

Ana Nair – Founder, Anti Bully Support Group, Richmond Hill

About the Anti Bully Support Group:

Ana Nair has listened to horrible stories about bullying at work that destroyed people’s quality of personal life as well as family life. Many companies do not have a union to report their problems. Monday is a dreadful day for many employees and the thought of going to work and face the bully is a horrible feeling (the entire body uptight, breathing gets heavy, chill on your spine, legs start trembling and the lists goes on and on….). Due to financial reasons it is not easy to quit and it is very difficult to find another job also. If you are middle aged person that makes it ever harder to find a job.

Inflicted Mental Injury (IMI) is the main cause of physical and mental illness ie:  anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, suicidal thoughts, even heart attack and stroke and ultimately a person can die due to all this pain inflicted to the mind.  It seems like the “mouth of your mind never shuts up” and a person can find it very difficult to have a “shut eye”.   Eventually it will take a toll on your mind, body and your health.

Kevin Morrissey took his own life due to bullying at work by his boss every single day.  His cry for help was ignored by HR and Management and he could not bear the pain and committed suicide. Now bullying is against the law in USA.

Stress at work is the main reason for absenteeism, decreased productivity, and strain on our health care system. According to Bill 168, passed in June 2010, bullying is against the law, but Management or HR often turn a blind eye towards bullying at work.

The Anti Bully Support Group is a place people can come together and express their opinion, seek advise, and network to find another job. Lend an ear to unload your painful past or present experience out of your chest. It is very heavy to carry on your chest and it is good for your health get it out of your mind.

Let us learn how to deal with toxic boss that suck the life out of you alive and make you feel like you are walking on egg shells every breathing moment at work.  People don’t have to face IMI (Inflicted Mental Injury) silently anymore, there is hope, help and support at this end of the tunnel.

Everyone needs to be loved and cared about, and we lend our ears to listen painful stories and offer suggestions and support who needs the most. People can log on to the forum on the Anti Bully Support Group’s website and share their stories as well. Bullying at work should not be tolerated and we have to send this message loud and clear to all the employers out there.

Visit the Anti Bully Support Group’s website at: www.freewebs.com/bullyandyou or email them at bullyandyou@gmail.com

About Glenn French:

Glenn French - CEO & President, The Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence

Glenn French is the President and CEO of the Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence (CIWV), based in Toronto. Within the mental health field, Mr. French has held many senior administrative and clinical positions within both the private and public sectors. He has been retained by many of Canada’s leading organizations interested in the wellbeing of their employees.

The Canadian Initiative, incorporated in 2000, is a social research firm that studies trends in workplace conduct within Canada. In addition, they research and catalogue the practices which organizations and unions are employing to reduce the risk of workplace aggression. The Canadian Initiative is committed to the sharing of this information with others who are interested in arriving at a better understanding of violence from a Canadian perspective and what we can do to prevent it. In addition, the Canadian Initiative works with employers to set policies and procedures, conduct organizational risk assessments, as well as, provide a range of educational programs for both employees and management.

The CIWV has been showcased on the CBC (The National), CITY TV, CTV, Global Television, within The National Post, Globe & Mail, Toronto Star and multiple print dailies across Canada, not to mention a wide coverage on radio and trade publications.

In 2001, the CIWV partnered with the Federal Government in planning for a North American conference on workplace violence as part of the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation, which includes both United States and Mexico. Mr. French was invited to address the 9th Global Conference on Occupational Health and Safety sponsored by the World Health Organization held in Mexico (March, 2008) where he tabled his most recent paper entitled “Towards a Global Standard for Workplace Violence”.

Visit the website of the Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence at: www.workplaceviolence.ca

Join us Saturday, October 29th

MBS Members please join us for our annual Halloween Party. It will be a Pot Luck (please bring your favorite dish or dessert and costume). There will be prizes for best costume (1st, 2nd and 3rd place).

When: Saturday, October 29, 2011 – 7:00 pm

Where: Mind Body and Soul, 10132 Yonge Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, Ontario,L4C 1T6

Admission: Free (please bring something for the Pot Luck)

Kindly let us know you’ll be coming by calling (905) 237-5615 or by emailing dean (at) mindbodyandsoul.ca

Learn to live a life you’ll love! Join us for this exciting seminar where you will learn to unleash your passions, discover your inner talents, and find your joy and purpose in life!

When: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 – 7:00 pm

Where: Mind Body and Soul, 10132 Yonge Street, Suite 201, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 1T6

Admission: Free (donations welcomed)

Guest Speakers:

Colleen Lindberg

Suzanne Letourneau

Colleen Lindberg is a passionate entrepreneur, author, leader and enthusiastic business consultant and coach. Igniting the greatness in others is something that Colleen values and believes in everyday. She wants to assist as many people as she can to discover what their purpose in life is and how to achieve their goals by better understanding of themselves.

Suzanne Letourneau is often called the Spiritual Visionary. She strives for new opportunities to get out of her comfort zone and will challenge you to do the same. She travels worldwide offering her own insights to help you find your purpose. Suzanne is the founder of Passionicity, and author of “Soar with Vulnerability – Insights from Freedom’.