Myths and rituals surrounding the symbol of Mexico
December 5, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Lecture
Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe
w/ Arturo Morales
Tue, Dec 9, 1:30pm
Teatro Santa Ana 
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Since its appearance in 1531, the Blessed Virgin Mary Guadalupe has become the most important and identifiable symbol of Mexico.

This image is surrounded by mysteries and miracles that has captured the imagination of the vast majority of Mexican, Catholics or not. Although not all Mexicans are Catholic it is claimed that almost every Mexican is Guadalupano.

Arturo Morales discusses the complex and fundamental myths of the Guadalupe Virgin as well as an authentic symbol of the Mexican way of life.

Getting yourself grounded!

Lecture
Never Fall Again
Richard Adelman
Tue, Dec 9, 3pm 
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Publíca
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Falling, or the fear of it, becomes an issue for many people as they age. Here in San Miguel the unpredictable streets present a particular challenge, at least for inexperienced foreigners. As you approach 60, the cobblestones can feel like an obstacle course. At this age many people begin to experience increased pain and stiffness, slower reflexes, weaker vision, diminished body awareness, and poorer concentration. All of these interfere with gracefulness, adaptability, and safety in walking. 

Yet there is no reason to think that an accident is inevitable. In this event, you will learn guidelines to help you develop a realistic and “earthy” attitude, resulting in improved coping skills. This includes learning how to anticipate and prepare for difficulties by centering and grounding yourself before and during walking. You will experience a repetoire of very gentle movements to improve your head-to-toe body awareness, coordination, and balance as you walk. (Participation in the movements is optional—you are welcome to simply sit and watch.) 

These movement sequences are Richard Adelman’s personal synthesis from three disciplines: Feldenkrais, Pilates and Somatic Psychology. Commenting on the Feldenkrais Method, anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “It is the most sophisticated method I have seen for the prevention and reversal of deterioration of function. We´re condemning millions of people to a deteriorated old age that´s not necessary.” 

This approach combines common sense with advanced biological and psychological science in a unique way. If you have enjoyed reading Richard’s monthly Atencion column, “Listening to Your Body,” this is an opportunity to meet and work with him personally. During this event he will talk briefly about how his work applies to a wide variety of movement, musculoskeletal, and neurological difficulties and will give a brief demonstration of hands-on tablework with an audience member. For more information or a private appointment call 044.415.114.3069 or write richardadelman@gmail.com. 

Stop Dieting!
By Renee Devereaux

Lecture
Stop Dieting 
Renee Devereaux
Thu, Dec 11, 3 pm 
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos 

Less than 2 percent of those who diet for weight loss maintain goal weight a year after a diet!

High Protein diets are particularly harmful! High protein diets are high acid diets meaning that something alkaline must be used to neutralize the acid! Guess where the nearest supply is? Almost all of your alkaline reserves are stored in your bones in the form of calcium!

Your bones are actually robbed of this vital nutrient in order to buffer the acidity caused by a high-protein diet. A University of Wisconsin study states that each participant lost an average 84Mg of skeleton per day, even though the people in the study were more than doubling the RDA of calcium!

In time such a loss shows up in the inability to stand straight and other dangerous and unpleasant symptoms pertaining to calcium deficiency. What is the point of weighing less if that loss is due to your bones weighing less?

In my thirty-five year career in the health industry, countless diets have come into existence and the only one I have found to always work is one that consists of balance. The body needs a variety of nutrients in order to thrive. Deprive it of any food group for any length of time and it will rebel. Overload it with a particular substance and soon, you will get nauseous at the mere sight of that substance.

My nutritional recommendations are basic and simple. Cut down or eliminate completely the sugar and alcohol as well as pasteurized dairy products and wheat-flour products.

Taking a close look at sugar, you will discover it is one of the most damaging products available. I call it an addictive substance because it produces a blood sugar spike, causing you to feel “high” and within a short while, you will feel depleted and in need of another “fix,” setting you up to indulge once again on whatever it was that caused you to feel good initially.

Not only will this pattern cause your weight to escalate, there is long-term damage to the pancreas. The pancreas is not only responsible for insulin regulation; it is designed to manufacture enzymes. An essential function, enzyme production is hampered by over-consumption of sugar. Digestive issues ensue as well as a process called glycation. That is the binding of protein by sugar. The very protein that is vital for collagen production. So, if you want soft, supple skin sugar has no place in the diet. 

Alcohol, another addictive substance, will produce the same effect as sugar as well as adding to the toxic load that liver and kidneys inevitably need to contend with.

Pasteurized dairy products such as ice cream, cheese and commercial yogurt are difficult to digest and seem to cause excess mucus to form, adding to respiratory difficulties of those suffering from allergies and chronic bronchitis.

Wheat flour is a major cause for concern due to its allergenic properties which are a source of sprue or celiac disease. Gastrointestinal problems are often alleviated, if not completely resolved, upon the elimination of wheat. Be aware that what you don’t digest, you wear! 

A balanced consumption of nutrients, elimination of allergenic substances, plus, exercise involving weight training as well as cardio can get you well on your way to permanent weight loss.

Give up dieting! Adopt a new lifestyle and find other ways of releasing excess weight. 

Renee Devereaux has a master’s degree in health science and nutrition as well as advanced education in traditional Chinese medicine, iridology, herbology and aromatherapy. She is also a licensed esthetician, certified intuitive counselor and certified hypnotherapist and biological decoder.

Compassionate Communication

Lecture
Compassionate Communication
Sergio Rodriguez 
Wed, Dec 10, 3pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Homer Simpson once said: “The problem in the world today is communication… Too much communication”. Interestingly, many people come to therapy complaining of “lack of communication”, when usually the opposite is true. We are constantly communicating. We communicate when we talk and when we remain silent. We communicate with words, gestures, actions, objects and even by being absent. We are sending messages and being read all the time. We simply cannot not communicate.

What usually happens, is that we do not know how to say what is on our mind or we say it in ways that make the recipient unwilling (or unable) to get the message. Likewise, we don’t know how to listen, we rush to advice-giving, analyzing or problem-solving modes, unable (or unwilling) to connect with the other. We spend our days and even our life unable to connect with our parents, children, partner, friends and relatives; also confused about how to develop new meaningful connections in a loving and compassionate way. Isn’t that tragic? 

Think of someone with whom you are having communication problems. How could you talk so s/he actually wants to listen? How could you listen so s/he feels willing to talk? Is it possible to be assertive without being aggressive? Wouldn’t you like to be closer to the ones you love?

But why don’t we do it if we really want is to get closer to them? Unfortunately many of us were taught to communicate in violent ways (keep in mind that I consider that a communication is violent if it causes pain, confusion or discomfort). We were manipulated through guilt, judgments, punishment (or praise and rewards). Since that was how we were brought up, that is how we communicate with others. Sadly such types of communication generate resentment, resistance and anger; not what we are looking for when dealing with those we care about. 

Violence begets violence. In a world plagued with it, it is desirable and almost unavoidable to learn to communicate in a more compassionate and loving (and effective) way. Discover more in this lecture next week.