Let there be Lightseeds: yoga and meditation
MILFORD When you meet Annie Palmer, the founder and director of Lightseeds, you will notice that there is an immediate feeling of calm and peace that emanates from her. According to Annie, Yoga, Ayurveda, and Meditation are the seeds of light. And, perhaps, for her, the seeds of life, as well. This quiet, ethereal woman in her own space is a commanding presence. Annie feels one of her most important jobs is educating people about the benefits for Yoga and Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a natural, holistic wellness and health care system for balancing mind, body, and spirit. It includes the use of Yoga (the science of consciousness) and Meditation (focusing the mind for self realization) as tools for healing. It strengthens the body’s own ability to heal especially when faced with disease, stress, or injury. Annie Palmer also uses diet and herbs in addition to Yoga and Meditation as a daily routine designed to bring one’s system back to its natural order. It is easy to see that Annie Palmer is what she teaches. Not only does she have formal training in the fields of Yoga, Meditation and Ayurveda, but she also practices exactly what she teaches. She is a Certified Yoga Teacher registered with Yoga Alliance and a formal Zen practitioner since 1995. A graduate of Kripalu School of Ayurveda, her certifications include Ayurveda consultant and Ayurveda Yoga Specialist. Annie has also been a massage therapist for 10 years and specializes in such therapies as Ayurveda Massage, Facial Care and Massage, Foot Reflexology, Reiki, and bioacoustics Sound Therapy. Lightseeds offers a variety of classes for all levels of ability. Annie assures that each student is able to move gradually toward their fullest practice with comfort and stability. She also offers private sessions. Some of the classes and services she offers include: Three different levels of Yoga from gentle though Moderate-vigorous Sun Salutation Yoga for Meditation: includes gentle postures to prepare for seated meditation Ayurveda Consultation: assessment of diet, digestions, lifestyle and heath concerns Garshana: Vigorous massage with raw silk gloves to improve circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system to support removal of waste. Abhyanga Massage: Application of herbalized oils stimulating arterial and lymphatic circulation for revitalization Ayurveda Facial Massage: a beauty treatment and therapy to balance the mind and nervous system Shirodhara: This treatment involves pouring a stream of warm oil over the forehead. It balances the mental body and its benefits include better brain function, mood stability and improved ability to handle stress. Shiro-Abhyanga-Nasya: Full head, neck, shoulder, and facial massage (with herbalized steam & nose drops to open the sinuses) used to stimulate energy flow and clears impurities. Annie Palmer tries to keep the prices reasonable and the schedules are as flexible as you will be when you emerge from the studio relaxed and with an overall sense of well-being. As soon as I make the deadline for this article, I’m going to check myself in. Lightseeds Yoga & Ayurveda Center 310 Broad Street (Broad Street Courtyard) Milford, Pa. 570-296-5355 www.lightseedsyoga.com E-mail: lightseedsyoga@gmail.com