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Business Profile: Mary Anne Giacona
Wellness Practitioner & Owner of The Center, 1 Hoffman Street
www.thecenter4wellness.com
The wellness field is blossoming right now, or maybe Auburn is just catching up, but can you share your thoughts on why this trend has caught on, and the benefits it brings to people willing to try alternative methods of healing?
MAG: There is no doubt complementary/alternative medicines (CAM) that focus on body, mind, spirit, emotion wellness are definitely on the rise. While writing a paper on ethics in complementary/alternative medicine, I researched a bill proposed in April of 2005 by The NYS Assembly and NYS Senate titled, “The Complementary and Alternative Health Freedom of Access Act.” The bill noted that more than 66% of Americans were taking advantage of complementary and alternative therapies, either in conjunction with their current medical care, or used as an alternative. This consumer percentage is staggering, and speaks volumes in the movement towards the growth and development of wellness facilities.
Based on my experience in the field, the choice for moving in this direction has varied. In the beginning we saw people who were either in desperate situations, or who were inquisitive and willing to try something different to feel more in balance. Now individuals are utilizing these modalities for everything from preventive medicine to chronic and terminal illness. Why is that? Well, the first thing is, it works! Secondly, the philosophy makes a great deal of sense. This includes:
- Nurturing and restorative care to prevent illness and stay healthy
- Evaluating all aspects of the individual (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, personal, social, relational and environmental) to find contributing factors to the dysfunction or disease
- Work to repair the root cause instead of managing or masking symptoms
- Recognize that each person is different, what works for one may not for another
- Educate and provide tools and techniques that empower individuals to augment and maintain their own wellness process
Finally, the most importantly factor is people are becoming wiser. They are rightfully taking a more active role in the decisions that affect their health and well being by questioning various approaches, researching and listening to their bodies more, rather than arbitrarily letting someone else do it for them.
On the physical level, while there are times when surgery and medications are necessary in treatment and can save an individual’s life, it is also important to know that CAM therapies can correct imbalances in the system without the use of invasive surgeries which create trauma, and they can also eliminate medications that can create a litany of side effects. At the same time, the use of certain CAM therapies can also assist individuals to heal more quickly if they choose surgery and it can also assist them in avoiding the side effects of medications by harmonizing the system.
CAM therapies are really a win-win situation whether you chose to utilize them on their own, or in conjunction with conventional medicine, the bottom line means feeling more balanced to live a longer, healthier and happier life and to experience a quality of life that is full of vitality.
You have invested significant time and money into The Center. What is your motivation and hopes for the future?
MAG: I have always believed in living my truth and following my passion, and when you do that, everyday is a joy. Your direction in life unfolds rather naturally, and everything you have ever done and experienced builds upon who you are and guides you towards a greater mission that contributes something to the whole of life. For me, that ‘something’ is The Center. It is my way of contributing something that I consider to be of great value to the community and beyond.
I love helping others experience their fullest potential, whether that is expressed in their health, their happiness, or their understanding of life and the evolution of consciousness.
The Center holds the promise of a new paradigm. A paradigm that no longer dis-empowers, disguises and denies our role in the creation of life and health. It combines the elements of self help and self responsibility with quality integrative well care services, spa services and amenities, as well as opportunities for interaction in a healthy social environment that will assist individuals of all ages to create balance and harmony in the various aspects of their life and health. In my opinion, this in turn contributes in a meaningful way to the maintenance of healthy society.
I chose to pursue this mission and invest in Auburn because it is a wonderful community that has supported me in many ways. The Finger Lakes Region carries a legacy of prominent historical men and women who were true pioneers for creating change and making a difference, which gives me a great deal of inspiration and awe. The beauty of the region is spectacular, the people are caring and friendly, you can live comfortably on a moderate income, and it’s a fabulous place to raise a family. I want to see it thrive and grow. The only way this can happen is to support the area’s offerings by being part of a solution that brings life, vitality and the development of its resources that will feed its people and bring economic growth.
It is my hope that the community will share my vision and embrace what the Center is offering by using its services as a resource for collaboration towards a true integrative approach to wellness, and utilize the facility as a restorative sanctuary to simply recreate, socialize, and build community while realizing the greater contribution and impact that this has on society as a whole.
Additionally, it is my hope to further develop our sister non-for-profit organization The Institute for Research and Consciousness. The Institute will utilize The Center’s facility in order to develop its mission to:
- Conduct scientific research in the area of complementary & alternative medicine
- Provide programs that support the evolution of consciousness (this encompasses awareness for individual growth and health, arts and culture, and environmental & social issues of concern)
- Provide CAM services to individuals in low income brackets
What services will The Center offer when the renovations are complete?
MAG: Currently we offer many services that fall under the umbrella of CAM such as Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, Energy/Vibrational Medicine, Indigenous Healing, Hypnosis, Ayurvedic Therapies and Massage as well as classes and workshops on yoga, stress and pain reduction, art therapy and natural healing modalities within the context of a various cultural traditions.
As we move forward with the completion of phase 1 of the renovation process, which is roughly 7000 sq. ft. of the Center, we will further develop the variety of service offerings to include chiropractic care, detox programs, body wraps, facials and other useful therapies that fit into our model for wellness.
The education/self help programs will broaden and include bringing national presenters to the area, as well as programs that are specifically geared towards children and seniors.
Some of the amenities will include aromatic steam baths, color therapy showers and tubs for hydrotherapy, a library, an apothecary and aroma bar, a small retail space for special gift items and hard to find wellness products and private meeting and special event areas.
In developing our attitude towards social and cultural wellness we will have a tea room where we will conduct regularly scheduled tea tasting, traditional high teas, Japanese tea ceremonies, meditative tea programs, and other cultural experiences that include art and music.
Phase 2 includes the renovation of the former church proper which is the remaining 5000 sq. ft. of the facility. This will take some time before the project is off the ground and is dependant on how well phase 1 is supported by the community. Stay tuned for more great things to come!
How can people, who are perhaps afraid of new methods, come to understand this new approach?
M.A.G.: We all have a tendency to be creatures of habit, and the lack of familiarity and change in general can be scary. But the fact is everything changes, fear only leaves us in a paralyzed state that holds us back from growth. We cannot experience growth without change. You can begin moving out of fear by exploring some of the following recommendations:
- The first step to overcome fear and apprehension is to stay out of judgment. Don’t disregard something because of a lack of familiarity or knowledge. Evaluate your current mode of care and state of well-being and research all the possibilities for your situation even if you don’t understand how or why something works.
- If you read about studies in journal articles, assess the quality of the research, and to avoid bias look into who is funding the research.
- Speak to professionals in the field, most are more than willing to take the time to explain what it is that they do and what they can offer.
- Speak to other individuals who may have utilized these therapies, but bear in mind that like any other profession, there are those who are masters in the field and there are those who are mediocre. Additionally, no two people are alike so their experience may be different than yours.
- Test the waters by visiting a facility and trying something that fits into your comfort zone.
Understand that trying something new doesn’t mean you have to ‘throw the baby out with the bath water.’ It just means having a willingness to explore options. Most people are happily surprised by what they discover . . .
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