Health and Healing, Introduction to Natural

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

Lesson 1
In our first lesson, I'll introduce you to the principles of natural healing and we'll discuss the various stages of health and illness. You'll begin to understand that true health means wholeness of the mind, body, and spirit. You'll put together a personal health journal that will help you self-evaluate your current lifestyle. Throughout the course, you'll be able to use this to observe how your behaviors can affect your health.

Lesson 2
Today you'll learn all about naturopathy and its basic philosophy?seeking ways to help your body to heal itself. Then I'll teach you a valuable breathing technique that can enhance your heath. Finally, you'll learn the value of hydrotherapy, diet, biorhythms, and fasting.

Lesson 3
We'll explore ways to use the power of the mind and the placebo effect in this lesson. You'll begin to understand the power that your mind can have in healing your body. We'll talk about brain function tests, visualization, and relaxation therapies. Then you'll discover the power of belief.

Lesson 4
This lesson will teach you to look at nutrition and its healing effects. We'll explore basic nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and free radicals. You'll learn what basic requirement you need to promote a healthy diet. Then you'll learn how to develop menus to improve your health.

Lesson 5
In this lesson, we'll briefly explore the history of herbal healing. You'll have the opportunity to identify the most popular herbs and learn ways to prepare herbal mixtures. Then we'll explore herbal charts to help you to understand some of the most beneficial herbal remedies.

Lesson 6
Today, we'll explore aromatherapy. You'll not only learn about its benefits, but also how to blend oils for medicinal uses. You'll discover how to make and use poultices, compresses, tinctures, and infusions. We'll also go over some essential oil charts to help you create wonderful blends.

Lesson 7
Today, you'll discover the wonders of body therapies as we explore many of the most popular therapies and their benefits. We'll discuss massage techniques, osteopathy, chiropractic, T'ai Chi, reflexology, and yoga. You'll discover why the main theme of body therapies is to regain and maintain balance and well-being.

Lesson 8
In this lesson, you'll learn all about natural energy fields. We'll discuss how energy can be manipulated using magnets, TENS, Feng Shui, and Therapeutic Touch. You'll learn how to center your consciousness, and you'll have the opportunity to try energy modulation. You'll even find out how to feel your own energy between your hands!

Lesson 9
Today, we'll talk about how to identify pollutants in your environment. We'll discuss indoor pollutants and ways to clean indoor air. We'll talk about methods to purify your drinking water and allergy proof your indoor spaces. This lesson will help you gain an understanding of the relationship between your immune system and the health of your surroundings.

Lesson 10
In today's lesson, you'll discover how to use natural remedies for common emergencies, illnesses and injuries. Some of the topics we'll discuss include treatments for cuts, bruises, fractures, burns, breathing emergencies, fainting, and travel illnesses.

Lesson 11
In this lesson, you'll begin to understand the effect that light, color, and music can have on your mood and behavior. You'll learn how to heal and relax by using practical applications of these therapies. You'll be able to use energies that are inherent in light, color, and sound to improve your overall well-being. We'll also discuss using chakras and colored light in healing.

Lesson 12
In our final lesson, you'll continue to learn how physical, emotional, and spiritual factors make up your whole being. You'll begin to understand the impact that these three sectors of your life can have on your stress level and healing rate. Once you make that connection, you'll begin to take charge of your own health and healing! We'll finish up with a discussion on what to expect when going to a natural heath therapist.