The Healing Tribe offers complementary therapy for those in need: Fundraiser next Friday

By Lorraine Glowczak

In the conventional sense, a tribe is described as a social and/or cultural group who have something in common. Urban Dictionary approaches the word with a more contemporary viewpoint; “A group of friends that become your family. The people that will be there for you no matter what…”

The Healing Tribe, a new Windham non-profit organization established approximately one year ago, offers free massage, energy therapy, and Bowenwork®* as complementary service to those in need who are engaged in traditional treatment and analysis and suffer from anxiety, depression, and/or chronic pain. The Healing Tribe is like a group of friends who will be there for those who most need it but cannot afford it.

“The Healing Tribe is a group of massage therapists, energy workers and a Bowenwork® practitioner that work in conjunction with social workers and other clinicians who recommend alternative therapies to their clients in order to help aid the process of recovery and emotional healing,” explained Lisa DeFosse of Windham, the brainchild of the non-profit. “There are a number of individuals who can afford the healing benefits of massage, energy therapy and Bowenwork®. 

However, there are many others who could gain additional recovery and therapeutic advantages from alternative medical practices who cannot afford it. That is where The Healing Tribe comes in.”

This is not the first time DeFosse has participated in the complementary therapy concept. When she was working as a massage therapist in Saco, she worked alongside a grant funded program that provided the same services as The Healing Tribe offers today in the greater Windham area. “When I
worked for that program, it felt very rewarding to help people heal on a deeper level. I was amazed at how body and energy work assisted in the healing of the more conventional and clinical therapies.”

DeFosse, who is certified in massage therapy and Bowenwork®, now owns her own business in Windham. She wanted to bring the same experience and opportunity to the Lakes Region.

“Since we have begun working with the medical professionals, clinicians are telling us they see positive results,” DeFosse said. “It helps make the client more relaxed and breaks down walls. As a result, the individual is able to speak more clearly about the issues they face and are able to approach it in a more mindful manner.”

Some participants in the program have been in chronic pain and experienced migraines for many years. In one case, an individual saw changes within in three weeks after receiving services from The Healing Tribe. She has eliminated a majority of her pain medications and is now able to sleep through www.thehealingtribe.com.)
the night. The headaches are gone. (For more testimonials, go to The Healing Tribe website at

In the event the massage, energy work and Bowenwork® open unexpected emotional discomfort that may require immediate clinical therapy, The Healing Tribe practitioners are able to communicate directly with the clinicians. “We are prepared in the event that deep emotional wounds may surface,” explained DeFosse. “This is a safe environment, and everyone involved is dedicated in taking the best quality care for all clients.”

The massage and other healing modalities, offered free of charge, doesn’t come without a cost.

“Bodywork practitioners are very skilled, educated and passionate about offering their services, but it is very costly to do so for free,” DeFosse stated. “Bodyworkers must keep up and continue education credits and meet state certifications, must pay for office rent or mortgage and this service is most often their primary source of income. As a result, The Healing Tribe raises funds and is in the process of writing grants in order to pay those therapists who offer the ‘free’ service.”

One newly established annual fundraising event to help with the cost of this free service is a spaghetti dinner and silent auction that will take place next Friday, October 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Memorial Drive. The dinner will include a salad, garlic bread and
dessert. The cost for the dinner is $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under.

If you are unable to make the event, you can make a financial donation to The Healing Tribe at www.thehealingtribe.com. For more information, contact Lisa DeFosse at healingtribemaine@gmail.com.

*According to AmericanBowen.Academy, Bowenwork® is a system of touch that initiates a series of responses through stimulation of the nervous, musculoskeletal, and fascial systems and the energetic pathways. Practitioners perform a sequence of small movements on specific points on the body, interspersed with rest periods.

Free monthly holistic care services for veterans begin Monday at the Windham Veterans Center

Reiki energy work will be one of the services provided

By Lorraine Glowczak

We celebrate our veterans upon their return home from war or conflict, relieved that they arrive on American soil safe and sound. However, statistics indicate that although they survived battle in other lands, the trauma from the experience has proved to be more deadly than the frontline itself. Many return with scars unseen, suffering silently with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other health issues. This often leads to drug/alcohol abuse, homelessness – and worse yet – suicide.

Although there may be no magic that can take away the atrocious and unspeakable experiences many veterans faced at war - and continue to live with, there may be options that might help calm and relax an individual for at least a moment in time, letting them known they do not have to suffer alone.

Beginning this Monday, June 10, a group of area holistic practitioners will provide therapeutic massage, reflexology, reiki, polarity, meditation practices and more on a monthly basis (second Monday of each month) to all Lakes Region area veterans for free from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive in Windham.

“I have been wanting to do something like this for some time,” stated Bob Beane, an Air Force
Veteran during the Vietnam War area and brainchild of this newly established free holistic service. “The idea began in 1990 when I supervised a crew of workers during the 1990 census. I was living in Brownfield at the time and we all worked together for approximately 10 weeks to gather the required information for the census. This work included the towns of Brownfield, Fryeburg, Porter, Hiram and Kezar Falls. During that time, we discovered eight veterans who had created cave-like living dwellings in conspicuous places for themselves, hiding from society. I knew at that point, I needed to do something.”

Yes, these eight veterans were officially homeless but not in the sense that the word “homelessness” conjures up for most people (that is another topic that needs to be addressed and understood, much like this subject matter). They are there because PTSD and other illnesses propelled them to be alone – not wanting to be a part of a society in which they once felt called as a personal vocation to protect and serve.

“It’s called agoraphobia,” Beane said.

According to MayoClinic.com, agoraphobia is “a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. You fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being in a crowd.”

Beane, a retired Lieutenant with the Portland Fire Department who is currently a certified reiki master, shaman, druid and earth angel, stated that he also suffers from PTSD as well as other various
physical symptoms. When asked how his work with holistic healthcare helped him in his own personal journey, which included being diagnosed with aggressive cancer in 2008, Beane admitted that he still suffers a lot of pain. “I’m nearly 70 years old, but I still get up every day feeling grateful despite the physical pain. I get up and work every day. I continue to learn by taking classes, reading, studying – and writing every morning. It’s not always easy, but my work keeps me alive and engaged with life. I attribute my energy and approach to life with my holistic work and lifestyle.”

Rebecca LaWind, owner of Ways to Wellness Center, is a licensed massage therapist, certified yoga teacher, reiki and energy practitioner who will be among the many individuals offering therapeutic services to veterans.  “My intention is to support people to relax and calm amidst full and sometimes stressful lifestyles,” LaWind stated. “Emotions can be held and stored in the body and with massage or intentional positive touch, they can become aware of, soften and even release, leaving one feeling lighter and less stressed.”

She has personally faced her own challenges in life and LaWind stated that her practice has helped her feel more grounded, open, relaxed - experiencing less pain, both physically and emotionally. “It can take time and patience,” she said. “It is my hope that this monthly, consistent Holistic Share for Veterans will provide people a safe space to relax in as they may carry residual feelings of trauma, fear, isolation, etc.” 

Lisa Defosse, certified reiki master teacher, licensed massage therapist, Bowen practitioner, and myofascial release therapist stated that reiki helps to release old patterns and stuck memories and brings in light and new possibilities. “With the help of a Reiki Practitioner, the veteran can calm the mind and begin to feel again,” DeFosse said. “Reiki is beneficial for those with PTSD as it harnesses the inner healing inside each person and allows them to experience a feeling of peace.

All veterans are invited to experience the relief they deserve. Beane stated that all individuals will
feel safe and there will be no pressure or questions. Just acceptance as they experience a safe and healing space for a while.

For those who are holistic practitioners who need to take a break and care for themselves, LaWind and others gather together for monthly reiki shares on the last Tuesday of each month. All are invited. For more information, contact LaWind at  www.waystowellnesscenter.com. For more information regarding the monthly holistic care services at the Windham Veteran Center contact Beane at 207-749-1857 or sebagojourney@yahoo.com.