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A. Patrick Jonas, MD
Wholehearted Health with Nutrigenomic Dr. Jonas is a Holistic Family Physician who has training and experience in the use of more than ten different Holistic Health modalities (including body based therapies, mind-body therapies, energy practices, nutraceuticals, aroma therapy, reflexology, sound attunement therapy, non- directive imagery, holistic chair massage, prayer, and others). He just upgraded his Family Health Connections, Inc. practice in Beaverceek to emphasize the Neighborly Family Medicine track in his practice for new patients, using a Direct Family Medicine Business model. He is a graduate of West Point, The U.S. Army Ranger and Airborne and Rotary Wing Aviator School, Viet Nam, and Penn State University Family Medicine Residency. He has practiced in Granville, Columbus, Kettering and Beavercreek. He is also Medical Director of the Open Arms Health Clinic in Bellbrook, a free clinic for uninsured and/or underinsured people. Genomics shows great promise for cardiovascular health. Now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 23 and me for consumer use to clarify heritable health and disease risks, individuals and families will want to know more about genomics. Significant aspects of genomics lead more to nutritional than pharmaceutical solutions for health and wellbeing. Heart health concerns point to these nutrigenomic strategies for personalized health. Dr. Jonas will review the role of nutrigenomics, methylation, epigenetics, the microbiome and the autonomic nervous system for wholehearted health |
Ishan Vyas, Senior Scientist
The Practical Yogi: Meditation Beyond Myth
Ishan Vyas began practicing the art of meditation in 2012 when he was looking for a way to combat his daily anxiety and tame the monkey mind. As Ishan has grown in his practice, he has found great joy in giving back to the community and sharing his perspective on why meditation is important as an integral part of a balanced lifestyle. Ishan currently leads regular meditation sessions at a local prison, a corporate workplace, and in other settings on a completely voluntary basis. Ishan works professionally as a Senior Scientist and will be sharing his perspective on meditation that is based on a practical understanding founded on experience and rational examination of the different roadblocks and barriers that arise in the human psyche as we embark on a self-improvement journey. Ishan's talk will be based on practical, everyday things that we can do in our lives to create healthy habits that can enable us to shape our life and character towards the ideals that we have always aspired to.
The Practical Yogi: Meditation Beyond Myth
Ishan Vyas began practicing the art of meditation in 2012 when he was looking for a way to combat his daily anxiety and tame the monkey mind. As Ishan has grown in his practice, he has found great joy in giving back to the community and sharing his perspective on why meditation is important as an integral part of a balanced lifestyle. Ishan currently leads regular meditation sessions at a local prison, a corporate workplace, and in other settings on a completely voluntary basis. Ishan works professionally as a Senior Scientist and will be sharing his perspective on meditation that is based on a practical understanding founded on experience and rational examination of the different roadblocks and barriers that arise in the human psyche as we embark on a self-improvement journey. Ishan's talk will be based on practical, everyday things that we can do in our lives to create healthy habits that can enable us to shape our life and character towards the ideals that we have always aspired to.
Janae Christopher
Ayurveda and Yoga Specialist
Janae Christopher began practicing yoga and Ayurveda in 2013 as part of a radical life change to find health, vitality, and peace of mind after years of chronic illness. Since her recovery she has been inspired to teach and educate the benefits of a nurturing yoga practice and the power of self care to others. Janae is a 200 hour RYT graduate and continued to deepen her practice through the Ayurveda Yoga Specialist program with Kathryn Templeton of the Himalayan Institute.
Ayurveda Yoga deepens any students relationship to the practice and to their body, mind, & spirit- whether new to yoga or a more seasoned aspirant, there is something for all to learn. Using cues from nature, the seasons, time of day, and the energy of the student, Ayurveda Yoga brings harmony back to the body and mind by balancing the dominant qualities. This unique opportunity to experience Ayurveda Yoga at Heartfest will be a Summer balancing class to cool the mind and body during the warmest, most robust season.
Ayurveda and Yoga Specialist
Janae Christopher began practicing yoga and Ayurveda in 2013 as part of a radical life change to find health, vitality, and peace of mind after years of chronic illness. Since her recovery she has been inspired to teach and educate the benefits of a nurturing yoga practice and the power of self care to others. Janae is a 200 hour RYT graduate and continued to deepen her practice through the Ayurveda Yoga Specialist program with Kathryn Templeton of the Himalayan Institute.
Ayurveda Yoga deepens any students relationship to the practice and to their body, mind, & spirit- whether new to yoga or a more seasoned aspirant, there is something for all to learn. Using cues from nature, the seasons, time of day, and the energy of the student, Ayurveda Yoga brings harmony back to the body and mind by balancing the dominant qualities. This unique opportunity to experience Ayurveda Yoga at Heartfest will be a Summer balancing class to cool the mind and body during the warmest, most robust season.
Mukta Ranpura
Indoor Hall Emcee
Mukta began meditating in South Africa at 16 years under Sahaj Marg. She is the third-
generation practitioner in her family to follow this meditation path and found that the use of “yogic energy or transmission” helped her manage stress, tap into creativity and offer
balance in a seamless, natural manner. The complimentary “cleaning technique” taught her how to keep the heart open, pure and present, freeing one of past conditioning. Mukta has never looked back since and has been practicing meditation for over 23 years now. Last year she was avidly involved in hosting a Free Heartfulness Meditation Conference in Los Angeles at USC and in Norwalk, that taught over 1200 partipants how to tap into their hearts resources. She is an active, creative, passionate volunteer for the Heartfulness Institute and offers her time to host workshops in her local community and wherever the opportunity arises.
Indoor Hall Emcee
Mukta began meditating in South Africa at 16 years under Sahaj Marg. She is the third-
generation practitioner in her family to follow this meditation path and found that the use of “yogic energy or transmission” helped her manage stress, tap into creativity and offer
balance in a seamless, natural manner. The complimentary “cleaning technique” taught her how to keep the heart open, pure and present, freeing one of past conditioning. Mukta has never looked back since and has been practicing meditation for over 23 years now. Last year she was avidly involved in hosting a Free Heartfulness Meditation Conference in Los Angeles at USC and in Norwalk, that taught over 1200 partipants how to tap into their hearts resources. She is an active, creative, passionate volunteer for the Heartfulness Institute and offers her time to host workshops in her local community and wherever the opportunity arises.
Dr. George Sifri, MD
The Power of Love
Dr. George Sifri completed his internal medicine residency at Vanderbilt University after attending medical school at The Ohio State University. As a practicing physician, he developed a special interest in healing through spirituality, often conducting seminars at local universities. He currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Raye Ann, and their miniature schnauzer, Ubu.
He is the author of three books: A Path to Peace, An Invitation to Share, and In Stillness.
Dr. Sifri will be leading an intimate discussion on the power of love. The following is an excerpt from his writings. “When we take the time to reflect on our life experiences in a setting of stillness, we find ourselves opening our minds and hearts to the unseen. We begin to better understand our spiritual journey, to feel more connected with love, and to sense a oneness with the universe. We come to see meaning and beauty in our experiences and to hold sacred our individual truths.
As we continue along this path, we develop an increased awareness of who we are and why we are here. We move into a limitless world of peace, joy, and love.”
The Power of Love
Dr. George Sifri completed his internal medicine residency at Vanderbilt University after attending medical school at The Ohio State University. As a practicing physician, he developed a special interest in healing through spirituality, often conducting seminars at local universities. He currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife, Raye Ann, and their miniature schnauzer, Ubu.
He is the author of three books: A Path to Peace, An Invitation to Share, and In Stillness.
Dr. Sifri will be leading an intimate discussion on the power of love. The following is an excerpt from his writings. “When we take the time to reflect on our life experiences in a setting of stillness, we find ourselves opening our minds and hearts to the unseen. We begin to better understand our spiritual journey, to feel more connected with love, and to sense a oneness with the universe. We come to see meaning and beauty in our experiences and to hold sacred our individual truths.
As we continue along this path, we develop an increased awareness of who we are and why we are here. We move into a limitless world of peace, joy, and love.”
Velvet Swartzel
E-RYT
Hi! I'm Velvet, MELT Instructor, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, and comprehensively trained Pilates Instructor. My goal is to walk alongside, inviting you out of your comfort zone, past your self-imposed limitations and toward the place where you can be all you were created to be. I want you to experience the amazing adventures of life and have the clarity of mind and physical mobility to do so.
Since I began teaching in 2002, I've seen the positive impact of Yoga and Pilates on many lives. I found MELT in 2013 and knew it was something I wanted to learn and share with others. I believe MELT has an even greater potential to make a profound difference in the everyday lives of my clients. We don't all have to be rock stars, but we should all have quality of life as we age.
When I'm not teaching, I do architectural consulting work and spend time with my family. I'm also a songwriter, musician, health nut, adrenaline junkie and lifelong learner. Life is an Adventure. Get Melted!
E-RYT
Hi! I'm Velvet, MELT Instructor, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher, and comprehensively trained Pilates Instructor. My goal is to walk alongside, inviting you out of your comfort zone, past your self-imposed limitations and toward the place where you can be all you were created to be. I want you to experience the amazing adventures of life and have the clarity of mind and physical mobility to do so.
Since I began teaching in 2002, I've seen the positive impact of Yoga and Pilates on many lives. I found MELT in 2013 and knew it was something I wanted to learn and share with others. I believe MELT has an even greater potential to make a profound difference in the everyday lives of my clients. We don't all have to be rock stars, but we should all have quality of life as we age.
When I'm not teaching, I do architectural consulting work and spend time with my family. I'm also a songwriter, musician, health nut, adrenaline junkie and lifelong learner. Life is an Adventure. Get Melted!
Interfaith Panelist:
Monk Samak
Buddhist Meditation Temple
Venerable Samak is a young monk, recognized as a meditation instructor who blends life-long meditation practice with an in-depth knowledge of Buddhist teachings and their practical applications. He has studied meditation at Wat Paknam in Bangkok, Thailand and has additionally spent many months practicing meditation at a forest monastery while under the guidance of many senior meditation teachers. This combination of background knowledge and hands-on experience makes Venerable Samak Ngamsaeng ideally suited for presenting these practical Buddhist traditions to the Western world.
Buddhist Meditation Temple
Venerable Samak is a young monk, recognized as a meditation instructor who blends life-long meditation practice with an in-depth knowledge of Buddhist teachings and their practical applications. He has studied meditation at Wat Paknam in Bangkok, Thailand and has additionally spent many months practicing meditation at a forest monastery while under the guidance of many senior meditation teachers. This combination of background knowledge and hands-on experience makes Venerable Samak Ngamsaeng ideally suited for presenting these practical Buddhist traditions to the Western world.
Rev. Jason Alspaugh
Associate Pastor First Baptist Church
I was called to be the Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church in September 2007, with a focus on developing Children and Youth ministries and Educational ministries. Not long after moving to Dayton I met my husband, Kerby. We live in Historic South Park and have three “children”–two dogs, Shelby and Molly, as well as an elusive cat named Patsy.
I bring a passion for the full inclusion of children and youth in the life of the church. And so it is my intention to continually seek out ways to involve our children and youth in worship, mission, service, and education with the rest of the church, as we help them grow in Christian faith.
As associate pastor, I also enjoy the shared ministry of preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care. At the heart of all ministry, I believe, is the radical love of God revealed in Jesus Christ that invites all to believe in word and in deed in the reign of God, which is “justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
I give thanks to God for calling me to this life of ministry and witness to the good news of God’s love in Jesus the Christ. I invite any and all who would come, to join us as we “strive to be steadfast and joyful Christians continually seeking to understand and proclaim God’s unfolding Word.”
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Khurshid Ahmad
Dayton International Peace Museum Dr. Khurshid Ahmad was born and raised in India and Pakistan. He and his family had to take refuge in Pakistan after the bloody riots which started after India was partitioned into two separate countries in 1947. He came to America to acquire higher education, and enrolled in Ph. D program at Wharton School of Finance at University of Pennsylvania. Coming from a middle class family, he did not have money to pay for high tuition fees and other expenses. He worked almost full time starting with one dollar an hour wages at the Alumni Division of the university. He worked late at night and attended classes during the day. His hard work was eventually rewarded, and he earned his doctorate in Applied Economics and Finance. He taught at the University of North Dakota, City University of New York and Rider University before coming to Wright State University. After teaching for 39 years at the university, he retired as Professor Emeritus of Finance in 2006. He has been quite active in serving the community on issues of social justice, peace and interfaith dialogue and Immigration. He received four outstanding service awards—two Presidential Awards and two College of Business Awards during his tenure at Wright State University. |
Rabbi Simone Schicker
Student Rabbi Simone Schicker
Simone Schicker is a fifth-year rabbinic student at Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is currently serving at the rabbinic fellow at The Holocaust and Humanity Center in Cincinnati, and teaches Hebrew and religious school at Rockdale Temple. Simone has previously served congregations in West Virginia, Michigan, and Texas. Raised in an interfaith home in Houston, Texas, Simone is dedicated to interfaith dialogue and outreach. She has a B.A. in History from Birmingham-Southern College, magna cum laude, as well as a M.A. in Hebrew Letters from HUC-JIR. She will be ordained as a rabbi in the Jewish Reform movement in June of 2018.
Uma Mullapudi
Heartfulness Dayton
Ms. Uma Mullapudi has been practicing Heartfulness meditation for approximately 40 years. She is a dynamic and engaging speaker who has presented Heartfulness for several organizations and schools in the Midwest such as Mongtomery County offices, University of Dayton, Wright State University, LexisNexis and Hospice of Dayton, to name a few and is currently the Regional Heartfulness Coordinator. She is honored to share her deep love of the Heartfulness practice with you.
