Published: November 05, 2009 09:09 pm         

Mind-body medicine founder to speak at conference

TERRE HAUTE — Sharon Forbes wasn’t sure what she would learn about mind-body connections during a class at The Maple Center.

It turns out she learned a lot.

“It was really eye-opening,” said the 35-year breast cancer survivor.

As part of the Mind-Body Skills program, the breast cancer survivors met once a week for six weeks to learn the basics such as meditation, mindfulness eating, guided imagery and biofeedback.

Now, Forbes plans to listen tonight when the man who developed mind-body medicine speaks at Indiana State University.

Dr. James Gordon is the founder and director of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C., and recently served as chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. He also created the “Healing the Wounds of War” program that provides help for children and families in Bosnia, Kosovo, Israel and Gaza and for those coping with the effects of 9/11.

Gordon’s talk will cap off the first day of the “Healing Rhythms: Music, Movement and Meditation” conference, sponsored by ISU’s Center for the Study of Health, Religion and Spirituality. His 7:30 p.m. speech is free at the University Hall Theater in University Hall (the new home of the College of Education). Gordon also will present a clinical workshop on Sunday titled “Trauma and Transformation.”

“Dr. Gordon has been a leader in the development of holistic approach to healing,” said Dr. Roy Geib, professor of immunology at the Indiana University School of Medicine at Indiana State University. “He has served on a number of key committees at the national level and has been training individuals on a global level.”

Gordon uses mind-body medicine — including nutrition, exercise and group support — to heal depression, anxiety and psychological trauma. Recently, Gordon has trained health care providers to help soldiers deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Anyone can learn to use the exercise being taught in the mind-body skills classes,” Geib said. “After experiencing the different activities, the participants decide what works for them and what does not.”

For Forbes, the sessions helped her handle her stress.

“I learned different things to cope with stress, what was causing the stress and how to avoid them,” she said.

In her learning, Forbes said she realized that the mind plays a larger role in physical well being.

“Sometimes you can think that you’re not physically able to do something,” she said. “But if you think you’re able to do it, you can do it.”

Geib said the mind-body techniques championed by Gordon can work on a variety of ailments.

“I think that his presentation focuses on a general wellness model that is appropriate for health care providers at all levels and the general public, particularly those individuals who are dealing with a chronic illness or know someone dealing with a chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, arthritis and depression,” he said.

Visit www.indstate.edu/psychology/cshrs/healingrhythmsconf.htm for additional information about the conference and registration.