Taking responsibility for knowing the spiritual basis upon which one lives and using the mind as a positive tool in the process of meeting challenges on one's journey are the subject of this seminar. Exercises to examine one's defining beliefs, initiate conscious changes and manifest positive results are given. The text, Spiritual Psychology, Milwaukee, WI: Transformations Incorporated, Revised Third Edition, 1998, by Jim Morningstar, Ph.D., is an adjunct to completion of exercises and further reading.

• Identify one's attitudes toward self responsibility,
• Use the analysis principle to uncover limiting core beliefs,
• Construct personal affirmations for belief change,
• Begin effective use of the goals principle.

Engaging one's body as a greater source of guidance and positive feedback is the purpose of this seminar. The body will be studied as an energy conducting system, means of communication and a product of one's thoughts. Exercises for reading and releasing holding patterns will be demonstrated and practiced.

• Learn basic bioenergetic grounding exercise,
• Chart energy zones around one's body,
• Read messages from sensations and structure of one's body,
• Identify parental influences on one's body attitudes,
• Develop tool to alter limiting personal law about the body.

Early life influences toward prosperity will be put in context of current behaviors. How one's attitudes effect habits of earning, spending, saving and investing and how this impacts one's overall sense of safety and happiness will be explored. Many practical exercises and practices will be given to identify and alter ineffective patterns.

• Specify family attitudes toward prosperity and their present influence,
• Learn tools for altering behaviors around earning, spending and saving,
• Distinguish between wealth and accumulation,
• Create specific affirmation for attitude change toward prosperity.

The lifelong influence of primary parental relationships is well documented. This seminar will give insight into the personal patterns in one's relationships that are having the most profound impact. Psychological and emotional exercises will assist in becoming more objective and effective in making conscious loving changes to increase fulfillment and pleasure in relationship with partners, family and friends.

• Identify eight familial relationship patterns,
• Specify one's current projections of early perceptions,
• Engage in clearing exercise on parental attitudes,
• Create personal tool for positive change of limiting beliefs.

Expanding conscious awareness and exploring the boundaries of memory are topics for this mind-altering seminar. Now we begin to open the doors to other levels of "reality" for the purpose of enriching our present, learning lessons in alternate dimensions and deepening the sense of purpose and gratitude for this life.

• Learn two tools for improving and enriching memory,
• Experience and use the technique of multilevel awareness,
• Delineate personal themes through alternate "realities,"
• Expanding concepts of self-definition beyond present roles.

Strengthening the sense of self-acceptance and fullness while engaging fully in life goals is the aim of this work. Uprooting the self-defeating effects of birth drama, the parental disapproval syndrome, specific negatives, multilevel patterns and the unconscious death urge is undertaken with lecture and exercises. Participants confront their major excuses for perpetuating their sense of incompletion.

• Name five "biggies" of incompletion,
• Know dynamics of parental disapproval syndrome,
• Identify symptoms of "need/obligate pattern,"
• Specify fears behind personal death urge,
• Create effective tool for life affirmation.

The prenatal period into the first year of life will be studied to identify how our basic sense of security is held in mind and body. How lifelong anxiety (e.g., "I'm not safe in my body or my world.") is structured into the organism and how this effects self image are demonstrated. The family messages, body language and adaptive and compensating defenses are examined. Innate strengths and coping mechanisms which when built upon lead to reintegration and a flowering of psychic and artistic talents as well as spiritual capabilities are revealed.

• Identify goals of the Bio-spiritual energetic approach
• Specify Psychic Sensitive holding patterns and life themes
• Bio-spiritually assess the P/S strengths and weaknesses
• Delineate treatment goals for clients with strong P/S traits
• Learn exercises and interventions specifically for P/S clients

Development of the generalized life themes of deprivation/abundance during the first year of life is examined (e.g., "I'll never get enough." "If I love enough I'll be loved."). How one's body posture and expression daily reinforces the felt experience of self-sufficiency is shown. The family messages, body language and adaptive and compensating defenses are examined. How to utilize the E/N strengths and avoid collusion with the limiting E/N themes is discussed in assisting maximal integration.

• Specify Empathetic Nurturing holding patterns and life themes
• Bio-spiritually assess the E/N strengths and weaknesses
• Delineate treatment goals for clients with strong E/N traits
• Learn exercises and interventions specifically for E/N clients

How Inspirational Leader themes (e.g., "To give into feeling is weak.") are developed especially during the first to third year of life is shown. The two variations of "overpowering" and "seductive" are explained and their body structure examined. The family messages, body language and adaptive and compensating defenses are given. The challenges of working with I/L clients and accessing of their strengths en route to their integration are explained.

• Specify Inspirational Leader holding patterns and life themes
• Bio-spiritually assess the I/L strengths and weaknesses
• Delineate treatment goals for clients with strong I/L traits
• Learn exercises and interventions specifically for I/L clients

Freedom of expression versus closeness can become a lifelong struggle for Steadfast Supportive individuals. Themes like "No one appreciates me." can undermine all relationships and personal aspirations. How these themes are emphasized and structured into the body during the second to forth year of life is displayed. The family messages, body language and adaptive and compensating defenses are examined. Therapeutic pitfalls and favored approaches are given in the process assisting the S/S client to achieve freedom of expression and eliminate humiliation and guilt as major life motivations.

• Specify Steadfast Supportive holding patterns and life themes
• Bio-spiritually assess the S/S strengths and weaknesses
• Delineate treatment goals for clients with strong S/S traits
• Learn exercises and interventions specifically for S/S clients

During the third to fifth year of life gender identity is being reinforced. How role confusion is introduced and themes like "If I assert myself spontaneously, I'll be rejected," are taken on and perpetuated is explained. Both male and female patterns of exaggerated compensation are displayed. The family messages, body language and adaptive and compensating defenses are examined. Working with G/B clients to lead to sexual integration is demonstrated.

• Specify Gender Balanced holding patterns and life themes
• Bio-spiritually assess the G/B strengths and weaknesses
• Delineate treatment goals for clients with strong G/B traits
• Learn exercises and interventions specifically for G/B clients

Sustaining intimate relationships can be the major challenge for many who are otherwise successful in their life. A strong theme of betrayal during the fourth to sixth year of life can initiate unconscious themes like "No one is going to hurt me again," or "I'm a loving person that no one understands." The Energetic Grounded male and female repeat relationship patterns with little insight as to how to get beyond their defensive armoring. Their family messages, body language and adaptive and compensating defenses are examined. Direct techniques to assist E/G individuals to surrender safely to love and to unite their love and their sexuality are displayed.

• Specify Energetic Grounded holding patterns and life themes
• Bio-spiritually assess the E/G strengths and weaknesses
• Delineate treatment goals for clients with strong E/G traits
• Learn exercises and interventions specifically for E/G clients

How to approach goal setting from a holistic perspective and utilize physical, mental and emotional energy in synchronous ways to manifesting one's heart's desires is studied. Analysis of one's personal schedule and techniques for effective change will be demonstrated. The recommended text, Spiritual Psychology, Milwaukee, WI: Transformations Incorporated, Revised Third Edition, 1998, by Jim Morningstar, Ph.D., is an adjunct to completion of exercises and further reading.

• Identify and set goals in two distinctly different ways,
• Analyze personal weekly schedule,
• Create alternate holistic schedule.

Students will get a foundational understanding of the theory and practice of Family Systems Therapy. Concepts of individuation, triangling, family secrets, multigenerational projection process and others will be explored. Methods for examining students' personal patterns will be presented and their influence on their life and work will be demonstrated. This study is based upon the the research and practice of Murray Bowen, known as the grandfather of family systems theory and treatment.

• Be conversant with key family systems concepts,
• Identify three dysfunctional family patterns,
• Have awareness of effect of personal family roles and secrets,
• Know basics of evaluating and treating a family system.

Knowing how to recognize "Risky Rascals," those commonly used messages that purport to help, but which enmesh communicators emotional systems is key to assisting self and others to increase clarity and effectiveness. Recognizing communication styles and redirecting ineffective styles is the second goal of this seminar.

• Identify solution messages, put downs and avoidances,
• Know four healthy communication options,
• Give steps of open alternative to four ineffective communication styles.

The basic elements of therapeutic breathwork that has been developed since the 1970's and applied to areas of therapy, medicine and spiritual growth is presented through audio download or CDs and the recommended text, Breathing in Light and Love, Milwaukee, WI: Transformations Incorporated, 1994, by Jim Morningstar." Practitioners will be introduced to theory and application. Adaptation to breathing patterns of six different body types is shown.

• Have awareness of history and development of breathwork,
• Know how breathwork is applied,
• Be conversant with six developmental themes addressed in sessions,
• Know philosophy of creative thought and use of affirmations.

The general systems theory of the late visionary thinker and psychologist, Claire W. Graves, Ph.D., is presented along with its profound implications for understanding and predicting human behavior. Applications in the clinical, business and political arenas are graphically demonstrated by his students in their work, Beck, D. and Cowan, C. Spiral Dynamics, Cambridge, MA: Blackwell, 1996." Students may take an inventory (The Way I See It) and get a profile of their own belief systems and know how these systems compare to the emerging systems around the planet. Students will have a foundational understanding of one of the most comprehensive tools for charting the growth of human consciousness, individually and culturally.

• Be conversant with the eight stages of consciousness researched so far,
• Know how this tool is applied to assisting human change,
• Identify the factors necessary for growth,
• Have a personal profile of one's belief systems,
• Know how learning theories and psychotherapies relate to each stage.

Learn and practice the two basic time-honored principles empowering one to rewrite the formula for one's personal success.

• Know the definition of and formula for personal effectiveness,
• Know the Free Will and Creative Thought Principles.

Engage in the process which uncovers the hidden personal beliefs which undermine one's effectiveness.

• Know the principles and fundamental laws of the mind,
• Know how to engage in the analysis game and discover unconscious beliefs.

Gain expertise in creating personally designed tools for mental mastery and life change.

• Know the foundation of emotional intelligence,
• Know the four "P"s of effective affirmation writing.

Apply the Four P's of effective goal setting and craft a blueprint for balanced responsible accomplishment.

• Know the four challenges to to goal setting,
• Know how to apply the four "P"s to effective goal setting.

Monitor and maintain progress in manifesting results through challenges along the way.

• Know the six manifestation questions,
• Know the belly/diaphragmatic and the connected breathing techniques.

Recognize communication traps; practice healthy ways to to engage others and strengthen environmental support.

• Know how to use the "healing vision" exercise,
• Know how to identify the "risky rascals" of ineffective communication.

Find your "personal law" and sort out six major relationship patterns in yourself and others; use their strengths while minimizing their limiting influences.

• Know to identify one's "personal law",
• Know to identify six relationship patterns.

Clarify your life purpose and complete an implementation plan for ongoing progress beyond this course.

• Know how to write a comprehensive and inspiring Statement of Purpose,
• Know how to make an effective life action plan.

Jim Morningstar, PhD, introduces the Life InWellness Series and the primary principles of the course: Self-Responsibility and Love. With a balance of self-responsibility (self improvement) and love (self acceptance) as the foundations of our being, living and wellness are synonymous. As we take this journey of well being together, each of us must find our optimal balance and inner wisdom, knowing when to take charge/make changes and when to adapt/go with the flow. Life gives us opportunities to do both each day. This first seminar gives us guidelines and exercises for keeping this balance, not just during the course, but for the course of our life.

1. Define difference between Self-Responsibility and Love.
2. Identify a balance in dealing with life's polarities.
3. Recognize the effects of sleep deprivation.
4. Know the optimal breathing rhythm demonstrated by coherent breathing.
5. Name methods of taking responsibility for one's health.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #1:Self-Responsibility and Love (31:18)
• a pdf LIWS #1 Handout 1 - Personal Challenges and Goals
• a pdf LIWS #1 Handout 2 - Action steps tips

The Life InWellness Series would not be effective without teaching the basics of breath awareness and breath training. Over the past 25 years, there has been an explosion in the blending of ancient breathing techniques for health and spiritual awareness with contemporary growth and therapeutic practices. Jim Morningstar, PhD, who has taught breathing practices since the 1970s, shares the most useful of time honored tools passed down through the generations combined with newly evolved discoveries to improve wellbeing and life satisfaction.

1. Define difference between good and poor breathing habits.
2. Know effect of breathing rhythms on the nervous system.
3. Cite medical uses of breathing techniques.
4. Identify the stages of a Therapeutic Breathwork cycle.
5. Know when to use which breathing techniques in life.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #2: Breathing (39:53)
• a pdf LIWS #2 Handout 1 - Breathing Exercises
• a pdf LIWS #2 Handout 2 - Personal Challenges and Goals

It is through the senses -- seeing, touching, smelling, hearing, tasting -- that we come to know and enjoy the world. Our abilities to work, to feel pleasure, to communicate with others, and to impact the world are directly related to our abilities to appreciate and use our sensory input efficiently and creatively. In this class, Jim Morningstar, PhD, presents information and exercises to help us use our human sensory system to increase our potential for pleasure, satisfaction and meaning in our lives.

1. Cite three of Positive Psychology's suggestions for addressing he pleasure challenge.
2. Know effect of thermal regulation on the body's comfort.
3. Identify ways to use light and color to enhance life satisfaction.
4. Be conversant with sound's use in physical and emotional regulation.
5. Delineate the importance of touch in infant wellbeing.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #3: Sensing (50:43)
• a pdf LIWS #3 Handout - Personal Challenges and Goals

"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food," - Hippocrates. The third energy input type in the Wellness Energy System is food. Eating is much more that the mechanical process of assimilating food, as we all know. It has layers of meaning and feelings attached to it that touch every aspect of who we are. Jim Morningstar, PhD, presents critical information and incisive exercises to help us come away from this class with practical ways to both enjoy our food more and have it better serve our wellbeing.

1. Know the four USDA food categories and why they are not proportionally recommended.
2. Identify three types of emotionally based eating disorders.
3. Find one's "personal law" in thinking about eating.
4. Apply affirmations to alter negative eating habits.
5. Describe a spiritual aspect of eating.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #4: Eating (28:55)
• a pdf LIWS #4 Eating Handout 1
• a pdf LIWS #4 Eating Handout 2
• a pdf LIWS #4 Eating Handout 3
• a pdf LIWS #4 Eating Handout 4

How does the fact that all life is in constant movement impact our health and wellbeing? How can we use movement consciously to maintain wellness and going in the direction we desire? Jim Morningstar, PhD, Director of InWellness presents in a 50 minute class basic aerobic, stretching and muscle building exercises that can be done right in the office or home. How to initiate an exercise program that fits the individual and how to maintain it to get the results wanted with pleasure is demonstrated.

1. Know the role that movement plays in human life.
2. Identify the three essential types of movement for the human body.
3. Define the primary components of effective aerobic exercise.
4. Describe the purpose of flexibility exercise.
5. Name strength building exercises that can be done in the office or at home.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #5: Moving (52:21)
• a pdf LIWS #5 Moving Handout 1
• a pdf LIWS #5 Moving Handout 2

Because feelings have been the motivating force behind the greatest heroism and the greatest atrocities in human history, they are often treated with great caution if not suppressed entirely. Yet they are an essential ingredient not just to our survival, but to the enjoyment and fulfillment we all seek. Jim Morningstar, PhD, Director of InWellness' presentation on Feeling helps you explore the role of feelings in your daily existence and practice ways to have them increase the richness and intimacy in your life.

1. Know the evolutionary role that emotions play in human life.
2. Distinguish the healthy role of anger from vindictiveness, bullying or other abusive behaviors.
3. Identify four stages of grief.
4. Describe the function of joy or gladness.
5. Name four steps of the couples communication exercise.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #6: Feeling (39:14)
• a pdf LIWS #6 Feeling Handout 1 - Couples Communication Exercise (done internally)
• a pdf LIWS #6 Feeling Handout 2 - Risky Rascal and Healthy Options Review

Our capacity to think truly sets us apart from other life forms on the planet. But how much are we the master of our thinking or how much does our thinking master us? Psychological research tells us we think on the average 40-50,000 thoughts per day as a conservative estimate. Many of these thoughts are variations of familiar themes which populate our mind. These themes can serve us or not on our life path. Or perhaps they served us at one point, but have outlived their usefulness. The good news is that we have the capacity to examine our thoughts and the tools to change those that have overstayed their welcome. Few people, however, develop the skills to be objective enough to achieve even the simplest level of mental mastery. This class by Jim Morningstar, PhD, Director of InWellness, will give you the opportunity to practice powerful and effective tools on your thinking patterns that can have a profound influence on your life satisfaction.

1. Know the three operational principles of the mind.
2. Demonstrate use of the Analysis Game.
3. Identify four guidelines for effective affirmation construction.
4. Name characteristics of creative thinking.
5. Cite a physiological means by which thinking directly influences health.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #7: Thinking (53:19)
• a pdf LIWS #7 Thinking Handout 1 - The Analysis Principle and Game
• a pdf LIWS #7 Thinking Handout 2 - The Affirmations Principle and Exercise
• a pdf LIWS #7 Thinking Handout 3 - Homework

How we structure our life's activities of Working and Playing tells us much about our values. What we "have time for" is a product of what we prioritize as important as well as what is available in our environment. In our quest for a happy and healthy lifestyle, it is our attitudes toward working and playing which determine a great deal about our life satisfaction. This class by Jim Morningstar, PhD, Director of InWellness, will give you the opportunity to examine your attitudes and habits as well as some tools and incentive to create a nurturing and fulfilling balance of work and play in your life.

1. Know the main features of healthy attitudes toward work and play.
2. Name five ways to prevent burnout.
3. Strategize on bringing more nurturance to one's work life.
4. List 3 ways for breaking over-seriousness.
5. Positively analyze one's own time allocation.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #8: Working and Playing (42:04)
• a pdf LIWS #8 Working and Playing Handout 1 - Being nurtured and fulfilled at work
• a pdf LIWS #8 Working and Playing Handout 2 - Time Study and Analysis

Jim Morningstar, PhD, Director of InWellness presents - Communicating - the ninth life area of the wellness wheel. The quality of our communication is a major factor in our interpersonal and life happiness. Communication is at the core of all our relationships and determines the degree of cooperation or conflict we experience on a daily basis. This class will give us the opportunity to examine our communication style and effectiveness as well as ways to increase our abilities and satisfaction in the process.

1. Name three ways to deal with indirect communication, gossiping or "dumping."
2. List four deflecting dysfunctional communication styles.
3. Recount the steps of Open Communication.
4. Distinguish between rescuing and helping communication.
5. Identify three ways to change negative self-talk.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #9: Communicating (46:51)
• a pdf LIWS #9 Communicating Handout 1 - Triangling Exercise and Communications Style
• a pdf LIWS #9 Communicating Handout 2 - Communications Review and Action Plan

Jim Morningstar, PhD, Director of InWellness examines - Intimacy - the tenth life area of the wellness wheel. Intimacy with ourself and others reflects what touches us most deeply in life and gives worth to our existence. Intimacy takes us into our greatest vulnerability and also our most profound sense of pleasure and satisfaction. This class will give us the opportunity to explore how we create intimacy in our lives as well as ways to enhance and enjoy the intimacy we value most.

1. Identify four of the twelve types of intimacy listed.
2. Be conversant with the health benefits of intimacy.
3. Name the three attention bidding categories researched by John Gottman, PhD.
4. Know strategies for rebuilding trust and intimacy after upset in a relationship.
5. Relate three ways to assist healthy sexual intimacy.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #10: Intimacy (1:05:03)
• a pdf LIWS #10 - Intimacy Handout 1 - Inventory of Bidding and Response Styles
• a pdf LIWS #10 - Intimacy Handout 2 - Intimacy Review and Action Plan

Finding Meaning, the eleventh life area of the Wellness Wheel, creates a personal context for all the wellness topics and has profound implications for our ultimate health and well being. In this class Jim Morningstar, PhD, Director of InWellness will assist us to clarify what gives our life meaning and how we can choose to lead a more purposeful existence now and in the future.

1. Understand the benefits of present moment awareness.
2. Identify three personal signature strengths.
3. Name three benefits of regular gratitude journaling.
4. Know techniques for bringing responsible awareness to issues of death.
5. Relate role of Life Purpose to wellbeing.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #11: Finding Meaning (47:36)
• a pdf LIWS #11 - Finding Meaning Handout 1 - Identifying Signature Strengths
• a pdf LIWS #11 - Finding Meaning Handout 2 - Statement of Purpose

Jim Morningstar, PhD, InWellness Director, presents Transcending, the twelfth and final life area of the wellness wheel. Transcending promotes genuine growth and is more than just going beyond or escaping what was. It involves learning and incorporating from the past and building upon it. This is a true integration that is the platform for evolving rather than just abandoning all that came before. The final transcending "leap of faith" has preparatory steps that allows the new heights to be reached, but also new roots to be grown. This effects a permanent change rather than a temporary high followed by a resounding crash. Our work in this class will allow us to strengthen those preparatory steps to our personal transcending on the physical, emotional, mental as well as spiritual levels and to integrate all the ares of wellbeing we have covered in our Life InWellness Series.

1. Name the "faces" of transcending.
2. Identify ways to consciously participate in the healing processes when ill or out of balance.
3. Specify spiritual disciplines that have contributed to society's wellbeing.
4. Know techniques for developing and trusting intuition.
5. Acknowledge successes and plan for inner and outer growth.

• a video file Life InWellness Series #12: Transcending (51:42)
• a pdf LIWS #12 - Transcending Handout 1 - Practices of Transcending
• a pdf LIWS #12 - Transcending Handout 2 - Acknowledgment and Further Growth