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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A number of holistic health practitioners, including acupuncturists, a hypnotherapist, life coaches, and others have formed a collective where alternative healers can network and learn about one another's various healing modalities.
“We have all these amazing practitioners in the valley that people don't know about, and they don't know each other,” said Cindy Schmidt, director of the Collective Health Initiative.
Schmidt is a physical therapist, as well as a yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner, who has always had a passion for health. Three years ago Schmidt met with Chris Reddin, former executive director of the Business Incubator Center, to talk about forming an integrative medical center in the Grand Valley.
“It turned into a networking group to support the practitioners in this valley and to get the word out about them,” Schmidt said.
Forty practitioners attended the collective's first meeting in February 2008. The nonprofit organization has grown to 258 members, many of whom meet monthly at the Incubator Center where members give presentations about their various practices.
“I think the trade association is going to increase the visibility, accessibility and credibility of this large group of practitioners in the Grand Valley,” said board of directors advisor Tom Y. Sawyer.
“We also want to bridge the gap between allopathic and alternative medicine,” Schmidt said. “Both have an important role to play and you get the most benefit when you work those two together.”
Currently, the website, www.chi.groupsite.com, is free to members although eventually there will be membership fees as the health collective begins offering more benefits, Schmidt said.
The collective plans to organize healing arts events for the public, workshops for practitioners on the art of running a business, and marketing assistance to its members.
Schmidt envisions a physical space where classes, workshops and treatments can be held in a collaborative atmosphere.
Schmidt also intends to create a website for the general public which will include a listing of various practitioners in the Grand Valley, a calendar of events, a question and answer forum, and educational articles.
“We have all these amazing practitioners in the valley that people don't know about, and they don't know each other,” said Cindy Schmidt, director of the Collective Health Initiative.
Schmidt is a physical therapist, as well as a yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner, who has always had a passion for health. Three years ago Schmidt met with Chris Reddin, former executive director of the Business Incubator Center, to talk about forming an integrative medical center in the Grand Valley.
“It turned into a networking group to support the practitioners in this valley and to get the word out about them,” Schmidt said.
Forty practitioners attended the collective's first meeting in February 2008. The nonprofit organization has grown to 258 members, many of whom meet monthly at the Incubator Center where members give presentations about their various practices.
“I think the trade association is going to increase the visibility, accessibility and credibility of this large group of practitioners in the Grand Valley,” said board of directors advisor Tom Y. Sawyer.
“We also want to bridge the gap between allopathic and alternative medicine,” Schmidt said. “Both have an important role to play and you get the most benefit when you work those two together.”
Currently, the website, www.chi.groupsite.com, is free to members although eventually there will be membership fees as the health collective begins offering more benefits, Schmidt said.
The collective plans to organize healing arts events for the public, workshops for practitioners on the art of running a business, and marketing assistance to its members.
Schmidt envisions a physical space where classes, workshops and treatments can be held in a collaborative atmosphere.
Schmidt also intends to create a website for the general public which will include a listing of various practitioners in the Grand Valley, a calendar of events, a question and answer forum, and educational articles.
