Marlene Molay Brown 272 W Treehouse Lane Round Lake, IL 60073-3594 marmome@aol.com 1-847-546-7190 Yoga — A Gift To Yourself: CDs - $12 including postage Reiki training — Northwest of Chicago   Read more about our students and graduates.

Graduate Profiles

Life is for Learning
by Marlene Molay Brown

If you stay in the flow of life, it brings you just to where you need to be. At a health expo, I took information from various schools offering courses of study within my areas of interest. Was I too old to go back to school? Did I want to spend money, take time to study, make this kind of commitment to what only seemed to be a dream? But I was hooked, and took the plunge into the doctorate program at AIHT. I wanted to be a Holistic Practitioner, to have clients, to present programs, to help people on a grand scale, if possible. I wanted to educate and inform, write and teach. It is no longer a dream “out there.” It’s a reality. I’ll receive my Doctorate of Healtheology this year, at the age of 64!

Based on decades of self-empowering and empowering others, I am delighted to “tie together” so many lifelong interests. These include:

Teaching: Looking back, I always wanted to be a teacher. Being a wife and mother was my “job” for many years, but when I went back to school to receive my degree in Education, I began substitute teaching, tutoring, teaching piano, and teaching chorus.

Living with chronic ailments, such as allergies and migraines, and health challenges including cysts and rashes, I had a keen interest in doing what it takes to be well. I have always been curious, and loved learning. Somehow the teaching and learning integrated, “pushing” me into new areas of endeavor.

Health: A serious health challenge, when I was 42, created a turning point in my life. My doctor said I had might have cancer, and I chose not to accept his diagnosis. That was 22 years ago, and I haven’t seen a doctor since, except for my chiropractor. I absorbed books like sponges absorb water. My enthusiasm for finding ways to improve my own health resulted in my wanting to teach everyone what I was learning. I had never heard of nutrition, supplements and homeopathy to any extent, and I couldn’t have been a better student! I am healthier and happier than I have been at any other time in my life.

Faith: In healing, I also had a spiritual awakening. A friend and I taught Metaphysics in a church for about two years. To become better teachers, we took various courses that were both fun and enlightening. We found out that there was a lot to learn, and these were years of exploring the power of prayer, and many belief systems.

Now I am content with who and what I am, and humbled by what I have learned along the way. My faith cannot be shaken, and I know that life is good. It is an honor to share some of this knowledge. Everyday, I pray to be an instrument for peace and healing.

Yoga: My interest in Yoga was blossoming at the time I decided to work on my degree. Watching Yoga on TV in the ‘60s, and reading about it, brought a new dimension to my mind and body. I also experienced the serenity of meditation. Years later the teacher appeared on my path to what would become an integral part of my life.

In the early ‘90s, I worked in the corporate world. Encouraged to stay after work and teach Yoga for coworkers, I not only taught Yoga, but I always had books with me, to help people with their various health concerns. I envisioned that someday I would leave the corporate world and I was right.

I now teach 15 Yoga classes a week, from small children, to seniors, some in wheelchairs. Most of my students have average shapes and abilities. They feel comfortable in my classes, because it isn’t “fancy.” Even the marathon runners and physical fitness students in my class reap many benefits.

Yoga is for everyone. The classes are informal, casual, non-competitive and, I hope, fun. It’s yet another place to learn from my students, and learning happens every week. I am so fortunate.

I recently made my own CD with two complete Yoga sessions on them. Many of my students had expressed disappointment with videos, and I agreed. Many are awkward to watch, and a bit intimidating because the instructors are typically slim, trim, and very flexible. CDs let listeners “see” from within, allowing yourself to just do what you can. I truly believe that we should accept ourselves just as we are. I also believe that Yoga is not just for stretching the body, but also for stimulating the mind, and uplifting the spirit. The CD does a bit of all of that.

Writing: I have also done freelance writing for a local newspaper chain, on alternative remedies for various health issues. The bi-weekly column was yet another chance to teach. People could read about the researched subjects, and learn about being responsible for their health. What I write is a result of my commitment to being an instrument for peace and healing.

Health Food Store: I worked in a health food store for three years, and it was a great place to learn. Customers are tired of prescriptions and medical procedures, and want to find their own ways to feel better. What a gift-what a blessing-to be in a place where I could talk (and teach) and have reference books, surrounding products that I know help.

Reiki: While I was working for a corporation, a mailing appeared offering Reiki training. I became intrigued by this ancient Japanese art of hands-on energy balancing for healing, and now I am a Master. I now have Reiki as well as Reiki students. It’s an honor to continue this tradition.

Family: I have been supported and encouraged throughout the years of my studies, by my family, friends and students.  Part of this degree should go to them, especially to my daughters Diane and Sharon, and son-in-law, Lewis.