Floating quietly in our private ocean, we begin as a single cell, mysteriously finding our way into form. We are guided on this embodiment journey by universal forces as our developing body tissues organize around an energetic midline. Exquisitely expressing bio-cosmic intelligence, our human form emerges and continues emerging throughout our lives.
Cherionna Menzam began teaching Embryology Through Movement in 1997 as part of her Doctoral studies in Pre- and Perinatal Psychology.
Cherionna shares with the "Art of Peace", this exploration involving perceiving and augmenting embryological forces to support health and well being throughout the life span.
www. cherionna.com

"Too many people think of Arthritis as a minor annoyance, stiff joints and nagging aches & pains- an inevitable part of growing older. But anyone who suffers from arthritis knows it is more than minor: It is not exclusive to the elderly: athletes, accident victims and even children can be afflicted with this chronic disease". From "Get a Grip: A take charge approach to Living with Arthritis”. by Amye Leong

Amye Leong was diagnosed with Rhuematiod Arthritis at eighteen. After dealing with denial & depression, she realized she had a clear choice: She could be satisfied with a life of pain and reliance on others, or educate herself and be an advocate for herself.

As International Spokesperson for the United Nations Bone and Joint Decade, Ms. Leong is raising awareness and building partnerships in 63 countries to promote patient-centered care, research, education, training, and patient empowerment to curb the disabling impact of bone and joint diseases and help those affected.

Amye shares with us on "Art of Peace" about living a full, happy & empowering life with this chronic disease.

AMYE L. LEONG, M.B.A.
President & CEO, Healthy Motivation
Musculoskeletal Patient Advocate, Author, Educator, Motivational Speaker
Spokesperson & Director of Strategic Relations,
United Nations Bone & Joint Decade 2000-2010
Santa Barbara, California USA & Paris FRANCE
Email: amye@healthymotivation.com

In the 1960s, western Sufi teacher Samuel Lewis brought forth a spiritual practice he called the Dances of Universal Peace. Its purpose is to unite us in community beyond the distinctions and differences that often divide us. Today, the Dances of Universal Peace have spread throughout the globe.
Penelope Salinger first encountered the Dances in 1975, while living in England, and fell deeply in love with this spiritual practice. Upon returning to the United States, she didn't know where to find the Dances again until she moved to Santa Barbara, where she met senior Dance leader Tasnim Fernandez at a Peacemakers retreat in 1983. She then began participating in every Dance event she could find and started leading the Dances herself in 1985. The idea for a local dance leadership group began in 1987.
Penelope Salinger joins "Art of Peace" with a lively discussion on this local social event & spiritual practice.
http://www.site.sbdances.org/Contact.html

Exploring the Cranial Sacral system with Continuum Movement.

Our bodies are made up mostly of water. We are
designed to flow through our lives in fluid resonance
with the Cosmos. The speed of modern life
as well as unresolved traumas in our personal histories
interrupt that flow.
Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy and Continuum
Movement both help us to slow down and
return to our fluid natures so as to enhance health,
well-being, and aliveness on all levels.

Cherionna Menzam PhD, LMT, OTR/L, RCST, has practiced Craniosacral Therapy since 1991. She is an authorized Continuum teacher and incorporates Continuum into her Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy practice and classes across North America. A therapist for almost 30 years, she draws on her varied experience as Occupational Therapist, Massage Therapist, Dance/Movement Therapist, BodyMind Psychotherapist and Prenatal and Birth Therapist. Cherionna holds a PhD in Pre- and Perinatal Psychology and an M.A. in Somatic Psychology and has taught graduate students in both fields at Naropa University and the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. She has a private practice in Santa Monica.

For more about Bio Dynamics and Continuum Movement go to: Cherionna.com

Audrey Addison Williams and Christopher E. Lowman share their work and perspectives of healing communities through celebrating and understanding cultural diversity; youth entrepreneurial training; and restorative justice.
Audrey Addison Williams founder of Healing Soul of America and a recognized expert in self empowerment and community building. www.healingsoulofamerica.org

Christopher E. Lowman is founder and President of Moving Towards Peace, social enterprise dedicated to the enhancement of global consciousness and quality of life. www.movingtowardspeace.com/

Photographer Joe Melchione recounts a turbulent period in Santa Barbara's Isla Vista through his recent photographic exhibition. www.JoeMelchionephotography.com

In 1970, Isla Vista, home to the University of California's “Campus by the Sea”, witnessed an unprecedented level of political radicalism and immersion in the counterculture. Isla Vista was the last place that anyone expected this to happen.

Three full-scale riots took place in Isla Vista. The unrest reached such extremes that the National Guard was called out and occupied the town. During the course of the rebellion, one student was killed by sheriffs' gunfire and the Bank of America branch was burned to the ground.

These riots were initially sparked by the outrage that students felt about the University's highhandedness in denying tenure to a popular, but unconventional, professor. This was all against a backdrop of a growing recognition of the absurdity of the Vietnam War and the Nation's slow pace in providing equal rights to all of its citizens. The momentum for change spread to an otherwise apolitical and apathetic student body.

Melchione portrayed the group dynamics of forces arrayed against each other. His iconic photographs of National Guardsmen pointing rifles and students flashing looks of empowerment sum up that turbulent era.

“The images capture what I witnessed. I have tried to present them objectively, but I must admit that being involved in these events was more important than recording them. Nearly thirty-five years later, I am proud to say I was there and I took part and sad to say that we seem to be at it again with an increasingly senseless war in Iraq.”

-- Joe Melchione

Everyday Gandhis is proud to be working with the Liberian Government to formulate a national plan of healing. They are creating a new program-The FUTURE GUARDIANS OF PEACE. Their approach of working deeply within the framework of traditional culture is distinct from the approach of most conventional NGO’s and aid organizations and has recently attracted the interest of other communities and peacebuilding professionals.

ART OF PEACE interviews the Christian Bethelson and Sawo about their work with youth affected by war.

SAWO (J. Flomo Sawo), is the Liberia Program Coordinator . He comes from a family of traditional Healers. Sawo and his brother, Bazzie are deeply traditional Lorma men. Their father was Voinjama's Paramount Chief. Soon after the civil war came to Liberia, their father died, but continued to guide them through dreams, with specific instructions on when to travel, what route to take, when to lock or unlock the door, etc.
Sawo received both traditional and Western education, graduating from ‘bush school’ and also earning a degree in agricultural science from Cuttington University. He taught high school until joining everyday gandhis in 2003. Sawo is currently our Program Director in Liberia.
Sawo works closely with traditional healers, dreamers and elders to closely follow rigorous traditional peacemaking practices, working with dreams, divinations and, when necessary, traveling village to village and into the bush carrying messages of peace and reconciliation. He also works closely with local government and colleagues in other communities.
Thanks to Sawo’s expertise and dedication, everyday gandhis’ work has earned the respect and trust of the local community and government officials alike.

Christian Bethelson, is Field Supervisor for Youth Programs. Bethelson born Mohammed Fofana, is of Mandingo heritage. He spent 27 years in the Liberian National Army. As a young man, he enlisted in the military and devoted his life to it because he was in search of initiation and a way to be of service to his country, just as many young people are drawn into the military today. During that time he received anti-terrorism training in Israel, Romania and Libya, and was chosen as one of President Samuel Doe's personal body guards. When Charles Taylor took over after Doe’s death, Bethelson was imprisoned and tortured. This was part of what pushed him to become active as a LURD (rebel faction) commanding officer, where he fought under the name of General Leopard.
Bethelson met Bill Saa and the egp team in September, 2005, at a time when he was contemplating leaving Liberia. Through telling his story and learning of the work of egp, Bethelson discovered his own passion for peacemaking.
Bethelson continues to mentor and encourage former child soldiers and war-affected youth to become future guardians of peace.

FUTURE GUARDIANS OF PEACE's purpose is assisting former child soldiers, other ex-combatants, and war-affected youth in becoming contributing members of the community and role models for future generations.

Future Guardians of Peace will engage in, but not be limited to, the following activities and programs so that participants will see themselves and be recognized as leaders in safeguarding peace for the future.

* trauma healing for victims and perpetrators of violence
* scholarships for participants who maintain a high level of good behavior and academic achievement
* training in sustainable agriculture, photography, journalism, traditional culture (music, dance, arts), ecological restoration, peacebuilding, healthy relationships and leadership
* small business loans and micro-credit