Easton’s Evergreen Cove Holistic Learning Center is nestled in the woods on the Tred Avon River, and is a quiet, peaceful paradise. A non-profit organization, Evergreen Cove is dedicated to promoting well being through programs engaging mind, body, and spirit.
Unlike so many developments that pop up and don names the likes of the very farm or natural landscape they displaced, Evergreen Cove is not a soulless monstrosity where a cove of evergreens once stood. If you take a turn off of Route 50 away from the big box stores, past countless medical specialists’ offices to the quiet end of Port St., you will find that Evergreen Cove is just that: a majestic stand of conifers, canopy and the closest thing to a cathedral ceiling in the center’s cluster of buildings in the woods. Wind in the trees and light off the water make a walk through the property at once serene and energizing. No matter if you are not the type to speak in terms of “energy” or “Feng Shui”. You don’t have to know what “Qi flow” is, to recognize that this place has got it.
More remarkable is that since its move in 1999 from a Bay Street townhouse, this learning center has continued deepening its course catalog while making creative, efficient use of already existing structures. Acquired piecemeal from neighboring Londonderry’s Manor house and transformed, a tenant house, garage, and old guard house conglomerate now comprise the modest foot-print and gathering space for the all Learning Center’s courses, yoga studio, 3000 title lending library, and shared professional space for more than a dozen Wellness Center practitioners.
Course offerings at Evergreen Cove have evolved organically in its eighteen years as the learning center responds to the community’s changing interests. Imbued with founder Sarah Sadler’s own passion for psychology and fervent exploration of human potential relating to intuition and creativity, the center was initially called “Psyche’s Well”, and emphasized Jungian psychology. Out of that has grown a program representative of what Director of Programs, Communications, and Mission Naomi Hyman describes as “a broader exploration of expressions of human spirituality.” “Our mission is to promote a balanced way of life,” says Hyman. “People tend to focus on one area. We need to restore all parts. Evergreen Cove provides many entry ways.”
While healing arts like acupuncture, hypnotherapy, ayurveda, and life coaching present natural compliments to the center’s courses in meditation, yoga, and creative expression, its board remains committed to being foremost a learning center for everyone. With a commitment to serving the entire community, the center offers several ways for most people to financially afford to take a class. All classes offer a minimum payment option, and scholarships and work/study options are also available. Frequently, special classes are offered at no charge, however donations are always welcome.
Clearly, this spirit of “dana,” or generosity, is woven through all elements of this learning community. With a staff of only three, volunteerism makes up the balance of maintaining the center’s operation even down to the tending of the grounds. Grounds-keeping is largely credited to the Freedom Rowers, an independent non-profit rowing team for Eastern Shore teens who share the Evergreen Cove floating docks and waterfront. The youthful rowers provide a welcome influx of young energy to a place that attracts many “empty-nesters” and retirees.
Unlike traditional medicine’s focus on compartmentalizing physical symptoms and treating them alone, the Center’s holistic approach includes emotional and spiritual needs for complete and balanced health. The Center offers the widely known acupuncture and massage, but also new “gateway healing modalities” such as Jin Shin Jyutsu, and Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy. Word of mouth has afforded Evergreen Cove, the Eastern Shore’s first holistic center, steady membership growth in a conservative region known as a hub of conventional medical specialists, assisted living units, and treatment facilities.
If you have reaction to course names like “A Course in Miracles”, or just plain don’t see the point in walking an outdoor Labyrinth of hand laid stones, you might consider breaking some new ground. The atmosphere at Evergreen Cove is welcoming and non-judgmental. The center is here to help you find your center. Go in.
For more information including full course listings, Wellness Center Practitioner Directory, or to search the Lending Library see www.evergreencove.org
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