The Rise Retreats

We appeared in Baguio Chronicle last Saturday

 

 

John Michael Nassr was renovating a dilapidated family property on Maria Basa Street (Pacdal) with the intention of turning it into a bed and breakfast, when he ran into family friend Leila Ramos. Leila had previously worked for a rehabilitation center, and saw the need for a facility that cares for the welfare of its residents both during and after a rehabilitation program. John, on the other hand, was a great believer in second chances and the idea that it is never too late to turn things around for anyone. After discussing the current rehabilitation facilities in Baguio, they decided to transform John’s B&B project into a wellness center instead, so that they both could fulfill their desire to help people heal and change for the better.

 

John continued working on the renovations on the property with the higher purpose of creating a healthy environment, knowing that this plays a big factor in healing. He was also hoping that the sight of beautiful facilities and surroundings would remove the reluctance of those seeking treatment. He hoped that the Milestone Health and Wellness Center he and Leila were building, with the help of his brother Robert, would play a major role in changing people’s perspectives and removing the stigma attached to addiction, mood disorder and other afflictions.

 

A little over four months ago, the unthinkable happened—John passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident on Kennon Road. Despite reeling from unfathomable grief, John’s wife Dionne decided to continue the work of making his dream come true. She knew how deeply her late husband cared about how addiction affected families, how he wanted to help people sooner, to fight for the people who had been abandoned by society. Since Dionne and John don’t have any children, working to continue John’s legacy is a way for him to live on.

 

“Quarter House”

 

When asked if Milestone is considered a “halfway house” for those recovering from addiction or depression, Robert laughingly answers that it is more of a “quarter house.” And what a cozy, light filled space it is, with six rooms offering deluxe option for single occupancy (Queen-sized bed) or standard for sharing (twin beds), with en suite bathrooms and amenities such as towels and toiletries. The house boasts an open plan kitchen, dining area, common room/living area, yoga studio, entertainment center with access to cable and Netflix, outdoor bonfire area and garden. There are plans to further develop other parts of the property into a playground and terraced garden.

 

The staff members at Milestone recognize that addiction harms bodies on the physical and spiritual level. The treatment they offer integrates holistic healing that focuses on the relationship between the mind and the body so that residents can gain better awareness of the connections between their emotions, thoughts, physical experiences, and values. This helps individuals identify their triggers, cope with cravings, and find healthier alternatives that can help them sustain abstinence and recovery for the rest of their lives.

 

Some therapies that complement the treatment plans to teach other types of coping mechanisms include fitness, art, yoga, meditation, massage, and socialization techniques.

 

Included in the program is the involvement of family and friends so that they can gain a deeper understanding of the disease, the treatment, and most importantly, how they can support their loved one during and after treatment.

 

Milestones of Recovery:

 

In the course of a life, there are markers or milestones that indicate when one has changed significantly or evolved from one stage of development to the next.

 

In recovery, there are several stages to be undertaken in order to successfully achieve life-long recovery. After an initial consultation (they offer free, no commitment consultations free of charge), trained psychologists decide which part of the path the client is in. If medical detox is required (as in the case of alcohol, benzodiazepine and opiates), the client will be referred to partner facilities for this stage of recovery, a process that takes about two weeks, depending on the type of substance.

 

The third stage is called “The Turning Point”, which is the primary treatment program offered at Milestones. Here, the client is offered a safe haven away from stress and triggers until he or she has developed healthier ways to respond to cravings, stress, and the natural ups and downs of life. Essentially, this program will help prepare a person for life beyond the treatment program.

 

The next stage is called “step-down integration”, an individualized program based on the client’s motivation and recovery capital. Doctors create a program where one continues to attend therapy sessions, gradually reducing the number of sessions to give greater confidence for self-management. The client has the option of staying at Milestone Health and Wellness while slowly reintegrating back into society.

 

Recovery doesn’t end when the client leaves the facility. The last stage, or “End Goal Recovery”, offers continuing support and care to avoid relapse. This comes in the form of after-care online support calls, follow ups and meet ups. This is a vital part of the program, for beyond the life skills training one learns in the program, it is important to create the environment that supports and sustains this more resourceful and healthy way of being. This is the heart of the Milestone program—to always offer the pertinent support on the path to healing.

 

Though John has gone on ahead, Dionne and Robert and the rest of the Milestone staff are dedicated to doing all they can to make him proud.

 

Rise Retreats

 

“The authentic self is the soul made visible,” said Sarah Breathnach. One afternoon, yoga teacher Asia Aportadera and I talked about our love of yoga as meditation practice, as well as the power of mindful journaling in connecting with and healing the inner self. Just like that, the idea for Rise Retreats was born.

 

Entitled “The Gift of Journaling and Finding the Authentic Self”, the two and a half day retreat will include morning yoga sessions with Asia (and one forest bathing yoga), while I’ll be giving three “soul conversations” about the journaling as a cathartic as well as spiritual practice, and awakening creativity. Participants will have free time to explore the city, and other activities include a bonfire and paella night.

 

I will also be offering private ThetaHealing and NLP coaching sessions upon request.

 

Milestone Health and Wellness Center will be our home for the retreat, which will take place on November 1 to 3 (we can accommodate those who wish to arrive a day earlier). Retreat packages with full board and lodging are available, as well as packages for Baguio residents who wish to attend per session only.

 

For more information or to make a reservation, kindly send an email to Easterhomebaguio@gmail.com.

 

About Asia Aportadera:

 

Asia has always been athletic. She started her yoga journey after a spine injury and never looked back. She runs Easter Home Baguio and is awaiting the opening of their café with her husband Arnelli. As a yoga teacher, she loves arm balances and inversions so expect a playful class with plenty of modifications. She makes you work with beautifully sequenced Vinyasa Flow and Inside Flow classes, but can slow it down with the use of a yoga wheel and restorative classes.

 

About Lissa Romero de Guia:

Lissa is a writer, singer, actress and intuitive healer. Her love of writing began when she read “The Diary of Anne Frank” at the age of 8. She discovered that journaling is a creative practice that offers catharsis as well as insight, a spiritual practice that can help us approach the truth of who we are. She combines her various disciplines of theater, writing and healing in teaching writing and creativity workshops. She has been living in Baguio since 2011 with her husband Kidlat and their two children, and runs Two Trees Guest House.

 

Milestone Health and Wellness Center: https://milestonehealthcenter.com; +63 919 000 9188