www.4p4h.com

for current information on 4Pillars4Health EcoSpace

You're invited...

to experience Monona's unique and inspiring ecoYurt

Offering...


The Sustainable Bodies, Sustainable Minds
10 Week Workshop
& ongoing classes

Sacred LifeStyle COACHING
individual * couple

Private & Small Group Classes:
FOUR PILLARS PILATES & BODYWORK
YOGA of the RUNES
LUIGI STYLE JAZZ DANCE TECHNIQUE
QiGong

Young Living Essential Oils
consultations*product sales

Sun-Mar Garden & Toilet COMPOSTING
sales*promotion*water conservation

Elder/Master Teacher Workshops
Pragata Blaise: Shaolin QiGong
Willaru Huayta: Peruvian Chasqui
Lake Monona Water Walk

The Ancient Mother MoonLodg
e
Women's Circle: First Sunday Gatherings
Men's Circle: First Sunday Gatherings

4 Pillars Mystery School
& the Sacred Sustainability Series
2014 Spring Session: Tuesday evenings in April



Join Dianné Jean Aldrich in the beautiful and nourishing 4Pillars4Health EcoSpace. Create or enhance your current integrated wellness practice in this peaceful yurt with the sky shining down through a five foot dome skylight, a warm fire burning in the wood stove, the scents of cedar, sage and sweetgrass, all while being hugged by the giant white oak trees that surround the space and peek through the windows. Spend a few or more meditative moments prior to or after your session in the wooded wonderland of native plants, winding paths and seasonal beauty of the Arcadia Gardens. This unique UrbanRetreat is in the heart of Monona and you are most welcome to come and enjoy the moment.

To receive further information or e-newsletter please contact FourPillars@tds.net

Health Investment Rates

Initial Consultation: $80
Private Session: $90
3 Private Sessions: $255
5 Private Sessions: $400
10 Private Sessions: $750

Pilates Circuit Training: $25x
Yoga of the Runes: $25x
QiGong: $25x
Luigi Jazz Dance Workshop: $25x
Sustainable Bodies,
Sustainable Minds Workshop: $350

Modus Operandi

*Payment by check or cash is accepted prior to scheduling a session or class.
*48 hour cancellation is required or your private session will be charged.
*There are no make-ups for missed group classes.
*Gift Certificates can be applied toward standard rates only.

*Private Sessions are 55 minutes.
*Pilates Circuit Training is a 50 minute class.
*Sustainable Bodies/Sustainable Minds is a 10 week workshop & meets one x per week, 75 min class.
*Interested Pilates Circuit Training students must first complete ten private sessions or have taken the Sustainable Bodies/Sustainable Minds Workshop or be entering a beginning group.

Sustainable Bodies, Sustainable Minds * 10 Week Workshop

Explore how you, too, can move from pain, inactivity, depression, resistance to life’s joy, poor posture into a new understanding of how your body-mind-spirit connection is easily re-trained from old, limiting habits into a new freedom of vitality and effortless effort. Apply the content of this 10 week workshop into every part of your life including your physical activities, work, intimate relationships and connection through your five senses to the earth and all its wonders.

Next session Summer 2014.
Space is limited, register early.



"It’s my experience that people who understand and respect their bodies tend to have an open and compassionate perspective on life. My mission, as a writer, teacher and bodyworker, is to help people further that understanding and respect. I believe that becoming more attuned to our physical experience affects the choices we make in relation to ourselves, to our fellow human beings, our environment and to our planet. My mission, then, is to contribute to humanity’s deeper embodiment.

We cannot separate posture from movement or activity from how we stabilize our bodies in order to act. How we stabilize ourselves determines our posture and the freedom, efficiency, and grace with which we move. The essence of posture, then, is the unique way in which each of us negotiates between moving and holding still in relationship to gravity."
~Mary Bond
(author of text used in workshop; The New Rules of Posture, How to Sit, Stand and Move in the Modern World


In their words...
reflections by participants of past workshops:

Post workshop evaluation ?: Has your current physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual lifestyle become any more sustainable over the past 10+ weeks?


“Definitely! No lower back pain!!! Kids tantrums rarely phase me!!” -A.P.

“Have more respect for the connection between the physical and the others - finding out that posture has more and more to do with my outlook on life - much more awareness of physical strong and weak points.” -G.V.

“All of the things listed above have either improved or (been) added to/enhanced by this class! Better focus, confidence, attitude. Improved shoulder flexibility and stronger more flexibility in my back. Considering the political and seasonal climate I’m keeping a positive attitude. Thank you!” P.M.

Post workshop evaluation ?: Did you enjoy attending this workshop? Did this workshop meet or exceed your expectations?

* ”Yes. I didn’t know what to expect. I really liked the experience.” P.M.

* ”Yes. Yes. I have already recommended it to others. Thank you so much for your knowledge, caring.” G.V.

* ”Very Much! Has far exceeded my expectations! I didn’t think it would be life-changing but it really has been. I have told everyone that knows I take this class that I think it should be a requirement in school! It’s something that absolutely everyone would benefit from and would prevent much future pain & suffering!” A.P.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Monona ZBA Approves Composting Toilet

posted by monona alderman Doug wood on mononadoug.blogspot.com


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2008

Monona ZBA Approves Composting Toilet

You may have heard about Monona resident Dianne` Aldrich's efforts to get approval for a composting toilet. The Monona Zoning Board of Appeals approved the use of a composting toilet at its meeting last night.

The Cap Times ran a pretty good story: RETHINKING THE COMMODE

I'm told that NBC's story was somewhat juvenile on-air:
http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/35515204.html

Here is a detailed explanation of the decision from ZBA Chair Chad Speight:

The Monona Zoning Board of Appeals ruled tonight, 3-1, to overturn the interpretation of the building inspector, hereby asserting the right of Monona residents to install composting toilets, in compliance with the Monona Plumbing Code and the Wisconsin Sanitation Codes. Composting toilets are allowed and regulated in WI Chapter Comm. 91, Sanitation. “This chapter establishes minimum standards and criteria for the design, installation, and maintenance of sanitation systems and devices which are alternatives to water-carried waste plumbing fixtures and drain systems so that these sanitation systems are safe and will safeguard public health and the waters of the state.” While the state code clearly allows and regulates composting toilets, the city also has the right to impose more restrictive codes. The particular issue before the ZBA tonight was to determine if the Monona Plumbing Code prohibits the installation and use of a composting toilet. 

Previously, the building inspector had denied an application for installation of a composting toilet, citing Section 15-1-109(d) of the Monona Plumbing Code, which prohibits use of any “outdoor toilet…,cesspool, septic tank, or other contrivance located thereon for collecting and disposing of sewage” The applicant, who was appealing this decision, argued that the composting toilet does not dispose of sewage, but that it “converts by bacterial digestion non-liquid-carried human wastes or organic kitchen wastes, or both, into humus” (Wis Comm. 91.03 (2)). More importantly, and persuasive to the ZBA, the applicant argued that the Monona Plumbing Code does not apply to the composting toilet, since the entire definitions section of the plumbing code ((Sec 15-1-100) talks about the water supply and drainage systems; and the composting toilet is connected to neither system, by design. Thus, the prohibitions in the Monona Plumbing Code were intended to prohibit water-carried waste systems which did not connect to the municipal sewer.

As the chairperson, I explained that I had come to the meeting prepared to uphold the inspector’s decision, and to deny the appeal, because I had agreed that the Monona Plumbing Code seemed to prohibit any “contrivance” that was not connected to the municipal sewage system. Everyone on the board agreed that the Monona Code reflected sentiment from an earlier era when septic systems and outhouses were being replaced by our modern plumbing system. There was no obvious intent in Section 15-1-109 to outlaw composting toilets; but it seemed that the ordinance would need to be changed or updated. However, we also understood that Wisconsin State Codes are always applicable, unless specifically enhanced or restricted by local ordinances. Once the applicant showed that the local plumbing code is focused entirely on water-carried waste systems, then the composting toilet could not be reasonably included or excluded in a section dedicated to regulating water-carried waste. So the applicant will be allowed to install the composting toilet, which is regulated under state code, and will also be monitored by Dane County after proper permits are applied for. 

The Monona Council is still free to impose more restrictive codes on composting toilets, or to clarify the matter in the local plumbing code. I had planned to propose adoption of an ordinance which allows composting toilets, consistent with the standards that have been established by the State of Wisconsin. I will still do this, in part because composting toilets are a great example of the change we need. The recent flooding in Monona caused sewage back-ups into basements, and thousands of gallons of raw sewage were dumped into Lake Monona. If many people used composting toilets regularly, then discharges of raw sewage into Lake Monona would never happen. We all benefit by reducing waste, conserving fresh water, and improving our lake water quality. And just like the sewage system, which has enormous costs and negative consequences, the garbage and yard wastes that we put out to the curb create enormous costs to the taxpayer, with other negative consequences that get passed on to future generations. Reducing wastes, and finding ways to safely turn waste into fertilizer at the source, are important goals that help to make our community more sustainable.


Alderman Chad Speight
ZBA Chairperson

posted by Monona Alderman Doug Wood on MononaDoug.blogspot.com

Monona Zoning Board of Appeals/Composting Toilet Hearing

excerpt from e-mail by Heather Gates to The Natural Step Monona listserve...

To report, Dianné did an amazing job of presenting her case for her composting toilet to the zoning board last night. (A request to appeal, per Section 15-1-152, by Dianné Aldrich, 6020 Kristi Circle, the decision by the Building Inspector to deny the permit application per Section 15-1-109(d) to install a composting toilet in the office studio on her property.)

 

Dianné went through the ordinance, defining basic terms, to show that her intended system was not covered by Monona’s own specific ordinances and was, therefore, covered by the state code:

 

Sec. 15-1-101 Adoption of the State Plumbing Code.

 

The provisions and regulations of the Wisconsin State Plumbing Code, Chapters ILHR 81, ILHR 82 and ILHR 83, Wis. Adm. Code, are hereby made a part of this Chapter by reference as though set forth herein, and together with such additional regulations as may be adopted by the Council, shall extend over and govern the installation of all plumbing installed, altered, or repaired in the City.

 

The state code allows composting toilets. Although two of the three board members (out of four) who voted in favor of Dianné’s interpretation came into the meeting quite skeptical about the merits of her case, she won them over with her critical thinking skills and clear presentation.

Thank you, Dianné, for taking a tough step down a rocky path. You’ve cleared some stones so the rest of us in doing so, and we will travel easier because of you!

Heather

Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground. - Anonymous

Monday, December 8, 2008

Wisconsin Sustainability in Business Conference

For any of you checking out this blog due to the Conference, Welcome!!!  :)
Hope you're having as exciting of a day as I am.

A few thoughts...

*this blog is still in its infancy stage.

*I'm in the process of working with the City of Monona on installing a Sun-Mar Composting toilet into my EcoStudio.  The State of Wisconsin and the County of Dane both have regulation supporting such.  Individual municipalities are often latent in re-writing code to catch up with the technology of the times.  As I progress in this effort my vision is to aid others in similar situations so that Corporate and Residential Wisconsin alike will embrace the idea of composting waste and supporting the effort of Water & Sustainability.

*Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if you're interested in purchasing a composting toilet for your business, home, cottage, boat or poolside cabana!  :)


Wednesday, September 17, 2008

The Natural Step Monona 'Sustainable Future' Event

An e-mail message received from Heather Gates of The Natural Step Monona:

Steppers extraordinaire!

Thank you for all your work in making last night's Sustainable Future event a success.  Planning, baking, toting, greeting, staffing, cleaning, folding, donating, hauling, packing, photographing... you are amazing!

I am so proud of all the Steppers that showed up, giving us a good turnout!  We had seven people sign up for study circles, so that part of the event's mission was successful.

Dianné Aldrich, a summer study circle graduate, won the Stepper door prize.  Since she was the largest contributor to it with a $150 gift certificate to her 4Pillars4Health Eco-Studio (Pilates & body work), she won herself back.  Fitting!

Thank you, so much.  Woof!
Heather

P.S.  I, Dianné Aldrich, highly recommend this study circle for anyone who cares about their impact on their own body, the bodies of those around them and on the body of mother earth and all her inhabitants.  Great people, great fun, great inspiration, great learning experience.

4Pillars4Health Eco-Studio

Four Pillars Pilates & Bodywork is excited to announce that green builders The Blue Heron Group will "break ground" on a new, fully equipped, Pilates-Eco-Studio in October.  With the help of architect extraordinaire, Linda B. Page, a beautiful FSC cedar wood yurt will arrive soon.  The 4Pillars4Health Eco-Studio will be a special place to continue or begin your journey toward integrated health.  Nestled in the beautiful backyard woodland gardens of Dianné's home in Monona this studio, and the meditation gardens surrounding it, will become a place you go for retreat and rejuvenation.  Four Pillars Pilates & Bodywork...exercise for the Mind, Body, Spirit, Self.

Luigi Style Jazz Dance

Train your body utilizing the elegant, sculpting LUIGI JAZZ DANCE TECHNIQUE.  This class is an infusion of fun, friendships, intellectual energy, technique and the styling and musicality of Classic American Jazz Dance.  Join New York City Professional Dancer and Master Teacher Dianné Aldrich for an unforgettable energy make-over!

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Yoga of the Runes

Exercise for the Mind, Body, Spirit, Self.  Runic Yoga is a set of moving postures which include strength and flexibility exercise, breath work, low impact cardio, mantra and meditation and these moving postures are formidable in the balancing of the body, mind and spirit.  Runic Yoga is an integrated practice in order to achieve power, flexibility, relaxation, core strength and connection with the beauty of the world around you.  It is possible to raise your consciousness utilizing this form of physical fitness.