“Why Shamanism Now?” Focuses on “Shamanic Advances in Mental Health in England” on September 2

Streaming live on the Voice America Network (www.voiceamerica.com) on Wednesday, September 2 at 2 pm Pacific time/5 pm Eastern time, on the show "Why Shamanism Now?", Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing founder Christina Pratt talks to special guests Howard and Elsa Malpas, about their work as healers, teachers, and shamanic practitioners in Glastonbury, England, opening a window to shamanism is received in the UK.

According to the Malpas, “We know we have a Warrior in our Heart when we start to seek for the truth, and desire to open our hearts to ourselves and others.” Their Warrior in The Heart Workshops, offered since 1994, are self-awareness and self-empowerment trainings. Drawing from many ancient cultures, the Malpas assist students in finding their true nature and purpose in life. They also work as therapists and healers. Since last July they have been taking drums into the hospital where they work and offering a shamanic journey evening for patients in a psychiatric ward. The Malpas talk about how the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and in some cases profound. They also share with listeners another healing passion: their work with Soul Regeneration, which they evolved as a different way of working with patients with mental health problems in particular.

Christina Pratt is an authentic, non-traditional contemporary shaman. In practice since 1990, she specializes in mending the soul and transforming the parts of life that feel impossible. A teacher of exceptional clarity, humor, and inspiration, Pratt brings the power of shamanism into the practical grasp of anyone willing to take responsibility for improving the quality of their life. Her well-received book, An Encyclopedia of Shamanism (Rosen), is an 800 page, two-volume set with over 750 in-depth entries that clearly discuss the basic concepts of shamanism, methods, and traditions of over 50 different shamanic peoples. Pratt is the founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing in Portland, OR, and New York, NY, creator of the original Foundations of Shamanism and Shamanic Healing course at the University of Minnesota, and a frequent and honored speaker for the American Holistic Medical Association.

Howard and Elsa Malpas have been studying and practicing shamanism since 1983. Initiation into the way of the Shaman began for Elsa with total paralysis following polio at 11 years of age. She had a near death experience at this time. For 3 years she was in a wheelchair unable to walk. Gradually, with the help of guides and teachers from spirit, she managed to walk and overcome many other obstacles. These years of struggle have given her a compassion for all people and a desire to work with those who need support and help. Howard was born in China. His opening began as a 9 year old sent to a school in Ireland. The school was organized by his first Shamanic teacher, and there Howard was opened to his passion for nature and everything natural. Since 1994, Howard and Elsa have been facilitating Warrior in the Heart workshops. They will be presenting at the sold-out UK Society for Shamanic Practioners conference in September. Having discovered a passion for living through shamanism, they simply want to share what they know, and help others to empower themselves.

"Why Shamanism Now?", a live internet talk radio with host Christina Pratt, airs every Wednesday afternoon at 2-3:00 pm Pacific time/5–6 p.m. Eastern time on http://www.modavox.com/7thwavenetwork/. Prior episodes from "Why Shamanism Now" can be downloaded for free from the iTunes library (www.iTunes.com). Some of Pratt’s teachings and interviews are also posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXEjkOzkkTo, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4MxA4Pb3Gw, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKSfs3dj_QM.

For more information on Christina Pratt, the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing, and workshops and classes with Pratt, or to order An Encyclopedia of Shamanism at a special discounted rate, visit www.lastmaskcenter.org. For additional information or to arrange an interview with Pratt, please contact Linda Woznicki, 845-417-8811, lwoz@frontiernet.net.