Ancient Hawaiian practice to be demonstrated at UCCS

Ancient Hawaiian practice to be demonstrated at UCCS

Relief from the danger of high blood pressure doesn’t have to come in the form of a pill, according to a new assistant professor at UCCS.

Instead, Kikikipa Kretzer, assistant professor, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, believes an ancient Hawaiian stress reduction technique can have positive effects on individuals who suffer from hypertension and other stress-related disorders.

The technique, Self I-dentity through Ho’oponopono, is Kretzer’s research focus as she attempts to explain why the technique works and to document its affects in controlled studies.

“This is an approach to develop a better working relationship among the conscious mind, the subconscious, and the super-conscious to allow individuals to understand themselves better,” Kretzer said. “The more the mind, body and spirit work together, the more the individual will release sources of stress and tension and conflicts that may affect health.”

Kretzer, who began her research with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will bring the technique to the mainland Saturday in a 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. workshop. The workshop will feature Ihaleakala Hew Len, chairman emeritus, of the Hawaii-based Foundation of I, Inc., Freedom of the Cosmos. Hew Len and Kretzer will provide an overview of the techniques of Ho’oponopono as well as Kretzer’s research, including publication in the autumn 2007 edition of the journal Ethnicity and Disease.

Hew Len has taught classes on Self I-dentity through Ho’oponopono since 1982 and earned degrees at the University of Colorado, the University of Utah, and the University of Iowa. Kretzer earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a master’s from Georgetown University. She is certified as an advanced practice nurse.

The class fee is $225 per adult, $100 for children under 14. To register, contact Deidre Green, administrative assistant, Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences, (719) 262-4486, or dgreen@uccs.edu. Additional information about Ho’oponopono is available at http://www.hooponoponotheamericas.org/index.htm.

-- Tom Hutton