News & Photos

A few glimpses of the AM Wellness Center & its history up to now:

History up to the Present

Since 1971 Dada Dharmavedananda has been teaching yoga & natural health all over the world. It was in Taichung, Taiwan in 1995 that Dada opened his first two natural therapy centers, with the specialized approach of  treating all three levels of being -- body, mind and soul. His third project was an in-patient center, on a farm in South Korea. These small but effective projects provided the experience needed to finally start the present full-fledged global model center in Cebu, Philippines.

Over 1000 of Dada's patients and students donated for the construction, which took 2 years. During this period the staff underwent invaluable training. By October 2005, the Wellness Center was beautifully built and fully operational.

News since Opening

In the Center we call them students, not patients, because they have come not merely to become cured but also especially to learn how to be healthy for the rest of their lives. They came for many reasons, with many problems including: sinusitis ... general anxiety ... arthritis ... severe skin trouble ... overweight ... diabetes ... cysts & tumors ... blood pressure ... cancer ... heart trouble ... high cholesterol ... menstrual problems ... liver & gall bladder problems ... chronic headaches ... insomnia ... asthma ... anemia ... and many others.

Everybody benefited enormously, and large numbers were completely cured. A high percentage of these cures happened to people who normal doctors consider to be incurable, and who, at best, are believed to require maintenance-medicine for the rest of their lives. Of course "cure" does not imply that one will remain healthy if the the body is abused however one likes.

After opening we continued to add more elements to the Center. New therapies included a massage- bubble-bath which is better than a Jacuzzi ... sun & oil treatment ... aerobic dance ... art & music therapy ... daily cooking classes ... and easy-going croquet & other games on our green-grass lawn. We are now planning a Children's Theatre to involve our students with the laughter and intelligence of the neighborhood children.

Inside we added more beautiful custom-made furniture. Landscaping developments included a fountain in the middle of the garden pond ... a walk-way ... an outdoor ramp ... and numerous plants and small trees .

We now have 8 full-time staff, and several part-time volunteers. Plus, students have guidance as needed from Dr. Paredes, who we consider to be Cebu's best doctor. Dr. Paredes' electric-acupuncture diagnostic machine often surprised our students by pointing out unexpected toxification or defects in one or another of their organs. Usually the normal methods of natural therapy were enough to generate a cure, but occasionally we also did needed Dr. Paredes to prescribe a herbal or homeopathic medicine.

Staff showing-off in their shnazzy uniforms

A little ecstasy in the aroma-therapy bubble-bath with 300 jets of water

Students come from all ages and all walks of life with all sorts of individual needs. We all enjoy eating together. The dining hall & all rooms are equipped with custom-made furniture.

Systems of sunbathing are important to follow. Done correctly, it's excellent for relieving pain, eliminating disease, or increasing strength. Depending on one's condition, various approaches include the appropriate time of day, full sunbath, exposure of only specific body parts, use of oil massage, use of water massage, cooling every 10 minutes or every 15 minutes, and so on.

Some jolly staff & students.

An example of art therapy. This is called a mandala. Made from many types of seeds which we have saved from our breakfasts!

Our unique Super Herbal Detox, superior to the world's leading colon cleansing herbal products, which not only absorbs toxins from your digestive system, but also from your entire body -- and is vital for getting a new start on your life. Everyone who used it was successful to do at least a five-day juice and herbs fast. And many fasted much longer, as the herbs not only cleanse but also satisfy most of one's hunger.

Another view of the dome.

Frank and Jazmyn, with visiting daughters, were among our first students during the 5-week experimental period. This bedroom is one of six, each having two beds and an attached bathroom. (Another larger bedroom is for subsidized students.) Due to arthritis, Frank could not stand or walk unassisted before coming to the Wellness Center. You should see him smiling and speeding down the hallway now!

For both exercise and recreation, we play games according to the capacity of each student. Some play volleyball, some badminton. And almost everyone enjoys playing croquet on our bermuda grass lawn.

In-house twice-a-day exercise class in the program hall. It's big enough for 40 to 50 people to practice meditation. This is also a nice shot of our staff.

Our first two students, Jharna and Ecki from Germany, with therapist Mainjuri on a beach outing.

Conveniently having a steambath in a customized coat, loosing lots of toxins and unwanted weight.

One perspective of the unique bronze-like sculpture covering the walls of the ground-floor innermost circle room. Though renown artist Jayakrishna could have charged thousands of dollars, for us it was free.

Full mud pack. Except for mud, all other treatments either detox or strengthen. Only mud does both simultaneously -- absorbing toxins and attracting healing blood.

Specific body-part mud packs. In this case the student's problems are localized in the internal organs around the abdomen, and lower leg pain.

Cooking claasses are available daily for those who want to continue making similar food in their homes.

Students, staff and volunteers on one of our frequent outings.

At Kawasan Falls, which has 10 water falls like this one.

In some way the Wellness Center also looks like a hotel.

The top of the dome. The screen allows hot air to pass out. Electric light illuminates the colors in nighttime.

A front view. The building is surprisingly larger than it looks. Can you imagine that it has 22 rooms and 16 bathrooms?

The tower holding the water tank, water pump, & generator. The ground-water is good quality. Plus, before reaching the drinking water taps in the building, it passes through an excellent filtering system.

Meanwhile yoga classes go on well downtown at our Yoga Center in Cebu City.