Mind, body and soul

By Stephanie Siegel
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer

SUNDAY, December 9

Because terrorism and recession are weighing people down, a local therapist has started a monthly “Pep Rally for Our Spirits” to pull us out of the doldrums.

“We have the power of choice and the power of change, and that’s our job,” Dr. Jill Kahn told about 70, mostly middle-aged, white women, at this week’s rally at Temple Kol Emeth in east Cobb.

The rally began and ended with folksinger Danny Kahn, Dr. Jill’s husband, singing and playing guitar.

Jan Koplon, a professional matchmaker, asked everyone to stand and hold out their arms to receive love while Danny Kahn played and sang “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?”

“If everyone were in a soulmate relationship, the world would be loving,” she said.  Julia Kahn, 7, passed around a basket of “I Am Loved” pins.

Dynamic motivational speakers Zara Wilson and Phil Parker emphasized the need to take risks and make efforts to build deep and lasting marital relationships.

Dr. Jill herself gives two to three speeches a week.  She tells the stories of at least three audience members in her book, “The Gift of Taking.”  One is her husband, who healed himself of a brain tumor with her help — he saw that feeling trapped in his career had affected his health, and he freed himself by expressing his musical talents, she said.

Dr. Jill also used mind-body techniques and nutritional techniques 11 years ago when her father, Stanley Saul, was diagnosed with lung cancer, she said.  The tumor disappeared.

Her mission is “to help people remember who they really are, how significant all our contributions are,” she said.  Her message: “Fill yourself up first; then you will have more than enough for all.”

Dr. Jill became a chiropractor 20 years ago and since has gravitated to using guided visualizations to help lead patients to abundance and health, she said.  She attended Life University in the early 1980s and sold her South Florida chiropractic practice in 1989 to move here so Danny could study chiropractic, too.  He graduated in 1993 but since has changed careers to sing at parties and restaurants including Houck’s and The Swallow at the Hollow.  Their children Julia and Andy, 11, attend Mount Bethel Elementary School in east Cobb.

Though Dr. Jill is Jewish, her spiritual teaching and therapy are broader, and like the rally, open to all.  “All denominations are coming together for celebrating the power of who we are,” she said.

In this holiday season, Thanksgiving thoughts of gratitude, family and forgiveness build into giving, thinking of loved ones and coming together in celebration, she said.  The new year will be a time for finding closure and affirming goals. “It’s a good time to set intentions,” she said. “Attach your wish to all the love that’s going on, attach your thoughts to the momentum, and then watch your realities manifest.”

The pep rally was born to counter the momentum of fear born Sept. 11, she said.  “We wanted to do something to conquer this fear — terrorism is just the extreme of fear — so that we can feel safe in our own world.  So we’ll do exactly the opposite of fear — love.

“I called my rabbi, Steven Lebow, and he said, ‘If you donate your time, I’ll donate my sanctuary, and let’s see if we can start something that leads to spirit rallies all over the world.’”

The first rally last month attracted about 50 people “all sharing, cheering and rallying for the power of our spirit,” said Dr. Jill.  Speakers included Mardeene Mitchell of Vinings, co-author of Dr. Jill’s book, which has sold more than 2,500 copies since its August release.

They hope their listeners will be uplifted and rejuvenated, “walking away feeling their worth, feeling truly connected to your purpose and ready to show up in life, bigger and better than before.”

The next Pep Rally for Your Spirit will 7 p.m. Jan. 8, at Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road at Sewell Mill Road.  Expected speakers include Bonnie Ross-Parker of www.eWomenNetwork.com.