Growing Together: A Panel Discussion on Family-Centered Wellness
Feb 04, 2025 | by Merrill Page, Naomi Dicus, and Marisa Toriggino, Moderated by Yuliya Patsay Part of The New Village School Workshop Series
On a lively evening at The New Village School, parents, educators, and health enthusiasts gathered for an enriching workshop titled “Growing Together: A Panel Discussion on Family-Centered Wellness.” Hosted by the school’s own Yuliya Patsay (parent & board member) - who introduced the event with warmth and humor - this second gathering in the school’s new workshop series aimed to explore practical, meaningful ways for families to cultivate well-being in daily life.
Three experts from diverse yet complementary fields shared the spotlight:
Naomi Dicus, a Functional Medicine practitioner
Merrill Page, a Craniosacral Therapist and Integrative Bodyworker
Marisa Toriggino, an Ayurvedic specialist and yoga practitioner
Each speaker offered insights grounded in personal stories, professional expertise, and a shared belief that genuine health involves the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—within the context of the family.
Below is a look at the key themes, practical tips, and memorable moments that emerged from this heartwarming and highly informative discussion. If you'd like to watch a video of the event click here, apologies for the fan in the background!
Why Family-Centered Wellness?
In her opening remarks, Yuliya Patsay explained the motivation behind hosting a wellness-focused panel:
Community Connection – The New Village School values not just academic growth but also the nurturing of a supportive, health-oriented community.
Practical Insights – With so much conflicting advice on social media and in parenting magazines, parents crave trustworthy, experience-based guidance.
Holistic Perspective – By featuring professionals from different modalities, families could gain a nuanced understanding of how to integrate multiple approaches to health.
It set the tone for an evening where science, tradition, and hands-on practice converged.
Meet the Panelists
1. Naomi Dicus – Functional Medicine
Background & Inspiration
Naomi recounted her childhood experience of watching her mother’s health decline under a growing list of prescription medications. Troubled by the idea that each new drug addressed only a symptom rather than the underlying issue, Naomi pursued nutrition studies and eventually found her calling in Functional Medicine—sometimes called root cause medicine.
Core Principles
Whole Food Emphasis: Naomi stressed the importance of minimizing processed foods and sugars, likening sugar consumption to “putting the wrong fuel in your car.” She encouraged families to opt for colorful, nutrient-dense produce and “nature’s carbs,” such as fruits and vegetables.
Gut Health: According to Naomi, “most modern chronic ailments begin in the gut,” including allergies, ADHD, and autoimmune issues. She recommended being mindful of gluten sources, explaining how GMO and chemically treated wheat in the U.S. can disrupt gut flora.
Practical Tips:
Involve kids in shopping: Let them pick out vegetables at the farmers’ market.
Explore healthier sweeteners: Choose coconut sugar, date syrup, or monk fruit in moderation.
Consider good-quality probiotics: Particularly after antibiotic use, re-inoculating the gut can help maintain robust immunity.
2. Merrill Page – Craniosacral Therapy & Bodywork
Background & Inspiration
Merrill’s journey began unexpectedly, as her grandfather (a traditionally minded man) introduced her to craniosacral therapy when she was just 18. One session was enough for her to realize that subtle, hands-on techniques can profoundly influence alignment, fluid balance, and the nervous system.
Core Principles
Energetic Alignment: Craniosacral therapy goes beyond skeletal or muscular manipulation; it involves light touch that harnesses the body’s natural fluids to release tension.
Whole-Body Connection: Merrill emphasized, “No matter what you eat, if your energetic components aren’t resolved, physical symptoms can persist.” She advocated combining good nutrition with bodywork that eases emotional and energetic blockages.
Practical Tips:
Bedtime Routines: Merrill highlighted “story time” with children, gently lamenting that modern family life often loses these warm traditions. She called bedtime rituals “the sweetest memories” a family can create.
Self-Care & Rest: Encouraged parents to set aside quiet time, stay off screens late at night, and prioritize winding down with practices like gentle movement or reading.
3. Marisa Toriggino – Ayurveda & Yoga
Background & Inspiration
Marisa’s journey began with a curiosity for how yoga and consciousness practices shift one’s state of mind. A personal experience with cancer deepened her interest, leading her into intensive study of Ayurveda. She found that its centuries-old principles—rooted in India—offered structured yet flexible lifestyle solutions, especially suited to family life.
Core Principles
Five Elements & Doshas: Ayurveda teaches that everything in the universe is composed of five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether. These combine into three “doshas” (vata, pitta, and kapha), which inform individual constitutions and guide personalized health routines.
Daily & Seasonal Routines: Marisa noted that “small, consistent habits can reshape your health,” whether it’s drinking warm water with lemon in the morning or winding down with herbal teas in the evening.
Practical Tips:
Kitchari as a Nourishing Staple: She brought a homemade batch of this classic rice-and-lentil dish for the audience, explaining it’s easy to digest and can be made “porridgy or soup-like” to taste.
Easy Detox Measures: Suggesting “mono-diet” days of kitchari instead of harsh fasts, and simple steps like tongue scraping each morning to remove toxins.
Homemade Electrolyte Drinks & Magnesium Foot Baths: Mix water, lemon, salt, and a little natural sweetener—or soak tired feet in Epsom salts for a soothing bedtime ritual.
Highlights from the Discussion
Sugar & Inflammation
Multiple audience members asked about practical ways to cut down on sugar without losing flavor. Naomi recommended exploring lower-glycemic sweeteners and focusing on whole fruits for sweetness, while Marisa mentioned the gentle sweetness in Ayurvedic recipes that rely on herbs and spices.Gluten & GMO Concerns
Attendees asked how to navigate bread products, especially given kids’ love for sandwiches and pasta. Naomi and Marisa suggested high-quality sourdough or non-GMO sources, and noted many people react differently to European wheat versus American wheat due to less processing and fewer chemicals abroad.Bedtime & Self-Care
Merrill reminded parents that children thrive on consistent sleep schedules and calming rituals—like reading aloud or sharing stories—that foster closeness. She also gently nudged parents to find their own moments of “unplugged” self-care, without guilt.Fasting, Ayurveda, and Functional Medicine
While extended fasting has gained popularity, Naomi emphasized caution and recommended medical supervision for fasts beyond 15 hours. Marisa offered an Ayurvedic perspective: gentle cleansing with kitchari or short “mono-diets” can be more suited to certain body types, particularly young children or those with chronic health issues.Intergenerational Trauma & Emotional Well-Being
Another key insight was that trauma, including inherited trauma, can manifest physically. Merrill cited the connection between emotional healing and the body’s resilience. Several attendees shared personal stories of stress-related conditions improving when energetic or ancestral factors were addressed.Laughter & Joy
Amid the serious topics, Yuliya injected humor—joking about her new foray into stand-up comedy and urging everyone to remember that “simply having more fun” can be a surprisingly potent health boost, whether through creative hobbies, family dance parties, or candid conversations that spark laughter.
Key Takeaways:
Go Back to Basics: Focus on unprocessed foods, sufficient sleep, and consistent daily routines.
Small Changes = Big Impact: Try a magnesium foot bath, cut down on sugary snacks, or add a bedtime story ritual. Even simple shifts can yield meaningful improvements.
Honor Individual Differences: Family health is never one-size-fits-all. Each body has unique needs, which may change over time or with life circumstances.
Holistic Mindset: True wellness blends physical, emotional, and energetic components. Consider how relationships, prayer or meditation, and mindful bodywork can support your overall vitality.
Final Reflections:
As the evening wrapped up, a warm sense of community and possibility filled the room. The panelists’ perspectives—from the tangible (food choices, bedtime routines) to the more subtle (craniosacral alignment, energetic healing)—wove together into one clear message: genuine family wellness emerges when we support the whole person, honor life’s rhythms, and nurture loving, consistent connections.
For those who attended, it felt like a reminder that today’s hectic world doesn’t have to overshadow simple, grounding practices. Whether it’s stirring a pot of kitchari for dinner, swapping sugary breakfast pastries for fruit bowls, or tucking in children with a quiet story, families can build rituals that keep body, mind, and spirit nourished.
“Growing Together” indeed captured the heart of the event—togetherness in learning, in healthy habits, and in moments of joy that tie families and communities closer.
Resources:
Magnesium Foot Baths & How to Make Kitcheree (Recipe).pdf