Adawehi Institute: A Place for Living and Healing

It has been said that the names of half the rivers in America were inspired by Native American words.

The word Adawehi (Ah-dah-way-hee) in the Cherokee language means “The Spirit of Healing.”

Adawehi is a place where people come to relax, shop, eat, play, attend classes and workshops, commune with nature, and see holistic health practitioners. The campus is nestled on 125 acres of forested land that was developed with great care and stewardship.

While driving past Adawehi, one actually has to look intently for some of the houses to come into view. However, a single walk on the campus has been known to lift one’s spiritual awareness as-well-as their appreciation of nature. The environment is one where people are continually reminded to live in synergy with nature and each other. This is how Jackie Woods, spiritual growth teacher, author, and founder of this Columbus, NC campus community, describes the work of Adawehi Institute and Healing Center.

One would ask, how did Adawehi come to be? The goal of “Empowering your heart for extraordinary living” was born when Woods decided to move to Polk County in 1998. With intuitive guidance, she and her husband Rodney Booth and a few dedicated students birthed a community that has now grown up to become a village.

“The mission at Adawehi is to raise the consciousness of the planet by supporting personal growth for students in discovering who they are as ‘heart beings.’ As individuals discover and uncover their true essence, their light radiates out to touch others. These ripples of light cancel out the fear and the division in our planetary consciousness, and replace them with love and acceptance for all humankind,” said Woods.

Personal growth classes, audio resources, and books are available, as well as an exercise facility, a video rental shop, gifts, Beneficial Foods (a healthy, earth-friendly grocery store on campus), and a bed and breakfast. The commercial kitchen in Beneficial Foods keeps the store supplied with fresh-baked spelt breads (with lower gluten content), deli sandwiches, numerous food entrees, and all manner of delectable artisan chocolates.

The land includes plant preserves as well as planned and natural gardens. The vegetable gardens supply biodynamic produce for the residents and for the public as well. Patrons of Beneficial Foods enjoy fresh produce from the Adawehi Gardens. Off-season production is boosted through the use of two large greenhouses that were erected by the residents. Specialty produce such as long-neck garlic and Shiitake mushrooms are favorites of urban chefs in nearby cities and towns.

The Institute also offers health support classes of Yoga, Tai Chi, healthy cooking, and drumming to add extra support to the body/spirit connection. There are nine practitioners on campus who see clients by appointment. Their areas of expertise include therapeutic nutrition, massage, chiropractic, acupressure, colon hydrotherapy, music and imagery, and relationship counseling. The campus is open to the public with all of these community services and activities fully accessible, including events such as a monthly Gourmet Dinner.

In addition, Adawehi is home for about 50 people. Along with other dedicated students who live nearby or travel some distance to share this lifestyle, there are residents in ten community homes on the campus. Students are dedicated to raising their consciousness around health and healing, with special attention to the health of four areas—the mind, body, spirit, and emotions.

There are singles, young and old; and there are families, some with children who attend local public schools, or are in college. Most of the adults work off campus, and everyone pitches in to care for their homes, the resident buildings and grounds.

The online presence of Adawehi Institute includes personal growth students in a variety of classes, as well as those who are completing continuing education classes for massage therapy, music therapy or counseling.

For more about Adawehi, visit www.adawehi.com or www.jackiewoods.org.