Integrative InSight: Facilitating Unique Meditation Opportunities in Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Ventura, CA.
Meditation: to contemplate; to focus one's thoughts; to reflect on, or to ponder over. These are actions that everyone is capable of doing, but how often do you allow yourself to break from your routine and "smell" the roses ... not just with your nose, but using all of your senses? Meditation comes in a myriad of forms. Being a type A, always-on-the-go, self-
employed, corporate management consultant with a family history of heart disease, "Try meditation" was a recommendation frequently suggested to me by my doctors, but one that I was convinced that I could not follow. The word itself brought to mind an image of a blissful Buddha ... sitting cross-legged ... experiencing the complete absence of thoughts ... promptly followed by my internal voice saying, "Who me? Yeah, right!" Sound familiar? What a shock when I learned that meditation can be done anywhere, in any position, at any time ... even in line at the post office!
There was a time when I felt mired in routine, knowing something needed to change, but running myself in circles unable to fully evaluate my options. It was only by quieting down that I could recognize my own insights that would allow me to transform my life. This is what Yoga Therapy has taught me to do – how to tune into my powerful body-mind connection as a reliable source of information about me and my choices. Only later did I realize that what I did for myself was in fact a meditation - albeit, not in a traditional way.
Much to my surprise, everywhere I look, I now find meditations ... in other words, opportunities to focus, contemplate, and grow. Meditations can have many moods: from edgy to blissful, from peaceful to energizing. Meditations uplift me spiritually, but also help me with life's physical challenges: insomnia, pain, the ever-racing mind, and physical relaxation. Meditations help my personal growth:
by focusing light on things I have always assumed could not change; by giving me insights into how to change; by helping me realize when I am reacting out of habit, rather than mindful consideration. Meditations stop me in my tracks and allow me to simply appreciate. As I now like to say, "meditation helps me to notice the subtleties".
I created Integrative InSight so that I can share my insights into yoga therapy and meditation with you ... so that you too can "Clear Your Mind of Clutter ... Create Room for InSight." My vision for my service is simple ... Integrative InSight sparks transformation by facilitating unique meditations that encourage you to step outside of the confines of labels, expectations and routine. I create the options - it is up to you to decide whether you want to take the step to try things that others describe as "out of (your) box", "beyond expectations", "beyond words". Some of these options are complimentary, while others are offered as paid services. I encourage you to explore these options, because words don't do justice to the experiences. If you find something that intrigues you, please RSVP (for complimentary events) or register on-line (for courses and workshops).
Experience Meditation - Private Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy sessions, private Thai Yoga Therapy sessions, Downloads, and Group Workshops which encourage you to let go of your perceptions of what meditation "is and isn't". Imagine the huge sigh of release in your back and shoulders as you are gently, but firmly stretched in a private yoga therapy session as depicted in the photo to the right. Rather than learning techniques, you will be guided through unique processes that enable you to quiet down ... mentally and physically ... focus inward ... and simply experience meditation.
Learn Meditation– Courses, Workshops, Downloads, and Articles where you can learn, practice, and experience concepts that can transform your life.
Share Meditation – Community Gatherings where the simple act of coming together and sharing meditation results in new, meaningful connections.
Integrative InSight is based in Camarillo, CA and offers programs throughout Ventura County from Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village to Ventura. I am Ventura County's only Meditation Facilitator – a title 
that I chose because I facilitate techniques that allow you to easily experience meditation for yourself. For those for whom distance is an obstacle, I offer a myriad of ways to share what I have learned. Please visit my Audio Downloads, Articles & Research for information authored by me and others, My Personal Influences for books that I find intriguing or the respective Discussion Groups pages for the questions that I prepared that formed the basis of our discussions.
Celebrate with me! In August 2010, I became a best selling author as my collaborative effort with 48 other women, Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories from Inspiring Women, made it to the top of Amazon's lists. This book makes a wonderful addition to book clubs and as a holiday gift. Click here to purchase your copy. No, you won't see my name on the cover as I did not compile the book, but rest assured that you'll find my name next to chapter 2, Say Yes to Me. Click here for a special heart-felt thank you gift from me to you.
Welcome to my InSights. I hope you find something that intrigues you or supports you ... something that encourages you to focus, contemplate and grow.
Sincerely, Meenal Kelkar, MBA, RYT, CPRYT, CTYT
Updated - September 2010
Recent Press & Publications:
Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories from Inspiring Women - thank you for your support in making this book #1 on the Movers & Shakers list and #3 on the Motivational list! Look for my chapter, Say Yes To Me. Click here for a heart-felt Thank You gift from me to you for buying my book.
Breathe Deep and Release Stress At Free Workshop, The Acorn, September 10, 2009
April 20, 2009 Press Release: National Advertising Campaign Features Loc
al Yoga Therapist
Written by Meenal for the Ventura County chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist newsletter: A Modern Perspective on Meditation (VC-CAMFT, The Ventura County Communicator, March - April 2009)
Insight into calm, by Alicia Doyle, (The Ventura County Star, October 10, 2008)
Yoga Therapy Articles:
- Yoga Therapy and The Mind-Body Connection Part 1, by Timothy McCall, MD (Yoga Journal on-line)
- Yoga for Psychological and Emotional Problems, by Timothy McCall, MD (Yoga Journal on-line)
- Yoga to Cultivate Compassion, Gratitude and Joy Part 1, by Timothy McCall, MD (Yoga Journal on-line)
- Yoga to Cultivate Compassion, Gratitude and Joy Part 2, by Timothy McCall, MD (Yoga Journal on-line)
- Financial Support for Yoga Therapy: A Montage of Possibilities by John Kepner, et. al. (International Journal of Yoga Therapy, Vol 13, 2003) - this article summarizes a legal analysis commissioned by the International Association of Yoga Therapists and explains ways that health insurance will accept yoga therapy as a valid expense. I am a proud member of this association, which advocates standards of excellence, supports research and education, and takes steps to bring yoga therapy into the mainstream.
Articles in major news sources about meditation and yoga therapy:
- Body+Soul Magazine - Master The Mind Body Connection, by Frances Lefkowitz (September 2009)
- Body+Soul Magazine - How to Break A Habit, by Terri Trespicio (September 2009)
- CNN - For Stress Reduction, Just Say Ommm, by Judy Fortin (published 2009)
- Time Magazine - Psychotherapy Goes From Couch to Yoga Mat, by Alana B. Elias Kornfield (published April 14, 2009)
- Time Magazine - Biology of Belief, by Jeffrey Kluger (published February 12, 2009)
- Whole Life Times - Off the Couch and Onto the Mat, by Joelle Hann, (published November 2008)
- Washington Post - Lifestyle Changes Affect Cancer Genes by Serena Gordon (published June 17, 2008) - Results from a newly published study that show how a combination of diet change, moderate exercise, and meditation techniques positively affect genes that fight cancer, and turn off genes that promote cancer development.
- CNN - Thai Massage: 'The Lazy Man's Yoga' by Stephanie Smith (published June 28, 2003)
- The New York Times - The Yoga Therapist Will See You Now by Nora Isaacs (published May 10, 2007