Milestone 1 - I've finally added photos to my site.  As you navigate the Experience section of my site, you'll have a visual sense of the experience of supported stretches.  If you see anything that incites a "I couldn't do that" reaction, know that all stretches can be adapted to a chair or standing position and none are mandatory. In fact, the first testimonial was provided by an active, vibrant client, who you would never guess had shoulder replacement surgery.

This is why I love doing these sessions ... they allow me to connect with who you are, not who you appear to be.  As demonstrated by these testimonials, clients receive benefits on three levels: purely physical, integrated mind-body, or the subtle energetic level - the more you relax, the deeper you receive.

2 hour Thai Yoga Therapy:

• "My neck pain was significantly reduced. ... Even the next day, I felt relief.  I really appreciated how careful and attentive you were to my shoulder."
• "I got to go inward, feel my entire system responding to the work. ... I felt balanced and more whole."
  

1.5 hour Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy:

• "It was a mind-opening exercise that left me with a physical, as well as mental well-being."
• "What I got was the realization that I hold the power to move from a state of stress to a state of calm."

Curious about the difference between the two types of Yoga Therapy? Find out more at Yoga Therapy Sessions - Frequently Asked Questions.

Milestone 2 - With your help, I've completed half of the required sessions for my intermediate Thai Yoga Therapy certification.  Those who are willing to help me complete the remainder by the end of the summer will continue to benefit from the special discount ... 2 hour session for only $75!

Call me at 805-504-6640 to schedule a session.

 

This book by Sue Bender captured my attention from both the title and with her quote that prefaces the Prologue: 'Writing is my way to discover what my soul is trying to tell me'. It is a collection of short tales that vividly describe how chance occurrences or comments in Bender's life transformed themselves into life-changing insights. The key is noticing the signals, paying attention to them, and then being open to resulting change. Or as I like to say it 'focus, contemplate and grow'.

As always, this is free and open to the community. You'll have a chance to share laughter, wisdom, connection and a unique opportunity to reflect on those passages that moved you. Join me in July on 5 consecutive Wednesdays for a lively, engaging discussion. We'll discuss the book as follows:

SPECIAL NOTES:

1. This book is out of print.  You can order it through Amazon used books or ABEbooks.  I used ABEbooks for the first time and they were quick and reliable.
2. Even if you don't get the book by our first meeting, please come.  I always provide a handout with selected passages from the reading that I found thought-provoking as a starting point for dialogue.
   
3. For those of you who came to Eat, Pray, Love, note the different location at the Camarillo Methodist Church.  Click here for detailed directions.

Price: Free , but please RSVP so I can gauge the number of handouts I'll need.

 

The media, the education system and the insurance industry are 3 infrastructures that share these characteristics: they provide information to the consumer; and they are intended to cross all demographics. Acceptance by one or more of these infrastructures is a powerful indication that something "new" (or in this case "been around for centuries in the East, but not in the West") has passed a level of scrutiny for disbursement into mainstream America. 

Did you know that yoga therapy and meditation have been accepted by the media and insurance infrastructures?  Here is a sampling of articles, chosen in part because they were published by renowned media outlets, that should lend credence to my personal perspective about these modalities.

• Lifestyle Changes Affect Cancer Genes by Serena Gordon (Washington Post, June 17, 2008) - A newly published study shows how a combination of diet change, moderate exercise, and stress reduction techniques (the latter are covered in my 6 week course) positively affect genes that fight cancer, and turn off genes that promote cancer development.  Did anyone else say "Wow!"?
  
• Thai Massage: 'The Lazy Man's Yoga' by Stephanie Smith (CNN, June 28, 2003)
• The Yoga Therapist Will See You Now by Nora Isaacs (The New York Times, May 10, 2007)
• 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 to assess whether yoga therapy is a valid health insurance expense (the answer is "yes" if certain criteria are met).

So as yoga therapy and meditation gain mainstream acceptance, what's stopping you from utilizing tools from these ancient modalities to transform your life?