UZIT Weekend: Yoga Philosophy with Richard Freeman & Mary Taylor

Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 05:52 Written by Ali Schechter Monday, 23 January 2012 04:19

The tenth weekend of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapist program convened this weekend for yoga philosophy with Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor. Both longtime practitioners of the Ashtanga Yoga system taught by the late Pattabhi Jois, these teachers offered a wealth of knowledge and presence.

Each day began with a two-hour physical practice, a vigorous flow of yoga poses intended to yoke the mind to the breath, or even more essentially: to the present moment. Richard and Mary would alternate, seamlessly jumping in where the other left off, leading us through a well-rounded arc of asana.

Richard talked a lot this weekend about the importance of balancing the prana and apana patterns. Prana is the energy of the inhale, an uplifted, expansive energy; while apana is the energy of the exhale, a grounding, settling force. “The pose begins,” Richard said, “when the patterns of both prana and apana are awakened.” Once established in each posture, we were encouraged to trust the intelligence of the breath and watch our bodies–each inhale and exhale arriving, and informing, again and again.

The Voice of A UZIT Student: Reflections on the Program

Last Updated on Monday, 12 December 2011 06:26 Written by Urban Zen Monday, 12 December 2011 05:24

by Kara Dake, student of the 2011 Urban Zen Intergrative Therapy Program

This past weekend at Urban Zen was about the deepening and integration of our skills. We were lucky to have our teachers in all of the modalities – yoga, aromatherapy, meditation, and Reiki – with us to close out the year and prepare us as we go out into the world in 2012.

The weekend was opened with meditations led by Chodo & Koshin, the two beautiful monks from the Zen Center for Contemplative Care. They have been with us from the beginning of our journey as UZIT students, and in this weekend of deepening and integration, they taught us that as care givers we need go beyond empathy for our patients. We need to live in the moment so as to be fully present for our patients and for ourselves.

The Journey of the UZIT Program

Last Updated on Wednesday, 7 December 2011 09:10 Written by Urban Zen Wednesday, 7 December 2011 09:10

We could not be more excited about the continuing evolution of our Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program. Bringing our program to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center has been a synergistic collaboration and represents a huge step forward on our journey toward shifting the healthcare paradigm.

We invite you to watch this video and learn more about the journey of the UZIT Program:

WHAT IS ESSENTIAL OIL THERAPY?

Last Updated on Friday, 4 February 2011 11:23 Written by Vincent Friday, 4 February 2011 11:10

Essential Oil therapy is the inhalation and topical application of essential oils. Pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are extracted from many parts of the aromatic plants including the flower, leaf, resin, bark, root, twig, seed, berry and rind. Often referred to as “nature’s living energy,” essential oils not only determine the plant’s aroma, but are vital for the plant to grow, live, evolve and adapt to its environment. Essential oils also help defend plants from insects, environmental conditions and disease. Today, research has shown that when used aromatically, topically and internally, essential oils can calm, energize, balance, purify and rejuvenate the mind and body.

It is in the last 30 years that Western medicine started recognizing this ancient healing art as an alternative and complementary therapy to traditional treatment regimens. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, in the US, essential oil therapy is more than a $1 billion industry with interest that is widespread and expanding. In fact, there are a number of mainstream medical doctors who practice essential oil therapy in Europe and most health insurance companies cover reimbursement for treatments.

WHAT IS THE ESSENTIAL OIL THERAPY COMPONENT OF THE 500-HOUR UZIT PROGRAM?

Last Updated on Friday, 4 February 2011 11:35 Written by Vincent Friday, 4 February 2011 10:45

The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program and Young Living Essential Oils require 50 hours of integrative essential oil therapy training. Offering very basic levels of instruction, this curriculum will allow you to safely and effectively use essential oils to enhance your quality of life, to support the quality of patient care-giving practices and to incorporate the use of essential oils in your home. UZIT levels of instruction will include:

• - The history of the ancient healing art of essential oil therapy
• - A broad introduction to essential oils as it pertains to the PANIC model of self-care and care-giving
• - A hands-on approach to essential oil application
• - Basic training for integrating essential oil therapy in hospitals and healthcare settings
• - How to use essential oil therapy to support the integration of UZIT modalities of healing including yoga therapy, Reiki and nutrition as well as therapeutic touch and palliative care