WELL-BEING
| Imagine a healthcare system where the patient is treated, not just the disease. Imagine a system where eastern healing techniques, yoga therapy, essential oil therapy, nutrition and contemplative care are used in combination with western medicine in a holistic approach to patient care. In 2009, the Urban Zen Foundation launched a new program designed to meet this vision: The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) Program, a 500-hour advanced program focused on integrating multiple therapies into patient care. | |||||
| URBAN ZENINTEGRATIVE THERAPY PROGRAMThe mission of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) Programis to change the present healthcare paradigm, to treat the patient and not just the disease. Through our partnerships, we are transforming patient care in hospitals, healthcare education in nursing schools, self-care in the home and emergency relief in disasters.LEARN MORE | ||
PHILOSOPHY OF THE UZIT PROGRAM
| WHYUnder our well-being initiative, we are dedicated to integrating eastern healing techniques with western medicine to treat the patient, their loved ones and caregivers. In 2007, we hosted a Well-Being Forum to stimulate an exchange of ideas between patients, doctors, nurses, yoga instructors and alternative healthcare practitioners. Out of that well-spring of inspiration, the UZIT program was born. | HOWBy creating the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) Program, we have trained members of the healthcare and yoga communities in the healing modalities of yoga therapy, Reiki, essential oil therapy, nutrition and contemplative care. This curriculum is uniquely designed to treat the classic symptoms of illness: PANIC™ (pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia and constipation) and exhaustion. | WHEREThe objective of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program is to provide integrative therapists in hospitals, outpatient care centers, support groups, private practices, corporate environments, nursing and medical schools to transform healthcare to include eastern healing techniques with western medicine. | HOW IT WORKSEach modality is introduced separately and then students are taught how to integrate the modalities to address those symptoms the patient or client is experiencing: PANIC™ (pain, anxiety, nausea, insomnia and constipation) and exhaustion. | CLINICAL EXPERIENCEOnce integration has been instructed, students begin their practical experience during the clinical rotation requirement, working with patients, loved ones and caregivers. One hundred hours of such practice is required for certification. | ||||
UZIT PARTNER SITES
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UCLA HEALTH SYSTEMSIn 2011, the UZIT program partnered with UCLA Health Systems in a major, groundbreaking advancement in the movement towards integrative healthcare. The UZIT program was introduce to UCLAHS doctors, nurses and caregivers. Within the first training, the program was offered to practitioners in the in- and out-patient oncology units, respiratory and phuysical therapists with plans for expansion throughout 2012. “UCLA Health System has a long tradition of integrating holistic healthcare techniques with traditional medical care,” said Dr. David Feinberg, president of the UCLA Health System, CEO of the UCLA Hospital System and associate vice chancellor for health sciences. “[The UZIT Program] fits in perfectly with our mission of treating the whole patient rather than just a particular illness.”READ MORE | ||||||
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KENT STATE UNIVERSITYCOLLEGE OF NURSINGIn 2011, the UZIT Program partnered with Kent State University College of Nursing, the third largest in the US, to launch Care for the Caregiver. Now in it’s second year, this program has expanded to include the Breen School of Nursing at Ursuline College and Cleveland State University School of Nursing. This expansion includes a research consortium between the three campuses.READ MORE | ||||||
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YOGAWORKSThe UZIT Program is proud to be partners with YogaWorks, where students can learn the UZIT model in two levels, self-care and patient care, currently available in Los Angeles with expansion to future communities in the coming year.READ MORE | ||||||
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BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTERDonna Karan and Urban Zen Foundation partnered with Beth Israel Medical Center (BIMC) in 2009 to create opportunities for research on integrative therapies, develop a pilot program that enhances the care of cancer patients and create a clinical rotation site for UZIT students. The goal of this program is to create an Optimal Healing Environment that is built around a menu of complementary healing therapies.READ MOREOther clinical sites include: Farber Center for Radiation Oncology, Montefore Medical Center, Southampton Hospital and American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge.
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PROVIDING CARE IN DISASTER RELIEF
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THE STORM HAS PASSED, COME FIND THE CALM.“When a crisis takes place, whether personal, national or worldwide, one needs to find the optimum way to sustain and maintain one’s center and energy,” says Rodney Yee UZIT Yoga Therapy director. “A crisis often brings chaos, exhaustion, depression and anxiety. This is the time we desperately need the tools of meditation and restoration. Urban Zen Integrative Therapy classes were created to give this very relief. Come and lay your weary bodies down in the best supported relaxing positions while you are guided through deep meditations and soothing breath awareness exercises, all the while, smelling healing essential oils and receiving balancing Reiki energy. Come be part of the solution of bringing ease, balance and peace back.”Give yourself the opportunity to restore and to give to others from a place of clarity. Please join us on Saturday, November 10th at YogaWorks Soho for an Urban Zen Integrative Therapy class. All proceeds will benefit New York Cares. READ MORE |
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NPH SAINT DAMIEN HOSPITAL HAITI Whether supporting international relief workers, pediatric patients, hospital staffers or nurses and doctors, UZIT therapists experienced no language barriers. Instead, we learned that compassion is a universal language that crosses all cultural boundaries. Providing consistent support in the midst of chaos, is itself a form of healing. Sharing the UZIT integrative skills with the Haitian community after the devastating earthquake confirmed the importance of caring for those who care for others, especially in circumstances of devastation.The UZIT Program responded to the devastating earthquake of Haiti by providing integrative therapies to doctors, nurses, patients, staff members and international relief workers at NPH Saint Damien Hospital Haiti, a pediatric hospital that provides free medical care to children.READ MORE | ||||||
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Financial support is critical to any philanthropic effort. Urban Zen’s future depends in part on contributions made by our community. Any monetary contribution will assist in the continued programming and events that gather us together to learn, become inspired and create change.
By making a donation to the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program, your contribution can be used to assist funding for:
* Continued research on the impact of integrative therapy for patients
* Creating paid integrative therapist positions at clinical sites
* Tuition scholarships to train future integrative therapists* Purchasing equipment and tools for training
Contributions are not limited to monetary donations. Urban Zen is a community for collaboration. If you have services or products that you believe will assist Urban Zen in raising awareness of our initiatives and inspiring change, please contact Myra Magaletta myra@urbanzen.org
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge
Beth Israel Medical Center
David Lynch Foundation
Eve Ensler’s V-Day, celebrating the women of Hurrican Katrina
Farber Center for Radiation Oncology
Gaiam
Johnson & Johnson “Campaign for Nursing’s Future”
Kent State University College of Nursing
Montefiore Children’s Hospital
National Student Nurses Association
Special Olympics Winter Games, Sun Valley 2009
TedMed
UCLA Health System
YogaWorks
Young Living Essential Oils
