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.
We were blessed to have Rodney & Colleen with us for our yoga & philosophy teachings. “As we head into 2012 and reflect on the present uncertain state of the world,” Rodney asked of us: “Are you going to be the calm in the chaos? Will you be a part of the problem or the solution?” He reminded us that our self care practices of yoga, meditation, nutrition and self-reiki are all part of the grounded, awakened being that is ready to serve as an open vessel.
Our aromatherapy teachers Tracy Griffiths and Marc Schreuder of Young Living Oils guided us through the origin of our essential oils and best uses for our patients. We witnessed a video of Marc in Yemen, Oman, and around the world carefully selecting and sourcing only the highest quality oils. I feel gratitude to be able to share these healing oils with my friends, family and patients.
Our final presenters were the UZIT’s that just returned from working in Haiti. Our UZIT’s spoke of the Haitians strength, lightness, and pride for their country. I can’t wait to be there in February.
For me, the most amazing part of the weekend was the early morning Urban Zen Integrative Therapy session led by our own program director Gillian Cilibrasi. The session included all of the modalities we have now learned, including restorative yoga, breath awareness and self-Reiki, all laced with the beautiful scents of our essential oils. What was an hour-long session felt like fifteen minutes. I came into the session groggy and restless, yet when it was over I felt peaceful and invigorated. It is amazing to see how deeply effective this work truly is.
A special thank you to Donna Karan, our incredible teachers and our mentors for building this program. I am excited to witness and experience this movement brought out into the world.
Related posts:
- 2011 UZIT Program Rolling Admission
- A UZIT Graduate Shares Her Personal Journey
- UZIT Program: Yoga Therapy with Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee
- WHAT IS THE ESSENTIAL OIL THERAPY COMPONENT OF THE 500-HOUR UZIT PROGRAM?
- UZIT Reflections on Haiti
