Jennifer Owens on Experiencing the UZIT Program

Last Updated on Monday, 19 March 2012 05:24 Written by Urban Zen Thursday, 15 March 2012 06:57

My Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT) experience as a practitioner and patient, simultaneously, has led to deeper understanding of my body and its capabilities and the need for loving-kindness from within. Though short lived, my time as a UZIT student have left me with invaluable knowledge and, because of this, I will be eternally grateful to Twitter, as well as all of the mentors and teachers of the program.

Yes, I said Twitter! It was a random, regular day for me. I was browsing my Twitter timeline when I stumbled across a tweet from the fabulous Kris Carr mentioning @Urban_Zen. I felt compelled to find out whom or what Urban Zen was all about. One click led to another, and soon I learned about the Urban Zen Integrative Therapist program.

In the words of Oprah Winfrey, this was an “ah-ha” moment for me. Could it be that there are others who feel the same way I do about healthcare? I believe healthcare should be a personalized combination of healing modalities. Why can’t I go to my oncologist and say to him, “I’m taking astralagus and ginseng for immunity strengthening and overall improvement in energy,” without feeling dismissed? I believe that proper nutrition, exercise, and the mind-body-spirituality connection should be addressed at every doctor’s appointment.

When I saw this opportunity to become a conduit for change, my heart sang! Even though I wasn’t qualified according to the requirements listed,
I felt UZIT was for me. My heart sank when I saw the deadline had passed. Alas, The Johnson & Johnson Campaign For Nursing’s Future gave me a glimmer of hope. They were offering a scholarship to five nurses to attend the yearlong program. I was encouraged to apply for the scholarship anyway. Having nothing to lose, I uploaded a video, sans make-up and hair and sent it in hopes that my sincerity and eagerness to learn would be clearly communicated in my voice and body language. I said a prayer and went on about my daily routine.

The UZIT Experience of Bringing Hope to Haiti

Last Updated on Friday, 17 February 2012 11:22 Written by Urban Zen Friday, 17 February 2012 11:22

By Keely Garfield

I am returning to Haiti, this time in the role of group leader for Urban Zen Integrative Therapy (UZIT), Clinical Rotation #5. As it turns out, we are an international cast of intrepids, hailing from Curacao, Argentina, Quebec, and London all by way of New York naturellement! This will prove crucial as between us many languages are spoken, but more fortunate is the “bonhomie” tendencies of my new friends and colleagues. Each night we shared good food (I salute the chefs who managed to turn coconut milk, a bottle of hot sauce, and rice into a killer curry!) and considerate conversation, which any way you stir the pot, makes us more human.

Approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport, the woman sitting directly in front of me begins incanting loudly in Creole and French. She thanks the sky and the earth, she praises the mountains, and sings for dear life. Raising her hands, her fingers create notes in the air above her head. Her prayer is for protection for all of us. From the cockpit, the captain oblivious to the music coming from the cabin matter-of-factly tells us to prepare for landing. That I can do but having been here before, I know that beyond the citronella oil and power bars stashed in my bag, to try to prepare myself for what lies ahead is essentially futile. I come back to the moment exactly as it is and accept the woman’s benediction gladly.

There is so much to tell. Suffice to share just a few of the miracles. Many doors have been flung wide open for us since I was here as part of the UZIT leadership trip back in November 2011. In itself, this is an incredibly powerful testimonial to the efficacy and adaptability of the UZIT program, and its overwhelmingly positive reception in Haiti. In addition to our work at Saint Damien Pediatric Hospital, “Clincal #5” worked alongside the medical staff at St. Luc Hospital in the emergency room and elsewhere providing integrative therapies including in-bed and in-chair yoga, breath awareness, meditation, reiki, essential oils, and contemplative care to stroke patients, diabetics, and their families among others. We led integrative therapy sessions for the medical and maintenance staff both at St. Luc and Saint Damien, as well as offering individual sessions to doctors, administrators, volunteers and anyone else we could literally get our hands on! Another first for UZIT was teaching a Saturday morning yoga class to the children at Father Wasson Angels of Light Program Orphanage and School.

Richard Freeman: Freedom on the Edge of Sensation

Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 05:53 Written by Ali Schechter Monday, 23 January 2012 04:19

Nearly 75 yogis gathered at the Urban Zen Center last Thursday for class with longtime Ashtanga yoga teacher Richard Freeman. Freeman and his wife, Mary Taylor, return to Urban Zen this weekend to lead the yoga philosophy portion of the Urban Zen Integrative Therapist Program.

“Tonight we will explore the internal practice of Ashtanga yoga,” Richard began. “We will align inside, so that even when you are old, or even when you are on your death bed, you can do the pose. It may look like this…” (nothing happens, the room laughs) “…but you will be doing the pose, perfected, the ultimate experience of samadhi,” he says, skillfully raising an eyebrow, and only half kidding.

Though our asanas on Thursday were visible beyond the mind’s eye, Richard lived up to his promise and helped us refine each pose with precise anatomical cues and vivid imagery. We discovered that we had golden tails extending from coccyx to earth, kidney wings that spread across the back and beyond, buoyant hearts, and cobra hoodies (my favorite) fanning up and over our crown and palette. With an inhale, we swam our limbs through space; with an exhale, awareness traced the spine.

A Gift to the Community

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 05:26 Written by Urban Zen Tuesday, 13 December 2011 05:12

by Luana DeAngelis-Halpern, Founder/President of You Can Thrive!

You Can Thrive! provides a weekly forum for community members to volunteer to help their neighbors with breast cancer receive access to integrative care, “when they need it most and can afford it least”. The Grand Re-opening event on December 4th, 2011 saw a partnering with the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program. Through this outstanding event, not only did we care for the women in our community undergoing a cancer diagnosis, we cared for the caretakers of these women — because we all know that caretaking is a stressful situation. That day over 80 UZIT and other treatments were offered!

The climate in the waiting room was one of bliss and love. The clients who came for treatment floated out to find a lovely cancer fighting meal, and I heard so many times the statement “I never want to leave”. The UZITs contacted me and remarked how much they enjoyed the experience, and a large percentage of them have expressed a desire to go back on a regular basis to give service. The survivors were full of gratitude and received such amazing benefits from the therapy provided, as did the volunteers; proving that in giving we receive. The holiday community service day is a great opportunity to really get to be a part of something altruistic and rewarding for everyone.

Urban Zen on the West Coast: UZITs at UCLA

Last Updated on Friday, 18 November 2011 07:05 Written by Donna Karan Friday, 18 November 2011 06:38

The video above captures our Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program’s collaboration with the Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, a partnership that is so important to me.

At the moment, I am back in L.A. and I’ve just had a truly remarkable day spending time with our UZITs and the UCLA team. My favorite part of the day was working with the patients, it reinforced everything I believe. This path toward integrative healing was ignited over ten years ago when my husband Stephan became ill; like many of the most difficult things in life, Stephan’s battle with cancer was one of my biggest teachers. I learned what it is to lose a loved one. I learned how it feels to be a caregiver. And I now know, more than anything, that holistic, integrative care needs to be the standard, not the exception.

Seeing the expansion of the UZIT program into the UCLA medical center is a beautiful thing. It was amazing to be in such an extraordinary hospital; a place so alive with intention. I felt Stephan’s spirit with me all day and I contiue to feel that he is guiding this partnership. While I was visiting the hospital, I had the honor of working with three different patients – all such beautiful, unique spirits. I really connected with a mother of one of the patients that I worked. She was the loved one, spending time in the hospital to care for her daughter. Speaking with this mother filled my heart with a grounded understanding of why the UZIT program is so important: we all need to be cared for.