Good Space Yoga
with Kathy Ornish
Fall/Winter 2009
- Schedule of classes
- Home Practice
- Therapeutic Yoga
- Inspiration
It’s been a curious summer here in Lansing, with many unexpected
changes. The weather can't decide which season it's supposed to be, and
even the vegetables seem confused! This edition of my newsletter has been
motivated by an unhappy change, the recent and sudden terminal illness of
my father-in-law, Oscar. This has made me think about the inevitability of
change, the ultimate change – our impending passing - and some of the
yogic ideas around this change. How can we learn to suffer a little less
from the undesirable changes that occur in our life?
Yoga philosophy says there are two aspects to the world – materiality
and consciousness. Simply put, materiality is always changing and
consciousness is unchanging, whole, and perfect. We are familiar with
change most obviously through the seasons of nature and the seasons of our
life. It is very easy for us to be frightened, angry, or resistant to these
inevitable changes. A famous writing in Yoga states that the primary cause
of our suffering (the word in Sanskrit is avidya, which means
misapprehension) is that we are totally identified with the things that
change – our bodies, our minds, our objects of comfort. How do we not
identify with our bodies, minds, emotions, and the physical world when that
is primarily all we know and is our deepest attachment?
For some, this lack of attachment to the physical/material world might be
easy, but for most it is not an easy journey to move from identification
with physicality to identification with consciousness. However, Yoga
teaches us and gives us practices that help us know more deeply that we are
divine, unchanging and whole, and that our material self is a vehicle we
must care for so that we can do our work here on Earth. One of Yoga’s
main purposes is to disconnect us from the causes of our suffering and
connect us with our highest potential.
It has been inspirational to see Oscar approach the end of his life with
such peace and acceptance. One need not practice Yoga to help loosen our
attachment to the physical, but the practice of Yoga, especially
meditation, can help us begin to have a real experience of this unchanging
wholeness, and through this we can realize the true joy within us. With a
deep understanding that we are unchanging consciousness, we can be at peace
with the wholeness that is, and when faced with our own, or other's,
potential suffering, whether it be a physical injury, an illness, or the
end of life, we can accept the change that is inevitable and know that we
are truly something much bigger than this body and mind.
In service,
K.O.
Thanks!
Healthy eating is the practice for this newsletter! I've included one of
my favorite and simple soup recipes for your enjoyment. This recipe calls
for yellow split peas which can be found at most health food stores and
some Asian food stores.
KO's Yellow Split Pea Soup Recipe
Enjoy!
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy adapts and applies Yoga techniques and practices to help
individuals who are facing health challenges. It offers a personalized
practice that empowers the individual to progress toward greater health by
managing their condition, reducing symptoms, restoring balance, and
facilitating healing on all levels of our being.
What is Yoga Therapy helpful with?
Structural conditions (such as back pain, sciatica).
Physiological conditions (such as high blood pressure, multiple
sclerosis, arthritis, COPD, GERD).
Emotional conditions (such as depression and anxiety)
Many conditions are helped by the varied techniques of yoga.
What techniques are used?
One or more of the techniques can be used, but again, they are tailored to
the needs and interests of the individual - physical postures, breath and
movement, discrete breath practices, visualization, sound, meditation,
lifestyle techniques, diet, and more.
What do sessions look like?
Sessions are conducted on a one-on-one basis and tailored to your special
needs. Each session usually lasts one hour and a personal practice is
created to encourage work on your own. Sessions, held in my private office,
are usually for 1-1.5 hours at $70/hour. I am now offering discount
packages of four hours for $240 (a $60/hour rate).
I hope to inspire and empower you to reach your full potential, both
physically, mentally, and emotionally leading to a healthy, joyful, and
productive life.
http://www.kathyornish.com/therapeutic.html
This is the Whole. That is the Whole;
From the Whole, the Whole arises;
Taking away the Whole from the Whole
The Whole Remains
Sanskrit version:
Purnam adah Purnam idam
Purnat Purnam udachyate
Purnasya Purnam adaya
Purnam evavashishyate
PURNAM=wholeness, completeness, perfection
From the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
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