There is no doubt about the strong connection between the mind and body. While pain may begin as the result of an illness or injury to the physical body, the suffering that comes as a result of chronic conditions can make it difficult to find any relief or relaxation. Through a combination of yoga practices that might include asana (postures), pranayama (breathing) and meditation, we can not only gain physical relief from pain, but also develop a way to relate to our experience.
At Circle Yoga, we offer workshops, classes and private sessions that focus on ways to change our relationship to pain, and find more ease in living. For more information as to what programs may best suit your needs, contact Karen Soltes at karen@circleyoga.com.
Coming soon to Circle Yoga…
Compassionate Health Action: Yoga & Meditation for Those Living with Chronic Pain and Illness
with Jill Satterfield
October 1-3, 2010
Yoga and meditation teacher Jill Satterfield lived with undiagnosed chronic pain and illness for 15 years. After many exploratory surgeries she was told the pain was all in her mind – so she began to work with her mind. Eventually, she convinced a surgeon to take another look and the findings were shocking as some of her internal organs were rearranged. Years later, still in pain and not well, Jill visited the Yale Pain Clinic to no avail. She almost gave up hope–but somehow didn’t, and pursued both yoga and meditation in ways that healed her beyond expectations.
In this workshop, Jill will share her story along with some of the methods she used to help heal herself. Friday and Saturday’s sessions will focus on the techniques Jill utilized and has been teaching for 20 years including:
- Metta/loving kindness meditation – an important aspect of working with illness and pain is acceptance and compassion.
- Tonglen meditation – a traditional Tibetan meditation practice of giving and receiving – working with the emotional and physical discomfort of illness and pain.
- Restorative yoga postures – the practice of holding postures to renew and restore, allowing the body to process and understand the benefits of the postures.
- Therapeutically-oriented yoga postures – practiced with visualization and presence of mind, an important aspect of this practice is to bring the mind and heart into the body for support and understanding.
Sunday’s session will focus on how to teach these techniques. This special weekend workshop is open to anyone in the field of helping others where yoga and meditation may be supportive tools to other modalities that are offered. More details and registration information to come later this spring…
Winner of the 