Holiday Newsletter & Special Gift for You

By Amy Weintraub Posted in Articles, Book & Media Reviews, Depression, For Yoga Teachers, Practices, Research Newsletter, Stress, Trauma 7 Comments

I want to share something personal before I offer you a gift that I hope will be a window through pain for you, as it has been for me.  Pain is a tough-love kind of teacher, and I have discovered that I am a slow learner. As many of you know, I had hip replacement surgery two weeks ago. If you’re a Facebook friend, you may also know that by day 3, I was out walking the Rillito here in Tucson, with walker and a friend, two miles a day. Thanks to all your prayers, I didn’t do any damage to my shiny new hip, but Pain increased her grip, squeezing my physical body. And as we know, trouble in one kosha (in this case the Anamaya kosha or physical body) constricts our access to Anandamaya Kosha (the bliss body). So Pain got my attention by disturbing my peace. As I reduced the walking (“Walk as much as possible,” said by your surgeon, does not mean two miles a day on the Rillito! ), my peace returned. Since surgery, my meditation and chanting practice has been the window through Pain—a time of great love and connection. But last week, soon after the final, Jai! I was once again distracted by Pain’s grip. I share this with you, as a lesson learned that I hope helps you be a little lazier than you think you should be when recovering from surgery!  The gift we offer you is a free practice, one I use to find an oasis of peace in whatever chaos may be present.

I’m also hoping that you will forgive me for not sharing the research I’ve accumulated this month on yoga and mental health, because writing commentaries about it takes more Manomaya Kosha (mental body) than I have right now. Next month, I’ll share new research on yoga and schizophrenia among other topics, and reviews of two exceptional books—a new one called Yoga for Grief and Loss by Karla Helbert, MS, LPC; and a collaboration between Kripalu teacher trainer and writer, Allison Gemmel Laframboise and her teacher, master Kripalu teacher Yoganand Michael Carroll called Pranayama: A Path to Healing and Freedom.

Meanwhile, I hope You sustain your peace and that joy surrounds you through the holidays! I also hope that many of you will join me in Tucson in January or join Dr. Debbie Lubetkin at Kriplau in January for a LifeForce Yoga retreat, training or workshop. Oh, and we have special offerings from our library of LifeForce Yoga CDs and DVDs to see you tenderly through the holidays!

Please enjoy our holiday gift for all of your continued support of LifeForce Yoga and our mission.  Here is a free Calming video practice just for you!

Download Calming Practice Holiday Gift

A loving Namaste,

Amy

41opx2wbzmL._SX350_BO1,204,203,200_Review of Yoga for Grief and Loss by Karla Helbert, MS, LPC coming next month!

Order Yoga for Grief and Loss

 

41aeiUEwQJL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Review of Pranayama: A Path to Healing and Freedom by Allison Gemmel Laframboise and Yoganand Michael Carroll coming next month!

Order Pranayama: A Path to Healing and Freedom

News: Holiday Yoga Gift Guide

Happy HolidaysOur suite of yoga tools are the perfect heart-felt holiday gift for friends and family. If you purchase two or more CDs or DVDs we will email you a complimentary Yoga Nidra mp3 that you just might want to keep for yourself after listening!

The CD’s and DVD’s are available to download or stream – so you don’t need to wait for shipping!

Browse our Holiday Gift Guide

 

Events: LifeForce Yoga Practitioner Training and Retreat

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Desert Sunset in Tucson, AZ December 2015

Experience a life-changing retreat in the majestic desert mountains. Join Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga for Depression and Yoga Skills for Therapists, and a faculty of senior yoga and mental health professionals at the LifeForce Yoga Retreat & Training in Tucson, AZ – January 10-17, 2016.

“This workshop has changed so much — my self-image and my life. My own heart’s desire is 100% clear. I gained tools to help myself and others to live life fully.” 
— Marcia Siegel, Carlsbad, CA.

“I have gained a softer heart, more receptive mind, and tools to enrich both personal and professional aspects of my life.” 
— Regina Trailweaver, Hancock, VT.

This warm retreat environment is open to all and provides daily opportunities for self-care, learn how to create and sustain a safe container for students and clients, or for your own practice.  You’ll gain yoga skills you can offer those you serve in health care and yoga therapy settings, as well as in regular yoga classes.

Throughout the training, you will personally experience each exercise and have opportunities to observe your own sensations, feelings, and reactions as you practice teach in dyads and small groups, receiving feedback from master LifeForce Yoga Practitioners. CEUs available.

Register and Learn More

Events: LifeForce Yoga: I am Bliss and So Are You with Amy Weintraub

January 29, 2016 – January 31, 2016
The Yoga Connection – Tucson, AZ

Come home to the joy that is your birthright. Beneath your aches, pains, and shifting moods, you are bliss. Let Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga for Depression, guide you through self-inquiry with practices that release whatever blocks you from remembering who you truly are. Many of these practices are suitable for use in a clinical setting. Healing professionals are invited to learn tools for their own self-care, as well as for those they serve. This workshop fulfills the prerequisite for the LifeForce Yoga® Practitioner Training.

For everyone, including yoga and health professionals. 12 CEs available. This program can be used as an elective towards the completion of your 300 Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.

Register and Learn More

Events: LifeForce Yoga: I am Bliss and So Are You with Dr. Debbie Lubetkin

winter_sunsetJoin Dr. Deborah Lubetkin at Kripalu in Stockbridge, MA January 29-31, 2016 to begin the new year with a better you!

Dr. Lubetkin, PsyD, RYT 200, LFYP-2, LFY Mentor, is a licensed psychologist with a private practice, a Kripalu Yoga teacher, and a certified LifeForce Yoga practitioner, mentor, and mentoring director.

Come home to the joy that is your birthright. Beneath your aches, pains, and shifting moods, you are bliss. Let Deborah guide you through self-inquiry with practices that release whatever blocks you from remembering who you truly are.

This workshop is open to all! CEUs available.

Register and Learn More

 

About the Author

Amy Weintraub

Amy Weintraub E-RYT 500, MFA, YACEP, C-IAYT, founded the LifeForce Yoga® Healing Institute, which trains yoga and health professionals internationally, and is the author of Yoga for Depression and Yoga Skills for Therapists. The LifeForce Yoga protocol is used by health care providers worldwide. She is involved in ongoing research on the effects of yoga on mood.

7 thoughts on “Holiday Newsletter & Special Gift for You”

  1. Judith FitzGerald says:
    December 17, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Amy,
    Best wishes as you go through your hip replacement.
    I myself will have cataracts removed next month.
    I am so glad to have had training in yoga based centering breathing!
    Your student from the St. Augustine workshop,
    Judy FitzGerald

    Reply
    1. Amy Weintraub says:
      December 17, 2015 at 2:24 pm

      Blessings on the cataract surgery! Just think how much brighter the world will be! Amy

      Reply
  2. Barbara Rowe says:
    December 17, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    Thank you Amy for sharing your experience with pain as a powerful teacher. And thank you for the meditation. May you continue recovering nicely and may you enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. Namasté, Barbara Rowe

    Reply
    1. Amy Weintraub says:
      December 17, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      Miss you, Barbara! I hope you are thriving. Joy to you this season! Amy

      Reply
  3. Dore Forman says:
    December 17, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Amy, that was so peaceful and gentle, just what I needed and will pass on your energy through me to others….Heal soon, be well! Enjoy the Holidays in love and peace. ~ Dore from several years ago training in Tucson.

    Reply
  4. Christine MacLean says:
    December 22, 2015 at 5:14 pm

    I had a moment of empathy and recognition reading about your relationship with pain, and gentleness (or pushiness!) with the self…. Best wishes for a recovery that allows and invites healing. I am gearing up for an ankle surgery this spring and can completely imagine your impulse to hike your regular two miles. I will remember your words to help keep myself slower and gentler post surgery!

    Reply
    1. Amy Weintraub says:
      December 24, 2015 at 2:18 pm

      Blessings on a successful surgery and an easy recovery.

      Reply

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