Holy Yoga

Many of us desire some type of change in our life.  It could be a change in our financial situation, change in our health, our weight, our children, our marriage, our relationships, our spiritual life, etc.

When it comes to change most people develop a plan to transition into this change.  Usually the first and second day are fairly easy and then day three and four comes around and it gets harder and harder.  By day five or six they have abandoned the change because it is too hard or they didn't see the results they had hoped.  For some the change is so big they don't even start.

In the book, The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley, he talks about change.  "The life of Christ in you has the potential to produce all kinds of change in your life. "Wait," you say, "I've tried to change and I can't." Exactly! You are not equipped to produce change--only bear it."  What???  If I can't produce the change I desire in my life then who will???  That is the point.  We often approach change by trying our very best, giving it our all, and then when life happens or we hit a road block we give up.  That is because we are going at the change all wrong.  We are trying to make the changes all by ourselves.  To make permanent change we need God's strength, the forgiveness of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

So if you have been struggling with change in your life, take inventory.  Have you been leaving God out of the change?  Have you been trying to do it all in your own strength?  Are you willing to surrender your own control and allow God to make the change in your heart and mind?

Most changes have to start with a change of heart and mind for there to be permanent change.  So allow God to do his work and then you will begin to bear the change you have always desired.

Several years ago a friend of mine shared this devotional with me.  Lorie and I had been friends for a few years our children are the same age and we were at the time attending a Mom's Time Out Group.  I was raised in an Angican Christian home, and became Catholic after my husband and I were married, but Anglican or Catholic I have been a Christian for a long time.  Lorie and her husband attended the Evangelical Free Church in our small town.  We didn't always have the same frame of reference due to different doctrinal presentation through our churches, but we always respected each other and learned from each other's different experience of our same God.

COMING TOGETHER - devotional by Kenneth Copeland

If you know how to listen to the voice of God, you can hear Him calling throughout the Body of Christ today.  He is calling for unity.  He is calling us to lay down our disagreements and come together in preparation for Jesus' return.

Just the thought of that scares some believers.  "How can I unify with someone from another denomination?"they say.  "I'm not going to give up my doctrines and agree with theirs just for unity's sake!"

What they don't realize is this:  Scriptural unity isn't based on doctrine.

Winds of doctrine, according to Ephesians 4:14, are childish.  Winds of doctrine don't unify.  They divide and blow people in every direction.  The Word doesn't say anything about us coming into the unity of our doctrines.  It says we'll come into the unity of the faith.

In the past we have failed to understand that and tried to demand doctrinal unity from each other anyway.

"If you don't agree with me on the issue of tongues," we've said, "or the timing of the rapture...or on the proper depth for baptismal water, I won't accept you as a brother in the Lord.  I'll break fellowship with you."

But that's not God's way of doing things.  He doesn't have a long list of doctrinal demands for us to meet.  His requirements are simple.  Fist John 3:23 tells us what they are: to believe on the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another.

Once you and I come to a place where we keep those requirements and quit worrying about the rest, we'll be able to forget our denominational squabbles and come together in the unity of the faith.  We'll grow so strong together that the winds of doctrine won't be able to drive us apart.

When that happens, the devil's going to panic because the unity of the faith of God's people is a staggering thing.  It's the most unlimited, powerful thing on earth.

Right now all over the world, the Spirit is calling the Church of the living God to unite.  Hear Him and obey, and you can be a part of one of the most magnificent moves of God this world has ever seen.

We are one in faith,

Shirley Berthelet

The following is a model proposal for Holy Yoga Therapist to implement an Intergrated Adjunct Wellness Program for Medical and Mental Health Hospitals and Facilities.  It is my heart's desire that we take Holy Yoga, not only into the Churches and Yoga Studios, but be led by the prompting of the Holy Spirit into areas few dare to thread. 

Philippians 4: 13  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

 

Objective:

 

 To work collaboratively with Hospital medical and occupational staff by providing Holistic and Yoga Therapy to the in-patients and out-patients  in the areas of adaptive therapeutic intervention for Cognitive Behavioral Mental Health Program and End of Life Programs.

 

Discussion:

 

The quality of life is not by the value of measurement of time; it is an honoring of the acceptance of where a person is in Body, Mind and Spirit during their own unique journey set before them.   I have had the opportunity to work directly with mentally ill outpatients at the Bayview Cognitive Behavioral Center by providing holistic and yoga therapy as part of their programming.  Through this experience I have witness the transition from fear and apprehensive dissolve as they came simply as they could manage and micro-move into a pose/meditation of tranquility and peace.  The outcome of yoga therapy provided an opportunity for them to develop positive choices through yoga/meditation, which then fostered healing and self –management of their lifestyles. 

 

Likewise, when providing one-on-one adaptive yoga therapy and visual imagery to a terminal ill 36 year old women who went blind as the cancer progress throughout her systems and in her brain, she found the integrity to cherish each breath of life as she prepared herself to surrender to the things that no longer served a purpose and be in acceptance to embrace her spiritual path of life.  She passed on with peace and a confidence that her children and husband would be taken care of through a Greater Source of strength.

 

 It is through these rewarding experiences I have been passionately developing programs and seeking to bring holistic and yoga therapy as a complimentary and innovative aspect of the health and wellness programs to hospitals, rehabilitations centers and community based organizations.

 

 I am aware of the US NEWS AND REPORT, as well as FORTUNE MAGAZINES, honoring Scripps Mercy Hospital with the recognition, the BEST HOSPITAL RANKINGS AND BEST COMPAINES to be employed, which indicates the high quality of service provided and the recognition of excellence that has been established.

 

It is my hope and desire that Hospitals will take a pro-active step to enhance their already recognized status of Excellency and contract my service as a holistic and yoga therapist to serve the needs of patients so that their own level of success physically, mentally and spiritually is unique, individual and appropriate.

 

The following information is findings that will provide accurate references to establish the need to implement an adaptive programming.

 

 

 

Findings:  Addressing End-Of-Life Holistic Therapy

 

 

The following research is cited from the work of Dr. Sala Horowitz, Ph. D. Alternative and Complementary Therapies for End of Life Care, October 2009, Published in Volume:15 Issue 5. October 23, 2009 15(5):226-230

 

 

The holistic emphasis of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) on body, mind and spirit balance is most evident and widely applied in end-of-life care for patients.  This information examines the CAM modalities used for such care, the ensuing benefits and challenges, and research supporting such applications.

 

 

Palliative and Hospice Care

 

Palliative care and complementary therapies were developed on parallel tracks as adjuncts to conventional medicine. Patient-centered palliative care focuses on relieving suffering and achieving the best possible quality of life for patients with life threatening illness and for their family caregivers. Hospice care affirmed these goals of palliative care, using an interdisciplinary approach while recognizing and supporting the potential for growth in the final phase of life.

 

A recent survey of the use of the CAM therapies used in hospice care in the state of Washington found that 86% of the state’s hospices offered CAM services to their patients.  In order of frequency, these included:

 

• Massage (87%)

• Music therapy (74%)

• Energy healing (65%)

• Guided imagery (45%)

• Aromatherapy (45%)

• Compassionate touch (42%)

• Acupuncture (32%)

• Pet therapy (32%)

• Meditation (29%)

• Art therapy (22%)

• Reflexology (19%)

• Hypnotherapy (16%).

 

In designing clinical trials of CAM therapies in palliative-care settings the Palliative Care CAM Task Group identified outcome measures in:

• symptom control
• hope, spirituality, dignity (spirituality is a major dimension of palliative care)
• therapeutic consultations

 

 

Spiritual Component of therapy

 

Attention to spiritual or religious needs was identified as a requisite to achieving “a good death,” in focus groups comprised of patients, families, and professional caregivers. Because observers often do not give appropriate weight to patients’ spiritual and emotional development during the dying process, patients who view their current experience as part of a broader life trajectory (path) frequently rate their quality of life higher than observers do.

 

Interviews with health care workers chosen as spiritual caregivers by patients and their families elicited the themes of being present (which involves physical presence and intentionality beyond medical treatment) and co-creating (a mutual and fluid interpersonal process among all of the people involved when a patient is dying). Co-creating, which starts with an affirmation of the patient’s life experience, leads to a holistic care plan focused on maintaining the patient’s humanity and dignity.

 

As a certified Holy Yoga Therapist I can attest to end-of-life patients state of well being as they become fully present in their spiritual connection to a Divine Love in  there journey towards a new life; one of wholeness, integrity and holy bliss.

 

Clinical and Research Considerations

 

Although the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) does not have a specific agenda for end-of-life care, many of the studies the NCCAM has

sponsored are relevant to aging. For example, the NCCAM has funded research on the effects of:

• Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) on older adults at risk for dementia
•  acupuncture for chronic pain,
• Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) for depression
• Hatha Yoga for cognitive and behavioral changes associated with aging and neurological disorders.

 

 The NCCAM takes the following positions:

 

• Auricular acupuncture, Therapeutic Touch, and hypnosis are useful in cancer-symptom management and palliative care.

• Transcendental Meditation (TM), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), music therapy, massage, and hypnosis have a role in reducing anxiety and/or depression.

• Acupuncture and massage play therapeutic roles in addressing cancer-related fatigue.

• Acupuncture and certain botanicals can reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis.

• Guided imagery and hypnosis can help avert anticipatory nausea and vomiting in certain situations.

 

Dr. Sala Horowitz study concluded CAM therapeutic and complimentary methods can reduce pain, anxiety, and other symptoms, and enhance remaining quality of life, not just for a dying patient, but also for the family and caregivers.  The increasing use of CAM modalities in general and in end-of-life care warrants further research on how they

can improve care and quality of life at this final life stage.  Evidence-based data may well increase CAM integration into regular care staffing and coverage by health insurers for the rapidly growing numbers of aging and terminally ill people.

 

 

Findings:  Addressing Mental Health Holistic Therapy

The article, Yoga for Mental Health and Mental Illness ; Nov. 13, 2009, indicated that yoga is beneficial for mental health.  Studies conducted suggested that the breath work (pranayama) and poses (asana) increases the flow of blood to the brain, improving mental activity, awareness, focus and relieves both stress and anxiety.  Regular practice of yoga poses treats specific mental health issue, such as depression or anxiety related disorder.  Yoga therapy is considered one of the best complimentary mental illness interventions 

Meditative techniques of yoga help trigger brain chemicals like the gamma amino butyric acid. Many of these chemicals are beneficial for the body and allow expulsion of stressful thoughts. These chemicals naturally treat depression.

Benefits of Yoga Therapy are:

·        increasing in the secretion of endorphins, the body naturally feels more energetic

·        mental acuity is improved, increasing concentration and improving focus

·         relief of stress and improves the quality of sleep

·        anxiety levels and depression are reduced or eliminated

·        regular practice of yoga improves self esteem and self worth.

·        yoga also helps improve physical health, which is associated with improved mental health.

 

I am proposing the implementation of adaptive holistic and yoga therapy classes for inpatients and outpatients that are receiving care for the various dynamics of end of life status or mental health diagnosis that requires intervention..  It is my hope and desire to be a vital part of a collaborative and complementary enhancement service.

 

 May we all join together as part of a positive step towards the global and local changes that impact all of our lifestyles as we enter 2010 with an excellent Plan of Action for health and wellness.

I welcome your response and with gratitude look forward to discussing our project further.

With Positive Regards,
Gina Tricamo, R.Y. T.. M-H.Y.T.

 

 

 

    In Exodus 3:13-15, ^“Moses said to God, ‘Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall I tell them?’  God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am.’ This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you."  I am starting to get a glimpse of the Holy Mystery of not defining God, limiting Him to gender or form. Like Moses, I ask God, “who shall I say you are?” Thankfully He came in the flesh as Christ to teach us what HE looks like on earth and heaven. Though, before Christ walked the earth, God breathed, “I AM,” period. How comforting really that He is who He is and we can come to Him in spirit and truth. For He will walk down any path, take any shape, to reveal His nature of redemption and love. The Lord’s prayer in the New Zealand common book of prayer is one of those transformational prayers that transcends form and reveals God for who He is. May this prayer seep deep into your bones and bring freedom to your body.

An Alternative to the Lord’s Prayer

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain-Bearer, Life Giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of All,

Loving God, in whom is heaven: 

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings.

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our

hope and come on earth. 

With the bread we need today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptations and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us. 

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

now and for ever. Amen

 

Some ladies on the masters' training call asked me to share the name of the book, "Confessions of a PMS-crazed Saint," by Lorraine Pintus. She spoke at a retreat last weekend, on surrender, and I paralleled her talk with am/pm classes on surrender. This book is something you will want to read and recommend. The good news is that many of the crazy thoughts and feelings we have are linked to PMS and it's medically proven. Satan knows about this curse (see Genesis 1) and it's his #1 attack on women. The less pleasant news is that we know our battle is not against flesh and blood and therefore PMS is not an excuse for us not to walk in the Spirit. Excellent parallel for our study.