When the Client is a Couple
By Michael Lee, Founder of Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy When I first started giving Phoenix Rising sessions in 1987, I never thought that it might be anything other than a one on one approach to yoga therapy. Then, sometime in the early nineties, two people who came to my yoga classes decided to take individual yoga therapy sessions with me. They came every week over several months for their individual sessions. One day after her session Janet mused “I wonder how it would be for Brett and me to do... Read The Rest →
Thanksgiving Beyond Myself
This post was written earlier this year when the author was a high school senior. It is republished here to give readers an opportunity for inner reflection as part of this year’s holiday. Happy Thanksgiving. Where there is gratitude, there is joy, and desire is silent for a moment. It is in our human nature to worry and hold fear in our bodies in order to protect ourselves. When I meditate, I feel those worries and fears lift away for a few minutes. When I become fully present to my... Read The Rest →
Images and Transformation
During a Phoenix Rising session that I received in Japan, I had a profound and life-transforming experience. I can’t remember what pose I was in since the significant experience happened as I released from the pose. As I embraced the sensation of the release the practitioner, who is also a yoga teacher that I fully trust, allowed me to simply stay there and explore, with invitational dialogue. There was a vivid visual image as if I’m seeing a pond or lake. First thing I noticed was the coolness and darkness... Read The Rest →
Deconstruction
“I’ve heard you are an atheist these days.” I’ve learned to smile. Statements like that abound. I laugh to myself because, in these moments, I actually find myself deeply in love with the Divine nature. I find myself releasing and relishing in it in ways I haven’t in a long time. I was recently asked what deconstruction is… Let me be clear I am not a theologian. So, I answer it in the way I would answer it… When I was able to truly take a look at the construction... Read The Rest →
How to Change your Life with Sadhana
The Hindu concept of Sadhana is not something that can be described with absolute precision, because it is often different for each person who experiences it. One definition of Sadhana is given as spiritual practices or disciplines which lead to perfection, these being contemplation, asceticism, worship of a god, and correct living. Not aspiring to perfection or being a big worshipper, I tend to prefer the straightforward Wikipedia take on Sadhana, which is defined simply as: a means of accomplishing something. This means can include practices from a variety of disciplines in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain... Read The Rest →
Suicide and self-acceptance
I have been struck recently by the deaths of two celebrities. First, Kate Spade and now Anthony Bourdain. Suicide, which many call selfish, I find to be a large mirror, an outward act of the immense suffering one is experiencing. When you feel that your only option for relief is to no longer live, your mind has wandered down such a dark hole you feel there is no way back. My heart breaks for those impacted – both with the internal darkness they feel they have to bear, and for... Read The Rest →
Congratulations Graduates!
We are very pleased to announce the completion of our most recent graduates! These are all extensive programs that take diligence, professionalism, and passion to complete. On behalf of your PRYT community, we’re wishing you all much growth and success as you create and enhance your life and careers. Join us in a shout out of good wishes and celebration to our newest graduates! Yoga Therapy Practitioner Training/600 hr Clair Convery – Vernon, BC Lisa Cummings – Warner Robins, GA Arian Deihim – Keene, NH Jennelle Dodd – Saskatoon, SK Misa Dikengil... Read The Rest →
Love – A noun or a verb? Valentine’s reflections.
Love was in the air! Valentine’s Day came and went and we turned our thoughts toward love for a day, and perhaps, that someone our lives. I have a someone in my life that I’ve loved deeply for 32 years (my wife) and usually find the pressure of this day a little challenging. Should I take her out to dinner? Buy her a dozen roses? Or, go big and take her to Paris for the weekend? I ask myself, “How do I express the depth and extent of this significant... Read The Rest →
Groundhog Day: Embracing transformation and change.
According to the Buddha, the three things that prolong suffering in life are greed, hate, and delusion. In my own experience, these are not that easy to shake. However, the Buddha offers us a way out of this suffering – the Eightfold Path. This hit home for me last night as I watched the movie, Groundhog Day, with my wife and friends. I’ve seen it before, so I was very reluctant to go. I don’t much like going to the movies, especially ones I’ve seen before. But, our good friend, Ditte’s... Read The Rest →
PRYT Celebrates its First IAYT Program Graduates!
“I’m so pleased to announce the completion and graduation of Ayano Atsumi and Stephanee Howell from our 900 hour, IAYT-Accredited Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist Certification Program. They are our first two graduates from this extensive program and I’ve had the pleasure to work with both of these students in various stages of their training. I can affirm their diligence, professionalism, and passion in their work. I’m sure they will both be a credit to both the Yoga Therapy profession and to Phoenix Rising as they embark on their careers. Join... Read The Rest →