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One of my MBSR Students recently told me about a delightful and surprising conversation with her sons.  They had commented “Mom, the class is working!”  I couldn’t resist asking her for their testimonial.  She graciously offered to provide this video.  “I guess the people around you can see the subtle shifts” she said in the video.  

On YouTube:

 

 

Donna started practicing yoga as a foundation to transition from her hectic work schedule into retirement.  She reports that yoga is helping her to focus on the present, develop an appreciation for life-balance, redefine her parameters in terms of the possibilities as a retiree, and inspire new adventures.  

Earlier this year, Donna and her husband traveled to Peru, where they hiked part of the Inca trail near Machu Picchu.  She attributes her success in hiking this ancient path of the Incas to her yoga practice.  The high altitude required that she manage her  breathing, and climbing over the large boulders on the trail drew upon her improved core strength.  We’ve enclosed a picture of Donna in “Warrior” pose as she reached the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu. 

Donna also lived aboard a dive vessel this past summer in the Marshall Islands, where she was further inspired by others who share her passion for yoga.  “Seeing women in their 70’s and 80’s maneuvering heavy dive gear, maintaining “Tree” pose out in a choppy ocean, and leading our group on island explorations reaffirm the tremendous power of a lifelong yoga practice,” says Donna.  She’s excited about the person she is becoming in retirement–and looks forward to new adventures on the yoga mat…and in her travels. – Archive Yoga Hillsboro Newsletter Article, 2006.

“The MBSR program has helped me to be more mindful in every way. The meditations help me to stay centered and manage my anxiety. As a Pilates teacher, I am more confident and have been able to connect intuitively with my students in ways I hadn’t before. My husband and I have been meditating with our children, which has become a wonderful way to grow as a family.” —

Kelly Recktenwald
Owner, Trio Pilates in Hillsboro

“I’m a 70 year old woman who has practiced yoga on and off for 20 years. I was in one of those “off” periods and seeing a psychotherapist about a year ago when she suggested I get back into a group practice since I was having issues with aging. The issues were around the physical, emotional and spiritual changes that happen as we age. At almost the same time, I had injured my knee while walking my dogs and started physical therapy. My P.T. also recommended renewing a yoga practice for flexibility and a way to keep active and strong. Two professional people in my life telling me to practice yoga! I didn’t know where to start but my psychotherapist recommended Brant’s classes at Hillsboro yoga. She had heard about his gentle yoga classes. I signed on immediately and I’m very happy to be in the Wednesday morning Gentle Yoga class. Gentle yoga has been a great way for me to get back into a routine of caring for my body and soul.” – Sharon

“I took the MBSR course three years ago and use the skills everyday. This amazes me because so often I try to apply and “keep” new learning from a book, advice from a person or information from a class and my mind is like a sieve and I lose it.  Brant’s gentleness and positive approach were a kind of loving and validation that I still receive comfort and encouragement from. An example is Brant’s imploring us to “just notice that” as we would share about a worry or a fret about something we find intolerable. To actively notice my breath, body, environment and “life as it is” helps diffuse the judging and built-up energy, that are the hallmark of stress and reactivity, so a kind of settling and relaxation can happen. This will be a lifelong practice as I try to accept “life on life’s terms.” I still use the MBSR CD with the guided meditations and take myself on field trips from Portland to Hillsboro to take a Yoga class or participate in an MBSR retreat. This experience continues to enrich my life.”

Natasha Spoden, Portland, Oregon 

“After spending just 10 minutes applying simple yoga techniques before a race, my lap times dropped consistently by one second. Yoga has allowed me to be focused, flexible, and most importantly, breathe easier while on the track.” Ryan #731 in this photo (archive 2015 newsletter profile.)

“The mindfulness practice I learned in the MBSR class has allowed me to access the calm space that lives below my constant stream of thoughts and emotions with more frequency. Living moment-to-moment more regularly has made me a less reactionary in my personal and professional relationships, and has allowed me to truly engage with the things I enjoy. The picture is of me on the approach to the summit of Thompson Peak in Idaho. Awareness of my walking and breathing has allowed me additional mental capacity to enjoy walking up hill for many hours on end (but hasn’t made it any easier). Many thanks to Brant for sharing this gift with me. Jeff W 2015″

A recent KOPB series focussed on chronic disease, an epidemic in our state and our county.  In fact, Oregon is the least healthy state in the west as it turns out.  Many Oregonians continue to live long-term with and manage diabetes, heart disease, various cancers and more. While the prevailing viewpoint is that these diseases need to be cured and just happen to some of us, the reality is that we have a great deal of say about how to personally manage and prevent these chronic ailments.  The OPB radio program outlines this:  Oregon’s $9 Billion-A-Year Health Problem:  Chronic Disease.  In the program one thoughtful family physician who spends most of his time with patients suffering chronic disease offered this, “If I could just convince people to engage in regular exercise and a good diet I would probably be out of a job.”  My physician colleagues who teach MBSR and those who refer folks to the training and yoga classes here tell me the same thing all the time.  They find when folks make time to really care for themselves many of their difficulties are far more manageable or prevented in the first place.  There is undeniable proof in the medical literature for the value of self-care that includes appropriate physical activity, a thoughtful diet, and practices that reduce stress.  The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training is one well-studied way for folks to gain an intuitive, ongoing, and foundational sense of self-care.  Studies done around the world and even here in my MBSR trainings show this:  Mindfulness in Participatory Medicine.   Perhaps Oregon’s $9 Billion yearly problem would dramatically shrink if more of us would begin to care for our selves more effectively as that family physician suggested.  Be well my dear friends.   —  Brant

During a recent class I couldn’t resist capturing some of the beauty of sharing that occurs.  In daily life we’re always sharing something it seems.  The atmosphere we breath.  Conversation.  The water that nourishes us has cycled through everything on the planet.  In class and in this posture we share in a way that is more palpable.  More tangible: balance, trust, strength, flexibility.  Such sharing is beautiful in many ways it seems.  —  Brant

Once a week or so I spend time walking the Hoyt Arboretum.  As you can see. It’s a lovely place to feel the breeze on my cheeks, notice the beautiful colors and shapes of nature and to relish moving along the trails.  The other day I came upon a beautiful bench on a trail.

The brass plaque on it noted that the gentleman it was dedicated to was born in 1898 and died in 1989.  “Savor Life!” was inscribed on the plaque.

It’s obvious to me that our practices of mindful movement, yoga and meditation, however we embody them, are modes of helping us savor life and savor those near us.  Rather than devour and push for more ‘life’ we are invited to savor the gift of life as it is offer our way.  I am so thankful for those who have been my teachers, especially my most powerful teachers, my students over these decades, who support my ability to savor life.  My hope is that they too are encouraged to savor life as they learn to practice here.  Kind Regards  —  Brant