UZIT

URBAN ZEN INTEGRATIVE THERAPY PROGRAM

Imagine a healthcare system where the patient is treated, not just the disease. Imagine a system where eastern healing techniques, yoga therapy, essential oil therapy, and nutrition are used in combination with western medicine in a holistic approach to patient care. In 2009, the Urban Zen Foundation launched the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program aimed toward realizing this vision.

The groundbreaking, advanced UZIT program includes training in yoga therapy, essential oil therapy, Reiki, nutrition, and contemplative care education. Participants are dual credentialed, and include doctors, nurses, physical and massage therapists, dentists, and experienced yoga instructors among others. The 12-month curriculum addresses the key patient symptoms of PANIC – Pain, Anxiety, Nausea, Insomnia, Constipation, and Confusion and includes clinical rotations in hospital and health and wellness settings such as Beth Israel Medical Center as a community service requirement.

Please stay tuned for more information. The program will begin this fall, 2010. To learn more, email Lisa Ruberti at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

URBAN ZEN IN ACTION

Community Service is one of several unique requirements UZITs must fulfill to complete training. These fifteen hours have proven to be emotionally, physically and spiritually impactful for therapist and patient alike as the work of the UZIT program is shared with the community at large. From volunteering at events across the nation, such as VDay to the Winter 2009 Special Olympics, Fashion's Night Out, and the Yoga Journal Conferences, our UZIT students continue to demonstrate the wide scope of applications from hospitals to patient advocacy and crisis situations as well as the athletic arena.

VDAY weekend in New Orleans brought together more than 6,000 female survivors of Hurricane Katrina. Bused back to their hometown, UZ was on hand at the Superdome to treat these special guests to the benefits of yoga therapy with props provided by Gaiam and essential oil therapy with Doug Corrigan of Young Living Essential Oils to reduce the symptoms of panic, anxiety, nausea, insomnia and constipation. This opportunity clearly demonstrated how valuable these treatments are in the face of emergency disaster relief.

WINTER 2009 SPECIAL OLYMPICS was a heartfelt experience for international athletes, trainers, coaches and family members as well as UZIT therapists. Sharing Reiki, restorative yoga poses and essential oil therapy provided by Young Living Essential Oils with more than 400 guests over a two-day period illustrated how effectively these therapies address the needs of athletes before and after competition.

YOGA JOURNAL CONFERENCES have co-hosted Urban Zen Days in which components of the UZIT curriculum have been shared with Yoga Journal conference attendees. We introduced essential oil therapy in San Francisco, caring for the caregiver in New York City and self-care for treating chronic and acute pain in knee injuries in Estes Park, CO. These conferences have created a national awareness of our program as well as attracting UZIT students from around the country. Special guest speakers included Donna Karan, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Robert Thurman and Dr. Larry Padgett.

Partnership with Beth Israel Medical Center

Donna Karan and Urban Zen Foundation partnered with Beth Israel Medical Center (BIMC) to create opportunities for research on integrative therapies and to develop a pilot program that enhances the care of cancer patients. The goal of this program is to create an Optimal Healing Environment that is built around a menu of complementary healing therapies.

The Optimal Healing Environment includes:

• A Patient Navigator to guide patients and their families through hospital admission, treatment, and recovery

• Yoga Therapists to provide bedside yoga instruction and care for patients, as well as to provide support and offer instruction for family members, care providers and hospital staff

• Holistic Training for Nurses in modalities such as aromatherapy and Reiki, to be integrated into patient care

• Cosmetic Renovation of the Cancer Floor, including The Sanctuary, a yoga/meditation room that employs feng shui principles to create a more soothing and healing environment for patients while they are in treatment

Faculty

RODNEY YEE

Co-Director, Integrative Yoga Therapy Program

Rodney Yee has been curious about the mind and body for as long as he can remember. Upon taking his first yoga class in 1980, he knew it would be a lifelong passion. Now that his mind and body are going through midlife, he is much more curious about the spirit. His spirit is fed by his wife, Colleen Saidman and his four children. Teaching is still a main vehicle for Rodney to understand union. He has created dozens of DVDs through Gaiam and two books, “Yoga: The Poetry of the Body” and “Moving Toward Balance,” both written with Nina Zolotow. Rodney is also co-founder, with Colleen, of the Gaiam Yoga Club.

COLLEEN SAIDMAN YEE
Co-Director, Integrative Yoga Therapy Program

In 1994, after enduring back surgery, Colleen Saidman Yee’s commitment to yoga practice deepened. Upon graduating from Jivamukti’s Teacher Training program in 1998, Colleen began her career as a yoga instructor. Her passion for working in health care started at a geriatric center while still an adolescent. Certified in Shiatsu, Colleen traveled throughout Europe and Asia studying complementary medicine and spiritual healing. She has lived in Calcutta, India working with Mother Theresa at the Home of the Destitute and Dying. Currently, Colleen serves as a co-chair of the Urban Zen Foundation’s Wellbeing Initiative, dedicated to bringing yoga, essential oil therapy, Reiki, nutrition and contemplative care to hospitals. Colleen has been featured in both “The New York Times” and “New York Magazine,” on a cover of “Yoga Journal” and has been featured in several best-selling yoga DVDs. Colleen is the owner and Director of Yoga Shanti in Sag Harbor, N.Y. She also leads national and international retreats and teacher trainings, many with her husband Rodney Yee.

DR. JAMIE NAUGHRIGHT
Director, Integrative Therapy

Dr. Naughright is a certified athletic trainer with 18 years of experience evaluating, treating and preventing sports injuries with Division I Intercollegiate & professional athletes (Head/Associate Athletic Trainer at University of Tennessee Men’s Track & Field and Football). She earned a 1996 Doctor of Education degree in Health Education & Promotion and an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology. Dr. Naughright was a university professor/instructor for 10 years in the areas of sports medicine and anatomy. She has served as the medical director and a member of medical staff for USA Track & Field in events including 1996 Olympic Games, NCAA Championships, World Games, and International Meets.