Healing a Broken Heart: Yoga and the Oil Spill

Letter from Dr. Baxter Bell: My immediate response to the Gulf disaster was one of great sadness and heartbreak.  The devastation of the pristine ocean environment, the suffering and death of people and wildlife, the spoilage of our beaches, wetlands, homes and livelihoods is almost too much to bear.  Almost.

And inevitably sadness leads to outrage and the need for amends and justice.  But in order to heal the heart and channel the anger for the benefit of all and beneficial action, the Yoga shows up.  This weekend, our practices will help steel us against the challenges of these ongoing stressors, as well as address the physical and emotional symptoms that arise in crisis: trouble sleeping, disruption of our normal digestion, nagging aches and pains, and anxiety about what the future holds.  Through sincere practice and lightness of heart, each of us can heal and grow!

August 20th, Friday 6-8:30 pm:

Laughter, a Light Heart and Yoga!

In this playful session, we’ll focus on the sheer joy of movement, the therapeutic benefit of laughter and the support of community.  It will be the perfect way to release a busy, stressful week and launch an incredible healing weekend

July 21st, Saturday  9am-12pm:

Regaining Our Power:

In order to handle the stress life deals up, we need to be ready.  Stress researchers call this “stress hardiness”.  Our morning practice will start off gently, build momentum and challenge, and bring us back down for a great Savasana before lunch.  A focus on the yogic idea of Bandhas, and beneficial work for digestion will weave into the work we do.

August 21st, Saturday 2-4 pm:

Discharge to Recharge

The afternoon practice will focus on letting go into gentle movement, interesting breath techniques to improve your energy, and guided relaxation through the Sleep of the Yogi, Baxter style!

August 22nd, Sunday 9 am-12:00 pm:

Yoga for Insomnia:

This gentler therapeutic session will explore yoga tools that can help us deal with sleeplessness and anxiety in a way accessible to all.  The use of sound with our movement practices will add a new flare to your old practices!

A note to Beginners:  I have been working in mixed level classes for many years and welcome beginners to all of theses sessions.  Although some practices may be challenging (Friday eve and Saturday morning), alternatives will be provided so you can feel confident of enjoying your yoga experience.

Baxter Bell, MD, has been actively deepening his understanding of yoga and relaxation since making the stress-reducing move from a career as a busy family doctor to that of a yoga teacher and medical acupuncturist. Baxter is featured in Yoga Journal's DVD, “Yoga for Stress,” and has written articles for Yoga Journal, Yoga for Everybody, and International Journal of Yoga Therapy.

He teaches a healing, nurturing style of Hatha yoga, balancing our desire for action with our need to quiet the mind, emphasizing the qualities of curiosity and meditation in the practiceBaxter is a graduate of the Piedmont Yoga Studio’s 18-month Advanced Studies Program, under the directorship of Rodney Yee.  He has also studied extensively with Patricia Walden, and Erich Schiffmann, and has recently been influenced strongly by the work of TKV Desikachar and Donald Moyer. He teaches public, corporate and specialty Back Care yoga classes in Oakland, Berkeley, and Novato, California, as well as workshops and retreats around the country and internationally.  Baxter is also on faculty for several Teacher Training programs around the country.   His students tell him they appreciate the clarity and precision of his instruction, as well as the humor and enthusiasm that he brings to his teaching.

Baxter is also involved in the integration of therapeutic applications of yoga with Western medicine, lecturing to health care professionals around the country, as well as adding Hatha yoga asanas and pranayama to his care of patients in his medical acupuncture practice.