Robert Thurman (Buddhist Scholar and Founder of the Tibet House)
Parvati Shallow (Winner and 3-time contestant on CBS's "Survivor", Yoga Teacher)
Allan Badiner (Author)
Dr. Nikki Noce (Yoga Teacher, Star of FOX's Utopia)
Dr. Neil Theise (Pathologist, Buddhist, Complexity Theorist)
Dr. Patrick Fratellone (President of the NYC Chapter of the American Herbalist's Guild, Cardiologist)
Alexandre Tannous (World Renowned Sound Therapist and Sound Researcher)
Thomas Amelio (President of The New York Open Center)
Dr. Nitin Ron (Neonatologist, Mountaineer, Rubin Museum Art Guide)
Chiyoko Osborne and Jen Kluczkowski (Co-founders of Mindfresh)
Amber Lynn Vitse CN (Integrative Ayurvedic Nutritionist and Educator)
Katherine Maclean PHD (Former Psilocybin Research Fellow at John Hopkins School of Medicine)
Jenifer Talley (Assistant Professor at the New School for Social Research, Assistant Director of The Center for Optimal Living)
Kristen Rae Stevens (Ayurvedic Consultant, Ayuryoga® Specialist, ERYT 500)
Steph Zabel (Founder of Herbstalk, Boston's Herbal Medicine Conference)
Natalie DeNormandie (Author, Herbalist)
Chris Kelley PhD. (Organizer of Consciousness Hacking NYC)
Jonathan Edwards (Founder of Axis Mundi Healing Arts)
William Bushell (Director of ISHAR)
The Anthropocene: Prescription for Psychedelics
Allan Badiner
“Seeking the Magic Mushroom,” by Gordon Wasson, marked the very beginning of the psychedelic revolution 60 years ago. Psychedelics, considered a “phase” from the sixties, made illegal, and held to be without medical usefulness, are now being studied as potentially our most valuable medicines for a variety of ailments, including our alienation from, and destruction of the very systems on the planet that support life. This talk will explore the various physical, emotional and social implications these psychedelics can have on our lives.
Allan Badiner is the author of the first edition of Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism and Psychedelics, as well as two other books of collected essays, Dharma Gaia: A Harvest in Buddhism and Ecology and Mindfulness in the Marketplace: Compassionate Responses to Consumerism. Allan is a contributing editor of Tricycle magazine, and serves on the board of directors of Rainforest Action Network, Threshold Foundation and Project CBD. He has been a student of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh for more than 25 years.
Mechanisms of Yogic Practices in Health, Aging, and Disease
Dr. Neil Theise, MD (Pathologist, Buddhist, Complexity Theorist)
Mechanisms underlying the modulating effects of yogic practices (eg, meditation, yoga asanas, pranayama breathing, caloric restriction) on human physiology can be classified into four pathways: circulating molecules, nervous system activity, cell trafficking, and bioelectromagnetism. In this talk, examples will be presented of all these pathways and how, through them, yogic practices might optimize health, delay aging, and ameliorate chronic illness.
Neil Theise is a practicing physician specializing in diagnostic pathology, most particularly that of the liver. His wide ranging research stretches from clinical and basic science aspects of liver physiology, liver and other adult stem cells, complexity theory, integrative medicine, science/religion interface, and consciousness studies. He is a Professor of Pathology practicing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and is on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is a Senior Student at the Village Zendo under teacher Roshi Enkyo O'hara and a junior practitioner of Iyengar Yoga.
Laughing to Death: Overcoming Existential Anxiety with Buddhism and Comedy
Christopher Kelley, PhD.
Existential anxiety is often precipitated by a direct encounter with the ephemeral nature of life. In The Life of the Buddha (Buddhacarita), Prince Siddhārtha Gautama (also known as the Buddha) resolves himself to attain Enlightenment upon discovering that the human condition is pervaded by old age, sickness, and death. Any good comedian knows that making jokes about old age, sickness, and death usually gets big laughs, or as they say—“kills.” Like the Buddha, the comic can be a powerful medium for communicating the more disquieting and shunned truths in life.
In this lecture I explore both Buddhism and comedy as a palliative for existential anxiety. I argue that certain forms of "dark" comedy actually function in much the same way Buddhist discourse is intended to provide the individual with a more realistic view of life and death.
Christopher Kelley holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University. He has taught at Columbia, the New School University, New York University, and Brooklyn College. He is a co-organizer of Consciousness Hacking NYC, founder of the Columbia Society for Comparative Philosophy, and served as the lead organizer for two international conferences on Buddhist philosophy, Mind and Reality (Columbia University, 2006) and Contemporary Perspectives on Buddhist Ethics (Columbia University, 2011)
Research and Adventure at the Top of the World: The Story of my Mt. Everest Expedition
Dr. Nitin Ron Neonatologist, Mountaineer
Dr. Ron is a neonatologist and high altitude mountaineer. He is an associate professor of pediatrics at New York Methodist Hospital, and loves to use innovative methods to teach medical students. He has also been leading a research project in the Himalayas, including the Mt. Everest region, involving ultrasound of the eye (optic nerve) and the body, to predict mountain sickness, and has also looked at the effect of meditation in acclimatizing the body to high altitude. He constantly encourages his students to break the rules, rearrange the paradigms that run their lives, and re-invent themselves. He also volunteers as an art guide at the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art in New York City.
Mind-Body Practices in the Treatment of Substance Misuse: An Integrative Perspective
Jenifer Talley, PhD.
This presentation will provide an introduction to integrative harm reduction psychotherapy, a framework for conceptualizing and treating substance use issues and other risky and problematic behaviors. There will be an emphasis on how mind-body practices such as meditation and yoga are integrated into this approach. The presentation will include demonstrations of specific skills and techniques designed to help people develop awareness practices to promote the development of positive change goals.
Jenifer Talley, PhD is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the integration of mindfulness and harm reduction psychotherapy to address substance use issues and other problematic behaviors. She also has expertise in the treatment of trauma and co-occurring substance use issues. Dr. Talley is an Assistant Professor at The New School for Social Research and Assistant Director of The Center for Optimal Living. For more information, visit: jenifertalley.com.
Apitherapy and Bee Medicine
Dr. Patrick Fratellone MD RH (AHG) FIM
Dr. Patrick Fratellone will discuss Apitherapy, or the use of bee venom, widely used in other countries for a multitude of diseases. The discussion will include who is an appropiate referral for therapy as well as the conditions that apitherapy is used for. Dr. Fratellone will focus on different disease states which have shown beneficial results, and he will also describe some of the uses of propolis, honey, and other bee medicines.
Patrick Fratellone MD RH (AHG) FIM FACC has the distinction of being one of the few integrative cardiologists in the US. He completed his course studies at the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine under the supervision of 7Song. He completed his Fellowship of Integrative Medicine in 2005. Over the years he has worked with up to 3 generations of family members with very complex problems. In this workshop he will go over a number of case histories based on real patients he has worked with, especially as these cases relate to heart problems. Participants will be encouraged to come up with suggestions and Patrick will address all questions as they arise.
Sound Therapy: An Integrative Approach
Alexandre Tannous - Ethnomusicologist, sound therapist, sound researcher
Alexandre will give a short talk on how to properly use the consciousness-altering properties of sound to heighten self-awareness, to unlock hidden powers we have within us to promote profound inner changes and healing, to connect to the higher self, to fine-tune self-observation, and to attain self-realization. This material is based on fieldwork for 17 years in over 40 countries around the world, scientific studies, and on data collected from his sound therapy work with thousands of individuals. (Alexandre will also give a separate sound meditation at Hari NYC after his lecture)
Alexandre Tannous is as an ethnomusicologist, sound therapist and sound researcher. He has been investigating the therapeutic and esoteric properties of sound from three different perspectives - Western scientific, Eastern philosophical, and shamanic societal beliefs - to gain a deeper understanding of how, and to what extent, sound has been used to affect human consciousness. This search has led him to the intersection where art, science and spirituality meet: the wonders of sound. You can learn more about his work at www.soundmeditation.com
Alchemy of the Chakras
Thomas Amelio
One of the most powerful and complete means for awakening, healing and transformation is chakra practice. Central to the yoga tradition, chakras are spiritual, psychological and emotional energy centers that exist within the human subtle body. In this class we will explore the unique purpose and function of each chakra. Ideally each works in harmony with the rest; however, for most, their full expression is hampered by long-held negative conditionings and suppressions (karmas)
Thomas Amelio is the president of The New York Open Center and has studied yogic disciplines in India, where he edited Rajarshi Muni's classic, Yoga--The Ultimate Spiritual Path, in 1994. He is a founding member of and has been a senior teacher at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health for 20 years.
Ancient Ayurveda in a New World
Amber Lynn Vitale, BA, LMT, CN
The beautiful thing about practitioners of Eastern Medical Arts is the way they look at each person as an individual. There is no strict algorithm, no linear process of ruling out, no sweeping diagnosis with a singular treatment protocol. But here in the West, especially in our modern society, we love to tie it up quickly and efficiently. How can we reconcile these two paradigms and still create a balanced and comprehensive approach to holistic wellness? Amber Lynn Vitale will discuss this integration, and while she’s at it, take a look at what “holistic” really means.
Amber Lynn Vitale, BA, LMT, CN majored in economics with postgraduate work in medical sciences, and additional certifications in bodywork, Ayurveda, and holistic nutrition. Her journey in the healing arts developed richly as she worked for years in practices with Integrative Physicians, Acupuncturists, Chiropractors, and Nurses. Ultimately she developed an integrated modality of Ayurvedic Medicine, Yoga, Advanced Bodywork and Integrative Nutrition. Vitale uses her 19 years of experience in integrative medical practices to educate on the consumer mindset and to distill these wisdoms into digestible information bytes. She recently joined the Garden of Life team as their Northeast Regional Educator.
Ayurveda for Busy Bodies
Kristen Rae Stevens, AyC, E-RYT 500
Ayurveda is a comprehensive and intricate system of medicine. It is also marvelously practical and immediately accessible to all who are interested. In this brief lecture come learn about Ayurvedic secrets that will enhance your life and well-being without a ton of overwhelming expectations and feel the shift instantaneously.
Kristen Rae Stevens, B.F.A, E-RYT, is an Herbalist, Ayurvedic Consultant, Educator and Practitioner based out of Brooklyn, NY. In addition to her private practice Kristen Rae is on faculty for the Kripalu School of Ayurveda as well as teaching her own work Soma Yoga & Ayurveda in lectures, workshops and intensives at yoga studios, apothecaries, universities and hospitals. She has been published writing for various online blogs such as WillPowerFitness and the Jyotish Star and has acted as consultant for the natural beauty companies Better Botanicals and Origins.
mindfresh Meditation
Ken Kluczkowski and Chiyoko Osborne
Enjoy a little zen in your day with a 30-minute mindfresh session lead by co-founders Jen Kluczkowski and Chiyoko Osborne. No gym clothes needed to participate in basic stretching, deep breathing, and guided meditation that will leave you de-stressed and refreshed. Jen and Chiyoko each worked for a decade in the business world before launching mindfresh - they know what long days of sitting at a desk can do to the body physically and mentally and created a solution that everyone can participate in.
At mindfresh we believe when you stretch your body, you stretch your mind, and you stretch your perspective. We bring the mindfulness movement to the workplace in the form of office-friendly yoga and meditation. Today there are 13 mindfresh teachers leading sessions at business big and small around NYC + SF.
An Introduction to Ishar
William C Bushell, PHD.
This presentation will focus on the recently launched online “Integrative Studies” database/library/archive, ISHAR, which stands for Integrative Studies Historical Archives and Repository (isharonline.org), which is in the process of becoming a leading scientific, scholarly, and praxis-oriented resource in the field. The subjects of “Integrative Studies” include the entire field of “complimentary and alternative medicine” (CAM); the “mind-body subject (not problem),” and its relationship to optimal health, healing, and optimal functioning; and the relationship of mind and body – and consciousness – to physics, cosmology, and mathematics. The author, the Director of Research and Academic Liaison of ISHAR, will discuss his 30+ years of work in these fields and his work on prototypes of ISHAR. Specific subjects discussed will be the contributions emerging from ISHAR and its prototypes to the investigation of the phenomenon of extreme longevity, the potential for classic tissue regeneration in humans, and the investigation of the proposed independence of consciousness from the brain.
William C Bushell, PhD, is presently the Director of Research and Academic Liaison for the Integrative Studies Historical Archives and Repository (ISHAR), a recently launched online database/library/archive (isharonline.org) for the field of “Integrative Studies.” Dr Bushell, a Research Affiliate in the Department of Anthropology at MIT for over 20 years, is a biological anthropologist studying advanced consciousness disciplines in adept practitioners of yoga, meditation, and related practices throughout the world and in a spectrum of scientific and scholarly contexts. He has published widely, and has designed and co-directed two major conferences with Professor Robert Thurman and HH the Dalai Lama, the latter resulting in a volume published by the New York Academy of Sciences (2009), one of the world’s leading scientific publishers: Longevity, Regeneration, and Optimal Health; Integrating Eastern and Western Perspectives (http://www.nyas.org/publications/Annals/Detail.aspx?cid=6d3ce970-5f8a-4b03-b5cc-df54d89ff90b).