Recently, and unexpectedly, I was asked to participate in a new philanthropic endeavor by designerDonna Karan.
The Urban Zen Initiative is a vehicle for giving consciousness, awareness and funding towards charities that are close to Donna’s heart."
And I am delighted and honored to participate.
You can read more about the program below!
PROGRAM SCHEDULE WITH INVITED SPEAKERS
Monday, May 21
7am TAI CHI INSTRUCTORS ARRIVAL TIME
7:30am - 9:30am Open Tai Chi Class taught by Master Ren Guang-Yi, accompanied by Lou Reed
Master Ren will teach a form of 'meditation in motion' where the continuity of its movements, combined with the devotion of one's undivided attention, heal and revitalize both the body and mind. The class will help return the body and mind to its original pure and healthy state.
9:30am PANELISTS ARRIVAL TIME - MEET & GREET – Complimentary Light Breakfast
10am-11am PANELISTS PREP SESSION – Panelists will be briefed on specific issues and topics to be discussed and questions that will be asked. Please be there on time!
11am - 3pm Open Discussion: ‘The Path’ – Eastern Medicine
At the root of alternative therapies and practices lie the wisdom traditions of Eastern and indigenous spiritual traditions. The focus of this panel will embrace the power of Eastern Medicine in the Western world and how it benefits alternative treatments and its effect on traditional practices.
Introduction
Donna Karan - Fashion Designer, Donna Karan International / Founder, Urban Zen
Panel
Dr. Vijay Anand - Otolaryngologist, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cancer Survivor
Patricia Codrington - Ayurvedic Nurse Practitioner, Biodynamic Cranial Therapist
Steve Cotter - Qigong Master
Dr. Eric G. Schneider - Author, Spiritual Counselor, Hypnotherapist, Teacher and Practitioner of Taoist Arts and Sciences / Director of Spiritual Counseling, Friends In Deed
Dr. Ming Jin - Acupuncturist, Ming Qi Center
Lou Reed - Rock Icon
Professor Robert Thurman - Professor of Indo-Tibetan Studies at Columbia University / Director, the Tibet House
Audience: Doctors, Nurses and Tai Chi / Qigong Enthusiasts
5pm QIGONG INSTRUCTORS ARRIVAL TIME
6pm - 9pm Open Qigong Class taught by Steve Cotter
Steve’s class is devoted to introducing simple yet powerful qigong patterns that you can learn easily and practice daily as a stand-alone exercise system, or integrated as a compliment to comprehensive health and wellness lifestyle.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
This program will explore and link traditional and alternative medical practices. Workshops will feature the world’s foremost leaders in Integrative Medicine, the most respected yoga instructors, traditional and alternative doctors, healthcare leaders, nurses, patients, and spiritual teachers to conduct hands-on workshops that will push the boundaries of how we think about Integrative Medicine, and what we can do about it.
Each panel will offer substantial information as well as the opportunity to break out into small groups, participate in problem solving, offer concrete solutions, and make personal commitments which will affect the outcome of pilot programs to be funded by the initiative.
A nutritional working lunch prepared by Chef of Living Foods, Jill Pettijohn will be provided during the daytime panel discussions and evening workshops.
The morning yoga classes are reserved for those yoga professionals participating in ‘The Path’ Yoga Training Program. We will end each day with an open yoga class, followed by a light meal, discussion and special video recap of the daily seminars. All proceeds from the yoga classes will go to the Urban Zen Initiative.
Donna Karan has created a unique retail experience that reflects the themes of this conference. Specially designed clothing, art objects and educational materials related to health and healing will be offered. All profits will go to the Urban Zen Initiative.
World-renowned photographers have generously donated their prints to be auctioned for the Urban Zen Initiative. This art will be displayed in the studio throughout the entire conference and offered at a silent auction with all proceeds going to the Urban Zen Initiative.
“The beauty of launching this event at my husband’s studio is that it symbolizes his beliefs and what he stood for, the world of science, art and intellect and the ability to confront and deal with the challenges one faces in life. We hope to open our hearts and minds to the issues at hand, and raise consciousness to proactively create a new matrix in dealing with health and healing, to put us on ‘The Path’. “Patient Awareness Towards Healing” – Donna Karan
