GENTLE ENERGY-MEDICINE (GEM) YOGA

Our own creation of Gentle Energy-Medicine (GEM) Yoga is an integral aspect of Mountain Light Healing’s holistic stress-management program and a power tool for promoting flow, balance, and harmony in and among the body’s energy systems.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning union, specifically the union of body, mind, and soul, and there are many yogic paths. We primarily subscribe to the path of Hatha Yoga in the style taught by YogaFit® which seeks to make yoga accessible to everyone.

Hatha yoga uses a series of poses (asanas) and focused breathing techniques (pranayama) to balance physical and mental energies and activate the body’s regeneration and self-healing processes.

“Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind.”   —Patanjali

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness.”   —Thich Nhat Hanh

GEM Yoga is multifaceted like a precious gemstone. It integrates the health-promoting benefits of yoga with elements of Eden Energy Medicine/Eden Method; the MELT Method®; meditation, mudra, tapping, and shamanic practices; sound healing; Kirtan (chanting); and Qigong.

GEM Yoga promotes relaxation, renewal, vitality, longevity, and community. It is suitable for everyone; there are no prerequisites for participation.

Throughout the practice, you may be on a yoga mat/bolster on the floor or sitting comfortably on a chair. You will leave revitalized and equipped with practical tools that you can use on your own as you work on taking your states of health and well-being to the next level.

Instead of perfect poses, GEM Yoga is focused on

• • Releasing stress, tension, and negative emotions
  • Letting go of expectations and judgment
  • Being present in the body and feeling connected to all of its parts
  • Building and restoring trust, confidence, and inner peace
  • Feeling safe, grounded, and empowered
  • Enhancing focus, concentration, balance, and coordination
  • Boosting strength, flexibility, and resilience
  • Nourishing and revitalizing body, mind, and soul.

Trauma is the Greek word for wound. Originally used only in relation to physical injuries, it now commonly refers to both physical and psychological harms. These wounds may be the results of accidents, patterns of abuse, toxic relationships, sudden losses, medical procedures, combat deployments, or various other experiences.

Given the proliferation of trauma in today’s world, we use a trauma-sensitive approach in general—offering guidance, suggestions, and choices versus directions; selecting safe, protective poses; being mindful of the practice environment, including sounds, lights, and scents. We respect everyone’s personal space and will meet you wherever you are on your journey through life.

Additional Resources

To learn more about the foundational elements of GEM Yoga, we recommend the following resources:

Beth Shaw’s YOGAFIT® (Third Edition)—Book by Beth Shaw

Overcoming Trauma through Yoga—Book by David Emerson and Elizabeth Hopper, PhD

Mountain Light Healing’s Eden Energy Medicine Page

Energy Medicine—Book by Donna Eden and David Feinstein, PhD

The Little Book of Energy Medicine—Book by Donna Eden and Dondi Dahlin

The MELT Method®—Book Sue Hitzmann; the MELT Method® Website; Mountain Light Healing’s MELT Method® Page