MD ANDERSON CANCER INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

Finding a Quiet Still Space at MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Center
Last week I presented a workshop for the faculty and staff at MD Anderson’s Integrative Medicine Place of Wellness. It was one of those workshops that even though I knew my content (like the back of my hand)– I was a little nervous as I glanced around the room. It was a good-sized room filled up with really intelligent people, and all who were experts in my subject matter!

Famous yogi Vanda Scaravelli

Before I had much time to ponder being nervous, I was up in front of the group talking about my connection with Lorenzo Cohen, the head of the Integrative Medicine Department. Lorenzo and I serendipitously met through a mutual friend when I moved to Houston about 8 years ago. When we were introduced, neither one of us realized we had a common denominator. Then through conversation it came to light that we shared a similar feeling about a famous yogi– one of my most inspirational yoga teachers, Vanda Scaravelli. Vanda Scaravelli happens to be Lorenzo’s grandmother!

Vanda’s book

Vanda was the inspiration for my beginning stages of studying yoga while I lived in London. She wrote the brilliant book Awakening the Spine, which still stays near my bedside table.

Simple, yet powerful
Vanda was an inspiring yogini who spent time with and learned from B.K.S. Iyengar and Krishnamurti and added some feminine softness to the teachings. One of the wonderful gifts of Vanda Scaravelli’s work is it’s simplicity. Vanda spoke of three friends– Breath, Gravity, and the Wave in her approach to yoga. I still embody these basic principles every day in my personal practice, and when I teach.

Finding a quiet still space
The workshop was off to a great start. The ice-breaker introduction set me at ease. We spent an hour practicing simple and focused gentle yoga, mandala coloring, setting an intention sealed with a guided relaxation, and before I knew it I was saying, “Thanks so much for having me, I truly enjoyed being with you this morning.” And, Dr. Cohen (who inherited more than a physical resemblance to his grandmother)–  carries her spirit, evident through his inspiring manner and passion for leading others to health and well being.