How do the concepts of wellbeing and Jewish spirituality integrate with each other? It seems the vision of the Western man had separated us from a premise that accompanied the sages of tradition, and is a deep connection with corporeality, understanding that we need a sane body to act and generate transformation for this world. As said Maimonides, “Seeing that the maintenance of the body in a healthy and sound condition is a God-chosen way, for, lo, it is impossible that one should understand or know aught of the divine knowledge concerning the Creator when he is sick, it is necessary for man to distance himself from things which destroy the body, and accustom himself in things which are healthful and life-imparting.” (Mishneh Torah, chapter 4).
For more than fifteen years, I gave explored technics of conscious movement, respiration and meditation in light of texts from Jewish philosophers and mystics, and thus “Chai” is born, a project seeded in the project incubator of Paideia – The European Institute for Jewish Studies – in 2014. In this occasion, I’m honoured to invite you to the Yoga and Jewish Meditation Workshop for 5782, with UJR-AmLat’s support, in three introductory, theorical-practical sessions created with the purpose of exploring its principles so that, in times as trying as these in which we live in, we may cultivate a sensation of “Shalom” that begins in your own heart.
The month of Elul converts itself into a special moment to explore tools through which to cultiva-te your wellbeing and spirituality, to consciously generate the teshuvah process this month invites us to. It will be three sessions to prepare for Yamim Noraim, exploring texts and practices that reclaim an expression of spirituality committed to the transforming action. The message is clear: we must seek to connect with our greater “integrity”, shleimut in Hebrew, in the search to become better ourselves in the next year.
It will be a workshop open to all, there’s no need for previous experience, just curiosity and comfortable clothing. If you have any doubts, just write me at nataliaacuna@gmail.com.
Natalia Acuña is the founder of “Jai”, a global initiative that fuses the Jewish values with yoga techniques for social transformation. Colombian, Master in Personal Development and Leadership and yoga teacher. She is a Paideia alumna, member of the ROI communities, member of Lazos Latam, volunteer with the women’s group of Bet Shalom Barcelona and collaborator in innovative projects such as “At The Well Project and Jewtina”.
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Registration
Registration will be centralised by UJR, in the form below.
