April 24th - April 26th, 2009

Vanderbilt Center for Integrative Health

Grace and Beauty

Focus on Our True Nature

About the Instructors: Tobi Fishel is an Assistant Professor and is in the departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Pediatrics. At the Center for Integrative Health she is the Director of Psychological Services and is involved in integrative health research and medical education. Dr. Fishel received her PhD from the University of Miami and completed her residency at the University of Florida. She has extensive training in the areas of holistic medicine, coping and adjusting to chronic illness and mindfulness based practices. Additionally, Dr. Fishel is a nationally recognized speaker on issues such as coping with chronic illness and pain. At the center, she provides mind-body therapy and integrative health consultations, groups and seminars. She works with patients twelve years and older who are struggling with chronic illness, trauma, disordered eating, and emotional and physical pain. The intent of this work is to become fully present in your body through techniques such as breath work, mindfulness meditation, movement, expressive arts and telling your story. With these practices, one can learn to live more fully, with more freedom, and lessen the limitations imposed by pain or illness.

Bliss Wood, M.Msc., holds a Master's Degree in Metaphysical Science and is the founder of "ChantDance". She is a musician, author and kirtan recording artist from Nashville, Tennessee. A dedicated yogini for nearly 20 years, she is a certified hatha yoga instructor and is a licensed massage therapist, especially focused in energy work. Certified in Ananda Yoga and trained in Svaroopa Yoga, she has extensive knowledge of the physical as well as the energetic body, and how yoga affects performance, healing, and the relaxation response. Bliss blends a unique mix of art and science to create joyful wellness on all levels. Her holistic approach to life through mind/body/spirit awareness, coupled with her diverse artistic background, brings a uniquely personal experience to those who participate in her performances, classes and workshops.

ChantDance is based on the techniques of yoga, dance, and kirtan (chanting). By integrating sound (voice) with movement (yoga and dance), ChantDance helps to unlock blockages with mental, emotional and physical issues.. On an even deeper level, it can affect one's devotional sense toward self, others and their perceived "higher consciousness".

Many people have difficulty speaking or knowing their truth. This can reflect in the body with restricted movement, poor posture, pain, clumsiness, and sometimes negativity and depression. When we allow our body to move joyfully with unrestricted movements and begin to integrate sound, through chanting, singing and vocal inflections, the flow of positive energy increases and issues that were either troublesome or hidden, will come forth to be released.

Workshop Sign-up Form