Women posed to serve
Therapy would use yoga to help at-risk people
The Sanskrit term “seva” means serving others for the sake of serving.
As part of their seva practice, Eve Foster, founder and executive director of the Abundant Wellness Center, and employee Lynette Gneiting, are donating their time and resources to begin Peace of Mind Yoga Therapy, a program designed to heal the mind, body and spirit.
The practice of yoga uses breath and body to foster an awareness of the individual intimately connected to the world. It is about making balance and creating equanimity so as to live in peace, good health and harmony with the greater whole.
The Peace of Mind Yoga Therapy will take an integrative approach to creating wholeness for a variety populations, including those with mental health challenges, at-risk youths, trauma survivors, homeless families and disabled veterans, Foster said.
“As mental health specialists and practicing yoginis, we are committed to offering a therapeutic yoga practice to at-risk populations,” Foster said.
When they finish their 200 hour training program, Foster and Gneiting will be registered yoga teachers.
The model for Peace of Mind Yoga Therapy is The Art of Yoga Project, a California project for at-risk inmates that builds self-awareness, self-esteem and self-respect.
Peace of Mind Yoga Therapy classes will include asana (postures), art therapy and counseling interventions to encourage mental, emotional and physical well-being. Sessions will last six to eight weeks and will be offered at no charge to the public three times a year.
Character development is emphasized by following the traditional eight-limbed path, which consists of the values: nonviolence, nonstealing, nongreed, chastity and truthfulness. It also emphasizes the habits of cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, accountability, self-study and spirituality.
“Our hope is that through Peace of Mind Yoga Therapy, we are able to plant seeds that encourage others to move toward personal peace and freedom,” Foster said.
Foster took fine art classes in college, but quickly realized that studying art was not going to help her make a living and switched to psychology classes. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor and has a master’s degree in education.
Abundant Wellness Center began in Foster’s home seven years ago. The center is now housed in a new Post Falls building, with a second location opening soon in Coeur d’Alene.
Foster said she needs help from the community in order to launch the program by February. She hopes someone might donate space large enough to accommodate 10 to 15 class participants and items like art supplies, mats and equipment.