YES+: The Art of Living

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a workshop entitled "YES+:  The Art of Living:" UW Madison offers this 5-day course twice a semester free of charge to students, and apparently is one of two universities in the country that does so. Other schools charge $250 - which is still a good price for the content of the course and benefits thereof. Still, I am super impressed with the progressiveness of the UW, and the emphasis on student health and happiness. Madison is a cool city.

Although I'm just one day in, I'm experiencing positive changes already. The 80 of us didn't know what to expect. Most didn't know one another. But upon entering the room, everyone immediately began connecting - the people were so great, so open, so receptive. The program began with an exchange of hugs - we had to go around the room and hug every single person, looking them in the eye before or after doing so and stating, "I belong to you." It was so inspiring! It was impossible not to smile and be uplifted from this exercise, and it really facilitated a great sense of oneness, of belonging. Stress immediately began to dissipate, and was replaced with positive energy, with community. 

The workshop promotes stress-free joyful living through meditation, yoga, service, and oneness. Remember those people displaying the "Free Hugs" signs on streets across the country? Many belonged to YES+, many were engaged in the workshop while doing so. This is so neat, and so exciting to take part in, alongside the like-minded. What's also great is that programs are offered all around the world, which you can find via that site above. 

We have an assignment today: to wake up and practice the Pranayama meditation taught to us, and to connect with three people, in a way that we ordinarily would not - going above and beyond your comfort zone (smiling at someone on the street, offering a sincere compliment, making a new friend). They also ask you to stick to a raw-foods diet for the duration of the course, and eliminate caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and any other toxins. It is essentially a 5-day detox of body, soul, and mind.

In the interest of a raw foods diet, I found a great 14-day cleanse here. All raw foods, with the intent of re-establishing bodily health. The author, Cortney Campbell, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2008, and researched holistic healing as opposed to conventional treatment, and as a result of sticking to this plan, she has been in clinical remission since 2009. It's amazing how much good, comprehensive health of body, soul, and mind is paired to the food you put in your body! Time to embark on the challenge!

Oneness is Compassionate.

Oneness has no judgment.

Oneness sees everything as it is.

Oneness allows everything as it is.

Oneness is all there is.

-Richard Miller