Original Medicine
Yearlong Program

 

Introduction

Original Medicine Yearlong Program is a psycho-spiritual cross-cultural mindfulness approach to healing and development. The contemplative teachings weave together Indigenous wisdom, mindfulness, and earth-based practices. This program teaches students how to work with the four seasons as tools of self-awareness, to learn the process of tracking one’s own changes, and to connect to one’s own natural phenomena as a human being. In Indigenous societies, there are long-standing practices of creating the sacred, cultivating stillness, and embracing silence. They cherish being in nature and conducting rituals to acknowledge the coming changes in the worlds within and around them.

Indigenous societies recognize individuals holding their personal power as their Original Medicine. The shadow of the false self is purified as humans strengthen their authentic selves through the practice of coming home to their truth and power. The teachings of Buddha and Indigenous wisdom build this foundation of truth, trust, and love. Together we will explore ways of coming into our own Original Medicine and enhance our personal growth and purpose.

 

2025 Program Dates

Tuesday Classes 6:00 - 8:30 pm PT

*All Tuesday classes will be held on Zoom until otherwise notified.

January 7 and 21

February 4 and 18

March 4 and 18

April 8 and 22

May 6 and 20

June 10 and 24

July 8 and 22

August 5 and 19

September 9 and 23

October 7 and 21

November 11 and 25

December 9

Earth-Based Community Gathering (in-person)

TBD

Core Program Components

 

 Bi-Monthly Classes

Bi-Monthly Tuesday classes from 6:00 - 8:30 pm PT for wisdom teachings and contemplative practice

Pod Meetings

Six mentor pod meetings every other month with a small group of participants with assigned Mentors and Teaching Assistants for group practice

Mentor 1:1 Support

Twice a year meetings with an assigned mentor for personal support and development

 

Spiritual Friends

Monthly check-ins with assigned Spiritual Friends to connect with peers and cultivate community

Land Retreat

Land-based gathering at Wolf Dream Mountain in Lake County to learn earth-based practices and cross-cultural ceremony

Learning Tools

Online learning portal to access course assignments and personal journal assignments

 

Additional Support

  • Guided Self-Regulation Movements

  • Teachings from Elder Wisdom Holders who offer diverse perspectives and approaches to Indigenous practices (Original Medicine 4-part Series)

  • Required assignments, readings, audio, and video

  • Personal journal assignments to do on your own time to help you reflect on the teachings as you go

  • Personal practice, ritual, ongoing meditation practice, mindful movement 

 
 

Guided Self-Regulation Movements

Rhythm and Dance of the 4 Elements

Our bodies are a dance of the 4 elements:  water, air, earth and fire.  These elements express themselves as energy and emotions that resides in different parts of our bodies.  When you understand where these elements are located in our body, you use movement to activate them and harness the power of these elements in your daily life.  Through certain rhythmic movements, we will move the energy of the elements so as to harmonize and calm our body, mind and regulate our emotions. The energetic zones of the elements are based on Polarity Therapy which is inspired by the chakra system in yoga.  The movement to regulate emotions is drawn from Integral Somatic Psychology taught by Raja Selvam.  These short movement videos by special guest teacher Pawan Bareja are offered for self-regulation.  

 

Teaching Team

  • Carol Cano

    Teacher

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  • Imee Contreras

    Teacher

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  • Janet Roos

    Teacher

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  • Pawan Bareja

    Guest Teacher

    Guiding Self-Regulation Movement

    Read Bio

  • Ramón Honea

    Teaching Assistant

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  • Carmen Alvarez

    Teaching Assistant

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  • “Before coming to OMYL, there was this persistent sense that something was inherently wrong with me. I would often go into spirals of self hatred. I couldn’t see my own worth. In OMYL, I was fully witnessed in my inherent value, pain and challenges, and I started to see I could be my own medicine. Being witnessed by others is the most beautiful thing I’ve experienced."

    Nancy Pham, Nurse Practitioner

  • “I love being with the seasons and elements as a metaphor for our emotional landscape. Something I experienced in the fall season was getting clear on what was serving me and what needed letting go. OMYL helped me consider what it means to be in integrity. This exploration helped me build an internal strength, allowing me to braid together the medicine within, and connecting me to the inspiration of my ancestry."

    Jamil Moises Liban-Ortañez, artist, Filipinx folk medicine, expressive arts therapist

  • “We come from storytelling and circle holding traditions, but over the years in America, we lose that because we didn’t want to be persecuted by our oppressors. So being in a space held by Braided Wisdom, where we could be free to tell our stories, we were able to reclaim our power and cultures. Since OMYL, I am more compassionate with myself. It’s such a better way to live. Once I realized I could extend to myself the same compassion I give so freely to others, things are just better, less stressful, and I have more peace of mind.”

    Anonymous, OMYL 2022

FAQs

  • There are no prerequisites to participate in OMYL, only a commitment to your own personal growth.

  • No, the Original Medicine Yearlong Program is open to all people with any cultural background or spiritual practices.

  • OM Yearlong Program - This is an intensive, fully immersive multi-month program with several components that require a regular time commitment. Participants must attend an information session and meet the lead teacher to be considered.

    OM 4-Part Series - This offering is a series of four seasonal 2.5 hour virtual sessions often with special guest teachers held on Saturdays throughout the year. This series is open to the public. You do not need to attend any prior session to participate. To explore and register for future sessions, please visit our events page.

  • No, the 4-Part Series is open to the public. Anyone can join us.

 
 
 
 

Sign Up For the Waitlist

Information and dates for the 2024 Original Medicine Yearlong Program will be announced in Fall 2023. Sign up to stay informed.