Netivot/Pathways High Holy Days Institute of Jewish Spiritual Practices
The Netivot/Pathways High Holy Days Institute is a unique alternative High Holy Days experience for people who prefer a contemplative experience grounded in yoga and spiritual direction, providing a full day “service” comprised of embodied spiritual practices. Now in our 7th year at Anshe Emet, Netivot/Pathways has become a High Holy Days home to members of our community and people in greater Chicagoland. The rare word Netivot originates in Sefer Yetzirah, an early source of Jewish mysticism, and refers to multiple pathways to spiritual wisdom. We all find ourselves in some way in a particular place seeking inspiration, truth and awareness - at Netivot/Pathways we become present to our intentions and strengthen the attributes we need to follow our own paths.
Join Rabbi Heather Altman, yoga instructor and spiritual director, in creating sanctuary for your soul. All are welcome to participate in any or all of the Netivot/Pathways components.
New this year, we added another day, so you can come for three days: Rosh Hashanah 1 & 2 and Yom Kippur! Online pre-registration is now closed. If you have not yet registered and wish to do so, please call Ashley Glas at 773-868-5114.
Schedule
Yom Kippur | Wednesday, September 26, 2012
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. Guided Contemplation
9:20 - 9:40 a.m. Jewish Meditation/Chant
9:45 - 10:15 a.m. Tefilla Yoga*
10:20 - 10:40 a.m. Rav Yoga*
10:45 - 11:30 a.m. Refu'ah Yoga*
11:35 - 12:45 p.m. Living with Loss: From Trauma to Today
Class Descriptions
Guided Contemplation
Begin the day with a silent space for contemplating kavanah (intention) with a guided entry of moving into silence and stillness.
Jewish Meditation
Jewish meditative practice for connecting soul and body. Cultivate awareness of your breath, mind, soul, and sound with silence, images, and chant.
Tefilla Yoga*
Morning prayers on the mat. With Tefilla Yoga, Rabbi Altman translates the prayer book into yoga poses and sequences that match the intention of each prayer.
Rav Yoga*
Embody your intention to awaken to a new year. Rav Yoga fuses the wisdom of two ancient traditions: yoga and Judaism. Explore two major themes of Rosh Hashanah – awakening the soul and new beginnings, with heart opening yoga. Balance the theme of judgment (Din) on Yom Kippur with its counterpart of love (Hesed) with a yoga focus on balance.
Refu’ah Yoga*
Passive and supported postures promote deep relaxation, heart softening compassion, and preparing for forgiveness, through returning to a sense of deep rest and renewal. The spiritual tasks of letting go and making amends become natural once your physical, emotional, and mental systems come into balance.
Healing Torah
Contemplative Torah “service” of listening for inspiration, and reflection upon spiritual messages in the Rosh Hashanah passages..For each of the Torah themes of aging, illness and loss, spiritual seeking, infertility and trauma, you will be invited to receive an aliyah blessing for healing. Mourners Kaddish will be recited.
Hineini Hevruta
Using the dynamic Torah study technique of hevruta, we will look closely at the use of the word Hineini (“Here I am”. Or “I am here.”) in today’s Torah portion and in the pre-Amidah prayer. Where are you and where do you want to be? [No experience necessary]
Shofar Call
The call and response of the shofar pairs with the call and response of kirtan-style Hebrew chant.
Living with Loss: From Trauma To Today
Everyone is living with loss, and each of us endures trauma in our lives. More than anything, Yom Kippur is about facing the darkness in our lives, learning to assuage our fears and to embrace living in the present moment. We will include yizkor for those mourning a loved one. With Ellen Katz, MS, LMFT.
Teshuvah Yoga
Teshuvah Yoga is the long anticipated combination of Torah, Yoga and 12 Step Recovery. We’ll learn how the how the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous provide guidance in Teshuva (repentance), and how they match up with the three motifs of the Musaf Amidah. Comprised of two complementary parts, we’ll begin with an open meeting followed by an intentional themed practice. This is a spiritual program.
Please Note: *Bring your own mat or borrow one of ours. Come for yoga in stretchy layered clothing.