Open Sky’s Family Wellness Counselor A Featured Panelist at NATSAP Annual Conference
Norman Elizondo, Open Sky’s Family Wellness Counselor was a featured panelist at the annual conference of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) in La Jolla, California on Thursday, Jan. 28th.
The panel was assembled to discuss the current trend in clinical treatment settings towards incorporating mindfulness-based practices concurrent with clinical treatment and the ramifications for the field at large. In particular, the discussion explored the treatment efficacy of mindfulness-based practices and also debated what constitutes a mindfulness-based practice and what does not.
Since its inception in 2006, Open Sky has been incorporating a daily reflective practice of meditation with its students and has noticed an increase in student’s self awareness and ability to more effectively manage difficult emotions. In addition to a daily meditation practice, Open Sky also leads students through yoga each morning. Yoga is a body-centered mindfulness practice that has many proven scientific benefits for the mind and body.
Norman Elizondo began working in wilderness therapy in 1998 after a head long venture into the restaurant industry and a stint doing financial consulting. After losing his mother to cancer, he set about to devote his life’s work to assisting people reduce confusion and suffering in their lives. Norman has studied and practiced yoga since the mid-nineties and is a devote meditation practitioner as a member of the Dhyanasangha community of the Dharma Ocean Foundation, a Buddhist community based in Crestone, Colorado. Norman provides the Open Sky team with regular training and guidance in these practices so as to better serve our students and families.
Learn more about meditation at Open Sky here.
Learn more about yoga at Open Sky here.
Learn more about the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) here.
