Rediscover Your Love of Medicine and Life
A Personal Journey by Kristin Kaelber MD, PhD
When I first attended the AMI physicians’ conference, my intention was to heal from burnout. At that time, I truly believed that if I found the “right” job, then (and only then) I would be able to heal. I never imagined that healing could occur within the same job. I thought I needed to find a job where the clinic allowed me to emphasize lifestyle practice for reversal of disease, gave me enough time to see patients, and diligently supported physicians so that they could focus only on doctor work and not menial tasks.
However, Yoga Science has taught me that when I change my perspective, I change my experience as well. Over the past year or two, as I’ve worked the same job, my perspective has changed. My practice of Yoga Science has allowed my medical practice and experience as a physician to be reimagined into a form more aligned with my own inner wisdom and my deepest driving desire to be of service wherever I find myself. I have also come to realize that if I had switched to the “perfect job” without experiencing the purification accomplished through my spiritual practice (which is known as sadhana in Sanskrit), I would not have found any new job to be the ideal imagined in my fantasies.
Prior to coming to the conference I felt that patients brought me burdens that I had to handle for them. Frankly, I was sometimes angry that they dumped them on me. When I came into the examination room their problems became my own. I had not noticed the stress that this caused my body, but I did often take their problems home with me at night. As a consequence, I mindlessly ate […]
Susan Lord MD: Physician Burnout Can Be Relieved And Prevented By Using Food as Medicine
Holistic physician Susan Lord MD will speak on “Food as Medicine” at The American Meditation Institute (AMI) 31-credit hour CME conference for physicians and other health care providers, October 22-26, 2019 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. Entitled “The Heart and Science of Yoga,” this year’s 11th annual comprehensive training on Yoga Science as holistic mind/body medicine is accredited by the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association to help identify, prevent and relieve physician stress and burnout.
At the upcoming conference, Dr. Lord will explain how Yoga Science can help physicians understand what the mind-body needs to reestablish optimal balance and function. According to Dr. Lord: “This non-profit educational organization has been bringing together accomplished, dynamic medical professionals in support of physician wellness for 11 years. Collectively, The American Meditation Institute has taught thousands about how Yoga Science uses “food as medicine” to help heal the physical, mental and emotional imbalances in the human mind-body-sense complex. The practice of AMI Meditation and its allied disciplines optimize physiologic function from the cellular level on up—building health and resilience. As Hippocrates taught long ago, food actually is medicine. For most people, when they choose what to eat, they choose their state of health and balance.”
Dr. Susan Lord graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and is in private practice in Great Barrington, MA focusing on prevention and treatment through mindful living and lifestyle changes. From 1996-2007, she served as Course Director for the “Food as Medicine” program at the Center for Mind/Body Medicine in Washington, DC.
The entire “Heart and Science of Yoga” CME curriculum provides quality, comprehensive and evidence-based education to physicians and other health care providers. In addition to “Food as Medicine,” topics this year will include a comprehensive […]
The 11th Annual “Heart and Science of Yoga” Conference to be Presented October 22-26 for the Relief and Prevention of Physician Burnout
A complete curriculum of Yoga Science and meditation practices to relieve and prevent physician burnout will be taught at The American Meditation Institute’s (AMI) eleventh annual mind/body medicine 31 credit hour CME conference on October 22-26, 2019 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. Entitled “The Heart and Science of Yoga,” this 11th annual comprehensive training, accredited through the American Medical Association and Albany Medical College Office of Continuing Medical Education, is designed to help identify, prevent and relieve stress and burnout currently being experienced by physicians and other healthcare providers.
As part of its ongoing effort to redress the physician burnout issue, The American Meditation Institute in 2009 conducted a retrospective case study of participants who previously completed “The Heart and Science of Yoga” curriculum. The findings included these positive, reproducible, long-term health-promoting changes: significant reductions in stress and fear, decreased anxiety and depression, lowered blood pressure, lowered heart rate, improved restorative sleep, improved energy levels, Increased creative capacity, diminishment of migraine headaches, elimination of irritable bowel syndrome, enhanced happiness and optimism, reduced cholesterol levels, diminished or extinguished acute and chronic pain, weight loss and increased breathing capacity.
According to the annual “National Physician Burnout, Depression & Suicide Report” recently published in the “Medscape Report,” the rate of physician burnout directly correlates to the numbers of hours a physician works each week. Of physicians working 71 or more hours a week, 57% report burnout symptoms. On the opposite end, of physicians working 31-40 hours per week, 36% report burnout symptoms. Surveyed physicians cite increasing administrative tasks and computerization of practice as a major contributor to longer hours and burnout.
This year’s American Meditation Institute “Heart and Science of Yoga” CME conference is dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive and evidence-based education to physicians and other health […]
American Meditation Institute Research Study on AMI Meditation for Physician Burnout Enters Second Year
The American Meditation Institute (AMI) announced today that it has entered the second year of a research study that examines the impact of a basic daily mantra-based AMI MEDITATION practice on the symptoms of burnout, compassion fatigue and stress in healthcare providers. The second group of participants in this study will be among those who receive their training at AMI’s tenth annual “Heart and Science of Yoga” Mind/Body Medicine CME conference October 23-27, 2018 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. The study received IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval through the Berkshire Medical Center in 2017.
The principal investigator of the study is Mark Pettus MD, Director of Medical Education and Population Health, Berkshire Health Systems, and the co-principal investigator is Beth Netter MD, Chair of The American Meditation Institute’s Department of Medical Education. According to Dr. Netter, “The study will evaluate how a daily AMI MEDITATION practice can help to provide healthcare professionals a happier, healthier life along with relief from burnout symptoms and an enhanced work/life balance.”
While there are many systems and organizational factors contributing to burnout in the healthcare arena (including electronic health record requirements that increase documentation time, bureaucratic tasks and hours at work), AMI founder Leonard Perlmutter claims that, “It is how we respond to stressors that effects our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While organizational changes are being recognized and implemented, healthcare providers desperately need self-care support so that they can work and live with greater optimism, creativity, health and well-being.”
At this year’s American Meditation Institute “Heart and Science of Yoga” conference, attendees will receive 32 category 1 CME credits through lectures and practicums on: AMI Meditation, diaphragmatic breathing, mantra science, yoga psychology, alleviating trauma and PTSD, resiliency, mind function optimization, Epigenomics, food as medicine, Ayurveda, easy-gentle yoga, lymph system detoxification and […]
American Meditation Institute CME Conference for Relieving Burnout Offers Physicians a Practical Application of Herbert Benson MD’s “Three-Legged Stool” Theory
According to The American Meditation Institute (AMI) founder Leonard Perlmutter, AMI MEDITATION practical self-care techniques that can relieve and prevent physician burnout will be taught at the 10th annual mind/body medicine CME conference October 23-27, 2018 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. Entitled “The Heart and Science of Yoga,” this 32 CME comprehensive training, accredited through the American Medical Association and Albany Medical College, is designed to help identify, prevent and relieve physician stress and burnout.
Herbert Benson, professor of mind/body medicine at Harvard Medical School and director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute at Mass General Hospital, claims that maintaining good health is analogous to building a three-legged stool. The legs are comprised of: 1. Self-care (such as AMI Meditation), 2. Surgery and Medical Procedures, and 3. Pharmaceuticals. According to Dr. Benson, “Health and well-being is balanced and optimal only when all three legs of the stool are in place.”
AMI founder Leonard Perlmutter emphatically agrees. In concurring, he states that, “The ‘Heart and Science of Yoga’ CME curriculum supports physicians in addressing the vitally important self-care leg of the stool. This course represents the oldest and most effective holistic mind/body medicine to relieve and prevent burnout, heal disease, manage addictive habits, alleviate stress and inflammation, and balance life-work responsibilities.” Perlmutter concludes, “When the therapeutic practices of Yoga Science are consistently incorporated into daily lives of physicians and patients, most symptoms of stress related burnout and chronic complex diseases can be diminished or eliminated.”
In 2009, in support of the American Meditation Institute’s continuing medical education accreditation for physicians (through the Albany Medical College and the American Medical Association), AMI conducted a retrospective case study of participants who completed Leonard Perlmutter’s “Heart and Science of Yoga” course. The findings included these positive, reproducible, long-term health-promoting […]
Gustavo Grodnitzky PhD: Yoga Science Diminishes the Cultural Influences that Lead to Physician Burnout
Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD will join the faculty of The American Meditation Institute (AMI) for a 32-credit hour mind/body medicine CME conference on meditation, gentle yoga and diaphragmatic breathing for physicians and other health care professionals. Entitled “The Heart and Science of Yoga,” this comprehensive training being held October 23-27, 2018 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts, is accredited by the Albany Medical College and the American Medical Association, and is designed to help relieve physician stress and burnout.
Gustavo Grodnitzky, PhD is a noted speaker, author, consultant , psychologist, and Chair of the AMI Psychological Education Committee. After obtaining his Ph.D. in clinical and school psychology from Hofstra University, he completed post-doctorate degrees in both cognitive therapy and forensic psychology.
Dr. Grodnitzky’s participation at this year’s CME conference will include a thought-provoking lecture that explores how the power of culture has impacted physician perspective and resilience. With a higher understanding of how culture affects our thoughts and actions, physicians will be able to apply simple yogic principles and practices in their everyday lives to help relieve burnout. According to Grodnitzky, “when you change the way you see the world, the world you see changes.”
Now in its tenth year of providing physicians continuing medical education credits, this unique holistic mind/body medicine conference will present an in-depth study of the historical, philosophical and scientific nature of Yoga Science. Practical yogic skills will be taught to all attendees to expand their knowledge of and experience with health-affirming, yogic practices.
The entire curriculum at this year’s 32-hour CME conference is dedicated to providing quality, comprehensive and evidence-based education to physicians and other health care providers. To help physicians relieve burnout symptoms, conference topics will include mantra-based AMI MEDITATION, diaphragmatic breathing, Yoga Psychology, the chakra system as a […]
Interview with CME Conference Speaker Mark Pettus, MD
I interact with a lot of physicians who I think confront unprecedented levels of stress in their lives for many reasons. It’s easy for me to understand how challenging it is to be a physician navigating this landscape; trying to do the best you can with things beyond our control—health care reform, various regulatory issues are always coming down on providers. Any physician who is confronting challenge around joy and the capacity to thrive definitely needs to be aware of the AMI’s work. In my experience, the AMI program is unique. I’ve never seen anyone translate the philosophy and science of Yoga the way Leonard Perlmutter does with his beautiful integration of meditation in the context of Yoga Science. Leonard is always pushing the edges bringing in new speakers that represent expertise and state-of-the-art science. Really, from beginning to end, it’s news to use. This is a very experiential program, so while a lot of physicians might look at program that are more skewed toward didactics, lectures and powerpoints, experience is really the heart of the AMI’s program. I think this is a program that’s at the tipping point of meeting the needs of a tremendous number of caregivers who are doing amazing work but struggling to continue to maintain that edge. My appeal to any caregiver would be to love yourself. Express the same compassion to who you are as you would for those you care for. And look in the mirror and ask yourself, “Are you happy? Are you thriving?” And if not, why is that? Many of the AMI tools that you learn throuh this program are the antidotes to so many of physicians’ day-to-day challenges.
Neuromuscular Therapist Lee Albert to Present at The American Meditation Institute’s 10th Annual CME Conference on Yoga for Pain Relief and Physician Burnout Prevention
Acclaimed neuromuscular therapist and gentle yoga instructor Lee Albert, NMT will join the faculty of The American Meditation Institute (AMI) for a 32-credit hour mind/body medicine CME conference on meditation, gentle yoga and diaphragmatic breathing for physicians and other health care professionals. Entitled “The Heart and Science of Yoga” this conference, to be held October 23-27, 2018 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts, is accredited by the Albany Medical College and the American Medical Association, and is designed to help relieve physician stress and burnout.
Presenter Lee Albert NMT created, practices and teaches Integrated Positional Therapy (IPT)–a series of yogic protocols to reduce and eliminate chronic pain. He is the author of “Yoga for Pain Relief: A New Approach to an Ancient Practice.” His conference session, “Positional Therapy for Chronic Pain Relief,” will deliver practical, gentle techniques to help physicians align their neuromuscular system and achieve a pain-free body through life’s most challenging situations.
According to Albert, “IPT supports some of the most important foundational principles of yoga—centering, balance, and strength—and is physically and mentally empowering as one comes to embrace the potential of applying self-care techniques to achieve a state of holistic well-being.”
Now in its 10th year, the entire “Heart and Science of Yoga” CME curriculum will provide quality, comprehensive and evidence-based education to physicians and other health care providers on Yoga Science as mind/body medicine. Topics this year will include a comprehensive overview and instruction on AMI MEDITATION, epigenomics, diaphragmatic breathing, mantra science, yoga psychology, alleviating trauma and PTSD, resiliency, mind function optimization, food as medicine, Ayurveda, easy-gentle yoga, lymph system detoxification and the chakra system as a diagnostic tool. New this year, dedicated courses on addiction and pain management, a frequent conference discussion topic and growing global issue, have been added […]
Physician Burnout CME Conference: Yoga Science as Holistic Mind/Body Medicine
The American Meditation Institute (AMI) will host its 10th annual comprehensive training in Yoga Science as holistic mind/body medicine conference October 23-27, 2018 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. This 32 credit CME training, which is accredited by the American Medical Association, will provide a proven curriculum that transforms the energy of stress, and furnish each attendee a set of tools and resources necessary for relieving and preventing burnout.
In addition to their enormous professional responsibilities, increasing numbers of physicians today are debilitatingly burdened with overwork, extreme stress, anxiety, and even “compassion fatigue.” According to the “2018 Medscape National Physician Burnout & Depression Report,” 42% of all physician respondents reported feeling burnout, and 15% admitted to experiencing either clinical (severe) or colloquial (“feeling down”) forms of depression. Taught by a distinguished faculty, this CME conference is a leading-edge program that presents practical and effective tools to aid physicians in bringing back the joy of practicing medicine, achieving personal and professional fulfillment, and providing more compassionate and insightful care to patients.
According to AMI founder Leonard Perlmutter, “By practicing the scientific meditation techniques taught at this year’s conference, health care providers will learn how to construct a practical, bridge between their own inner, intuitive wisdom and their actions in the world. This bridge between the inner mental world and the outer world of action empowers us to coordinate our human assets in ways that enable us to experience healthy, creative, loving, nurturing and rewarding relationships in our work and at home.”
In support of The American Meditation Institute’s initial continuing medical education accreditation for physicians (through the Albany Medical College), AMI conducted a 2008-09 retrospective case study of participants who completed Leonard Perlmutter’s unique curriculum. The findings included these positive, reproducible, long-term health-promoting changes: […]
Collegiality and a Sense of Community Provided at Yoga Science CME Conference to Help Physicians Relieve and Prevent Burnout
The American Meditation Institute has announced that AMI MEDITATION techniques for relieving and preventing common physician burnout symptoms will be taught in a supportive peer environment at the 10th annual mind/body medicine CME conference October 23-27, 2018 at the Cranwell Resort and Spa in Lenox, Massachusetts. Entitled “The Heart and Science of Yoga,” this comprehensive, 32 credit CME training is accredited by the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association.
The 2018 Medscape National Physician Burnout & Depression Report states that 42% of physicians are less engaged with their medical staff and peers, and more easily irritated throughout the day. Additionally, a 2017 Mayo Clinic article found that physician burnout decreases when a sense of community and collegiality is fostered between physicians and other health care professionals. According to the authors, Tait D. Shanafelt MD, and John H. Noseworthy MD, changes to the demands of medicine have “led to an erosion of peer support and a greater sense of isolation for many physicians.” Colin West MD, PhD, a leader of Mayo Clinic’s Program on Physician Well-Being concurs, “Mutual support from colleagues to deal with the challenges of their field has long helped physicians manage the stress related to practicing medicine and derive meaning from their work.”
Leonard Perlmutter, AMI founder and faculty director, acknowledges that an increase in administrative tasks and other demands have had a direct correlation to both the decrease in meaningful time interacting with colleagues and the growing physician burnout epidemic. According to Perlmutter, “The ‘Heart and Science of Yoga’ conference curriculum represents the oldest and most effective holistic mind/body medicine to relieve and prevent burnout, heal disease, manage addictive habits, alleviate stress and inflammation, and balance life-work responsibilities.” Then he adds, “This conference provides an engaging forum for attendees to […]
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Are You Experiencing Burnout?
A 2017 AMA Medscape Lifestyle Report asked physicians from 27 medical specialties to grade the severity of their burnout on a scale of 1 to 7—one being that it does not interfere, and seven indicating thoughts of leaving medicine. All but one specialty chose a level four or higher. Are you experiencing Physician Burnout symptoms?