We are excited to welcome author Lyla Yastion to Bear Pond Books!
Join us on July 19th from 1pm - 3pm for a signing event for her latest book, "My Years As An Alzheimer's Caregiver: Transcending Loss by Nurturing Spirit".
About the Book:
The book argues that even as the body fails, the soul or spirit remains untouched and can be nourished. Caregivers can nourish the soul of the person living with Alzheimer’s through spiritual practices and artistic pursuits. These activities can bring peace and happiness, releasing the person momentarily from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Lyla encouraged Edward’s own artistic gift of Japanese brush painting, entertained him with her artistic gift – playing classical pieces on the piano – and meditated with him regularly.
An important lesson that is learned, over and over, when caring for someone whose mental-emotional faculties are deteriorating, is this: love is the constant that preserves and nourishes the humanity of both the person living with Alzheimer’s disease and the caregiver.
The approach of the book is unique. It weaves together three elements: a scientific description of the brain and how Alzheimer’s disease disfigures it; a spiritual teaching based in the idea at the heart of many religions that we possess an imperishable spirit or soul; and an experiential component that shows through daily journal entries the progression of the disease and creative solutions to problems encountered.
About the Author:
Lyla Yastion graduated Phi Beta Kappa from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, with a BA in English and Drama. She met her husband, Edward, at Herbert Berghof School of Drama in New York City where they were both taking classes. They married and were graced with two sons.
Their spiritual life was enriched by 30 years of participation as students and tutors at the School of Practical Philosophy in New York City. After their sons were grown and out on their own Lyla returned to academia, pursuing a graduate degree. She received a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Albany and went on to teach courses in anthropology and religious studies at colleges in the Hudson Valley for eighteen years.
While teaching, she wrote two books: Pause Now: Handbook for a Spiritual Revolution and Homesick: Finding Our Way Back to a Healthy Planet. Since her retirement Lyla has been teaching courses at lifelong learning institutes (LLIs) at the campuses of Bard, Vassar, and SUNY New Paltz. She is a reiki master. Lyla received professional training in mindfulness-based-stress-reduction (MBSR) from Jon Kabat-Zinn. Her poetry has appeared in Chronogram magazine. Lyla lives in Tillson, NY with her cat, Henry.
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