Galen Kusic, Editor

(This article was originally published in the Aug. 25 print edition of the Herald)

Ohio State University junior and neuroscience major Kelsey Remeis courageously traveled across the country to Benicia to intern and study with Keira Lynn Ufalusi of Benicia Health and Fitness Gym this summer.

Remeis found Ufalusi through a search on yoga therapists, body/mind medicine, neuroscience. After establishing contact and interviews; an internship was offered to Kelsey so she could shadow Ufalusi in her work, classes and workshops.

“The choice to be in Benicia this summer came when I found Keira while searching for an internship in Yoga Therapy,” said Remeis. “We talked back and forth for awhile, interviewed, and decided that we were a good match for each other in terms of work. Keira has taught me so much about compassion. It is something that can’t not be faked, and you can truly feel the compassion she has for others when she is in the room.”

Ufalusi has been in practice for 29 years and provides mind and body healing work in private practice and to the developmentally disabled community.

Remeis spent June and July in Benicia, where she participated in private lessons while assisting classes in yoga at Benicia Health and Fitness.

“Essentially she learned classical yoga and yoga therapy applications to assist her goals of combining neuroscience with yoga and body/mind therapeutic work,” said Ufalusi.

Kelsey shadowed Ufalusi in sessions at The Center of Well-Being where she helped lead practitioners and sessions with developmentally disabled adults. Remeis learned to become Keira’s administrative assistant and they developed two pieces of work. The first, a manual of best practices to use at the Center of Well-Being. Second, an online training program for training calm circuits into the neurological system of adults and caregivers, which Ufalusi developed over the last 10 years of her 30 year practice.

The program called, “Antidote Calm” assists people in forming the habits and practicing the skills that produce calming outcomes and transform individual lives to healthy states of being. It is also useful to counteract the effects of stress, anxiety and general chaos from lack of self-regulation skills and strengths.

“Kelsey stayed busy while learning, yet also managed to develop relationships with students, travel and enjoy our greater Bay Area and learn of the culture in our area,” said Ufalusi. “Our beautiful town of Benicia and the students in our classes showed Kelsey the best of our town.”

Remeis was hired for odd jobs, extended homes to stay at, hosted dinners and going away parties, including a final going away party on Aug. 1 at One House Bakery. She cites the most valuable skills she learned while visiting Benicia came from the experiences of moving across the country and becoming comfortable in a new environment.

“I’ve become more aware of my surroundings, confident in my choices, and more grateful for every moment, she said. “I am extremely fortunate to have been able to spend my summer learning from such an amazing teacher and being so welcomed by the people of Benicia. There was not one moment that I felt out of place or uncomfortable when surrounded by this great community.”

Remeis notes the most rewarding part of her internship was working with new populations, such as those at The Center of Well-Being with developmental disabilities.

“It was really enlightening to feel the compassion these people have,” she said. “All the experiences I have had during my summer in Benicia really opened up my eyes to the different paths I can pursue. It is such an exciting time to be in the field of neuroscience, and I plan on merging my knowledge in this field with yoga to explain how it can heal both the mind and body.”

Remeis plans to visit Benicia again in the future, visiting some of the folks she met along the way. Her favorite place she visited was Lake Tahoe, where she did some yoga at Squaw Valley and Wanderlust with Keira.

“My favorite thing about Benicia was definitely the community aspect,” she said. “Everyone is so supportive of one another and always so willing to reach out a helping hand. The people of Benicia really are some of the most genuine people I have met.”

After Remeis graduates, she plans on going to graduate school to further her knowledge in the field and prepare for a career blending her passions in neuroscience and yoga.

“We all feel quite fortunate she has joined us this summer and she feels very fortunate to have observed and experience the gracious welcome from our community,” said Ufalusi.