Original Medicine
Original Medicine Yearlong Program
Original Medicine Yearlong Program is a psycho-spiritual cross-cultural mindfulness approach to healing and personal development. The contemplative teachings weave together Indigenous wisdom, mindfulness, and earth-based practices. This program teaches participants how to work with the four seasons as tools of self-awareness, to learn the process of tracking one’s own changes, and to connect to one’s own natural phenomena as a human being. In Indigenous societies, there are long-standing practices of creating the sacred, cultivating stillness, and embracing silence. Being in nature and engaging in rituals is important to honor the forthcoming changes in the world both within and around us.
Indigenous societies recognize individuals holding their personal power as their Original Medicine. The shadow of the false self is purified as humans strengthen their authentic selves through the practice of coming home to their truth and power. The teachings of Buddha and Indigenous wisdom build this foundation of truth, trust, and love. Together we will explore ways of coming into our own Original Medicine and enhance our personal growth and purpose.
Applications for the 2025 program are due January 7, 2025. Please see below for more information on how to apply.
Application Process
Thank you for your interest in our Original Medicine programs! This immersive experience is designed to provide participants with the tools, practices, and guidance needed for profound personal transformation and growth. Over the course of a year, participants will engage in a combination of experiential learning, personalized mentorship, and community connection to deepen their understanding and embodiment of the program’s principles and framework.
Our programs emphasize:
Holistic integration of mind, body, and spirit.
Cultivating resilience and clarity to navigate life’s complexities.
Building connections within a supportive and diverse community.
Given the personalized nature of these programs and the commitment they require, space is limited, and each application is carefully reviewed by our team. We seek to create a balanced community that honors diversity, shared intentions, and the acceptance of being ready for transformative personal growth.
2025 Program Dates
All sessions and meetings will be held on Zoom until otherwise notified.
Tuesday Sessions 6:00 - 8:00 pm PT
January 14 and 28
March 4 and 18
May 6 and 20
July 8 and 29
September 9 and 23
November 4 and 25
Tuesday Pod Meetings 6:00 - 7:00 pm PT
February 11
April 15
June 17
October 14
Earth-Based Community Gathering (in-person)
Thursday, May 22 - Sunday, May 25, 2025
Reciprocity Contribution
As we look towards creating a restorative economy, one important way to ensure continued growth and engagement with our communities is establishing a practice of sacred reciprocity contribution. Reciprocity practice welcomes individuals to support the participation of others who may not have the same capacity. We recognize most mainstream events and programs like ours are priced at levels far out of reach for many in our community. As a result, we have made our events and programs accessible to all by inviting participants to enter into a relationship of sacred reciprocity to share support with others on the path.
Additionally, reciprocity practice helps ensure that our teachers and medicine elders are adequately compensated for their time and effort, supporting their long-term sustainability and livelihood. Working towards a restorative economy requires our intentional practice of addressing the systemic inequities that often result in income disparity for BIPOC teachers.
Our contribution tiers take these practices into account and we encourage you to consider your own circumstances. Understanding the challenging times, we trust you to attend to your needs and ask you to consider meeting yourself wherever you are financially, with the least amount of harm possible. Please consider contributing according to your ability and to the greatest extent that feels personally meaningful for your situation, with the benefit of others in mind.
Please select one of following tiers of contribution for the Original Medicine Yearlong Program:
Benefactor Tier: $660
The Benefactor Tier provides an opportunity for individuals with financial means to support access for those with limited resources, enabling broader participation and inclusivity.
Spiritual Friend Tier: $540
The Spiritual Friend Tier nurtures the sustainability of our program and is designed for individuals who are employed and able to comfortably support their financial well-being while contributing to our shared mission.
Community Builder Tier: $420
The Community Builder Tier offers a reduced rate for those facing moderate financial constraints or barriers. For example, if you are living on a fixed income, are a senior, a full-time student, or temporarily unemployed, this tier provides support to ensure your sustainability during these times.
Financial Support Self-Reflection:
Lastly, no one is turned away for lack of funds. Each program offers a limited number of spots available for those experiencing severe financial constraints or barriers. If you are navigating any of the circumstances shared in the financial support self-reflection below, you are welcome to reach out to info@braidedwisdom.org.
My financial situation requires me to live paycheck to paycheck, without a safety net or the option to rely on financially stable or wealthy family or friends for support. I currently do not own any property, nor do I possess investments, stocks, retirement accounts, savings, an emergency fund, or inherited funds. My income solely covers my basic daily needs, leaving no disposable income for additional savings, investments, outings, or entertainment.
I or a member of my immediate family is facing a health crisis that has significantly intensified the financial strain, making it even more difficult to meet our minimum daily needs. As a result, I/we frequently depend on community services and charities for essentials like food and clothing due to these financial constraints.
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection and consideration. We believe liberation is a collective path that thrives on meaningful relationships and mutual sustainability and sacred reciprocity. We appreciate your honest reflection and collaboration to expand these offerings to more beings in our community!
Core Program Components
Bi-Monthly Classes
Bi-Monthly Tuesday classes from 6:00 - 8:30 pm PT for wisdom teachings and contemplative practice
Pod Meetings
Six mentor pod meetings every other month with a small group of participants with assigned Mentors and Teaching Assistants for group practice
Mentor 1:1 Support
Twice a year meetings with an assigned mentor for personal support and development
Spiritual Friends
Monthly check-ins with assigned Spiritual Friends to connect with peers and cultivate community
Land Retreat
Land-based gathering at Wolf Dream Mountain in Lake County to learn earth-based practices and cross-cultural ceremony
Learning Tools
Online learning portal to access course assignments and personal journal assignments
Additional Support
Guided Self-Regulation Movements
Teachings from Elder Wisdom Holders who offer diverse perspectives and approaches to Indigenous practices (Original Medicine 4-part Series)
Required assignments, readings, audio, and video
Personal journal assignments to do on your own time to help you reflect on the teachings as you go
Personal practice, ritual, ongoing meditation practice, mindful movement
Guided Self-Regulation Movements
Rhythm and Dance of the 4 Elements
Our bodies are a dance of the 4 elements: water, air, earth and fire. These elements express themselves as energy and emotions that resides in different parts of our bodies. When you understand where these elements are located in our body, you use movement to activate them and harness the power of these elements in your daily life. Through certain rhythmic movements, we will move the energy of the elements so as to harmonize and calm our body, mind and regulate our emotions. The energetic zones of the elements are based on Polarity Therapy which is inspired by the chakra system in yoga. The movement to regulate emotions is drawn from Integral Somatic Psychology taught by Raja Selvam. These short movement videos by special guest teacher Pawan Bareja are offered for self-regulation.
In-Depth Program with Carol Cano
The In-Depth Original Medicine Program with Carol Cano is a psycho-spiritual cross-cultural mindfulness approach to healing and personal development. The contemplative teachings weave together Indigenous wisdom, mindfulness, and earth-based practices. This deeper level program teaches participants how to work with the four seasons as tools of self-awareness to learn the process of tracking one’s own changes, working with the false-self system and to connect to one’s own natural phenomena as a human being.
Who is this program for?
It is designed for those who have completed a full year of the Original Medicine program or attended the Original Medicine Earth-Based Intensive Retreat. This offering provides guidance and a deeper understanding of the teachings. Together, we will explore how to embody these teachings in everyday life with authenticity and gratitude, fostering a profound sense of harmony within yourself and with the world around you. The teachings of the Buddha and Indigenous wisdom build this foundation of truth, trust, and love.
Applications are welcome by January 24, 2025.
Session Dates
Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 pm PT
February 4
April 8
June 10
August 5
October 7
Reciprocity Contribution
Please select one of following tiers of contribution for the Original Medicine In-Depth Series:
Benefactor Tier: $475
The Benefactor Tier provides an opportunity for individuals with financial means to support access for those with limited resources, enabling broader participation and inclusivity.
Spiritual Friend Tier: $405
The Spiritual Friend Tier nurtures the sustainability of our program and is designed for individuals who are employed and able to comfortably support their financial well-being while contributing to our shared mission.
Community Builder Tier: $345
The Community Builder Tier offers a reduced rate for those facing moderate financial constraints or barriers. For example, if you are living on a fixed income, are a senior, a full-time student, or temporarily unemployed, this tier provides support to ensure your sustainability during these times.
Teaching Team
-
Carol Cano
Teacher
-
Imee Contreras
Teacher
-
Janet Roos
Teacher
-
Pawan Bareja
Guest Teacher
Guiding Self-Regulation Movement
-
Carmen Alvarez
Teaching Assistant
-
Kimber Simpkins-Nuccio
Teaching Assistant
-
Jonathan Relucio
Teaching Assistant
-
![]()
“Before coming to OMYL, there was this persistent sense that something was inherently wrong with me. I would often go into spirals of self hatred. I couldn’t see my own worth. In OMYL, I was fully witnessed in my inherent value, pain and challenges, and I started to see I could be my own medicine. Being witnessed by others is the most beautiful thing I’ve experienced."
Nancy Pham, Nurse Practitioner
-
![]()
“I love being with the seasons and elements as a metaphor for our emotional landscape. Something I experienced in the fall season was getting clear on what was serving me and what needed letting go. OMYL helped me consider what it means to be in integrity. This exploration helped me build an internal strength, allowing me to braid together the medicine within, and connecting me to the inspiration of my ancestry."
Jamil Moises Liban-Ortañez, artist, Filipinx folk medicine, expressive arts therapist
-
![]()
“We come from storytelling and circle holding traditions, but over the years in America, we lose that because we didn’t want to be persecuted by our oppressors. So being in a space held by Braided Wisdom, where we could be free to tell our stories, we were able to reclaim our power and cultures. Since OMYL, I am more compassionate with myself. It’s such a better way to live. Once I realized I could extend to myself the same compassion I give so freely to others, things are just better, less stressful, and I have more peace of mind.”
Anonymous, OMYL 2022
FAQs
-
There are no prerequisites to participate in OMYL, only a commitment to your own personal growth.
-
No, the Original Medicine Yearlong Program is open to all people with any cultural background or spiritual practices.
-
OM Yearlong Program - This is an intensive, fully immersive multi-month program with several components that require a regular time commitment. Participants must attend an information session and meet the lead teacher to be considered.
OM 4-Part Series - This offering is a series of four seasonal 2.5 hour virtual sessions often with special guest teachers held on Saturdays throughout the year. This series is open to the public. You do not need to attend any prior session to participate. To explore and register for future sessions, please visit our events page.
-
No, the 4-Part Series is open to the public. Anyone can join us.
Sign Up For the Waitlist
Information and dates for the 2024 Original Medicine Yearlong Program will be announced in Fall 2023. Sign up to stay informed.