What Shapes our Offerings:
Our approach is foundationally integrative; a truly holistic framework that incorporates elements that are evidence-informed from both science and traditional (often categorised as Western vs Eastern) models of human care, psychology, health and development - and all methods we work with are targeted and adapted to meet your individual needs and goals; a process where we walk alongside you as you identify what you would like to change, and help you find “the how” to achieve the transformation you envision!
At Kalaa, we work with a framework I've called the Bio-Psycho-Social-Subtle-Spiritual (BPSSS) model of functioning, growth and wellbeing. This builds on the biopsychosocial model of Engel (as adopted by the WHO) - which conceptualises the dynamic interplay of biological, psychological, social and environmental factors - and extends it to include the subliminal subtle and spiritual domains of the person. All domains interconnect to uniquely shape and impact our wellbeing and personal growth trajectory; our health, illness, functioning, life participation, and unfolding fulfillment of our truest selves. Consideration of these two additional domains of subtle and spiritual allows for a genuinely holistic understanding and interwoven envisioning of what is needed to shift things integrally for you.
All our work is underpinned by the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo, which views the human being as consisting of multiple, integrally interconnected layers, with the innermost core being that of our spirit or soul (psychic); our individual, evolving essence of the divine consciousness. For our deepest inner selves to be known and free, aspiration, awareness and intentional effort are often called for to harmonise the outer layers - the surface physical, vital and mind; as we cultivate progress towards the ultimate aim of living anchored in direct contact with the higher consciousness of our Inner Being. In this way we will work with you through an integral lens, considering all the layers of your being and their interrelation; to incorporate strategies and practices aimed to access, shift, quieten, and align those challenging outer layers that interface between our deepest inner Self and the external world. The bottom line: Together, we will collaborate on tapping into your intrinsic motivations and capacities, exploring deeply your individual medley of inner and outer resources and assets to facilitate change and growth towards your goals, to progress forward on your unique path as you work to achieve your version of “well-being”. And planning always includes strategies for ongoing self-management and self-care.
Further understanding through Sri Aurobindo’s own words:
“For the contact of the human and individual consciousness with the Divine is the very essence of
Yoga…the contact may take place at any point of the complex and intricately organised consciousness
which we call our personality. It may be effected in the physical through the body; in the vital through
the… state and the experiences of our nervous being; through the mentality, whether by means of the
emotional heart, the active will or the understanding mind… And according to the point of contact…
will be the type of the Yoga that we practise”. 1
“An integral and synthetic Yoga… while it embraces the knowledge received from the past, it seeks to organise it anew for the present and the future. An absolute liberty of experience and of the restatement of knowledge in new terms and new combinations… Seeking to embrace all life in itself, it is in the position… of a path-finder hewing his way through a virgin forest”. 2
“By this Yoga, we not only seek the Infinite, but we call upon the Infinite to unfold (it)self in human life. Therefore… our Yoga must provide for… A free adaptability in the manner and the type of the individual’s acceptance of the Universal and Transcendent into himself… the perfection of the Integral Yoga will come when each man is able to follow his own path of yoga, pursuing the development of his own nature in its upsurging towards that which transcends the nature.” 3
1 Sri Aurobindo, The Synthesis of Yoga, pp. 32-33
2 Ibid, pp. 56-57
3 Ibid, p.57
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