56. Embodied Kabbalah & Yoga Nidra: A Conversation with Rav Benji Elson (70 mins)

NA'ALEH YOGA: Yoga Nidra Journeys for Deep Rest

Close Your Eyes and Stay Awake...

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Rav Benji Elson, whose work bridges Kabbalistic wisdom, nature-based spirituality, psychological healing, and personal transformation. Rav Benji is the author of Dance of the Omer, a book exploring the mystical journey of counting the Omer as a path to self-refinement. Our conversation explores how ancient Kabbalistic teachings, particularly the Sefirot, offer a powerful framework for healing, inner growth, and spiritual surrender—elements that are highly relevant to our upcoming series of Yoga Nidra practices themed on the Kabbalistic Sefirot. We discuss the intersection of Jewish mysticism, embodied meditation, and traditional psychology as transformative tools for deep healing and personal growth.

Rav Benji Elson's bio:

Rav Benji Elson, LMSW is a passionate instructor of embodied Jewish practice, a psychotherapist, an author, a musician, a Jewish environmental educator, and a transformative experience facilitator who has been privileged to share his impactful self-transformation and Jewish psychology teachings globally, including in cities across the U.S., Israel, the UK, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Finland, Zambia, South Africa, and India.​

Benji's acclaimed book and course, Dance of the Omer, integrates Jewish psychology, kabbalah, chassidut, embodied practices, meditation, state-of-the-art therapeutic modalities, and nature connection, offering participants a unique path to personal transformation. He is currently writing a second self-transformation guidebook on Elul and Tishrei (the High Holidays). ​

As a psychotherapist, Benji works with individuals, couples, and families, utilizing a diverse array of cutting-edge therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, IFS, DBT, CBT, KAP, NLP, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness, Regressions, and more.​

Rabbi Benji is also the co-founder and director of Sod Siach, an innovative EcoTorah Discovery Program that combines weekly text-study classes, hands-on workshops, and experiential field trips to promote sustainable Jewish living through Torah & the Land.

Previously, Benji served as Educational Director and Lead Transformational Facilitator of Shebet Haaretz, leading transformational Jewish jungle expeditions to reconnect participants with themselves, spirituality, Judaism, and the world.

On a more personal note, Benji’s colorful life experiences include living in two veggie-oil-fueled mobile homes, shepherding goats in the Jerusalem hills, meditating in Indian ashrams, living & working on Jewish farms around the globe, and volunteering in remote African villages.

Here is where to find Rav Benji Elson:

HOME | Elson Psychotherapy

THE DANCE OF THE OMER COURSE | Elson Psychotherapy

benji@elson-psychotherapy.com

Subscribe to Na'aleh Yoga Podcast for more transformative journeys and feel free to share this podcast with a friend. Take a moment to review and share your thoughts—I always appreciate your feedback!

Feel free to reach out!

Biosite: https://bio.site/ruthieayzenberg

Therapy Practice: Mental Fitness Therapy

Email: naalehyoga@gmail.com

May you be peaceful and safe!