38 | APRIL 25 • 2024 
J
N

F

ourteen-year-old 
Jonathan Rosenthal of 
Brooklyn credits the 
book Siddhartha by Hermann 
Hesse as the 
spark that ignit-
ed his passion 
for yoga and 
Eastern philos-
ophy. As much 
as he was drawn 
to yoga, he was 
equally reluc-
tant to join a 
yoga class.
“I would be the only 14-year-
old boy in a sea of ladies,
” said 
Rosenthal. So, he was content 
to learn about it academically 
through books and research 
for a while. But, at 15, he sum-
moned the nerve to join a class. 
“It was hot yoga, and all the 

ladies were all in bathing suits,
” 
Rosenthal laughed. 
Undeterred and with grow-
ing interest, Rosenthal contin-
ued daily yoga practice. After 
some time, his teachers rec-
ommended he study with the 
famed yogi Sri Dharma Mittra, 
a practice that he continues.
Today, Dr. Rosenthal is a 
neurologist and clinical fellow 
in neurophysiology at Weill-
Cornell School of Medicine 
and Memorial Sloan Kettering 
Cancer Center. He received 
his medical degree from 
New York University School 
of Medicine. Rosenthal will 
present ‘Research on Yoga 
Interventions for MS’ at the 
third annual Holistic Health 
and Wellness Forum for MS, 
presented by Yoga Moves 

MS, held this year at the 
Carpe Diem Banquet Hall in 
Southfield on May 8.
Rosenthal notes that he 
never intended to merge his 
love of yoga with his profes-
sional medical career. Still, 
there were signs at an early age. 
“Growing up, I took my 
grandmother’s blood pressure 
almost every day. She unfor-
tunately passed away from a 
stroke,
” Rosenthal shared. “My 
greatest joy has been to help 
other people’s grandmothers.
”
As a neuroscience under-
graduate, Rosenthal was 

encouraged to contribute 
something during Brain 
Awareness Week, a global 
campaign to foster enthusi-
asm for brain science. While 
some students created projects 
on comedy, magic and their 
impact on the brain, Rosenthal 
created a “Neuroscience and 
Yoga Conference.
” 
Little did he know his proj-
ect would become an inter-
national online conference 
confronting the intersection of 
neuroscience and yoga. And 
one that would feature the likes 
of Deepak Chopra, M.D., a 

May 8 event features leading experts.

Holistic Health 
and Wellness 
Forum for MS 

Dr. Jonathan 
Rosenthal

KAREN COUF COHEN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

HEALTH

DETAILS

The Holistic Health and Wellness 

Forum for MS, Wednesday, May 8, 
beginning at 4 p.m., takes place 
at Carpe Diem Banquet Hall, 
28847 Franklin Road, Southfield. 
It includes a catered dinner, 
complimentary parking, and an 
opportunity for attendees to 
connect and socialize with others in 
the MS community. Tickets are free, 
though a suggested donation of 
$25 is requested. Virtual access is 
available for those who cannot join 
in person. Register at https://tinyurl.
com/bdejtess. For more information 
about the Holistic Health and 
Wellness Forum, call (248) 417-5985 
or email mindy@yogamovesms.org.

The 2023 
Holistic Health 
and Wellness 
Forum for MS

Dr. Jonathan 
Rosenthal 
and Deepak 
Chopra, MD, 
on a Zoom 
conference.

