Winter Yoga Therapy COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:  Session I

November 10: Introduction to Yoga Therapy  and Ethics  

Ananda Deviika' Ma', M.Sc, E-RYT

A review of the history of the use of yogic practices for healing from Vedic times to the present, with special emphasis placed on the development of yoga therapy as it is practiced today. This day will also include discussion of ethics in yoga therapy and the potentials of subtle energy therapies. We will discuss common ethical issues that may arise in clinical practice, including: financial issues, sexual boundaries, appropriate referral, and similar topics. We will also discuss the application of yama and niyama in a therapeutic yoga practice.

November 11: Yoga Psychology

Maetreyii Nolan, PhD, E-RYT

This one-day course will give a concentrated overview of psychology and the human condition from the ancient Yogic perspective. It will review Yogic concepts related to understanding the mind, including kosas, lokas, kleshas, samskaras, gunas, Brahmachakra, samadhi, and enlightenment.

November 12: Yogic Tools and Yoga Cikitsa

Maetreyii Nolan, PhD, E-RYT and Ananda Deviika' Ma', M.Sc, E-RYT

In this course we will review all of the different Yogic tools that can be therapeutically used. Students will receive the Ananda Seva assessment package which is a series of intake, interview and Yogic prescription forms, which will be used throughout the course and greatly aid students in focusing their interviews and prescribing Yogic treatments.

November 13: Yoga Therapy for Grief

Antonio Sauys, BA/MA

Grief is the body's response to loss, any loss. When going through any given condition, we not only loose the 'dream of a healthy life' but we also experience the loss related to the restrictive nature of the condition's symptoms. It is then important to identify some symptoms related to grief  and to learn ways to address them. In this workshop participants will learn about the physical symptoms of grief, its psycho-neuro-immunological bases and a set of simple Yoga exercises to address them while aiding the psychological transformation of grief into a resource of personal growth. A comparative analysis is made of the Western and Eastern models of the Psyche stating the importance of the psychic centers’ involvement (particularly the ‘Heart Chakra’) both physically and emotionally and specially in regards to the yogic theory of Attachment. The methodology alternates theoretical lectures with experiential work.

November 14: Pathophysiology

Gloria Tucker, MD

This day will begin with a 4-hour course in pathophysiology (underlying problem) of ailments that are commonly seen in a yoga class. We will look at the cardiovascular system and frequently seen symptoms, such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and poor circulation of legs. We will explore the pathophysiology of cancer and the impact of chemotherapy and similar commonly seen conditions. This class is very straightforward and designed to gently illumine the Yoga Therapist so that you will be able to lead your students in a safe and knowledgeable manner. There will be time for questions.

November 15 – 16: Ayurveda for Yoga Therapists: An Introduction

Dr Sarasvati Buhrman, Ph.D.

Basic Ayurvedic concepts of anatomy and physiology will be discussed, including tridosha theory, agni, am, dhatus, ojas, etc., and the relationship of these concepts to illness and health. Students will receive a beginning understanding of how to determine the Ayurvedic constitution and imbalances of a client, including tongue diagnosis and digestive assessment. We will discuss Ayurveda/Hatha Yoga’s common toolbox: 1) diet and lifestyle 2) Yogic shat karma (kriya) practices 3) Yoga practices seen from an Ayurvedic perspective. In the experiential portion of the day, we will investigate Hatha Yoga Pranayama and meditation practices specific to each dosha, and for the seats of the doshas.

November 17: The Healing Dynamics of Breath

Dr Sarasvati Buhrman, Ph.D.

Early yogis noted that  regulation of the breath could be used to calm the mind and stop the thoughts. The Hatha yogis also used breath and bandhas ayurvedically, to balance the doshas, heal disease, and enhance prana and ojas.   Modern therapeutic use of the breath has focused on the effects of regulated breathing on the nervous system and the stress response.  All of these approaches are relevant to the practice of Yoga therapy. Specific practices relating to each approach will be taught as time permits.

November 18: Integrative Restoration Therapy

Richard Miller, PhD

Integrative Restoration (iRest) is a modern adaptation of the ancient meditative process of yoga nidra. During this 6-hour workshop Richard will guide you through the process of iRest using didactic lecture, interactive dialogue and experiential practice. You will learn iRest as an effective tool that you can integrate into your professional and personal practice. iRest will provide both you and your students with a clear-cut process for transformation, a context for how transformation unfolds as well as a framework for accessing the healing presence of pure Awareness in the healing process. This presentation will challenge and inspire you to approach yourself, your students and yoga therapy as a portal for experiencing the healing and ever-present nature of unconditioned, nondual awareness.

November 19 – 21: Yoga Therapy for Pain Management

Neil Pearson, MSc, BScPT, BA-BPHE, Cert MDT, CYT

Yoga therapists require an understanding of the pathophysiology of common disease processes in order to provide individualized yoga instructions and ensure the safety of students and clients. Equally important is a clear understanding of tissue healing and the neurophysiology of pain. Over three days, you will explore common injuries, diseases and pain from a biopsychosocial perspective. This knowledge will be integrated with the wisdom of yoga, enhancing and broadening your perspective of yoga as a preventative and rehabilitative modality.

November 22-23: Yoga Therapy for Cancer

Jnani Chapman, R.N.

In this seminar participants will begin to assimilate the large amount of information needed to work with this special group of people.  Topics will include an overview of cancer and conventional cancer treatments, their common side effects, and its psycho-social dimensions as well as Yoga therapies and asanas.

 

HOME STUDY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: November 23, 2008 – February 6, 2009

The Ananda Seva Yoga Therapy program includes a home study or internship module between the first and second sessions. Hours earned during this module will give students the needed home study non-contact hours for their 500-hour Yoga Alliance certification, as well as an opportunity to deepen and integrate their understanding of the materials they have been studying in the first session.

This internship module is a very important part of our program, as it allows students to really integrate and learn to utilize what they are learning. It is designed to give students hands-on experience with interviewing clients, doing assessment and prescribing yogic tools. Internship assignments will include the following:

• Case assessments of at least 3 clients in which someone is interviewed, their situation assessed and yogic tools recommended to help them. This includes follow-up sessions when needed to see how the person is doing with the practices and adjust practices as per the persons needs or progress.
• A short write up for each client about your experience of doing the assessment, how it felt for you and what you have learned in the process.
• Self-assessment and your recommendations for you, as well as your efforts to follow them. It is highly recommended that during this interim period you continue regular daily meditation and a personal asana practice as well as any other practices you assess as good for you. This includes a write-up of your personal assessment and your experience of following it.
• Any remaining hours can be logged in for yoga therapy related research, observing or teaching. This can consist of projects such as researching herbs, visiting a yoga class for special needs (cancer, obesity, etc.) , teaching a class for special needs, etc. This includes write-ups of what you have done and what you have learned from doing it.

 

Winter Yoga Therapy COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: Session II: February 7 – 19, 2009

February 7 – 12: Anatomy and Structural Yoga for the Yoga Therapist

Shar Lee, RYT

Anatomy
This course includes the review of human anatomy as it relates to asanas and Yoga Therapy. Students will learn the anatomy of muscles, bones, organs, the normal range of motion of joints, abnormal muscular-skeletal configurations and the role of the nervous system in movement. This will be taught as applied anatomy in a hands-on fashion directly relating all information to asanas.

Structural Yoga
During this time, we will study asanas and the body from a structural yoga point of view with an emphasis on body mechanics. Students will also learn how to diagnose the body to understand individual limitations and needed adaptations to postures. Students will learn patterns of body compensation, movement and adjustments, which facilitate and restore wholeness. As time permits, we will incorporate the study of Marma points and Marma massage.

February 13 – 14: Yoga Therapy for Metabolic Syndrome, Wt Gain, and Stress Reduction

Dr. Sarasvati Buhrman, PhD

Metabolic syndrome, now recognized as the precursor to both heart disease, diabetes, premature aging, and a host of inflammatory diseases. It is often linked to diet, stress, insomnia, overweight, and sedentary lifestyle.. We will investigate the social, biological, and lifestyle dimensions of the problem, and explore Yogic, Ayurvedic, and nutritional approaches to this widespread problem.

February 15: Yoga Therapy for Addiction

Dr. Sarasvati Buhrman, PhD

The approaches of Yoga and Ayurveda to the problem of addiction are different but complementary. Ayurveda looks at the basic body/mind imbalances involved in the process of addiction in each individual case and proposes effective lifestyle, herbal, Yogic, and dietary approaches. Yoga believes that addiction is simply one manifestation of our inner lack of wholeness---and shows us the road back to wholeness. This seminar will explore both of these approaches.

February 16 – 17: Applied Yoga/Ayurveda Psychology

An Ayurvedic Perspective, Dr. Sarasvati Buhrman, PhD

In Yogic and Ayurvedic thinking, different types of mental and emotional disorders are differentiated by which gunas and doshas are most at play. This class will focus on understanding and treating psychological conditions from an Ayurvedic and yogic perspective using pranayama and meditation therapy and Ayurvedic treatments for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and spiritual emergence difficulties.

Applied Yoga Therapy II, Maetreyii Nolan, PhD

In the second day of our Applied Psychology course, we will look at common psychological conditions from a Western diagnostic perspective and treatment from a Yogic orientation. Conditions that may be reviewed will include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, spiritual emergence, panic attacks, trauma, and obsessive compulsive disorder.

February 18: Yoga for Cardiac Conditions and Stroke

Ananda Deviika' Ma', M.Sc, E-RYT

This course includes a brief review of Ayurvedic and Western dietary strategies for preventing and managing the two diseases responsible for the largest numbers of deaths annually in North America. We will also explore Yoga Therapy research, asanas and other Yogic tools potentially helpful for treatment of heart disease and stroke.

February 19: Review, Testing & Graduation

Maetreyii Nolan, Ph.D. & Ananda Deviika' Ma'

During this day, we will review the diagnostic and treatment methods learned during the training. Utilizing client intake forms, students will do full assessments and for testing purposes, present their case and treatment program for the individual assessed before the class. Students will be evaluated on the depth of their assessment and quality of their recommendations and feedback given. Afterwards, we will celebrate with a wonderful graduation ceremony and Yogic feast.

Faculty

 Maetreyii Nolan, Ph.D., RYT (500)

Maetreyii has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 30 years and is the co-founder and president of Ananda Seva Mission as well as the co-director of this program. She has a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, a former director of the Spiritual Emergence Network and a founding board member of the Kundalini Research Network. She has done extensive teaching on Yogic philosophy and practices, drawing on a strong intuitive connection to her Guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, through which she receives teaching and shares them with others. She is a co-founder of Ananda Seva and a co-director of the Guru Kula Training of Ananda Seva.

Avadhutiika Ananda Deviika’ Ma’ A’cha’rya’, M.Sc., RYT (500)

Ananda Deviika’ Ma graduated from the University in Belgrade, in Yugoslavia, with a degree in Theoretical Physics, which inspired her to further her research in the domain of spirituality. She received her spiritual initiation in 1977 and decided to dedicate her life to serving others as an Acharya, a spiritual teacher. She became a Sannyasini, or yogic nun, in the Northern Indian Tantric tradition under the guidance of her Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. She spent three years training in India and then came to the United States and Canada where she has taught many people the practices of Sahaj yoga. She is a co-founder and General Secretary of Ananda Seva Mission, a trainer of family Acharyas, and a co-director of Guru Kula training section of Ananda Seva..

Sarasvati Buhrman, Ph.D., RYT (500)

Sarasvati has maintained a private practice of Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga Therapy since 1987, and is senior teacher and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda. She did graduate work in genetics and received her doctorate in medical and psychological anthropology from the University of Colorado. She is also a certified biofeedback therapist and Cardiac Yoga instructor. A Yogic renunciate in the Vairagi order of north India, Sarasvati has practiced and taught asanas, pranayama, and meditation, and Ayurveda under the direction of her guru, Baba Hari Das, since 1976.  She was trained in Ayurvedic medicine and asked to practice and teach by prominent Ayurvedic Physician, Dr. R.P. Trivedi. She has published several papers in the fields of Yoga, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Yoga Therapy.

 Sarita Shrestha, B.A.M.S, M.D.

Dr. Shrestha received her Ayurvedic and Western medical training at Benares Hindu University, India, and at Gwalior, India, with a specialty in obstetrics and gynecology. She worked for many years in the government hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, before opening her own clinic in a rural village nearby. She has published papers on the use of Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes and has special training in the management of leprosy, mental retardation, and the use of Yoga Therapy. She is a core faculty member at the Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda, and she recently received a royal commendation for her work with rural village women in Nepal. Her biographical story can be found in David Crow’s book “In Search of the Medicine Buddha.”

Jnani Chapman, R.N.

Jnani received her Bachelors of Science degree in nursing at the University of San Francisco and has for fourteen years served as senior staff member of Commonweal Cancer Help Program (which was featured in Bill Moyers' PBS special on health and healing.) Jnani also teaches yoga to women with breast cancer through the Breast Cancer Personal and Lifestyle Support Program of the University of California, San Francisco, and the California Pacific Medical Center. She is the former executive director of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

 Shar Lee, RYT

Shar Lee has been practicing and teaching yoga for over 30 years, in the USA and internationally in India, Scotland, Nepal, and Brazil. She was one of the first students to train and become certified in Structural Yoga Therapy, under the direction of Mukunda Stiles, and later became a Structural Yoga Teacher Trainer. She specializes in Anatomical, Therapeutic, and Ayurvedic Aspects of Yoga Asana and Yoga for Women, and is co-author of Doubles Yoga. A devotee of Ammachi, Shar has studied for many years in Nepal and is a certified Tibetan Cranial-Sacral Practitioner, a massage therapist, and a practitioner of Ayurvedic Marma Point Therapy.

Gloria Tucker, MD

Gloria Tucker is an MD who has practiced Internal Medicine for 10 years and Sports Medicine for the last 7 years, being Board Certified in both. In addition, she is a Certified Yoga Instructor and has been using yoga postures as therapy for some of her patients with difficult muskuloskeletal problems. She began spiritual practice 18 years ago under the guidance of Sri Eknath Easwaran, and every day that passes she remembers how deeply grateful she is.

Neil Pearson MSc, BScPT, BA-BPHE, Cert MDT, CYT

Neil Pearson works as a physical therapist, yoga therapist and educator. His primary focus is working with people with persistent pain. Neil educates yoga teachers, health care providers and the public. He teaches therapeutic yoga classes for people with persistent pain, anxiety disorders and severe depression. Neil is Clinical Faculty at the University of British Columbia, and a consultant to Orion Health Pain Clinics. He collaborates on research projects to study the effective of therapeutic yoga and of pain management education. www.lifeisnow.ca

Antonio Sausys BA Psychology, MA Body-Oriented Psychotherapy

Antonio Sausys is a somatic health practitioner and yoga instructor specializing in one-on-one yoga therapy for people with chronic and acute medical conditions as well as emotional imbalance.

During his career, Antonio discovered a key correlation between modern body-oriented psychotherapy and ancient yogic teachings, integrating the best practices from both worlds. He applies specific yogic applications working with individuals to create a "Yoga Sadhana". This is a specific and personalized yogic routine that best serves the individuals' needs and abilities, integrating mind, body and spirit to fully embrace the experience of life.

He studied with Yoga masters and teachers such as Indra Devi, Swami Shankaradevananda, Swami Ekananda, Babashi Singh, Ram Dass, Swami Mairtreyananda and Larry Payne. He has continued his professional development with training in Foot Reflexology, Swedish Therapeutic Massage, the Degriefing Process and Reiki.

Antonio teaches and lectures at U.C. Berkeley, California Institute of Integral Studies, Alive and Well, Institute of Conscious Body Work, College of Marin, has been a faculty member at the International Yoga College and the former Honorary Secretary of the International Yoga Federation for USA. He is a member of International Association of Yoga Therapy, member of the World Yoga Council and the US Delegate of International Yoga Therapy Association.

Antonio Sausys resides in Marin County with a thriving yoga practice throughout the Bay Area. In addition to speaking engagements and workshops, he is an accomplished opera singer, accordion player, actor, and is fluent in four languages: Spanish, English, Portuguese and Italian.

Richard Miller, PhD

Richard Miller, author of Yoga Nidra: The Meditative Heart of Yoga, is president of the Center of Timeless Being, co-president of the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology and co-founder of The International Association of Yoga Therapy. Richard teaches in the lineage of his spiritual mentor, Jean Klein, and has devoted his life to passing on the nondual wisdom teachings he has received from his mentors in the fields of yoga, tantra, advaita, Taoism and Buddhism.

 

Application and Certification

Participants are encouraged to take the entire program for certification. However those who cannot take the program in its entirety may register for specific sessions. This training is designed for registered or certified Yoga teachers, health care professionals with yoga experience, those in Ayurveda programs and those desiring 500-hr Yoga Teacher Certification.  Our instructors for this intensive represent a variety of traditions. Participants from all yoga traditions are welcome.

Program Certification 

Ananda Seva will award a 300 Hour Yoga Therapy Certificate to all participants who complete all requirements of the two summer trainings and the home study program between sessions. A 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training with Emphasis in Yoga Therapy certificate will be awarded to students who have previously completed a Yoga Alliance approved 200 hour training and complete all requirements in this training.

Fees and Registration

To register send a $700 deposit along with the registration form indicating your accommodation choice. Shared rooms are available on a first come, first serve basis. Deposits are refundable until May 1 with a $100 administrative fee deduction.

Registration for individual seminars of the training are offered on a space available basis. However you must also register for all courses prerequisite for the seminar you wish to take. One day is $135, two days is $270, four days is $540.These prices include the meals.

Full Program Tuition:    $2875

Tuition includes:

• Both two week sessions leading to 300 hours Yoga Therapy certification.
• Those with 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training approved by Yoga Alliance may also receive 500 hours advanced Yoga Teacher Training certification with specialty in Yoga Therapy.
• A 30 day home study/internship program between sessions.
• 1 year enrollment in the Ananda Seva Yoga Therapy Association and the Ananda Seva Yoga Therapists Yahoo Group for contact and support from classmates, other graduates and administration.
• Emails of recommended articles.

Summer Yoga Therapy Meals and Accommodations

The following prices include meals for both two week sessions, totally 27 days. The program offers limited accommodations. Shared cabins and camping opportunities at the Ananda Seva Center may be available to a limited number of registrants on a first-come basis.

• Commuter, includes meals                               $825
• Tenting, includes meals                                    $1050
• Shared room (2-3 persons), includes meals   $1485
• Private room (if available), includes meals       $1985

Winter Yoga Therapy Meals and Accommodations at Isis Oasis Facility

The following prices include meals for both two week sessions, totally 27 days. The program offers limited accommodations.

• Commuter, includes meals                               $1080
• Dorm, includes meals                                    $1435
• Shared room (2-3 persons), includes meals   $1755
• Private room (if available), includes meals       $2565

Click here to Register

(707) 575-0886 or write to asm@anandaseva.org