Yoga
Therapy

Since the earliest teachings on yoga, the body-mind is described as having five coverings or casings, called koshas. Like a tree or plant that has progressively more subtle layers from outer bark to pithy interior, the koshas move from outer to inner and from gross to subtle.

In this course we study the anatomical and energetic attributes of each sheath. The first sheath is correlated with food and the outer fascia, the second with breath, the third with thoughts and sensations, and the fourth with the wisdom of the deep fascia. The innermost layer is correlated with the brain and spinal cord and the body of delight.

Through contemplative practice, yoga postures, SATYA (Sensory Awareness for Yoga) and pranayama, we will journey through each stratum, refining and clarifying the subtle body as we go. Layer by layer, we generate greater luminosity and clarity, ultimately yoking to the Source that dwells perpetually in the interior. Each day will include anatomical study, investigation of the wisdom teaching, dynamic and recuperative asana practice, and meditation.

In the earliest yoga practices, the life force in the body is thought to flow through tubules, channels or vessels, in the way that wind or water flows in currents. In yoga, the vayus are “wind channels”, that conduct the flow of nerves, blood, and lymph. Understanding the nature of each vayu is crucial to harmonizing the subtle flow of prana in the body and to establishing health and vitality. Tias will guide students through an in-depth investigation of the five primary winds in the body and through yoga asana, pranayama, and SATYA (Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga) and activate or mitigate the strength of each vayu. We will investigate the structures and the associated physiological functions of each vayu and map out the vayus’ location in the body.

In a process that requires sensitivity and inner listening, we explore the pathways of the muscle, bones, and nerves in order to bring greater wakefulness to movement within the vayus. Through dharma study, guided meditation, yoga nidra, somatic awareness and yoga postures this is a transformational week of practice and study. In this intensive we will investigate poems of awakening from the historical Yoga, Taoist, and Zen traditions.

Each day includes seated meditation, chanting and inspirational dharma teaching followed by Sensory Awareness Training (SATYA) involving floor work to unwind the body. We offer both dynamic and restorative yoga practices to balance and heal each vayu.

The chakras evoke mystery, an artistic imagination and connection to the subtle body. For each of us, the chakras are unique centers of physical and psychic energy. In this specialized course we cover the anatomical structures that correspond to each chakra beginning with the tailbone and leading to the crown of the head. You will learn the muscular-skeletal, organic, and glandular association within each chakra. This course details these vital energy centers along the vertebral column that houses nerve bundles thought to be “small brains.”

In addition we investigate the emotional and spiritual quality of each chakra. We investigate ways to strengthen each chakra as well as the causes of deterioration within each chakra. Learn the energetic and emotional vitality that pertains to each vital energy center.

This intensive explores the potent, alchemical effects that the bandhas have on the yoga body. We aim to demystify the bandhas, identifying them neither as mechanical locks nor esoteric techniques. Rather we will see how the bandhas flow as a natural extension of breathing and spinal motion. We will have time to explore each bandha, so that each week will include practices, meditations, journaling and pranayama to integrate the bandha into daily life. In the biogeometry of the human body the bandhas are like internal gates or portals that direct the flow of vital energy. Through guided meditation, somatic awareness, yoga postures and practices of yogic “soaking” (samadhi), this is a transformational course of practice and study.

In yoga and Ayurveda, marma points are vital acupressure points located on the surface of the body that connect to the energetic circuitry of nerve and blood. In this course we detail the 21 most important marma points that can be directly stimulated through yoga postures. Via pressure point therapy, we activate the flow of prana at each marma point to improve circulation through the skin, fascia and organs.

We study the anatomical location of each point, comparing and contrasting the marma points of Ayurveda to the acupuncture points used in Chinese Medicine. We provide pressure point release in yoga postures, through direct stimulation using bolsters, blocks, the floor and belts. In dyads, we use restorative poses such as supta baddha konasana, savasana, and leg-up-the-wall pose combined with manual pressure point release. Each day, when practicing alone, we cover ways to impart direct stimulation on the points using small physio-balls. This course is deeply rejuvenating while providing the essential knowledge to use pressure point stimulation in any therapeutic context in order to heal the subtle body.

In such times of extraordinary stress, change, and uncertainty, how do we keep our balance—physically, mentally and emotionally? How do we find ways of responding with wisdom and care to the challenges and demands around and within us? As a way of building on and extending your yoga training, Prajna Yoga’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course offers skillful means of working with patterns of thought, emotions, and stress reactivity that are no longer serving you, or are, perhaps, causing harm.

The crux of our investigation in MBSR is straightforward: we seek to minimize harm and maximize human flourishing. We welcome you to join us in exploring the ancient wisdom and modern scientific understanding of how we can meet the difficulties arising, without and within, in ways that foster our own capacities for sanity, clarity, and joyful freedom.

Instructor: Janet Curry

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Designed by Tias Little after 30 years of education, practice, study, and research, SATYA is a somatic practice that builds mindfulness through movement.

SATYA (Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga Attunement) is Prajna Yoga’s therapeutic, “yin” style practice. We practice fine articulated movement on the floor in a flowing fashion, synthesizing breath with movement. The exercises are non-weight bearing and involve sliding, gliding, and circular movements to reduce myo-fascial holding in the body. When done on the floor, the breath and movement together enables myofascial release without strain. All movements are done slowly, in isolation, and without force. The SATYA movements replenish the body by increasing circulation (the flow of prana) throughout all the tissues of the body. SATYA acts as a “prana pump” to oxygenate the bloodstream and irrigate, or “soak” the tissues.

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Once you have felt the power of SATYA you will want to continue to soak in further. Here you will learn more complex sequencing, more nuanced variations of movement, and more about the physiological benefits. For those wishing to integrate SATYA into their teaching, SATYA 2 and 3 are a must. In this course, you will learn how to design SATYA sequences and assist movements to facilitate greater myofascial release.

In-depth Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga Attunement (SATYA) practices compliment asana practice while deeply restoring the body. They open the joint spaces, build sensory-motor awareness, re-educate the neural-muscular system and help develop bi-lateral symmetry.

This training lays out the essentials for how to sequence the SATYA movements and how to combine them with asana. We learn how to practice and teach the movements beginning with the simplest forms and leading to greater complexity. We study the healing potential of the movements and their effects on the Five Sheaths.

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Many of you have felt the extraordinary benefits of this practice on your fascia, joints, and breath. This course on SATYA will no doubt add depth and somatic sophistication to your practice… and it is so healing and therapeutic. The non-weight bearing movements are a perfect complement to weight-bearing in asana.

SATYA 3 investigates the therapeutic benefits of SATYA on the nervous system, endocrine system, digestion, and circulation in order to heal the subtle body. We specifically review SATYA’s effects on the autonomic nervous system and how SATYA can heal trauma in the body. Much focus is given to working with the neck, cranium, eyes, and inner ear. Students will learn how to utilize SATYA therapeutically with individual clients.

At the conclusion of SATYA 3, students who wish to complete the SATYA Certification design and fulfill a final practicum, using SATYA as a therapeutic modality.

Read more about the SATYA program here

The Art of Healing: Yoga Therapy is an in-depth training on how to address structural imbalances in the body. Through anatomical study, demonstration, pose modification, prop work, and SATYA we address common muscular-skeletal strain patterns. Each day includes practice sessions, meditation, postural clinics, and small group discussion to learn to sequence and modify postural movements for low back pain, shoulder restriction, scoliosis, and much more.

Current research shows that trauma is pervasive today, woven into the very fabric of human culture. Trauma may be due to circumstances in this lifetime, or inherited from previous generations. In this time of the pandemic where there is loss of life and political and social unrest, we are witnessing a global acceleration of the traumatic experience.

As yoga practitioners we must ask, what is trauma and how does it affect the body-mind? How can stretching, breathing, meditation, sound, and visualization practice help break the grip of traumatic holding?

In this course we investigate the impact of trauma on the mind and body and how anxiety and stress become embedded in the body’s soft tissues. While the historical yoga teachings do not point directly to trauma, they refer to obstacles, afflictions, and “poisons” that impair progress on the path. We will examine contemporary research in psychology, dreamwork, neurology, and somatic-emotional processing in order to provide you with the tools necessary to address trauma in your community and for your students and clientele.

While it is valuable to stretch and strengthen the musculoskeletal system in yoga, the health of the organs brings radiant vitality to the entire body. In this course we utilize postures, pranayama, meditation and dietary regulation to support the health of the internal organs.

We focus on generating the flow of prana (blood and lymph) through each organ to support motility (inherent motion) and metabolic exchange. We review the anatomical position and function of each organ and practice SATYA (Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga) to slide, squeeze, wring, drain, and flush fluids through each organ.

Many people suffer from stagnation in the viscera due to excess sitting, dietary imbalances and repressed emotion. This can lead to sluggishness, fatigue, stagnation, and the unwanted growth of tumors and cysts. In each day of this course, we practice active postures such as twists, back-arches and inversions and do restorative postures to reduce inflammation.

The organs are highly sensitive, highly responsive structures given their soft-bodied walls and compartments. Thus we will take into consideration not only the physiological make up of each organ but also the psychological and emotional characteristics of the liver, kidney, lung, and large intestine.

Surya will present information on the alchemy of yoga and food to heal the internal organs. From both Ayurveda and Oriental Medicine, we study the meridians and key acupressure points associated with each organ. In this unique course, you will gain a new approach to practice, healing your organic body for longevity and vitality.