Facilitation time: 3 hours

Dinacharya: DINA = day, sun, flow. CHARYA = practice, perform, conduct.
The daily act of maintaining an uninterrupted flow of vital energy and connection to the Divine. A daily routine is vital to bring radical change in the body, mind, and consciousness. Routine helps to establish balance in one’s constitution; it regulates our biorhythms, aids in digestion, absorption, and assimilation, and generates self- esteem, discipline, peace happiness and longevity.

Achieving perfect health by observing an everyday practice of healthy diet, exercise, sleep, personal hygiene, meditation and good conduct as we harmonizing with creation. What and how we perform our daily rituals will affect long-term health. To be in harmony with the sun waking and setting puts us mentally, emotionally, and physically in rhythm with the flow of life.

In this module, we will uncover simple and practical tools to bring stability, flexibility, and balance in our lives.

Facilitation time: 6 hours

This module is a fascinating insight into the deeper questions of the asanas.
Beyond the spoken word is intuitive listening. The mystical messages of Hatha Yoga. The way to do this is to slow down, Reflect and Observe. In due time, the interactions between body and mind can be experienced. In each asana, we have an opportunity to dive deeper. What does this posture mean to me? Where is the energy stored?
We can reflect on how the body feels and how the mind reacts.
The ancient texts give us a road map, but we ultimately have to discover our own truth.

In this module, we reflect on 7 different asanas in a deeper way. We will reflect on the mythology of each of the asanas. Each corresponds to one of the Chakras and, in this reflection and discovery, we give and offer new psychological imprint for the body and mind.

The focus of each exercise in each posture is to expand the mind, inspire us to understand the intuitive self more deeply and to learn how to relax and slow down.

This module is a combination of theory, practice, and self-reflection.

Facilitation time: 3 hours

To experience the classical wisdom of Yoga is to understand one of the great scriptures and sages of the times, The Ashtanga Yoga Sutras compiled by Patanjali. It is a powerful work denoting how human beings can heal the mind and dissolve the ego through meditation and various methods. The Yoga Sutras gives us bold statements that teach us the principles of practice. The most notable being: yoga is about winding down the vacillation of the mind.

How can we live in such an externalized world begin to take steps towards freedom? This eight-fold path teaches us tools on how we can begin to harmonize the outer aspects of our nature and take us inside, to a place of peace and quietude. This is the ultimate goal of yoga, the mastery of the mind.

In this module, we will unpack the meaning of the eight limbs, as well as some of the key sutras. There will be an interactive discussion on these ideas and concepts applying it to real life situations.

Facilitation time: 3-5 hours

“One who knows the secrets of the Nadis, (their operation and effect), of Prana (the difference between the five kinds of Prana) and of the Sushumna, gets liberated from the cycle of life and death and becomes totally enlightened.” ~ Siva Swarodaya

In this module we will have a deeper understanding of what makes up our energy body. In reference to the doshas we will discuss the subtle positive forms of the doshas (prana, tejas, ojas) and how can we increase these for balanced health. The Chakra system an in-depth and mystical system looking into the symbolism of each of these energy vortexes. To understand the energy body is to understand the physical body and visa versa. It gives a language of the Soul.

Conventional viewpoints will never understand the subtle inner workings of this human body. The Chakra system, the Nadis, Prana: all words that denote a language that will always be a mystery. The language of energy is slowly being understood in complementary medicine.

We in the Yoga and Ayurveda field know that this invisible energetic system is one of the key operating systems to maintain health and balance for the body, mind, and spirit; often compared to the Meridian system in traditional Chinese system. The ancient text speaks of seven centers of consciousness. The goal of living a life in freedom is to transcend the denser realms of existence, moving towards divine light and joy.

Facilitation time: 3 hours

The study of Prana is an extensive topic in Yoga and Ayurveda language. It is, after all, our life force. Without Prana there is no life. The ability to extend this breath, channel it effectively, and harness the potency of this nectar is vital for our existence.

The understanding of Prana is also understanding the subtle body, the nadis (subtle pathways) and the koshas (sheaths of our body.)

Pranayama takes into consideration that not all breath techniques are suited for all in the context of Ayurveda. The subject matter also delves into Bhandas (sacred locks) to contain and harness this prana as well as Mudras to further aid in directing and containing prana. It is said that prana goes where the attention goes. The mind field and pranic field, therefore, are directly correlated.

In this module, we will cover the various techniques of Pranayama, solar and lunar techniques, mudras and bandhas. Pranayama is also a prerequisite for withdrawing our senses, Pratyahara a precursor for meditation. The 4th limb in Patanjali yoga sutras, Pranayama is a vital progression to calming the sense organs, withdrawing and beginning to internalized the senses, clearing any blockages in the channels so that we can experience freedom.

Facilitation time: 3 hours

Yoga is a tremendous tool for transformation. It is also considered a lifestyle not just an asana practice. In this day of modern yoga, asana has become a mode of physical body based practice. The aim of Hatha Yoga through the many purification practices and techniques is to prepare the mind- body relationship. According to the wisdom of Ayurveda it is not a one size fits all when it comes to asana and breath practices.

The beauty of viewing Dosha practice through the lens of Ayurveda is, the body is not looked at as a single entity. The digestive system, the spine, the dhatus (tissues), impact of agni, time of day, ojas, seasons, age etc. All of these factors have an influence on the movement of energy depending on the dosha at play.
In this module we will look at yogic guidelines and practices for Vata, Pitta and Kapha energy. We also discuss the importance of the spine according to Ayurveda, and the importance of channeling the appropriate pranayama techniques to awaken the spine. The ability to move the energy in a conscious intelligent manner is balanced health.

Facilitation time: 3 hours

Teaching yoga is a privilege and an art. As facilitators, we are responsible for our students’ safety, well-being, and experience in class. It is important to step into the teaching space with clarity, receptivity, integrity, and presence.

There are many aspects of teaching that lead to an effective learning environment, and for students to walk away feeling a sense of peace and balance.
In this module we will learn important details on “how to teach”, from physical assists, nonverbal and verbal techniques, creating first impressions and lasting experiences.