Continued Education Training Course - Yoga Teacher Training

About the Training

Experiential Anatomy with Yoga

As we develop our knowledge of human anatomy, we become better practitioners and teachers of yoga. This course will guide participants through an experience of how the body actually works in asana practice. This will help to understand what the body is and isn't capable of and why.

Being an "experiential" course, we will be studying anatomy not by lecture, but by doing.

Using movement, touch, and partner work to embody our learning, one's experience becomes the basis for understanding one's physical body and movement potential. This approach is based on principles inherent to yoga, active isolated stretching, and mindfulness. ?

The active practice will utilize a variety of asana basic, intermediate, and advanced. The key instruction will not exist so much in "how to do" the asana, but will be focused on "how to feel" the asana. This will awaken the students insight into actual goals and benefits in yoga, physical and energetic.

Participants may expect a course in essential anatomy including an overview of skeletal and muscular systems and the role of connective tissue:

• Learn to touch and feel individual muscles and bones
• Learn how to isolate, stretch, and contract muscles
• Relationship of Antagonist and Synergist muscles
• Description of basic movements in the body and examples in yoga

This course is perfect for teachers as well as dedicated yoga students, especially those wishing to deepen their experience in hands-on adjustments of advanced asana:

• Understanding Primary, Intermediate & Advanced postures from the perspective of yoga anatomy including alignment, anatomical detail, and modifications
• Adjustments including how to give and receive manual adjustments, and how to self adjust
• Learn to seamlessly integrate anatomy into your practice and teaching of yoga
• Body reading & observation skills

Experiential Physiology with Ayurveda

Our bodies are comprised of an interconnected set of tissues, organs, and channels, managed by a central intelligence or prana. While science is slowly uncovering the depth to which these often "separate" functions overlap, Ayurveda has developed an extensive map of our physiology and how the body's functioning is directly related to this interconnected matrix.

In this course we will build a functional map of the body, including its tissues, physiological systems, and their functioning. Ayurveda uses the metaphor of dosha to describe the central forms of intelligence in the body. Each individual will uncover their unique composition of the three doshas. We will explore how the optimal functioning of the body can be supported or hindered by our diets and lifestyles. Modern science now supports this view from multiple angles, and the overlaps between modern research and Ayurveda's theories will be thoroughly examined.

Part theory and part practice, the course will address the body's functioning from a holistic perspective:

• Unlock key aspects of the body's major systems, including but not limited to digestive, respiratory, circulatory, nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems from an ayurvedic and allopathic perspective
• Before full-blown diseases develop our body sends us warning signs, learn how to observe and adjust your diet & lifestyle accordingly
• Understand stress and the link between mental physical health. Learn how find balance
• Learn how to build a diet that will support your unique constitution and address imbalances
• Develop a "food practice" that keeps your unique body and mind healthy and strong
• Learn how to adjust your yoga practice based on your body's needs over time

About the Teachers

Jessica Blanchard

Jessica is passionate about teaching people how to use the tools of yoga - postures (asana), breathing (pranayama) and diet (ayurveda) to bring a happier, healthier and more balanced state of mind and body. She is a long time student of Sri O.P. Tiwari, who has given her his blessing to pass on the knowledge as he humbly imparts. She has also studied the Ashtanga Vinyasa system of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, and was given his blessing to teach this system in 2005. Jessica left a high-stress corporate job in France in 2004 to dedicate herself fully to the yogic path. She was aided along the way by Paul Dallaghan, both by his words and watching his example of full dedication to yoga. Jessica lived and taught full time at Yoga Thailand from 2004-2007. While living in France, Jessica began to study Ayurveda with Atreya Smith, Europe's foremost authority on Ayurveda. Since 2003 she has been a dedicated student of Ayurveda and fully committed to Atreya's approach, which adapts Ayurveda to its optimal use in the West. She began practicing Ayurveda in 2006, and travels in Europe, USA and Asia to pass on this wisdom. Jessica returned to her home in New Orleans, USA in 2007 to pass on the yogic teachings to a populace which had been deeply wounded by hurricane Katrina. Since then she has become owner of Balance Yoga & Wellness, a center which offers Yoga, Ayurveda and other healing modalities. Jessica continues her studies in health, and is in the process of becoming a Registered Dietitian. She sees the future in integration of the deep wisdom and knowledge from Yoga and Ayurveda with the scientific research and findings of the West.

For more information see her full bio or Balance Yoga & Wellness

Adarsh Williams

Adarsh teaches a contemplative style of yoga that embraces both modern innovation and traditional wisdom. Since 1995, Adarsh has been engaged in the field of natural healing and has received certifications in therapeutic massage and active isolated stretching. He continues as a student of Ashtanga Yoga and its sister sciences of Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and Bhakti. Adarsh has continuously traveled to Asia since 2001 for study and pilgrimage and has received teaching Authorization by his late Guruji Shri. K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Adarsh directs the Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Palo Alto, CA specializing in progressive instruction for beginner through advanced levels.

Through in depth study of human anatomy and physiology and formal training as a massage therapist, Adarsh is highly regarded for his sensitive yet deep adjusting style. He has experience working with a wide variety of students of diverse abilities, ages, and backgrounds. With a deeply held belief that anyone can develop a personal yoga practice, Adarsh is an energetic teacher who infuses his enthusiasm for practice and hard work in his students.

Adarsh is currently a senior teacher at SPACE Yoga in Taiwan and founded the Ashtanga Yoga Palo Alto studio in California

The Daily Schedule

The program begins at 5pm on the first day of the retreat with a group welcome and departure is at 12pm on the last day.
The schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the teacher.

7 am	Meditation and Pranayama with Jessica
8 am	Mysore Style Self Practice with occasional Led Explorative classes with Adarsh and Jessica
10 am - 1 pm	Brunch buffet
3 - 3:30 pm	Snack and refreshment
3.30 - 6 pm	Interactive session on Ayurveda, Anatomy and Physiology with Jessica and Adarsh.
6 pm	Dinner buffet
6 - 8 pm	Steam room available
7:30 pm	Evening program - video, tratak, meditation

Please arrive by 5 pm for a program welcome on the first day. Departure is by 12 noon on the last day. You are welcome to arrive early or stay on, check our residential stay rates

Testimonials

I really just wanted to thank you for guiding me toward removing those thought patterns. I didn't even fully realize until I returned home how much you & the Koh Samui retreat helped me break out of that. You told me I could do it and I thought your were OUT OF YOUR MIND!!! I expected to broaden my practice and see part of Thailand, but I came home pleasantly surprised that I opened a whole new world to myself.
Hillary, USA 2006

Today it was the first day I saw Ninette back in my school. She was with you the last two weeks. She was / is so happy, that effected me so much, that I needed to write you this to inform you about her happiness. She loved your place! She brought so much happiness back to her first class at my studio. Therefore I would like to thank you.
Best wishes,
Chris, 2011

I feel really great after staying one week here. I fell relaxed, calm and recharged. The food is very good. The boat trip was fun. The teachers and people around are very nice. The dining area is great for socializing, meeting nice people and exchanging experiences. I will definitely come back again if any chance. Thank you for all, Sandy.
Sandy, Hong Kong 2012

Natures Detox: Loved this program as I was able to detox, yet still able to eat food (i.e. soups and salads etc) which never left me feeling hungry or weak. Really well thought out program. Highly recommended! Added bonus was that I lost weight in the meantime!!
Iliana, Australia 2011

I have been sick for a while, fainting with no found diagnosis, muscle pains, stress and constipation for many years. A friend of mine invited me to attend this retreat, I attended the detox program for 7 days of Yoga. After 7 days detoxing and following the program I found that I sleep well, my snoring has gone, my muscle pain on my arms is gone. I highly recommend to all to be open minded, that your health will be better. The therapists at Samahita Wellness were experienced and approachable. Thanks to all the staff for making me better. More power to you all.
Maria, Australia 2012