Review the Lineup- February 1-7, 2025

 

Biomechanics of Breathing

With Robin Rothenberg, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, Director of Essential Yoga Therapy

February 1 from 9:30-11:00am PST (California) /12:30-2:00pm (New York) / 5:30-7:00pm (London)

Breathing Pattern disorders are pervasive in our culture, yet rarely addressed. Instructing pranayama without an understanding of how to assess and transform basic biomechanical dysfunctions first can exacerbate chronic stress, anxiety, digestive, and cardiovascular concerns - the very issues students are coming to us to resolve! This 90-minute session will be a combination of lecture and experiential practice. *APD/CE

Robin Rothenberg is an internationally respected yoga therapist specializing in supporting people with respiratory, immune, and structural imbalances to regain their health through the combined tools of yoga and therapeutic breathing practices. Since the pandemic, Robin has particularly focused her work on assisting people with Long-COVID and is considered one of the top yoga therapists in the field on respiratory conditions. In addition to working with clients one-on-one, she trains yoga teachers and therapists to be better equipped to work with students with breathing issues, anxiety, and chronic stress. Her text Restoring Prana: A Guide to Pranayama and Healing Through the Breath, presciently released in early 2020, has been hailed as one of the most thorough and well-researched books on the topic of pranayama. Restoring Prana, along with its practice companion, The Svadhyaya Breath Journal, serve as the training manuals for her 15-month Restore Your Prana Training Program designed for yoga teachers, therapists, and healthcare professionals. Robin has been interviewed on multiple podcasts regarding her knowledge of the breath. She currently serves as interim board president of IAYT. Learn more: https://essentialyogatherapy.com

 

Empowered Aging: Everyday Yoga Practices for Bone Health, Strength and Balance

With Ellen Saltonstall, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500

February 1 from 1:00-2:30pm PST (California) /4:00-5:30pm (New York)

This workshop is open to all levels, including beginners who want inspiration to start or recharge a yoga practice, seasoned yogis who are aging, and yoga teachers wanting to help older students remain active and confident. Ellen will share the practices presented in her book of the same title. She’ll begin with a short talk about the special benefit of yoga for older students, then she’ll instruct everyone in a practice that is possible and enjoyable for any level of experience.  Ellen has studied human anatomy extensively, and she has developed specialized techniques that will help you build your bone health, strength and balance. *APD/CE

Ellen Saltonstall is an experienced yoga instructor with over 45 years of study, practice and teaching.  Her certifications include E-RYT- 500 with Yoga Alliance, and Certified Yoga Therapist with International Association of Yoga Therapists. Based in New York City, she teaches local classes and workshops, plus online courses with YogaUOnline, and she is often a guest teacher in studios both nationally and internationally with a specialty in anatomy and therapeutic yoga. She is the author of five books with topics relating to yoga, self-care and anatomy.  Contact her at www.ellensaltonstall.com.

 

Chakra as Therapy

With Joseph Le Page, Pioneer in the Field of Yoga Therapy since 1993.

February 1 from 4:00-5:30pm PST (California) /7:00-8:30pm (New York) 

Joseph Le Page is the founder of Integrative Yoga and Integrative Yoga Therapy, a pioneer in the field of Yoga therapy training programs since 1993. He is co-founder and director of the Enchanted Mountain Yoga Center in Santa Catarina, Brazil, one of the largest Yoga retreat centers in South America. He is the co-author of the book Yoga Toolbox for Teacher and Students, one of the most widely used materials in teacher training programs in the US and in Brazil, published by Integrative Yoga. He is also co-author of the book Mudras for Healing and Transformation, also published by Integrative Yoga. Joseph’s upcoming book, together with Karin Silberberg, is Pranayama for Healing and Transformation. Joseph is currently on the faculty of Inner Peace Yoga Therapy.  Joseph is recognized as a Yoga Chikitsa Ratna by the Indian Yoga Association for his services to humanity. Contact: https://iytyogatherapy.com/. *APD/CE

 

Biochemistry of Breathing

With Robin Rothenberg, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, Director of Essential Yoga Therapy

February 2 from 9:30-11:00am PST (California) /12:30-2:00pm (New York) / 5:30-7:00pm (London)

Do you know the 7 Common Breath Myths? Do you believe carbon dioxide is toxic to your system and you need to rid your body of it in order to be healthy? Do you believe our breath is driven by our need for oxygen? Or that taking bigger breaths equals greater oxygenation? This 90-minute course will go far to demystify the breath, through scientific understanding of the intricate chemistry that drives it - and how to harness it as the yogis did to support vitality and health. Session will be a combination of lecture and experiential practice. *APD/CE

Robin Rothenberg is an internationally respected yoga therapist specializing in supporting people with respiratory, immune, and structural imbalances to regain their health through the combined tools of yoga and therapeutic breathing practices. Since the pandemic, Robin has particularly focused her work on assisting people with Long-COVID and is considered one of the top yoga therapists in the field on respiratory conditions. In addition to working with clients one-on-one, she trains yoga teachers and therapists to be better equipped to work with students with breathing issues, anxiety, and chronic stress. Her text Restoring Prana: A Guide to Pranayama and Healing Through the Breath, presciently released in early 2020, has been hailed as one of the most thorough and well-researched books on the topic of pranayama. Restoring Prana, along with its practice companion, The Svadhyaya Breath Journal, serve as the training manuals for her 15-month Restore Your Prana Training Program designed for yoga teachers, therapists, and healthcare professionals. Robin has been interviewed on multiple podcasts regarding her knowledge of the breath. She currently serves as interim board president of IAYT. Learn more: https://essentialyogatherapy.com

 

Somatic Movement Essentials: Addressing Hyperlordosis, Psoas Imbalance, and Low Back Pain

With Liz Heffernan, M.A., C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500

February 2 from 4:00-5:30pm PST (California) /7:00-8:30pm (New York) 

Explore somatic movement neuromuscular release tools, effectively targeting hyperlordosis, psoas tension, and low back pain. Through discussion and gentle, mindful movements, you’ll discover how to release chronic holding patterns and reset the body’s neuromuscular connections, creating greater ease and alignment. This training provides practitioners and teachers with practical methods to integrate somatic releases into their practice or yoga class to relieve low back tension, improve postural balance, and enhance overall body awareness. Perfect for yoga teachers ready to expand their skill set with somatic techniques that support holistic healing and functional movement. All welcome. *APD/CE

Liz Heffernan, MA, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, is an international yoga teacher, certified Yoga Therapist, and Founder of Soma Yoga Institute. With over 27 years of experience, she blends biomechanics, anatomy, and ancient teachings to empower vibrant health and self-transformation. Liz specializes in adaptive yoga for all bodies, helping seniors age gracefully and addressing complex health challenges. Her passion for somatics lies in its ability to awaken the body’s innate wisdom and catalyze profound healing. Contact her: somayogainstitute.com 

Healing Pathways:  Chair Yoga for Breast Cancer Recovery and Lymphedema Support

With Sundari Lucey, E-RYT 500

February 3 from 9:30-11:00am PST (California) /12:30-2:00pm (New York) / 5:30-7:00pm (London)

In this 1.5 hour session, you will explore foundational chair yoga techniques to support individuals recovering from breast cancer, with a focus on lymphedema management,  Participants will learn simple effective stretches, lymphatic-spportive movements, and breathwork, all tailored for the chair to ensure accessibility and safety.  This practice-centered session also touches on creating a compassionate environment, offering teachers and those interested practical tools to support both physical and emotional recovery.   By the end, teachers will gain insights into using chair yoga as a gentle, powerful pathway to resilience and healing. *CE

Yoga experienced with Sundari connects you to the source of your own radiance, that vibration that reflects your own divinity. Sundari’s gift to this lifestyle of yoga is sensitivity, humor, and expertise. With 40 years of study and practice of yoga, Sundari’s instruction is open-hearted and deeply informative holding the highest intention for each student to reveal their own inner light, presence and essential Self. Study with Sundari Here.

 

Somatic Embodiment: What It Means & Why It Matters to Yoga Instructors

With Alison Scola, LMT, Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500 

February 3 from 4:00-5:30pm PST (California) /7:00-8:30pm (New York) 

Join Alison Scola for an engaging exploration into somatic embodiment and its essential role in trauma-informed yoga. In this talk, you’ll gain insight into how somatic practices enhance nervous system regulation, release chronic muscular tension, and build interoceptive awareness, which is crucial for deeper healing and integration. Alison will share foundational tools for guiding students toward a more embodied practice, helping yoga instructors foster environments where students feel safe, grounded, and connected within themselves. Perfect for instructors seeking to deepen their trauma-informed approach, this talk offers transformative perspectives to enrich both teaching and personal practice. *CE

Alison Scola, E-RYT 500, is a Trauma-Informed Yoga Therapist and Licensed Massage Therapist with a background in somatic research and trauma resolution. With nearly three decades of experience, Alison blends her expertise in yoga, somatic experiencing, and therapeutic bodywork to guide students toward healing and embodiment. Her journey through chronic pain led her to the practice of yoga, inspiring a deep commitment to sharing these tools for holistic well-being. Contact her: https://www.alisonscola.com/

 

Healing Ashtanga - How to Prevent Repetitive Use Injuries So You Can Keep Doing the Practices You Love 

With Bryce Delbridge, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist. E-RYT 500, 

February 4 from 9:30-11:00am PST (California) /12:30-2:00pm (New York) / 5:30-7:00pm (London)

What makes Asthanga? Breath, Bandha, Drishti - sequences are secondary. Alignment must be customised to prevent repetitive use injuries & a willingness to constantly adapt to whatever current state of imbalance is arising. Every system has blind spots, but addressing these gaps with complementary practices preserves the practice for life. This workshop uncovers the blind spots of Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga, empowering you to practice daily, adapt thoughtfully, and sustain a safe, injury-free practice for the long term. *APD/CE

 

Hanna Somatic Yoga: Deepening Organic Biofeedback for Wellbeing and Movement Clarity

With Per Erez, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT, C-HSE, R-SME/T

February 4 from 4:00-5:30pm PST (California) /7:00-8:30pm (New York) 

This program introduces teachers to the transformative integration of Hanna Somatic Education and Yoga, a powerful approach that fosters greater embodied awareness and self-regulation. Through slow, intentional movements and yoga-inspired practices, participants will explore the body's natural feedback mechanisms to reduce tension, improve alignment, and deepen the mind-body connection. Central to the session is an understanding of the three primary holding patterns identified in Hanna Somatic Education: The Red-Light reflex (withdrawal/startle), the Green-Light reflex (action/overextension), and the Trauma reflex (asymmetry/contorsion). These holding patterns, shaped by stress, trauma, and habitual behaviors, often underlie chronic tension and restricted movement. Teachers will gain tools to recognize and address these patterns in themselves and their students, empowering a more intuitive, easeful approach to yoga practice. For further contact email:[email protected]. *APD/CE

Per Erez, C-IAYT, RSME/T, CHSE brings over 30 years of experience in somatic education, Yoga, and developmental movement practices to his work as a facilitator and teacher. A certified Hanna Somatic Movement Educator and Integrative Yoga Therapist, he also teaches Tai Chi Chi’h, Butoh-inspired dance, and leads Sound Baths, offering a uniquely convergent approach to mind-body wellbeing. As a Mindset Guide, he blends somatic principles with neurocognitive education, mindfulness, biofeedback and wellness strategies. His work highlights the power of interoception and organic intuition to address tension & pain, restore natural movement, and foster profound self-awareness.

 

The Scientific Rationale and Evidence for Yoga for Prevention and Treatment of Mental Health Conditions

With Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Ph.D.

February 5 from 10:00 - 11:30am PST (California) /1:00-2:30pm (New York) / 6:00 -7:30pm (London)

Yoga is an ancient behavioral practice that fosters physical fitness and the development of the mind body skills of self-regulation of internal physiological and psychological states and mind-body awareness/mindfulness.  All of these facets are known to contribute to improvements in mental and emotional health and functioning.  This presentation will overview the scientific and clinical rationale and evidence for the application of yoga for prevention and treatment in mental health, and the growing body clinical research that is demonstrating its efficacy in a wide variety of mental health conditions including chronic stress, trauma, anxiety disorders and insomnia. *APD/CE

Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, Ph.D. is Director of Research for the Kundalini Research Institute and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.  He has conducted scientific research since 2001 on yoga for insomnia, stress, anxiety disorders, and in workplace and school settings. He has been a practitioner/instructor of Kundalini Yoga since 1973, coordinates the International Association of Yoga Therapists annual Symposium on Yoga Research, is editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, medical editor of the Harvard Special Report Introduction to Yoga, and chief editor of the medical textbook The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care.  

 

Our Five Dynamic Winds: Unlocking Inner Balance Through the Vayus

With Peggy Profant, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500

February 5 from 4:00-5:30pm PST (California) /7:00-8:30pm (New York) 

Join Peggy Profant in this insightful and experiential session on the Vayus, the five vital energy flows that support harmony in the body, mind, and spirit. Through a blend of lecture, pranayama, and gentle yoga practices, you’ll explore how each Vayu governs specific functions—from grounding and detoxification to integration, upliftment, and circulation. This session will provide practical tools to balance these subtle energies, enhancing vitality, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. Peggy’s expert guidance offers yoga teachers, therapists, and wellness professionals a deeper understanding of the Vayus and their role in promoting holistic health. Perfect for those seeking to enrich their yoga practice or teaching, this session equips you with accessible techniques to unlock inner balance and foster lasting wellness. *APD/CE

Peggy Profant is a Certified Yoga Therapist and Anusara Yoga Teacher with over 25 years of experience blending the ancient wisdom of yoga with modern therapeutic techniques. Passionate about the energy body, Peggy’s teachings focus on the subtle flow of prana to restore balance and vitality in body, mind, and spirit. As a mentor and lead teacher trainer for Soma Yoga Institute, she empowers students to overcome obstacles, embrace self-love, and connect with their radiant selves. Peggy’s approach is grounded in alignment, heartfelt themes, and a deep understanding of yoga psychology. Learn more: https://peggyprofant.com/

 

Vital Support: The Pelvic Floor and Diaphragms in Yoga for Lasting Health

With Samantha Akers, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist. E-RYT 500, CMT, MFRT

February 6 from 9:30-11:00am PST (California) /12:30-2:00pm (New York) / 5:30-7:00pm (London)

 Join Samantha Akers in this insightful and experiential session on the body’s pelvic floor and five diaphragms, essential structures that support strength, stability, and balance. Through both a talk and gentle yoga practice, you’ll gain key insights into how each diaphragm affects breathing, posture, and pelvic health. This session will also cover practical approaches to common issues such as prolapse, incontinence, and pain. Samantha’s expert guidance is tailored to help yoga teachers, therapists, and health professionals deepen their understanding of these vital areas and offer effective, therapeutic support to their students. Perfect for those curious about the deeper layers of the body, this session enriches your toolkit with knowledge and alignment techniques for lasting wellness. https://www.sitbelove.org/ *APD/CE

Sam Akers is the creator of the TheraYoga Method, a comprehensive approach to yoga therapy designed to support healing and resilience. She opened Los Angeles’s first fully therapeutic yoga studio in 2010, pioneering a holistic space for yoga therapy.  Sam is a skilled yoga therapist, myofascial release practitioner, and certified mindfulness teacher. Her teaching emphasizes alignment, breath, and the integration of yoga and therapeutic techniques to support students on their journey toward wellness. Passionate about helping others become their best whole selves, Sam combines her expertise to create safe, inclusive, and transformative experiences in yoga and yoga therapy.

 

The ‘M’ Word: Yoga for the Menopause Journey 

With Beth Gibbs, E-RYT 500

February 6 from 4:00-5:30pm PST (California) /7:00-8:30pm (New York) 

Given our modern health care and longer life spans, women can anticipate spending close to one-third of their lives in a post-reproductive state. Instead of seeing menopause as the end of fertility and the beginning of aging, yoga can help women view and experience menopause as a life transition. The information in this interactive program is sourced from the yoga traditions of self-awareness and personal growth and includes suggestions for accessible practices to help women deal with the practical realities of The ‘M’ Word and experience menopause as a transformative experience. *CE

Beth Gibbs, adjunct faculty member at the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy holds a master’s degree in Yoga Therapy and Mind/Body Health from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She is an award-winning author of four books, Bitchcraft, Owning Your Power in a Complicated World, Enlighten Up! Finding Clarity, Contentment, and Resilience in a Complicated World, Ogi Bogi, The Elephant Yogi, Stories About Yoga for Children, and Soul Food, Life-Affirming Stories Served with Side Dishes and Just Desserts. Her personal blog can be found at https://www.bethgibbs.com

 

Yoga for Brain Resilience: Tools for a Sharper Mind

With Liz Heffernan, M.A., C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, E-RYT 500

February 7 from 9:30-11:00am PST (California) /12:30-2:00pm (New York) / 5:30-7:00pm (London)

Discover how yoga can help you build and sustain mental sharpness and cognitive resilience. In this transformative workshop, Yoga for Brain Resilience, we will explore how ancient yogic wisdom and modern science converge to support brain health, memory retention, and overall mental well-being. As we age, maintaining focus, clarity, and emotional balance becomes essential to living vibrantly. This session offers practical tools that blend time-honored yoga practices with evidence-based strategies to strengthen brain function, enhance memory, and promote long-term mental clarity. Whether you are a yoga teacher, practitioner, or someone interested in lifelong cognitive wellness, this workshop provides actionable insights to integrate into your daily life or teaching repertoire. Empower yourself to cultivate a sharper mind, deeper mindfulness, and greater resilience for years to come. *APD/CE

Liz Heffernan, MA, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT is a gifted international yoga teacher, a certified Yoga Therapist and long-term practitioner. She combines her in-depth knowledge of anatomy and bio-mechanically safe alignment principles with insights and practical wisdom gained from over 27 years of yoga teaching & immersive study. She is the Founder and Director of Soma Yoga Institute, a world-wide and ONLINE yoga teacher training school that embraces a therapeutically-oriented, heart-centered approach. These programs, heralded by many as truly inspirational, combine modern day biomechanics and research driven science with ancient teachings and serve to teach adaptive Yoga for all BODIES as a practice for vibrant health, self-transformation and personal empowerment.