Vishwa Ayurveda
Course Overview
Meridian Based Asana Practice
It is not simply increased flexibility or even increased circulation that really makes us feel so good after an asana practice. Sure these things lend to that great feeling and healing effects, but it is the opening of the meridians that truly works the magic of asana.
These lines are most popularly known as Meridians from Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, or as the Nadis in India. However many places throughout the world have discovered something about them. In TCM and Ayurveda these lines were found to correspond to the health of every organ and energy system in our body; and these energies correspond to certain elements or combinations of elements (i.e. kidneys correspond to the water element).Therefore, in this training we learn to do asana in a way that precisely targets and opens these lines to activate the elements needed to get us through any variety of life's challenges. So, rather than doing asana in a vague way (that usually happens when we are unaware of the meridian locations and energies), we learn to apply asana in a very prescriptive way. Often we do this by also adding resistance (aka resistance stretching) which is more safe and effective than traditional stretching. This also brings greater stimulation to the meridian while strengthening the muscle and shredding damaged/excessive fascia; that is usually the cause of blocked meridian energy. The body expels this fascial waste and leaves the meridians open, thus improving the function and efficiency of the organs while simultaneously bringing out the elemental qualities (virtues) with which they correspond; which is another huge psychological, emotional and spiritual aspect of this work that we cannot even begin to elaborate upon in this paragraph. However, every topic you see in the curriculum below is in some way elaborating upon this theme. Just as the teaching of asana will take on great new depths in these contexts, but in many other contexts as well, such as...
Meridian Body Work ​
One major way we will address the meridians is thru various techniques of Acupressure, such as Thai and Shiatsu Massage, Tapping (EFT) and Reflexology. But we will spend a more significant amount of time learning Thai Yoga Massage which, in the process, helps us to memorize the meridian channels. This will be a great asset to every yoga teacher whether they care anything about having a massage or acupressure practice or not; experiential and elemental meridian knowledge is essential to adept yogic teaching and healing!
Elemental Spiritual Companioning
Listen To The Elements ~ Hear The Whole Person
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Inspired by Person Centered Therapy that was created by guru-psychologist Carl Rogers; and later fostered by a therapeutic listening process called Spiritual Companioning, created by Linda Popov; Elemental Companioning takes these 2 processes a giant leap further by adding the Ayurvedic wisdom of the Five Great Elements. This knowledge transforms an average or even "bad listener" into a great listener: and a great friend into a great companion. It not only teaches you to listen to others on a therapeutic level, it also enables you to hear the deeper messages of the elements [literally, earth, water, fire, air, space] that are at play within one's language (including body language - which we also study; see Delsarte) as they express a challenge they are going through. Once an elemental imbalance is known, one can then take a listen to the wisdom of Mother Nature as she brings us the greatest examples of how to bring balance back to the elements in our own nature.
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Knowledge Speaks ~ Wisdom Listens
~Jimi Hendrix
Advanced Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
Many people today are already familiar with EFT (aka "tapping") but few really understand the linguistic reprogramming aspects that are ridiculously powerful. As you free yourself from old, long running, defective behavioral programs while simultaneously designing new growth filled paradigms you might feel like you are cheating karma. You may ask yourself "Isn't this supposed to be more difficult?" Well, yes, usually it is; but because we have not had the right tools; like hammering a nail with a screwdriver. EFT is actually based upon the meridians, and the meridians are based upon the energies of the Elements. Thus, Advanced EFT, along with Meridian and Elemental knowledge, give you the right elemental tool for anything you want to work on.
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Vipassana Meditation
Yoga scriptures are endless, but throughout them all we find that Equanimity is the mark of a true yogi; and perhaps there is no greater practice than Vipassana to help us ever increasingly achieve that state.
Five Element Meditations
Five other great tools to help us achieve equanimity are found within the Panch Maha Bhuta (Five Great Elements). With a Vipassana approach to observing each element within we can add a depth to our equanimity that fosters as much wisdom as it does harmony.
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Five Element Drumming
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Toby Christenson (aka The Healing Drummer) has done several workshops at Cincinnati Yoga School. After he gifted me with one of his Djembe drums I knew he was telling me something. But it was not until I took an advanced elemental yoga therapy training that I later came back to more fully appreciate what he was teaching in his workshops about the 5 Element Rhythms he learned while studying drum with master teachers in West Africa. Now, having put the pieces and the beats together, I still increasingly find myself blown away by the power of these rhythms. I see them playing in the meridians, I feel it change our life-beat thru tapping (eft) and even danced into an asana practice.
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Some have said they do not have good enough rhythm to play or even try. But the same has been said of dance; and how sad is that! It's also like saying i can't do yoga because my muscles are very tight; or i cant exercise because i am out of shape. These are not reasons to avoid drumming (dancing, exercise) These are all the more reason to do it!
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Change your Rhythm
Change your life.
~ Toby Christenson
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Yes! We all can experience the great 5 elements through the drum. And from the 5 element rhythms of West African we find yet another 5 element method to effect "Positive Disruption" while cultivating Positive Change.
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The Deeper Side of Deities
The Higher Ideals of Idols.
The Image of God is said to be found in the Virtues. For example, when you see courage or compassion, you are seeing the Image of God. Thus we will be exploring various yogic themes in relation to the virtue concepts behind the Hindu Idols; and the stories behind these Idols / Ideals that can show us how to replace our negative or idle-ambitions, with the positive attributes-virtues that are represented by the Idols that represent the Divine Ideals. We will also learn some classic Hindu mantras associated to them.
Mantra & Japa
In light of the ideals above, we will also learn many mantras; receiving their gifts thru both understanding & vibration via mantra meditation.
Working With The Magic Of A Staff
Throughout the ages we know of wise, prophetic and
archetypal figures walking and working miracles with a Staff.
We will come to understand why as it gives us an experience of its power via catharsis and wisdom; particularly as we delve deep into life's challenges; using the staff to ground and keep us stable while also helping us to articulate our inner emotions and insights.
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Ayurveda and Archetypes
Elemental Companioning coupled with an understanding of Archetypes empowers ourselves and our clients with powerful tools to enable them to both heal and arise toward that nobility of being that we all were meant to embody.
Yoga Nidra
Take a nap ~ Accomplish your goals!
What could be better!
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Yes, you heard right! Yoga Nidra, aka "yogic sleep;" is an ancient yogic technique that helps you manifest those hard to reach Sankalpas (Intentions). It's also a great way to make the most of any bouts with insomnia.
Advanced Pranayama
Mind is the master of the emotions
Breath is the master of the mind.
~Hatha Yoga Pradipika
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We couldn't find any cool pic of anyone doing pranayama to put here. Nevertheless, what yoga training would be worth its salt without training and practice in pranayama! By advanced pranayama we mean to say that this will probably go further than what you may have previously ever experienced in pranayama techniques. However, ultimately this still only means what you (and any students you may someday teach) are ready for. The greater skills gained here are knowing how to discern what is right for you and others.
The Delsarte System of Expression
"Delsarte" is very difficult to describe.
It really has to be experienced. Nevertheless, here is a try:
Delsarte reveals the actual nature of creativity and the divinity within communication and expression. It makes one conscious of the kaleidoscope of magnificent gifts residing within the "Vital", "Mental", and the "Emotive" (Mind Body Spirit).
Yogis often talk about the trinity of Mind, Body and Spirit as an esoteric concept. But here you will learn to clearly define, claim and harmonize all 3.
Delsarte was a phenomenon that once influenced a whole era of history - particularly in drama and dance, but also yoga.
Simply put...
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Delsarte helps artists find the yoga in their art.
And yogis find the art in their yoga.​
and of course...
Asana
Flexibility + Strength + Character
All levels of ability are welcome in this training, so no one should feel intimidated by their practice options (albeit there can be some mental and/or physical challenges that we are not able to accommodate). In fact, as the lead teacher (and as someone not getting any younger), I don't even want to do a lot of the postures I find myself putting some (usually much younger) students in. This is not a training in yogic acrobatics. However, because you will also be learning Thai Yoga Bodywork, this will enable you to do amazing asana adjustments for your students; adjustments that might sometimes have your students looking acrobatic or even contortionistic. But, more importantly, your adjustments will help your students open the meridians and bring out the elemental spirit of those pretzel-like practices we often find in yoga (...rather than upgrading egos and neglecting character, as so often is the case). Furthermore, we teach "resistance stretching" which builds flexibility more quickly and safely, while also increasing strength. Thus, we adhere to Bob Cooley's interpretation of flexibility. (Cooley is the author of The Genius of Flexibility and has trained many Olympic gold medalists.) For him, flexibility doesn't simply imply one's range of motion, but also the strength one has throughout their range of motion. So, yes, it is true that yoga can sometimes make us look super human and perform super human feats. But the goal we have for our students is much more awesome than that. If we can get beyond the ego, working on both the easy and the awesome, any practice can be quite beautiful; and their achievement can be more about recognizing so many other aspects of the Awesome Majesty that has created us and that resides within us - so long as we stay humble and grounded.
The Vishwa Ayurveda Training Manual . . .
is for those taking the 300hr training. It will elaborate upon many things that come up in our classes together, and many things going well beyond our class time. Nevertheless, students should be reading their manuals as we journey along, so whatever they find in there that they want to go deeper into should be requested. Though the subject matter is endless, we want to lean more into what your heart is leaning more towards whenever possible.
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(Some manual topics not mentioned above: Elemental Life Schedules, Detoxes, Diet, Yoga for the Eyes, World Religions, Intermittent Fasting, etc.)
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Other Required and Suggested Books:
At this link (as well as from the drop down menu), you can find this list of books and we do highly encourage you to consider acquiring them to supplement your training afterwards.
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If possible, please view this page from a laptop instead of a smartphone.
For further elaboration on the topics below, philosophy, and mission, be sure to read the Training Details & Book List
(Both Required Readings)