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Somatic Psychology of Yoga
An Integrated Approach to Practice
September 13—22, 2019
Registration for this event has closed
Check out our various upcoming programs—we're sure there's something to inspire you
Program Calendar
Wisdom, discrimination, and happiness—these are are few of the priceless gifts of yoga. Yoga and modern neuroscience both describe how we can embody presence of mind, compassion, and resiliency, but only yoga and related meditative traditions offer the tools to master our deeply conditioned minds. Knowing which practices to select, and how to practice, is easier if we understand the concepts of tantra yoga in tandem with the mind’s function in the context of neuroscience.
In this retreat, we will explore the embodied experience of a balanced nervous system and a clear mind from the perspective of neuroscience, and see how tantric and yoga practices can reshape dysfunctional patterns that inhibit the integrated flow of pranic intelligence. Understanding how yoga practice trains the brain and nervous system will develop your confidence and strength of purpose, and help you choose the most effective approaches to a balanced and happy life.
Together, we will learn the neuroscience model of self-protective motivational systems and the tantric and yogic context for developing extraordinary powers of body and mind. We will practice techniques including mantra recitation, invocations, asana, breath control, and meditation to skillfully employ our desires and manage the sources of fear, anger, and selfishness.
Session topics include:
- Energetic alignment and integration with asana and pranayama
- Developing present-moment awareness: why it’s important and how to begin
- How and why meditation can integrate experiential awareness and the thinking mind
- How the power of intention, ethical behavior, and devotion weave stability and psychological freedom into the fabric of life
- Tantric and yogic techniques to interrupt self-centered thinking associated with unhappiness
- Recitation of Vedic mantras to modulate vital rhythms and autonomic nervous system
- From brainstem to cortex: yoga and modern science approaches to learned behavior
- Ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear: yoga on universal mental conditioning
- The flowering of spiritual life: preparing the field
- Sensory integration: bottom-up embodiment practices, and top-down meditative and contemplative yoga practices
- How to balance the negativity bias
- Freedom from attachments and aversions: moving beyond the tyranny of survival motivations
- The problem with “selfing” and yoga’s solution
- Resiliency and vulnerability: finding stability and well-being in an uncertain world
The course schedule allows time for practice, study, and contemplation, with options to complete a purascharana (a focused 9-day meditation practice), as well as:
- Introduction to Himalayan Institute meditation methods (if you are new to meditation or need a refresher)
- Personal appointments with faculty
- Help in establishing a daily routine during your time at the Himalayan Institute and at home
Bill Ryan, PhD
Bill Ryan, Ph.D., RYT-500, CVMT Bill earned a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Wisconsin. After a nearly 30-year career teaching in higher education, Bill retired in 2015 and moved to the Himalayan Institute, where he lived, studied, worked, and taught for seven years. He completed his 200-hour YTT in 201...
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Sandra Anderson
Senior faculty at the Himalayan Institute, Sandy teaches yoga, meditation, and philosophy, and is a key instructor in the Institute's teacher training programs. She is the coauthor of the award-winning book, Yoga Mastering the Basics, and a frequent contributor to the Himalayan Institute's online Wisdom Library. Her work dr...
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Himalayan Institute Retreat Center
For more than fifty years, the Himalayan Institute’s Retreat Center has been a gathering place for people seeking inspiration and aspiring to restore inner balance. Home to a vibrant community of yogis, it’s a place for seekers wishing to study the ancient tradition of yoga and to deepen the connection between themselves and the world around them. Whether you visit for a weekend retreat, a personal getaway, or one of our longer-term programs, your visit to the Himalayan Institute will accelerate your personal journey of rejuvenation and transformation.
Free Wifi
400-Acre Campus
On-Site Cafe
Meditation Shrine
Wooded Hiking Trails
Pond with Kayaks
On-Site Wellness Center
Bonfires and Stargazing
Bookstore and Giftshop
Retreat Center Highlights
Sacred Space
The Sri Vidya Shrine is the spiritual heart of the Himalayan Institute. This sanctuary offers an ideal setting for silent meditation and group spiritual practice, a cornerstone of the Himalayan Tradition for thousands of years. Open to seekers of all backgrounds and traditions, the Shrine provides a serene, sacred space for meditation, quiet reflection, prayer, and contemplation.
Nourishing Meals
Our nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals are thoughtfully prepared to nourish body, mind, and spirit. Each of our three daily meals is designed to be easily digestible and to support a meditative lifestyle. Sharing meals here naturally fosters connection, offering both deep nourishment and a sense of community.
Loving Community
The Himalayan Institute welcomes people from all walks of life. With a blend of short-term guests, long-term visitors, and a vibrant residential community, the atmosphere here is warm, inviting, and rooted in kindness, generosity, and service. It’s a place where friendships form naturally, often becoming the kind of connections that feel like family, and last a lifetime.
Rest in Nature
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Poconos, the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre campus offers breathtaking views, scenic hiking trails, and quiet spaces for reflection and contemplation. Walking is a favorite activity, whether along our groomed trails or meandering paved roads, inviting both movement and mindful presence in nature.
Conscious Simplicity
At the Himalayan Institute, we embrace simplicity in all aspects of life, from our surroundings to our approach to yoga. By minimizing distractions, we create space to strengthen the inner self and quiet the mind. Guided by authenticity and grounded in philosophy rather than frills, we support a path of meaningful personal growth.
Treat Yourself
Our Himalayan Café serves the Institute’s signature chai, coffee, and homemade cookies and treats on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The 24/7 Tea Lounge offers a variety of herbal teas for anytime enjoyment. On campus, the MOKA Origins Factory is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering handcrafted, ethically sourced chocolate and coffee, with free tours and tastings on Saturdays.
$599
Registration
Dates
Friday, September 13, 2019 @ 7:30 pm–Sunday, September 22, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
Tuition
$599 per person + accommodations
Campus Info
Need Help?
Call us: (570) 253-5551
