THE NEXT STEP FOR YOGA TEACHERS

We know that you have already taken plenty of
 yoga trainings! It is also true that in order to advance in your teaching, to better serve your 
students and yourself on the path of yoga, in-depth and continuing study is necessary.

YOGA ANATOMY & THERAPEUTICS TRAINING
The main intention of these trainings is to expand yoga teachers’ and serious yoga students’ understanding of bio-mechanics and body dynamics in yoga asana. Our approach to yoga therapeutics begins with education and empowerment of the individual. Tools such as informed alignment-based asana, yoga anatomy and bio-mechanics, mindfulness and yoga breathing techniques are used. Informed by the Universal Principles of Alignment of Anusara Yoga, Physiotherapy/Physical Therapy, and Therapeutic Bodywork, we investigate the physical structure of the body by taking an in-depth look at anatomy, movement and function within the context of yoga. Furthering the exploration of our inner workings, associated energetic and psycho-emotional patterns that impact our well-being and capacity to live a life of joy, peace and balance will be examined.

A PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK
To accomplish effective and lasting therapeutic results through Yoga Therapy, many aspects of our being have to be considered. This framework may provide a practical starting point and a structure with which to work:

  • Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology
    Study of essential musculo-skeletal structures in the body: key muscles and their attachments, major muscle groups, muscle tendon, joints, skeletal bony landmarks.
  • Assessing Movement Patterns
    Identifying and evaluating imbalances and therapeutic problems that arise in yoga practice and through everyday living. Training the eye to look at posture, movement, patterns, asymmetries – both gross and subtle, as having a good map of the territory creates an essential base for any therapy.
  • Alignment Principles & Action
    Analyzing biomechanical alignment and muscular actions in categories of poses. Emphasizing how specific muscles and muscle groups correlate to the asana and the therapeutic value of the poses.
  • Therapeutic Problem Regions
    Categorizing and addressing the most common problem areas of the body, including the feet, ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, SI joints, spinal column, shoulder girdle, elbows, wrists and hands.
  • Hands-on Assisting & Adjusting
    Learning principles of manual techniques and range of therapeutic tools that stabilize, mobilize and align the body so that it can return to a balanced place, free from stress. These range from subtle suggestions and cues, to deeper mobilizations of joints, muscles and tendons.
  • The Nervous System & The Breath
    Assessing breathing patterns and the use of pranayama techniques to address imbalances in the nervous and respiratory systems. Application of stress-reducing practices including yoga asana, yoga breathing, guided deep relaxation techniques (Yoga Nidra) and meditation.
  • Fundamentals of Ayurveda
    Drawing from basic Ayurvedic principles (Science of Life) such as Dosha and Guna, we apply measures based on an individualized approach, suggesting lifestyle modifications according to each person’s individual constitution rather than “cookbook treating” everyone the same way.

INSTRUCTOR
Jonas has an exceptionally broad foundation in the field of therapeutics through well-rounded, extensive yoga experience and health-care background. With a degree in physiotherapy, he has direct clinical experience from various health-care settings including inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitation patient care, both in Sweden and the USA. His intention is to bridge the gap between the scientific approach of the West and the wisdom traditions of the East. A multi-certified yoga instructor in various styles, Jonas’ yoga experience spans more than three decades. He is a certified Anusara Yoga teacher and has been core faculty for Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT) where he has co-directed fifteen therapeutic yoga trainings on three continents from ’99-’04. He has served as faculty at Rocky Mountain Institute for Yoga & Ayurveda (RMIYA), Omega Institute, Kripalu Center, New York Open Center,  Mount Madonna Center, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy and at many other venues. He has been a pioneer in introducing the Thai healing tradition in the USA and in other countries such as Japan through the Thai Yoga Certification Program he created in ’98. Drawing from a wide range of experience, Jonas aims to further the education of yoga teachers, bodyworkers and others in the field of therapeutics and healing.