online courses
Embodied Asana:
a Journey Through the Koshas
15hr Online Course with Christina Fornaciari
Yoga is a deep and vast system that touches into every aspect of our being, visible and invisible, conscious and unconscious. The physicality of yoga is just one component, and for many practitioners it is the doorway to approaching the transformative power of yoga in cultivating deeper self-awareness, compassion, and equanimity.
The Pancha Koshas (Pañca meaning 'five', and Kośa meaning 'sheath' or 'layer' in Sanskrit) provide a useful map for understanding and integrating the layers of our being including the physical, energetic, mental/emotional, intuitive, and blissful layers. This 15 hour course connects the framework of the koshas with yoga āsana (postures, the physical practices of yoga) to support a yoga practice that is embodied from the inside-out.
In addition to examining each of the five koshas in depth, we explore the primary categories of asanas (standing poses, forward folds, twists, backbends, and inversions), the subtleties of alignment and attitude, meditation techniques, subtle body maps, anatomy, yoga philosophy and contemplative practices that will deepen and expand your yogic toolbox. Each module blends lecture, experiential learning, awareness exercises, meditation practice, longform yoga asana practices, optional homework assignments, and guidelines for integrating the content into daily practice. The course is self-paced with access for one year.
Yoga teachers and curious students alike will benefit. At least one year of yoga practice is encouraged prior to enrolling in the course.
This course counts as 15 hours towards Laughing River Yoga's 300hr Teacher Training Program.
$325
Curious? Watch this video.
learning objectives include:
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Understand each of the five koshas and practices for each kosha
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Integrate understanding of the koshas into regular asana practice
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Experience asana as a portal into the deeper layers of the self
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Understand key alignment in each asana category in an expansive and non-dogmatic way
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Explore the interconnection of the body, breath, mind, emotions, and spirit
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Apply a selection of key yogic teachings across traditions and perspectives
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Deepen and expand one's yogic toolbox
curriculum preview:
Module 1: Annamaya Kosha // Foundations
What is asana? Practical, traditional, and historical context
Exploration of the Annamaya Kosha/ the physical realm
Understanding the importance of the feet and hands
Asana focus: Tadasana/ Mountain pose + standing poses
Longform Yoga Practice: Our Connection to the Earth
Module 2: Pranamaya Kosha // Bridging Duality
What is prana?
Exploration of the Pranamaya Kosha/ the energetic realm
Mapping the subtle body (nadis, vayus, chakras)
Clarifying pranayama
Asana focus: Twists
Longform Yoga Practice: Moving Beyond Duality
Module 3: Manomaya Kosha // Understanding the Mind
Exploration of the Manomaya Kosha/ the mental + emotional realm
Understanding Antahkarana: the functions of the mind
Diving into the 8 limbs of Yoga and meditation
Asana focus: Forward Folds, dristhi
Longform Yoga Practice: Steady the Mind
Module 4: Vijnanamaya Kosha // Discernment as the Witness
Who is the witness?
Exploration of Vijnanamaya Kosha/ the intuitive realm
Honing discernment
Immersing in OM
Contextualizing svadhyaya
Asana focus: Inversions, lines of energy
Longform Yoga Practice: Seat of the Witness
Module 5: Anandamaya Kosha // Anchoring in Essential Love
Exploration of the Anandamaya Kosha/ the blissful realm
Bhakti + Connecting to the Divine
Sankalpa: Aligning with the Heart's Purpose
Asana focus: Backbends
Longform Yoga Practice: Your Essence is Unconditional Love
investment: $325