Session 1: Accessible Yoga Nidra

with Indu Arora (she/her)

Yoga Nidra is an ancient practice with incredible relevance in the modern world, and a salve for modern life. With an excess of sensory stimuli, the mind stays distracted, unfocused, and restless. This often leads to physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. Yoga Nidra is one of the most unique practices in Yoga that is geared towards increasing self-awareness through interoception, self-inquiry, and discernment. This increased self-awareness helps us to remain detached (when needed) and calm amidst the chaos and conundrum of our daily lives.

In this session, we will explore the deeper meaning of Yoga Nidra as a state, practice, and technique, and how we can make Yoga Nidra accessible without diluting either the practice or its essence.

Learn how to prepare for Yoga Nidra and move forward one step at a time towards a rested, awake, and discerning self!

Session 2: Embracing the In-between: Restorative Yoga as a Liminal Space

with Shawn J Moore (he/him)

Mystery, possibility, uncertainty, and power- all words that can be used to describe restorative yoga. How can we harness these qualities?

This session will explore the idea of restorative yoga as a vehicle to explore the liminal space, expanding on the buddhist concept of the bardo—the gap arising between any two states—and the potential that rests there. We naturally search for groundedness, and our practice can help us show up in moments of inner and outer change, when life pulls the ground from under our feet.

The session will close with a restorative yoga practice that emphasizes deep relaxation, and silence for empowered rest and self-inquiry.

Session 3: Making Restorative Yoga Accessible for Folks in Larger Bodies

with Shannon Kaneshige (they/them)

As a self- identified fat yoga student and educator, Shannon Kaneshige knows first hand how upsetting it is to walk into a restorative class expecting rest and support and instead leave feeling frustrated and defeated. Restorative yoga postures are intended to help students relax and release tension, but this can be challenging for larger-bodied individuals who may experience discomfort and even difficulty breathing when attempting certain asana.

In this session, Shannon will discuss common concerns and challenges faced by larger-bodied students and how to address them in a compassionate and empowering way. They will explore techniques for increasing space and support in asana, making them accessible and comfortable for students with larger bodies, and how to use language that is inclusive, fat-positive, and encourages folks to make each posture their own.

Join us as we create a space where all bodies can find ease and rest.

Session 4: The Science of Rest and Making Rest Practices Accessible

with Marlysa Sullivan (she/her)

The science of rest includes an understanding of the nervous system, exploring the stress and relaxation response and different states described in polyvagal theory to support stillness and safety.

This understanding of how the nervous system experiences safety and how this can be unique to the person will be the backdrop of the conversation for accessibility.

Marlysa will also discuss ways to support safety of the nervous system and to work towards safe stillness.

Session 5: Yoga for Restoration, Repair & Reconnection

with Tamika Caston-Miller (she/her)

Tamika Caston-Miller curates yoga experiences and trainings in service of collective healing, community repair, and the elevation of LGBTQ and BIPOC voices, bodies and realities. The practices she shares are dedicated to the building of radical compassion and the disruption of despair, embrace of student agency and body diversity, and the invitation to all into expansion of awareness and wholistic wellness.

In this workshop, Tamika will share about the fundamental concepts and rationale of Restorative Yoga, how it regulates nervous system, and how it supports repair and reconciliation for the social justice-minded practitioner.

Tamika will also discuss the nuance and considerations of rest practices for communities of color, tools for creating the conditions for calm and carving out the time for rest, and leveraging slower movement and mindful breath practices to support respite for overburdened souls. She will highlight the transformative nature of Restorative Yoga practices and philosophy, which foster healing and compassion for oneself and in the world.

Session 6: Therapeutic Yoga for Illness

with Cheri Clampett (she/her)

Cheri Clampett is a certified yoga therapist with over 25 years teaching experience, and a passion for bringing the benefits of yoga to those recovering from, or living with, injury or illness.

Through decades of sharing therapeutic yoga practices, Cheri has witnessed firsthand the incredible gifts of peace and healing that Restorative Yoga can bring, as a practice that meets the individual where they are and cradles them with props as they connect with their inner landscape.

In this session Cheri will discuss key considerations of yoga for illness, and propping techniques. She will also share examples of gentle and therapeutic rest practices which can be supportive and beneficial for those experiencing chronic pain, illness or injury, which may include students living with cancer, fibromyalgia, arthritis, Parkinson’s, COVID-19 or other health issues, those experiencing burnout, stress or chronic fatigue, as well as aging populations.

Session 7: Accessible Restorative Yoga: Living Room Edition

with Tejal Patel (she/they)

Explore postures and methods to achieve restoration in a living room space.

This session is designed to use the space you have with the equipment you already use to find support throughout the body while resting.

We will discuss existing to barriers to rest and use group discussion and journaling prompts to further investigate how to navigate these perceived and circumstantial blocks.

Session 8: Healing into Death: Exploring Questions of Health and Spirituality

with Jivana Heyman (he/him)

Is it a coincidence that all yoga classes end with Savasana, corpse pose? Or is yoga practice preparation for death?

In this session, Jivana will discuss the yoga teachings surrounding health and mortality. He'll look to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads, for lessons on health, healing, and death. These sources all speak to our immortal spiritual nature in a way that can shift our understanding of ourselves.

He'll also spend time reflecting on the previous presentations and lead a discussion about all the offerings that are shared as part of this series.