Mental Health, Brain Science, and Yoga

For everyone, especially Yoga teachers and health professionals

Research has shown that mindfulness, meditation, and Yoga practices have the ability to positively impact mental and emotional health. Yoga, neuroscience, and mindfulness powerfully influence resiliency, emotional health, and healing related to anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and mood states. During this workshop, learn about integrating Yoga and mental health through research, theory, and practice sessions.

Explore concepts of well-being and health through the lens of brain science, neuropsychology, and Yoga practices. Learn how chronic stress and trauma influence behavior and mood states as well as the influence of the vagus nerve and vagal toning on healing.

The workshop will include:

• A review of polyvagal theory, stress, and Yoga
• How Yoga and meditation practices influence our neurobiology, brain, and hormones
• Current research on neuroscience, mental health, and Yoga practices
• Specific practices that help with anxiety and depression
• The importance of the vagus nerve and vagal toning.
• Neuro-therapies for healing by both practitioners and for self-healing
• Practices that rewire the brain and positively impact mood states
• Research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and how trauma affects mental health and physical health outcomes

This program welcomes the general public, mental health professionals, Yoga teachers, Yoga therapists, and healthcare workers.

Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities

• Yoga Alliance (YA): Approximately 30 contact hours. You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
• Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) can provide you a CE certificate with your program’s total contact hours for a $10 fee (free for IYTA members.) For more information, email membership@iyta.org.
• International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT): Approved Professional Development (APD) course eligible for IAYT continuing education credits. (It is the students’ responsibility to request a certificate of completion and submit all required documents, hours, syllabus, etc. on the IAYT website.)

Testimonials

Understanding the neuroscience of Yoga shifts it from foreign to familiar. I enjoy visualizing my brain circuits being altered and benefitted through meditation and Yoga practices. — Hank Wall

This class offers an excellent introduction to the research that supports the healing power of yoga and meditation practices. Dr. Cunningham does a wonderful job of guiding experiential practices to deepen the understanding of how this happens through practice. — Kelly Sills

I think this program is very helpful for those struggling with anxiety, mild-depression and emotional blues. — Lisa Rados

This was the best thing I could have done for myself. I learned and grew so much. Mala’s depth of knowledge is profound and Yogaville and its staff are amazing. Great content. Great environment. — Katie Kirkley