Yoga for Longevity – Online

Thursdays: Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27

The Ancients developed systems of personal practice designed to help individuals develop and optimize their potential and protect and maintain their health and well-being throughout life.

Using a metaphor of the sun, they explained the role of personal practice in relation to each phase of the life cycle. 

In the sunrise phase of life (approximately the first 30 years), practice was designed to support optimal growth and development. 

In the midday stage of life (approximately the next 45 years), practice was designed to maintain health and well-being.

In the sunset stage of life (approximately the last 20 years of life), practice was designed to redirect focus, working to resolve and complete and unfinished business, both in the world around us and in personal relationships, and to turn our attention toward the end of life with the intention of finding joy and fulfillment.

Join Gary Kraftsow, founder of the American Viniyoga Institute, to explore specific yogic teachings and practices for longevity. In this new series of four 3-hour sessions, we will explore how the tools of Yoga practice, including āsana (posture), prāṇāyāma (breathwork), mantra-japa (mantra repetition), and svādhyāya, saṅkalpa, and manasa pūjā (types of meditation) can be adapted to support our anatomical, physiological, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being throughout our life cycle. Each session will focus on a different aspect of ourselves that is vital to our long-term well-being. Each session will include a presentation, one or two practices (content dependent), and time for discussion and Q&A.

Session 1 will focus on the principles and practice of adapted, breath-centric āsana in order to maintain strength and mobility throughout our lifetime and as we age. We will focus on joint protection, maintaining a strong lower back, and releasing tension in the neck and shoulders.

Session 2 will focus on the principles and practice of adapted, breath-centric āsana and prāṇāyāma in order to maintain optimal physiological functioning throughout our lifetime and as we age. We will focus on understanding how to manage stress and maintain balance, and how to stimulate and optimize immune function.

Session 3 will focus on the principles and practice of adapted, breath-centric āsana, prāṇāyāma, and meditation, including svādhyāya (self-inquiry) and saṅkalpa (resolve), to help us maintain emotional balance and mental clarity throughout our lifetime and as we age. We will focus on identifying and releasing attachments to things that are not serving us and cultivating a sense of purpose that can guide our choices as we move forward into our future.

Session 4 will focus on the principles and practice of adapted, breath-centric āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation, mantra-japa, and manasa pūjā (mental adoration) to help us nourish our ‘spiritual hearts’ throughout our lifetime and as we age. We will focus on finding joy and happiness in the present moment and a sense of deeper meaning in the face of the inevitable end of life.

Live sessions on Thursdays at 6–9 pm EDT.

You will have access to the video recordings until December 31.

In addition, you will have access to the Ashram’s Online Hatha Yoga classes and access to an online social community to connect and communicate with other participants about this course. 

Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities

• Yoga Alliance (YA): Approximately 12 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 ce@iyta.org.

Testimonials

Gary Kraftsow is a gifted instructor full of enthusiasm and knowledge. You feel his passion and he shares his wisdom and personality. — Wendy Bonvechio

Gary Kraftsow’s Yoga is the real deal. I feel the therapeutic effects in my own body and look forward to learning more. — Lynda Barrow 

This practice was truly life-changing. My perspective/attitude toward asanas, pranayama, and meditation have changed. I came to get help for body pain and left with a new purpose for life and some tools to help. — Carol Horner