Yoga Therapy Workshop: Techniques for Somatic Healing and Emotional Wellbeing
This program was presented on June 28–29, 2008
Presented by the Washington School of Psychiatry in partnership with Greenleaf Integrative Strategies
Taught by Angela Cerkevich, Gopi Kinnicut, and Siddharth Ashvin Shah, M.D., M.P.H.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Sunday, June 29, 2008
9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Yoga as "therapy" is on the rise, and it is being applied to both medical and psychological conditions. Some of the claimed benefits are credible; others seem exaggerated. Traumatic symptoms, depression, and stress are among the yoga-sensitive conditions that fall under the rubric of mental health. This two-day course will allow participants to investigate a range of heterogeneous yoga therapies through direct experience and intellectual inquiry.
Question: Could yoga and related therapies be optimal methods to affect the physiological and somatic processes of mental health difficulties?
True, evidence supports that talk therapy (via relationship, cognition, and emotion) has the capacity to modify somatic processes such as gene expression, neurotransmitter tone, and the structure of the brain. However, somatic problems that respond slowly or only partially through talk therapy include those of depression (appetite and sleep disturbances), trauma (frozen states, hyperarousal, tissue memory), and stress (HIV, cardiovascular disease, dysglycemic conditions). In order to complement talk therapy, why not explore the role of somatically based therapies in addressing somatic symptoms?
Yoga is increasingly available, but its ability to be widely applied is limited by unsubstantiated claims, unfocused therapies, unlicensed practitioners, and our illiteracy in yoga's various presentations. This workshop endeavors to close this gap.
Who Should Attend?
- Mental health practitioners, spiritual care and other direct care providers who would like to integrate simple yoga therapies (e.g. chair-based protocols) into their practice
- Mental health practitioners, spiritual care and other direct care providers who would like to know enough about specialized yoga therapies (e.g. yoga nidra, yoga protocols for depression) in order to refer clients to area practitioners
- Agencies providers whose populations are affected by stress, depression, and trauma
- Those who wish to sample and learn more about yoga therapies in an academic environment
- People interested in further developing their self-monitoring and self-care method
Objectives:
The workshop will:
- Familiarize participants with a range of yoga therapies (postures, breathwork, laughter, sound/vibrational and guided meditations) with mental health applications
- Introduce yoga's meta-psychology plus connect therapies to neuroscience
- Demonstrate how yoga therapy can be integrated with standard mental health interventions in individuals and communities
FACULTY
COURSE DIRECTOR
Siddharth Ashvin Shah, M.D., M.P.H. is the founder and medical director of Greenleaf Integrative Strategies, which develops training and resiliency services for people involved in crisis and humanitarian responses. Dr. Shah's educational background includes a degree in Religious Studies, Masters in Public Health, internship at the Menninger Clinic, and post-doctorate work in Behavioral Medicine. He specializes in stress-related illnesses, mind-body interventions, trauma recovery, and spiritual healing practices. More on www.greenleaf-is.com and www.siddharthshah.com.
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Angela Cerkevich is a Thai Massage Body Worker and Certified Yoga Teacher specializing in Yoga Nidra and Trauma-sensitive Yoga. She is also the founder of Anahata International, a non-profit dedicated to assisting individuals and communities affected by conflict and trauma through a spectrum of yoga and meditation techniques. More on Anahata's projects in the USA and Rwanda at www.anahatainternational.org.
Gopi Kinnicut is a Yoga Alliance Registered teacher specializing in Yoga for Depression and Trauma-sensitive Yoga. She lived in an ashram for 8 years where she studied and taught Indian Philosophy, vegetarian cooking, Ayurveda and mantra meditation. Ms. Kinnicut addresses individual needs and limitations while creating a safe environment for her students to move through physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions.
Location
The Washington School of Psychiatry
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC, 20016
Directions
CE/CME Award - 12
The Washington School of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists. The Washington School maintains responsibility for the program. The School is approved by the Social Work Board of the State of Maryland as a provider of continuing education for social workers. The School is approved by the Medical Society of Maryland (MEDCHI) for continuing education for psychiatrists.
FEE -- $420
Registration
Please call the School at 202-237-2700 to register. You can also use the conference registration form to register for this seminar by faxing it to WSP at 202-237-2730, or mail the form to: Washington School of Psychiatry, 5028 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20016-4118.
Disclosure of Commercial Support and the Unlabeled use of a commercial product
No member of the planning committee and no member of the faculty for this event have a financial interest or other relationship with any commercial product(s) discussed in this educational presentation.