A Method to take your Students to a Deeper Level
Today some styles of yoga use restorative postures as part of their practice to address different conditions and needs of students.
I developed my own restorative yoga method which I have called the “Puja Method of Restorative Yoga ” about 15 years ago. Now after more than 45 years of practicing yoga and meditation and 35+ years of teaching them, I continue to offer my trainings and classes
My method is a synthesis of what I have learned from many extraordinary teachers, from my personal practice and from exploring my own body and mind.
This method does not refer to restorative yoga not as a new style or school of yoga, but as a selection of poses, many of which use props to help the practitioner explore deeper relaxation, stillness, and inner peace along with the many physical benefits of the yoga practice.
My method of teaching restorative yoga combines postures (asanas), with supports, with conscious breathing (pranayama), with relaxation and with the different techniques to calm the body and calm the mind.
The principles of the Puja Method are:
- Cultivate generosity, love, and kindness through the words, thoughts, and actions of both the teacher and the student.
- Work towards a deeper understanding of the mind, using techniques to quiet and calm the mind.
- Understanding and applying hands on assists to traditional restorative yoga asanas.
- Understanding and facilitating deep relaxation with various techniques including asana, pranayama, visualization, meditation, stillness, breathing, and hands on assists.
BOLSTERS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES
The restorative yoga practice with the Puja Method uses props that require special instruction and attention to students.
Depending on the asana and the particular student, a wide variety of props can be used.
We use: bolsters, cushions, blankets, blocks, eye bags, yoga straps, chairs, sandbags and benches.
Having a variety of bolsters in different sizes, shapes and firmness, is a great thing so as a student or teacher you can to be prepared for different body types and conditions.
RESTORATIVE PUJA YOGA METHOD BOOK
A complete manual to understand and learn step by step the Puja Method of Restorative yoga with Supports and Assists.
Necessary as support material for the training
RESTORATIVE YOGA TEACHER TRAININGS
LEVEL 1
25 hours
RESTORATIVE YOGA THE PUJA METHOD LEVEL 1
In this training students are introduced to Restorative Yoga: What is this type of yoga, its history and the differences with other styles of yoga.
The relaxation response and the central nervous system are discussed, as well as a thorough understanding of various postures, how to get in and out of them, and their variants, for different types and conditions of the body.
The use of support accessories and simple posture aids are taught. Management of responses and emotional communication during practice is deepened, emphasizing student understanding and how to best serve them.
In this training you will also learn supportive alignment for optimal energy flow. You will learn ways to work with meditations and visualizations for healing, calming the mind and understanding Restorative Yoga as a form of spiritual practice.
The training is divided into modules where each of the main topics of the course are explored.
MODULE 1
- Introduction
- The History of Restorative Yoga
- The Relaxation Response Energy Flow and Alignment
- Understanding of Props
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Practice of Poses and Variations
- Benefits and Contraindications
MODULE 2
- Addressing the Mind in Restorative Poses
- Nuerons/Vibration
- How to use the Book/Sequencing
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Understanding and Practice of Hands on Assists
- Practice of Poses and Variations
- Benefits and Contraindications
- Practice Teaching
MODULE 3
- The Puja Method of Restorative Yoga
- Listening to the Story of the Body
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Understanding and Practice of Hands on Assists
- Practice of Poses and Variations
- Benefits and Contraindications
- Practice Teaching
MODULE 4
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Understanding and Practice of Hands on Assists
- Practice of Poses and Variations
- Benefits and Contraindications
- Practice Teaching Evaluation
LEVEL 2
25 hours
MODULE 1
- Introduction
- Understanding the Mind and the Immune Response
- The Relaxation Response Review
- Pranayama and Energy Flow Understanding of Props (chair)
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Practice of Poses, Variations and Sequences
- Benefits and Contraindications
MODULE 2
- Addressing the Mind in Restorative Poses with Silence, Mantra, Chakras
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Understanding the Three Levels and Practice of Hands on Assists
- Practice of Poses, Variations and Sequences
- Benefits and Contraindications
- Practice
MODULE 3
- The Healing Power of Prayer
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Understanding the Three Levels and Practice of Hands on Assists
- Benefits and Contraindications
- Restorative Healing Circles
- Practice
MODULE 4
- Understanding of Restorative Asanas (Poses) in Detail
- Understanding the Three Levels and Practice of Hands on Assists
- Practice of Poses and Variations
- Restorative Healing Circles
- Evaluation
- Ceremony
TAKING IT DEEPER, TEACHING RESTORATIVE YOGA
In this training you learn to guide students to a deeper level of Restorative Yoga that helps them release layers of tension and make them feel more comfortable in their bodies, minds and spirits.
More clarity is provided on Restorative Yoga and strategies to improve your practice and teaching, including variations for different bodies, as well as approaching and directing the physical, emotional and mental body in restorative postures.
You will learn experientially through practice teaching, through your own personal practice, talks, theory, ritual and healing circles. This training immerses the student in an in-depth understanding of the postures, how to practice them, and variations for different bodies and conditions.
It delves into the relationship of the mind and the immune system, as well as relaxation and the central nervous system.
The training explores more deeply alignment to sustain an optimal flow of energy, meditations with chakras and mantras for healing.
Knowledge is expanded in the use of props and more complicated postures are taught and practiced along with simple assists in the postures themselves. It helps you to understand your students and to know how to best help them.
Finally, the healing power of prayers is addressed from the heart and as we learn how to lead healing circles and practice ritual ceremony together.
This second level also consists of modules that develop various theoretical-practical topics.
