Yoga for Mental and Emotional
Wellness- Self Study Course
Yoga Skills for Holistic Mental Health Care
This month long training will utilize the yogic lens of the Koshas as a holistic diagnostic, treatment, and self-care model. The koshas are 5 layers of being and can be conceptualized as nesting dolls. The layers, or sheaths of the body, are the Physical Kosha, Breath or Energetic Kosha, Mental/Emotional Kosha, Wisdom & Intellect Kosha, and the Bliss, Spirit, & Higher Self Kosha. Each layer lies within the next and what happens within one layer impacts all 5. This is true for stress, but also for healing. This model can be used to supplement traditional therapy and to prevent burn-out in providers.
Yoga offers many practices to nurture the breath, mind, body, intellect and spirit. By attending this trainings, participants will be able to easily determine each individual’s needs for healing and growth on every level of being, learn tools within each of the 5 Koshas that can be implemented immediately in session, and understand how to pick and choose exercises that benefit one or more of the Kosha/s directly, knowing that it will positively impact the entire system. This experiential training includes evidence-based mind-body practices such as meditation, yoga, and therapeutic art for stress reduction, emotional regulation, and burnout prevention.
In other words, this yoga therapy course is highly experiential and also goes over theory. So participants have both practices and a deeper understanding of how and why those practices work. Together we will explore skills for nervous system regulation, how that relates to anxiety, depression, and trauma, and which practices are appropriate in which contexts. We will also be examining a variety of case studies through group work and facilitated discussion to better illustrate the concept of the Koshas in action.
While this training is geared towards mental health practitioners (therapists, case managers, yoga teachers, coaches, caregivers, etc.) interested in bringing yoga practices into session, anyone who wants to learn how to use yoga for nervous system regulation is welcome! No formal yoga training is necessary! But, an understanding of common mental health diagnoses is expected (i.e. anxiety, depression, trauma). We recommend you dress to move and bring a journal or notebook to write in.
Clinical Goals: By attending and participating in the entire training participants will be able to:
- Name the 5 Koshas and at least 1 practice within each Kosha
- Match which yoga practices learned over the course of the training are the most appropriate for commonly seen mental health diagnoses (anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Reiterate the ethics of using yoga in session
- Utilize tools from yoga as therapeutic interventions for emotional regulation with their clients in sessions
- Practice yoga asana, meditation, breathing, journaling, and therapeutic art for their own emotional regulation, stress reduction, and burnout preventative care
- Explain the importance of self-care as an ethical obligation to clients
Getting CEs as a therapist:
This course is eligible for 20 CEs (including 3 ethics) for NJ social workers and PA social workers, LPCs, and MFTs. Therapists in other states have been able to apply for credits with their board BEFORE completing the course. Please contact Kanjana@healingheartswellness.com for a more detailed course description and schedule that you can include in your application.
In order to get CEs, therapists MUST submit a writing reflection for each week that illustrates they completed the recordings in full AND complete an evaluation survey. This can be a reflection on the lectures and exercises/practices. Each week's reflection needs to be a minimum of 1 page and can be informal. This is used to show understanding and completion of the concepts in order to earn the CEs. So please include your reflections on the lectures and experiential practices. These reflections can be emailed to Kanjana@healingheartswellness.com. After receiving all 4, Kanjana will send you a survey link to complete for evaluation. This is required for receiving CEs.
Course Curriculum
Kanjana Hartshorne
Hi! I am Kanjana, LCSW, C IAYT yoga therapist, Reiki Master, and creator of Wanderhome. I create embodied, ND affirming spaces where therapists and healers can learn, rest, play, be themselves, and find their people through somatic and creative practices, yoga therapy, energy work, spiritual and ancestral practices, social events, unique CEs, retreats, and a therapist community that feels like home. I'm so glad you're here and hope you join us!
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
This is a self-study course that you can complete at your convenience. You will have access to this course for 3 months and can rewatch the lectures and practices as often as you would like within that timeframe.
What if I've never done yoga? What if I'm not flexible? What if I have physical limitations?
You can still take this class! All of the interventions we offer have options for different needs in terms of body shape, size, and ability. No yoga experience is necessary!
What is the structure of this course?
This program is a mix of pre-recorded webinars and experiential practices. Pre-recorded content: Each week you will receive 3 hours of pre-recorded content that must be watched in its entirety before our Zoom call. *If you are completing this as a self-study, you will not attend the lives but watch a recording of them. If you would prefer to participate in this course as a mix of live and lecture, then please reach out to Kanjana@healingheartswellness.com to get on our waiting list.
How do I get CEs?
Social workers in NJ and Social workers, MFTs, and LPCs in PA can earn CEs for this course. In order to earn your CEs, the following is required: 1. Complete a weekly reflection about what you have learned or experienced. This does not need to be formal, but needs to show you have watched the content for each week. This is in lieu of a weekly quiz and is a requirement of the board in order to provide CEs for this course. These reflections can be emailed to Kanjana@healingheartswellness.com. 2. Complete sign-in and evaluation forms that are distributed after submission of the 4th and final reflection. 3. Complete the course within 3 months of your purchase date.
