Arshayoga

Yoga Therapy Training Level 2 - Yoga Psychology and the Immune System (India)
2023-12-03 - 2023-12-17 | Arsha Yoga, Next to Anganvadi, Edasheri beach south, Thrissur, Kerala, 680569, India
This course gives an insight into the mysteries of the mind that Rishis (the wisemen) were able to see and describe. The knowledge of mind is present in all aspects of life – yoga, Ayurveda, music, dance, rituals, economics, social life or politics – and all such disciplines deal with the concept of mind only. This course is an attempt to collect the dissipated knowledge about mind and put it into a structure which is understandable to the modern mind. We will discuss about psychological hygiene. Yoga psychology analyses the deepest level of mind which is deeper than the sub-conscious as mentioned modern psychology.
This course helps you understand your mind and any mind-related issues present during yoga therapy. This course will also give detailed training on anxiety and depression, stress management and strengthening of the immune system that becomes is useful when treating autoimmune diseases.
Harilalji has been working in yoga therapy for psychosomatic and psychological ailments since 2002. His area of expertise is yoga psychology. He has the skill of explaining this ancient science of yoga psychology to the modern mind without losing its essence. In his lectures he differentiates modern psychology from yoga psychology in their approach of mind analysis without creating a contradiction. Harilalji has been
conducting research in the field of Vedic psychology since 2000.
You don’t need to be a yoga therapist, when attending this course. Only a deep interest in the main subject of yoga psychology is necessary.
Eligibility:
This course is intended for yoga therapists or yoga teachers with minimum 200 hrs certificate.

Syllabus:
This training offers basic knowledge of yoga psychology:
1. relationship between body, mind and soul
2. the function of senses and mind
3. prana as part of the whole mind
4. four faces of mind
5. fundamental issues of mind, cause and its management
6. maintenance of psychological hygiene and mental health
7. Immunity and how to strengthen it
8. Auto immune diseases and their management
9. Stress management (including practice)
10. Management of anxiety and depression (including practice)
11. Special techniques (yogic exercises for disease management)
12. Mantra relaxation technique – a relaxation technique by using mantra in certain
sequence (including practice)
13. Prana channelising – relaxation technique for the pranic body by using our own mental power (included the practice)
Participants who successfully complete the course and pass the examination will be awarded a certificate with the alliance of IYA (Indian Yoga Association), Certified Yoga Association by the AYUSH Ministry.
Yoga therapists will get a certificate of yoga therapy level II and Yoga Teachers will get certificate of course completed.

Daily Schedule

5:30 AM

wake-up

6 AM to 6:45 AM

pranayama and meditation (self practice on Wednesday)

7:15 AM

tea

8:15 AM to 10 AM

asana class (self practice on Friday)

10:15 AM

brunch

1 PM

tea

2 to 4 PM (Friday off)

theory

6:15 PM

dinner

7 PM

satsang (self practice on Tuesday)

9:30 PM

lights out

Retreat Venue
Arsha Yoga Gurukulam (www.arshayoga.org)
is located in silent village surroundings of central Kerala, just 50m from the Arabian sea, where traditional knowledge of yoga, Ayurveda and Vedanta is being impaired.
The Gurukulam provides accommodation in 2 different categories:

4 double rooms with shared bathroom (sleeps 6)
suite with double occupancy with attached bathroom, balcony and kitchenette (sleeps 2)
more double accommodation can be arranged in the neighbourhood

The Ashram provides two simple vegetarian ayurvedic meals per day that suit the learning and practicing of yoga and two times chai and snacks.
Investment
The price of the retreat differs according to the type of accommodation. Accommodation will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.
There are 2 types of accommodation:

4 double rooms with shared bathroom (sleeps 6) 850 euro
Deluxe suite (sleeps 2) with attached bathroom and seaview, balcony and kitchenette 1050 euro

The prices above include food, accommodation and all yoga classes. Trips can be arranged on an off day for extra cost. You will need only pocket money for souvenirs or food outside the ashram.
For registration kindly fill the Google form https://forms.gle/bVRzWwtqcF36TZpXA and we will send you the payment details in return.
In case of any unexpected event or a worsened covid situation, the deposit of 200 EUR will be transferred to any of the courses conducted by Arsha Yoga thereafter.

Faculty development program for Yoga Trainers ONLINE
2024-09-05 19:30 - 2024-10-16 20:30 (Asia/Kolkata)
It is common for many yoga teachers to be forced to confine themselves to asana-pranayama and their own spiritual progress is stagnates. As a solution to this, the Indian Yoga Association (IYA) organizes ‘Faculty Development Trainings’ (FDP).
For the first time in South India, FDP is running in Kerala. An opportunity to get essential knowledge related to yoga in contemporary context from talented teachers. To register for the FDP program jointly organized by Arsha Yoga Gurukulam and IYA on 5th September, visit this link – https://forms.gle/YhrxJw15cptE2Xhr6.
9 topics / 18 sessions
Classes on Mon, Wed, Fri: 7:30 – 8:30pm ONLINE
Topics:

Yoga Sutras
Yoga Scriptures
Yoga Therapy
Yoga and Ayurveda
Yoga and Naturopathy
Yoga and modern medicine
Yoga psychology
Yogic wellness (diet and lifestyle)
Yogic breath – prana and pranayama

This course will be conducted in Malayalam medium. Next course will be in English.
Stay tuned for more information!
Fore more information contact: 8281410057, 9947080222, 9497653314

Faculty Development Program for Yoga Trainers online
2024-10-13 19:30 - 2024-11-22 20:30
It is common for many yoga teachers to be forced to confine themselves to asana-pranayama and their own spiritual progress is stagnates. As a solution to this, the Indian Yoga Association (IYA) organizes ‘Faculty Development Trainings’ (FDP).
For the first time in South India, FDP is running in Kerala. An opportunity to get essential knowledge related to yoga in contemporary context from talented teachers. To register for the FDP program jointly organized by Arsha Yoga Gurukulam and IYA on 13th October, visit this link – https://forms.gle/YhrxJw15cptE2Xhr6.
9 topics / 18 sessions
Classes on Sun, Tue, Fri: 7:30 – 8:30pm IST ONLINE
Topics:

Yoga Sutras
Yoga Scriptures
Yoga Therapy
Yoga and Ayurveda
Yoga and Naturopathy
Yoga and modern medicine
Yoga psychology
Yogic wellness (diet and lifestyle)
Yogic breath – prana and pranayama

This course will be conducted in English.
Stay tuned for more information!
Fore more information contact: info@arshayoga.org

South India Yatra (Pilgrimage)
2024-11-15 08:00 - 2024-11-30 17:00
Spritual & cultural retreat for Yogis with Pradipa & Meera at Arsha Yoga, Kerala. DOWNLOAD BROCHURE
“A yãtra pronounced yAH-trAH) is much more than a vacation. It’s a sacred journey where the outer reality of the site fuses with our inner experience of the divine to transform us on all levels. To go on a yatra is to embark on a path that is mysterious and adventurous. We return from a yatra changed, not only because of the novelty of traveling to exotic lands, but because we’ve been touched by the grace of the sacred.” – Kavitha Chinnayian

What to expect

Daily Yoga, Pranayama & Meditation whilst staying at Arsha Yoga Gurukulum & Heritage Farms plus day trips and excursions such as temple visit and boat ride.
Lecutre on Ayurveda, the ‘Science of Life’.
Free time for reading, journaling, swimming and relaxing walks on the beach.
Classical Indian Music concert and Kalaripayattu (martial art) perfomance while at Arsha Yoga.
Private minibus plus guide for travel to Heritage Farms, Isha Yoga Ashram & Marayur, with some travel on train and bus for cultural experience.
Simple, clean accommodation and simple vegetarian food.
Guidance and support from Pradipa and Meera to develop your practice and sankalpa (intention) for the trip.

Typical Daily Ashram Schedule
6.15-7.15am – Pranayama and Meditation
7.30am – Tea and banana
8-9.30am – Asana practice (Hatha Yoga/Yin Yoga/Yoga Nidra)
10-11am – Brunch
11am – Seva (small help around the ashram
– karma yoga)
11-3.30pm – Free time (swimming, reading, journaling, massage*)
3.30pm – Tea
4pm – Yin Yoga/Yoga Nidra/Self-Practice
/Ayurveda Lecture
6pm Dinner
7.15pm Satsang/Classical Concert/Kalaripayittu Martial Arts Demonstration
*Subject to availability and extra cost will apply
**Timetable subject to change and variation

Retreat Venues:

Arsha Yoga Gurukulum (www.arshayoga.org) is a small, family run ashram located in silent village surroundings of central Kerala, and nestled in a stunning beach-side coconut grove. Accommodation is clean and simple, shared rooms with shared bathroom. Meals are served twice daily and effort is taken to provide homegrown fruits and vegetables from the garden.
Heritage Farms (www.heritagefarm.in) is an eco-conscious and beautifully tranquil sanctuary set in the lush greenery and stunning views of the Western Ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala. Enjoy comfortable and cosy lodgings, with breath taking views and organic, farm to table food. Here we will explore the beauty of nature with guided trekking and a boat trip on the largest dam in Asia.
Proposed Itinerary:
16 Nov : Arrive Arsha Yoga
16-19 Nov : Settle into Ashram living, shopping trip, excursions/Concert/Martial arts demo
20 Nov : Depart Arsha Yoga to Heritage Farms
21-22 Nov : Trekking & boating on dam
23 Nov : Marayur Sandalwood Plantation
24 Nov : Travel to Isha Yoga Foundation, home of Sadghuru
24-26 Nov : Isha Yoga Ashram
27 Nov : Bus to train station & train to Thrissur (Arsha Yoga)
27-29 Nov Arsha Yoga/concert/martial arts demo
30 Nov : Depart Arsha Yoga
*This itinerary is subject to change and variation

Cost & Eligibility:
The price of the retreat is £1450* per person and includes:

all accommodation, food whilst staying at Arsha Yoga, Heritage Farm & Isha Yoga
transfer to and from airport
private minibus for travel
train and bus tickets as required excursions, lectures and cultural events local guide
all pranayama, meditation and yoga classes

Price excludes flights, visa, insurance, vaccinations, food whilst travelling outside the ashram and extras such as massage and shopping.
There is a £200 non-refundable deposit payable on booking (this will be refunded if the retreat is cancelled by us).
Payment in full is due by 30th September 2024.
This retreat is open to sincere yogis who have at least 2 years yoga experience, ideally with a daily meditation practice.
Please contact us if you do not have the required experience and we will assess your application on a case by case basis.
All participants will be expected to follow the guidelines set out on the next page.
*Quick action bonus of £150 off stated price if you book and pay deposit wihtin 30 days of registration opening!
Ashram Guidelines
In respect of the of the ashram culture please observe these guidelines:

Alcohol, drugs, smoking and non-vegetarian diet (meat, fish or eggs) are prohibited during the retreat.
Long pants and t-shirt covering the shoulders are required for the retreat. Tight fitting and transparent clothing should be avoided.
For swimming, women are requested to wear shorts down to their knees and a t-shirt covering the shoulders.
The ashram is a plastic FREE zone. If you bring any plastic bags or bottles with you, please think of packing them with you when you leave
Mosquito nets, first aid kit, boiled water are provided and eco-friendly washing soap can be purchased from the ashram.

About the hosts:
Angela Cresswell (Pradipa)
Angela has been living and practicing Yoga for almost 20 years. She studied intensively under Swami Govindananda in Kerala, India, in 2012 and 2017, and undertook 6 months intense Sadhana (spiritual practice) at Arsha Yoga in 2012, studying with Yoga Acharya Harilal Karanath. Here she completed further studies in Vedic Culture and Psychology, also qualifying as a Yoga Therapist. After teaching in India and Thailand, she returned to the UK in 2014 and started Pradhipa Yoga, specialising in stress management and embodied movement. She has run 3 Yoga Ashram retreats to India with Meera and looks forward to welcoming you on this spiritual piligrimage.
“As soon as I arrive at Arsha Yoga, all my cares and worries melt away and I feel enlightened and free. I am blessed to be able share this magical place with you.”
Marie Meera Karanath
Besides her translation and interpreting studies in Germany, Marie Meera Karanath completed her two years yoga teachers` training course in 2006 and one year yoga therapy instructors’ course in 2008. After gaining experience for three years as a yoga teacher in Germany, she has continued her teaching practice at Arsha Yoga since 2009.
She is one of the teachers and the course coordinator of Arsha Yoga, at the moment also a full time mother. Her main passion is yin yoga, individual yoga therapy, kirtan, mantra chanting and woman’s work.
“Living in a different country teaches you to set your ego aside, to reassess your social and cultural background, to come out of the cocoon and become a butterfly. This has to happen. My daugther, Gayatri, is the greatest teacher in this regard.”
Arrival Information
VISA:
All visitors to India are required to obtain a Tourist Visa prior to entering the country.
To apply for a 6-12 month tourist visa you have to apply through the post or by visiting the Visa centre in London/Birmingham. The visa is only valid from the date of issue not date of arrival.
Visit: http://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/
An online E-Visa is quicker and cheaper and it is valid for 30 days. The link to apply direct to Indian government for an E-Visa is: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
For Government Visa Advice for India please visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
VACCINATIONS:
Please make an appointment with your GP to discuss which vaccinations are required. As a general rule you should ensure that your standard vaccinations for life in the UK are up to date such as; Diphtheria; Hepatitis A; Tetanus; Typhoid. Malaria is not required for the area we are travelling to but please seek advice from your doctor to confirm this.
INSURANCE:
Please ensure you have valid travel insurance for your trip.
What to bring:

3 x photocopies of Passport and Vis
Flashlight
Toiletries
Alarm Clock
Water bottle or flask
Yoga Mat – Cotton if possible (can be purchased from Ashram)
Thin Towel
Swimming clothes (for ladies shorts down to the knees and short sleeved t-shirt)
Sun lotion
Hat
1 warm sweater or cardigan
1 Pair of walking shoes
Umbrella or rain coat
Mosquito repellent
Backpack (for 7 day trip)
Nail brush
Toilet paper (we encourage you to use the Indian method of washing instead)

Weather: Temperature stays steady all year round at 30 degrees.
Testimonials:
“ I am very grateful and thankful for everything you did for us, it was the lifetime experience and it helped me in many aspects of my life <3. I loved and enjoyed everything!”
“The yoga retreat was like pushing a reset button for me, as though someone said ‘ok, welcome back to you, you are a beautiful peaceful being, now go and spread your light!’, it brought me back to me. Thank you Angela and Meera! “
“I feel very priveleged to have experienced authentic, rural India off the normal tourist track”
“The beach! What more can I say? Seeing this and listening to the sound of the waves day and night was such a tranquil experiences. The ever-present sound of the ocean was the best ever soundtrack you could wish for: when practising yoga, eating our meals or just relaxing, it simply soothed the soul.”

Samagra Yoga Chikitsa - Yoga Therapy Training India 2026
2026-02-15 - 2026-03-14
In ancient times, yoga used to be taught one-on-one. Today, group yoga classes are a more common phenomenon. However, if we want to assist our students in the most efficient way in response to their specific needs, we need individual yoga or in another words Comprehensive Yoga Healing Course.
In this four weeks course we build on a concept that each body and mind is unique. It is impermanent and can be moulded at any given time. It changes with time, disease or while adjusting to external conditions. If we want to improve health in a holistic way, we need to look closely at a few factors that the human existence is composed of: body, breath and its associate prana, different parts of the mind, the concept of soul and eternal happiness – in another words the concept of Pancha Kosha – five sheaths existence.
It is the birth right of every human being to feel healthy and fulfilled. You don’t have to change your partner, your house or the country of residence. You only need to change your attitude and restore the feeling of completion which is already within you but has been covered by layers of conscious or unconscious thoughts, impressions and experiences. In this sense yoga therapy doesn’t mean learning but rather “unlearning”.

This course deals with topics such as comprehensive yoga therapy, Panchakosha Tattwa (five sheaths existence), Adhi (distress), Vyadhi (disease), Svastha Vrittam (prevention according to Ayurveda), consultation, Vijnanopadesa (yogic counselling), basics of anatomy and physiology, rehabilitation and psychosomatic diseases. Besides the classical yoga techniques, you will acquire many special techniques from yoga therapy such as cyclic relaxation or prana channalizing. Part of the course is also a detailed study and practice of the cleansing techniques – Shatkriya.
Today, where almost everyone suffers of one or more chronic diseases is the individual approach of outmost significance. After completing this course you can either treat people in the form of individual consultation sessions or you can implement the teachings into your yoga classes. This training in yoga therapy is a foundation for any other form of therapy.
In this training you don’t learn to treat diseases but you work with your client individually in a unique way depending on many factors such as combination of diseases, working environment, family background etc.
The teaching and schedule will be in a traditional Indian Gurukula system which may be different from what you have experienced until now. All participants should be physically and mentally fit when joining the course in order to be able to feel and experience the wisdom of the ancient science of yoga.
Furthermore, we offer ongoing yoga therapy trainings such as Level 2 – Yoga Psychology and Yoga Therapy for Autoimmune Disorders and Level 3 – Yoga Therapy for Psychological Disorders.
All sessions are mandatory and the course shall not to be regarded as a personal vacation. If for any reason you won’t be able to attend a class, you have to inform one of the staff members.
During these 4 weeks you should set your personal likes and dislikes aside. You shall practice and live the concept of Kriya Yoga – Tapas, Ishwara Pranidhana, Swadhyaya – as it was described by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. This is also the essence of yoga therapy as a successful treatment method. Therefore your full commitment to the course is required. Your quality as a student and aspiring yoga therapist should be: 1. tapas = will power, 2. ishwara pranidhana = trust, 3. swadhyaya = self-analysis.
After having passed both practical and written exams successfully and having proven your abilities to become yoga therapy instructor during the whole course of training, you will be awarded a certificate bearing the title Yoga Therapy Instructor certified by both Arsha Yoga as well Indian Yoga Association.

CURRICULUM (260 hrs)
Practice (118 hrs): therapeutic effects in asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, kriya
Theory (48 hrs): 4 paths of yoga in yoga therapy, pancha kosha tattwa (5 sheaths of human existence), adhi (distress), adhija vyadhi (psychosomatic disease)
Specific practices for Yoga therapy (48 hrs)
Special techniques for yoga therapy (24 hrs): cyclic relaxation, prana channalizing
Anatomy and physiology according to functional anatomy by Paul Grilley (6 hrs)
Guest lectures (8 hrs): Ayurveda and Naturopathy
Self-study (80 hrs) non-contact hrs: karma yoga, revision

Daily schedule

5:30 AM

wake-up

6 AM to 6:45 AM

pranayama and meditation (self practice on Wednesday)

7:15 AM

tea

8:15 AM to 10 AM

asana class (self practice on Friday)

10:15 AM

brunch

12:30 – 1:15 PM

special techniques from the yoga therapy

2 to 4 PM (Friday off)
4 to 6 PM

theory
practice

6:15 PM

dinner

7 PM

satsang (self practice on Tuesday)

9:30 PM

lights our

Staff teachers:
Acharya Harilalji and guests
course co-ordinator: Marie Meera Karanath
STAFF teachers:
Acharya Harilalji:
was born in 1970 and comes from a traditional family in Kerala, South India. He was born and brought up in a traditional Indian environment with agriculture, Ayurveda, Vedanta and Yoga. After attaining the title ‘Yogacharya’, he lived and taught yoga in Sivananda ashram in Kerala, Delhi and the Himalayas. Later he studied and practiced yoga therapy at sVYASA -the university for yoga- in Karnataka and completed a full time diploma course with an ‘A’ grade. The subject of his thesis was ‘Integrated approach of yoga therapy for psychosomatic diseases’. Curious to experience the western culture, which was the background of most of his students in India, he came to Germany for the first time in the spring of 2001 and has been visiting Europe ever since. He gives seminars and courses on Yoga Therapy, yoga psychology and yoga philosophy in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Germany as well as individual yoga therapy. He is also Yoga acharya /Therapist in Nangelil Ayurveda Medical College near Ernakulam in South India. Harilalji is currently studying under his guru Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha.
Recommended texts:
1. Yoga Vasishta
2. Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha from the Bihar School of Yoga
3. Bhagavad Gita interpreted by Swami Dayananda Saraswati
4. Course manual – will be distributed at the beginning of the course
VENUE: Sivananda Ashram Neyyar Dam https://sivananda.org.in/neyyardam/samagra-yoga-chikitsa/
PREREQUISITES:

200-hrs yoga teacher’s training of any tradition (basic yoga philosophy must be included)
min. 2 years teaching experience
sound mental and physical health
proficiency in English (spoken and written)
interview call to assess the proper qualification
