Gentle Somatic Yoga® Level 1 Training

Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY)
GSY is a simple, practical, and effective form of brain-to-muscle re-education that goes to the root cause of most chronic muscular pain and stiffness. This heart-informed and evidence-based method is accessible for most people and can be incorporated into other spiritual practices. The beneficial results can be immediate and long-lasting.
In this GSY L1 training course: 

Learn 25+ Therapeutic Somatic Movement Flows® for self-care, resiliency, health, and wellbeing
Explore Somatic Movements that can significantly increase flexibility, strength, and improved posture
Substitute static stretching with an innovative neuromuscular re-patterning technique called pandiculation
Discover your own somatic intelligence and rely less on “doing it right” according to instruction or demonstration
Build inner awareness and alignment of mind/body/emotions/spirit
Amplify embodied states of peace and wellbeing
Practice mindful and compassionate ways to move that inspire deeper connection with your body
Review tips and modifications that you can adapt to your own body, and for your students/clients, in both group classes and private sessions

This course is designed for anyone interested in deep self-care and healing, but is rigorous enough for the yoga teacher, yoga therapist, bodyworker, dancer, or other health care professionals. Certification optional.
This event is hosted by Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville 
Yogaville is a serene oasis in the heartland of Virginia. With a diverse community of heart-centered people and its world-renowned Yoga Academy ~ Integral Yoga, Yogaville opens doors to spiritual growth and self-mastery.

Enjoy taking part of the Ashram’s daily activities and accommodations: complimentary yoga and meditation classes, inspirational spiritual talks, organic vegetarian food (vegan options), and walking forest trails on the 800-acre property including along the James River.
Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities
At the completion of this 6-day program, you qualify to become a GSY Practitioner Level 1 with a Certification add-on option.

Yoga Alliance (YA): Approximately 32 contact hours.
You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
Yoga Therapy: This is one of the elective modules to become certified as an Integral Yoga Therapist
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.

*Special NOTE: The program, Gentle Somatic Yoga® Weekend: Practices for Deep Self Care, is a part of this training. Participants in this 6-day Level 1 course have additional sessions throughout the week and dive deeper into neuroscience, philosophy, and the GSY method.
Testimonials
The Gentle Somatic Yoga teacher training certification course with James Knight was fantastic. I was not familiar with him and now have found another Yoga teacher to follow. His teaching style is wonderful and very engaging. The content of the course was exactly what I'm interested in and he does a great job of explaining and coaching the various movements. I will be looking for more educational offerings with him in the future. Thank you so much for what you do and the love and enthusiasm for Yoga with an aging population that you display. — Jan F.
I really enjoyed this course. Learned a lot and feel much freer in my body already. I am a Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist and have already started to use little snippets in my classes with great response. This work is amazing! — Jasmine M.
I've been to many, many teacher trainings, and it's hard to have favorites but this is right up there. It feels like we're co-creating this new way of practice. — Lindsay C



Tentative Schedule





Friday



4:00–6:00 pm
Registration


6:30 pm
Supper (at reserved tables)


7:30–8:00 pm
Welcoming and Ashram Orientation


8–9:15 pm
Restorative Gentle Somatic Yoga (GSY) Class



Saturday AM



7:10–8:40 am
Hatha Yoga Class


8:40–9:30 am
Breakfast


9:45–11:15 am
Introductions, overview of GSY, Gentle Somatic Yoga Class


11:15–11:45 am
Gentle Somatic Yoga Learning Laboratory with Q & A


11:45 am
Announcements



Saturday PM



12:00–12:30 pm
Noon Meditation at LOTUS


12:45 pm
Lunch


2:15–3:15 pm
Gentle Somatic Yoga Class


3:15–4:15 pm
Gentle Somatic Yoga Learning Laboratory


5:30 pm
Supper


6:15–7:30 pm
Free time


7:30–9:00 pm
Satsang (gathering of seekers of Truth):
- Kirtan (Music & Chanting)
- Video of Swami Satchidananda
- Speaker



Sunday AM



7:10–8:40 am
Hatha Yoga Class


8:40–9:30 am
Breakfast


9:30–10:30 am
Gentle Somatic Yoga Class


10:30–11:30 am
Gentle Somatic Yoga Learning Laboratory


11:30 am
Announcements and WS Evaluations



Sunday PM



12:00–2:00 pm
Check-out time for Retreat participants


12:00–12:30 pm
Noon Meditation


12:45 pm
Lunch


2:00–3:00 pm
Gentle Somatic Yoga Class


3:05–4:05 pm
Gentle Somatic Yoga Learning Laboratory


4:15–4:45 pm
History, Philosophy, and Neuroscience of GSY


6:00–6:30 pm
Evening Meditation


6:30 pm
Supper


7:30–9:00 pm
Evening Session: GSY Practice Teachback



Monday



6:30–8:00 am
Hatha Yoga Class


8:00 am
Breakfast


8:45–11:45 am
GSY Class and Learning Lab


11:45 am
Announcements


12:00–12:30 pm
Noon Meditation


12:45 pm
Lunch


1:45–2:15 pm
History, Philosophy, and Neuroscience of GSY


2:20–3:50 pm
GSY Class Review


3:55–5:30 pm
GSY Practice Teachback


6:00–6:30 pm
Evening Meditation


6:30 pm
Supper


7:30–9:00 pm
GSY Class Review and Practice Teachback



Tuesday



6:30–8:00 am
Hatha Yoga Class


8:00 am
Breakfast


8:45–11:45 am
GSY Class and Learning Lab


11:45 am
Announcements


12:00–12:30 pm
Noon Meditation


12:45 pm
Lunch


1:45–2:15 pm
History, Philosophy, and Neuroscience of GSY


2:20–4:20 pm
Practice Teachback


4:30–5:45 pm
Practice Teachback - Final Review


6:00–6:30 pm
Evening Meditation


6:30 pm
Supper


7:30–8:30 pm
Closing Circle for GSY Participants



Wednesday



6:30–8:00 am
Hatha Yoga Class


8:00 am
Breakfast


9:00–11:00 am
Teachback with Group Evaluation and Feedback


11:00–11:30 am
Evaluations


12:00–2:00 pm
Check Out


12:45 pm
Lunch