Dates: June 3, 10, 17, and 24
Times: Saturdays 12 -7:30 pm ET
Cost: $900
Location: SEVA Yoga, Yardley PA or online from anywhere in the world 
Registration: Please click here. 

Here's what you'll learn:

• 12 somatic meditation techniques that release tension and heal trauma

• How to teach the 12 somatic meditation practices to others 

• How somatic meditation differs from breath meditation, mantra meditation, and mindfulness meditation

• Why other styles of meditation sound good, but often don't stick

• How to meditate regularly with fewer distractions and less guilt

• How to stay consistent with your meditation practice at home, even when your life is extremely busy

• How to feel your feelings without judgement and make space for difficult emotions inside yourself

• How to be present with others and listen without giving unsolicited advice (so helpful for all different kinds of relationships.. work, family, intimate relationships, and friendships)

• How somatic meditation makes you unbelievably patient, in ways you never thought possible - even in the car and at the grocery store.

FAQ's:

What kind of meditation will we learn about?

You’ll learn about a style of meditation called Somatic Meditation. Somatic meditation is where we take the body as our object of attention and practice dropping the thoughts, expectations, and judgements about ourselves and others so that we can feel what we feel in a direct, embodied way. 

You’ll learn many different somatic meditation techniques that can be practiced either lying on your back or sitting upright. Somatic meditation is where we take refuge in our body and deeply listen to our felt experience (both sensorial and emotional). I explain more about somatic meditation here in this video. And you can sample my guided somatic meditations for free here. 

7.5 hours seems like a long day! What will we be doing during the training?

Here's our schedule:

12:00 - 2:00 Opening Meditation and Yin Yoga Practice

2:00 - 3:00 Lunch break and rest

3:00 - 5:00 Review of 3 meditation techniques, philosophy, and applications

5:00 - 6:00 Silent nature break and walking meditation outdoors

6:00 - 7:30 Teaching Methodology and short practice teaching opportunities 

I think you'll find that there's a really nice balance of practice and discussion during the training. Most of my students really like the flow and structure of this schedule. 

Why are we taking such long breaks for lunch and walking?

Meditation is deep. We need time to integrate what we learn. Over the past 13 years that I've been offering trainings, I've found that these longer breaks are really crucial for getting the most out of our time together. They assist us in having a profound, effective, educational experience without feeling overwhelmed. It's also just more fun to take breaks, chat with each other in between our practices, and get outside!

What if I'm shy and I don't like to be put on the spot?

Sharing is always optional. You'll never be put on the spot. When we do the partner exercises, you can always just communicate when/if you're not in the mood to talk. You're learning from a highly-sensitive, shy, introverted woman (that's me). I get it that learning in a group can be hard. I also know that it changes us, and that we have so much to learn from each other. I want you to feel as  comfortable as possible in my training - and I promise that I will respect your boundaries. I am accustomed to making arrangements for different learning styles and finding ways for everyone to participate (extroverts and introverts alike). If you're still worried, you can always email me ahead of time to share your concerns.  

Is there any yin yoga included in this course?

Yes. I believe yin yoga and meditation are a match made in heaven. We'll practice about 90 minutes of yin yoga each day of the training. The yin yoga practice will be accessible to all levels and mostly focus on external and internal rotation of the hips to help us sit with more ease and comfort. I think you'll find the yin yoga portion of the training to be a wonderful compliment to our meditation practices and our intellectual discussions. Yin yoga helps us stay grounded and connected to our body and can help prevent overthinking and perfectionism.

Is there homework for this course?

I will highly recommend that you practice meditation for 20 minutes a day as much as possible during the training. I will give you a suggestion for a practice each week. 

It is understood that everyone will fall off their home practice from time to time and every one is still welcome to come to the Saturday sessions whether they’ve been doing their homework or not. 

There is no written homework for this course.

Do I need to buy any books?

No. There are no required reading books for the training. But if you'd like to supplement your learning, here are a few places to get started:

The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary McBride
The Awakening Body by Reginald Ray
The Posture of Meditation by Will Johnson
Your Body is Your Brain by Amanda Blake

What do I need to bring to class?

It will be helpful to have a notebook and a pen to take notes. If you’re attending in person, you might also want to bring a meditation shawl or blanket to put over your shoulders or on your lap in case you get cold. There will be plenty of bolsters, blankets and blocks at the studio to use for sitting on the floor. If you’re practicing from the comfort of your own home, you’ll want to have a meditation cushion or bolster and blocks and blankets to make yourself comfortable. 

Can I sit in a chair if I’m not comfortable sitting on the floor?

Yes, of course! There are chairs and stools here if you’re attending in person. And if you’re at home - it’s a great idea to use a chair! One of the beautiful things about somatic meditation is that you can prioritize the comfort of your body without losing any of the spiritual benefits. 

Is this a teacher training?

Yes. You will be learning the skills needed to teach somatic meditation to others. Practice teaching is always optional and will be discussed at the start of the course. You're under no obligation to teach. It's just an invitation to practice in case you'd like the opportunity for feedback.

If we are yoga teachers, can we use this time towards CEUs for Yoga Alliance?

Yes, at the end of the course you will receive a certificate for 30 hours of Continuing Education that you can submit to Yoga Alliance. 

Can I attend virtually if I don’t live close to Yardley, PA?

Yes, there is an online option for anyone who would like to participate on ZOOM. At checkout, you will select whether you want to attend in-person or online. 

How many spots are available for the in-person option?

There are 20 spots open for the in-person option in Yardley, Pennsylvania. When you reserve your spot you will be asked to indicate if you’d like to attend in-person or online

Are the Saturday sessions recorded?

Yes, all the sessions are recorded and uploaded onto our private web portal. It’s no problem if you miss a week, or several weeks. You can watch the recordings at your own pace. Both in-person and online students will have access to the recordings.

Is there a payment plan for this course?

Yes, you are welcome to pay the fee in 3 monthly payments of $250 per month if registered before April 20, or $300 per month after April 20. Please note that if you enroll in the payment plan, you are expected to complete all your payments even if you decide to drop out of the course at any time. 

Is there a BIPOC discount for this course?

Yes, please enter the code BIPOC Scholarship at checkout to receive the 50% BIPOC discount off the full price. Diversity, equity, and inclusion matter to me and make an enormous difference in the quality of education that everyone in the course receives. 

What is your lineage? Where did you learn about somatic meditation?

I started meditating with Buddhist monks in Birmingham, England more than 20 years ago (at the age of 20). At that time my practice included breath meditation and walking meditation.

My practiced deepened tremendously when I met Parvathi Nanda Nath Saraswati in 2004. Ma Parvathi is a Yogini Adept who taught somatic meditation (but didn't call it that), as well as mantra meditation, visualization, tantric philosophy and hatha yoga. I studied with her for over 10 years. I met Guruji Amritananda Nath Saraswati, the founder of Devi Puram temple in Vishakapatnam India in 2013 and was initiated into the lineage of Shri Vidya. I studied with Reggie (Reginald) Ray, a Tibetan Buddhist teacher and disciple of Chogyam Trungpa from 2017 - 2019. I learned a great deal from him about somatic meditation and taking refuge in the body without the use of mantras or visualizations. 

I am also deeply grateful to my time at the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, NM from 2006 - 2007 where I had the privilege of learning meditation and pranayama from Dr. Vasant Lad and Sanskrit from Ma Bhaskarananda.

If I have other questions, how can I contact you?

You’re welcome to send me your questions about The Meditation Teacher Training here on my contact page. I’ll get back to you via email as soon as possible.