A new group starts in January 2011

Somatic Yoga Training
Throughout the millennia of yoga tradition, the yogis preserved as well as continuously innovated and changed the form of the practice. Always the yogis were driven by the burning flame of the spirit of exploration, their strong desire to understand the truth and to be free.
The Greek word ‘Soma’ means ‘embodied’. The Somatic Yoga Training is based on principles that are a way to understand the body-mind and the nature of anatomy. These principles embrace a vital experience of the essence and meaning of yoga postures and practices. In this sense ‘Soma(tic) Yoga’ or ‘Embodied Yoga’ refers back to that original yogic spirit.
The Somatic Yoga Training is not another style of yoga; it explores ways of being that can be applied to any method of yogic practice. As such, the embodied principles can become a rich base for practice and teaching as well as a source from which to creatively develop your own movement material and techniques. The approach is experiential and practical, so even if we study a philosophical aspect we address its physical embodiment and its application to yoga.

The Training is taught by Leo Peppas and draws from his 25 years of experience with Hatha Yoga, Somatic Movement (based on Body Mind Centering), the work of Donna Farhi and Hubert Godard.

How the Study is Organised
The Somatic Yoga Training consists of six modules. The modules build sequentially to unfold as a growing intelligence, based upon developing experience and familiarity with the natural process of learning and growth. We recommend following Modules chronologically when possible. However, if you are unable to attend all modules in this way you may take them out of order, or simply choose the ones you are interested in. Completion of Module 1 is obligatory, as a foundation, before any other modules can be taken.

Module 1: Dynamic Ground
- Introduction to the Somatic Yoga approach
- Cellular Awareness: Balance of being & action / Touch
- Developmental Movement Actions: Yield / Yield, Push, Reach & Pull Cycle
- Co-Supervision skills: learning non-judgemental feedback & open mind
Module 2: Levels of Embodiment
- Levels of Embodiment: Tissue, Coordination, Perception, Symbolic (Emotional)
- Body Image and Body Schema: value & pitfalls of teaching and imitating shape in Asana practice / A Holistic approach to Anatomy
- Early Infant Development & Individuation: Developing Interoception & Exteroception / Significance of timing during Individuation / how this process relates to our posture & capacity to find support/
Module 3: The Way we meet the World
- Contents & Context: What it means in yoga practice & teaching / Basic Object Relations: me, other & context
- Ground & Space: Pre-movement, Orientation, Balance Organ
- Perception: Haptic Senses - eyes, ears, jaw, hands & feet
Module 4: Vocabulary of Movement
- Developmental Movement Patterns: Cellular, Starfish – Navel Radiation, Mouthing, Spinal, Homologous, Homolateral and Contralateral
Module 5: Embodied Anatomy I
- Embodiment of Body Systems: Muscles, Bones and Organs
Module 6: Embodied Anatomy II
- Embodiment of Body Systems: Nervous System, Glands, Fluids and Connective Tissue

A more detailed description of each module is available on request.

Requirements for application
The Somatic Yoga Training is suitable for people with at least two years of consistent yoga practice up to teacher level.
Some experience with yogayoga's way of working is recommended so you can be more assured of the suitability of the training.
Modules are rich in content and in movement explorations. They do not however provide or replace a full asana practice. In order to integrate the study material provided, participants need to have a personal practice or follow a minimum of one regular yoga class, at yogayoga or elsewhere, while attending any of the modules.
Please note that this is not a yoga teacher training.

Participation during any of the modules includes
- Free use of studio space for individual and group practice sessions, during designated times
- Missed classes may be caught up with in practice sessions with other group members, at our studio
- Free Membership to yogayoga’s Somatic Yoga Training Online Forum which provides: additional study resources such as articles, images and links to videos, the opportunity to share experiences and ask questions (to Leo) and to organize practice groups. The Forum is exclusively open to current Somatic Yoga Training participants.
- The possibility to follow complementary classes: Basics and Classics classes at yogayoga are built on the foundation of the basics principles that are covered in the Somatic Yoga Training. We highly recommend these, for those who want to experience further application. Participants receive a 10% discount on 10-class-cards purchased during their training.
- A recommended reading list. Some books are available for sale at yogayoga, participants receive a 10% discount.
- Some homework and suggestions for practice sessions will be given

Costs
€350 per module

Application
Application is now open for all Modules. The maximum number of participants per group is 16. Please sign-up here if you want to receive up-dates on the Somatic Yoga Training by email or to receive the application details.

Certification
The Somatic Yoga Training is designed as a professional level course. A certificate is offered after completion of all six modules. Details and requirements for certification are available on request.

Trainings currently available at yogayoga in 2010/11:

Friday 11.45 - 13.45

ten weekly classes per module
Module 4: Vocabulary of Movement
3.9.10 – 19.11.10 (no class on 1.10.10 & 29.10.10)
Module 5: Embodied Anatomy I
7.1.11 – 18.3.11 (no class on 25.2.11)
Module 6: Embodied Anatomy II
1.4.11 – 17.6.11 (no class on 22.4.11 & 29.4.11)

Saturday 12.00 - 17.00

five bi-weekly afternoons (one hour break) per module
Module 1: Dynamic Ground
15.1.11 / 29.1.11 / 12.2.11 / 5.3.11 / 19.3.11
Module 2: Levels of Embodiment
2.4.11 / 16.4.11 / 14.5.11 / 28.5.11 / 11.6.11
Module 3: The Way we meet the World
starts September 2011, dates to be announced
Module 4,5,6: Vocabulary of Movement, Embodied Anatomy I&II
starts January 2012, dates to be announced