Professional Training

Yoga for Grief Relief – Levels 1 & 2

In the field of grief counseling and therapy, there is often limited attention given to the physical symptoms of grief and how they can be effectively addressed. Traditional models of grief resolution frequently focus on forming “new, healthier attachments.” While this can offer comfort, it may also perpetuate cycles of loss, as those new attachments are also subject to impermanence.

Yoga, with its rich philosophy and embodied practices, offers a different lens. Rather than avoiding or replacing attachment, it invites a deeper inquiry into the nature of suffering itself. Yoga provides tools that integrate body, mind, and spirit—supporting a more holistic and sustainable approach to processing grief. These principles are compatible with all therapeutic orientations and can complement a variety of clinical and healing practices.

This professional training is designed for health and mental health professionals who wish to integrate yogic tools into their work with clients navigating loss. It is also suitable for anyone who wants to deepen their personal understanding of how yoga can support the grieving process.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for MFTs, ASWB, NBCC, and BRN.

Program Structure – Level 1 (100 Hours)

The upcoming Level 1 100-Hour Professional Training will be offered in a virtual format and includes:

• A 23 Hour 3-day retreat (for those who have not yet participated in a grief retreat the next one is June 27 – 29, 2025)

• Three 22-hour online modules via Zoom

• A 11-hour online mentoring program to support integration and application

Retreat

• Virtual – June 27 – 29, 2025 Learn More 

Weekends

• September 19 – 21, 2025 – Module 1
• October 24 – 26, 2025 – Module 2
• November 21 – 23 – Module 3

Mentoring

• Dates TBA

Commitment to all weekends is required for registrations and attendance to all weekends is required for certification.

Objectives

• Educate participants about Grief as a normal reaction and its transformation into a source of self-knowledge toward establishing a new identity
• Learn grief related symptoms toward a differential diagnoses from Clinical Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder
• Identify grief’s psychoneurological basis
• Differentiate between yoga therapy and allopathic therapeutic models
• Compare grief as seen in Western and Eastern conceptualizations
• Analyze Western and Eastern psychological therapeutic approaches to support the use of Yoga as a valid tool to aid grief
• Compare Western and Eastern models of the psyche analyzing the physical and emotional relevance of the Heart Chakra in the grieving process
• Differentiate attachment theories as seen in Western and Eastern conceptualizations
• Learn, practice and guide the Yoga for Grief Relief Sadhana that presents six sections that aid the transformation of Grief into a resource of personal growth: Pranayama, Asana, Shatkarma, Relax, Sankalpa and Meditation
• Learn the specific applications of the program according to selected areas of interest (Hyper/Hypoactive nature of the Symptoms – Addressing the Mind, Body and Spirit – Facilitating Grief through W. Worden’s Four Tasks of Mourning – Individual Vs. Group Sessions)
• Offer methodological guidance to integrate the techniques into the client-professional interaction
• Learn appropriate initial grief treatment guidelines
• Identify the role of self knowledge regarding personal grief toward assuring ‘intervention’ versus ‘interference’
• Educate professionals regarding Yoga Therapeutic ethical issues regarding grief

Subject Matter (Level 1)

• Grief Overview
• The Process of Transformation of grief into a new Identity
• Psychoneurophysiology of grief
• Attachment as seen in Western and Eastern conceptualizations
• Reprograming the Mind
• Five Causes of Suffering (Patanjali)
• Intervention Vs. Interference
• Inducing Practice toward active neuroplasticity
• Sadhana Variations according to specific focus
• Spiritual ethics in Yoga Therapy
• Developing and appropriate referral system
• Case Studies analysis
• Sadhana practice and single technique practice

Flow of Presentation (Level 1)

• Personal Retreat (23 Hours)
• Theoretical lecture (20 Hours)
• Development of Professional skills through interactive participative work (15 Hours)
• Sadhana and single techniques’ practice time (10 Hours)
• Group discussion (7 Hours)
• Case Study (8 Hours)
• Personal grief work (3 Hours)
• Mentorship (14 Hours)

Subject Matter (Level 2)

• Grief review
• Second year of grief
• Detached Attachment
• The use of ritual
• Mediators of Mourning
• Psychoneurophysiology of grief (2)
• Client progression (individual to group sessions)
• Proper language skills toward normalization
• Setting Yoga for Grief Relief retreats
• Grief Yoga Therapist – Client contract
• Interdisciplinary groups
• Sadhana and single technique practice

Flow of Presentation (Level 2)

• Theoretical lecture (9 Hours)
• Development of Professional skills through interactive participative work (10 Hours)
• Sadhana and single techniques’ practice time (10 Hours)
• Group discussion (2 Hours)
• Case Study (9 Hours)

Grading

• Quiz
• Case study presentation

Homework

• Personal sadhana practice
• Inducing clients’ practice

Prerequisites

• Yoga for Grief Retreat (3 – 6 Days) required for Level 1

• Minimum six months professional practice between Level 1 and 2

Mandatory reading sources (Level 1)

• Sausys, Antonio. Yoga for Grief Relief: Simple Practices for Transforming Your Grieving Mind and Body 1^st ed. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publishing

Mandatory reading sources (Level 2)

• Worden, William. Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner. 4^th ed. New York: Springer Publishing Co., 1991.

Suggested reading sources

• Prashant, Lyn. “The art of Transforming Grief”
• Panagotacos, Vicki. “Defining and Envisioning Self.” Techniques of Grief Therapy: Creative Practices for Counseling the Bereaved. Ed. Robert A. Neimeyer. New York: Routledge, 2012. 292-294.
• Satyananda, Swami. 1976. Four Chapters on Freedom. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust.
• Satyananda, Swami. 1985. Kundalini Tantra. Bihar, India: Yoga Publications Trust.
• Selby, John. Kundalini Awakening: a Gentle Guide to Chakra Activation and Spiritual Growth. 1992. New York: Bantam Books.

The following information is for the Virtual Professional Training Level 1 September – November, 2025 Training

• YGR Virtual Retreat June 27 – 29, 2025.  REGISTER for the retreat.

If you have previously participated in a retreat—or are registered for the upcoming retreat on June 27–29, 2025—you are eligible to attend the three scheduled weekend training sessions, which will take place on:

• September 19 – 21, 2025 – Module 1
• October 24 – 26, 2025 – Module 2  
• November 21 – 23 – Module 3

Tuition

• Early Bird  US$ 2350 (plus 3% PayPal fee) before or on 7-22-2025
• Full Price US$ 2500 (plus 3% PayPal fee) after that. No refunds given after 6-22-2025 unless PT is cancelled. The tuition does not include the Retreat – Registration to the full PT is required for enrollment –  Attendance to all weekends is required for certification.

All registrations are subject to cancellation on July 22, 2025 if enrollment is not sufficient.