Professional Training

Yoga for Grief Relief Levels 1 & 2

In the field of Grief Counseling and Therapy, there is limited focus on the physical symptoms of grief and how they can be effectively addressed. Traditional models of grief resolution often emphasize the goal of forming “new, healthier attachments.” While this approach can provide some relief, it may also set the stage for future grief, as those new attachments will eventually be subject to loss as well.

Yoga, with its unique philosophy and practices, offers a different perspective on attachment and the resolution of suffering. Its principles can be applied by professionals of all theoretical orientations, providing a holistic approach to grief that goes beyond emotional processing to include the body and mind.

This training is designed for Yoga Therapists, as well as health and mental health professionals who wish to incorporate Yogic techniques into their existing practice. It is also valuable for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of how yoga can support the grieving process. CEUs are available for MFT, ASWB, NBCC, and BRN.

The upcoming 100 Hour PT L1 will be hybrid including a live 4 Day Retreat at YoloCares in Davis, California (in case you have not participated in a retreat before) and three 21 Hours Modules conducted online through Zoom and 14 Online Hour Mentoring Program.

Retreat

•  December 6 – 8, 2024 Sivananda Ashram – Bahamas

Weekends

• August 22 – 24, 2025 – Module 1
• September 19 – 21, 2025 – Module 2
• October 24 – 26, 2025 – 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 (available June 1, 2014)

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 Hybrid Professional Training Level 1 August – October, 2025 Training

• YGR Retreat December 6 – 8, 2024  at YoloCares in Davis, California, USA.  REGISTER for the retreat.

Provided that you have participated in the December 6 – 8, 2024 retreat  or one before Module 1 start time, three weekend training sessions are scheduled for:

• August 22 – 24, 2025 – Module 1
• September 19 – 21, 2025 – Module 2
• October 24 – 26, 2025 – Module 3  

Tuition

• Early Bird  US$ 2350 (plus 3% PayPal fee) before or on 6-22-2025
• 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.