Contents of Embodied Śakti

Module One : The Devimahatmya - Confronting Our Demons

 The Devimahatmya, a spiritual classic, addresses the perennial questions of the nature of the universe, humankind, and divinity. How are they related, how do we live in a world torn between good and evil, and how do we find lasting fulfillment and ultimate freedom? The Devimahatmya speaks to us across the ages of the experiences and beliefs of our ancient ancestors. We sense their enchantment at nature's bounty and their terror before its destructive fury, their recognition of the good and evil in the human heart, and their understanding that everything in our experience is the expression of a greater reality, personified as the Divine Mother. In this module we will study this ancient text as a map of the inner workings of our own mind and heart. What can we discover about both our darkness and our light and the vital role each play in the world and in our life?

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Module Two : Abhyasa & Vairagya - The Balance Of Self Effort & Surrender

The path of yoga is two-fold. It is both a 'moving toward' that which resonates more purely with our true essence, often through practice - or what we actually 'do', as well as a 'moving away from' that which is keeping us bound to false beliefs and misperceptions regarding ourself and the nature of reality. The 'moving toward' part of the path is known as abhyasa. The 'moving away' is vairagya. In this module we will explore the role of - and the balance between - them both.

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Module Three : Moon, Sun & Fire - Tantric Methodology

 Building upon our foundational understanding of Tantra as both a worldview and a methodology, in this module we will explore how to further incorporate the beauty of tantra into our experience of both practice and life. We will also concentrate our efforts on refining our utilization of the system of Moon, Sun & Fire.

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Module Four : Wise Progression Retreat In Tuscany

 How can we maximize the various components of a complete Tantric Yoga practice (postures, breath, relaxation, meditation and more) for the most impactful practice? In this module we will learn more about each of these various components and discover wise ways to select and sequence them in order to create a truly transformative experience for our students and ourselves.

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Module Five : Developing Vinyasa Krama - Further Focus On Sequencing

Wise Sequencing - of an individual practice, a workshop, a training or a retreat - is the differentiating factor between a yoga teacher capable of guiding impactful experiences which bring the practitioner through a process of alchemy which serves to further free and fulfill, and a yoga teacher capable of simply helping the practitioner 'feel' good. In this module we will hone our skills in sequencing through a balance of systematic methodology and intuition. 

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Module Six : Developing Pranayama - Dissolving The Veil

 Pranayama is the most effective tool at our disposal for attenuating the veil of ignorance which keeps us trapped in our seemingly endless cycle of confusion, delusion, and suffering. In this module we will learn a tried-and-true series of pranayama techniques developed to liberate us from our ignorance and reunite us with our innate intelligence.

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Module Seven : Chitta Prasadanam - Purify The Mind 

Sutra 1:33 offers profound wisdom regarding the process of purifying our mind. This sutra introduces us to the four most potent contaminants that poison the human mind. It explains the impact these contaminants have on our lives and spiritual pursuits. And, most importantly, it defines quite clearly how to liberate ourselves from them by giving one antidote for each contaminant. As yoga teachers it is vital that we be constantly purifying our minds in order to become and remain a pure vessel for these teachings.

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Module Eight : Subtle Embodiment - Explore The Koshas, Chakras & Vayus

 Take a deeper and more nuanced dive into the subtle body through practices which give you direct experience of your sacred essence. Utilizing our intellectual understanding of the koshas, chakras, and vayus, we will discover how best to work with these understandings to facilitate meaningful experiences for our students and ourselves.

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Module Nine : Discipline To Devotion - Awakening To Kundalini 

At some point on the path of yoga our pursuits, which may have initiated as physically, mentally, or philosophically motivated, will inevitably become spiritual in nature. This 'spiritualization' of life through yoga is one way of experiencing an awakening to Kundalini Śakti, our latent spiritual potential. In this module we will source ancient texts for a keener understanding of Kundalini and chart a course for our own awakening to Her beauty and potency.

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Module Ten : Vishoka - Joy Beyond The Reach Of Suffering

 Sutra 1:36 is a treasure trove of esoteric wisdom summarized in a statement which translates, roughly, as 'by resting awareness on the experience of joy beyond all suffering, and your own innate inner luminosity, the mind will sustain a peaceful state of inwardly flowing awareness.' This sutra is at the heart of the Sri Vidya tradition of Tantric Yoga. It holds the key for our lasting freedom and ultimate fulfillment. In this module we will adventure through the philosophical terrain of this sutra as well as engage with the practices developed to help us reach that terrain and remain established in it. 

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Module Eleven : Mantra & The Sacred Fire 

Mantra and sacred ritual are key portals to divine union by way of the Tantric path. In this module we will examine some of the more mystical elements of this tradition and entertain how you may wish to incorporate them in your own practice and your teaching.

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Module Twelve : Diagnostics - The Right Practice At The Right Time

 Now that we've developed a nuanced understanding of many philosophies, practices, techniques, and methodologies, let's discuss how we can assess the unique needs of our students and deliver the most effective practice or series of practices to meet them where they are and deliver them to the experience of freedom and fulfillment. This is when your teaching can become prescriptive and play a more refined role in another's empowerment and healing.

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Module Thirteen : Dharma - Heed Your Unique Calling 

We are all unique expressions of divine reality, called to walk a path that is uniquely ours and express our individuality. Similarly, we have all been called to teach yoga for different reasons, and the world needs us all to use our unique voice and heed our individual calling in order to play a vital role in universal healing. In this module we will immerse ourselves in self inquiry to uncover what truly makes us tick. What lights me up? What gets me out of bed in the morning? What was I born into this life to do? Who was I born to be? What is the impact I, uniquely, am meant to have in this world? Upon answering some of these life altering questions, we will explore how you can heed your calling within the context of teaching yoga.

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