Seminars and Specialty Workshops

For Dates of upcoming workshops, visit the "Events" link

All seminars and specialty workshops are available for continuing RYT hours for Registered 200 and 500 RYT Instructors

Any title with an (*) beside the name is also available for Continuing Education Credits.

Feel-Follow-Flow™ Donna O'Bryan
Created by Yoga IS Instructor Donna O'Bryan, a liscensed HeartMath® Provider, Integrative Yoga Therapist, and Tai Chi practitioner , this workshop is designed for anyone who wants to learn about how yoga and meditation can signifigantly lower your stress levels, help you get more from your yoga or exercise program, and how to strengthen the integration of the mind with the body. Learning to feel and recognize all aspects of your life, following these feelings with yoga asana practice, pranayama, and meditation, and finding ways to integrate these techniques into your practice of daily life will help you to be a calmer, healthier, more productive individual.

“Why you are unable to get into that pose (and never should!)” Lauren Eirk
We are told that with regular practice, we will be able to go deeper and deeper into many yoga poses. Actually, there are specific reasons why many people will NEVER achieve certain poses, given their structure. But Relax! That was never about yoga in the first place! Come experience this yoga practice, complete with modifications, alternatives, and specific cues. Learn why progression in Yoga may look nothing like the goal pose.

“Secrets behind the Poses” Lauren Eirk *
Why do so many people have a transformative experience with the practice yoga asana, pranayama, and meditation? What is really happening on the inside? Why are people drawn to specific postures? Why do they invoke emotional responses as well as physical? Uncover some of the reasons why a yoga practice can develop the mind and the body. In this workshop, discover some of the secrets to the practice of yoga asana that were written centuries ago and still being realized today. Experience these magical secrets in a flowing, guided practice, complete with cues and affirmations that you can use to help your students feel the healing power of yoga!

“Yoga is not about flexibility, but Mind/Body Control” Lauren Eirk
Many are intimidated by yoga because they think it requires great flexibility. Others think that the reasons they are further into poses is because the yoga made them more flexible. In this workshop, discover the strength benefits of an appropriate Hatha Yoga practice. Learn about some of the reasons why our bodies may be tight and how to condition ourselves to achieve greater range of motion through specific force application. Control is the currency with which we earn the right to go further!

From “POWER” Yoga to “ALLOWER” Yoga Lauren Eirk
“Power Yoga” is a style of yoga that draws many fitness enthusiasts and athletic types to a yoga practice. The trend today in fitness is “boot-camp” style, “anything-goes” exercise. Learn that we can push people to get more fit, stronger, and healthier without violating an individual’s structure or giving them too much too soon. Our teaching must be consistent with what the individual student's body ALLOWS via joint structure, anatomical changes, and tissue conditioning due to previous activity. How far a student can actively move is where we must teach from. Learn many ways to challenge our yoga practice without risk of injury or set-back.

“BEING Yoga": Historical Yoga Teachings at work in the Physical Yoga Practice” Lauren Eirk
Remember learning about Yoga for the first time? Did the Yamas, Niyamas, and Yoga Sutras mean anything to you at the time? Did you know that most Yoga practices stray very far from historical yoga teachings? In this Hatha Yoga Practice, we will begin to validate much of what we know in modern day science, anatomy, and biomechanics by looking back at the original teachings of the Sutras. Learn how to incorporate them into your own teaching to inspire students to live their Yoga on and off the mat!

“Hatha Yoga: Spiritual Awareness does not come from Body Ignorance” Lauren Eirk
“Samadhi”, or enlightenment, is said to be the ultimate goal of Yoga. Practices such as asana, chanting, meditation, pranayama, and various kriyas and mudras are techniques used for hundreds of years to facilitate spiritual awareness. Many times the body is viewed as merely a “vehicle” to meditation, pushing it into various positions in order to achieve specific posture goals. The fact is, yoga injuries are rampant. Teachers have a huge responsibility to study anatomy and exercise mechanics, although few spend the time. One cannot be detached from the body in their quest for meditation if the body is dysfunctional. Learn how to teach a mechanically sound class, complete with references to joint motion and muscular integrity without losing the essence of a spiritual practice.

Santosha: The art of being content with your body and your practice” Lauren Eirk *
Comparing oneself to others or to a picture in a book can cause frustration and haste, wanting to achieve a position no matter the cost. Santosha, is learning to be content with the body we are given. This is further validated by many scientific facts, given that joints have specific planes of motion capabilities. Add genetics, injury, tissue, and muscle inhibition to name a few factors, and this further affects our outcomes of a Yoga practice. We can only progress as fast as the slowest component, and we have to learn to live inside the body we have been given. Learn ways to incorporate these ideas in your yoga classes, giving students permission to make adjustments and modifications.

“Teaching and practicing from the Integrity of the Pose” Lauren Eirk *
Being a good Yoga teacher or Yoga practitioner is not about learning more poses. It is about the on-going discovery of what makes up many of the some of the most basic postures. A Posture in itself is made up of many joint positions, with one joint affecting the other. One cannot progress in Yoga when the integrity of a pose is not experienced and practiced. In this workshop, we will look at 5 different Yoga Asanas, each chosen for their importance, joint position, and complexity. We will look at various ways to cue our students, alter forces within the pose, modify the poses for various people, and experience them in our own bodies. Think you are advanced? Think again!

“Yoga Adjustments: Moving from Imposition to Healthy Expression” Lauren Eirk
Moving another student further into a position without in-depth knowledge of not only anatomy, but the individual’s anatomy is malpractice! Adjusting from our words, our touch, our equipment, and our demonstration can be extremely detrimental when done from the perspective of everyone achieving the same goal of Yoga Asana. It simply is not possible. In this workshop, experience hands-on intelligent adjustment techniques in several yoga postures that will forever change your yoga experience!

“YOGression™: Creative Yoga Sequences” Total Body Lauren Eirk *
We are told that we are "practicing" Hatha Yoga, yet we all learn about asanas as end goals with little idea of how to get there. In YOGression, learn what progression in yoga really means, in terms of the smallest steps that we can take towards achieving a goal. Learn why longer practices, acquiring more rigorous adjustments, or forcing oneself into more difficult positions are not the way to achieve the goal of achieving a particular position. Experience seven creative sequences that not only move you towards your goals more efficiently, and change your ideas of what a Yoga pose really is… INFINITE!

YOGression™: Creative Yoga Sequences for Core Strength Lauren Eirk  
Hatha Yoga is meant to be a life-long practice. The best teachers are the ones who can bring their students to new levels by creating an experience that unknowingly improves strength, awareness, and passion for their mind, body, and overall health. In YOGression, learn what progression in yoga really means, in terms of many small, logical, creative steps that we can take towards achieving our most healthy expression of Yoga Asanas. Learn why longer practices, acquiring more rigorous adjustments, or forcing oneself into more difficult positions are not the way to achieve the goal of achieving a particular position. In this session, experience several creative sequences targeted to trunk, hip, and pelvic regions. Your students will love it!

YOGression™: Creative Yoga Sequences for Arms and Shoulders Lauren Eirk
Hatha Yoga is meant to be a life-long practice. The best teachers are the ones who can bring their students to new levels by creating an experience that unknowingly improves strength, awareness, and passion for their mind, body, and overall health. In YOGression, learn what progression in yoga really means, in terms of many small, logical, creative steps that we can take towards achieving our most healthy expression of Yoga Asanas. Learn why longer practices, acquiring more rigorous adjustments, or forcing oneself into more difficult positions are not the way to achieve the goal of achieving a particular position. In this session, experience several creative sequences targeted to the upper extremities. Learn how to progress your students in several arm-balancing poses, complete with ways to strengthen hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, and cervical regions using various interpretations and variations of traditional Yoga Asanas.

YOGression™: Creative Yoga Sequences for the Hip, Knee and Ankle Lauren Eirk
Hatha Yoga is meant to be a life-long practice. The best teachers are the ones who can bring their students to new levels by creating an experience that unknowingly improves strength, awareness, and passion for their mind, body, and overall health. In YOGression, learn what progression in yoga really means, in terms of many small, logical, creative steps that we can take towards achieving our most healthy expression of Yoga Asanas. Learn why longer practices, acquiring more rigorous adjustments, or forcing oneself into more difficult positions are not the way to achieve the goal of achieving a particular position. In this session, experience several creative sequences targeted to the lower extremities. Learn how to progress your students in many standing poses that incorprate the foot and ankle to see the relationship between the two. Learn why there are so many injuries to the knee in the Hatha Yoga system when careful attention is not addressed to the range of motion of the hip, ankle,and foot in these creative sequences. Learn ways to cue, inspire, and safely progress students in a multi-leveled class. Learn to sequence one leg balance and hip-concentrated postures in several interpretations and variations of traditional Yoga Asanas.

Teaching to Multiple Levels Lauren Eirk *
The reality of teaching is that our students have different bodies/structures, different learning capacities, different mindsets, and abilities. Our goal as a teacher must always be to teach to the student, rather than the group. When faced with a room of individuals, this can be quite a challenge. In this workshop, explore the power of cueing, sequencing, and modifications. Learn how to use these skills to make you a world-class teacher, creating an invigorating mind-body experience for the student.

Teaching, Practicing from the Integrity of the Pose Lauren Eirk *  
Being a good Yoga teacher or Yoga practitioner is not about learning more poses. It is about the on-going discovery of the infinite nature of the postures that we practice on a daily basis. A Yoga Asana is, in itself, made up of many joint positions common to various groups of postures, each getting more complicated as we learn to alter muscular tension and focus. Learn why progression is halted when the overall integrity of a pose is not experienced, practiced, and understood. In this workshop, 10 different Yoga Asanas will be explored and analyzed, each chosen for their complexity, joint positions, and importance. We will look at various ways to cue our students, alter forces within the pose, modify the poses for various people, and have the chance experience these affects hands-on. Take your yoga practice and teaching to the next level!

Don’t Impose…Empower! Lauren Eirk
Moving another student further into a position without in-depth knowledge of not only anatomy, but the individual’s anatomy is malpractice! Adjusting from our words, our touch, our equipment, and our demonstration can be extremely detrimental if we are not aware of an individual’s limitations. No one can achieve the expression of Yoga Asana…that is also the beauty of Yoga! In this workshop, experience hands-on intelligent adjustment techniques in several yoga postures that will forever change your yoga experience

YOGA I.S.®: Yoga Fundamentals Lauren Eirk *
For the teacher just beginning in the journey of teaching Hatha Yoga, it can be overwhelming when looking at all the different poses that belong to this system and how to teach them to students. Having a strong personal practice does not automatically make a good teacher. This workshop will uncover the foundations of teaching yoga. Learn about basic class sequencing, poses that might be included in a beginning practice, use of props, ideas on cueing, adjusting, and common fundamental aspects any yoga practice. A must for beginning yoga teachers.
This can be taught as a lecture, a lecture with a practical application (longer time slot), or as a long pre or post conference 4 hour session. 

YOGA I.S.®: Upper Body: Yoga Anatomy/ Asana Analysis Lauren Eirk *
Yoga Asanas incorporate many joints, and the muscles/nerves that control them. The system of Hatha Yoga is designed to be a total body practice. This workshop will focus on the anatomy of the upper extremities and how they affect the outcome of specific yoga asanas. Looking at the structure of this area will help us to understand what is happening inside the body when performing various yoga postures that incorporate motions and positions at the various shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints. Get an introduction to the mechanical abilities of these joints by way of their individual structure, motion capabilities, and muscular support. Various postures that directly load the upper extremities will be analyzed following structure lab to enhance and support one’s learning

YOGA I.S.® LOWER BODY: Yoga Anatomy/ Asana Analysis Lauren Eirk *
Yoga Asanas incorporate many joints, and the muscles/nerves that control them. The system of Hatha Yoga is designed to be a total body practice. This workshop will focus on the anatomy of the lower extremities and how they affect the outcome of specific yoga asanas. Looking at the structure of this area will help us to understand what is happening inside the body when performing various yoga postures that incorporate motions and positions at the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Get an introduction to the mechanical abilities of these joints by way of their individual structure, motion capabilities, and muscular support. Various standing and seated postures will be analyzed following structure lab to enhance and support one’s learning

Yoga I.S. ® Spine and Trunk Anatomy/ Asana Analysis Lauren Eirk
Yoga Asanas incorporate many joints, and the muscles/nerves that control them. The system of Hatha Yoga is designed to be a total body practice, with the “spine” often referred to as the center of all asanas. This workshop will focus on the anatomy of the trunk and spine and how they affect the outcome of specific yoga positions. Looking at the structure of this area will help us to understand what is happening inside the body when performing various yoga postures that incorporate motions and positions in the various regions of the spine, rib, and pelvic/sacral joints. Get an introduction to the mechanical abilities of these joints by way of their individual structure, motion capabilities, and muscular support. Various postures that flex, rotate, extend, and laterally move the trunk will be analyzed following structure lab to enhance and support one’s learning.

YOGA I.S. ®: FLEXIBILITY AND HISTORICAL CONTINUITY Lauren Eirk *
This workhsop/ lecture is the foundation for all Yoga I.S. ®Programs. Packed full of cutting-edge information, this lecture is a must for Yoga Teachers, Pilates, teachers, group fitness instructors, personal trainers, and fitness enthusiasts. Topics included are classical yoga perspectives on stretching, modern day views on stretching, muscle physiology, neurophysiology, and scientific facts that explain why some individuals are chronically tight. You will be able to understand what happens after injury, how to deal with injury, when it is appropriate to “stretch”, and be able to differentiate between many range of motion techniques. The lecture is followed by a practical application to apply many of the concepts discussed, to further the learning process.

YOGA I.S.® VINYASA MAT TRAINING™ Lauren Eirk *  
Learn the science behind Pilates and Yoga, relating their intentions, resistance techniques, goals, positions, methodology, goals, and perspectives. Explore the strength and flowing nature of Vinyasa Yoga and the trunk strengthening exercises of Pilates and be able to analyze how one can compliment the other. Experience first-hand the strategic integration of both of these disciplines to help to achieve muscular balance and symmetry in the body. The possibilities are endless for this type of training!

YOGA I.S. PERSONALIZED TRAINING TECHNIQUES Lauren Eirk *
Many fitness centers today offer alternative programs such as Yoga and Pilates to members in hopes of achieving their fitness and health goals. Still, many personal trainers do not understand how these systems could benefit their clients, except for flexibility work. In this workshop, you will discover how a yoga instructor might train a student. These techniques, used for centuries and modernized for today's world, will open your eyes to new ideas about the way we train our clients. Topics such as fitness assessments, posture analysis, "core" training, "functional" training, rest, muscle balance, and flexibility/stretching will be discussed. You may begin to think about the methods you are currently using in your personal training business!

YOGA I.S. POWER OF INTENTION Lauren Eirk *
Our intentions are the most powerful tool in our yoga practice. Emotionally, our thoughts become our reality. Physically, our body focus determines our outcome in exercise. Learn about the types of forces that arise in the practice of Hatha Yoga and how to manipulate them to create desired results. Discover how one's intention makes yoga truly a mind-body experience, redirecting a force’s influence on the joints involved in a yoga posture and creating the most positive mental outlook to absorb the results. This workshop is a must for all yoga teachers in helping students deal with injury, joint wear, or area of weakness.
This can be taught as a lecture, a lecture with a practical application (longer time slot), a movement session, or as a long pre or post conference 4 hour session.

YOGA I.S. ® YOGA MECHANIX™ Lauren Eirk * 
This workshop deals with the understanding of Hatha Yoga as a form of resistance training. Using various types of resistance equipment, Yoga PLUS will help students to understand force, how to manipulate it, and why it is the primary stimulant in the practice of Hatha Yoga. Adding external forces to the already challenging internal resistance being created from Yoga can challenge the body in ways that you have never felt before. Learn the importance of owning and understanding our body’s natural forces producers, muscle, before we add any outside challenges.
Can be done with any combination: resistance bands, weighted dumbells, weighted bars, common yoga props, (straps, blocks), and pilates rings and mini balls

YOGA I.S. ® MINDFUL ADJUSTMENTS Lauren Eirk *
Common in many styles of yoga is the adjustment of students in the process of practicing yoga asanas. In the broad spectrum of adjustments from verbal to, a logical thought process must be addressed when making the decision to adjust a student. Not all structures are the same. Not all people learn the same way. Experience a hands-on adjusting experience working one-on-one with different bodies in various yoga positions. You will begin to understand when and how to touch a student and explore safe, purposeful adjusting techniques and cueing ideas.
This can be taught as a lecture, a lecture with a practical application (longer time slot), or as a long pre or post conference 4 hour session.

Yoga I.S.® Mind/Body/Ball® Lauren Eirk *
A Comparison of the disciplines of Yoga and Pilates according to goal, method, intention, positions, timing, resistance with the assistance of the stability ball and pilates mini ball. Along with the added balance and stability requirements of the ball, experience smoother transitions and in some cases added support in many traditional Yoga and Pilates positions. Combining techniques from centuries ago with the modern day fields of exercise mechanics will enhance your mind-body practice and attract a wider variety of students, helping them to re-think exercise.
Workshop: All levels; need stability balls 1:1, mini-balls 1:1

Yoga I.S.® The CNS-Chakra Relationship™ Lauren Eirk *
In this workshop, learn how the thousands of Hatha Yoga postures can be used as therapy for the body, mind, and spirit. More and more, modern medicine is recognizing the power of yoga and its ability to heal from injury, trauma, emotional stress, and the toll that they can take on the body. Learn how this ancient way of viewing the body is actually another interpretation of the functionalities of the central nervous system, as it constantly takes in information and adjusts the body accordingly. This lecture/demonstration workshop is designed to help you understand the healing properties of Yoga. Learn about the Hindu chakras and how they relate to the physical body. Yoga can be the missing link to recovery and developing a strong sense of Self