THURSDAY - January 18, 2007
1:00PM - 9:00PM Registration Desk Open

PRE-SYTAR CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

2:30 - 6:00PM   Workshop #1                 Room: La Jolla A
Science, spirituality and Yoga: Yoga for people with cancer

Jnani Chapman, RN, Julienne Bower, PhD,  Rajashree Choudhury

Practical applications of Yoga techniques for people with cancer will be introduced to participants based on the research and practice of the panelists. Ample time will be devoted to case studies, discussions, and practice of techniques from this important field of Yoga therapy.

Matthew Taylor, PhD, PT, Bradly Jacobs, MD, MPH, David Shapiro, PhD, Karen Sherman, PhD, MPH
Attendees will be introduced to ideas, concepts, and tools associated with Yoga therapy research.   Research is part of a complex process that eventually arrives at a deeper understanding of a subject. This process involves critical-thinking skills, writing skills, study design, statistics, funding, and publishing.

2:30 - 6:00PM   Workshop #3                Room: La Jolla B
traditional Yoga and modern Yoga therapy: How to preserve the tradition in contemporary practice

Chase Bossart, Christopher Key Chapple, PhD, David Hurwitz

Yoga therapy is a richly varied, holistic tradition originating in India. Yoga therapy draws its potency from an ancient body of Indian knowledge with extensive theoretical foundations and therapeutic orientations strikingly different from our Western traditions. Yoga therapy is not Western medicine, modern psychology, or physical therapy. Yet, modern Yoga therapy is increasingly being created through a strongly allopathic lens. How should the allopathic and Indian traditions interact/complement each other? What are the traditional Indian foundations for the therapeutic application of Yoga? How can this traditional knowledge inform and direct the practice of Yoga therapy in our modern world?

FRIDAY - January 19, 2007
SYMPOSIUM ON YOGA THERAPY AND RESEARCH (SYTAR - Day 1)

7:00AM Breakfast and registration

7:45AM Main session #1                        Room: La Jolla

WELCOME

Veronica Zador, President, International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
John Kepner, Executive Director, IAYT

INVOCATION

Lilias Folan, Amy Gage, and Jnani Chapman

Who we are and how we got here

Larry Payne, PhD, & Richard Miller, PhD
Larry and Richard will talk about their vision for IAYT, the unfolding of the organization, the birth of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy and the path that has led us to where we are today. These discussions began in 1980 when they first met while studying Yoga and Yoga therapy in Madras, India.

8:30AM Main session #2                       Room: La Jolla

WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?

A panel representing various Yoga therapy programs will be asked to address "WHAT IS YOGA THERAPY?" and "WHAT ARE THEIR GRADUATES PREPARED TO DO?"   This will be followed by a discussion between the faculty and participants.

Moderators: Veronica Zador & Richard Miller, PhD

Panel:

10:30AM Break

11:00AM    Main session #3                   Room: La Jolla

CURRENT RESEARCH

Moderators: Matthew Taylor, PT, PhD, & David Riley, MD

Clinical trials on Yoga for chronic low back pain

Karen Sherman, PhD, MPH, & Bradly Jacobs, MD, MPH

Two researchers share information about studies they have conducted on Yoga for back pain, its importance for the Yoga world, developing reasonable treatment protocols, and thoughts on future research in this area.

11:45AM Main session #4                     Room: La Jolla

YOGA AS AN EMERGING COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE (CAM) PROFESSION
Moderators: John Kepner & Leslie Kaminoff

Accountability and soul: The journey of emerging health professions
Pamela Snider, ND

How do health professions emerge? What are the key benchmarks and milestones? Risks? This presentation will address these questions and share challenges and strategies for maintaining the heart and flexibility of the profession while building rigor and public accountability.

Yoga and emerging CAM disciplines in perspective

John Weeks

An overview of the integration of CAM disciplines with medical doctors, insurers, academic health centers, hospitals, and government agencies are described as they relate to trends in Yoga therapy. What can Yoga leaders learn from the roads taken by other disciplines? Each found deep challenges, and robust internal debate. Setting standards, as one discipline leader has put it, creates pain. And, besides, some will say, who wants to be integrated into a system which is horribly broken? This session will explore some possible futures for yoga through the lens of the emergence of these other disciplines. 

12:30PM                                                                       Room: Los Angeles

Private Luncheon with the Speakers

A maximum number of 15 people/ room may register for an additional fee for a private luncheon with the following speakers:   

2:00PM Main session #5                                               Room: La Jolla

YOGA THERAPY:   Structural challenges  

Moderators: Janice Gates & Richard Usatine, MD

How a medical diagnosis can inform the Yoga therapist and how the Yoga therapist can inform the physician: Sciatica

Loren Fishman, MD
Medical workup can inform, direct, and improve safety of Yoga therapy; Yoga therapy can do the same for the physician. Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica is an example of this integrative approach.

Ahimsa in your practice: When to consult with other professionals  

Matthew Taylor, PhD, PT

Guidance in screening students for musculo-skeletal complaints that require additional referral or collaboration with other medical professionals will be presented. Learn how to determine when swelling, deformity, or a "funny sound" requires more than Yoga therapy. You will also learn to identify other movement patterns and musculo -skeletal complaints that can be supported by Yoga therapy.  

How chiropractrics can inform the Yoga therapist: A case study on the cervical spine  

Rick Morris, DC

Yoga professionals are commonly confronted with neck pain, which must be understood to know which yoga postures and movements to recommend or avoid. Who will be hurt by basic postures and should be referred out, and who will be helped? 

What Yoga therapists should know about the anatomy of the breath

Leslie Kaminoff

What are the key anatomical facts about breathing that will allow a Yoga therapist to view this complex process in a clear and useful way? Starting with his groundbreaking definition of breathing as thoraco-abdominal shape change, this workshop will offer a multimedia presentation that unifies anatomical reality with the yogic concepts of prana, apana, susumna, and kundalini.

3:45PM Break

CONCURRENT PRACTICE SESSIONS #1 THROUGH #6

4:15PM Practice session #1                                                      Room: Century AB
Low back pain: Addressing individual needs in a group class setting
Robin Rothenberg

This will be an experiential forum designed to explore how best to address various types of low back pain including muscular tension, sacro-iliac joint instability, sciatica, and disk problems within a group class setting.

4:15PM Practice session #2                                                      Room: Century CD
Structural Yoga Therapy
Mukunda Stiles

SYT is based on seeing the uniqueness that is our humanity, posture, vitality, pranic energy, and meditation in motion. Through assessing what is not sattvic, we can move toward that state by adapting all dimensions of practice to the individual.  

4:15PM Practice session #3                                                      Room: Los Angeles A
The Phoenix Rising approach to Yoga: Addressing symptoms and life issues

Michael Lee, MA

The Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy certification program teaches students how to use a client- centered body-mind process that goes beyond symptomatic relief.  This session will outline this approach as it is used for working one-on-one as well as in group Yoga therapy programs and therapeutic Yoga classes. 

4:15PM Practice session #4                                                      Room: Los Angeles B
The healing power of forgiveness   
Max Strom

For the body to heal, often times what is most vital is to heal the broken heart or spirit. Failure to forgive affects our stress levels, power to heal the body, discernment, and all our relationships. Class will integrate non-dogmatic philosophy, gentle movement, breathing exercises, and meditation.  

4:15PM Practice session #5                                                      Room: Los Angeles C
How to work one-on-one, using the Yoga Therapy Rx model to address the whole person

Larry Payne, PhD

The Yoga Therapy Rx certification program at Loyola Marymount University uses an eight-step wellness model to prepare the Yoga therapist to work with individuals in multiple dimensions, as well as with other health professionals. This session will outline this model and provide practical examples.   This session will also include an interactive forum/practice on common upper back and neck problems.

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4:15PM Practice session #6                                                       Room: Marina
The use of props for therapeutic purposes in Iyengar Yoga

Marla Apt

BKS Iyengar developed the use of props to help students of all levels and abilities benefit from the practice of Yoga. Many Yoga asanas otherwise impossible for a student to perform can become therapeutic with the aid of props. We will demonstrate how some of the props are applied to therapeutically address structural problems.

6:00PM  End of program  

SATURDAY - January 20, 2007

SYMPOSIUM ON YOGA THERAPY AND RESEARCH (SYTAR - Day 2)

7:00AM    Breakfast

8:00AM Main session #6                                                                        Room: La Jolla

PRESENTATIONS FROM CALL FOR ABSTRACTS  

Moderators: Karen Sherman, PhD, & Calvin Hobel, MD

 

9:15AM   Main session #7                                                                       Room: La Jolla

CURRENT RESEARCH

Moderators: Kelly McGonigal, PhD, & Bradly Jacobs, MD

 

Communication and collaboration between researchers and practitioners

David Shapiro, PhD

Practitioners and researchers have different theoretical perspectives and goals that guide what they consider important, what they do, and how they do it. The barriers to communication will be discussed with the goal of enabling dialogue, mutual trust, and collaboration.

 

An overview of clinical trials for Yoga

David Riley, MD

An overview discussing the strengths and limitations of research in Yoga studies will be presented including findings from a study on Yoga for patients suffering from post-polio syndrome.  

 

T he role of stress in preterm birth

Calvin Hobel, MD

Recent findings indicate women are most vulnerable to stress in early pregnancy, indicating stress reduction applications during the pre-conception period

 

Neural dynamics of emotional reactivity, mindful breathing and anxiety

Philippe Goldin, PhD

This lecture will present functional neuroimaging and clinical treatment outcome data that elucidates brain-behavior mechanisms of mindfulness-based training in attention to breathing as a tool for modifying habitual emotional reactivity in adults with anxiety disorders.

10:30AM Break

11:00AM    Main session #8                                                                    Room: La Jolla
YOGA THERAPY: EMOTIONAL ASPECTS

Moderators: Eleanor Criswell, EdD, & Amy Weintraub, MFA

 

Yoga as a complementary treatment for depression

Ian Cook, MD, David Shapiro, PhD, & Marla Apt

This is preliminary research to evaluate the potential of Iyengar Yoga as a complementary treatment of patients with unipolar depression who are taking antidepressants are in partial remission. Psychological and biological findings will be presented. Research issues will be discussed, as well as Yoga sequences designed to improve mood and enhance the likelihood of full remission.

 

Chanting and an integrative approach to Yoga therapy

Swami Ramananda

Chanting will be discussed as a part of a holistic approach to Yoga therapy that serves as a powerful way to engage the mind in the present, open the heart, and heal the mental-emotional level of being. 

Current research on Yoga Nidra  

Richard Miller, PhD

Ongoing research to assess the effectiveness of the multi-phase process of Yoga Nidra  to treat such diverse populations and issues as veterans, abused women, children experiencing trauma, insomnia, and depression will be discussed. A report on current research that is underway at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Bethesda, MD. will also be presented.

 

Yoga, meditation, and the psychology of health recovery  

Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa, PhD

No matter what the health condition of the client or the school of Yoga of the therapist, there are specific psychological characteristics in common for health recovery. Research and practical application are presented to make your work with clients more effective.   

12:30PM  

Private Luncheon with the Speakers

A maximum number of 15 people/ room may register for an additional fee for a private luncheon with the following speakers:  > 

Luncheon with Swami Ramananda & Gyandev McCord, PhD	Room: Century A
Luncheon with Gary Kraftsow, MA	Room: Century B
Luncheon with Nischala Joy Devi	Room: Century C
Luncheon with Eric Small, MA	Room: Century D
Luncheon with Richard Miller, PhD	Room: Newport B
Luncheon with Lisa Walford	Room: Newport C

PLEASE NOTE: ReGULAR LUNCH is PROVIDED for all SYTAR attendees 

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2:00PM Main session #9                                                           Room: La Jolla

YOGA THERAPY: PHYSIOLOGICAL CHALLENGES

Moderators: Loren Fishman, MD, & Rick Morris, DC

 

Yoga Sutras for the health of the heart

Nischala Joy Devi

The healing power of a heart-centered practice is described from the perceptive study of the Yoga Sutras.

 

Respiratory conditions

Richard Usatine, MD, & Larry Payne, PhD

Common respiratory ailments such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis, and the common cold will be described from the standpoint of a medical specialist working with a Yoga therapist.
Format based on the book Yoga Rx.

Adaptive Yoga for multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases

Eric Small, MA

Classical asana made available for clients with disabilities, using household props and studio props.

Overcoming insomnia and inertia
Gyandev McCord, PhD  
> Perspectives of a team, including a general practitioner MD and a Yoga therapist, who work with insomnia sufferers, and with the eternal challenge of getting patients to actually do the practices that can help them.  

3:45PM Break

CONCURRENT PRACTICE SESSIONS #7 THROUGH #12

 

4:15PM Practice session #7                                           Room: Century AB
The therapeutic application of Yoga Nidra

Richard Miller, PhD

Through lecture, interactive dialogue, and practice, experience the ancient approach of Yoga Nidra that provides both client and Yoga therapist with a clear-cut process for transformation, a context for how transformation unfolds, and a framework for nondual awareness to be revealed as the container, agent, and agency of healing and awakening.

4:15PM Practice session #8                                          Room: Century CD
Yoga therapy for a healthy circulatory system

Joseph Le Page

This practice will focus on the Integrative Yoga Healthy Heart Program in Brazil.  This program is incorporated as part of mainstream medical care of a community in southern Brazil and offers a model for how Yoga-based  wellness programs can be incorporated into health care systems of developing countries. Of additional interest is the full spectrum of Yoga techniques employed, including body awareness, pranayama, mudra, affirmation, asana, Yoga Nidra and meditation.  

4:15PM Practice session #9                                           Room: Los Angeles A
Yoga therapy and serious illness: Primary practices for self-care

Gary Kraftsow, MA

The ancients recognized the multi-dimensionality of the human system, and evolved multi-dimensional therapies to promote healing at every level.   Drawing on Vedic insights, participants will learn the primary contemplations that underlie these therapies, and personalize them in an integrated practice, using asana, p ranayama, mantra, and meditation. Participants will leave the session with tools that will support them and their clients as they face health challenges, including life-threatening disease.

 

4:15PM Practice session #10                                         Room: Los Angeles B
LifeForce Yoga for people with depression

Amy Weintraub, MFA

The ancient yogis believed that we become depressed when, through our ignorance ( avidya), we buy the myth of our separation.  As we clear the inner space, allowing more room for prana to flow through Hatha Yoga practice, no matter the lineage, we experience an immediate knowing, a felt sense of our connection.  In this practice and talk, you will experience aspects of a mood-balancing practice that incorporate asana, pranayama, kriya, mantra, mudra, and meditation from both Tantric and Classical traditions. You'll be guided in the appropriate application of these practices in your work with individuals and groups, and you'll learn what is currently understood about their physiological and psychological effects. 

4:15PM Practice session #11                                         Room: Los Angeles C
Yoga for people with multiple sclerosis

Eric Small, MA
Practical demonstration of Iyengar therapeutics applied to MS and other neurological disorders, using household props with audience participation.

4:15PM Practice session #12
Yoga for stress-related psychosomatic disorders     Room: Marina
Rajashree Choudhury

This class will explore how the practice of Yoga can help to overcome the current global epidemic of stress and stress-related psychosomatic disorders, and to restore optimal feelings of wellness and homeostasis of the body.  Rajashree will lead the class through principals and philosophy of alignment and execution of the postures.

6:00 END OF PROGRAM

CONCURRENT PRACTICE SESSIONS #13 THROUGH #18

7:30AM Practice session #13                                         Room: Century AB
The healing path of Yoga

Nischala Joy Devi

An integrated form of practice uniting body, breath, mind, and heart allows us to evoke the presence of healing within us.   We will remember the power brought forth when all the aspects of us harmonize and we become whole.

7:30AM Practice session #14                                         Room: Century CD A breath-centered practice
Leslie Kaminoff

Yoga therapy can be viewed as a method of increasing the spaciousness of the human system. This is achieved by identifying and resolving obstructions to the natural flow of movement in the body. The fundamental rhythm of breathing is the key tool that aids the Yoga therapist in observing and addressing functional and structural issues. In this practice session, simple Yoga postures and breathing patterns will be employed to improve the integrity of the joints, muscles, spine, and diaphragm. Additionally, the role of the bandhas in a breath-centered practice will be addressed in a simple and accessible way.   

7:30AM Practice session #15                                         Room: Los Angeles A
Patanjali's stages of transformation in healing HIV infection
Lisa Walford

According to Patanjali, there are three kinds of parinama (or transformation) that color and pattern the healing process: the transformation of the body/mind, the sequence of the transformation, and the current stage in one's life cycle. We will address these factors within a practice including asana to pacify, purify, and pranicalize, along with pranayama and prayer, using HIV infection as our case study.

7:30AM Practice session #16                                         Room: Los Angeles B
B alance and surrender in Yoga

Sherry Brourman, PT

Ancient masters agreed that our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies are synergistically bound in the practice of Yoga. This practice is designed to cultivate balance specifically as a step-off point into spiritual focus and energetic alignment. We will explore balance, stretch, and even walking in sequences in a flow-type class, to reflect the undeniable deep interconnectedness of the koshas.

7:30AM Practice session #17                                         Room: Los Angeles C Gross to subtle, healing all levels of being

Swami Ramananda & Gyandev McCord, PhD

This class integrates specific Yoga practices to heal the mayakoshas or bodies, both gross and subtle, and to guide the practitioner toward an experience of stillness. In this stillness, the >bodymind is exposed to the inner light and the most subtle and powerful healing can take place.

7:30AM Practice session #18                                         Room: Marina
Greeting the day in a sacred way

Lilias Folan
Lilias invites the IAYT community to unite in fearless friendship.  A Hatha practice for the mid-age body, including  warm-ups, 3 R's (PNF), single and partner Yoga, pranayama inner smile relaxation, and meditation. May we have no foes.   May we all be friends.   May our hearts be full of loving kindness.

9:00AM   Breakfast

10:00AM Main session #10                                            Room: La Jolla

Keeping the Yoga in Yoga therapy

Moderators: Richard Miller, PhD, & Larry Payne, PhD

Classical Yoga and the roots of Yoga therapy

Christopher Key Chapple, PhD

Wellness ultimately speaks not to our physical condition but to our mental and spiritual disposition. By cultivation of the yamas and niyamas, and by clear thinking engendered by Yogic concentration techniques, a sense of well-being and auspiciousness through Yoga can help pave the way toward good will, peace, and happiness.

Ancient insights for modern healing, a vision for the future of Yoga therapy in the West, its scope and relevance for the modern living

Gary Kraftsow, MA

As we mid-wife the birth of a new profession in the west, "Yoga therapist," our challenge is to respect its ancient roots while adapting its concepts and modalities to the modern context. Can we integrate Yoga therapy into modern medical science without loosing its unique integrity and transformational power?

Who are we and where are we going?

Open forum discussion with speakers and attendees

Meditation & Closing

Eleanor Criswell, EdD & Janice Gates

12:00PM END OF PROGRAM