Karpūragauraṃ – Śiva Dhyāna Śloka
‘’Karpūragauraṃ” Śiva Dhyāna Śloka karpūragauraṃ karuṇāvatāraṃsaṃsārasāraṃ bhujagendrahāram |sadāvasantaṃ hṛdayāravindebhavaṃ bhavānīsahitaṃ namāmi || I bow to Lord Shiva, who is as white as camphor, the embodiment of compassion, and the essence of worldly existence. He wears a garland of serpents and always resides in the lotus of the devotee’s heart. I offer my respects to Him, […]
Śiva Kṣamāpaṇa Stotram
karacaraṇa kṛtaṃ vākkāyajaṃ karmajaṃ vā |śravaṇanayanajaṃ vā mānasaṃ vāparādhaṃ |vihitamavihitaṃ vā sarvametatkṣamasva |jaya jaya karuṇābdhe śrīmahādeva śambho || O Compassionate Mahadeva! O Sambhu! Victory to Thee! Please do forgive all the errors committed (by me) with the hands, legs, speech, body, through actions, through the ears, eyes, mind or by (not doing) ordained actions or […]
Dakṣiṇāmūrti Stotram
īśvaro gururātmeti mūrtibheda vibhāgine |vyomavad vyāptadehāya dakṣiṇāmūrtaye namaḥ || Salutations to Lord Dakshinamurti, who is all-pervasive like space but who appears (as though) divided as Lord, Guru, and the Self. 1. Introduction Among the vast ocean of Sanskrit philosophical literature, certain verses stand out for their extraordinary concision and depth. The above śloka, traditionally attributed […]
FINAL ASSESSMENT IN SOMATIC YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
Introduction The culmination of any somatic yoga teacher training program is the final assessment, which serves as both a measure of competency and a milestone marking the transition from student to certified teacher. Unlike traditional yoga assessments, somatic yoga evaluation emphasizes not just technical mastery of postures but also the ability to facilitate embodied awareness, […]
OBSERVATION AND CASE STUDY IN SOMATIC YOGA
Introduction Observation is a cornerstone of somatic yoga education, serving as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and applied practice. Unlike conventional yoga, which often emphasizes external form and alignment, somatic yoga prioritizes internal awareness, neuromuscular re-patterning, and mindful movement. For a somatic yoga teacher-in-training, careful observation is essential to understand how students move, sense their […]
TEACHING PRACTICUM IN SOMATIC YOGA: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH
Introduction The teaching practicum is an essential component of any yoga teacher training program, particularly in somatic yoga, where teaching goes beyond instruction of postures to the facilitation of internal awareness, neuromuscular re-patterning, and mindful movement. Unlike traditional yoga training, which often focuses on correct alignment and external aesthetics, somatic yoga emphasizes the student’s internal […]
PRACTICUM & TEACHING SKILLS IN SOMATIC YOGA
Introduction Somatic yoga represents a paradigm shift in the practice and teaching of yoga. Unlike traditional approaches that primarily emphasize external postures and rigid alignment, somatic yoga focuses on internal awareness, sensory integration, and the re-patterning of habitual movement. Teaching somatic yoga requires not only mastery of these principles but also the ability to facilitate […]
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION TECHNIQUES (SOMATIC PERSPECTIVE)
Somatic yoga focuses on regulating the nervous system by helping students feel safe, present, and connected to their internal experience. These techniques calm the autonomic nervous system, support trauma recovery, and enhance interoception and embodiment. Orientation is a simple but powerful method where the nervous system scans the environment to determine safety. Why Orientation Works […]
BRAIN, NEUROPLASTICITY & LEARNING (SOMATIC PERSPECTIVE)
Somatic yoga teaches that the body changes because the brain changes. Every movement, posture, and emotional reaction is shaped by neural networks that can be rewired through awareness, repetition, and safety. Understanding the relationship between the brain and movement is essential for teaching somatic practices effectively. The motor cortex is the brain region responsible for […]
Yoga Therapy (IAYT) for Fibromyalgia
Introduction Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction (“fibro fog”), and heightened pain sensitivity. It primarily affects adults, with women being disproportionately affected, and significantly impacts quality of life, daily functioning, and mental health. Fibromyalgia is considered a central sensitivity syndrome, wherein the central nervous system […]