The Art and Soul of the Chakras | Online Immersion

Course Description

The chakras evoke mystery, an artistic imagination and connection to the subtle body. For each of us, the chakras are unique centers of physical and psychic energy. In this specialized course we cover the anatomical structures that correspond to each chakra beginning with the tailbone and leading to the crown of the head. You will learn the muscular-skeletal, organic, and glandular association within each chakra. This course details these vital energy centers along the vertebral column that houses nerve bundles thought to be “small brains”.

What Will I Learn?

We investigate the emotional and spiritual quality of each chakra. We investigate ways to strengthen each chakra as well as the causes of deterioration within each chakra. Learn the energetic and emotional vitality that pertains to each vital energy center. We refer to the dynamic polarity in hatha yoga of the sun/moon, male/female and shiva/ shakti. We will look at how the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space) and the yogic "winds" (vayus) pertain to each energy centre.

Course Structure

In daily practice, we activate each of the vital energy channels through asana, sound resonance, visualization, hand mudras, and meditation. In this course you will identify the chakra that is strongest for you and the one that is most vulnerable.

This course includes a rich array of iconographic images from the yogic tradition in order to describe the subtle body along with anatomical images that provide insight into the anatomy of each chakra. Tias brings his background in Buddhist studies, Sanskrit, yoga philosophy, dreamwork, Indian art, and mystical anatomy to this unique course on the chakras.

Day 1 | The Root of It All

Wednesday, April 17 | 9:30am – 12:00pm Mountain Time

The first day is an introduction to the entire chakra system along with study and practice for the muladhara. The first chakra is the powerful base, related to the geometry of the square that provides the gateway to the entire chakra system. We practice movements to open the hips and mobilize the body’s deep life force from the base of the spine.

Day 2 | The Sacral Center

Thursday, April 18 | 9:30am – 12:00pm Mountain Time

The watery realm of the sacrum is the home of the reptilian power or kundalini. As the center of gravity in the body, the sacrum provides both stability and flow. We explore how the sacrum governs spinal motion and is linked to the third eye center within the skull.

Day 3 | The Belly Center: The Fire Within

Wednesday, April 24 | 9:30am – 12:00pm Mountain Time

The abdomen, the third chakra, is the hearth of the body and the seat of personal will. This class covers uddiyana bandha, the digestive center, the kidneys, adrenal glands and the psychological challenges with coming into one’s own power.

Day 4 | The Lotus Heart

Thursday, April 25 | 9:30am – 12:00pm Mountain Time

The heart chakra is the mediator and synthesizer of all the other chakras. This day focuses on the heart and lung and the exquisite vibration of feeling that resides in the heart. We practice metta meditations, asana to expand the chest and pranayama to open the ribs and lungs.

Day 5 | The Place of Purification: The Throat

Wednesday, May 1 | 9:30am – 12:00pm Mountain Time

The throat contains a series of delicate structures that lead up to the brain including the “master” thyroid gland. The throat is a primary channel for the passage of food, breath and arteriole blood. This day covers the emotional center relating to self expression, song and sound. In practice we do bridge poses, shoulderstand and the throat bandha.

Day 6 | The Cranial Chakras

Thursday, May 2 | 9:30am – 12:00pm Mountain Time

On this day we look at the centers in the skull relating to the brain, brainstem, sensory organs and consciousness. This day investigates the cranial sutures, the cranial-sacral system and the “master” pituitary and pineal gland. Through inversions, meditation and visualization, we yoke to a spacious, all-pervading awareness.

Replay

Please note ALL Live Zoom sessions will be recorded should you be unable to attend any live streams. All course content will be available for 6 months.

Certification

Art and Soul of the Chakras is good for 30 hours of total combined live training, pre-recorded material, classes, homework, and mentorship available for Continuing Education hours through Yoga Alliance.

Art and Soul of the Chakras can be applied towards required hours for the Prajna Yoga 300/500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program, and is part of the Prajna Yoga Therapy Track. Please see the Prajna Yoga website for further information on the certification process.

Meet the Teachers

Tias Little synthesises more than 30 years of study in classical yoga, Sanskrit, Buddhism, anatomy, bodywork, and trauma healing in his dynamic, original style of teaching. Tias began studying the work of B. K. S. Iyengar in 1984 and in 1989 resided in Mysore, India, where he studied Ashtanga vinyasa yoga under the tutelage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. A licensed massage therapist, Tias has in-depth training in craniosacral therapy. His practice and teaching is influenced by the work of Ida Rolf, Moshé Feldenkrais, and Thomas Hanna. Tias earned a master’s degree in Eastern philosophy from St. John’s College in Santa Fe in 1998.

He is the founder of the Prajna Yoga school. in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife, Surya. In 2010, Tias created SATYA, Sensory Awareness Training for Yoga Attunement, a therapeutic movement system. He also offers a wide array of online classes through Glo, YogaU, Yoga Journal, Embodied Philosophy, and Shambhala and teaches internationally. The author of three books: The Thread of Breath, Meditations on a Dewdrop and Yoga of the Subtle Body, his fourth book, The Path is the Practice: Lessons and Reflections on the Transformative Power of Yoga, was released in June 2020.

Surya Little has travelled the globe studying various facets of yoga philosophy and practice and her path includes parallel studies in yoga and nutrition. She teaches from an intuitive understanding of the energetics of the body and combines expertise in yoga therapeutics and nutritional knowledge. She is an avid student of the Chinese Five-Element theory and studies Gigong with the MogaDao Institute. Her extensive training is in both Iyengar and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Surya began her studies in Iyengar Yoga with Karin Stephan and Aadil Palkhivala and continues to study today with Patricia Walden. Co-founder of Prajna Yoga with her husband, Tias, Surya specialises in women’s health, nutrition and therapeutic yoga. Her classes are dynamic and light-hearted while cultivating a strong mental and physical practice.