Advanced Yoga Studies

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A 9-month Program of Deep Study 
& Self-Transformation With Ben Vincent
Begins Fall 2016

Unique in Twin Cities Yoga Studies, this 9-month program is intended for all sincere students and teachers, looking to deepen their experience and understanding of Yoga. Through dedicated study and practice, students will be guided on a transformative journey of healing, self-discovery, and empowerment.  We will delve into the teachings and practices of Yoga, Tantra & Ayurveda – as a means to awaken our potential for meaning, happiness and freedom and in life.

Program Structure

1) Weekly Master Classes:  Teaching, discussion and practice                                      Tuesdays, 7:15-9:15 pm at One Yoga

2) Three Private sessions to receive:
  • A personalized Hatha yoga + meditation practice
  • Ayurvedic dietary + lifestyle Consultation
  • Yogic spiritual guidance to uncover + empower you life’s purpose (dharma)
3) A weekend non-residential retreat in Minneapolis (Spring 2015)

4) Readings, journaling, audio recordings and home practice to support your growth. 

5) Group community building events

The Koshas: Layers of Being

Humans are multidimensional beings.  The ancient yogis experienced being human as composed of 5 Koshas (layers/sheaths) which encompass the Atman (True-Self).  As part of the Self-Transformation process, we will explore the specific teachings and practices of each of these layers – designed to help us realize our fullest capacities and to minimize and overcome the limitations of each Kosha.
Annamaya Kosha ~ The Physical Body 
  • Systems of the Human body (Musculo-skeletal, Nervous, Respiratory, etc.)
  • Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology- The Spine, Shoulder + Pelvic Girdles, the Diaphragm(s)
  • Asana: Yoga postures – Anatomy, Alignment + Energetic Effects
  • Intro to Ayurveda- The Vedic Science of Self-Healing
  • Yogic Practices for the Physical Body: Asana, Shatkarma (Cleansing Actions), Ayurveda

Pranamaya Kosha ~ The Energetic Body 
  • Ayurveda- The Doshas, your constitution + balanced living through yoga, diet and lifestyle
  • Tantra- The path of Cultivating and Liberating our vital Energy
  • Prana- The Energy of Life
  • Pranayama: Breathing practices to awaken Vital Energy
  • The Nervous System
  • The Anatomy of The Energetic Body (Doshas, Nadis, Vayus, Chakras, Gunas, Kundalini)
  • Yogic Practices for The Energetic Body: Pranayama, Bandha, Mudra, Kriya (visualiztion)
  • Brahmana & Langhana – Creating practices that are balancing

Manomaya Kosha ~ The Lower Mind + Ego
  • Yogic Psychology + understanding of the Mind
  • The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali- Essential Teachings on awakening the Heart-Mind
  • The role of the mind in suffering and liberation
  • Ego + Memory – Our Subconscious Conditioning
  • Emotion- Understanding the energies of desire, memory, perception + reaction
  • Karma (Action) -> Samskara (impression) -> Vasana (patterns)- The cycle of conditioned behavior
  • Yogic Practices for the mind: Meditation, Karma Yoga, Witness Consciousness/ Self-Observation, Yoga Nidra
  • Meditation: Essential Teachings + personal guidance

Vijnanamaya Kosha ~ The Awakened Mind
  • Buddhi- The capacity of the mind to awaken
  • Awakening the forces of willpower, intuition + discernment
  • Overcoming obstacles as the path to Self-Mastery
  • The role of desire in spiritual practice
  • Yogic Practices for Buddhi:  Vichara (Self-Inquiry), Sankalpa (Resolution of the Higher Self), Mantra (Healing of Sacred Sound), Jnana Yoga
  • Mantra- “That which protects + empowers the mind”

Anandamaya Kosha + Atman ~ The Heart + True Self
  • The Four Desires process: Creating a life of purpose, prosperity, happiness and freedom
  • Dharma- Hearing the call of your life’s purpose
  • Cultivating compassion, joy + loving kindness
  • Practices for the Heart & True Self: Prayer, Devotion/ Bhakti Yoga, Metta (loving kindness), Chanting, Seva

Study Includes:

Essential Teachings of Yoga:
  • What are Yoga, Tantra & Ayurveda?  Why are they relevant?
  • History of Yoga: Periods, Types, traditions and its evolution
  • The main branches of yoga:  Raja (Classical), Bhakti (Devotion), Tantra (ritual) + Hatha (Mind + Energy), Karma (Action), Jnana (Knowledge)
  • The Three Refuges of practice:  Teacher, teachings + community
  • Karma, Reincarnation and Samsara (the wandering of the soul)
  • The Four Desires process: Realizing the four aims of life:
  • Dharma (meaning), Artha (the means), Kama (pleasure), Moksha (freedom)
  • Dukkha:  Why do we suffer and how do we overcome suffering?
  • Overcoming Limiting Patterns & Conditioning – Samskara + Vasana
  • Hatha Yoga – Mastering Mind + Energy through Asana, Pranayama +     Meditation
  • Meditation- The essential yogic practice for awakening the Heart and Mind
  • Samkhya System- The foundation of Indian spiritual philosohpy
  • Essential Texts:  The Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita + Hatha Yoga Pradipika
  • Ayurveda- The Science of Self-Healing through balanced living
  • Basic Sanskrit
  • Shakti: Cultivating our power for Self-Realization
  • The Koshas: The Multidimensional Nature of Being Human (physical, energetic, conditioned mind, higher mind, the heart, the True-Self)
Comprehensive training covering the Essential Practices of Yoga:
  • Asana – Postures: Anatomy, Alignment, Understanding their function
  • Pranayama – Cultivating vital energy through the breath
  • Meditation
  • Mantra- The science of sacred sound
  • Application of Ayurveda for balanced living
  • Shatkarma: Traditional Cleansing methods of Yoga & Ayurveda
  • Mudra (Sacred seals & gestures)
  • Kriya (Internal & External Visualization)
  • Yoga Nidra 
  • Vichara- Self-Inquiry
  • Bandha (Energy Locks)
  • Chanting
  • Cultivating the vital essences: Prana, Tejas and Ojas
  • Sankalpa – Resolution of the Higher Self

Pricing and Payment

Full Price: $2600 (If paid in full by September 15)
Early Registration Discount: $2450. (Paid In full by August 15)
Yoga Teacher Discount: $2250. (For teachers who have completed a 200-Hour Training and are currently teaching 2 or more classes/week.  Only available at the studio, please bring proof of certification and teaching.)
Payment Plan: $2850 (to be paid monthly over 9 months)

To register, download this application and follow the instructions. 

Questions? Contact Ben Vincent at [email protected]. Visit vincentyoga.com for more information.  

Space is limited and will be allocated in the order which application + deposit are received and approved.  Once approved, the deposit is non-refundable, and will be applied toward the cost of tuition. Registration and application are available through this link.

We will order books wholesale for the group at the beginning of the course.  The cost of books will be about $75 in addition to the cost of tuition.