Two Weekend Training:
March 20-22, 2026: 9:30am – 5:15pm PST each day (Heart Disease)
March 17-29, 2026: 9:30am – 5:15pm PST each day (Cancer)
Live stream, in person, and recordings available!
Course Description:
Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death and disease in the United States. With advances in medical treatments, more and more individuals are surviving. As Yoga Therapists, we have a unique opportunity to guide individuals on a healing path by adapting yoga practices to meet the needs of those with chronic diseases. This course will explore the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual components of cancer and heart disease. Students will learn how yoga can be a practical therapeutic application to foster healing and improve the quality of life. Upon completing this course, students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to teach yoga throughout all heart disease and cancer treatment stages with compassion and understanding. Teaching methodology will combine lecture, experiential learning, and supervised practice teaching.
Upon completing this course, students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to teach yoga throughout all heart disease and cancer treatment stages with compassion and understanding. Teaching methodology will combine lecture, experiential learning, and supervised practice teaching.
Specific knowledge and skills addressed in this course include:
- Introduction to cardiac anatomy and physiology.
- The primary characteristics of cancer and the immune system.
- Standard treatments and their side effects.
- Psychosocial and spiritual aspects of heart disease and cancer.
- Theory and practice of asana, pranayama, meditation, and deep relaxation.
- Safe adaptation of yoga practices to meet the needs of individuals with an underlying chronic illness.
- Long-term survivorship and the importance of integrating yoga as a lifestyle practice.
- Working with the medical community.
Tuition: Included in Yoga Therapy Training, Elective for Advanced 300 Hour Training.
A la Carte price for both weekends: $1080
Faculty:
Becky Michalski, RN, BSN, C-IAYT, E-RYT 200, is a graduate of the Yoga Therapy Program at Soul of Yoga in Encinitas, CA. Her yoga journey began over a decade ago, and she has been devoted to the practice and study ever since. As a Registered Nurse with 16 years of experience caring for acute and critically ill patients, she combines her medical knowledge with
a deep understanding of yoga’s therapeutic applications for people managing chronic illnesses. As a Yoga Therapist, Becky strives to teach in a way that honors each individual’s needs and shares the simple and profound ways to take care of our body, mind, and spirit. She specializes in teaching yoga to those with underlying medical conditions, including back pain, cancer, and cardiac diseases. Becky is currently teaching Yoga for Cancer Survivors and Yoga for Healthy Heart classes and working as a nurse in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Anchorage, Alaska. In addition, she has had the honor of studying with and assisting Nischala Joy Devi in her Yoga of the Heart program, a Cancer and Cardiac certification training.
Alana Keith is Yoga Therapist, Traditional Naturopath, Health Coach + Mentor. She integrates this unique combination to provide a full mind, body, spirit approach to health + well-being.
Alana became a Yoga Therapist At The Soul of Yoga Institute in Encinitas, California. She studied as a Health Coach and Board Certified Naturopath with Trinity School of Natural Health. Her work has been influenced by teachers such as Skeeter Tichnor, Nischala Joy Devi, Monique Lonner, Mas Vidal, Richard Miller, Indu Arora and Justine Shelton, amongst other amazing teachers. All of these people lovingly and selflessly sharing their wisdom and knowledge empowering her to do the same.
Alana is from New Zealand but resides in Laguna Beach, CA where she owns The Wellness Commons – a health and healing clinic offering yoga therapy, health consultations and guidance. Before yoga found her she was a busy executive and business owner. Alana combines the skills of her first career, with her chosen career to guide and empower people in healing, health and happiness.
