February 20-23, 2026 ~ 9:30am – 5:15pm PST
Live stream, in person, and recordings available!
Course Description:
One the most profound insights of Yoga is that we have, and are, more than our physical body. In fact we have 5 bodies, or layers, that cover our pure self, or the light within. These layers are called the Maya Koshas – literally Maya (illusion) and Kosha (body or sheath).
The wisdom of the Maya Koshas provide an illuminating lens through which to understand the integrated nature of mind, body and spirit and its implications for balance and wellbeing, health and disease.
The 5 Koshas include the layers of the physical body, our thoughts and emotions along with states of higher consciousness and bliss. We also embody an energetic and rarefied layer of our being that illuminates, vitalises and balances our body and mind. This is our “Energy Body”, referred to as the PranaMaya Kosha, and it is home to our esoteric anatomy, which is the in-depth subject of this course.
We will explore esoteric anatomy in order to understand how Prana flow can foster balance, well-being, health and spiritual awareness, while obstructions in the flow can create imbalance in body and mind and initiate disease states.
We will cover:
The Nadis: a System of astral tubes that aid circulation and enhance the prana as it flows through the gross and subtle bodies. While there are thousands of nadis, three will our main focus, the Ida, Pingala and Shushumna.
The Pancha Maya Kosha: The five layers or bodies that encase the true self and how they function and nurture us on all levels.
The Seven Chakras: whirling vortexes of energy containing valuable information about the mundane as well as the sublime aspects of our every action and thought. Connected through channels (nadis) that flow up and down our spines, they infuse vitality and knowledge to every facet of our being.
On the last day of the course Monique Lonner will discuss the associated modern maladies and the appropriate Yogic practices to enhance, balance and even heal each Chakra center and its related areas of body, mind and spirit.
With this new awareness we are able to use yogic practices to enhance, and balance our bodies, minds, and ultimately our lives.
Required reading:
The Namaste Effect, Nischala Joy Devi
Tuition: Included in Yoga Therapy Training, Elective for Advanced 300 Hour Training.
A la Carte price: $500
Faculty:
NISCHALA JOY DEVI is a masterful teacher and healer. For many years she has been highly respected as an international advocate for her innovative way of expressing Yoga and its subtle uses for spiritual growth and complete healing. Her dynamic delivery and deep inner conviction empower each individual, allowing the teachings to expand beyond boundaries and limitations of any one tradition enabling her to touch people’s hearts.
She was graced to spend many years as a monastic disciple with the world renowned, Yogiraj Sri Swami Satchidanandaji, receiving his direct guidance and teachings. She also was blessed with teachings from great Yoga masters in US, India and worldwide.
Originally trained in Western medicine, she began to blend western medicine with Yoga offered her expertise in developing the yoga portion of The Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease and co-founded the award-winning Commonweal Cancer Help Program. With her knowledge of yoga and her experience in assisting those with life-threatening diseases, she created Yoga of the Heart, a training and certification program. Her book “The Healing Path of Yoga,” now in its sixth printing, expresses these teachings.
She is dedicated to bringing the Feminine back into spirituality and the scriptures, in her book, The Secret Power of Yoga, a woman’s guide to the heart and spirit of the Yoga Sutras. and Secret Power of Yoga Audio book (Nautilus Book Award Winner). Understanding the need for more love and compassion in today’s world, The Namaste Effect, explores a heart-centered way of living through the mystical chakras. Meditation in the Yoga Tradition, her latest book encourages a deep meditation practice culminating in experiencing the light within. (www.abundantwellbeing.com)
MONIQUE LONNER – Yoga Therapist, is the Director and creator of Soul of Yoga Institute Advanced Yoga Teacher Training and Yoga Therapy Training Programs. A Yoga teacher for 15 years, she studied in India, New York and California with Master teachers and spiritual sages including, most notably, the teaching faculty of the Soul of Yoga Institute Advanced Program. Drawing upon her professional skills as a non-profit event organizer she developed the Advanced Teacher Training and Yoga Therapy Program for Soul of Yoga, bringing together those who are considered to be the best of the best Master yoga teachers in the world today. A devoted spiritual seeker, as well as an experienced anatomy and physiology teacher she has created a comprehensive program which balances the study of Yoga Therapy technique with the insight and wisdom of Yogic and metaphysical philosophy.
