Yoga Therapy for the Mind 8-Week Course

Internationally Renowned Minded Institute Yoga Therapy for The Mind
8-week Course for Stress, Anxiety and Depression

The Minded Institute 8 week course is an evidence based program developed by Heather Mason as a therapeutic treatment for depression, anxiety, and stress. The course is a thorough investigation and journey into the body and the mind drawing on ancient yoga principles and mindfulness meditation techniques that are the foundation of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) one of the fastest growing new therapies for recurrent depression.

Combining asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breath-work), and restorative properties of mindfulness with psychotherapeutic holding this course addresses the physiological and psychological dimensions of depression, stress, and anxiety. New scientific research continues to affirm that depression, anxiety, and stress are best treated with a method that addresses both of these aspects. The Minded Institute translates yogic and mindfulness practice in a scientific and therapeutic way for the maximum benefit to the mind and body. The 8 week course is organised in such a way to allow students to deeply understand how these practices can work for them in the short term to provide immediate relief and in the long term to create and maintain positive mental health.

The yoga practice is specifically designed to rebalance the nervous system and to teach you how to regulate mood and emotions. You’ll be taught which postures are useful for energising and which are useful for bringing calm to your system. Additionally through the poses you will learn how to coexist equally with both comfortable and uncomfortable physical sensations through relaxation and working with the breath. By learning how to be with the variety of sensations in the body you simultaneously develop the ability to be with challenging emotions in a more grounded and gentle way. The course will visit new themes each week enabling you to explore your yoga practice through different perspectives, encouraging the exploration of mental patterns, perceptions, and habits that may keep you stuck in unfulfilling experiences of life.

Session Structure

Each 2-hour class broadly follows the same structure every week:

Asana practice with awareness 1 hour 15 minutes.
Pranayama 15-20 minutes.
Group Activity 15 minutes. The group activity serves to highlight the teaching related to that week. Activities come from either the mindfulness or yoga tradition.
Group Discussion 15 minutes. During the discussion students can ask questions related to yoga and mindfulness, share insights, listen to others or choose to be silent.
Explanation of daily home yoga therapy and mindfulness practice

Home Practice

Whilst it’s helpful to be part of a group in a class, building community and learning together, building a regular home practice is vital to your healing. You will be given home practice at the end of each class to practise daily along with reading material to support your learning. Home practice is an important way of integrating yoga and mindfulness into your daily life.

Course Materials

The yoga course also includes:

A comprehensive manual
A Yoga therapy and Mindfulness CD to support daily practice

Previous Yoga & Mindfulness Experience

All levels of yoga and meditation experience, including complete beginners, are welcome.

Testimonials
"Thank you so much for the yoga course. I am not supple and have always stayed away from yoga assuming that it would be difficult and not effective for me. I was surprised and delighted at how much benefit I got from it not only at the physical level but also from a sense of well-being. The mindfulness component with awareness of breathing etc has been particularly effective and I am attempting to keep up the “practice”. Much appreciated" (Consultant Paediatrician, Evelina Children's Hospital, London).

Next 8-week course coming soon