Guru-Kula Presentations with AUM’s Yoga Therapy Candidates, November 19, 2022
Learn more about yoga therapy in a series of free 75–90-minute presentations with our Yoga Therapy Candidates. Come for single lectures or spend the day!
All presentations are free and open to the public. Reservations required; space is limited. We are a nonprofit dedicated to promoting yoga and yoga therapy as avenues for greater health and happiness—donations are always appreciated!
“[The presentations] were informative and I felt that I learned tools and techniques that I could take with me into my sessions. I felt that everyone that presented did so from their heart and with the intention of helping others.” —A. P.
“The topics were interesting and helpful.” —M. G.
“Excellent! I learned something new from each presenter.” —A. F.
View info on the 2022 Guru-Kula presentations below.
If you’d like to donate to our mission and receive a presentation recording of your choice, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
Presentations will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
1–2:15 pm (EST) / 10-11:15 am (PST)
Mindful Eating for Cancer Patients
Masha Power
Numerous publications discuss the benefits of various mindful interventions such as MBSR and CBT on the quality of life in cancer patients. Recent studies demonstrate significant decrease in levels of cortisol and Interleukin-6 after a 6-week MBSR intervention program in breast cancer survivors. At this time only a few studies explore the benefits of the mindful eating intervention program in breast cancer survivors, and one group of researchers hypothesized that this intervention may be beneficial for patients recovering from head and neck cancer.
This presentation discusses how mindful eating techniques introduced as part of the Yoga Therapy Intervention Program may help patients with brain cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatments who often suffer from anxiety, depression, nausea, and significant weight loss. The pilot case study examines how concepts of mindfulness could be integrated with healthy eating and dietary recommendations. Moreover, a synergistic collaboration between yoga therapists and other Allied Medical professionals such as dietitians and physical therapists can be explored further when building a treatment program for patients with various types of cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
Masha (Mariya) Power, MS, MBA, E-RYT® 500, YACEP®, has over 15 years of experience in nutrition education. She is a trained dietitian and holds a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Food Science from the University of Vermont, and an MBA from the New England College of Business and Finance. Masha conducted clinical trials at the Diabetes Research Center in Burlington, Vermont. During her studies, she focused on Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) and preventive effects of cinnamon extract in pre-diabetes. Masha taught nutrition at the University of Vermont and Champlain College. She is a published author (Current Diabetes Reports, 2011) and a Cultural Competency speaker at the University of Vermont College of Medicine. As part of her wellness journey, Masha became a Certified Integrative Health Coach through Duke Integrative Medicine Institute, and a Certified Yoga Teacher (RTY-500). Since 2012, Masha has been teaching a variety of styles of Yoga and offers Mindful Eating and Yin Yoga workshops at local studios and the YMCA, primarily focusing on therapeutic benefits of yoga practice.
2:30 –3:45 pm (EST) / 11:30 am-12:45pm (PST)
Mind and Body Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries through Specific Yoga Therapy
Josie Murray
The practice of yoga has long demonstrated to be a most credible means of strengthening the body. Physical attributes including flexibility, balance, agility and strength have all shown tremendous improvement in practioners in multiple research studies. Cognitive and emotional elements including mental focus and stress reduction as they relate to yoga practices such as breathing, mindfulness and meditation have also been studied in more recent research.
This presentation will examine the research and discuss how personalized yoga therapy can and should be utilized much more frequently in dealing with emotional intelligence in order to enhance quality of life. More specifically, it will discuss the benefits of a well designed yoga therapy program in terms of recovery from sports injuries. The proposed concept will be fully restorative, less painful and more engaging than typical physical therapy alone. My case studies will demonstrate how these integrated habits, once learned and practiced, can be continued for a much more healthy lifetime in mind and body.
Josie Murray, E-RYT® 200, first found her love of yoga at NYU while getting her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Yoga was suggested to the performers to help them be their most present and authentic selves. After graduation, Josie moved to Los Angeles and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification through CorePower Yoga. She has continued to participate in CorePower’s extensions program as well as earning her 95-hour Children’s Yoga Certification through Kidding Around Yoga. She currently works as a voiceover artist and yoga teacher for bodies of all ages. She is excited to continue her yoga journey through AUM hOMe Shala’s Yoga Therapy Clinical Practicum Program.