Berkshire Yoga Festival 2024

Yogas citta vrtti nirodhah: yoga is the cessation of the modifications, or fluctuations, of the mind. In vedantic philosophy, every thought (vritti) leaves a “groove” or impression in the mind. Who we are, our habits, perspectives and attitudes are shaped by our environment and life experiences. In modern science, we understand this phenomenon as neuroplasticity. Yoga gives us the power to disrupt habituated patterns, effectively rewiring our brain.

Have you ever wondered why yoga makes you feel the way you do? How does a practice we do on a mat make an imprint on how we live our lives?
In this 90-minute lecture, you’ll explore the relationship between yoga and neuroscience, providing you with a new understanding of the power of yoga.
Lauren Turner, a trauma-informed yoga instructor and founder of 501(c)3 Warrior Within Yoga Project, will introduce you to the fundamentals of brain anatomy, the orchestration of the stress response, and what exactly is happening in the brain when we practice yoga.
Discussing the neurobiology of asana, pranayama and meditation, you will learn ways how to assimilate evidence-based practices that work with the nervous system, into your own practice or teaching.
A digital download, highlighting key take-aways will be provided to participants.

Have you ever felt like a cosmic 2x4 hit you across the head, often labeled as a mid-life crisis? Join this interactive lecture and discover the wisdom that yoga offers to view midlife not as a crisis, but as a profound opportunity for self-discovery and alignment with what truly matters. According to yogic teachings, we go through four distinct stages (ashrama) in a lifetime. Now is the time to stand for who you are, who you want to become, and to live in accordance with the season of your life.Dive into the conversation, maybe even laugh and embrace midlife as a sacred wake-up call.

In Buddhism and Yoga philosophy, the path to enlightenment is fundamentally about consciousness and the realization of formless awareness. Given that we can only talk about enlightenment through conceptual knowing, this talk emphasizes particular themes and states in Buddhism and Yoga supporting a refining and transformation of consciousness states. This will include a consideration of Western scientific views of consciousness and the practical use of psychedelics to enhance transformative experiences.

Join DJ Taz Rashid for a workshop on how to build a yoga music playlist. Learn how to breakdown your classes in a simple way, and easily build your favorite music into any practice whether it’s a high intensity vinyasa, or a mellow yin, restorative class or to your personalized yoga style.
DJ Taz will show you how to hone your instinctive listening and intuitive teaching skills to "mix beats" and make smooth transitions throughout your classes. Taking the time to focus on developing the role of music in your yoga classes allows you to feel more confident about how music is enhancing your teaching, while you can expand and use your music library more efficiently. Any teacher can build her unique sound with compelling music that enhances the practice, inevitably attracting a larger student following.  Highly recommended for teachers but anyone can attend.

This class is suitable for men and women. The pinnacle of the Goddess archetype is the Wisdom Goddess with side archetypes of the Mother and the luminous Devi. Discover the archetypes of the slumbering Goddesses or Shakti within us as Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kali, Durga, Tara and Kwan Yin. Unleash this Shakti, within you as the creative power of the One. This Shakti archetype guides us through all aspects of life transitions such as adulthood, relationships, marriage, parenting, profession, mentoring and finally enlightenment. With Shakti's guidance, we are able to fully express the heroine’s journey to Self Actualization.

Manoj will help you find your personal deity Goddess archetype

(This workshop is 80% lecture, 10% meditation, 5% Mantras and 5% light spiritual stretches.)

In this experiential workshop, we will explore the power of creativity & intention.  Amanda will walk you through a step-by-step process of self-exploration through connecting with artistic medium including images, photos, and Nature. You will create a vision board collage harnessing clarity to manifest your next steps on living into a life that lights you up. When we show up for ourselves with an open heart, trust in the process, and are witnessed in community; beautiful things are created.  You will leave this class with your uniquely and "just right" crafted vision board to take home and anchor you long after the festival ends.  
Materials will be provided.

The Buddha’s original teaching on mindfulness remains a practical approach to cultivating well-being, insight, and wisdom leading to awakening. This talk applies the four stages of mindfulness to a new theory of resilience as informed by Buddhist practice and positive psychology for ultimate flourishing.

Enlightenment (in the Vedanta tradition) is the journey of Knowing the Self, abiding in the Self and seeing the same Self in others with love and compassion. Manoj will guide you through the 3 practices of non dualistic Advaita Vedanta philosophy:  Shravanam (listening), Mananam (contemplation) and Nidhidhyasana (abiding in the Self).

The question then arises, what role do these deities such as Ganesh, Shiva, Lakshmi, Buddha,Tara play in this journey?. Manoj will bring in statues of these deities and relate their symbolisms to our journey to enlightenment. Through humorous archetypical story telling, discover your Isthadevata (personal archetype), uncover their secret symbolisms and learn the five ways to work with them as part of a practice towards spiritual awakening.

(This workshop is 80% lecture, 10% meditation, 5% Mantras and 5% light spiritual stretches.)