Berkshire Yoga Festival 2024

Grab a notebook and pencil or pen as we carve out time for self-reflection. We will work on what your intention is for the festival, what do you want to take away and what do you want to leave beyond. The session will be guided by Ilana Ackerman founder of Balancing the Journey and Berkshire Yoga Festival.

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.

In this 60-minute, fully experiential workshop we will explore and experiment with fostering the type of courageous clarity required to have difficult conversations with yourself, so that you can more successfully approach challenging conversations with others; the kinds of conversations that could make a difference in your life.

We will cover:

• full-presence listening,
• using emotional awareness to get clarity on what matters most,
• formulating requests by understanding what you value, and
• how to navigate resistance.

Bring:

• a (manageable for the context) internal conflict you’re struggling to resolve,
• an open heart,
• a curious mind, and
• a body willing to mindfully move in the service of exploration.

Typically, the term "addiction" is associated with substance abuse. However, a more comprehensive exploration uncovers not only behavioral or process 
addictions but also cultural addictions. Research highlights striking similarities between substance addiction, psychological dependencies on activities like compulsive gambling, sex, work, shopping, eating disorders, and cultural obsessions that permeate our daily lives. This expanded viewpoint indicates that addiction transcends the substance or behavior, extending to the cultural norms and practices we often overlook. In this module, we delve into the core issue of addiction, including its cultural aspects, and discuss solutions through the lens of yoga.

A gentle vinyasa class is an offering to quiet your mind, open your heart, and feel your spirit soar with Sarah Gardner, founder of Yoga Reaches Out.

Headstand or Sirsasana  is sometimes referred to as the “King of Asana” and it stands (on its head) atop the rest.  Done well, it can be a meditative and soothing pose.  In this Hatha style workshop, you will move through a sequence of poses that compose the building blocks of a stable and confident headstand.  

You will see how the components of the headstand exist within many familiar and often practiced poses, and learn the alignment principle needed to practice safely. By the end, you will have the tools you need to add this pose to your regular practice, and if you have a headstand practice already, you can expect to find a lightness and an ease you didn’t know was possible!

Presented by studio partner, Back Bay Yoga Union.

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.

Regenerative Farming, Biodynamics and Climate Resiliency
Climate change, economic collapse, flooding & wide spread pollution, are all pointing to a need for an articulate and comprehensive alternative. Permaculture is an ecological design science for creating fruitful and abundant communities.

Permaculture addresses the major issues of our day with a whole systems approach. It is a worldwide movement that is helping to regenerate local ecologies and economies.

Topics Covered:
• History and Origins of Permaculture
• Sustainable Cities
• Natural Building
• Best Places To Live & Start Communities and Homesteads
• Climate Resilience
• Off Grid Energy
• Ecological Water Solutions
• Agroforestry Tropical to Temperate & Starting Nurseries
• Bio-intensive, Organic & Regenerative Farming

Accessing and developing a healthy creative process is an essential skill for creators across all mediums (yogis, artists, writers, etc.).  But insecurity, procrastination, and the challenges of modern life often get in the way of harnessing our potential. In this workshop hosted by Sawyer Hurwitz (Psychotronic Solutions) we'll explore the multifaceted nature of creative work, blending scientific insights with practical guidance to unlock your true creative capabilities. 

Are you a part-time yoga teacher whose scared to make the leap to full-time because you're worried about the money? You have a day job you're dying to leave but you can't understand how you could possibly make a living as a yoga teacher? Are you a full-time yoga teacher whose starting to experience burnout and looking for a long term sustainable career path? The good news is... there is a way...

In this workshop you will Explore:

• Your Relationship With Money
• The Problem(s) with the Current Yoga Teaching Model
• A Realistic Path to Passive Income
• The 4 Noble Truths of Growing a Yoga Business

You will Learn about and Workshop your Roadmap:

• How to choose a Niche in 5 mins.
• Your first digital download to grow an audience
• Your first passive income online product
• How to create Medium and High Ticket offers that Help People.

The hustle required for creating success as a yoga teacher is real, and so is the burnout that comes with it. With a combined 25+ years as entrepreneurs in the yoga and wellness space, Kate Lombardo and Patrick Franco, co-directors of YogaRenew— the largest online teacher training program in the world— have worn every “hat” there is a yoga teacher. In this session, they’ll teach you how to lay the foundation for a business that focuses on earning you more money and giving you back your most valuable currency— your time— so you can build a prosperous and sustainable career sharing the practice you love.

Brought BYF Platinum Sponsor, YogaRenew.

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.

What does it mean to live your truth? And why is it sometimes difficult? In this workshop, we'll explore the evolutionary and environmental roots behind insecurity. As we uncover the toxic hegemonies that limit our self-expression, we'll also learn practical techniques to embody and communicate your authentic self.

How does the Buddhist view of change and impermanence include the opportunity for growth, flourishing and personal transformation? This talk will emphasize the “Four Seals” of Buddhism and how these can turn our resistance to change into a sense of freedom.