Our increasing population of seniors is looking for ways to maintain health and age gracefully. For many, the aging process involves loss of muscular strength, decreased flexibility, and increased risk for falls.
Yoga teachers have an opportunity to provide a much-needed service by learning to help older people:
Course Prerequisite:
Cost: tuition $375 + accommodations
Location: The Expanding Light Retreat, Ananda Village, CA
Location: The Expanding Light Retreat, Ananda Village, CA
Recorded Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Join this introductory session to meet the instructors and learn more about this training.
Seniors and Bone Strength was one of the first courses I took after my 200 hr teacher training. It has been invaluable. I primarily teach an older population but this course is helpful for anyone teaching a yoga class that has even one or two students over 50 years old. Seniors and Bone Strength course approaches this subject from a yoga perspective as well as a western medical perspective. Ananda’s courses are very thorough and you will not be disappointed. This is a training that every yoga teacher should have.
—Susan K., Laguna Niguel, CA
Nayaswami Mangala has an impressive background in yoga teacher training, Ayurvedic training and practice, and in-depth medical training and practice.
She has a Master’s in Nursing and has won awards as Nurse Practitioner of the Year (1982), and for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching when she was a lecturer at The University of Washington School of Nursing (1987).
She has also trained as a Biofeedback Therapist, was a Clinical Specialist in Stress Management, and is a certified Massage Therapist and Polarity Therapist. For many years she has been a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in Nevada City.
Mangala was certified as an Ayurvedic practitioner by the California College of Ayurveda in 1997, and she also completed Dr. David Frawley’s Ayurvedic Correspondence Course at that time. She is additionally certified as a Pancha Karma Therapist. She graduated from Dr. Vasant Lad’s Ayurvedic Institute in 1999.
She was certified as a Yoga Teacher at The Expanding Light (1997), and has taught yoga and Ayurveda in Europe, India, Canada, and the U.S.
In addition to this impressive list of training and qualifications, Mangala is, quite simply, an excellent teacher, who listens sensitively and shares with her students compassion and wisdom.
Maitri, E-RYT 500, directs the Online Ananda Yoga Assistantship program, Holistic Health Retreats and teaches in the Yoga Teacher and Ananda Yoga Therapy Trainings. She is a Registered Nurse, Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT and an Ananda Minister.
Maitri first started practicing yoga and meditation as a teenager and has continued as a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda for many decades. She is enthusiastic about sharing these techniques with people of all abilities.
Barbara is a Hatha Yoga teacher, a Registered Physical Therapist and a former gymnast. She brings all of her training together in her yoga teaching and helps people enjoy using their bodies in the healthiest way possible.
Barbara teaches anatomy and physiology classes, which she makes fun, interesting, and accessible to everyone. Barbara brings compassion and sensitive awareness to her yoga teaching.
Melody, E-RYT 500, directs the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training and Restorative Yoga Teacher Training online programs.
She is a Certified Ananda Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT and a trained Prenatal Yoga Instructor. Melody has been practicing the teachings of yoga since the age of 14, and began teaching at age 17. She loves to help her students experience the depth of Ananda Yoga and Meditation.
Darshana, E-RYT 200, RYT 500 and C-IAYT, became interested in meditation and found the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda in 2009. Since then, she has been applying them in her own life and sharing them with others.
Darshana has been a certified Ananda Yoga and Meditation instructor since 2012. She is an Ananda Yoga therapist and a minister. She serves with Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation as manager and certification programs coordinator. She also teaches asana, meditation and yoga philosophy online and in person at The Expanding Light Retreat.
Karen, E-RYT 500, is a Certified Ananda Yoga Therapist and has been teaching yoga since 2003. Originally from Texas, she directed and operated successful yoga studios in Dallas for over 13 years.
Karen has experience working with students of all levels in studio, privately and corporate settings. She loves to mentor teachers and help them discover their unique gifts while strengthening their self-reliance and positivity. Karen will be an asana instructor for this course while encouraging and assisting you throughout this journey!
“Mangala is a caring, intuitive, dedicated, and knowledgeable teacher who goes above and beyond to support students´ growth. She is the ideal teacher, with a great ability to explain simple as well as complex concepts in a practical and fun way.”
Adriana B., Palo Alto, CA
This course is open to all graduates of Level 1 Ananda Yoga® teacher training and Bridge to Ananda Yoga®, as well as any yoga teacher who is, or has been, a Yoga Alliance RYT. Exceptions might be made for teachers whose training was through schools that were not registered with Yoga Alliance.
Yes. This course takes place within the tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda and his direct disciple, Swami Kriyananda.
We do not ask that you discontinue your current yoga practices if they are different; we simply ask that you do the practices that are required for this program.
Yes, Yoga Alliance RYTs can get 21 hours of continuing education.
This course is not a required course for Ananda Yoga Teacher Training Level 2, It is an elective course. If you’d like to become a certified Ananda Yoga teacher, see Level 2 requirements here.
Yes, after completing all of the course requirements, you will receive a certificate as a “Certified Seniors and Bone Strength Yoga Teacher.” If you are a certified Ananda Yoga teacher already, your certificate will say “Certified Seniors and Bone Strength Ananda Yoga Teacher.” If you decide later to become a certified Ananda Yoga teacher (by completing our Level 1 or Level 2 training), we can upgrade your restorative certificate to “Ananda Yoga” certified. If you are a RYT, you will also receive 21 continuing education hours through Yoga Alliance upon completion of this course.
| 9:30 am – 12:00 pm | 2:30 – 4:30 pm | 7:30 – 9:00 pm | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 4:30 pm Course Overview and Intro to Osteoporosis & Fracture Risk; Bones, Muscles & Posture | Intro to Inspired Aging & the Brain | |
| Monday | Overview of Psychophysiology of the Aging Process & Arthritis | Therapeutic Yoga for Osteoporosis & Osteopenia Sadhana with Spinal Safety | Chair and Modified Ananda Yoga |
| Tuesday | Therapeutic Yoga for Frail Seniors & Those with Osteoporosis and Kyphosis | Plan Senior-Safe Yoga Class for Healthy/Active Senior Students | Plan Senior-Safe Yoga for Frail Senior Students |
| Wednesday | Teach Senior-Safe Yoga Classes with Instructor Feedback |
Retreat Accommodations
Each guest room includes air conditioning, heating, carpeting, towels, and bedding. Fresh linens and towels are available weekly – no daily maid service. A limited number of queen-sized beds are available. Wi-Fi is available for all guests except those in cabins or tents. Limited handicap accessibility.
Deluxe: Harmony House
Standard: Serenity House & Cabins
Tents and RVs:
Dates: May 19-22, 2024
Location: The Expanding Light Retreat, Ananda Village, CA
All-Inclusive Cost (tuition+accomodations+meals):
| Tent/RV | Standard Shared | Standard Private | Deluxe Shared | Deluxe Private |
| $573 | $690 | $849 | $810 | $1,047 |
Restorative Ananda Yoga Teacher Training will be offered right before this program (May 15-18). If you sign up for both trainings you qualify for $100 discount.
