TS01: The Psychology of Enlightenment: Unveiling Yoga’s Wisdom for Therapeutic Practice

Speaker bio: Bob Butera, PhD, MDiv, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT

This session delves into the profound psychological concepts embedded in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, offering a comprehensive exploration for practicing yoga therapists. Gain a deeper understanding of the psychological underpinnings of yoga, with practical insights and techniques to enhance your therapeutic work.

We will examine the kleshas (obstacles or mental afflictions) as tools for assessing emotional instability and explore how asana practice cultivates the ethical principles of the yamas and niyamas. We will also unpack the concept of karma and its role in shaping individual perspectives: How do religious beliefs influence our viewpoints and the therapeutic implications of understanding karma as a psychological tool?

The session will attend to the profound integration of mind, body, and spirit to offer valuable tools for guiding clients toward emotional balance, ethical living, and a profound sense of self-awareness. Practical exercises will help us to cultivate an open-minded viewpoint, demonstrating how meditation’s initial stages contribute to psychological self-awareness and help us to progress toward samadhi.

Learning objectives:

1. Deepen comprehension of the significance of self-awareness as a foundational phase in the journey of spiritual development.
2. Apply knowledge of yoga therapy interventions to illustrate their comprehensive impact on the holistic well-being of individuals.
3. Formulate personalized approaches to integrate asana, meditation, and self-inquiry into personal and client practices to harness the practices’ synergistic effects on physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Your purchase gives you access to the recorded session listed below (audio/slides)—plus .5 CE credit.