Brain Disorders and Yoga: The Basics - Fall 2016 

An intensive, interactive 2-day workshop that will introduce learners to the basics of yoga as a treatment modality for persons with brain disorders. Topics include:

• Brain anatomy and chemistry
• Neurological basis of yoga and Chakra systems
• Introduction to yoga practices to treat and manage symptoms associated with mood disorders, anxiety disorders, traumatic brain injuries, dementia, and movement disorders

Program Goal: To teach healthcare professionals, yoga teachers, and yoga therapists how they can utilize simple yoga practices and poses as a tool for optimizing function, meaningful engagement, and promoting well-being.

Target Population: Activity professionals, fitness instructors and specialists, therapeutic recreation specialists, yoga teachers, yoga therapists, occupational and physical therapists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals who work with older adults and persons with neurocognitive disorders

Upon completion: Upon successful completion of this two day program, the participant will receive a general “certificate of completion” or a certificate documenting 14 hours of continuing education credit. This program is not a 'certification program' for yoga therapists, and participants may not make any such claims. Please note that only individuals who have received the credential of C-IAYT may use the designation of “yoga therapist”. As stated by the International Association of Yoga Therapy (IAYT), a Certified Yoga Therapist is one who has been certified by the credentialing body of the IAYT, after meeting several application requirements, including “Graduates of IAYT accredited yoga therapist training program; or, eligible for grandparenting with formal training and experience; or, eligible for grandparenting as a seasoned yoga therapist” (source: www.iayt.org). Please refer to IAYT.org for additional information about the field of Yoga Therapy.

Faculty:

Nicole Absar, MD, E-RYT 200 is the Medical Director of the Copper Ridge Memory Clinic. She is a diplomate in behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry. She is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and American Board of Psychosomatic Medicine. She is a fellow of American Psychiatric Association (FAPA) and an active member of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), the American Neuropsychiatric Association (ANPA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). Prior to moving to Maryland, she practiced Geriatric Neuropsychiatry in Massachusetts and taught at the Harvard Medical School, University of Massachusetts Medical School and Tufts Medical School. She is also a registered yoga teacher and specializes in the use of yoga to improve quality of life for individuals with brain disorders.

Cathy Rees, RN, MSN, E-RTY200, RYT500 Practicing yoga with the belief that yoga is a way of life, Cathy intertwines her extensive knowledge of yoga with her 30 years of nursing practice in Neuro-critical care and most recently wellness nursing. Her yoga classes emphasize calming breath work as well as form and function of movement so that yoga can be practiced safely and effectively on and off of the mat. Cathy recently completed the 500- hour teacher training program at the Yoga Center of Columbia as well as training at Duke University Integrative Medicine, Therapeutic Yoga for Seniors. She is also a certified Lakshmi Volker Chair Yoga teacher and assists with teacher training. Cathy teaches yoga as a neuro-therapy at Copper Ridge for residents and caregivers. She also teaches gentle yoga at Fairhaven, the Yoga Center of Columbia, adaptive yoga in Baltimore City and offers a variety of workshops including Yoga for Parkinson’s Disease, Yoga for Dementia, and Yoga for a Happy Brain.