A new educational model that combines the age-old knowledge of yoga with ancient and current healing techniques.
June 12 – 16, 2024 La Croce Retreats Location: Siregiolo, Chiusi della Verna, Arezzo
The Sanskrit term for therapy found in much of medical literature is Chikitsa, which refers to the application of consciousness (chit) or care. Yoga Therapy is thus defined as Yoga Chikitsa. However, chikitsa is not frequently mentioned in the numerous texts of the yoga tradition. In these writings, illness is mostly defined as one of the obstacles we may encounter during our journey of life and practice. Illness is not treated from a medical perspective, and the practice of yoga does not primarily aim at curing diseases but rather at the spiritual development of the individual.
It is precisely in this context that the Aletheia project was born, a school that promotes training in the science of classical Hatha yoga, emphasizing its comprehensive ability to promote health, and integrating important and effective aspects derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu, Kinesiology, etc., into the training program. Our teachers, besides being experts in training for many years, possess high qualifications in Yoga Therapy and over 30 years of experience in the field of healing. What is taught derives directly from the extensive clinical experience gained from having treated thousands and thousands of people, accompanying them on their delicate healing journey.
For years, we have experimented with our clients with an integrated treatment model, combining acupuncture, Shiatsu, kinesiology with Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, with increasingly encouraging results. Today, we propose this operational model to all yoga teachers, practitioners, and enthusiasts with a keen interest in health promotion, training, and personal growth.
The educational model of Aletheia is structured in modules of variable length and offered in the form of intensive residential seminars. A limited percentage of hours will be offered online via the Zoom platform. The school is organized to offer ample flexibility in terms of timing and attendance modalities. However, there are some mandatory steps to qualify as an “Integrated Yoga and Medicine Operator Aletheia.” The journey begins with our Foundation Course.
Foundation Course 50 hours
This 50-hour course provides the basics and a general overview of the multiple applications of yoga in a well-defined context: that of healing and health promotion. For years, the figure of the “Yoga Therapist” has been taking shape, although it may be difficult to support this kind of appellation (therapist) in a context like the Italian one, where the use of words like therapy or therapist exclusively belongs to the medical field.
Terminology aside, as right or wrong as it may be, the healing power of some disciplines cannot be denied or underestimated, so ancient as to be considered true sciences as proven by centuries of experimentation, their extreme effectiveness, their versatility, and almost absence of side effects.
This course represents the starting point for all those who wish to interpret yoga differently, enriching it with precise and effective knowledge derived from that secular and rich heritage represented by Far Eastern medicine. This is a stand-alone course with no obligation to join the rest of the school’s training program.
Course contents:
- What is Yoga and the motivations that lead us to interpret yoga as a valid healing technique.
- Basic knowledge of the biomechanics of the human body in yoga and movement in general.
- The three bodies: Stula Sharira, Sukshma Sharira, Karana Sharira.
- The Pancha Kosha and their importance in developing a different understanding of imbalances and pathologies.
- The Pancha Vayu or five Pranas.
- Basic therapeutic applications of asanas.
- Possible contraindications for specific conditions and pathologies.
- The use of different pranayama techniques in treating various imbalances.
- The eight classic pranayamas.
- Use of specific meditations according to different conditions.
- Use of Mudras as a therapeutic aid.
- Mind, sound, vibration applied to healing and their application.
- Use and meaning of some Mantras.
- Restorative yoga applied to healing.
- Introduction to the philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Introduction of concepts and comparisons between: Nadis and Meridians, Marma points and Acupoints, Prana and Qi, etc.
- Understanding the physiology of stress and the help yoga can give us to limit its negative effects.
- Fascia and the concept of internal space for maintaining health.
- Introduction to touch and bodywork techniques as a valid integration with yoga.
- Basic Anatomy and Physiology.
Location: La Croce Retreats Location: Siregiolo, Chiusi della Verna (Ar)
La Croce is an ancient Tuscan farmhouse beautifully exposed to the south in the National Park of the Casentino Forests (Arezzo) in Tuscany, on a hill at 650 meters above sea level, between two valleys crossed by tributaries of the Arno. We are on the slopes of Mount Penna, the sacred mountain on top of which stands the Monastery of La Verna, and from which travelers heading to the Urbe from northeastern Italy passed through the “Via Roma.”
The house and the vast land surrounding it are located in the Casentino Park, recently declared a protected area. In this quiet corner of paradise, various species of flowers and plants thrive together with typical Apennine wildlife: deer, wild boars, porcupines, hedgehogs, badgers, wolves, and birds: eagles, falcons, owls, and buzzards, so that the silent night is filled with calls.
The property also includes two natural springs, from which pure and uncontaminated water flows for all domestic uses. Included in the property are also the 30 hectares of oaks, chestnuts, and ashes with a vast grazing area surrounding it. Here passes trail 53 which connects the two most important medieval monasteries of Camaldoli and Chiusi della Verna, where St. Francis used to retreat and where he received the stigmata. With a walk of an hour and a half, you can directly reach the Monastery of La Verna from the house.
Built with traditional local stone, the house offers a completely renovated stable to host retreats and seminars. The upper part of the stable – 60 square meters – is a single open space with wooden flooring, perfect for practicing yoga, dance, and martial arts, with central wood heating. On the ground floor, there is a large living room with kitchen, dining area, and facilities. In the summer, you can also take advantage of the vast (80 sqm) covered wooden platform, which offers a splendid view of the surrounding mountains.
Cost
The cost of €550 includes 5 nights in a shared room and all meals, lessons, and course materials. For registration, a non-refundable deposit of €100 is required.
REGISTRATIONS To register, please contact the secretary:
info@holismos.com cell. 338 3824280
A certificate of attendance will be issued.
This course is open to all experienced yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, and therapists in Bio-Natural disciplines.
Teachers
Massimo Cantara
Massimo graduated as a Yoga teacher (500h) with the international school SYM of which he was also a teacher, he also obtained the diploma in Yoga Therapy (300h) with Vasistha Yoga Foundation in Kerala, India. Since 2010 he has been teaching at his own center in Italy and is a founding member of “Three Treasures Yoga,” an International school for teacher training. In addition to the professional activity of operator in Bio-Natural Disciplines and that of Shiatsu Teacher, in 1999 he founded the Holismos Center for Health Arts, a center for the dissemination and practice of Bio Natural disciplines, including Yoga, of which he is the director. He participated in the project: “The Pain-Free Hospital” of the ASL 7 at the hospitals of Poggibonsi and Montepulciano, carrying out from 2003 to 2007 over 360 hours of teaching, training nurses in pain treatment with integrated manual techniques. For the Italian Shiatsu Federation, he held the positions of Regional Representative, Member of the board and of the examining committee. In 2012 he founded together with three other colleagues the “Evolutionary Shiatsu study group” with which he organizes important events at the national level. In 2016 he founded together with Sara Della Torre the Holismos Yoga and Wellness Center in Varese. Diploma in Craniosacral Balance, Kinesiologist, Shiatsu Operator, Yoga Teacher. In 2020 he made his debut with his musical CD “Elemental World” a sound journey through the 5 elements. In 2021 he published his book “Pain-Free Hospital” Bio-natural disciplines in the hospital context Ed. Epigraphia, Salus series.
