In-Person & Livestream Courses

100-HOUR IN-PERSON TRAINING

Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY) and

Somatic Wellness™ Program (Level’s 1, 2, & 3)

with add-on Certification optional for L1 and L2.

In-person training courses facilitated by James Knight, Founder of GSY, and/or GSY Faculty.

GSY Training Level’s 1, 2, & 3 are offered at various locations worldwide, as well as livestreamed, and self-paced online. It is possible to mix and match the courses in-peson or virtually if you purchase a bundle. Visit our Online Training Page for more details.

Please see our Events Page for our current schedule.

OUR NEXT IN-PERSON TRAININGS IN 2024:

GSY Level 1 (Waitlist Below to be the first to know), Level 2 Training (At Yogaville in the Fall),

& Level 3 Hybrid Training in Tucson, Arizona

February 1st Update: We are finalizing 2024 US-Based locations for Levels 1 & 2 — so join our waitlists below and subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to be the first to know more! 

Gentle Somatic Yoga Level 3 in-person and livestream

Training and Retreat

In-person training: Tucson, Arizona August 16-19, 2024

*Pre-requisite: Completion of GSY Levels 1 & 2

Join James Knight, Founder of Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY), for an unforgettable vacation getaway while you continue your educational journey with GSY. The venue we choose in Tucson, Arizona and is a world class Resort and Ranch. Friends, family, or partners can come for a nominal fee (for food and taxes) and enjoy all the amenities the Resort offers. Click HERE to view the numerous optional activities. 

Some highlights of this GSY L3 course

Through this innovative course you will be invited to dive deeper into understanding how to apply the neuroscience of your past GSY training by evaluating your student & clients’ needs and choosing the best protocol for them so they can feel more comfortable in their body. The techniques that you will learn can enhance your skill level for customized one-on-one sessions, as well as be implemented into group movement classes.

Learn and embody

  • 12+ Assisted Pandiculation protocol sequences with a specific anatomical focus.

James will pass on to you his tried-and-true customized hands-on techniques from over 30-years being in private practice to reverse common physical complaints and conditions. He has helped hundreds of people come out of chronic pain, stiffness, posture imbalances, and other health challenges. This method is particularly sought out by yoga therapists, yoga teachers, bodyworkers, and other health care professionals that offer on-on-one sessions.

  • 57+ Somatic Movement Flows® modified for using a chair as a prop

Be inspired to embrace everyday movement as a lifestyle. Since most of us, from modern culture, spend a lot of the in a chair, it is important to mindfully move the body (soma) and create opportunities to strengthen the brain-to-muscle connection.

These therapeutic sequences are supportive for all of us: seniors or anyone with limited mobility, the desk worker, corporate wellness, and activities that involve prolonged sitting like flying on air planes for long distances, driving, attending concerts, plays, or the theater, etc…

More details:

For the past couple of years, we at GSY, have been exploring different platforms to offer our training programs. A new one offers part livestream and part in-person experience. This not only cuts down on cost, but it also offers the best of both worlds: learning out of the comfort of your own home, and also the in-person experience where the direct transmission can come through hands-on exchange. The livestream dates and times are:

Live on Zoom: On the following dates from 1:00 – 3:00 pm (Pacfic Time), 2024

Saturday/Sunday, July 27-28

Saturday/Sunday, August 3-4

* If you need to miss one or more sessions, no worries. They are all recorded and you’ll have immediate access to them a few days after the event. 

October 11-16, 2024

*Pre-requisite: Completion of GSY Level 1

Continue your exploration of Gentle Somatic Yoga® by expanding your knowledge of the subtle energy body. Building upon the foundation of GSY Level 1 training, Level 2 enhances your self-care tool kit to offer even more to yourself and others.

Deepen your understanding of somatics, by exploring the spiritual undercurrents of James’ teachings, gaining valuable insights into energetics, the chakra systems, emotions, and the integration of past traumas. Learn how to maintain emotional and physical balance while facilitating the integration of your whole self in this comprehensive training.

We welcome anyone eager in acquiring new tools to manage their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While many participants are movement educators, yoga teachers, yoga therapists, bodyworkers, and healthcare professionals, this course is inclusive to students from all walks of life. If you are feeling drawn to deepen your knowledge of Gentle Somatic Yoga we invite you to join us.

 

During this week long course learn:

  • 29+ additional Somatic Movement Flows®. These stand-alone flows are great for a Home Practice, and/or can be used for creating full-length classes.
  • Practices inspired by the body-oriented psychotherapy methods of Core Energetics and Bioenergetics to assist in removing defense structures and integrating past trauma stored in the tissues and energy field.
  • Explore the teachings of the human body made up of light, energy, and vibration. This training delves into the energy body, with a specific focus on the aura and chakras.

    Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities

    • Yoga Alliance (YA): 32 contact hours.
      You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
    • Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) can provide you a CE certificate with your program’s total contact hours for a $10 fee (free for IYTA members.) For more information, email ce@iyta.org.
    • International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT): Approved Professional Development (APD) course eligible for IAYT continuing education credits. (It is the students’ responsibility to request a certificate of completion and submit all required documents, hours, syllabus, etc. on the IAYT website.)

    Testimonials

     

    James, Thank YOU! This work has changed my life and enhanced my yoga practice immeasurably – K Fowler

    I love this practice and I love sharing it with my students. Becoming a Gentle Somatic Yoga practitioner has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. – M Postnikoff

    This GSY Level 2 Training has rocked my world! I LOVE it! Thank You! – C Skiver

    This has been a long-time goal to have the tools of Gentle Somatic Yoga in my teaching and I cannot wait to offer this to my students. Thank you for making this teaching so accessible and adaptable for others. – H Till

    What a wonderful five-day experience with each and every one of you at GSY L1 training, at Yogaville! This amazing experience will forever remain in my heart. – J Lyons

 

2024 Dates TBA

Join GSY Faculty Cheryl Mason online to learn the foundation of Level 1, then join her for a weekend intensive in Oklahoma. More details to be add soon. Click the button on the banner to join her waitlist and learn more about this hybrid format of our online and in-person course.

 

During this week long course learn:

  • 25+ Somatic Movement Flows®. These stand-alone flows are great for a Home Practice, and/or can be used for creating full-length classes.
  • Practices inspired by the body-oriented psychotherapy methods of Core Energetics and Bioenergetics to assist in removing defense structures and integrating past trauma stored in the tissues and energy field.
  • Explore the teachings of the human body made up of light, energy, and vibration. This training delves into the energy body, with a specific focus on the aura and chakras.

    Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities

    • Yoga Alliance (YA): 32 contact hours.
      You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
    • Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) can provide you a CE certificate with your program’s total contact hours for a $10 fee (free for IYTA members.) For more information, email ce@iyta.org.
    • International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT): Approved Professional Development (APD) course eligible for IAYT continuing education credits. (It is the student’s responsibility to request a certificate of completion and submit all required documents, hours, syllabus, etc. on the IAYT website.)

2024 Dates & Locations ~ TBA

Join GSY Founder, James Knight in-person for Level 1 and or Level 2 trainings in the US or Canada. These trainings may be week long intensives or a blend of the hybrid format, depending on the location and time of year selected. To learn more, click on the waitlist above and join our newsletter at the bottom of this page as well. 

 

During this week long course learn:

  • 25+ Somatic Movement Flows®. These stand-alone flows are great for a Home Practice, and/or can be used for creating full-length classes.
  • Practices inspired by the body-oriented psychotherapy methods of Core Energetics and Bioenergetics to assist in removing defense structures and integrating past trauma stored in the tissues and energy field.
  • Explore the teachings of the human body made up of light, energy, and vibration. This training delves into the energy body, with a specific focus on the aura and chakras.

    Continuing Education (CE) Opportunities

    • Yoga Alliance (YA): 32 contact hours.
      You can input your contact hours using your YA login information.
    • Integral Yoga Teachers Association (IYTA) can provide you a CE certificate with your program’s total contact hours for a $10 fee (free for IYTA members.) For more information, email ce@iyta.org.
    • International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT): Approved Professional Development (APD) course eligible for IAYT continuing education credits. (It is the student’s responsibility to request a certificate of completion and submit all required documents, hours, syllabus, etc. on the IAYT website.)

Explore this Life-Enhancing Curriculum that you won’t find anywhere else!

Who Would Benefit From Attending The Gentle Somatic Yoga & Wellness® Program?

This Program is designed for EVERY BODY – from the everyday person looking to empower their self-care, to the highly-experienced Movement Educator looking to enhance the leading edge of their skill set.

Gentle Somatic Yoga & Wellness attracts a wide variety of movement experts including yoga teachers, yoga therapists, body-workers, dance teachers, occupational therapists, as well as other health care professionals who would like to expand their scope of practice to include a more therapeutic approach to mindful movement. Upon successful completion of the Program, you will be qualified to integrate 85+ Somatic Movement Flows® (SMFs) into your classes and/or private practice to ensure remarkable results while expanding your specialty niche.

With that in mind, however, it is not necessary to be a movement educator in order to benefit from what these courses offer.  They are open and available to ANY and EVERYONE interested in empowering themselves with skills to enhance their health and well-being.

    Add-on Certification Option

    After you have successfully completed a  Course (GSY Practitioner Levels 1, 2, & 3) you receive a GSY Certificate Of Completion demonstrating your commitment to the art and science of Gentle Somatic Yoga & Wellness®. Additionally, you have the opportunity to go the extra mile and become a Certified Practitioner by purchasing the Certification Option and passing the certification’s Final Teachback requirement.* This is done by submitting a Final Teachback video (full instructions HERE). Your teachback video will then be evaluated by our Certification Staff, after which you will receive a detailed report card with personal feedback. Once certified, you will be acknowledged with a Practitioner Certificate as having demonstrated your competence and skill for providing Gentle Somatic Yoga & Wellness in an official capacity, either one-on-one or in a group setting, as part of your professional instruction service(s).

    *Prerequisite: Successful completion and certification of each Level is required before taking the next Course. For example, you must have successfully completed the Level 1 Course in order to be eligible for Level 2 Course. The certification option must be purchased separately for each Level completed. 

    Frequently Asked Questions

    A typical Gentle Somatic Yoga (GSY) Levels 1 and 2 training day includes:
    • GSY Class – Start off with a highly experiential science-based and heart-inspired practice, beginning with a GSY class consisting of 5 – 7 Somatic Movement Flows® (SMFs) that are designed with a specific anatomical focus, for example:  Neck and shoulders, lower back, pelvis and hips, or legs and feet. Instead of focusing on stretching, you will learn a progressive therapeutic technique called pandiculation*. In GSY Level 1 you learn 25 SMFs. in GSY Level 2 you learn an additional 29+ SMFs. 
    • Note: Once the Somatic Movement Flows® are learned and embodied, one can use these as stand-alone therapeutic sequences, or they can group together to create a home practice and/or a group movement class. 
    • Learning Lab – After ever GSY Class, each Somatic Movement Flow is reviewed from beginning to end and students can ask questions pertaining to their own body, or of their student/client. In these learning labs emphasis will be on exploring tips and modifications. This process occurs within a non-hierarchical environment where we all learn together. 
    • Discussion – presentations to expand the neuroscience, history, philosophy and methodology of GSY.
    • Practice Teachback – Participants pair-up and teach the day’s Somatic Movement Flows to one another; this further supports the embodiment of the practice.
    • Review – Case studies pertaining to common physical conditions and challenges; integration; closing circle.

    *WHAT IS PANDICULATION?

    Pandiculation is the science and main technique used in Gentle Somatic Yoga to help a soma (body) unwind from deep unconscious holding patterns of stress, pain, and stiffness. In GSY we call this Sensory Motor Amnesia (SMA). The technique of pandiculation is the intentional and mindful contraction (engagement) of muscle groups, followed by a slow disengagement of the muscular contraction, and then ending the movement with no muscular effort (full relaxation, or neutral). 

      What is the difference between pandiculation and stretching?

      When you stretch, you create tension through applied force to lengthen a muscle or group of muscles, placing stress on the surrounding connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, etc.) Whereas, when you pandiculate a muscle, you alternate muscular engagement with relaxation to release muscular tension. The explorations within the Somatic Movement Flows help to permanently reverse chronic pain and postural misalignments. The immediate beneficial effects include a significant increase in flexibility & mobility, strength, and balance & coordination.

      A typical Gentle Somatic Yoga (GSY) Level 3 training day includes:
      • GSY Class – Start off with a highly experiential science-based and heart-inspired practice, beginning with a GSY class consisting of 7 – 10 Somatic Movement Flows® modified for the chair as a prop. Instead of focusing on stretching, you will be guided into a synthesis of pandiculation (our signature therapeutic technique that offers immediate and long lasting results), pranayama, and meditation; by joining together in a somatic movement class each morning, we set the tone for the day and prepare our Soma’s to receive and learn new information.
      • Learning Lab – After each GSY Class and/or demonstration of Assisted Pandiculation* protocols, we deconstruct the Somatic Movement Flows into their constituent parts and pieces, with a goal to highlight and explore tips and modifications; this occurs within a non-hierarchical environment where we all learn together.
      • Discussion – presentations to expand the neuroscience, history, philosophy and methodology of GSY.
      • Practice Teachback – Participants pair-up and teach the day’s Somatic Movement Flows to one another; this further supports the embodiment of the practice.
      • Review – Case studies pertaining to common physical conditions and challenges; integration; closing circle.

      *Assisted-Pandiculation is a highly-effective customized hands-on technique that utilizes one’s own body weight and the force of gravity to assist with strengthening the brain-to-muscle connection (neuromuscular re-education). These anatomically focused protocols have been designed to help a client/patient/student manage or dissolve chronic pain, significantly increase range of motion & flexibility, and support healing from a variety of common challenging physical conditions. 

      Adjunct Module Options

      These are optional GSY specialties are being created and offered soon. To be put on a waiting list please email us at: customercare@gentlesomaticyoga.com

      • SomaDynamics Module – Learn and embody unique stance and gait Somatic Movement Flows that incorporate the latest scientific discoveries in regenerative and nutritious movement.
      • Presence Module – The quality of Presence is a defining factor in the art of movement that is uniquely Gentle Somatic Yoga. This quality has been embedded into the practice through James Knight’s own personal teaching style. In order to cultivate and incorporate one’s own intuition as an enhancement to the skill of teaching, this module introduces the dimension of “sacred container” as a space in which information becomes available and exchanged.
      • Trauma and PTSD Module
      How Can I Apply My Education (Certification is optional)
      • Our training courses have recently been expanded to include anyone (not just yoga teachers or therapists) who wants to learn these powerful and effective self-care and self-healing skills, and age gracefully. Our biggest investment we can make is our health and wellbeing.
      • Experienced yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and movement educators can develop advanced classes and workshops to support the next step in movement as a healing art for their students. Apply the principles of Gentle Somatic Yoga and provide workshops and programs to help with common physical conditions such as neck and shoulder tension, chronic back pain, tight hips and hamstrings. If you are already working with specialty populations, Gentle Somatic Yoga will distinguish your expertise in the field. CEU’s are offered.
      • If you are a teacher/educator looking to address a niche demographic such as the desk worker, Senior, beginning yoga students, plus sizes, pregnancy, cancer survivors, PTSD/trauma, etc., this practice is a terrific way to establish yourself as a specialist in the field.
      • Physicians, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, Bodyworkers, and other practitioners can teach stand-alone Somatic Movement Flows to their clients and patients. The new skill set you will learn through this Gentle Somatic Yoga training will dramatically advance all therapeutic and healing processes.

      For more information or if you have questions, please email us.

      EARN 100 HOURS OF YOGA ALLIANCE APPROVED CEUs

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