NINE DAYS TO AN OPEN HEART;
Honoring the Sacred Season of Navaratri
With René Quenell and Jeanne Heileman
April 9 – 18, 2024 (Daily Practice 7 – 7:30 am PDT)
Livestream via Zoom and On Demand
Bonus Opening Ceremony Video available beginning Tues, April 2
You are invited to join René and Jeanne as we introduce you to the ceremony of Navaratri in an accessible manner designed for busy householders.
Navaratri is a festival dedicated to the Divine Feminine. It originated in India as a celebration over the course of nine days and nights.
On each day a different form of the Divine Mother is honored to attract Her qualities, guide us to better conduct, and to support us if we ask for help.
It is often accompanied with stories from the grand scripture, the Devi Mahatmya, which tells tales of the Divine Mother conquering demons and evil on the planet. The stories are allegories reminding us to conquer our ego and selfishness and open our heart to Her unconditional love, which is always present.
During these nine days and nights, it is believed that Her presence is closest to our planet and we can connect with great ease. If we endeavor to align with Her energy, even for a few minutes each day, She blesses us and the next six months will unfold with improved clarity.
If we include an intention, goal or request, with a sincere heart, it is very likely that our wish will be answered.
Please note: While Navaratri originates as a Hindu holiday, this course is not selling a religious perspective. All souls, of all perspectives, are invited to join us. The honoring of the Divine Mother translates to a source of Unconditional Love found in all religions and spiritual lineages. Our focus is on the spirit, not any organized religion nor obligation.
We start the program with a two-hour fun video explaining the how and why of Navaratri and methods to participate. The session will also include a yoga and meditation practice to set the intention. You will have time to watch this at your convenience prior to the start of the celebration.
Starting on Tuesday, April 9, we will begin 30-minute meetings that are devoted to each of the deities with a short practice and information to pay homage to this aspect of the Divine Mother. You will also be offered tips to weave into your day to keep Her on your mind, making your day more sacred.
On the 10th day, we will meet for a 30-minute session to honor this special closing day. There will be a short practice and information on the aspect of the Divine Mother as we close out the series.
All sessions, except for the pre-recorded Opening Session, will be held livestream online via Zoom and recorded. Full access to the recordings and whole course will be available until May 18, 2024. Students will be given options for short, medium, and longer ceremonies, based on their schedule’s flexibility.
This 6.5-hour course will be eligible for Yoga Alliance CEP hours through either the schools of Yoga Madre, or Tantra Flow Yoga®. Full participation, live or via recording (writing a brief summary per day viewed) earns the certificate.
Price: Regular: $249 Early Bird: $199 until 3/26/24
Simply spending a few minutes for nine days in appreciation of Goodness brings good karma. We think that it can’t hurt to try.
Prior to the start of the course, you will receive an email with recommendations on how to properly prepare your home and heart for the holiday. This will include suggestions on what to gather for your altar and any other tasks to ensure that you are able to enjoy the journey.
Introduction and Opening Practice
Available to view one week before we start, April 2, 2024.
In this two-hour fun video, René and Jeanne will explain the history of Navaratri and its meaning to devoted yogis around the world. You will be introduced to the concept of ritual with a variety of methods to participate in your own way. We will spend the second half of the session in a practice of asana, pranayama and meditation to prepare you for this sacred time.
Each Morning Jeanne or René will introduce you to the specific deity attributed for the day.
Morning Practices for Each Goddess
April 9 – 18, 2024 | 7:00 – 7:30 am PDT (30 minutes)
Each morning Jeanne or René will introduce you to the specific deity honored for the day. You will learn about Her qualities and how to honor Her throughout your day and evening. We will then begin a specific practice that can include a mix of asana, mantra, meditation, journal prompts, and any other rituals that properly honor that day.
What You Get from the Course:
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An appreciation of one of the most important Hindu holidays of the year;
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Introduction to the each of the goddesses and how to infuse their energy throughout your day;
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An opportunity to weave the sacred into your practice in a manner that is authentic to the lineage of yoga;
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Tools and practices to reinforce your current resources and add greater value to your sadhana (personal practice);
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Practices to deepen your awareness of the Presence of the Divine Mother within your heart at all times;
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Connection to a loving community of souls who will share the path with you.
Who We Are…
Aligning with the divine has become René’s spiritual practice to keep her loving, on track, thriving, overcoming obstacles and more, all with greater ease. It is her main practice. Everything else falls into place. Filling her heart every morning, even for a short period of time, sets the tone for the rest of the day.
For many years Jeanne has been experimenting with approaches to honor the Navaratri season, feeling its sacred time in the atmosphere. She has explored a variety of approaches, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding, as she also juggled a very busy schedule and her yoga teaching career. It is Jeanne’s intention to share this special season with others to help them feel the sacredness of this season.
Jeanne & René have been studying yoga for a collective 69 years through asana, pranayama, meditation and philosophy. They have both traveled to India extensively, spending elongated times in practice while basking in the culture and teachings. They each run some of the most sought-after yoga trainings in the world. René and Jeanne can be found teaching internationally, teaching live in Southern California, and teaching on their individual online platforms. Friends for decades, they are exciting to work together and share this meaningful tradition.
René Quenell. – E-RYT500, IAYT, Founder of Yoga Madre and The JoyWork Academy. René has helped thousands find joy and access their inner wisdom through radically transformative practices of meditation, yoga and Ayurvedic therapy, and Vedic astrology. For more than 20 years she has passionately shared techniques for navigating modern life with grace, ease and humor. She leads live, online master trainings, interactive workshops, retreats and personal counseling sessions. www.renequenell.com
Jeanne Heileman. – MA, E-RYT500, Founder of Tantra Flow Yoga™, senior guest teacher for many teacher trainings. Jeanne brings over 38 years of yoga practice to her teaching of asana, Ayurveda, meditation, with the added focus of the energetics in the practice. A former classically trained actor, she uses humor and theatrics to keep the students interested. Trained in yoga therapeutics and many aspects of Tantra, she specializes in discovering the needs of individuals and gently guides each to their own grace and balance. www.jeanneheileman.com