Marsha D. Banks-Harold is the owner of PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, Director of Holistic Yoga Therapy and Yoga Teacher Training programs, and co-founder of Awakening Yoga Spaces. A certified yoga therapist, trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator, sound healer, and retired electrical engineering executive, she is a trailblazing voice at the intersection of wellness, social justice, cancer care, and radical inclusivity. She is the creator of My Body Don’t Bend That Way Yoga and has served on the Board of Directors of both the International Association of Yoga Therapists and Yoga Alliance. A published author and featured presenter for the Smithsonian, ABC7, and the International Association of Yoga Therapists, Marsha thrives in creating supportive, diverse, and accessible yoga experiences for all beings.
Friday 8:45-10:00pm
My Body Don’t Bend That Way Somatic Yoga Therapy: Embodied Belonging & Stress Resilience
Settle into your retreat weekend by dismantling the myth of the “flexible yogi.” In this deeply restorative, somatic, and prop-heavy movement session, you will experience firsthand how yoga adapts to the individual—not the other way around. Grounded in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and transformative educational frameworks, this class translates high-level concepts of inclusion and belonging into a tangible, felt physical experience. Perfect for beginners, individuals with limited mobility, or advanced practitioners looking to soften, this late-Friday session uses gentle movement, breathwork, and self-awareness to release deep stress, foster inner safety, and welcome your body exactly as it is.
Intensity of Practice: 4 – All Levels
60% Asana, 15% Lecture, 25% Meditation
Saturday 2:00-3:45pm 
The Social Ecology of Trailblazing Clinical Leadership & Systemic Inclusion
As yoga therapy integrates into mainstream healthcare, clinicians must look beyond the physical mat to understand the full social ecology of the individuals they serve. Led by a former IAYT and YA Board Member and Master of Transformative Teaching & Learning, this advanced workshop unpacks how to apply a Social Ecology Framework to clinical intakes, mapping out how systemic, cultural, and environmental stressors impact client health outcomes. Yoga Therapists and Yoga Teachers will learn to leverage high-level Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to deepen the therapeutic alliance, manage clinical boundaries, and design collaborative, inclusive care models that seamlessly bridge the gap between traditional yoga therapy and Western medical landscapes.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze client health outcomes through a Social Ecology Framework, mapping individual wellness against environmental, cultural, and systemic barriers.
- Apply high-level Emotional Intelligence (EQ) strategies to deepen the therapeutic alliance and improve clinical client retention.
- Design collaborative, inclusive care plans that bridge the gap between yoga therapy and western healthcare systems.
Intensity of Practice: 2 – Yoga Therapists
15% Asana, 70% Lecture, 15% Meditation
Sunday 7:00–8:30am
Thriving in the Yoga Industry: EQ, Pricing, and Diversified Revenue for Teachers
The traditional studio-based teaching model is shifting, and teachers across the industry are seeking guidance on how to build sustainable, prosperous careers without burning out. In this business-intensive workshop, the owner of the world’s only Black woman-owned, IAYT-accredited program shares the exact blueprints for professional success. Moving beyond standard studio classes, you will discover how to apply adult transformative learning principles to reframe your value, master emotional intelligence for client retention, and implement strategic pricing and value-based marketing. Most importantly, you will learn how to pitch and secure high-paying B2B contracts in alternative landscapes—including behavioral health centers, universities, schools, churches, and aging or special needs populations.
Learning Objectives:
- Reframe traditional teaching models using transformative learning principles to identify high-value, sustainable career pathways.
- Implement strategic pricing and value-based marketing tools to build a financially resilient, burnout-proof yoga business.
- Structure and pitch B2B contract proposals for alternative locations, including behavioral health centers, schools, churches, and aging/accessible populations.
Intensity of Practice: 2 – Yoga Teachers
85% Lecture, 15% Meditation