Dr. Mala is an author, educator, yoga teacher, yoga therapist, counseling psychologist, and an international teacher and trainer. She has been teaching yoga and yoga-based programs for over 35 years. Mala has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and has a private psychotherapy practice in
Charlottesville, VA where she specializes in Neuro-Psychotherapy for anxiety and depression. She is also on the faculty in the School of Nursing at UVA where she teaches courses in neuroscience, psychology, and medical yoga. She is the president of Positive Health Solutions and is the Founder and Director of several innovative certification programs including the Cardiac Medical Yoga Teacher Training program, the Neuroscience and Yoga Teacher Training program, and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Certification program. Mala is the author of several books, her latest will be out in early 2026 entitled, Neuroscience, Psychology, and Yoga: Mindset Training for Health and Peak Performance. For more information you can check out her website at www.cardiacyoga.com.
Saturday 11:15am-12:30pm
Neuroscience and Yoga’s Eight-Fold Path
It’s an exciting time in the field of yoga. With advances in neural imaging, we can now observe how
yoga and meditation affect the brain, neural pathways, and our overall neurobiology.
In this introductory session, Dr. Mala will share insights into how and why yoga works through the lens
of the Neuro-Yoga Psychology Model. This integrative model is based on yoga’s Eight-Fold path and is
informed by neuroscience and modern psychology. This conceptualization offers yoga practitioners,
teachers, and therapists’ insight into the significant impact that yoga and meditation have on the brain,
nervous system and neuronal platforms. The session will include: an overview of the Neuro-Yoga
Psychology Model, and Experiential practices that demonstrate how yoga affects our brain and
neurobiology. This is the first of a four-part series on Neuroscience and Yoga.
Audience: All
Intensity of Practice: 3
70% Educational, 30% Neuro-Yoga Practices
Saturday 4:15-6:00pm
Neuro-Yoga Hatha Class
The Neuro-Yoga Hatha class blends traditional Hatha yoga with insights from neuroscience to create a
mindful, body-breath-brain integrative practice. Through intentional movement, breathwork, and
guided dristhi (focused gazing) practices, participants will explore how specific yoga techniques impact
the vagus nerve, brain, and influence the release of “feel good” hormones and neurotransmitters. This
class is suitable for yoga teachers and yoga therapists who are interested in the science behind the
yoga practices. The session will include step-by-step instructions for stimulating and regulating the
vagus nerve through targeted poses, along with brief educational segments explaining the underlying
neurobiology of the practices. This is the second of a four-part series on Neuroscience and Yoga.
Audience Level: All
Intensity of Practice: 3
80% Neuro-Yoga Practices, 20% Educational
Sunday 9:30-10:45am
The Brain on Yoga: How Four Yogic Concepts Correlate with Neuroscience
and Modern Psychology
There are four foundational concepts in yoga, which include the koshas, gunas, pratipaksha bhavana, and stress-reduction practices which closely align with key principles in neuroscience and modern psychology. This session will provide yoga teachers and therapists with a practical, research-informed understanding of how these concepts can be integrated with contemporary neuro-psychology to support clients and students in emotional and cognitive regulation, resilience, healing, and nervous system balance.
Participants will learn how to apply these integrated principles for both self-assessment and yoga-based interventions. By bridging ancient yogic wisdom with modern neuro-psychology, this session offers a powerful and comprehensive model for supporting healing and transformation in both group and individual settings. This is the third session of a four-part series on Neuroscience and Yoga.
Audience Level: All
Intensity of practice: 3
70% Educational, 30% Neuro-Yoga Practices
Sunday 2:30-4pm
Additional Insights from the Neuro-Yoga Psychology Model
In this final Neuroscience and Yoga session, Dr Mala will discuss several key concepts that will be helpful to yoga therapists and yoga teachers in their work with students and clients. In this session the following areas will be discussed:
1. The role of the vagus nerve in yoga practices
2. An overview of brain basics and activation of feel-good hormones
3. Learning styles and the impact on meditation
4. Cultivating brain wave patterns for deep rest and meditation
5. The importance of micro-resting
Experiential components will include pranayama (breathing) and dharana (concentration) practices for activating calming and uplifting hormones and neurotransmitters. This is the last of a four-part series on Neuroscience and Yoga.
Audience Level: All
Intensity of Practice: 3
50% Neuro-Yoga Practices, 50% Educational