Marsha D. Banks-Harold, owner of PIES Fitness Yoga Studio, Director of Holistic Yoga Therapy and Yoga Teacher training programs, co-founder of Awakening Yoga Spaces, certified yoga therapist, trauma sensitive yoga, social-emotional learning, yoga for cancer, & sound healing facilitator, a retired engineering executive leader, and a candidate for Masters of Education in Transformative Teaching and Learning, is a called intuitive healing trailblazer who empowers clients to compassionately lead while negotiating the intersectionality of cancer, mental health, trauma, wellness, body positivity, disabilities, and social justice. She created My Body Don’t Bend That Way Yoga in response to the lack of inclusivity, equity, and accessibility in wellness spaces.
Marsha served on the Board and Executive Board of Directors for the International Association of Yoga Therapists, on the Board of Directors for Yoga Alliance and the Yoga Alliance Foundation, and as the Chair of the Diversity in Yoga & Cancer Care Committee for the Society of Integrative Oncology Special Interest Group.
Marsha discovered the transforming properties of yoga and yoga therapy when her career as an electrical engineering executive leader practicing in intellectual property did not open the doors of success that she had prepared for. She utilized the knowledge, skills, and experiences garnered from the unopened doors to tap into the transforming properties of yoga in order to thrive beyond measure in her remapped profession.
Marsha prevails as the wife of 32 years, as the mother of two biological children and two additional children that she has served as the legal guardian of for the last fifteen years. She has been featured as a presenter for organizations such as Black Therapists Rock, International Association of Yoga Therapist (IAYT), Aging Matters TV Show, ABC7 news, and the Smithsonian.
Marsha is published in Yoga Therapy Today: 1) Building the Business of Yoga Therapy and 2) Reclaiming Humanity & Community: Healing the Trauma, Pain, & Suffering of Prejudice and Disparity and is a contributing author in Yoga Therapy Foundations, Tools, and Practice: a Comprehensive Textbook and in Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Care Continuum. She is an experienced workshop leader, author, and public speaker. Marsha thrives in creating supportive, inclusive, diverse, adaptive and accessible yoga and yoga therapy experiences for all beings.
Saturday 9:30am-10:45am
Yoga Therapy: A Holistic Framework for Cultivating Inclusive Spaces
Unpacking the philosophy and practices of My Body Don’t Bend That Way Yoga & Yoga Therapy as a holistic framework for cultivating inclusive yoga and yoga therapy spaces where all beings feel welcome, valued, seen, and heard. Explore, from the perspective of the client and the facilitator, for both private and group sessions, the principles of trauma sensitive, adaptive, and accessible methodologies used in holding space for all beings while simultaneously centering those that may be intimidated by yoga or those who may struggle with accessing the physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual wellness benefits of yoga. Up-level your yogic toolbox by 1) tapping into your innate ability to connect with others using broad stroke therapeutic and professional practices 2) compassionately sequencing adjustments and modifications used for transitioning client(s) between floor, chair and standing postures and 3) managing multiple abilities and conditions as you offer dynamically adaptive sessions that meet the clients where they are.
Beginner, Intermediate, Teacher
Asana, Meditation, Pranayama, Discussion
Sunday 7:00am-8:30am
My Body Don’t Bend That Way Yoga & Yoga Therapy
Come just as you are as we experientially explore the benefits of My Body Don’t Bend That Way Yoga & Yoga Therapy. Are you facing any physical, intellectual, emotional, or spiritual imbalances in your life? How is your breath? What yoga tools and practices do you prefer to access to mitigate any biomedical or psychological imbalances? This safe brave trauma sensitive yoga & yoga therapy session will hold space for all participants as we assess how we are showing up in life both on and off of our yoga mats.
Beginner, Intermediate, Teacher
Asana, Meditation, Pranayama, Discussion
Intensity: Easy
Sunday 11:15am-12:30pm
Compassionate Action: Embracing the Intersectionality of Trauma, Wellness, and Social Justice
Embracing the intersectionality of trauma, wellness and social justice creates an opportunity to explore the compassionate action framework: implementing self-study, building relationships, amplifying resiliency, and fostering compassionate action. Tapping into the tools and practices of yoga and yoga therapy prepares our community to create compassionate sharing experiences where all beings are honored and valued. This authentic interactive session will propel each participant to continue the individual and collective work necessary to utilize tools, resources, education, and creativity to ensure that a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is standard operating procedures in the yoga, yoga therapy, mindfulness and SEL communities.
Beginner, Intermediate, Teacher
Asana, Meditation, Pranayama, Discussion
Intensity: Easy