YOGA FROM THE LAND OF THE PHARAOHS

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Maurice commented on Yirser Ra Hotep's blog post 'Society of Kemetic Yoga: Why S.K.Y?'

Your post resonated with me. I agree that the practice has been obscured by people who profit from the mystery. Not that I have anything against profit mind you. But, untill I discovered a black (African/African American) perspective on the subjec...

November 6

NeferHetHeru left a comment for Yirser Ra Hotep

November 5

Black Love left a comment for Yirser Ra Hotep

November 5

Yirser Ra Hotep commented on Yirser Ra Hotep's blog post 'Society of Kemetic Yoga: Why S.K.Y?'

Yes, there is no reason why you can't bring your daughter and your husband.

September 10

Chassidy commented on Yirser Ra Hotep's blog post 'Society of Kemetic Yoga: Why S.K.Y?'

Are the facilites for the teacher training suitable for a small child? My daughter will be 2 around that time and she and my husband may travel with me.

September 10

Chassidy commented on Yirser Ra Hotep's blog post 'Society of Kemetic Yoga: Why S.K.Y?'

I appreciate the quick response with the details. My husband works everyday (literally) while I take care of the home and our daughter. Right now it all depends on wether my husband can incorporate this into our budget. I'm staying positive. Im ex...

September 10

Yirser Ra Hotep commented on Yirser Ra Hotep's blog post 'Society of Kemetic Yoga: Why S.K.Y?'

Thank for taking out the time to read this. I would like to know some of your thoughts in more detail. The Kemetic Yoga teacher training will take place in Montego Bay Jamaica for 7 days. We will engage in practice of movments, postures, breathing...

September 8

Chassidy commented on Yirser Ra Hotep's blog post 'Society of Kemetic Yoga: Why S.K.Y?'

Thank you for breaking this down. Just earlier today the thought had crossed my mind to get certified and open a studio for the people in my community. Then you sent me the info on teacher training and certification and I also happened to read thi...

September 8

Profile Information

Your body is your vehicle of expression on this planet, from the moment your are born until you ascend. How do you committ to maintaing a healthy vehicle to continue your journey?

Completely

About Me:

Yirser Ra Hotep (Elvrid Lawrence), MSW, RYT, CKYT is the CEO of YogaSkills, founder of the Society of Kemetic Yoga and creator of the Soul Yoga Fest. He has been a master instructor and innovator of yoga for more than 30 years. He has researched and documented the African connection with yoga and has created a national teacher training certification course in Kemetic Yoga and the YogaSkills Method.

Yirser is a featured faculty at the Omega Institute and he holds a master’s degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago and has created yogic based treatment programs for substance abusers, children, and teens with special needs, AIDS patients, senior citizens, and many others. He is also a professor at DePaul University in Chicago, where he teaches courses in Stress Management, Ancient vs. Modern Science, the Science of Yoga and the African American Family.

Creator of award-winning yoga programs for children, Yirser has been seen on the Oprah Winfrey Show, WGN TV, ABC TV; featured in Ebony magazine, Yoga Journal, and the Chicago Tribune; and has lectured throughout the United States, the Caribbean and in Africa. He is the author of a 3-part set of instructional Kemetic Yoga DVDs and a 2-part guided meditation CD called Journey to Amenta.

Yirser is a leader of annual group tours to Egypt, Ghana, Jamaica and other exotic locales around the world.

Visit his website: www.yogaskills.com Phone: 773 396-6613
www.myspace.com/yogaskills
Recent Presentation:
• World Afrikan Martial Arts Conference, Detroit Michigan, October 2007
• Journey to Amenta: Kemetic Yoga and Healing, Atlanta Ga. September, 2007
• Roots, Rhythm and Soul: Omega Institute, Rhinebeck NY, September 2007
• The Alchemy of Inner Empowerment, New York, August 2007
• Healing Sun Kemetic Yoga Intensive, Jamaica, August 2007
• African Genesis Youth Development Program, Cairo Egypt, Ghana West Africa, July 2007
• Veg Soul Health and Rejuvenation Retreat, Jamaica, July 2007
• YogaSkills Kemetic Yoga Teacher Training Program, Washington DC, Jan. to June, 2007
• YogaSkills Kemetic Yoga Teacher Training Program, Brooklyn NY, Jan. to June, 2007
• YogaSkills Kemetic Yoga Teacher Training Program, Atlanta Ga. Jan. to June 2007
• Soul Yoga Fest, College Park Maryland, May 2007
• Veg Soul Health and Rejuvenation Retreat, February 2007
Major Clients:
• Chicago Urban League: Boys Leadership Institute, Yoga for Youth Development
• Center for New Horizons, Yoga Program for Infants, Toddlers and Pre-school Children
• Easter Seals of Metropolitan Chicago, Yoga Program for Head Start Children and Program Staff
• Southwest Youth Collaborative: Yoga, Stress Management and Counseling for Teens and Staff
• Kids Hope United: Yoga Programs for Youth Development and Stress Management for Staff and Parents
College Courses:
• The Science of Yoga: Explores the scientific basis of Yoga as a system of healing and philosophical approach leading to a deeper understanding of the nature of reality. We also examine the African origins of Yogic practice and philosophy in addition to the contribution of Nile Valley and Kushite civilization to the development of pre-Aryan Indian cultures.
• Ancient Wisdom vs. Modern Science: Compares and contrasts ancient principles of spirituality with current ideas from the field of quantum physics. Traces the African origin of civilization, science, technology and religion and compares these facts with contemporary fabrications of reality.
• The African American Family and Genealogy: This course traces the evolution of family structure from the beginnings of human existence to the present time. It examines the differences between Euro-centric conceptions of the family and worldview with the African Centered approach for a comprehensive understanding the historical roots of the problem. We examine the current theories related to the studying of African American families and culture and train students to conduct genealogical research into their own family backgrounds in the context of history.
• Stress Management for Health and Wellness: Provides students with principles, strategies and techniques for relaxation, managing stress and creating a healthy lifestyle through adopting holistic health practices. Course includes training in Yoga, Meditation, Progressive Relaxation, Nutrition and Holistic Health Sciences.

Workshops and Lectures:
• The Perpetual Meditation: The African Origins of Yoga: This lecture/workshop explores the historical, philosophical and scientific connection between African civilization beginning with ancient Egypt and the science of Yoga as practiced in India. Participants learn to identify ancient Kemetic Yoga movements and postures as seen in sacred art and texts of ancient Egypt. Participants also learn to perform ancient Kemetic Yogic postures, movements and meditation techniques as well as the YogaSkills Method (YSM).
• Kemetic Yoga and Healing: Kemetic Yoga is explored as a system of healing the body, mind and spirit. Ancient Egyptian symbols are explored as to their meaning in relation to the autonomic nervous system. Concepts explored include the physiology of stress, the physiology and bio-chemistry of the brain, the physiology of meditation, and ancient Egyptian symbols and their meanings. Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) meditation, breathing, movements and postures are presented.
• Sacred Geometry and Numerology through Movement and Breath: Participants will learn to perform Kemetic Yoga postures, movements and Breathing Patterns by applying principles of geometric progression that put us in tune with universal numbers and natural rhythms of Time. As the Sun, Moon, Earth and Planets move, so must we in order to achieve and maintain inner and outer harmony and Maat (the Kemetic concept of universal balance, harmony and justice). This class will provide participants with practices they can incorporate into their everyday lives that will keep them energized, balanced, harmonized and in tuned with the universal vibration. The techniques learned will be uniquely Kemetic Poses that are assumed by the Divinities seen in ancient Egyptian Temples, Tombs and other Sacred Art.
• Stress Management for Health and Wellness: Provides participants with strategies to manage stress in their personal life and on the job. Places emphasis on creating adaptive approaches to managing stress based upon lifestyle change. Examines the role of culture, social norms and individual psychology in the creation of behaviors and thoughts that lead to cycle of chronic stress and how to break them. Provides information and practical techniques for relaxation, improved nutrition, increased physical fitness and the adoption of other healthy living habits.
• Managing Stress in the Workplace: Provides management and staff with strategies for understanding the impact of stress in the workplace on productivity and methodologies for combating it. This workshop empowers individual employees with strategies to cope with on-going organizational change.
• Refuting Irrational Ideas: This workshop explores the origins and nature of self-limiting thoughts and behaviors and strategies for how to change them. We explore the foundation of self-limiting thoughts as being rooted in oppression, psychic trauma, cultural hegemony and media exploitation and how we can identify and change these ideas through self-development strategies based upon ancient and holistic models.
• Whatever Happened to the Goddess: This lecture explores the transition of early humans from an African Feminine God based consciousness to a European masculine one and the ramifications of this shift on the development of world culture and spirituality.
• The Alchemy of Inner Empowerment: Fusion, Unity and Transformation: This workshop done in tandem with Wayne B. Chandler combines the breathing, movements and postures of Kemetic Yoga with techniques of Chi Gung, Nei Gung and other Asian internal healing systems to bring about a state of self-realization and actualization.

Teacher Training Programs:
Yirser conducts teacher training programs in major cities across the U.S. including New York, Washington DC, Atlanta Ga., Philadelphia Pa., Chicago IL., and in Jamaica West Indies. This teacher training program includes the history and philosophy of Kemetic Yoga, Kemetic Yoga techniques and methodologies, Teaching Techniques, the principles of the YogaSkills Method (YSM), working with youth inner city youth and special populations, gross and subtle anatomy.

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Yirser Ra Hotep's Blog

Society of Kemetic Yoga: Why S.K.Y?

The Society of Kemetic Yoga is working hard to create awareness of the unique and powerful health and wellness benefits of Yoga. Our goal is to make Yoga relevant to as many as possible by presenting it scientifically, without false mysticism and within a cultural context that anyone can relate to regardless of their religion or spiritual beliefs. In fact Yoga is not a religion. It is a science of self development that was created in various of regions of the world including Africa as a means of… Continue

Posted on August 4, 2009 at 2:39pm — 7 Comments

Free Kemetic Yoga Class Sunday July 26th

Join Master Kemetic Yoga Teacher Yirser Ra Hotep for a free Kemetic Yoga class on the sunny shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago.

Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Place: Lake Shore Drive and Oakwood Blvd. In the grass area just north of the parking lot.

Call me at 773 396-6613 for more information.

Be sure to bring your Yoga mat.

Posted on July 20, 2009 at 11:15pm —

Free Kemetic Yoga Class in Chicago

I will be offering a free Kemetic Yoga class this coming Sunday:

Sunday July 12, 2009
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Chicago IL
On the Lake
Oakwood and Lake Shore Drive in the grass north of the parking lot.
Call my cell at 773 396-6613 with any questions or problems. The class is free so bring your Yoga mat.
www.yogaskills.com
yogaskills@msn.com

Posted on July 10, 2009 at 6:59am —

4 Yoga Myths

There are lots of myths about Yoga that I think tends to prevent Black folks from taking advantage of a very valuable health and wellness practice.

Myth No. 1: We think that Yoga comes from India and is a religion related to Hinduism. Wrong! Yoga has its roots in Africa, especially in ancient Egypt. Yoga in India pre-dates the advent of the religion called Hinduism. Yoga is a science of self-developmment, not a religion. Some Hindus practice Yoga and some claim it is part of their religion, but… Continue

Posted on January 3, 2009 at 5:54am — 2 Comments

Comment Wall (21 comments)

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At 12:15pm on November 5, 2009, NeferHetHeru said…: Hotep Bredren! Was wondering if you are teaching and if so...where? I would love to take classes.

At 10:14am on November 5, 2009, Black Love said…: Hello Yirser. I am happy that we are now friends. I heard a little about you and would like to meet you, ie... take a yoga class. Are you still in DC?

At 1:12pm on September 21, 2009, Chassidy said…: Greetings Yirser,
I recieved your 3 set dvd on Saturday and was able to try the postures today. I spent the first half of the day doing the 1st and 2nd dvd several times to really get a feel of the movements. Im enjoying it and I have to say my hips, knees and lower back are definately talking to me!

At 1:46pm on September 8, 2009, Chassidy said…: Yirser, thank you so much for the heads up! I am still interested so I would love more details when you get a chance. Thanks again :-)

At 3:43pm on August 4, 2009, Maxyne said…: I've purchased your Kemetic Yoga 3 DVD Set. I enjoy it, very much. Question: My joints feel so very stiff, especially when doing what some call the "lotus position"...specifically, my knees have very little, if any give...Is there anything I might do to assist to acclimating my knees/joints to yoga?

At 3:33pm on August 4, 2009, Maxyne said…: Hotep Brother Hotep!

Sister Pillay suggested I reach out to you regarding choosing a Kemetic name. I wonder, if there is a proper process or whether you have any suggestions in general.

At 5:48pm on June 23, 2009, Estella Perkins said…: Although I am very late with the appreciation, thank you for inviting me to be your friend. This S.K.Y. site is truly a special place. I have been browsing and watched some of your videos. Man, you are awesome! Also, thank you for your emails about YogaSkills upcoming events. I am planning on attending at least one of them. Blessings and peace!

At 7:09pm on June 22, 2009, Ewnetin Felagi said…: one Maat ~ greetings great one.

I ve already learned alot and am determined to learn all that I can.. thx to you and many other of our great leaders,guides and positive forces that inspire and uplift and enlighten the seeking soul...... im very honored and thankful to have this oppurtunity to study and embrace this ancient art and wisdom of our ancestors... may the most high creator who lives within InI ... always be your guide and sheild in this mission of resurrection and revitalization.

MA'AT.

" lightbenda "

At 11:36am on June 6, 2009, Chassidy said…: Greetings Yirser!
I'm working on manifesting your certification course in Jamaica! You are very inspiring :-)

Love & Light