LEARN THE ACTUAL SCIENCE BEHIND THE BENEFITS OF YOGA


to enhance your practice, customize your instruction, and support your advocacy with scientific evidence.


Join the best, down-to-earth neuroscientists (MDs and PhDs) and yoga teachers to help you transcend misinformation and improve how you practice, teach, and advocate for yoga.

Our 4th annual conference will build your knowledge of the brain science of yoga in three key areas: 

  1. Yoga + cancer

  2. Yoga + sleep and insomnia

  3. Yoga + eating disorders
  • March 14-17, 2024

Join thousands of fellow lifelong-learners in a space where ambition meets welcoming hearts.

“This was a most impressive conference with extraordinary panelists who excelled in their respective fields. This conference is a must for anyone serious about understanding, practicing and teaching Yoga.”

2023 conference attendee

EXPERT NEUROSCIENTISTS Featured In


THIS IS THE EVENT WHERE YOU CAN MASTER The neuroscience of yoga and then apply it to how you practice, teach, and advocate for yoga


🌟 Kick-Off with the Basics: Day one is all about the essentials—no prerequisites required! Dive into the fascinating world of nervous system structure and function, equipped with nothing but your curiosity. Plus, we’ll unlock the empowering skill of navigating and understanding scientific literature on your own. 

🔍 Deep Dives into Key Topics: Over the next three days, we embark on a focused journey through critical areas: cancer, sleep and insomnia, and eating disorders. With insights from leading scientists and esteemed yoga practitioners, enhance your scientific savvy and refine your yoga journey. Discover the yoga protocols spotlighted in groundbreaking studies and how these insights can transform your practice and teaching. 

All this through 3-4 hours per day during the conference! 

🌱 Transformational Learning Goals:

  • Empower yoga students and teachers with the knowledge of specific, researched yoga protocols for various health conditions, enabling them to deliver evidence-based benefits to themselves and others.
  • Equip participants with a deep understanding of yoga's core elements, fostering the ability to tailor and personalize practices effectively.
  • Arm our community with the scientific foundation to advocate for yoga's integration into schools, healthcare, prisons, and more.
  • Cultivate a keen eye for discerning misinformation, bolstering our commitment to truth.
  • Guide participants in independently accessing and analyzing scientific research, ensuring continuous learning and growth.
  • Foster meaningful connections between yogis and scientists, sparking collaborative opportunities.
  • Open doors to career advancement and the chance to collaborate with researchers on future yoga studies.

Embrace this transformative experience, where learning meets action, science meets spirit, and community meets individual growth. Let's elevate our practice, teaching, and advocacy for yoga, together.


Yoga + Cancer

All types of cancer—and treatments— can affect the nervous system, resulting in conditions like neuropathy, depression, fatigue, and cognitive deficits.

You will learn:

  • How the nervous system and body respond to cancer and chemotherapy
  • The effects of yoga on the brain and body that could help with many of the comorbidities of cancer
  • The most studied yoga protocols for cancer and what you should know about them

Yoga + Sleep and Insomnia

In our modern word, insomnia is increasingly common. Even for those without insomnia, improving sleep has been shown to improve performance during the day.

You will learn:

  • The normal physiology of sleep, and what goes wrong in insomnia
  • How yoga and meditation practices affect the sleep regulating systems of the brain and body
  • The asanas, pranayamas, and yoga nidra practices that have been studied so far

Yoga + Eating Disorders

Yoga may help those affected by anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. The evidence is growing rapidly, and yoga is a promising adjunctive treatment.

You will learn:

  • The risk factors for eating disorders and how food intake is regulated in the brain
  • The current evidence on how yoga affects interoception, body image, and eating disorder symptom severity
  • How to modify yoga practices to best benefit those with eating disorders

You'll learn all of this and more through:

  • Presentations from top researchers in neuroscience and yoga
  • Deeper insights into the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of yoga
  • Question and answer sessions with the MDs and PhDs who specialize in yoga and neuroscience
  • Yoga classes and workshops with top teachers, including Sri Dharma Mittra and Eddie Stern
  • Opportunity to participate in hands-on science experiments that explore the intricacies of science, and how yoga affects you and your peers
  • Yoga Alliance 25-hour Continuing Education Certification

What past attendees have to say

100% of attendees would recommend our events to their friends

This conference went well beyond my expectations! The presenters were extremely knowledgeable and graciously answered everyone’s questions. The yoga classes were not to be missed as they were taught by world class yoga masters.”

“I was impressed with the quality of the content and the scientific approach. Because I'm based in the UK, I watched the live Saturday presentations at midnight but I must say, I stayed with you all the way to the end and I didn't want to leave! I was so happy to listen to the modern voice of yoga.

 “Too often claims are made in yoga without a scientific basis. This conference should be a requirement for those wishing to receive a teacher training certificate. Attending is also likely to motivate you to continue learning what the evolving science has to say about the practice of yoga.”

Conference Schedule

Please click each event to learn more about it.

Events starting with "Presentation" are available to all passes. Events starting with "Live" are available to Live-Access Pass and Lifetime-Access Pass holders.


Day 1 - Introduction to Neuroscience and Yoga

Presentation (live): Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference Kickoff Party - Jonathan Rosenthal, MD

March 14, 2024 @ 9:00 AM EST | 6:00 AM PST
Live and then available indefinitely

Learn the ins and outs to get the most out of the conference. There will be prizes for those who attend live! Question and answer session will follow. 


Available to Presentation-Access Pass, Live-Access Pass, and Lifetime-Access Pass holders. Available long term to all.

Presentation: How to Read A Scientific Abstract - Marshall Hagins, PhD, Jonathan Rosenthal, MD, and Eddie Stern, MS

Available March 14, 2024 @ 10:00 AM EST | 7:00 AM PST
Pre-recorded and available indefinitely


To truly understand what science is saying about yoga, you have to go to the source - the actual scientific paper. In this session, you will be introduced to a simple and practical approach to evaluating scientific abstracts. We will also compare the actual findings to how they have been portrayed in the popular press


Available to Presentation-Access Pass, Live-Access Pass, and Lifetime-Access Pass holders. Available long term to all.

Presentation (live): Introduction to Yoga for Enlightenment - Deepak Chopra, MD

March 14, 2024 @ 11:00 AM EST | 8:00 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

Discover the philosophy and techniques of yoga and learn how to translate them into our everyday lives. Question and answer session will follow.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): Understanding the Biomedical Science and Research on Yoga and a Overview of Yoga in Modern Medicine - Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD

March 14, 2024 @ 12 PM EST | 9 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

Yoga practice leads to the development and enhancement of mind body skills and behavioral factors including physical functioning, mind-body awareness/mindfulness, self-regulation of internal physiological and psychological states, and life meaning and purpose.  In easy-to-understand language, this presentation will review and summarize the basic science underlying the psychophysiology of yoga practices including the physical, mental, and spiritual mechanisms of action.  The rationale for yoga as a valuable and credible therapeutic intervention will be described within the context of the current dominant characteristics of the modern medical system.  This will illustrate how it offers effective strategies and outcomes that are simply not generally available in conventional treatments in modern medicine.  Examples of published clinical trials research on the benefits of yoga as a therapeutic intervention will also be presented.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Yoga Class: Yoga to Calm the Nervous System - Eddie Stern, MS

March 14, 2024 @ 1 PM EST | 10 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

How we move and breathe often has a direct impact on how we feel. The postures and breathing patterns that you’ll learn in this class are purposefully chosen to help create a deep sense of calm in your nervous system, which can lead to a greater sense of balance in your daily life. Decision-making is influenced by our inner states, and so creating enduring states of inner calm can help us purposefully direct our lives in ways that are physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Yoga Class: Yoga for Mindfulness and Mobility - Ruben de Monte

March 14, 2024 @ 4 PM EST | 1 PM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

During this yoga session you will be invited to slow down and embark on a journey of mindfulness and mobility. We will use breath and movement to cultivate a deeper connection with the physical self. Expect some moments of conscious flow, joint health drills, modifications, and to end the session a down-regulating breath-work sequence with a final relaxation. This session caters for all levels including beginners.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): Introduction to Neuroscience - Andrew McGonigle, MBBS

March 14, 2024 @ 5 PM EST | 2 PM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

The conference will hold many fascinating discussions about the brain - but first, how about a quick primer? This talk will provide an overview of many fundamental principles of neuroscience, and prepare you with a sound understanding the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system to understand what is to come.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Discussion Group - Jonathan Rosenthal, MD

March 14, 2024 @ 6:30 PM EST | 3:30 PM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

Join our end-of-day discussion groups to practice the art of sifting through scientific literature, uncover evidence-based facts to champion the integration of yoga in various sectors, and foster a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. These sessions are a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding, enhance your advocacy skills, and connect with peers dedicated to promoting yoga's science-backed benefits in society.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.


Day 2 - Yoga + Cancer

Presentation: Yoga for Chemotherapy-Induced Polyneuropathy - Ting Bao, MD

Available March 14, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to the nerves in the arms and legs, causing tingling, numbness, and pain. Dr. Bao's latest research includes an ongoing phase III randomized controlled trial—the highest level of evidence—examining the role of yoga in helping patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the research, detailing the ongoing methodology and the promising outcomes of the initial pilot study that paved the way for the current investigation. It will also discuss the potential impact of the Phase III trial in revolutionizing integrative cancer care, highlighting the study's capacity to forge new paths in the treatment landscape.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation: Yoga and Yoga Therapy Across the Cancer Care Continuum: Evidence and Practice - Leigh Leibel, PhD(c)

Available March 14, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

There are currently more than 18 million cancer survivors in the United States, and as many as 85% will turn to integrative therapies — including yoga — to help manage cancer and treatment side effects. In this presentation, we’ll (1) review the national cancer survivorship guidelines that recommend yoga during and after cancer treatment, (2) examine the various kinds of yoga practices that inform the guidelines, and (3) explore common cancer treatment side effects and their impacts on the choice of a yoga practice. By tailoring yoga for the oncology setting, we limit risks, maximize benefits, and enhance excellence in cancer patient care.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation: Yoga for Depression and Anxiety in People with Cancer - Maria Gonzalez, PhD

Available March 14, 2024 @ 6:00 PM EST | 3:00 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

Dr. Maria Gonzalez presents a rigorous analysis of yoga's efficacy in managing depression and anxiety among cancer patients. This session delves into the physiological and psychological mechanisms through which yoga practices modulate stress responses, enhance mood regulation, and improve neuroendocrine function. Attendees will gain insights into the latest research findings, including randomized controlled trials that underscore yoga's therapeutic potential in oncology psychiatry.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Yoga Class: Embracing Mindful Tools for Mental Wellness during Cancer - Lynne Goldberg

Available March 14, 2024 @ 6 PM EST
Pre-recorded and available for 24 hours

Explore the personal impact of mindfulness tools on mental wellbeing through the spectrum of cancer care. Lynne shares her personal journey and insights, highlighting the power of presence, surrender, managing overwhelming emotions, and self-compassion. She concludes with a meditation: honoring and exploring your emotions, allowing them to be without judgment, and offering yourself words of love and compassion.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Yoga Class: Yin Yoga and Cancer Survivorship - Doreen Wiggins, MD

Available March 14, 2024 @ 6 PM EST
Pre-recorded and available for 24 hours

Doreen reviews the unique connection of yoga to cancer survivorship, including a brief opening presentation on the benefits of yoga for cancer survivors, the impact of metabolic syndrome, the tumor microenvironment, and the role of yoga in stress reduction, lymphedema prevention, and improving overall quality of life. She then leads a restorative yin yoga class.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): Yoga as a Way to Transform your Life and Health - Lorenzo Cohen, PhD

March 15, 2024 @ 9 AM EST | 6 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

Yoga, a quintessential mind-body practice, when approached as a way of life, can have a profound impact on people with cancer. The state-of-science of lifestyle and yoga for people with cancer is reviewed, with an emphasis on past and ongoing research conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Extensive research now supports yoga’s benefits in improving overall health, quality of life, physical function, and multiple biological outcomes (immune function, hormone regulation, etc.), as well as stress resilience and enhancing meaning and purpose in life. Yoga is also formally listed in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and American Society of Clinical Oncology/Society for Integrative Oncology clinical practice guidelines and the evidence-based application of yoga in cancer care will be reviewed.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): Bringing Yoga into UK Health System Through Advocacy and Policy Change - Heather Mason, MS

March 15, 2024 @ 11 AM EST | 8 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

Heather Mason has spent over a decade integrating yoga into the UK's National Health Service (NHS).  In this talk she will explain how she has been able to embed yoga into the NHS by dovetailing on pre-existing healthcare pathways and advocating for policy change in parliament. She will explain how a similar strategy can be used in other countries.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Yoga Class: Yoga for Cancer and Gut Health - Sarah Thomas

March 15, 2024 @ 1:30 PM EST | 10:30 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

Gentle yoga practices tailored to support individuals undergoing cancer treatment and promote digestive wellness. Through mindful movement, breath work, and relaxation techniques, this class aims to alleviate symptoms, enhance well-being, and cultivate resilience during cancer treatment while also nurturing gut health for overall wellness.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Q&A Session - Ting Bao, MD + Maria Gonzalez, PhD + Leigh Leibel, PhD(c) + Tina Paul 

March 15, 2024 @ 5 PM EST | 2 PM PST
Live and available for 24 hours


Explore the nexus of yoga and oncology in our dedicated Q&A session with renowned researchers who've unveiled groundbreaking findings on yoga's efficacy in supporting cancer care. This interactive platform offers a deep dive into the evidence-based benefits of yoga for cancer patients, including its role in reducing symptoms, enhancing quality of life, and potentially modulating immune responses. Engage with the experts to understand the biological and psychological mechanisms through which yoga acts as a complementary therapy in oncology, and how it can be integrated into holistic cancer care protocols.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Discussion Group - Jonathan Rosenthal, MD

March 15, 2024 @ 6:30 PM EST | 3:30 PM PST
Live and available for 24 hours

Join our end-of-day discussion groups to practice the art of sifting through scientific literature, uncover evidence-based facts to champion the integration of yoga in various sectors, and foster a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. These sessions are a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding, enhance your advocacy skills, and connect with peers dedicated to promoting yoga's science-backed benefits in society.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.


Day 3 - Yoga + Sleep and Insomnia

Presentation: The Neurophysiology of Sleep and How Yoga Can Help - Shirley Telles, PhD

Available March 15, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

Dr. Shirley Telles delves into the neurophysiology of sleep and elucidates the mechanisms through which yoga practices promote healthier sleep patterns. This presentation explores the interaction between yoga and the brain's sleep centers, detailing how yoga's meditative and physical components can alter sleep architecture, enhance sleep efficiency, and reduce sleep disturbances. Attendees will gain insight into the latest scientific research linking yoga with improved neurophysiological outcomes related to sleep.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation: Yoga Nidra and Sleep: Impact on Brain Waves and Behavior for Insomniacs - Kristin Anderson, PhD

Available March 15, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

This talk will discuss a series of research studies that dissect the impact of Yoga nidra on sleep. First, we will investigate the evidence behind the use of Yoga nidra as a potential treatment of chronic insomnia. Next, we will uncover the impact of Yoga nidra on brain waves in novice yogis. Lastly, we will dive deeper into the impact of Yoga nidra on novice yogis by looking at the effects of practice on cognitive processing.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Q&A Session - Kristin Anderson, PhD + Shirley Telles, PhD 

March 16, 2024 @ 7 AM EST | 4 AM PST
Live and available for 24 hours


Join our interactive Q&A session with leading scientists who have just presented their cutting-edge research on yoga's role in enhancing sleep quality and combating insomnia. Engage directly with the experts to deepen your understanding of the neurophysiological and psychological aspects of yoga as a therapeutic intervention for sleep disorders.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Workshop: Body image: shaped in the brain, reshaped through yoga - Charlotte Multon

March 16, 2024 @ 9 AM EST | 6 AM PST
Live and available for 24 hours


The body image is a complex construct deriving from a multi-layered experience: sensory, visual, conceptual… and it all happens in the brain! In this 2 hours workshop, you will find out how the body image is built in the brain and how it can become dysfunctional in the case of eating disorders. You will get insights on how postures, breathing and meditation could reshape your body image and impact your self-confidence. This workshop is based on the latest neuroscience research on body schema and its cognitive correlate, as well as clinical research on body mind techniques and its effects on eating disorders.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Yoga Class: Yoga Nidra - Sri Dharma Mittra

March 16, 2024 @11:30 AM EST | 8:30 AM PST
Live and available for 24 hours


Immerse yourself in the transformative power of Sri Dharma Mittra's Yoga Nidra class, specifically tailored for our focus on sleep and insomnia. This session harnesses the scientifically-backed techniques of Yoga Nidra, guiding participants through a deeply meditative practice that promotes profound relaxation.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): The Science and Research of Yoga for Sleep - Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD

March 16, 2024 @ 12:50 PM EST | 9:50 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

There is an increasing recognition and knowledge about the value of sleep in both physiology, psychology and human performance. There is emerging evidence of the negative impact of restricting one’s duration of night-time sleep, which is an increasing trend in modern society. This lecture will describe the basic characteristics impacting sleep quality and its importance to mental and physical health and performance. The scientific rationale for the impact of yoga practices on sleep will be described including the research evidence supporting the improvement in sleep with yoga practices.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): The Science and Research of Yoga for Insomnia - Sat Bir Khalsa, PhD

March 16, 2024 @ 1:30 PM EST | 10:30 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

There is an increasing burden and prevalence of sleep disturbances and disorders, especially of both acute and chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is believed to be strongly influenced by underlying higher long-term levels of stress and arousal. Behavioral treatments for insomnia have been well-validated and there is strong research evidence demonstrating the efficacy of yoga for alleviating stress and arousal, thereby providing a psychological and psychophysiological rationale for the efficacy of yoga for chronic insomnia. This lecture will describe the underlying causes of insomnia, the well-known behavioral treatments for insomnia, the relevant benefits of yoga practice, and the research evidence on yoga for treating insomnia.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Discussion Group - Jonathan Rosenthal, MD

March 16, 2024 @2:30 PM EST | 11:30 AM PST
Live and available for 24 hours


Join our end-of-day discussion groups to practice the art of sifting through scientific literature, uncover evidence-based facts to champion the integration of yoga in various sectors, and foster a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. These sessions are a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding, enhance your advocacy skills, and connect with peers dedicated to promoting yoga's science-backed benefits in society.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.


Day 4 - Yoga + Eating Disorders

Presentation: A Yoga-based Intervention for the Prevention & Treatment of Eating Disorders - Part 1 - Chelsea Roff

Available March 16, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

Eating disorders are complex biopsychosocial illnesses characterised by some of the highest rates of mortality and relapse of any psychiatric disorder. Conventional treatment modalities often emphasize psychological and cognitive strategies and neglect the somatic experience, limiting their effectiveness. This presentation reviews the scientific rationale for incorporating yoga in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, highlighting the theoretical framework and evidence from a recent meta-analysis on yoga and eating disorders. Presenters will share findings from four studies conducted on the Eat Breathe Thrive program, a novel intervention combining yoga, psychoeducation, and peer support to support eating disorder prevention and recovery. You will come away with an understanding of the current evidence base for yoga in eating disorder prevention and treatment and practical, evidence-based tools you can integrate in your work. 


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation: A Yoga-based Intervention for the Prevention & Treatment of Eating Disorders - Part 2 - Catherine Cook-Cottone, PhD

Available March 16, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

Eating disorders are complex biopsychosocial illnesses characterised by some of the highest rates of mortality and relapse of any psychiatric disorder. Conventional treatment modalities often emphasize psychological and cognitive strategies and neglect the somatic experience, limiting their effectiveness. This presentation reviews the scientific rationale for incorporating yoga in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, highlighting the theoretical framework and evidence from a recent meta-analysis on yoga and eating disorders. Presenters will share findings from four studies conducted on the Eat Breathe Thrive program, a novel intervention combining yoga, psychoeducation, and peer support to support eating disorder prevention and recovery. You will come away with an understanding of the current evidence base for yoga in eating disorder prevention and treatment and practical, evidence-based tools you can integrate in your work. 


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation: A Yoga-based Intervention for the Prevention & Treatment of Eating Disorders - Part 3 - Esther Estey, PhD

Available March 16, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

Eating disorders are complex biopsychosocial illnesses characterised by some of the highest rates of mortality and relapse of any psychiatric disorder. Conventional treatment modalities often emphasize psychological and cognitive strategies and neglect the somatic experience, limiting their effectiveness. This presentation reviews the scientific rationale for incorporating yoga in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders, highlighting the theoretical framework and evidence from a recent meta-analysis on yoga and eating disorders. Presenters will share findings from four studies conducted on the Eat Breathe Thrive program, a novel intervention combining yoga, psychoeducation, and peer support to support eating disorder prevention and recovery. You will come away with an understanding of the current evidence base for yoga in eating disorder prevention and treatment and practical, evidence-based tools you can integrate in your work.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation: Neurobiology of Energy Balance, Eating Disorders, and Yoga - Abha Rajbhandari, PhD

Available March 16, 2024 @ 6 PM EST | 3 PM PST
Pre-recorded and available for 28 hours

In this presentation, we will delve into the intricate neurobiology of energy balance and the complex interplay of food intake, gut functions, and energy regulation pathways involved in eating disorders. We'll explore the critical roles of stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and sleep pathways, and discuss emerging studies highlighting the therapeutic benefits of yoga in modulating these systems and potentially ameliorating eating disorders.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Yoga Class: Nourishing Yoga Nidra - Xiao Lumen

Available March 16, 2024 @ 6 PM EST
Pre-recorded and available for 24 hours


Explore the transformative power of Yoga Nidra with Xiao, guiding you through a serene experience between wakefulness and dream. This session, ideal for all levels and suitable for teenagers and adults, promotes calm, intention, and potential life changes, including eating habits. Practice comfortably on a yoga mat, sofa, or bed, with an optional scarf or blanket for added comfort. Xiao will also describe her personal journey with hyperphagia and her experience with yoga nidra.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Yoga Journey: From Anorexia Nervosa to a Yoga Start-up - Alexia Michel

Available March 16, 2024 @ 6 PM EST
Pre-recorded and available for 24 hours


Follow the personal and professional journey of Alexia: a trip from China and India to France, from starvation to recovery, from Yogarexia to eating disorders awareness and research.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Q&A Session - Catherine Cook-Cottone, PhD + Esther Estey, PhD + Abha Rajbhandari, PhD + Chelsea Roff

March 17, 2024 @ 9:30 AM EST | 6:30 AM PST
Live and available for 24 hours


Participate in a focused Q&A session with leading experts on yoga's role in eating disorder treatment, following their recent presentations. This session offers direct access to discussions on yoga's mechanisms for improving body awareness, psychological well-being, and eating behaviors in individuals with eating disorders. 


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): A Yoga Social Prescribing Protocol: Development, Research, and Progress - Heather Mason

March 17, 2024 @ 1 PM EST | 10 AM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

The UK recognises that social isolation is a contributory factor in chronic health conditions. Based on this insight the UK crafted social prescribing, wherein patients are prescribed to activity groups. In 2018 the Yoga in Healthcare Alliance (YIHA), of which Heather Mason is the founder, was asked to create a yoga social prescribing program for evaluation. Given the significant social, mental, physical, benefits of the program and the cost savings associated with it, it is now run through various parts of the UK. This workshop will discuss the program, the research findings of the evaluation, and additional work by YIHA to integrate yoga into healthcare.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Live Yoga Class: Yoga for Eating Disorder Prevention and Recovery - Chelsea Roff

March 17, 2024 @ 2 PM EST | 11 AM PST
Live and available for 24 hours


The yoga tradition is chock full of practices that support eating disorder recovery, but it's not immediately clear which elements will help. In this yoga class, we'll explore a menu of evidence-backed practices that support mindful eating, emotional resilience, and positive embodiment. You'll learn teaching practices, breathing techniques, and contemplative practices that address common challenges in eating disorder recovery and support all students in fostering a healthy relationship with food, body, and self.


Available to Live-Access Pass holders for 24 hours. Available longterm to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

Presentation (live): Closing Event - Jonathan Rosenthal, MD

March 17, 2024 @ 6:30 PM PM EST | 3:30 PM PST
Live and then available for 24 hours

Wrap up the conference with a dynamic closing event focused on mastering the art of reviewing scientific literature on yoga and how to advocate effectively for yoga using solid scientific evidence. Through this interactive session, gain valuable insights into discerning high-quality research, understanding study outcomes, and communicating findings to a broader audience, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the yoga community. This empowering event will equip you with the tools to elevate the discourse around yoga, ensuring your advocacy is grounded in credibility and scientific integrity.


Available to Presentation-Access Pass and Live-Access Pass for 24 hours. Available long term to Lifetime-Access Pass holders.

MEET YOUR HOST

Jonathan Rosenthal, MD

Hi, I’m Jonathan.

I'm a neurologist (brain doctor) in New York and a yoga student of Sri Dharma Mittra. Since 2014, I have been passionately sharing neuroscience and yoga, and I'm excited to present you with the 4th annual Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference.

My mission is to bridge the yoga world and the neuroscience world by connecting scientists and yogis, replicating hands-on neuroscience experiments for learners, and sharing resources. I aspire to support yoga students in their journey of studying the self, from a neuroscience perspective and without all the misinformation that runs rampant on the internet. Come study with our expert MDs, PhDs, and students during the Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference and learn the actual scientifically-backed benefits of yoga!

Testimonials

100% of attendees would recommend our events to their friends

“The Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference was truly exceptional because of the quality and inclusivity. I would recommend the conference to those coming from any background and all levels of interest and expertise in both neuroscience and yoga. The conference was extremely well-organized, easy to follow, and a fantastic opportunity to learn and make connections.” 

“I had no idea that it was going to be so good! :)) I found an amazing community to stay in touch, share and collaborate with in the future. I truly hope the conference will continue further into the future.”  

“This was such an insightful and informative event! I'm completely honest when I say that there were so many golden nuggets in there, and as a yoga teacher myself, I got to learn about the scientific aspects of fear, pain, brain functions and more, which I take as an enrichment to my teaching. I also want to mention that all the knowledge was accessible, and even as a person who is very new to neuroscience. I also got inspired to read up on their other research studies, and am currently doing that! I would most definitely attend another Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference.” 

Transcend misinformation, save time and money, and learn from the Experts


Instead of spending countless hours trying to subscribe to journals and piecing together the relevant content on your own, the Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference makes it easy to get real insights from the experts.


You will be learning from trusted neuroscientists published in leading publications, so you can feel confident you are not getting lost in misinformation or skipping details.

brain awareness week 2024


The Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference takes place during Brain Awareness Week, an international celebration of neuroscience organized by the Dana Foundation. 

During this week, scientists run tens of thousands of neuroscience events across the globe. Our neuroscience and yoga events have been a part of Brain Awareness Week since 2014.

Why Should I Sign Up For The
Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference?


Once-In-A Lifetime Curated Speakers 
Actionable Content

Fundamental brain science explained by the top neuroscience and yoga experts in the world (hand-picked just for the Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference).

You Don’t Even Need To Leave Your House — Attend From Your Computer, Phone or Tablet

There’s no flight or hotel room to book… saving you thousands of dollars, unpaid work leave, and time away from your family.


World-Class Quality Content

This not your ordinary online event. We take pride in delivering you the absolute best content so that you can achieve the best learning possible. There is so much to learn about Yoga + Cancer, Yoga + Sleep and Insomnia, and Yoga + Eating Disorders.


Celebrate Brain Awareness Week

Brain Awareness Week is an international celebration of neuroscience, with tens of thousands of events going on across the world. This conference is one way to celebrate the brain—as well as yoga! 

Do you Have questions?


Why a conference on neuroscience and yoga? 

This knowledge seems buried in the scientific literature, locked under coded language and scientific jargon. Worse, we are in a time when science misinformation runs rampant, especially on social media. Yogis will benefit from understanding science, and scientists will benefit from understanding yoga, and this will be evidence-based understanding. This conference hopes to accomplish more connection between scientists and yogis. 

 

Why an online conference?

Great question! Experts who study neuroscience and yoga are located all over the world. Just in this conference, we have speakers from all over the world, including Germany, India, and the USA. The internet offers such an amazing way to connect all of us interested in this topic! Presentations available for 24 hours (or forever with the Lifetime-Access Pass), so people from every time zone will be able to join in.

Who is this conference for? 

This conference is for people interested in how yoga affects the brain. 

For yoga students: learn the science of what underlies your experience of yoga, such as better mental health, less anxiety, decreased pain, faster reaction times, and improved attention. 

For yoga teachers: supplement what you already learned in yoga teacher training, and deepen your knowledge of the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology underlying the effects of yoga practices. What you learn in this conference will support you in designing classes that benefit your students, and empower you to explain these concepts in a way that is evidence-based and thus motivating for students. 

For scientists: learn from your colleague MDs and PhDs who conduct research on yoga, and then put this to the test with our pre- and post-yoga experiments. You will gain inspiration for future studies and connect with potential collaborators. 

For others: you are welcome to this conference, and if you're interested in how yoga affects the brain and the nervous system, you will leave with tons of valuable, impactful knowledge. 

 

Who are the speakers? 

A curated selection of MDs, PhDs, and seasoned yoga practitioners bringing fresh perspectives and scientific rigor. They come from the leading academic institutions, such as Harvard University, the University of Buffalo, Weill-Cornell School of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, MD Anderson, and Mount Sinai University School of Medicine.

You can learn more about the speakers on the speakers page.

Why the different passes?

After you register for the Presentation-Access Pass, you will have the option to upgrade your ticket.

We want this knowledge to be available for everyone. While an online conference is much cheaper to host than one in person, there are still expenses. To achieve this, we came up with the following three tickets.

By donation, the presentations are available for 24 hours to anyone who signs up for a Presentation-Access Pass—this is amazing and addresses our goal of making this knowledge accessible to as many people as possible. We suggest a $10 minimum donation. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. 

The Live-Access Pass adds hands-on experiences with live yoga classes, live neuroscience experiments, and live question and answer sessions, all synchronized with the presentations and themes for that day to enhance learning. These will be available for 24 hours after they air live. Examples will include measuring heart rate variability before and after a yoga class to show the effects of yoga on the autonomic nervous system. 

The Lifetime-Access Pass allows students to maximize learning. Repetition reinforces knowledge, and having ongoing access to the presentations means students will be able to refer back to them regularly to solidify what they have learned. Moreover, in addition to the live events to enhance learning, there will be other bonuses including workbooks, quizzes, and transcriptions. We are also open to feedback to continue enhancing this! Lastly, yoga teachers will be eligible for 25 hours of Yoga Alliance AND International Association of Yoga Therapists Continuing Education with this option. 

 

What if I'm too busy during the conference dates?

We designed this conference to be global and work across time zones and busy personal schedules.

With the donation-based Presentation-Access Pass and upgraded Live-Access Pass, all presentations will be available for 24 hours, so you can fit them around your busy schedule.

If you want more time, we offer the upgraded Lifetime-Access Pass which comes with unlimited access to all conference content (and so much more).

How can I join in person in NYC?

We are so excited to meet you in person! 

Join us in downtown Manhattan near Washington Square Park from 11 AM to 3 PM each day of the conference March 14-17. All events at these times will be in person (as well as online) including: presentations, yoga classes, Q&A, and more. We will also have dedicated community gathering time so you can connect with peers and experts. We will also have complimentary snacks & drinks.

Follow these steps to join us in person:

  1. Sign up for the Presentation-Access Pass on this page
  2. Upgrade to either a Live-Access Pass or Lifetime-Access Pass on the next page
  3. After checkout, choose the In-Person Upgrade

I'm on a tight budget. How can I join?

We want this conference and this knowledge to be accessible to as many people as possible. This means we designed the conference to be affordable. You can sign up for the Presentation-Access Pass on this page, which is donation-based with no minimum.

I'm not located in the United States. Can I still join?

Yes!! Absolutely!

The speakers and yoga teachers hail from all over the world, and so this conference is designed to be global, despite time zone differences. The organizers of the conference are located in New York City, so the times on the schedule are based on Eastern Standard Time. You can convert the times on the schedule above to your time zone with a time zone converter.

For all of the presentations, they are available for 24 hours, which should make them accessible for everyone around the world.

The live events, including the yoga classes, hands-on neuroscience experiments, and Q&A sessions, will be available live and for 24 hours.  

If you want ongoing access to the content from the conference, consider upgrading to a Lifetime-Access Pass. 

Please note: the conference will be in English with subtitles in Spanish.

What if I still have more questions?

Check out our page with even more FAQs.

© 2023 Neuroscience and Yoga Online Conference is curated by NeuroYogaNYC.