The Rasas: Reclaim Your True Aliveness - Become a Connoisseur of Life!
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Reconnect. Realign. Rise.
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In an unpredictable world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or off-center. But within you is a deep reservoir of strength, resilience, and wisdom. This retreat is your opportunity to reconnect with that core — to rise above the noise, quiet the mind, and come home to yourself.
The Tantric Revolution turns us inside out, invests in the courage to question and foster a deeper empathy, and gives us each a chance to live more fully in the grace of this human life: at the core of this endeavor in education and practice is the theory of rasa.
When you taste the rasa of life, you drink from a well that is never dry. Through the ancient Tantric teachings of the rasas, you’ll tap into the energy and insight you need to stay grounded, empowered, and clear, no matter what life throws your way.
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Join world renowned Tantric scholar, Douglas Brooks, Ph.D. and Yoga Master Teacher and founder of Ashaya Yoga,
Todd Norian, E-RYT500,
with their combined wisdom of 125 years of practice, to completely transform and shift your life to step into your power as an intelligent, creative, divine being worthy to live a life of greatness, fulfillment, and abundant joy.
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Practice within a safe and supportive community of heart followers and understand how obstacles can become opportunities as you:
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Experience sublime Tantric teachings that open your heart and empower you to live your best life
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Explore Rasa Theory and gain insight on how our emotions are signposts to our deeper values
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Transform old grooves of self-criticism, perfectionism, and unworthiness into self-love
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Weave the Tantric teachings into your body through alignment-based, heart-centered Ashaya Yoga
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Learn practical skills for how maintain your balance and joy in a precarious world
Practice alongside a supportive community of other heart followers who are ready and eager to grow themselves by postponing their joy no more.
By the end of the intensive series, you’ll have a renewed sense of purpose, inspiration, and freedom to live your best life and bring more hope and beauty into the world.
Ashaya Yoga is an accessible, therapeutic, and safe practice for all levels of beginners to advanced yogis. Modifications are given and you’re encouraged to go at your own pace.
“There are nine rasas: think of them as the periodic table of human experience, the most basic and essential feelings that provide the foundation for all that defines our humanity.”
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Douglas Brooks, PhD.
What You’ll Gain
Mentally – Clear your mind, release self-doubt, and reconnect to purpose
Physically – Build strength, flexibility, and vibrant energy
Spiritually – Open your heart, ground your energy, and awaken your inner light
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Ashaya Yoga is an accessible, therapeutic, and safe practice for all levels of beginners to advanced yogis. Modifications are given and you’re encouraged to go at your own pace.
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How it Works:
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Four Consecutive Monday nights in October and November via Zoom
Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, (2025)
6:00 pm - 9:15 pm ET
(video access up to 45 days post session)
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$325 EB by Oct. 6, 2025, $365 after.
Payment plans available (contact us)
A la carte sessions $105
No refunds.
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Canadians, contact us for a discount code to help offset the USD exchange rate!
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Each session will follow this general format:
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Introduction and Centering with Todd
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Profund Tantric Myths, Stories, and Teachings with Douglas Brooks
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Short Break
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Asana guided by Todd
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Journal writing, Reflection, and Sharing in Community​
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“In the traditions of liberation, yoga values rasa in theory and practice as the key to living "while liberated." How shall we address our emotions and sentiments, and how shall we value these experiences? In the Tantric traditions, the freedom to feel the fullness of the mortal condition and greater shared humanity is founded on the rasas.”
Douglas Brooks, PhD.
Session Topics
Oct. 27, 6-915 p.m. ET:
Introduction to Rasa Theory: Wonder and Awe
The word "rasa" in Sanskrit means essence and refers to our deepest feelings, our most undeniable sentiments, and our sense of taste. All great masters describe their enlightenment as seeing with the eyes of of a child, with wonder and awe. To be in the moment freshly, as if for the first time, without any judgments, expectations, or commentary. This is true presence and requires a deep level of surrender, which in the Tantra means, the acceptance of what is as it is. Tradition presents a complex picture of what lies at the center of our human experience as bodies, minds, and hearts and explains how and why we experience being human in the ways we do. There are nine rasas: think of them as the periodic table of human experience, the most basic and essential feelings that provide the foundation for all that defines our humanity.
Nov. 3, 6-915 p.m. ET
Your Humanity Is Your Divinity: Empowerment through Emotional Agility
Do we live in a universe of morality or a universe of power? Tantra asserts that we live in a universe of power – Shakti. How do we shift from creating barriers, which create isolation and prevent growth, to creating boundaries, which inspire growth and connection? Psychologists tell us that raw emotions only last about 90 seconds. What perpetuates the emotion is the story we tell ourselves about it. Learn how to distinguish the story from the raw emotion as we get good at navigating the journey of the heart.
Nov. 10, 6-915 p.m. ET
Shift from Victim Consciousness to Victory Consciousness
How do we step out of our self-limiting beliefs and deeply engrained samskaras of unworthiness, not-enoughness, and smallness? Is life happening to you or for you? Do challenges come to put you down or make you stronger? Explore these questions within the context of the Rasas where everything belongs, it’s just a matter of where you place them. You are already whole and complete, you are perfectly imperfect, and everything in life is for your awakening.
Nov. 17, 6-915 p.m. ET
Rasa Dhvani: Become the Connoisseur of Life: Live from Your Heart
The Tantric Revolution turns us inside out, invests in the courage to question and foster a deeper empathy, and gives us each a chance to live more fully in the grace of this human life: at the core of this endeavor in education and practice is the theory of rasa. How do we navigate our spirituality in a precarious world? How do we feel safe and empowered to cultivate vulnerability and connection? How can the Rasas help us to create healthy, strong, intimate relationships? How can this inspire us to live a more empowered life of joy?
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Recommended reading:
Douglas Brooks:
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Auspicious Wisdom: The Texts and Traditions of Srividya Sakta Tantrism in South India
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​​Poised for Grace: Annotations on the Bhagavad Gita from a Tantric View​
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Todd Norian:
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Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness, A Memoir;
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Ashaya Yoga: Align Your Body, Awaken Your Heart Manual;
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Introduction to Ashaya Yoga Therapy Manual