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West Wind Yoga's

Yoga Alliance RYS 200 West Wind Yoga Seal

Seasonal Apprentice Program

Starting this Spring 2025

Prana Pathways

Prana Pathways is an intimate apprenticeship training program in Qigong, Yoga, and the 5 Elements.

Learn seasonal movements, meditation, and lifestyle practices to uncover and harmonize the 5 Koshas - the layers of being:

the physical body, bliss body, mental body, energy body, and wisdom body. 

What are the 5 Koshas?

The Koshas represent the 5 layers of human existence, from the physical to the spiritual, according to yoga philosophy. Prana Pathways explores the Koshas alongside the Taoist 5 Elements to enrich understanding and provide a more practical application of gross to subtle energy flow through the body, mind, and spirit. 

Each season will focus deeply on one individual Kosha and Element. 
 

  1. Annamaya Kosha (Physical Body): The sheath of physical matter: body, muscles, bones, and tissues. WOOD Element

  2. Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Body): The sheath of pure bliss and connection to the divine. FIRE Element

  3. Manomaya Kosha (Mental Body): The sheath of thoughts, emotions, and mental processes.  EARTH Element

  4. Pranamaya Kosha (Energy Body): The sheath of breath and life force energy (prana or qi).  METAL Element

  5. Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom Body): The sheath of wisdom, discernment, and intuition.  WATER Element

​Prana Pathways integrates core practices with seasonal energy:

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  • Qigong Movements

  • Tao Yin Yoga Series

  • Meditations

  • Pranayama Breathwork

  • Meridian Channel Energy Practices

  • Philosophy and Theory

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You'll also participate in journaling, group discussion, and cumulative review weekends to deepen your understanding and practical experience. ​​This immersive program is for those seeking a deeper knowledge of the connection between internal and external qi flow and life-force energy patterns. Appropriate for all levels. No prior teacher training or qigong experience is required, although a basic background of personal yoga practice is helpful. 

 

You can register individually for each season (Spring Season registration is open) or pay in full for all 5 seasons for a discount. 

Seasonal Curriculum Overview

Spring

Spring - Wood Element & Annamaya Kosha
(Physical Body)
March - May 2025

​Where and When: Live in person at Heartspace Yoga in Scranton, PA. 

  • 3 Immersive Sundays: March 23, April 13 and May 4, 11 am - 5 pm.

  • Additional video calls in between live meetings will be scheduled conveniently with the group.

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Themes: Discovery, Renewal, Growth, Vision, Physical Vitality

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Focus: The sheath of physical matter. Awareness of the physical body as the foundation for growth and the root of transformation.  

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Physical Practices 

  • Intro to the lower Dan Tien

  • 8 Pieces of Brocade (full overview plus Wood element focus)

  • Yin Yoga for Water and Wood Elements

  • Healing Sounds Wood Element Organs

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Meditation

  • 1-10 Meditation

  • Meridian Breathing for Wood Organs

Yin Yang Symbol

Theory & Philosophy

  • Deep dive into the Wood Element and Annamaya Kosha

  • 5 Element Quiz

  • 5 Element Goal Setting

  • Yin Yang Theory

  • Microcosmic Orbit

  • Boundary Reset for Body, mind, and Soul

Program Benefits

  • Cultivate a deeper connection with your body through movements and practices designed to embrace your current state of being and enhance physical vitality from any starting point.

  • Improve flexibility, balance, and strength in the connective tissues and small muscles.

  • Learn to focus your mind to create new goals and release old emotional patterns immobility that may be inhibiting growth. 

  • Develop an understanding of how seasonal energy supports renewal that can help you physically recharge, reclaim inspiration, and create short term and long term visions and goals.

​

Summer

Summer – Fire Element & Anandamaya Kosha
(Bliss Body)
May - August 2025

  • Dates: Live in personal for 3 Immersive Sundays TBD with additional video calls in between live meetings to be scheduled conveniently with the group.

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  • Themes: Expansion, Joy, Connection, Creativity, Manifestation, Communication 

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  • Focus: The sheath of pure bliss and connection to the divine. Accessing moments of bliss, joy, creativity, and passion, through openness of energy flow.

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Physical Practices 

  • 8 Pieces of Brocade (Fire Element focus)

  • Healing Sounds for Fire Element Organs  

  • Meridian Breathing for Fire Organs

  • Firepath Breathing

  • Microcosmic Orbit

  • Tao Yin Yoga Series

  • Yin Yoga for Fire

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Meditation

  • Heart Chakra Meditation

  • Inner Smile meditation 

  • Metta Meditation 

Yin Yang Symbol

Theory & Philosophy

  • Deep dive into the Fire Element and Anandamaya Kosha

  • The Chakra System

Program Benefits

  • Explore the bliss body by activating joy, passion and creativity through energy-boosting practices.

  • Learn techniques like heart-focused meditations and Healing Sounds to open your heart chakra and deepen your ability to connect with yourself and others. 

  • Access tools to nurture moments of bliss, helping you experience joy as state of being. 

  • Develop an understanding of how seasonal summer solstice energy supports creativity and manifestation from mind to matter.   

​

Late Summer

Late Summer – Earth Element & Manomaya Kosha
(Mental Body) 
Aug - Oct 2025

  • Dates: Live in personal for 3 Immersive Sundays TBD with additional video calls in between live meetings to be scheduled conveniently with the group.

​

  • Themes: Grounding, Nourishment, Balance, and Trust 

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  • Focus: The sheath of thoughts, emotions, and mental processes. Grounding and balancing the mind to support emotional resilience and clarity. 

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Physical Practices 

  • 8 Pieces of Brocade (Earth Element focus)

  • Healing Sounds for Earth Element Organs

  • Meridian Breathing for Earth Organs  

  • Tao Yin Yoga Series

  • Yin Yoga for Earth

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Meditation

  • 1-10 Meditation 

Yin Yang Symbol

Theory & Philosophy

  • Deep dive into the Earth Element and Manomaya Kosha

  • Horay Clock

  • The Nadis

  • Transition from Yang to Yin

Program Benefits

  • Ground your thoughts and emotions through mindfulness practices that support mental clarity and release anxiety.

  • Discover how Earth element seasonal energy of Yin and Yang can be channeled to enhance stability and strength in your physical movement practice.

  • Engage with your mental body, Manomaya Kosha, through knowledge practices, like the Horay Clock, and physical practice, like Tao Yin Yoga Twists, to help you confidently navigate life's shifting energies with ease and unwavering balance.

Autumn

Autumn – Metal Element  & Pranamaya Kosha
(Energy Body)
Oct - Dec 2025

  • Dates: Live in personal for 3 Immersive Sundays TBD with additional video calls in between live meetings to be scheduled conveniently with the group.

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  • Themes: Letting Go, Clarity, Foresight, Discernment, Processing Grief 

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  • Focus: The sheath of breath and life force energy (prana or qi). Activating and harmonizing the breath and energy systems.  

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Physical Practices 

  • 8 Pieces of Brocade (Metal Element focus)

  • Healing Sounds for Metal Element Organs

  • Meridian Breathing for Metal Organs  

  • Tao Yin Yoga Series

  • Yin Yoga for Metal

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Meditation

  • Nadi Shodhana Pranayama

Yin Yang Symbol

Theory & Philosophy

  • Deep dive into the Metal Element and Pranamaya Kosha

  • Breath as a tool for releasing grief and creating clarity and emotional resiliency.  

Program Benefits

  • Harmonize internal and external seasonal prana through breathwork, enhanced Meridian Breathing and sound vibration.  

  • Release stagnant emotions like unprocessed grief to create space for clarity and renewal. 

  • Prepare your body, mind, and soul for the next phase of seasonal Yin energy to help transform holiday blues and seasonal depression.

Winter

Winter – Water Element & Vijnanamaya Kosha
(Wisdom Body)
Dec 2025 -March 2026

  • Dates: Live in personal for 3 Immersive Sundays TBD with additional video calls in between live meetings to be scheduled conveniently with the group.

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  • Themes: Stillness, Reflection, Willpower, Confidence, Transformation

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  • Focus: The sheath of wisdom, discernment, and intuition. Deeping wisdom and restoring energy reserves.

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Physical Practices 

  • 8 Pieces of Brocade (Metal Element focus)

  • Healing Sounds for Water Element Organs

  • Meridian Breathing for Water Organs  

  • Tao Yin Yoga Series

  • Yin Yoga for Water

  • Body tapping

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Meditation

  • Qi Body Breathing

  • Qi packing and spiraling

Yin Yang Symbol

Theory & Philosophy

  • Deep dive into the Water Element and Vijnamaya Kosha

  • The Three Treasures: Jing, Qi, and Shen

  • Breath as a tool for supporting your physical and emotional immune system and auric field

Program Benefits

  • Access your inner wisdom and intution by connecting to the Water element's stillness and depth. 

  • Build confidence, willpower, and your immune system through pranayama techniques like Qi Body Breathing. 

  • Align with your Wisdom Body, Vishnanamaya Kosha to reflect on your path and sit peacefully in the present moment. 

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Meet Your Instructors

Lara Alexiou, YACEP, Lead Teacher

Lara is a seasoned yoga instructor and wellness mentor with over two decades experience teaching Yoga, Qigong, and Taoist Healing Arts. As a 500-hour Yoga Alliance-certified teacher and a 10,000-hour Dao Yin Qigong Master Instructor, she has guided students from firs-time practitioners to advanced teachers. Lara founded West Wind Yoga as a Yoga Alliance Registered Training School and leads yoga teacher trainings, international yoga retreats, and wellness workshops. Her teachings blend ancient practices with modern insights making them practical and applicable to students in real life and for modern living. "I am thrilled to guide an intimate cohort of students through Prana Pathways, creating the space and time for real experiential understanding to take root, flourish, and grow."

Erin Pica, RYT200 

West Wind Yoga is pleased to welcome Erin as a guest teacher for Prana Pathways. She has over a decade in experience in Yoga, Qigong, and Taoist healing arts and is currently completing her training as a certified personal coach from the Hudson Institute of Coaching. Erin has trained with Lara since 2010 and been teaching since 2019. She brings a passion for helping her students synergize inner awareness with outer action. "For Prana Pathways, I am excited for students to cultivate an awareness of Qi (life force energy) in the body through breath work and mindful movement practices that embody the emotional and energetic qualities of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water)."

Lara and Erin Yoga Retreat

Program Features

  • Cumulative Review Weekends: Every third weekend focuses on reflecting, refining, and integrating what you've learned. 

  • Practical Application: Seasonal home study, journaling prompts, and meditations will help you integrate the lessons into everyday living. Weather permitting, we will also have fun field trips outside of the studio to deepen the lessons. 

  • On-going Support: Group chats, video calls, and check-ins to keep the cohort connected and inspired in between live weekends.  

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Logistics

  • Total Hours: 60 hours and Yoga Alliance Certificate of Completion -15 hour across 3 weekends per season for 5 seasons.

    • Upon request, a teaching certificate can be granted upon completion of all 5 seasons with additional hours, testing, and fee. 

  • Schedule: 3 immersive Sundays per season. Spring has been scheduled:

    • Sunday March 23, 2025

    • Sunday April 13, 2025

    • Sunday May 4, 2025

  • The following Season's Sundays will be scheduled as we get closer to each season.  

  • Duration: 5 seasons or 1 year total: 2025 Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Fall, and 2026 Winter.

    • Participants may register individually for each season or receive a discount for paying in full. 

  • Pricing:

    • Seasonal Payment Plan: $400 paid per season

    • Paid in full discount: $1800

Questions? Email Lara@laraalexiou.com

Schedule a call to see if this program is right for you!

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Hear from Past Teacher Training Graduates:

Lynn Green YTT

Lynn Green
Elemental Insights YTT Graduate, RYT 200 
Owner, Now and Zen Wellness

Lara has a gift in teaching. She is extremely knowledgeable and fair. a caring heart paired with a deep understanding in the yogic philosophy made her one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. She utilized different teaching styles to ensure every student’s learning style was addressed. She has patience and kindness. I highly recommend her program. 

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