EAST MEETS WEST

Journey into Ahimsa

Journey to Ahimsa

Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Well Being…

Sunday | March 30, 2025 | 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Location: Dharma Yoga Studio

Explore the yogic principle of Ahimsa (non-violence/loving kindness) through its roots in Eastern philosophy and sacred texts. We'll begin by studying Ahimsa as the first Yama, uncovering its profound meanings and applications across traditions. Then, we'll bridge to Western neuroscience to examine how our nervous system influences our capacity for compassion and non-violence. Learn practical techniques to regulate your nervous system, identify personal barriers to practicing Ahimsa, and develop sustainable strategies for embodying non-violence in daily life. Through discussion, meditation, and somatic practices, discover how cultivating inner peace creates ripples of positive change in our relationships and communities.

E A S T M E E T S W E S T

What we offer…

  • A unique blend of Eastern wisdom and Western therapeutic approaches for deep exploration and transformation.

  • Extensive expertise in yoga, somatic healing, psychology, and trauma recovery to support an integrative healing experience.

  • A bridge between ancient yogic teachings and modern neuroscience, making philosophy a lived and embodied practice.

  • A practical, nervous system-informed approach to the Yamas, helping participants apply these principles in daily life.

  • A holistic path to self-awareness, integrity, and conscious living through embodied practice and meaningful discussion.

What you can expect from this workshop…

  • A deep dive into Ahimsa (non-harm) as both a philosophy and a lived experience.

  • The integration of yogic wisdom and modern neuroscience to uncover barriers to practicing non-harm in daily life.

  • Guided asana, breathwork, and discussion to explore the role of nervous system regulation in cultivating compassion.

  • Insights into how early conditioning, stress responses, and habitual patterns impact our ability to practice non-harm.

  • Practical tools and techniques to shift towards a more embodied and sustainable approach to Ahimsa.

 

I N P E R S O N E V E N T

Event Info

Sunday, March 30, 2025

2:00 pm to 5:00pm

Dharma Yoga Studio
3317 Manor Rd
Austin, TX 78723

Meet The Team

Gioconda Parker

(she/her) ERYT-500, SEP, MTP

Brenda Lee Gauthier

(she/her) LSCW LCDC SEP RYT

Gia and Brenda bring together a powerful fusion of Eastern wisdom and Western therapeutic approaches. Gia’s extensive background in yoga, Ayurveda, and spiritual psychology, along with decades of teaching and mentorship, offers deep insight into yogic philosophy and embodied practice. She guides students through self-inquiry, presence, and connection, illuminating the energetic and philosophical dimensions of the practice.

Brenda grounds the work in neuroscience, somatic healing, and trauma recovery. With over a decade of experience in complex trauma, addiction recovery, and nervous system regulation, she understands how unconscious protective patterns shape behaviors and relationships. By integrating mind-body healing practices, she provides tools to regulate the nervous system—making it possible to live the Yamas, not just study them.

Together, Gia and Brenda create a learning experience that is both deeply rooted in tradition and highly applicable to modern life. Their shared belief in the body’s innate capacity for healing and transformation forms the foundation of their teaching. This workshop on the Yamas goes beyond theory, offering embodied practices, nervous system awareness, and real-world applications. By weaving together yogic philosophy, somatic wisdom, and lived experience, Gia and Brenda provide a truly holistic and transformative journey.