Katherine Dunne

450-Hour - Certified Assistant Yoga Therapist (AYTh) - Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute  

Hybrid online and onsite in Lonavala, India - Ongoing

Currently enrolled in foundational courses in applying the principles of yoga therapy through knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and traditional yogic scriptures. The 450 hour course certifies one as an assistant yoga therapist.

200-Hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification - Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute  

Hybrid online and onsite in Lonavala, India - June 2024

Completed comprehensive training in teaching yogic philosophy, asana, pranayama, and meditation techniques. Founded in 1924, Kaivalyadham is one of the oldest and most respected yoga institutions in the world, known for its dedication to preserving traditional Hatha yoga practices and philosophy while integrating modern scientific research.

https://kdham.com/

Embodying the breath of compassion with Kia Naddermeier - Yoga Shakti

Stockholm Sweden - January 2024

6-day immersion in the primary Ashtanga vinyasa series including meditation, pranayama, and pedagogy

14-hour Pranayama course - Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute  

Online - June 2023 

 7-week course in pranayama tradition, technique, and science

6-month Sutta Study Group - led by Ulla Koenig

Online - Jan--June 2023

A monthly gathering of students of buddhist suttas where we reflected and dicussed under the guidance of teacher Ulla Koenig. We read: Kesamutti Sutta, The Noble Search, Vattha Sutta, Sabbasava Sutta, and Anapanasati Sutta. 

7-week meditation/sutta course: The Path of Letting Go - Juha Penttilä 

Online / Gaia House - January 2023 

Explored the three characteristics of impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-selfhood as ways of looking that can facilitate an easing of suffering and lead to meditative letting go. The three characteristics are key meditative practices in the development of insight in the early Buddhist teachings. We explored them both in formal meditation practice and in the midst of our daily lives. 

5-week meditation/sutta course: Cultivating Goodness, Exploring Fabrication - Juha Penttilä 

Online / Gaia House - October 2022 

Explored how cultivating metta – kindness and the fundamental goodness of heart – colors our perceptions of self, other, and world. By cultivating metta in these ways we also explored the themes of fabrication and the emptiness of phenomena to deepen our understanding of the conditioned nature of experience. 

10-day Vipassana Silent Retreats

Nordens Vipassana center - Dhamma Sobhana - March 2022, 2023

Completed two 10-day silent retreats. These are intensive training periods in vipassana meditation techniques in complete silence, developing deep concentration and equanimity.

Pranayama

2023 - Present (2 years)

I started practicing pranayama after taking a 7-week course from Kaivalyadhama. It is has been one of the most fulfilling yogic practices for me, and my favorite part of any session. I use prepartory practices like Agnisara, Kaphalabhati, ujjayi, and pranayamas like nadi shodhana, bastrikha, sheetli, and bhramari. I am a beginner in using breath retention (kumbhaka).

Asana

2022 - Present (3 years)

I dabbled in yoga for several years before beginning a committed practice when I found Bikram yoga in 2021. Besides loving how it made me feel,  I was drawn to the discipline and meditative aspects of the 26x2 series. I wanted to dive deeper and explore more styles of yoga, and found ashtanga vinyasa. I practiced the primary series at-home and Mysore style at a studio in Stockholm. I again was drawn to the discipline and energetic flow of the series. I also loved the community aspect of the Mysore style - where you can get one-on-one attention from a teacher. But again I wanted to dive deeper and this time more into the spiritual aspect of yoga rather than solely asana. I have since found Hatha yoga in 2023 in the Kaivalyadhama tradition and I feel I have found a home in Hatha yoga.

Meditation 

2017 - Present (8 years)

I practice meditation in three main areas:

• Vipassana/Emptiness Practice: Insight meditation focusing on sensations and impermanence
• Non-Dual Awareness: Practices focusing on the dissolution of the subject-object distinction and resting in pure awareness
• Other Buddhist Practices: Including metta, zazen, and samatha