The school offered teacher trainings onsite at different facilities that occupied over the years. YogaHelps Studio is the new Yoga Studio (former Integral Yoga Center of Richmond), after dissociating itself for it, to continue offering our community the Essential Yoga Teachings based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The past history of IYoR: Founded by Shanti Norris and Prahaladan Mandelkorn in the early 80's, the IYC was one of the first yoga centers in Richmond. Nora Vimala Pozzi, E-RYT500, PRYT, served as its director from 1992 until 2022. In 1999 it offered its first IY Teacher Training Program in Richmond recognized by the Yoga Alliance. The last Teacher Training was offered in October 2019-April 2020. The center closed during Covid, but continued offering classes online, until it re-opened transitioning into its new version, the YogaHelps Studio. One of the main goals of Richmond IYC has been not just to teach yoga classes or train yoga teachers, but to bring awareness and educate the general public about the benefits of yoga -physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, as well as the yoga philosophy and ethics that are the essence of this science. It also strives to bring awareness to the healing power of yoga as a yoga therapy modality, both preventive and therapeutic. The most important aspect has been to learn how to apply the yoga teachings to daily life in order to reduce stress and experience more peace. Integral Yoga is based on the Six (6) Branches of Yoga as follows:
Hatha Yoga Focuses on the physical aspects through asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), yogic diet, and deep relaxation. Raja Yoga Balance and control of the mind through ethical practices, concentration and meditation. Bhakti Yoga The path of devotion and love. Karma Yoga The path of action and selfless service. Serving without attachment to the fruits of the action. Jnana Yoga The intellectual approach. Through the knowledge of that is, what is not changeable. Japa Yoga Japa means repetition of a mantram – a sound structure of one or more syllables which represents a particular aspect of the Divine Vibration.
