The Sun is the basis of time. It gives us seasons, the concept of day & night, and rules over measurements like years and the second hand on a clock. Unlike lunar rhythms, the solar cycles are palpable and obvious.
This class will help you better understand the subtle lunar rhythms that play out in the fabric of our solar reality. In this class on the myths and meanings of the nakshatras we will delve into the ancient and intricate world of Vedic Astrology to explore the celestial stories and symbolic significance of the 27 nakṣātras or “lunar mansions”.
Each nakṣātra is associated with a different deity and carries its own unique mythological narrative, personality traits, and cosmic energy. Students will gain a deeper insight into how the nakṣātras influence our lives, relationships, and spiritual journey.
Allison Dennis
This course may be a good fit for you if:
- Gain a deeper understanding of Vedic astrology and the significance of nakṣātras
- Understand lunar rhythms and work with them in an ongoing way
- Explore the mythological narratives of nakṣatras by way of symbols and deities
- Acquire valuable knowledge that can be applied to personal growth, professional pursuits, and helping others on their spiritual journey
Allison’s yoga journey began after a back injury as a performer in the off-Broadway show De La Guarda. Unable to move around at a young age, she took to the philosophy of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras for comfort and perspective. Recovery took several years and allowed for her eventual asana practice to be rooted in and emphasized by India’s wisdom systems.
A Vedic student since 2001, and a graduate of The Body Therapy Institute, Allison completed well over 1000 hours of formalized yoga teacher trainings (Sivananda, Jivamukti, Krishnamacharya) before opening Heart of Yoga School in Carrboro, NC in 2010 which is also the year she met her primary mentor K. Sridhar and began studying with him. She has a BFA in Musical Theater from East Carolina University.
Allison designed an 800-hour Yoga Teacher Training program dedicated to the foundational texts of yoga which offered textual study, introduction to the language of Sanskrit, harmonium instruction, chanting, and the development of a daily prescriptive sadhana.
As an event organizer, she focused on bringing people together at Heart of Yoga School to enjoy her favorite teachers and artists; K. Sridhar, Dr. Robert Svoboda, Sharon Gannon, Edwin Bryant, Prem Sada Sivananda, and more. She led a weekly kirtan for five years, and also organized a weeklong Classical Indian Music Festival.
- Check out her three kirtan albums here on Spotify.
- Her original music can be found here.
- De la Guarda Trailer
In recent years she’s presented with the Telluride Yoga Festival, Grand Valley Yoga Fest, and the Stroud Sacred Music Festival in UK. In 2023 she will present her research on how the ragas of Indian music can be used as Jyotishical remedies at the Vaidyagrama Healing Sounds Retreat in South India.
Allison has compiled a variety of Vedic teachings into an online library of courses on subjects like Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Indian Music, The Ramayana, and more. These courses are offered on Teachable at Heart of Yoga School.
To know more about her works, please visit www.allisondennis.com
Course Structure & Schedule:
- Free intro class introducing nakṣātras, lunar rhythms, and Jyotish generally
August 25, 2025 - 90 minute class moving through the nine nakṣātras in Aries – Cancer
September 28, 2025 | 10am-11.30am ET - 90 minute class moving through the nine nakṣātras in Leo – Scorpio
October 12, 2025 | 10am-11.30am ET - 90 minute class moving through the nine nakṣātras in Sagittarius – Pisces
October 19, 2025 | 10am-11.30am ET
Learning Objectives:
- To understand how the nakṣātras are organised and classified
- To be introduced to the deities and myths of each nakṣātra
- To better understand how the moon reflecting the light of the sun can affect our daily mood
- To be inspired to contemplate the subtle lunar rhythms as a sadhana
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, if you have assimilated the material, you will be able to:
- Understand how nakṣātras affect us on a daily basis
- Discover which nakṣātras are active in your own birth chart
- Continue a study of nakṣātras for your personal growth if inspired to pay attention to the moon’s daily rhythms
