International Association of Yoga Therapists Integrative Restoration Institute Institute for Spirituality and Psychology Marin School of Yoga
Known for
nondual yoga research
Richard C. Miller (born 1948) is an American
clinical psychologist, author,
yoga scholar and advocate of
yoga as therapy.[1] He is the founding president of the Integrative Restoration Institute (IRI), co-founder of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)[2] and founding editor of the professional Journal of IAYT. He is also a founding member and past president of the Institute for Spirituality and Psychology, Senior Advisor to the Baumann Institute, and was the founding president of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Marin School of Yoga.
He is known for his work on the use of
Yoga nidra for rehabilitating soldiers in pain using the iRest methodology.[3]
Career
Miller's primary interests have included integrating nondual wisdom teachings of
Yoga,
Tantra,
Advaita,
Taoism, and
Buddhism with Western psychology. In addition to his research and writing projects, Miller lectures and leads trainings and retreats internationally.[4] Among his mentors, he credits
T.K.V. Desikachar and
Jean Klein.[4]
Miller and his organization have iRest programs in the military (active duty and veterans),[10][11] homeless shelters, prisons,
hospices, senior facilities, universities,
chemical dependency clinics,
multiple sclerosis and cancer outpatient clinics,[12] as well as yoga and meditation studios.
Published works
Books
Miller, Richard. The iRest Program for Healing PTSD: A Proven-Effective Approach to Using Yoga Nidra Meditation and Deep Relaxation Techniques to Overcome Trauma,
New Harbinger, 2015.
Welcoming All That Is: Yoga Nidra and the Play of Opposites in Psychotherapy, in The Sacred Mirror: NondualWisdom & Psychotherapy, Paragon, 2003. Prendergast, Fenner & Krystal (ed.).
ISBN978-1-55778-824-5
Opening To Empathy, UMI, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1990
The Theory and Practice of Yoga Nidra, Anahata Press, Mill Valley, 1985
Langhana and Brhmana, The Institute of Yoga Teacher Education, San Francisco, 1980
The Book of Internal Exercises, with Stephan Chang,
Strawberry Hill Press, San Francisco, 1978
"Longing For Liberation", Journal of IAYT, Vol. 4, 1993
"The Therapeutic Application of Yoga on Sciatica: A Case Study", Journal of IAYT, Vol. 3, 1992
"Psychophysiology of Respiration: Western and Eastern Perspectives", Journal of IAYT, Vol. II, 1991
"Working With The Breath", Yoga Journal, September 1989
"Suffering According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali", Yoga Journal, July 1986
"Breath and Movement", Yoga Journal, July 1984
"Yoga and The Blind", Yoga Journal, January 1978
Audio presentations
iRest Meditation: Restorative Practices for Health, Resiliency, and Well-Being,
Sounds True, 2015.
Sounds of Silence: Chants to the Divine, 2010
Resting In Stillness: The Practice of Integrative Restoration – iRest, 2009
The Final Teachings: Awakening to Your True Nature: Healing and Awakening through the meditative practices of Integrative Restoration iRest Yoga Nidra, 2009
Your Path, Buddha’s Path; Healing and Awakening through the meditative practices of Integrative Restoration iRest Yoga Nidra, 2009
The Principles and Practice of Ujjayi Pranayama, Audiocassette Tape Set, Anahata Press, 1999
The Principles and Practice of Yoga Nidra, Audiocassette Tape Set, Anahata Press, 1999
"YOGA-BASED TREATMENTS BEAT STRESS"(PDF). Let's Talk (Winter 2010): 1–2. 2010. Archived from
the original(PDF) on May 28, 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-22. As a natural alternative to medication, yoga offers tools that mitigate stress and improve quality of life. It can also have a positive effect on blood pressure and heart rate. Practicing yoga postures increase relaxation while the inward focus and meditation enhances calm. Yoga's favorable track record prompted the Department of Defense (DoD) to first pilot, and then adopt a yoga-based Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) reduction program utilizing a form of
Yoga Nidra. The program, called iRest (Integrative Restoration), utilizes yoga, progressive relaxation, and meditation to manage negative emotions and stress. The iRest program has helped veterans reduce PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and insomnia. There are now iRest programs at Veterans Health Administration (VA) facilities in Miami, Chicago, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. as well as active duty facilities nationwide.
^Major (Dr.) Nisha Money (2009).
"Yoga Nidra (iRest): A "New Twist" on Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Part I)"(PDF). Air Force Medicine. 5 (4 Winter 2009): 12–13. Archived from
the original(PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-22. The iRest military program, based on the ancient practice of Yoga Nidra, is designed to systematically reduce physical, emotional, mental, and even subconscious tension that characterizes PTSD. Participants are taught to manage disturbing moods and memories with a skill set that enables them to objectively respond to intense emotional experiences through conscious choices rather than unconscious reactions.