Our program is geared toward developing and deepening your personal yoga practice while empowering you to share it with others. Through skillfully led daily classes, you will be exposed to the wisdom and diversity of the yogic tradition. From the basics of yogic philosophy to a deeper understanding of the yogic inner pursuits our interdisciplinary approach will encourages all participants in a nurturing and sacred environment. Group work, individual study and practice teach will give you the confidence and necessary preparation to continue a personal or professional path in the yogic arts. Along all the twists and turns on your yogic journey — and transformation process — you will be fully supported by dedicated team.

CURRICULUM

1. Techniques, Training and Practice: 100 hours           

Students will be skillfully taught, led and guided in yogic techniques with a substantial emphasis on analytical training in how to teach, as well as develop their own personal practice in asana, pranayama, kriya, chanting, mantra, and meditation.

• Asanas-trainees will practice and learn the key poses in each category of asana as well as alignment maps through experience and observation.

  • standing poses

  • forward bends

  • backbends

  • twists

  • inversions

• Pranayama Techniques from various traditions

• Kriya- sequences of asanas

• Chanting

• Mantra

• Meditation

2. Teaching Methodology: 30 hours

A broad overview and analysis of teaching methods from various yogic traditions.

• Communication skills including group conscious, time management, sacred space, Sacred Art of Listening Together, (SALT), interpersonal communication, and reflective listening.

• Principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting- effective demonstrations to emphasize alignment.

• Teaching styles- active vs. passive language and the effectiveness of each.

• Qualities of a teacher.

• The Student Learning Process-differentiation, identifying your dominant learning modality, and learning to teach based on other’s learning styles.

• Business aspects of teaching yoga.

3.  Anatomy and Physiology: 20 hours

 The study of the human body in relationship to a yoga practice through anatomy and physiology. Western anatomy (body systems and organs) as well as eastern energy anatomy (nadis and chakras) will be covered including benefits,  contraindications and movement patterns.

4.  Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle & Ethics for Yoga Teachers: 30 hours

The study of yogic philosophies and traditional texts such as the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita including a deep focus on the  8 limbs of Patanjali and how these texts apply to life today. 

• The development of a yogic lifestyle and concepts of dharma and karma.

• Ethics for yoga teachers in relation to their students and community.

• Understanding the value of teaching yoga as a service (seva) and being of service to others.

 5. Practicum: 10 hours

Practicum teaching will be infused throughout the entire training with opportunities to teach learned topics presented  to one another in pairs or small groups daily. Students will have a formal practicum in small groups where they will be the lead instructor. Students will have opportunities to observe others teaching and assist others teaching as well. Receiving and giving feedback in a nurturing environment is part of practicing consciously communicating. 

RECOMMENDED READING + ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• The Bhagavad Gita translated by Eknath Easwaran

• Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

• Teaching Yoga by Mark Stephens

• Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff, Amy Matthews

• The Key Muscles of Yoga: Scientific Keys, Volume I by Ray Long

• The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi

• Self-Awakening Yoga by Don Stapleton, Ph.D.

• Light on Pranayama by BKS Iyengar

• Awakening the Spine by Vanda Scaravelli

• Yoga Nidra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

• Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Muktibodhananda

• Four Chapters on Freedom by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

• Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain

• Be Here Now by Ram Dass

• Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar