Yoga teacher training curriculum

Training and Practice (80 Hours): Includes asana (physical practice), pranayama (breathing technique), meditation, japa (mantra and meditation), and vinyasa (breath and movement), modifications and variations of poses. Gentle hatha and use of props in a restorative practice. We will go over technique and application, some analysis of how to teach as well as practice some guided practice of techniques themselves.

Electives (20 Hours): Will cover a basic introduction and understanding of Sanksrit, Nutrition, Detox, Essential Oils, Philosophy from the Vedas and Bhagavad Gita

MODULES:

  • Module 1: Foundation of the Yogi Lifestyle 101

  • Module 2: Teaching Techniques Intensive I

  • Module 3: Rituals, Philosophy, Advancing Surya AB

  • Module 4: Teaching Techniques Intensive II

  • Module 5: Anatomy, Alignment & Stage Presence

  • Module 6: Branding, Marketing, Ethics, Laughter Yoga

  • Module 7: Teaching Techniques Intensive III

  • Module 8: Teaching Techniques Intensive IV

  • Teaching Practice One on One 90 minute Sessions: Applying Teaching Skills (Minimum of 3, $110 each)

ANATOMY:

  • Learn human anatomy, bio-mechanics, and optimal alignment for yoga asana.

(10 hours) Includes the physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, muscular action, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (nadis, chakras, bandhas, etc.) We will discuss all the various application of yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy alignment, etc.) and how to teach your students to discover their own movement patterns and ways to create new patterns of proper posture.

PHILOSOPHY AND HISTORY:

  • Explore the historical context in which yoga has evolved from an ancient past through modern times.

  • As a carrier of the lineage, you are part of the evolution of yoga!

  • Explore yoga’s philosophical foundations to understand the reasons behind the actions.

  • Discuss the Yoga Sutras.

  • Experience and discuss basic chanting and meditation.

Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle, and Ethics (20 Hours): Yoga Philosophy in relation to the 8 limb path. Introduction to Yoga Philosophy: Historical development of yoga, includes a broad overview Yoga Sutras, all the way up to modern yoga. Ethics of yoga for a yoga teacher. Lifestyle of a yoga teacher through nutrition, diet and karma yoga or seva (service).

TEACHING SKILLS:

  • Receive the technical acumen to lead successful, intelligent, all-levels yoga classes. Graduate with the ability to teach your style of yoga.

  • Learn teaching skills which include sequencing, creating relevant themes and intentions, hands-on and verbal adjustments, conscious use of language, voice projection, time management, prenatal modifications, and teaching beginners.

  • Gain confidence and effectiveness as a teacher and student of yoga.

  • Yoga teacher training graduates are qualified to register their yoga teacher certification with Yoga Alliance® at the RYT200 level. (Your certification is internationally recognized!)

Includes practice teaching in pairs and in groups. Receiving feedback, observing and giving others feedback. Assisting a class while someone else teaches.

Teaching Methodology (20 Hours): Includes qualities of a teacher and student, how to find and use language and voice, demonstration, observation, correcting and assisting postures. How to theme classes and teach workshops and privates. How to sequence intelligently and safely. How to teach beginners, all levels and intermediate to advanced.

BUSINESS OF YOGA (5 hours):

  • Learn how and why business and yoga are related, and how to cultivate a livelihood that is meaningful and ethical.

  • Gain insights on creating a successful yoga career and starting your own teaching practice from studio owners and established teachers.

We will cover how you market and promote yourself as a practitioner, how you start a yoga studio, including funding, construction, permits, leases, marketing of a studio, hiring/staffing guidelines, how to run a studio, etc.

ASSIGNMENTS OUTSIDE OF CLASSROOM (20 HOURS):
Involves homework and journal questions and entries.

REQUIRED READING:
These are the books that we feel are beneficial to assist you in a deeper understanding of yourself.

  • Mind Your Body Oasis manual – given at the beginning of training

  • The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

  • Yoga PH.D by Carol Horton

  • The Path of Yoga Sutras of Pantajali by Nicolai Bachman

  • Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing by Timothy McCall

  • Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar

  • The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow by Sanjey Patel

  • The Key Muscles of Yoga: Scientific Keys Volume 1

  • Comfortable with Uncertainty by Pema Chodron

  • Anatomy of Yoga by David H. Coulter

  • You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh

It is also required that you write a 3 page essay concerning one of these books and the ways in which it affected your perceptions of yoga. This essay will be due 1 month after the program begins.  We have copies of these books available for purchase on the retail wall.

Recommended Reading:

  • Gita Wisdom by Joshua M Green

  • Mudras by Gertrud Hirschi

  • Hatha Yoga Pradipika by Swami Vivekananda

  • A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

  • Refining the Breath by Doug Keller

  • The Book of Secrets by Osho

  • Jivamukti Yoga by Sharon Gannon and David Life

  • The Gift by Hafiz

  • The Upanishads by Sri Aurobindo

  • Healing Mantras by Thomas Ashley Farran