Teacher Certification 250 hours &
Teacher Certification 500 hours

These programs will provide training in five general areas: Technique, Teaching Methodology, Philosophy, Sciences, and Practicum. The detailed content to be covered within the course workshops is as follows. Both programs cover the same topics; however, more advanced stages of the material are taught in the 500-hour level.

TECHNIQUE

Asana Through polishing and refining alignment and teaching technique the student will achieve a deeper understanding of the use of breath to move meaningfully into asana, understanding the art of disseminating this information; and the use of alignment to bring the body and mind into balance. In this training one will deepen understanding and practice, improve yoga teaching, learn the how, why, and when of teaching and practice. The student will learn medical indications and contraindications of each pose; alignment and technique, Scaravelli breath and movement style; expand insight of asana through structural analysis of poses, common mistakes and problems, adjustments and partner assists, and the use of props.

Pranayama: This is an introduction to breath and prana as an energy system, and discusses the purpose of practice and pranayama as rhythmic breath practices to channel and generate life force in the human body. The student will gain an understanding of how the mind is calmed and stillness prevails through the ability to enable prana over desires of the mind by effective energy management.

Western Anatomy of Breathing: A study of diaphragmatic function and the phases of respiration - including skeletal muscle activity, oxygen exchange, and utilization.

Eastern Anatomy of Breath & Breathing: This covers the action of pranayama as coordinated with asana and breathing patterns with emphasis on safe application, contraindications, modifications, and benefits.

Meditation: Students will learn to impart the healing value of meditation by learning to empower students to transform how they relate to the world through teaching concentration and insight meditation techniques. The student will become skilled at teaching students the techniques for utilizing the meditation tools available (including mudras) for meditation. You will learn the value of all the different practices introduced, and be equipped to enable students to find the tools and practices that are most appropriate for each individual, lifestyle, and belief.

Mantra & Chanting: Aspiring teachers will experience and learn the power of mantra and chanting as a way to guide the mind and prana using sound current that tunes and controls the mental and pranic vibration.

Personal Meditation Practice: A lecture and discussion with a focus on the how, why, and when of meditation. We will cover 12-15 different techniques and study two main types of meditation practices with a spotlight on insight meditation through the process of developing coherent thinking.

Bandhas, Netis, Dristi, & Purifications: A lecture and experiential practice to understand bandhas, netis, dristi, and purifications as methods of prana retention, prana management, and cleansing; living internal balance. You will effectively learn to balance muscular energy with organic energy through these practices.

Saturday Being Yoga: This focuses on asana in detail – discovering asana through personal experience as well as breaking down how to teach it to different levels of students.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY

The Art & Skill of Teaching: This cultivates the teacher's ability to embody the art of yoga: developing presence, voice, classroom organization, verbal instructions, observation, and demonstration skills.

The Student: Defining & Meeting Needs: Learning to actively and contextually listen to verbal language and body language is essential to demonstrating compassion and being empowered to define and meet a student's needs. We will look at the difference between listening versus actively and contextually listening to both verbal indicators and physical indicators including the rhythm of the breath. You will also examine the difference between empowering students and disempowering them. You will learn to instruct in a way to create understanding and clarity of perceptions without encouraging students to become mindless or mechanical.

Teaching Through Observation: Developing the ability to first evaluate the outer shape of the pose, the spatial position of the body in relation to the outer body - the alignment of the inner self/body positioning of prana, mind and consciousness in relation to the outer body and outside environment. You will learn the value of looking for the good and what works well with students empowering them to accept situations and themselves and move forward.

Asana: Expanding more into the practice and teaching of asana, you will gain the ability and practice observing student attitude/state of mind; listening to pace of breath, safety and effectiveness of alignment, instructing the technique of muscular energy balanced with organic energy.

Designing & Sequencing Classes: Learning the general sequential organization of a class by beginning with warming up mind and body and progressing to poses that require strength and stamina within the first half or early part of the class. The climax of the class is composed of the poses that require more strength, stamina, and flexibility. The last part of the class is cooling, balancing, and quieting, finally completing with Savasana.

Sanskrit Terminology: Students will gain a working knowledge of constructing, reading, and understanding basic Sanskrit language specifically to enhance our study, practice, and teaching of yoga. We will spend time both in lecture and practice using Sanskrit.

Ethics & Integrity of Teaching: As yoga teachers, we are an example to our students and we have a responsibility to ourselves, our teachers, and to our students to behave in a moral and ethical manner and to maintain a high degree of personal integrity. You will look at the transformative power of integrating the first two limbs of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the yamas and niyamas, into your teaching philosophy.

Teaching: Finding Personal Balance: Lecture and discussion around managing time and energy - recognizing that the effectiveness of teaching is directly proportionate to the teacher's practice and ability to maintain a sense of center, connection, personal balance by walking the talk through living your yoga.

Monday Being Yoga: Lecture and discussion focusing on integrating the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita into your individual teaching style.

PHILOSOPHY

Introduction to Yoga Theory: The Eight Limbs of Yoga: As we journey through the eight limbs of yoga you will expand your thinking to look toward the limbs of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as a way to free yourself from personal samskaras, or your habitual way of thinking with the conditioned mind. You will look at the application of the eight limbs to your life through the practice of yoga.

Historical Overview & Introduction to Ancient Texts: An approach to the sacred Sanskrit texts that will enable the aspiring teacher to understand the origin, organization, and development of yogic and Vedic principles.

Eastern Anatomy: Awareness and understanding of the vital essence and layers of the body: chakras, nadis, vayus, and koshas.

Yoga Philosophy & Yoga Psychology: Students will study the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. You will learn the structure of the Bhagavad Gita with a focus on the first of the three sections dealing with the treatment of attachment and detachment. We will translate the philosophy of the Yoga Sutras into Western, present-day terms. We will discuss the in-depth workings of the mind, the ways we can apply the yoga sutras into our daily lives and our yoga practice. This information on Yoga Psychology will examine the limitations of polarizing, the "you win/I lose" cycle, the kleshas, and vrittis. We will learn the path to freeing ourselves from the illusion of separation.

Self Awareness/Self Study: Application of Yoga Theory: This is a continuation of study integrating the Yoga Sutras into our everyday lives, transforming our ability to relate with our world and create the life that reflects the freedom we desire. We will learn to question our responses, internal and external, using the mirror of life circumstances.

Yoga Ethics & Lifestyle: A philosophy study integrating the first limb of Patanjali's eight limbs, the Yamas. This lecture and discussion course will spotlight the practice of the yamas in thought, word, and deed.

Monday Being Yoga: Lecture and discussion focusing on integrating the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita into the ways in which we live our lives.

SCIENCES

Anatomy of Yoga: In this thorough, in-depth course you will learn anatomy and physiology of the human body including biological directional spatial terminology. In the biomechanics of movement you will gain a working knowledge of the relationships within the body and movement cause and effect. You will study the energetic system of the subtle layers of the energy body, the chakra system, and the nadis. Includes physiological and metabolic functions of muscles, bones, and organs, including a review of the systems: musculoskeletal system (muscles/bones), central and peripheral nervous system (brain and spinal cord), cardiovascular system (heart), respiratory system (lungs), gastrointestinal system (digestive), genitourinary system (reproductive), and endocrine system (glands).

Indications & Contraindications of Asana: All categories of asana are covered: standing, balancing, forward bends, backward bends, twists, and inversions. In order to build strength and flexibility through alignment, breath, and inner focus, an understanding is required of when adjustment and modification are indicated during the process.

The Science of Meditation & Healing: Understanding the effects of mind on physiology, and biochemical and metabolic processes as validated through medical science.

Introduction to Ayurveda: Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural medicine that integrates body, mind, and spirit. It encompasses the total person and relates bodily functions to nature's cycles for perfect harmony and balance. Ayurveda recognizes nature's influence on our mind and body and has organized this information into a system of psychophysiological body types. Your biochemical individuality expresses unique patterns that exist within your body type. Your body type is your "essential nature" or prakriti like a blueprint outlining innate tendencies that have been built into every aspect of your mind/body system. The proper expression of this blueprint results in optimum function and perfect health.

PRACTICUM

Depending on the level and student focus, you will practice applying the information you have learned to general classes, workshops, and/or other appropriate forums. You will also research a chosen topic and present your understanding to your peers and teachers.