Asana - Each weekend will focus on a particular group of postures, with a focus on cueing and assisting these poses.
Pranayama - Breathing techniques are incorporated into every weekend, with a focus on how to incorporate pranayama into a personal practice, as well as how to teach these practices to students.
Anatomy - Understanding how the body moves and functions helps students better understand the connection between the cues and the poses. Trainees will gain a better understanding of the importance of cueing and that all healthy movement is stabilized movement.
Assisting - Once trainees better understand the postures and how to cue them, they are better equipped to physically assist students. The training will offer a number of assisting and adjusting clinics, with 10 required assisting hours outside of training hours.
Sequencing - Trainees will learn two ways to approach creating/sequencing a yoga class. Universal yoga (an alignment-based vinyasa style) is a creative way to sequence a vinyasa class, incorporating and weaving together various yoga techniques (asana, pranayama, mudras (energetic gestures), bandhas (energetic seals), drishti (gaze/focus), and visualizations) to develop a deep sense of concentration. Trainees will also learn how to sequence a power yoga class. There will also be discussion about the use of aromatherapy oils and music to create the desired environment. By the end of the program, each trainee will have created two of his/her own classes. Trainees will also learn how to effectively teach to beginners. To further hone these skills, trainees will be required to observe 10 classes, outside of training hours.
Method of Meditation - A variety of meditation techniques will be offered including, mindfulness meditation, focused meditation, meditation in movement, mantra meditation, visualization meditation, and progressive relaxation.
Additional topics that will be discussed include:
- Ayurveda - A way/system of healing and way of life that takes into consideration the whole person. Understanding this system can help trainees maintain quality and longevity of life.
- Yin yoga, Restorative yoga, Bikram, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Yoga Nidra, and Prenatal yoga - Trainees will be expose to these styles/systems of yoga.
- The Business of Yoga
- Yoga Ethics