The Yoga Alliance has set a widely-accepted international standard for Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) programs which includes a minimum hour requirements across five areas of teaching: techniques, philosophy/lifestyle/ethics, teaching methodology, anatomy, and a teaching practicum. 

 

This course will offer you a holistic view which encompasses multiple branches of yoga philosophies, asana practice, anatomy, pranayama, meditation, alternative therapies, kirtan, and teaching methodology. Delve into the authenticity of this ancient practice, which offers you a solid foundation for your future teaching career. This program is transformative, from your inner self, to your connection with the outside world, it will give you a new way of viewing the interconnectedness between the two. How our program helps you grow is like nurturing a plant, from the germination of a seed, to a robust tree with deep running roots.

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Techniques

Asana, pranayama, meditation and kriya techniques will be explored and practised each morning, so that our practitioners will be fully immersed into the experience and plant the seed of the practice within which will blossom overtime.

There will be time to develop one’s own practice, learn about anatomical alignment as well as to teach and assist peers during group teaching sessions.  The practitioners will also learn how to adapt the techniques for specific ages, levels, and some ailments. 

 

Mantra

We will explore the idea of mantra as a subtle energy in sound structure. The practitioner will learn to chat and present yogic mantras for the beginner and/or ending of yoga classes in an authentic way.(such as Invocation and Shanti Path of the Yajur Veda). 

 

Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics

In this section, the goal and paths of yoga will be discussed and it leads to the concept and techniques of meditation.  Different stages of meditation will be explored. Yoga psychology and philosophy will be introduced by examining Patanjali’s yoga sutras, and the 8 limbs of yoga, and how they apply to our daily lives and the yoga practice.  We will also explore the interrelationship of different paths of yoga, such as Bhakti, Karma, Raja and Jnana) which are introduced in a philosophical and practical light.

 

We will present and compare Yogic and Ayurvedic concepts of nutrition as well as daily cleansing rituals, self massage techniques from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory.

 

Teaching Methodology

Practical teaching methodology includes how to demonstrate, observe, cue and assist students.  We will also introduce the importance of language used to enter, maintain and come out of poses. For example, in the forward fold posture, the image of ‘surrendering the body into the force of gravity’ is useful, as opposed to ‘pull’ or ‘push’ language.

 

The goal of theoretical discussions of methodology is to explore how to be a transformational facilitator or teacher rather than just an instructor. In this section, we will also explore the topic of the art of sequencing, creating a safe space, managing group dynamics, language and cuing, the ethics of assisting.

 

Anatomy and Physiology

In the 20 hours of anatomy and physiology class, students will be learning both the physical system and the subtle body.

 

Physical Anatomy

This session aims to teach the practitioner about anatomy and how it relates to postures.  The subjects include the study of the skeleton, muscles and joints, the cardio-vascular system and the respiratory system, and the endocrine system and how they are benefited by Yoga.

 

Subtle Anatomy

The subtle anatomy relates to the yoga teaching of three bodies, the physical, astral and causal, as well as the five corresponding sheaths. And the concept of nadis and chakras will be explored including its location, associated glands and the physical and mental characteristics of each chakra. There also will be discussion of ida, pingala and shushumna nadis, how they are related to the practice of asana and pranayama.

 

Practicum

The practitioners will gradually be introduced to teaching by teaching peers poses or mini sequences and progress towards teaching a group.  There will be a standard flow sequence, and also a unique creative sequence that the practitioners assembled together holistically around a theme.