Asana (Postures)

• Historical context 

• Posture Technique & Analysis

• Complete sequencing (asana, pranayama, meditation) to achieve particular effect safely 

• Anatomical and alignment principles of asanas (postures) plus contraindications

• Asana deconstruction: decoding the postures, one joint at a time. (This content will be expanded on in the Anatomy & Kinesiology Program)

Pranayama & Subtle Body 

• Historical context 

• Effects of pranayama on anatomy and subtle body 

• Complete sequencing of pranayama safely, including alternatives and adaptations Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, among others 

• Subtle Body: Koshas, kleshas, chakras, nadis and prana vayus 

Meditation

• Key meditation terms 

• Meditation methods by lineage 

• Establishing a meditation practice

• Chanting, mantras, and mudras

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Yoga Philosophy 

• Definition of yoga and key terms 

• Relationship between asana, pranayama, meditation 

• Familiarity w/ major yogic texts (i.e., Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Hatha Yoga Pradipika) 

• Self-reflection on how philosophy relates to practice

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History 

• What is Yoga? 

• Compare and contrast Yoga lineages, styles, and methodologies.

• Dates and key ideas such as the Vedas, Vedanta, Hatha, Classical, Colonial, Modern  

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Anatomy 

• Skeletal system​

• Types of joints 

• Major muscles involved in asana 

• Types of muscle contraction 

*Physiology

• Nervous system

• Stress response, vagal theory, overall mind-body connection 

• Relaxation Response

• Circulatory, endocrine and digestive systems as they relate to yoga practice 

• Respiratory system

• Muscles that affect breathing, involuntary vs voluntary breath, how air enters and leaves body

*Taught by Dr. Amit Sahasrabude in three, 3 hour virtual workshops 

Biomechanics 

• Types of joint movements 

• Joint stabilization 

• Safe movement as it pertains to balancing, stretching, awareness, and physical limitations 

• Contraindications, misalignments, adaptations

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Kinesiology

• Kinesiology is the study of human movement

• Application of anatomical and biomechanics principles to the practice of Yoga asana (postures)

• Asana 'deconstruction' - analyzing the movements in the following categories of postures:

  • Forward Bends

  • Back Bends

  • Twists

  • Lateral Bends

  • Balance

  • Inversions

  • Seated postures for meditation

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Teaching Methodology 

• Sequencing 

• Pace 

• Environment Cueing (verbal,visual, physical) 

• Class management 

Professional Development 

• Yoga-related professional organizations, including the Yoga Alliance credentialing process 

• Ethical Commitment, including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct and Equity Position Statement 

• Lifetime of learning and continuing education 

• General professionalism, including timeliness, consistency, cleanliness 

• Marketing and promotion 

• Liability insurance, waivers, invoicing 

Practicum (Practice Teaching) 

• Knowledge,skills & abilities of teaching yoga

  • Structure of a class​

  • Sequencing

  • Pacing

  • Clear & precise verbal cues

  • Teaching multiple levels in an all level class

  • Teaching new, level 1, students

  • Time management in a class

  • Use of music

  • Providing safe & appropriate manual adjustments

  • Taking care of yourself, as the teacher, while teaching

• Mentorship component, apprenticeship, feedback

• Practice teaching

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Ethics 

• Yogic ethical precepts according to the Yoga Sutras 

• Relationship to Yoga Alliance Ethical Commitment including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, and Equity Position Statement 

• Responsibility to increase equity in yoga 

• Accountability measures 

• Self-reflection on how yoga ethics relate to practice and teaching