There are 2 required textbooks:
Anatomy and Asana – Preventing Yoga Injuries by Susi Hately-Aldous
The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar
Recommended reading:
Yoga and the Quest for the True Self by Stephen Cope
Teaching Yoga by Donna Fahri
The following categories are in accordance with the classification system used by Yoga Alliance. Each category has a specific number of hours required. Visit the Yoga Alliance website for further information.
Techniques:
- Asana – history, philosophy, psychology and alignment
- Pranayama – theory and practice of a number of different techniques
- Meditation – theory and practice of a number of different techniques
- Bandhas – application to pranayama and asana
- Kriya – cleansing practices
Teaching Methods:
- Asana alignments – anatomical safety and energetic alignment
- Adjustments – philosophy and practice
- Sequencing – designing a class or practice
- Dialogue – use of language and voice
Anatomy & Physiology:
- Western approach – musculoskeletal, respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems
- Eastern approach – chakras, nadis, 5 koshas, 3 bodies
Philosophy & Ethics
- History of Yoga
- Benefits of Yoga
- Paths of Yoga – bhakti, karma, jnana, raja, tantra
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- The spiritual path
- Psychology and ethics
- Yoga teacher/student relationships
Other Topics:
- Chanting/Mantra
- Introduction to Sanskrit
- Marketing and business skills
- Common injuries – treatment and prevention
- Spiritual/Yogic texts – intro to the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Vedas, Puranas
Besides the above topics required by Yoga Alliance, our program also introduces the following topics:
- Prenatal Yoga
- Yoga Nidra
- Ayurveda
Practicum:
One of the benefits of taking a yoga teacher training program within a yoga studio is the opportunity to observe our instructors teaching classes and to choose a teacher with whom you would like to do a practicum, an essential part of developing confidence as a new teacher. This mentorship has four parts:
- Shadow – this step allows you to become comfortable in the class from the perspective of the teacher rather than the student. You will be in class without a mat, following close to the teacher so you can see how adjustments are made and listen to questions and answers.
- Assist – you will be present as a teacher’s assistant in a class, to give out props and to make verbal or physical adjustments as appropriate.
- Warm-up – you will teach the warm-up section of a class and stay for the remainder of the class to assist the teacher.
- Certification Class – you will teach one full class on your own. A faculty member from the Teacher Training Program will observe your teaching and give you feedback. This is your exam class.
Once you have completed your certification class, you have the opportunity to teach two community classes per month (without faculty observing) for up to six months to further develop your teaching skills in a familiar setting.