What you will learn

This course, structured to meet the requirements of the Yoga Alliance 200-hour certification, is an intensive immersion into the practice and principles of yoga as an evolving, living tradition continually being influenced by new findings and developments in the mind-body field. The course content is extremely practical and skills-based while at the same time facilitating a personal journey of exploration and discovery.

 

The course will give you

• a universally applicable foundation upon which to build your teaching and practice
• a broad perspective into the origins, philosophy, practice and teaching of yoga
• essentials in applied anatomy, physiology and somatic awareness
• principles of safe and effective lesson planning
• practical skills-based teaching methodology
• First Aid for the yoga classroom.

 

With the above elements, the course is designed to help you develop the skills and confidence needed to be effective in class, but also lay the foundations for a life of learning and teaching.

 

Let’s look at each aspect or the training in more detail below.

 

Teaching methodology

While leading a class might look simple, the preparation, planning and awareness behind that class are very involved. As a trainee, you will learn proper demonstration skills, how to mirror, how to use your voice, safe adjustments, lesson planning, class sequencing and more. You will start by learning "why" we teach yoga, and through the teaching methodology modules, you will learn "how".

 

Philosophy and history of yoga

To be an authentic yoga teacher, the theory and philosophy of yoga form an important foundation that helps you understand the source and guidance behind much of what you will do. It will also hugely enrich your personal practice and teaching experience. When learned in the proper context, philosophy can be fascinating, healing, empowering and life changing. Yoga philosophy stimulates your consciousness. You will be introduced to key texts in the yogic tradition: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, the essential Upanishads, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

 

Almost every style of modern yoga can very clearly trace its roots to just a handful of teachers. Understanding where yoga came from helps you gain appreciation for its rich history, and also gives you a better understanding of the "bigger picture" of yoga in all its newer incarnations. Initially trained as a historian, Simon is particularly gifted in presenting the bigger picture and building bridges between disciplines, cultures and historical eras in a way that sparks the desire to learn more.

 

Applied anatomy for yoga

It is one thing to memorise the names of bones and parts of the body, but quite another to viscerally experience applied anatomy in action. You will be amazed to discover how anatomical awareness will instantly improve your practice and teaching and help you and your students to stay safe and properly aligned in class. Applied anatomy is one of Simon’s personal passions, and as a yoga teacher, his insights will give you a comprehensive understanding of what is going on internally during practice.

 

The seat of the teacher

Leadership comes with power and responsibilities that need to be taken seriously. Over the course study period, you will learn about the ethics and healthy boundaries between teachers and students. Your life is mirrored in class to your students, so as a teacher, your personal life can (and often needs to) shift so that you can inspire and uplift your students.

 

Teaching practicum

This course is structured as a total immersion and as such, you will find that your ability to absorb and apply information is greatly increased. By the 2nd half of the course, you will begin observing and co-teaching live classes with your peers. This is where everything comes together and you start to find your feet and voice as a leader.

 

The life and business of teaching

Teaching is like any career in that you must study and work hard and take conscious steps toward success. You will explore realistic options and lifestyles for yoga teachers including: how to teach privately, how to work for studios, how to market yourself and even the possibility of how to go about opening your own school or studio.

 

We make a living by what we get,
we make a life by what we give.

Winston Churchill

 

(Contributions gratefully received from Lucas Rockwood.)