Weekend 1: Biomechanics of Movement and Physiology
- Principles to move the body safely and efficiently based on “Yoga for Wellness” Gary Kraftsow
- Yoga’s effect on systems of the body including the cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, immune, nervous, muscular, reproductive, and skeletal
- Practical anatomy landmarks and areas of risk
Weekend 2: Neurobiology and Trauma
- Foundations of neurobiology including the anatomy of the brain, neurotransmitters and
neuroplasticity
- The brain on stress vs yoga and mindfulness
- The effect of trauma on the brain
- Trauma-informed yoga
Weekend 3: Psychopathology
- Understanding mental illness and disease
- The major diagnostic categories including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, feeding
and eating disorders, and personality disorders, substance use disorders
- Working with mental health professionals as a yoga teacher
- Case studies
Weekend 4: Asana and Teaching Methodology
- Foundations of teaching asana including 6 pose categories, cueing and adjusting
- Breath centric asana vs form centric asana
Weekend 5: Vinyasa Krama
- Sequencing with intention and purpose
- Building classes for a physical apex vs building classes for a mental apex
Weekend 6: Energetics
- Principles of Energetics to include energizing, grounding, and balancing techniques
- Creating practices with specific energetic effects
- Application of principles of balancing energy in the client
Weekend 7: Pranayama and Mantra
- Building breath awareness and foundational pranayama techniques applied to disease
- Use of mantra to affect mood and transform the mind
- Application of breath to affect the nervous system
Weekend 8: Ayurveda and Lifestyle Interventions
- Foundations of Ayurveda Science and application in the client
- Self Care and Lifestyle principles for wellness and balance
- Application of Ayurvedic informed yoga practices
Weekend 9: Meditation and Mindfulness
- Effects of mindfulness and meditation on the brain
- Mindfulness vs Yogic meditation- using the mind as a tool vs transcending the mind
- Foundations of leading and creating mediations and meditation postures
- Basic mudra to emphasize effect of mediation
Weekend 10: Yoga Psychology and Sutras
- Model of the mind through psychotherapy and yogic lenses
- Methods of change, neuroplasticity and samsara vrtti cycle
- 8 limbs of Yoga – the yoga of action
Final written test completed online and yoga class taught to staff for certification