Teacher Training Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide the tools necessary for embodying yoga and guiding others on the path of yoga – creating and leading classes, and most importantly, igniting the light of knowing within you, so you may offer that light in your communities.

This is a true journey into the heart of mindfulness, yoga, tantra, and being – a foundational program that goes beyond the basics of vinyasa and poses – and calls all curious students of yoga who are ready for radical transformation.

There is a strong emphasis on emergent teaching and practice – listening to what is arising in the here and now and responding to that with our approach to practice, learning and teaching.  You will gain more confidence in listening to your inner wisdom and how your body, heart and mind speak to you.

Study and Practical Application of Topics:

  • Vinyasa Krama (intelligent sequencing), Cueing Language, and Structuring a class
  • Meditation and Inner Listening
  • Breath as an Ally
  • Ayurveda
  • Chanting
  • The Energetic Body
  • Earth and Moon Wisdom
  • The Power of Rest
  • Yogic and Tantric wisdom and Philosophy
  • Space Holding
  • Personal Practice
  • Tradition, Service, and Purpose
  • Self-transformation

March+April: Embodiment

  1. The Abode of the Soul – 6 categories of asana, biomechanics of asana, prana/chitta
  2. Ayurveda – doshas, self-care, lifestyle
  3. Breath as an Ally – the pranic body: energetic systems and breathing

May+June+July: Sharing and Delivering

4. Meditation and Inner Listening  –  practices for getting still, cueing language, self-inquiry

5. Space Holding – exploring the ways we co-create and lead

6. Earth and Moon Wisdom  – teaching and practicing in line with inherent wisdom

September+October+November: Integration and Progression

7. The Power of Rest: Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Savasana

8. Tradition, Service and Purpose: who you are as a teacher; sharing the gifts

Other Requirements for Trainees:

  • personal practice devotion and journal:
    • meditation or yoga nidra, asana, chanting
    • home practice will evolve out of each of our in person sessions based on your needs, desires, and interests
  • required reading and reference books:
    • The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar
    • Yoga for Wellness by Gary Kraftsow
    • Happy Healthy Sexy: Ayurveda Wisdom for Modern Women by Katie Silcox
    • Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad
    • Skill in Action by Michelle Cassandra Johnson
    • MetaAnatomy: Anatomy of a Yogi by Kristin Leal
    • Radiant Rest by Tracee Stanley
    • Secret of the Yoga Sutra: Samadhi Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait
    • Book reports will be required on two of the above books
  • suggested texts and supplemental reading:
    • The Bhagavad Gita trans. Eknath Easwaran
    • Hatha Yoga Pradipika Bihar publication/commentary Swami Muktibodhananda
    • Art of Joyful Living by SwamiRama
    • Touched by Fire by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait
    • Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater
    • Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma by Dr. Gail Parker
    • The Four Desires by Rod Stryker
    • Relax and Renew by Judith Lasater
    • Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff
    • The Anatomy Coloring Book by Kapit and Elson
    • Another Yoga Sutra text in full and/or Practice of the Yoga Sutra: Sadhana Pada by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait
  • homework, quizzes and exams
  • practice teaching and observation
    • all trainees will be required to teach 3 public classes (one will be organized through the program and co-taught with another trainee, a second organized on your own and taught solo, and a third private yoga session arranged on your own)
  • special Project/thesis: all trainees will complete a final project (leading a workshop, writing a paper, doing a study, the possibilities are open!) in any area of special interest to them.