Module 1 -Right Living

Right Living focuses on establishing a personal Yogic Lifestyle aligned with the principals of nature according to Ayurveda for the body, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali for the mind, worldly & spiritual fulfillment with Purushartha and the Bhagavad Gita for Dharma and Right Action. This module acknowledges that the work done in practice can be embodied more fully and its results consolidated to a greater degree when we live Yoga off the mat as much as on.

Right Living satisfies the Yoga Alliance standards of Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers and goes above and beyond these standards to bring out the highest and best Self of each teacher on a personal level. We firmly believe that when a teacher is established in absolute awareness on and off the mat they have a greater influence within their teaching and sharing their unique contribution to the world Dharma.

Learning Objective:

You walk away from this module with a firm understanding of the basic Samkhya philosophy and how it relates to the process of Yoga as a practice. We review and root the applications of Patanjali’s Sutras, Kriya Yoga, 7 Stages of Spiritual Development, 7 Stages of Spiritual Discernment and the practice of Vichara for enhancing personal practice and as focal points for in-class theming. A significant time is spent in review and discussion on the lifestyle principals and the Karma, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga approach as outlined in the Bhagavad Gita. You are encouraged to apply these principals of right conduct to your daily life. Right alignment begins with daily morning, evening and seasonal routines of an Ayurveda lifestyle and the intricacies of these are understood and to be applied by the students. Finally, you work to uncover your unique Dharma in accordance with the Purushartha methodology by the process of the Four Desires as taught by Rod Stryker, gaining clarity and discernment to move forward in a way that truly honors your path and what right action means to you.

 

Session 1 – Samkhya Philosophy

Required reading – The Seven Systems of Indian Philosophy by Pandit Rajmani Tiguniat PhD

Learn Samkhya Philosophy and how it relates to the Yoga School. Topics include history of the Vedas and Samkhya, Tattvas, 8 fold Prakriti and 16 fold Purusha, 3 forms of Ahamkara, Jnana Indriyas, Karma Indriyas, Tanmatras and Maha Bhutas, 3 Bodies and the Tattvas and Tattvas and Koshas.

 

Session 2 – Applying Patanjali Yoga

Required reading – The Practice of Yoga Sutras book 1 & 2 by Pandit Rajmani Tiguniat PhD

We review and root the applications of Patanjali’s Sutras. Beginning with History, biography of Patanjali, Patanjali's view of the mind, Purusha and Prakriti, Kleshas, Vichara Practice, Samadhi, Joy, Abhyasa and Vairagyam, 4 stages of Vairagya, Kriya Yoga, Astanga - 8-limbs, Samyama, Viyoga verses Samyoga, Karma, Preserving Prana with the 3 Vital Essences, Practices of Refinement, 7 Stages of Spiritual Development, 7 Stages of Viveka, Mantra, Faith and Patience.

 

Session 3 – Purushartha

Required reading – The Four Desires by Rod Stryker

You begin to utilize the knowledge of Purushartha by learning about Svadharma and Santana Dharma according to the Yogic teachings of Purushartha. Topics include Dharma verses Adharma, how to work with Desire, The Four Desires, Rod Stryker's methodologies as expounded upon in his Four Desires book including Dharma code, Sankalpa, Vikalpa, the creation equation, Shakti, departure point, Yoga Nidra, Preya verses Shreya and right action in the world. As you uncover your individual Dharma you serve the world with your unique set of traits and talents and reduce your limitations creating the possibility for total fulfillment both materially and spiritually.

 

Sesson 4 – Ayurvedic Routines

Required Reading – A Life of Balance by Maya Twiari

Learn the details of varous Ayurvedic Parichara techniques. This includes, Dinacharya - daily routine, Raitucharya - evening routine, and Ritucharya - seasonal routine. In order to serve as a balanced teacher, you must maintain a state of health. This session provides you with time-tested, daily and seasonal tools that help you maintain your stability so that you serve from fulfillment.

 

Session 5 – Bhagavad Gita

Reading – Bhagavad Gita by Ecknath Eshwarn

This session covers the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. This includes both the historical and symbolic discourses. In detail, we discuss the various chapters, verses and how the Yogi is to apply them physically, mentally and spiritually. We cover the various teachings of Karma, Jnana and Bhakti Yoga as outlined in this sacred text. You walk away with the knowledge of these teachings presented in a way that impacts your daily choices. Using the wisdom of the Gita, you can perform your actions in the world within right alignment of your Dharma and Santana Dharma. Living in such a way frees you from creating unhelpful or painful situations that may have been prevented. With the correct mental and spiritual intention and detachment, life becomes a joyful expression of devotion and service.

Module 2 Shakti Sadhana

As modern-day Yoga teachers with busy schedules, Shakti Sadhana offers a condensed, powerful and energetic approach to personal practice for those who have already laid a sufficient foundation in personal health, mental stability and spiritual connection. Building upon the actions taken in the Right Living module, Shakti Sadhana is primarily an experiential training. It was created with the understanding that time must be set aside for the continuation of our personal advancement if we wish to be the most effective transmitters of this ancient wisdom.

This module precedes the Advanced Teaching Skills because it provides a well of personal experience from which to draw on in our classes. Shakti Sadhana satisfies the Yoga Alliance standards of Techniques, Training & Practice, Teaching Methodology, Practicum and Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle & Ethics for Yoga Teachers and goes above and beyond these standards to bring out the highest and best Self of each teacher on a personal level.

Session 1 – Shakti Sadhana

Shakti Sadhana takes a deeper look at personal practice, how to strengthen our commitment and how to utilize the best techniques for the most effective and efficient practice. Shakti Sadhana covers Tantra’s 6 Svadharmas or life practices for living the best of your life, Tantra’s Ways to Strengthen Your Capacity and Resolve, 7 Factors of Practical Practice, Gheranda Samhita's Sapta Sadhana Approach to Practice, the Role of Hatha Yoga, Assessing the Koshas, Ayurveda for Yogic Growth including Rejuvination and Tonification Practices, A Deeper Look at the Role of Ojas, Tejas and Prana, Shatkarmas and Asana for Increasing Tapas & Fire, Reducing Avidya & Tamas, Abhyasa and Vairagyam, Moon, Sun, Fire, Granthis, Bandha, and Mudra

 

Session 2 – Prana Shakti & Pranayama

Reading: Prana & Pranayama by Swami Nirjnananda Saraswati

Prana Shakti & Pranayama takes a deeper look at the cultivation and skillful use of Prana for the purpose of expanding the student's capacity. This module covered Prana Shakti, Physiology of breath, Swara, Prana & Pranayama Physiology, Ratios, Prana Vidya, Prana and Manas Shakti, Pranayama Practice, Pranayama and how it related to the Subtle Body of the Koshas, Vayus, & Chakras, Pranayama and Mantra, Pranayama Practice,Kaya Stirah, Stages of Pranayama, Methodology of Practice & Cautions, Kumbhaka, Psychic: Br, passage, centers, a committed Nadi Shodhana Practice in Stages, Agni Bhava

 

Session 3 – Meditation

Reading - Meditation from the Tantras by Swami Satyananda Saraswati

This approach to Meditation is to offer a solid foundation and step by step process for incorporating successful meditation into an existing personal practice. Students learn the Science of the Meditating Brain, Benefits of Meditation, Delve Deeper into Pratyahara, Dharana & Dhyana, 5 Stages of Consciousness of the Meditating Yogi, Explore Tantric Meditation, Chakra Meditation Technique, Tattva Shuddhi Technique, Kriya Techniques, and Other Tantric Meditations

 

Session 4 – Mantra

Reading - The Language of Yoga by Nicolai Bachman

Mantra is the foundational practice for personal development and spiritual growth. This session covers Mantra in detail and includes, Nada & Bindu, Mantra Science, Mantra Sadhana & 6 Limbs, 6 Virtues that seal the holes in the mind, 6 Categories of Mantra, 4 Types of Japa, Swami Rama's 5 steps to Japa, Suggested Rules, Japa Ansusthana, Ajapa Japa, Mantra Technique and Specific Mantras

 

Session 5 – Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is Yogic sleep where the intention during the practice is to stay awake but reach deep relaxation so one feels like they are resting between the waking and dreaming state or the state of deep conscious relaxation.  Yoga Nidra is so restful that it is said to compensate for sleep, that a half hour of Yoga Nidra is equivalent to three hours of sleep.  It can be used as a tool to regroup our energy so that we live a life of refined choices.  Yoga Nidra can be done as your meditation practice or in addition to meditation. Students learn 8 Components of Yoga Nidra as taught by Swami Rama including Internalization, Samkalpa, Rotation of Consciousness, Breath Awareness, Manifestation of opposites, Creative Visualization, Samkalpa, and Externalization.

Module 3 - Advanced Teaching Skills

Advanced Teaching Skills is for Yoga teachers who want to move their students beyond a purely physical experience to accelerate their growth. The knowledge and skill to do this comes from personal experience. After the completion of the Right Living Module and Shakti Sadhana Module, the teacher is ready for this course which reviews the physical and energetic impact of the 7 main Asana categories and refines and deepens the practice of Vinyasa Krama (intelligent sequencing) and appropriate themeing. An emphasis is placed on the mindful addition and integration of deeper and subtler Yogic techniques into class content to build student’s awareness, personal sensitivity and ability to focus. These include practices centered around awareness of Koshas, Gunas, Vayus, and Chakras. Applications of advanced techniques include Bandha, Mudra, Pranayama, Meditation, Mantra and Savasana.  Teachers learn discernment with adjustments and props for the purpose of creating comfort and for opening energetic lines.  Specialty classes and populations are addressed with regard to Restorative Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Plus Size Yoga.Advanced Teaching Skills satisfies the Yoga Alliance standards of Techniques, Training & Practice, Teaching Methodologyand Practicum and goes above and beyond these standards to bring out the highest and best Self of each teacher on a personal level.

 

Session 1 - Anatomy & Physiology 2

Reading - Anatomy of Hatha Yoga - David Coulter

Working intimately with bodies requires a firm foundation in traditional Western Anatomy and Physiology. This session takes your existing A & P training into further detail. Students walk away from this session learning how the structural, muscular and nervous system are stimulated in each posture.

 

Session 2 - Vinyasa Krama

This section reviews the basic physical and energetic impact of the 7 main classical Asana categories and refines and deepens the practice of Vinyasa Krama (intelligent sequencing) including the capacity checks, the use of Apex poses and safe Pratikriya. We teach how to develop awareness so students can feel the appropriate use of muscular verses organic energy, Sthiram & Sukham, and how intention setting, themeing and Manas Prana can direct, connect and motivate change through intention, focus and visualization. Students walk away with a firm understanding of safe and effective sequencing on a physical, mental and energetic level. They learn how to construct a class that quiets the mind and allows space for their students to develop deeper awareness, which gives the ability to feel the difference of muscular and organic energy and Sthiram and Sukham. They learn intention setting techniques and how to apply them both as a teacher and how to teach students to develop this capacity themselves.

 

Session 3 - Applications of Advanced Techniques

This section teaches the skill of how, why and when they can add deeper elements to their classes including Pranyama within Asana class, Bandha and Mudra within Asana class, Meditation within Asana class, Mantra within Asana class and deepening the students Savasana experience.

 

Session 4 - Yoga Psychology

Reading - Yoga and Psychotherapy by Swami Rama, Rudolph Ballentine, Swami Ajaya

This session explores Yoga and the mind. Yoga psychology is a powerful tool to understand how to create positive new behaviors and patters that lead to more joy and fulfillment in your life and how to transform repetitive negative patterns that cause suffering. Students walk away with a firm understanding of Yoga as a tool to work, not just with the body but also with the mind.

 

Session 5 - Specialty Populations & Modifications

Reading - The Yoga of Wellness by Gary Kraftsow

Practice was always intended to be structured to an individual's needs. This session explores the safe and effective use of adjustments & props and how to tune the eye, open the lines of energy and how to watch the body breathe to gain understanding of the student's actual experience verses what they may think you want to hear. Specializing class according to needs and special populations is a rich subject. This session gives students a general guidline to working with some speciality populations that show up in general classes. If a teacher is drawn to a particular population, further specialized training is recommened and resources are given. Our speciality class instruction includes Restorative Practices, Asanas and their props, length of time in postures, guided relaxation, Prenatal Yoga, general guidelines for 1st - 3rd Trimester – physiological changes, Asanas to avoid, use and modify, safe breathing techniques. Yoga for Bigger Bodies - this part of training educates students about teaching larger bodied students and the limitations it may create in certain yoga asanas this includes how to teach your students to give themselves PERMISSION, Learn how to welcome and retain plus size yoga students in your classes, Learn how to master the anatomical yoga modifications for larger bodies, Tools and techniques to create safe, positive body affirming classes that invites students to show up fully as they are. With these tools you will be able to create a yoga experience that is inclusive, accessible and enriching for students of many abilities, shapes and sizes.