Our Curriculum & Teaching Methodology
Multidimentional Teaching Process
We layer our curriculum vertically (morning to evening) and horizontally (daily); from morning to evening, every session we teach builds a foundation for the next session. Similarly, we layered each full day of teaching as a foundation for the next day's education. It also applies for each week - the first week, we focus on establishing the Principals of Foundation and cueing, the second week cueing and hands-on adjusting and assisting, third and last week is class planning & teaching. What we emphasize throughout the whole training is skillful space holding and building confidence.
Our training is all about experiential studies rather than dry academic sessions; Yes, we will have educational sessions; however, we skillfully weave it in only when our bodies require rejuvenation and rest. Our Q&As & open discussion are lively, and most sessions are hands-on and fun. We feel direct experiential learning encourages embodying individual voice and style as a yoga teacher, leader, or empowered individual.
Daily Asana & Meditation Practice
Techniques, Training and Practice
Description
Each morning session will include a comprehensive guided meditation and full asana class lead by the lead Instructors Kadri Kurgun & Anabel Miranda and Team. We will incorporate principles of alignment, heart
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Learning Objectives
Deepen individual physical and meditation practices using asana postures, vinyasa movements, pranayama, mantra, chanting, mudra, and guided meditations. Through practice the participants will receive a deeper experiential understanding of the techniques as student and simultaneously processing as a teacher. Students will begin to recognize the art of creating inspired and intentional class which utilize specific heart-based themes aligned to intelligent sequencing principles of the asanas and the subtleties of language and transmission of lineage wisdom in guided meditation. There will be emphasis on pranic energy lines and movement of energy through the nadis, allowing the students to deepen their subtle body experience during the physical practice, a clearer understanding of the Mind in meditation or asana practice, as well as increasing their direct knowledge of the more esoteric goals of awakening Kundalini as it relates to personal practice. Students will also take turns each day assisting this practice session. To summarize: This daily session is a powerful guided practice to give the students a deep direct experience of what they will know to teach in the training, how to focus of the mind, understand the principles of alignment, use of breath, drishti, etc.
Meditation Postural Adjusting
Teaching Methodology
Description
Intuitive and empathetic observation for skillful posture setting. Will include lecture, Q&A and open discussion exercises where the student will learn how to be Present before assessing and implementing proper adjustment.
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Learning Objectives
Students will learn to observe visually and intuitively the energy movement in the physical & energetic body. Mindfully identify stuck energy in order to assess proper need and approach, while learning skillful techniques to correct asana postures verbally, through compassionate touch, and/or with proper props. This intuitive and empathetic observation will be the foundation to all assisting, modification, space holding, adjusting, and any other interpersonal interaction students will study during the course. This section will include hands-on adjusting, cueing and demonstrations on how to skillfully prop a meditation posture for all body types, lecture on the theory such as but not limited - to Seven-point meditation posture of Vairochana. Students will also practice how to set a proper posture in small groups. To summarize: Students will gain a deep understanding of the importance of setting up a proper posture as a foundation for successful meditation practice… through this process they will have a better understanding of the subtle energy of the body, how to approach a student with Mindful presence and by using skillfully cueing. Also how to bring this level of sensitivity to adjusting and cueing in an asana practice.
Asana Postural Adjusting
Teaching Methodology
Description
This section we will have lecture, demonstrations, and Q&A’s relating to asana adjusting techniques.
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Learning Objectives
Students will learn the energy movement in the physical & energy body during the practice of asanas, how the 7 learning styles and active and passive language applies, as well as studying the proper anatomical alignment principles in yoga asana to help avoid injury, apply proper modifications and keep the physical body safe during vinyasa practice. Students will learn to assist more effectively by first observing physical mis-alignments and identifying stagnant energy. Then, using techniques such as “Stability, Sensitivity, Assist”, the students will have the fundamental understanding of how to approach a hands-on adjustment in asanas.
Experiential Anatomy
Anatomy & Physiology
Description
Application of anatomy to yoga. Students will be instructed to identify and understand the set of muscles, ligaments and bones for specific poses.
There will be interactive discussions to understand the biomechanics of the body and we will cover more in-depth how anatomy practically applies to yoga to promote injury free and safe practice.Show More
Learning Objectives
Anatomy will be covered mostly on an experiential level with emphasis on Integrating and applying the language of the bones and muscles of the human body and their basic functions in movement and static postures during daily physical practices of yoga in a fun, lighthearted fashion.... We will also explore how energy moves through the body, with the understanding of subtle body system of chakras, nadis, central channel, sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and how that affects the mind and body. We will also cover basic understanding of common conditions that is safe and appropriate for a yoga teacher to do and not to do with a student with a condition or injury such as high blood pressure or joint problems, etc. Included will be a discussion on prenatal and post-natal yoga contraindications and risks. As well as discussion and specific practices for women during their menstrual cycles and menopause. To summarize: The path of learning anatomy is vast, so we aim to create a foundation of understanding and lay the seeds of knowledge for the students to inspire themselves to move forward with ongoing study of anatomy as a lifelong interest.
Yoga Asana Breakdown
Techniques, Training and Practice
Description
Alignment and modifications of the foundational yoga postures. Category breakdown of the asanas ex. forward folds vs. backbends. Looking at the asanas in their respective categories and the effects that the asanas have on
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Learning Objectives
Teachings will help students find proper alignment in their asana practice while helping them to understand the objectives and possible effects of all the different category of postures. Emphasis on skillful cues, modification usage, safety, and injury prevention. The asana breakdown will take into consideration all different body types, levels, and experiences. Emphasis on how to skillfully identify the unique limitations, alignment and modification for each individual practitioner by understanding “Foundation before Function” techniques. Students will further their understanding of how to teach a mixed level class, while allowing all their students to be challenged at an appropriate level. They will better understand how different categories of postures have unique effects on the physical body as well as the energetic body. They will better understand how asanas can be chosen from an ayurvedic viewpoint depending on one’s constitution or present imbalance. Students will become more familiar with the 5 natural elements and through connection with these qualities there can be an enhanced well-being to both body and mind. With the pranayama and nauli practices students will develop a greater sensitivity to Prana and the Pranic body. Through daily pranayama practices and breakdowns of the different techniques students will be better able to understand which practices are best and at which times they can be practiced. Students will learn how to combine proper combinations of asanas with the correct pranayama techniques to enhance the intention or goal of that specific practice.
Hands-on Adjusting, Assisting & Partner Yoga
Techniques, Training and Practice
Description
This session will be dedicated for the students to finding comfort in connecting and supporting other people in a clear and compassionate way. We will concentrate on inversion practice for hands-on adjusting as the
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Learning Objectives
Students will learn how to confidently set up their own physical foundation and understand spatial awareness for skillful adjusting/assisting & cueing in a yoga and meditation class. We will hold daily clinics and workshops to develop confidence and trust in the students to gain a deeper understanding of the skill of bringing compassion and sensitivity in to hands-on adjusting and verbal cuing. They will also learn to understand, identify and know how to create clear safe boundaries for themselves and their students.
Individual Teaching Style & the Business of Yoga
Teaching Methodology
Description
Developing one’s own authentic voice and teaching style. In this segment we will have lecture, Q&A, open discussion and simple classroom exercises on what it means to embody individual voice and style as a yoga teacher, a
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Learning Objectives
An important section of the training - We honor and believe everyone has their own unique individual style... their own super power - we will encourage the cultivation and exploration of this individual super power to be the foundation for their own teaching style. This section will also have an opportunity in classroom setting to demonstrate what exploration of this special power is in a safe supportive community setting... to be empowered to embrace this individuality and apply it to their teaching and the business of teaching or in life.
Ethics and Responsible Leadership
Yoga Philosophy/LifeStyle Ethics
Description
Lecture, Q&A and Group discussion on the common ethical issues that may arise in the yoga community and our responsibilities as teacher.
Learning Objectives
Exploration of ethical, skillful and responsible ways to handle problematic issues that commonly arise in a class and the yoga community at large… Such as teacher/student boundaries, sexual misconduct, integrity, individual and group safety, etc. and how to build a strong and safe community as a skillful leader.
Ayurveda, History of Yoga, Yamas & Niyamas
Yoga Philosophy/LifeStyle Ethics
Description
We will look at the basics of Ayurveda: what it means, when and why it was developed. Mainly the focus will be on ayurveda in regards to the Hatha Yoga practice and how knowledge of Ayurveda can enhance the yoga experience. We will study the 3 Doshas of Pitta, Vata, and Kapha, and through a survey
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Learning Objectives
Through the study of basic Ayurvedic Science the students will have a greater idea of how to use asana in their yoga practice to maintain balance and wellbeing in their lives. They will also learn to use some of the basic Ayurvedic principles to help them better understand themselves and how they are affected by the environment around them. Basic Ayurvedic knowledge may help students choose appropriate asanas and pranayamas for their classes or private clients. Through the studies of the history of Yoga the students will gain a clear, linear vision of the development of yoga throughout the past to the present. Students will have an understanding of the roots to the Hatha Yoga practice and thus a great foundation of knowledge to pull from. By comparing the different perspectives of classical yoga vs. Tantra or even Buddhism, the students can begin to empower themselves and their own personal belief system or guidelines for a more authentic way to live and teach. The Tantric studies will allow the student different perspectives on manifestation, ritual, sacredness, and how it relates to our modern day practices. By lecture, Q&A’s and daily personal application exercises the students will study the Yamas and Niyamas and the Buddhist Eightfold Path individually and in comparison throughout the training to gain an experiential understanding of the classical yoga ethical practice and how it applies to us as modern humans in order to cultivate peace in our ever changing new times. We will be doing some comparative studies on the more Classical yoga translations of the Sutras and a more Tantric approach to studying and embodying the Yamas and Niyamas.
Deities, Mantras, Sanskrit & Mystical Symbolism
Yoga Philosophy/LifeStyle Ethics
Description
Study of Hindu and Buddhist deities. We will explore different aspects of how students may relate to and embody the energy of the deities with practices like chanting, mantra, mudra, mythological storytelling, deity visualizations,
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Learning Objectives
Best way to connect our spirit and nature is through creativity exploration and light-hearted study of the understanding the historical meaning and the stories of deities in the spiritual practices of eastern philosophies and understanding the significance as they may apply as an empowering force to the modern yogi. The students will have gain a basic understanding of the Sanskrit as a language and its use in Yoga.
Holding Space & Group Energy
Teaching Methodology
Description
Understanding how to hold safe clear space and manage group dynamics in a skillfully as a teacher and guide.
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Learning Objectives
Through lecture, Q&A’s and group exercises the students will learn and explore techniques such as “Radical Presence”... how to process thoughts, feelings and emotions skillfully in real time as the foundation from where they can hold safe clear space for small and large groups. Learn how to facilitate through clear and compassionate communication... how implement passive and active language, how to transform passion or nervous energy into clear inspiring language to empower a group, an individual, or both. Learning these personal skills to will draw on how read and feel the group energy, to move group energy in a skillful and light way. Through simple skills they will learn how to bring group energy up and down as a part of what it means to hold clear and safe space.
Teaching Practicum
Teaching Methodology
Description
Students will begin practice teaching early in the training. These practice
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Learning Objectives
In the spirit of understanding direct experience is the most powerful way to learn how to facilitate - This training is developed at the core for the student to find his or her Leadership Voice, from the very beginning of the training the students will have the opportunity to teach, the method of our practicums is designed as safe supportive community space where it will be acceptable to make mistakes as they explore individual voice and step into their own Individual Power and Leadership Voice in their own unique style.