200 Hr Training Curriculum

the body, both physically and energetically. Posturing and counter-posturing as a basic principle in the vinyasa teaching method and how to choose specific asanas to maintain a sattvic balance. We will literally be looking at the asanas from the foundation up, using the teachings of the Universal Principles of Alignment from the Anusara method. There will be a study of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space, and how they can be applied and used to enhance the yoga asana experience. We will explain the 3 ‘focal points’ and where they are in the body in all the different categories of asanas. Using the focal points as convergence centers for the emphasis on the primary flows of energy: ex. muscular and organic, and also as the point in the body that is most weight-bearing during the asana. We will further refine the asana breakdown using the 7 energy loops or circuits that enhance the physical opening and expansion of the physical body as well as help to avoid injuries during the practice by maintaining stability while increasing flexibility. We we also look at the different levels of the most basic asanas… moving to the more expanded and advanced variations of the asanas. There will be discussion of ‘playing the edge’ of a posture and how students can understand, practice and teach this idea skillfully and safely as they deepen into the asanas. Also we will look at the practice of ‘attention’ vs. ‘focus’ and how they differ. This section will also include pranayama and the Nauli practice. We will teach the basic pranayama practices of Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, Surya pranayama, Chandra pranayama, Ujjayi, Viloma, and sitali. There will be emphasis on the practice and technique of Ujjayi breathing as a fundamental aspect of the asana practice. There will be an extensive breakdown of the nauli practices: the purpose and benefits of how it directly relates to asana practice as a foundation physically and energetically. After each daily asana practice there will be a discussion with the students about how the class was created using a specific theme or intention, which category of asana (such as forward folding postures, hip openers or backbends ) were taught and why. Also a separate discussion on the specific meditation practice of the day - the benefits, challenges and the proper application for each meditation and how it may relate to the asana practice and living well. Q&A session on the daily practice focusing on the specific sequencing techniques and prop usage.

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.