A world class yoga teacher embodies and shares the full gift of Yoga beyond and in concert with a physical asanic practice in a sound and safe physiological sequence. Many believe that we are not to teach yoga until we are well schooled in the full breadth and depth of yoga including the ancient sacred texts of yoga, the paths of its founding Gurus and its overarching concepts and ideas.

This course gives you a deep and comprehensive education in the fundamentals and adaptable wisdom of yoga theory and philosophy. This course is designed so that you can yourself transform and bring that experience of transformation to your classes. In so doing, you’ll be affording your students – on and off the mat – the opportunity to strengthen emotionally, mentally, psychologically, spiritually and physically in a safe space of belonging where they can be challenged and evolve.

Simply put, the study of yoga theory and philosophy unearths the inner warrior. The yoga lens through which we can see ourselves, others and the world affords a liberation and peace of mind not found in other traditions or practices.

In addition to exploring the philosophical and theoretical world of yoga and its core ideas, concepts and guiding wisdoms, we will delve into a study of anatomy, physiology, pathology and basic first aid so that your students attend classes with you that are safe and their individual needs are met by you as leader.

We will do the inner work of self-inquiry and free ourselves from traumatic chains that keep us anchored to the past. Our goal is self actualization and achieving our full potential. We will study group psychology and teaching techniques so that you, as leader and guide, can best be and best deliver a true, unfolding, empowering, joyful, challenging, unique and exciting yoga experience.

The icing on the cake is the script. I am happy to share with you this 60- minute Hatha-style yoga script which has taken a decade to create and now has proven results. The asanic sequence includes pranayama, a warmup, a standing series, a balancing series, a floor series, abdominal work and khapalbhati to close. Each posture has attached to it the most appropriate holding time and direct benefits. The script will give you a backbone of confidence at the front of the room so that your direction tumbles out methodically, precisely and evocatively. Like everything in our beloved yoga universe, it is adaptable. Being able to deliver this script will equip you to teach anywhere to any group.

This course has been created for you with the love and passion I have for teaching yoga. If you are aspiring to be a yoga teacher and believe it’s important to bring more to the mat and to your students than just an asanic practice, this is for you. If you have been teaching awhile and want to up your teaching game or refresh some of those concepts that had you fall in love with the power of yoga in the first place, this is for you.

I believe that completing this course will allow you to teach any group anywhere any time.

Namaste.

Marni Schecter is a Platinum- level registered yoga teacher having taught Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative Yoga for the past 17 years having taught over 18,000 hours. Marni has trained over 65 teachers worldwide in her RYT-300 Advanced Level RYT programme. She is the Canadian Ambassador to MaaYoga Ashram in Rishikesh, India. She is beyond passionate about sharing the theory, philosophy and practice of yoga and its manifold physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual benefits.

• To dramatically increase your focus, self-confidence and power;

• To help you connect powerfully with others;

• To help you develop healthy personal coping strategies whilst under pressure or triggered, giving you a new lease on managing stress, anxiety and depression;

• To help you help others develop healthy personal coping strategies via a regular Yoga practice replete with repetition and consistency;

• To dramatically improve your leadership and communication skills, becoming effective and clear in order to produce measurable results in your Self and your students;

• To teach you about the physical body and its systems, positioning you to be a knowledgeable, safe and wiser Yoga leader;

• To help you think, work and move outside of your comfort zone allowing for tremendous personal growth and equipping you to inspire the same in others;

• To give you access the timeless wisdom of Yoga, helping you to better witness, experience and appreciate life through the richness of Yoga philosophy;

• To inspire you to become a truly compassionate soul so that you can guide people towards optimal health.

Course Outline:

Module I: Introduction to the Fundamentals of Yoga

• What is the Purpose of Yoga?
• The Many Benefits of Yoga
• The Four Pillars of Yoga
• Consistency and Repetition
• Why Sanskrit?
• The Gurus of Yoga
• Types of Yoga
• Styles of Yoga

Homework/Self Study Questions and Answers (at the end, before the appendices)

Module II:Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Basic First Aid

• Why Must A Yoga Teacher Understand Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Basic First Aid?
• How the Body is Wired
• Central Nervous System, Peripheral Nervous System, Autonomic Nervous System, Somatic Nervous System, Enteric Nervous System
• Balance & Proprioception
• Major Anatomical Landmarks
• Muscles & Joints
• Muscles & Their Actions
• Cartilage
• Tendons, Ligaments & Aponeuroses
• Understanding Joints
• The Importance of Fascia
• Range of Motion & Deconstructing “Flexibility”
• The Spinal Column
• The Body’s Systems
• Understanding Major Organs & Glands
• Anatomical Planes & Directions
• Compression/Tension, Orientation/Proportion, Axis/Extremities and End Feels
• The Brain, Spinal Cord and Cranial Nerves
• Hypermobility vs. Hypomobility
• Understanding Pain Types & Common Pathologies
• Basic First Aid
• Understanding Medications and their Side Effects
• Essential Vitamins & Minerals
• Metabolism
• Anatomical Look at Yoga Breathing & An Introduction to the Vayus

Homework/Self Study Questions and Answers (at the end, before the appendices)

Module III:Exploring the Foundational Texts of Yoga

• Timeline of Important Texts
• The Mahabharata
• The Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita
• The Four Vedas
• The Wisdom of the Brahamanas
• The Wisdom of the Upanishads
• Tantra
• The Wisdom of the Ramayana
• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
• The Wisdom of the Puranas
• The Wisdom of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika
• Bandhas and Mudras
• Building a Yoga Library: Bibliography and Important Resources

Module IV:Exploring the Fundamental Principles & Concepts of Yoga

• Ashtanga – the Eight Limbs of Yoga
• Sankalpa (Intention)
• Key Yogic Principles –
  • Atha
  • Citta
  • Purusha & Prakriti
  • Drysa
  • Viveka
  • Abhyasa
  • Vairagya
  • Yoga as Nirodha
  • Isvara Pranidhana
  • Karma & Samskara
  • Parinama
  • Dukkha
  • Samyoga
  • The Five Vrittis
  • The Six Pramanas
  • Viparyaya
  • Vikalpa
  • Nidra
  • Smrti
  • The Antarayas
  • The Klesas
• The Three Bodies and Five Koshas
• The Five Exit Senses (Karmendriyas)
• The Shad Darshan
• The Doshas and The Gunas
• The Ten Bodies
• Karma and Samskara
• The Twelve Laws of Karma
• Dharma
• Vaisheshika
• The Five Pillars of Yogic Balance
• The Five Yamas
• The Niyamas

Homework/Self Study Questions and Answers (at the end, before the appendices)

Module V: The Chakra System

• What is a Chakra?
• Why Study The Chakras?
• The Nadis
• Shiva & Shakti
• The Chakras & Their Functions
• A Detailed Study of the Chakras
• Psychosocial Stages of Development, Chakra Injury and Chakra Healing
• Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, The Chakra System & Yoga Psychology

Homework/Self Study Questions and Answers (at the end, before the appendices)

Module VI: Personal & Group Psychology

• Why Is It Important to Understand Self in Yoga?
• Sacred Role of Yoga Teacher: What Am I Stepping In To?
• How to Recover Yourself and Help Someone Else Recover from PTSD
• What is Trauma? Can Yoga Help?

Module VII: Teaching Techniques

• Reviewing the Sacred Role of Yoga Teacher
• Student Behavior and Psychology: Motivation Strategies
• The Six Attitudes for Success According to the Hatha Yoga Pradipika
• Some Core Teaching Principles
• Essentials of a Healthy Yoga Class: A Checklist
• Getting Heard: Speaking Into Listening
• Speaking As A Leader
• Distinguishing “Can’t” from “Won’t”: When Not To Push
• Creating A Safe Space That Allows for Transformation and Healing
• Are You Observing or Judging?
• Qualities of Touch
• Being Understood: The Power of Archetype
• Making Adjustments
• Your Teaching Voice