Asana

The asanas will be taught and experienced in groups; surya namaskar, standing poses, twists, balancing poses, inversions, backbends, and forward bends. We will explore the actions of the asana, how to instruct students into the pose, how to demonstrate asanas in a way that is most beneficial to your students, and how to incorporate props to make the asana accessible to those of limited mobility.

Hands on adjustments

We will teach you how to read your students’ body and assist them where they need to enhance their unique expression of the asana rather than give a generic adjustment or force their body into a shape it may not be ready for.

Sequencing

You will learn the art of sequencing to safely and creatively guide students into any given asana. How to place the asanas within a sequence in order to most efficiently build heat, purify and restore the body, and transcend previous physical limitations.

Atmosphere & Intention

We will cover several aspects of creating the atmosphere of the classroom. How every aspect of the class; from the intention you set, to the music you play, to the lighting, to the tone of your voice, plays an important role in your students’ experience.

Pranayama & Kriya

You will be taught, have a chance to practice, and feel the effects of ujayi and many of the over looked pranayama and kriya excercises and their benefits. We will also cover how to incorporate particular pranayama and kriya techniques into your class so that it compliments the focus of the practice.

Meditation

You will be taught, have a chance to practice, and feel the effects several different meditation practices. We will also cover how to incorporate these meditations into class to heighten your students experience.

Yoga Philosophy

We will study the Bhagavad Gita and all four chapters of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and discuss how these ancient teachings can continue to enrich our lives today.

We will explore Mantra, how to properly pronounce, the stories behind these powerful phrases, and the energies they invoke.

Anatomy

We will teach Anatomy as it applies to the practice of yoga. From this deeper understanding of the physical body you will not only understand your practice better you will also be able to assist others with more confidence.

We will examine the chakra system and subtle body. We will explore each chakra in detail and practices to be done to bring the energies of each particular chakra in balance. We will also cover the koshas and the pranas of the body.

Pre/Post Natal

We will cover the do’s and dont’s of pre/post natal yoga and how to accommodate these students in your open vinyasa class.

Restorative

We will have a restorative technique session where you will learn how to set up different restorative postures and their effects.

General Requirements

Trainees will be assigned a yoga partner for the training that they will meet with once between sessions. This time together will be used to practice their teaching of asana, pranayama, and hands on adjustments.

Trainees will be broken up into groups of 4 that will also meet once between sessions with a mentor for additional practice teaching and to discuss any areas where the trainees feel they need assistance.

Trainees will have a practice teaching session where they will practice for their final by teaching a 25 minute class to their fellow trainees.

Certification

The Sankapalpah Teacher Training Program is a 200 hour Yoga Alliance certified training program.