FYTT Content

Class Topics

(subject to change…)

Technique-  These classes cover the verbal and hands-on cuing as well as common transitions in to and out of poses that are covered in the FYTT program.  Training the eye of the teacher, we take a close look at the placement of the body and the dynamic flow of the pose.  Two and a half to four hours on each category: Surya Namaskara A, Surya Namaskara B, Standing Poses 1, Standing Poses 2, Standing Balances and Downward Dog, Seated poses 1, Seated Poses 2, Inversions 1, Inversions 2 and Arm Balances.

Practicum- Each student teaches two, seventy-five minute classes each followed by forty-five minutes of feedback and discussion.  Two sample classes are provided, PowerFlow and FlowFundamentals.  Individual students are to follow the sample classes to whatever extent is useful for them.  Some students follow the sample classes completely, while others who are more familiar with teaching flow yoga use them as references.

Pranayama-  The role of breath in yoga, techniques, and how to guide your students through a pranayama practice.

Anatomy- Three hours are spent on each of the following topics: Introduction to Structural Anatomy; Spine; The Trunk;Upper and Lower Extremities; Overview of Energetic Anatomy.

Survey of yoga styles- Primary faculty and guests lead classes in some styles commonly found in the west: Kundalini, Ashtanga Primary Series, Restorative,  Anusara, Iyengar, Shadow, Yin and Acrobatic Yoga.  These seventy-five minute classes are followed by forty-five minutes of discussion/lecture on the theories behind the various styles.

Bandhas, experiential workshop

Pre/post-Natal- Answering the question, “what do you do when a pregnant woman comes in to your non-pre-natal yoga class?”

Business- The nuts and bolts as well as how to see your (true) self as a business person with Liyana Silver.

Sanskrit- We will go over the root words of the Sanskrit names for the poses that are included in the program and on the quizzes.

Ethics- Clarifying one’s intention as a teacher and working with each student equally.

Sequencing- How to put a class together, and why.  The use of music in class and how it can help or take away from the class experience.

Yoga History and Philosophy- A time line approach to the history and development of philosophies in yoga and how they came to the west with a closer look at Patanjali’s Eight Limbs.  We look at how yoga compares and contrasts with religion with a focus on some ‘popular’ Hindu deities and their role in Yoga.

Student Projects- One class is reserved for student presentations by those who feel motivated to present on any yoga-related topic of their choice.  There are opportunities throughout the program to go above and beyond the minimum requirements.

Curriculum Overview

(As per Yoga Alliance Guidelines)

-Techniques Training/Practice- asanas and far beyond… Guided practice of the techniques and how to teach them. (50% of the total hours)

-Teaching Methodology- observation, demonstration, corrections, hands-on adjustments, voice and qualities of the teacher, teaching styles, the business of being a yoga teacher and, how to simultaneously attend to the individual and the class as a whole.

-Anatomy and Physiology- both the physical and the energetic bodies, and how they relate to the benefits and contraindications/modifications of asanas, alignment, and movement patterns.

-Yoga Philosophies, Lifestyles and Ethics- The lineage and how it shows up in one’s practice, teaching and daily life.

-Practicum- practice, practice, practice!  There will be lots of helpful feedback from Leah, Carrie, Parag, Julie, Pierre and your fellow FYTT students.