Prerequisite
Living Yoga
This is the foundational subject for the teacher training course, and forms the basis of BodyMindLife Yoga’s teaching methodology.
We introduce the 5 Pillars of Health and Wellbeing, and begin to understand the body’s energy systems (Chakras), looking at how we move out of balance through our modern lifestyle choices. By understanding how we function on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels, we can equip ourselves with the tools to restore balance, regain our vitality and live out our dreams in life.
NB: It is not necessary for those who have completed BodyMindLife’s 200-hour teacher training to take this module again.
Functional Assessment
This course focuses on assessing different postural types, looking at how they present in yoga practice, and how to apply the relevant building blocks of practice – flexibility, stability and strength. The aim of this course is to learn how to assess muscle length tension imbalances (tightness and corresponding weakness around the joints.)
We focus on how to correct these imbalances, and how to identify instability in the joints and before loading the body in strength postures. From that understanding, students will come to understand functional movement patterns and how to correctly apply them to yoga postures; how fast twitch and slow twitch muscles affect the posture differently, and how to balance these.
One of the most important aspects of this course is learning how to assess core function (strength) and how to apply bandhas (internal locks) for safety and stability of the spine.
Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha
Yogic philosophy and physiology regard the control of breath as one of the prime means for achieving physical, mental and emotional and spiritual wellbeing. As breathing practices have powerful mental and physical effects it is important that yoga teachers are able to select practices that are suitable for their students and can clearly communicate the instruction of their application.
We will explore the principles, practices of pranayama, mudra (seals or hand gestures) and bandha (internal locks) to enhance and deepen one’s yoga practice.
Chakras: Ancient Wisdom-Modern Science
This unique course looks at understanding the Chakra system through the anatomy and physiology of the body from a modern scientific perspective. We explore the Chakras as they relate to the nervous system, and how each Chakra corresponds with a major nerve plexus and therefore affects the different parts of the body that are innervated by certain nerves.
We also look at the relationship between the visceral system (organs) and the somatic system (myofascial), giving participants a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit. Given that the physical body is a crystallization of every mental, emotional, physical and spiritual choice, students of this course will be able to understand in more depth the emotional/mental aspect behind different body postures and injuries.
Module 6
Overcoming Gravity: Movement Development
This subject takes knowledge discovered in ‘Ancient Wisdom-Modern Science’ to a deeper level, looking at how the Chakra system relates to the joint stability needed to live in the field of gravity. We will look at how the evolution of our species relates to movement, how certain movement patterns are innately developed from the infant stage of life – and the overall effect of missing an important stage of our physical development.
The aim of this course is to teach students how to design a specific yoga practice incorporating developmental movement patterns, to cater to individual needs.
Somatic Counseling
As a yoga teacher, our job often involves talking to students not only about their physical yoga practice, but also many of the emotional issues that surface as a result of practicing. As yoga is a mind/body discipline, Yoga teachers must be able to respond to their students in a way that communicates compassion and empathy for the student’s situation, while maintaining personal boundaries.
When counseling students, Yoga teachers must remain neutral, positive, and professional, and recognize the limits of their own experience. In some cases teachers may need to refer students to other health-care professionals such as counselors, psychologists, or therapists.
This course gives participants the necessary skills to become good listeners and effective communicators, which are essential tools for counseling within teacher-student interactions.
Ayurveda: The Science of Life
Ayurveda is the ‘Science of Life’ and is the sister science of yoga. Having been practiced for thousands of years in India, Ayurveda is the original source of many of today’s natural therapies, and is hailed as the mother of all healing sciences. Born from ancient Vedic wisdom, Ayurveda focuses on inspiring individuals to heal themselves with the aid of herbs, diet, body therapies, spiritual psychology and lifestyle adjustments.
Scientific research and development over thousands of years supports Ayurveda’s effectiveness and easy application to the modern Western world. Although a complete system in itself, Ayurveda is also a powerful adjunct to other modalities. Its eternal principles and tools enhance one’s understanding of the patient/client and clarifies the most effective treatment approach.
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the ‘tridosha’, Ayurveda’s system of categorizing body types, characteristics and attributes. Through this understanding, participants will be able to recognize certain traits within their students that will assist them in designing appropriate practices.
Meditation: Yoga of the Mind
Meditation, or Dhyana – the seventh limb of Yoga according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras – is one of the main objectives of Yoga. Most long-time students of yoga would agree that cultivating a daily meditation practice is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding aspects of their yoga practice. This course trains participants in the more common types of Meditation Techniques and practices from different yoga traditions. As the use of Meditation will usually be a fundamental part of the yoga class, it is essential that teachers are proficient in being able to guide their students, allowing them to develop mental steadiness, clarity and insight.
Module 7
Lifestyle Design: Putting it all Together
This is a continuation of Functional Assessment 1, taking the principles learnt into greater depth of knowledge through practical applications, and review of case studies. The aim of this course is to teach students how to design a personalized yoga practice based upon their assessment of the client. This involves directly meeting the needs of the individual, prescribing corrective practice to balance all body systems.
Taking a holistic approach, this course looks at all lifestyle factors that move people away from balance, and helps us to guide our students back into living a balanced, vital and abundant life. This course is excellent for those who want to focus on teaching private yoga sessions, and will enhance participants' knowledge of yoga as a holistic system for healthy body and mind.
Yoga for Special Needs
Most yoga teachers at some time in their career will encounter students in their classes who have special needs, injuries and health conditions that will require the teacher to modify their class. The responsibility for the wellbeing of the student falls on the yoga teacher, who must have a thorough knowledge of how asanas can be adapted to suit special needs and the contra-indications relating to those special needs.
This module is designed to provide an understanding of the more common areas of special needs including pre-natal, back and neck care, seniors yoga, stress management and disease management through prevention rather than cure.
The Business of Yoga
This course looks at how to deal with one of our biggest challenges as Yoga teachers: how to do what we love as yoga teachers, and to be financially rewarded at the same time. How do we share the offerings of yoga, become abundant, while observing the ethical guidelines of the yamas and niyamas? Yoga teaching is a profession that has guidelines, standards and legal issues, and it is important for all yoga teachers to be aware of these.
This course teaches students how to market and promote themselves, and we explore the various opportunities available to yoga teachers, including teaching in yoga studios, gyms, health clubs, health resorts, hospitals, community centres, working abroad and even opening a yoga studio. We look at current trends in yoga, and how they affect you as a teacher.
We introduce BodyMindLife Yoga’s Affiliation Program: becoming an Affiliated Teacher and opening an Affiliated Studio allows teachers to be part of a growing community of like-minded people who share resources, receive assistance in developing their business, and benefit from being associated with an established brand.