Basic Yoga Teacher Training

Quizzes (4): Students will receive a comprehensive quiz each month covering material from key topics and discussions during the month. Additionally, there is a 10-15 minute review session each time the group meets. This review session helps teacher trainees to retain key topic information covered in the previous session. This also prepares them for the upcoming quizzes and alerts the instructor as to what areas, or topics may need further coverage or explanation (if any). Additionally there are 3 Anatomy and Physiology quizzes covering key areas covered in this area of the training. Anatomy and Physiology is further reinforced in practice, mentoring and feedback sessions where students are encouraged to demonstrate their anatomical knowledge. Qualifying Class: (Teaching Evaluation): At the end of the course, each student must teach a full 75 minute yoga class, with their classmates present and any guests (friends/family) they'd like to invite. This class is taught with the trainer present to monitor and evaluate the teacher trainee on various criteria (laid out on the evaluation form). Preparations for this qualifying class start early in the training where students begin teaching practice in breakout groups and round robin formats, followed by peer and trainer feedback and discussion. Beyond these asana lab sessions, group practice and mentoring sessions are offered regularly to students. In addition, each student is required to attend classes (unlimited practice), and observe yoga classes (whee they do not take class) with a variety of other teachers at the studio and complete evaluations for each. In the last month of training, students will prepare a lesson plan and submit it to trainer for feedback. The lesson plan is evaluated for key elements as well as logical sequencing. Trainer suggestions on the lesson are discussed with each student. This lesson plan becomes the qualifying class, and each student will practice teaching it prior to the final qualifying session. Students have the opportunity to ask questions as they prepare for this evaluation every step of the way, and receive ample, practical feedback. At the end of the final qualifying session, each student teacher receives feedback from peers and trainer. Special Assignments: 1) Yama/Niyama discussion: About mid-way through the training, participants will draw one of the yama or niyama from a basket and plan a 10-15 minute group discussion that they will facilitate on the topic. 2) After the first month of the training, students will take turns opening each group session by centering the group and teaching a pranayama technique, following by leading a short meditation. This is meant to build confidence and experience in teaching these techniques and leading a group. 3) After the first month of training, students will begin observing and evaluating experienced teachers in class. They are encouraged to ask questions after class and apply what they saw/heard to what they are learning in TT classes. Special project: During the course of the training, students are required to develop a personal, daily sadhana practice (10-15 minutes). The concept of sadhana is covered very early in the training and students are encouraged to keep a journal of their experiences, thoughts and reflections. During the last month of the training, students are asked to look back on their journey and prepare a presentation on this experience. It can be artwork (such as a collage or drawing), an essay, poem, song, a discussion on the journey, or any other way they'd like to present it to the group. Since this training covers Raja Yoga in detail, each student is additionally asked to participate (just a couple of hours) in the other paths of yoga as well: Bhakti, Jnana, Karma. This involves attending a kirtan or puja, a satsang discussion, and performing seva in some way (whether at the studio or in their community, etc.). Students will prepare a short report/reflection on each experience.