Free Spirit Yoga Teacher Training

Established 2015

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Free Spirit Yoga

Hummelstown, PA

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Purpose

The purpose of this training is to provide a practical, well-rounded and inclusive learning experience which emphasizes your growth as a person as it relates to becoming a good, solid Yoga Teacher.

What to expect

Our Training will provide you with a rich, in-depth, yet practical study of yoga as a practice, a science and a philosophy. In addition, those of you who are taking the full Teacher Training will learn to develop your own style of teaching yoga as well as how to teach your students from a whole person perspective. Each Module includes plenty of built-in time for practice. You will find the opportunity to dive more deeply into the practices and teachings of yoga as well as into yourself!

Style/Lineage

Our style is an eclectic combination of traditional hatha yoga. We focus on the importance of physical and anatomical differences between people (each pose is experienced differently in each individual body), healthy breathing, mindfulness and meditation practices, the importance of the subtle body, and the role of the nervous system and the effects of trauma. We ground all of this in the history and philosophy of our yoga practice.

Additional Information

Core competencies

By the end of this program, graduates will be able to…

Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Describe the muscles acting upon the hip and the shoulder joint by accurately describing which muscles are active in flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation Discuss the skeletal system by identifying the major bones in the shoulder girdle, hip joint, knee joint, spine, etc... Describe functions of the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system by describing how each branch contributes to the "rest and digest" vs. "flight, fight, freeze, and fawn" responses
Yoga History & Theory	Discuss the parts of the mind (manas, buddhi, ahamkara, smrti, and citta) by identifying their attributes and listing at least two practices that could stimulate each. Describe the components of the subtle body explain the importance of understanding subtle body anatomy in the context of effective and informed yoga teaching Discuss the first two limbs of patanjali's yoga by listing the five yamas and five niyamas, and providing real life examples of each. Discuss the effects of trauma on the chakra system by identifying partular traumas and how they impact each chakra, as well as practices that help in balancing and self regulation Describe the chakra system by listing each chakra's name, qualities, location and the area of the body that it "enlivens."
Practice Skills	Demonstrate proper alignment, modifications, and prop usage as necessary for one's unique body and needs. Practice pranayama effectively by performing techniques such as ujayii, nadi shodana, dirga, and bhramari with proper posture, pacing, and breath count.
Teaching Skills	Teach a one-hour yoga class in the free spirit style, including centering, asana, pranayama, savasana and closing, as well as appropriate adjustments and modifications for different bodies and abilities. Cue asana (yoga postures), using clear and inviting language, accurate alignment cues, and proper pacing. Create yoga sequences that intentionally integrate anatomical principles (such as skeletal alignment, joint function, and muscular engagement) with energetic components (including breath, nervous system regulation, and prāṇic flow) to support safety, effectiveness, and intended outcomes.
Lifestyle & Ethics	Discuss the fundamental principles of ayurveda by describing the qualities of the three doshas and discussing how each relates to over all health and vitality. Describe the difference between transference and countertransference and discuss their impact on the ethics of teaching yoga.

AYC allows each school to state and evaluate the competencies each student acquires. Students rate how well the program delivered them.

Program Emphasis

Evaluation methods

Program evaluations

Written Exam
Written Submission
Solo Project Or Presentation
Direct Observation
Group Project Or Presentation
Graded Skill Demonstration

*Each Trainee takes a written closed book test as well as a written open book test where they are welcome to use their Training Manual. *Throughout the training, each Trainee is required to complete 3 video recordings of 3 separate one-hour classes that they have taught. Each video is submitted to the lead Teacher along with a written report. The Lead Teacher reviews the video and report and then has a phone call with the Trainee to provide direct feedback. *During each Module, each Trainee is required to teach a practice class to their peers. Direct feedback is provided by their peers as well as by the Lead Teacher.