Leaping Lotus Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training Program

Established 2020

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Leaping Lotus Yoga School

Elmwood Park, NJ

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Purpose

Because this training is based on Structural Yoga Therapy it has a therapeutic quality to it. The goal of this teacher training program is to prepare teachers feel confident teaching adaptable yoga in group settings, while infusing the philosophical principles of yoga.

What to expect

The program will focus on the following:

WHAT IS YOGA & HISTORY OF YOGA

CODE OF ETHICS

DAILY PRACTICE ~ SELF CARE

MANTRAS

MUDRAS

YOGA PHILOSOPHY, PHYCOLOGY & ETHICS

CHAKRAS ~ NADIS ~ SUBTLE BODY

YOGA SUTRAS

ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

ASANA

PRANAYAMA

MEDITATION

RELAXATION & STRESS REDUCTION

AYURVEDA

SANSKRIT

TEACHING METHODOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

PRACTICUM

Style/Lineage

The Lineage

Siddha Yoga was brought to the United States by Swami Muktananda who was a disciple of Swami Nityananda. Siddha Yoga emphasizes the awakening of kundalini shakti through shaktipat by the touch of the guru. The lineage is now continued by Gurumayi.

Leaping Lotus Yoga Teacher Training is based on the work of Mukunda Stiles. Lina studied directly with Mukunda for several years. She completed her 200hr, teacher training program in 2005 and went on to take Mukunda’s Structural Yoga Therapy training course in 2006. She completed the yoga therapy course in 2008 and continued to deepen her studies with Mukunda. He was her spiritual mentor for many years. Chinnamasta Stiles has continued the work of Mukunda. In 2014 Chinnamasta gave Lina the name Leelah (Lila) which means universal play in Sanskrit.

Mukunda introduced his students to the Siddha Yoga Lineage. This is where I first learned about Swami Nityananda and Swami Muktananda. Being in Mukunda’s presents and listening to him talk about his physical time with Swami Muktananda, touched me beyond anything I can explain. I realize now, that was the biggest blessing of my life so far. I had the honor of experiencing pure love. It never left me. I remember the stories he shared, the tears of love and utter gratitude. That’s was the beginning. It took years to process everything that happened during our time together, and it still unravels. He put me on this path. I resisted it many times. Once you are touched so deeply, it can turn you upside down, you can look in a million directions, you can ignore it, but doesn’t leave you. This is a part of me that has not fully been revealed until now. It is with deep dedication and love, that I’m choosing to share this with others. It’s time.

We will learn more about the Siddha Yoga lineage as we spend time together. I have been blessed to spend time in Ganeshpuri, India where the temple of Bhagwan Nityananda is located. The feeling of being in Ganeshpuri is something that’s hard to put into words. The blessings of Swami Nityananda continue to flow. The depth of his love is unimaginable.

With Great Respect and Love ~ I honor my heart ~ my inner teacher ~ Namaste

Additional Information

TUITION POLICY

Tuition for this program is $2,900. T

his includes the core manual and any videos and additional handouts provided by the instructor. This does not include the books that are required for this training. Payment is due, upon approval of your application. PAYMENT OPTIONS:

Pay in full at the time of registration - $150 discount

2 payments – 1st is due upon approval of your application 2nd payment is due 60 days after receipt of 1st payment – this is the final payment 3

payments – 1st payment is due upon approval of your application 2nd payment is due 60 days after receipt of the 1st payment 3rd payment is due 60 days after receipt of the 2nd payment – this is the final payment

Core competencies

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

Business Skills	Develop a simple personalized professional plan by creating basic marketing materials and social media presence and establishing a clear fee, payment, and karma yoga structure aligned with personal values and sustainability. Develop a comprehensive professional plan for post-certification yoga teaching by identifying appropriate teaching settings, addressing legal and administrative requirements (waivers, liability insurance, marketing materials), creating a 1-year business plan with measurable goals at 3, 6, and 12 months, and establishing strategies for credential maintenance and ongoing professional education Describe and apply legal and administrative responsibilities of yoga teaching, including insurance, waivers, scope of practice, taxes, contracts, and professional boundaries.
Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Identify the major bones and joints of the body by listing their anatomical names, describing their locations, and explaining their primary ranges of motion and functions Identify the structure of the vertebral column by listing the number of vertebrae in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, describing the natural spinal curves, and explaining how these curves inform safe alignment, cueing, and sequencing in a class setting
Yoga History & Theory	Identify and explain the five kośas and the five kleśas by naming each one, describing their defining qualities, and providing examples of how they appear in lived experience. Explain foundational concepts of the yoga sutras, bhagavad gita, and upanishads by summarizing each text’s historical background, approximate period of origin, authorship, and core philosophical themes, and apply this understanding by designing and facilitating a 1-hour introductory workshop for each text. Demonstrate ethical behavior, professional boundaries, and accountability in alignment with an established yoga teacher code of conduct by adhering to professional scope of practice and appropriate boundaries
Practice Skills	Practice the foundational asanas as well as the joint freeing series outlined in this program by accurately performing each posture and articulating its purpose, alignment principles, and functional intention Practice prāṇāyāma, mudrās, mantras, and chanting using appropriate techniques, voice intonation, breath count, and pacing Practice meditation by describing one’s personal meditation practice and its purpose, and guiding others through a clear, accessible meditation that demonstrates appropriate structure, pacing, and presence
Teaching Skills	Lead prāṇāyāma practices by clearly explaining, demonstrating, and guiding appropriate techniques—including wave breath (dīrgha), alternate nostril breathing (nāḍī śodhana), ujjāyī, kapālabhāti, and naulī—with attention to proper technique, pacing, safety, and student readiness. Design and guide a 60-minute asana class for a general population by sequencing postures logically, offering accessible options and modifications, maintaining safe pacing and transitions, and integrating breath awareness to support clarity, safety, and embodied experience Design and guide a gentle yoga class for a special population with limited range of motion by integrating accessible prāṇāyāma, joint freeing movements, appropriate asanas, mantra or chanting, relaxation, and meditation, while prioritizing safety, choice, nervous system regulation, and individual adaptability Lead a complete joint freeing series by guiding the group through all major joints with clear verbal cues that coordinate breath and movement, and transition the practice into a structured relaxation and meditation that supports nervous system regulation and integration
Lifestyle & Ethics	Discuss subtle body anatomy by describing its primary components, including the seven chakras and nāḍīs, and explain how these energetic concepts relate to and inform yoga practice. Identify and explain the five elements, the three guṇas, and the three doṣas by naming the elements of each system and briefly describing their core qualities and functions Explain the foundations of ayurveda by describing its purpose, principles, and relationship to yoga, and identify and explain the five elements, three guṇas, and three doṣas by naming each and briefly describing their core qualities Explain the concept of sādhanā by defining the term and describing its role as a committed spiritual and personal practice, and apply this understanding by identifying daily routines implemented as part of one’s yoga sādhanā and explaining their impact on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being

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

The anatomy and Physiology - Graduates will be able to explain key muscles that move or stabilize each major joint (shoulder, spine, hip, knee, elbow, wrist, ankle) by describing their role in moving the body in asana correctly. Lifestyle & Ethics - Graduates will create a Professional code of Conduct which will include key ethical guidelines, guiding values, scope of practice, and professional responsibilities. Practice skills - Graduates will be able to demonstrate postures from the curriculums with good alignment, risk mitigation, and using props safely and effectively. Teaching Skills - Graduates will be able to teach a 1 hour hatha and vinyasa class to all levels which will include adequate warm up of component parts, appropriate choice of postures for all four parts of class, and detailing appropriate transitions for the pose style. Graduates will also be able to teach foundational pranayama practices from the curriculum using good posture, clear cuing, accurate breath counts, and appropriate pacing.