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Yoga History & Theory
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Explain how the historical evolution of yoga from ancient meditative traditions to the global modern practice shapes the context and responsibility of contemporary teaching. shapes the context and responsibility of contemporary teaching.
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Integrate teachings from core yogic texts such as the yoga sutras into class themes, opening intentions, and closing reflections in ways that are accessible, accurate, and fit within a modern context
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Explain the eight limbs as an integrated, progressive path of practice —from outer ethical conduct through inner absorption—and describe how each limb supports the others.
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Define karma as 'action' in sanskrit and recall the three types of karma from the bhagavad gita (prarabdha, sanchita, agami) and the key karma-related concepts from the yoga sutras (samskaras, kleshas, karmasaya). (prarabdha, sanchita, agami) and the key karma-related concepts from the yoga sutras (samskaras, kleshas, karmasaya).
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Identify all seven chakras—muladhara (root), svadhishthana (sacral), manipura (solar plexus), anahata (heart), vishuddha (throat), ajna (third eye), and sahasrara (crown)—and recall each chakra's sanskrit name, element, color, bija mantra, lotus petals, and key streams of consciousness. —and recall each chakra's sanskrit name, element, color, bija mantra, lotus petals, and key streams of consciousness.
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Explain how yoga philosophy transcends the mat—describing how concepts of dharma, karma, samsara, moksha, and brahman offer practical frameworks for navigating the challenges and joys of family life, parenting, relationships, household responsibilities, and professional work. describing how concepts of dharma, karma, samsara, moksha, and brahman offer practical frameworks for navigating the challenges and joys of family life, parenting, relationships, household responsibilities, and professional work.
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Lifestyle & Ethics
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Apply the yamas and niyamas as guiding principles in personal conduct, class design, and student interactions, embodying teachings such as ahimsa, satya, and svadhyaya.
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Integrate subtle body knowledge into class instruction —using chakra themes, vayu-based cueing, and energetic awareness cues to deepen students' connection to the inner dimensions of practice.
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Explain the importance of maintaining clear professional boundaries in the teacher-student relationship and describe how yoga teachers differ in scope of practice from therapists, doctors, and counselors.
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Apply ethical principles in class design, student interactions, hands-on adjustments, and professional communications modeling integrity, compassion, and appropriate boundaries.
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Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics
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Use knowledge of respiratory and nervous system physiology to guide breath cues, pacing decisions, and sequencing choices that intentionally regulate student nervous system states. to guide breath cues, pacing decisions, and sequencing choices that intentionally regulate student nervous system states.
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Develop anatomy-informed cueing frameworks for each major pose category—standing, backbend, forward fold, twist, inversion—translating structural knowledge into clear, inclusive classroom language. —standing, backbend, forward fold, twist, inversion—translating structural knowledge into clear, inclusive classroom language.
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Identify the structures of the respiratory system, define diaphragmatic breathing, and recall the key states of the autonomic nervous system—sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/digest).
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Explain how breath functions as the bridge between body and mind and describe how specific breath patterns—slow exhales, diaphragmatic breathing, ujjayi—activate the parasympathetic state.
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Demonstrate anatomical knowledge to deliver accurate alignment cues, recognize structural variation among students, and offer safe, targeted modifications for key pose families.
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Practice Skills
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Explain the physiological and energetic effects of each pranayama practice including their respective influence on the nervous system, prana flow, and mental state.
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Identify the eight primary pose categories—standing, forward fold, backbend, twist, balance, hip opener, inversion, and restorative—and recall foundational alignment principles for each. —standing, forward fold, backbend, twist, balance, hip opener, inversion, and restorative—and recall foundational alignment principles for each.
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Explain how core alignment principles —foundation first, joint stacking, spinal length, intentional engagement, and breath—apply across all pose categories to enhance safety and energetic flow.
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Identify the five foundational pranayama techniques —dirga (three-part breath), nadi shodhana, ujjayi, kapalabhati, and bhramari—including their sanskrit names, methods, and classical effects.
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Teaching Skills
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Develop a personal cueing vocabulary that balances technical alignment language with sensory, invitational, and breath-linked prompts, reflecting a distinctive and authentic teaching voice.
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Weave a cohesive theme through all layers of a class —opening intention, pose selection, cueing language, breath awareness, and closing reflection—with authenticity and pedagogical skill.
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Demonstrate and cue poses across all eight categories with accurate alignment language, appropriate demonstrations, and timely modification offers for diverse bodies and abilities.
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Design a pose breakdown resource for a specific category (e.g., backbends or hip openers) that includes sanskrit and english names, step-by-step cues, benefits, modifications, and contraindications.
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Guide each foundational pranayama technique with clear, safe instruction —including appropriate contraindications (e.g., kapalabhati in pregnancy or high blood pressure).
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Guide students through at least three different meditation techniques using a calm, grounded voice, simple language, and appropriate timing within the class structure.
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Develop a 4-week guided meditation series that progressively introduces students to breath awareness, mantra, body scan, and loving-kindness, with teacher notes and student journaling prompts.
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Construct a complete 60-minute class sequence with clear progression, logical counterposes, appropriate transitions, and an intentional opening and closing arc.
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Design a library of original class plans across multiple formats —60-minute, 75-minute, beginner, all-levels—that demonstrate mastery of progressive sequencing and intentional class arc.
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Deliver verbal cues during practice teaching that are clear, breath-linked, inclusive, and delivered with presence and confidence, integrating anatomical and energetic language naturally.
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Business Skills
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Produce a yoga teaching career launch plan that includes a personal mission statement, target market, pricing model, marketing strategy, and a 90-day action plan for building a consistent teaching practice.
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