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Practice Skills
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Practice foundational and intermediate yoga postures drawn from hatha yoga, the barkan method, hot 26, ashtanga, and vinyasa traditions, including standing postures, balancing poses, forward folds, backbends, twists, hip openers, and restorative postures. by demonstrating functional alignment, breath awareness, appropriate muscular engagement, safe transitions, and effective use of props and modifications while recognizing individual anatomical differences and mitigating injury risks.
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Demonstrate surya namaskar a and b, traditional vinyasa transitions, and breath-centered movement sequences incorporated into the sankalpa method curriculum. by performing sequences with coordinated breath and movement, appropriate pacing, stable foundations, mindful transitions, and modifications that accommodate individual mobility, strength, and experience.
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Practice foundational pranayama techniques, including dirgha pranayama (three-part breath), ujjayi (victorious breath), nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), and kapalabhati (skull-shining breath). by demonstrating appropriate posture, respiratory awareness, correct breathing patterns, controlled pacing, and an understanding of contraindications, individual limitations, and the importance of modifying or discontinuing techniques when necessary.
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Perform foundational meditation techniques, including breath awareness, focused concentration, guided visualization, trataka (candle-gazing), and mantra meditation. by establishing a stable and comfortable meditation posture, maintaining an appropriate focus of attention, recognizing distraction without judgment, and demonstrating the ability to return awareness to the chosen meditation object or technique.
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Demonstrate restorative postures, conscious relaxation, and savasana as essential components of a balanced yoga practice. by practicing appropriate positioning, using supportive props when needed, cultivating body and breath awareness, and demonstrating methods of relaxation and mindful transition between active practice and stillness.
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Practice traditional mantra and chanting practices introduced in the curriculum, including om (aum), so hum, and the use of sound or repetition as a meditative focus. by demonstrating appropriate pronunciation, breath coordination, focused repetition, and respectful engagement with the cultural and philosophical foundations of mantra practice while recognizing that vocal participation is voluntary.
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Explore experiential applications of yogic subtle body concepts, including the five koshas, chakras, nadis, prana vayus, mudras, and introductory bandha awareness. by incorporating appropriate breath, movement, concentration, and energetic awareness exercises into personal practice and articulating how these traditional frameworks inform intention, concentration, and self-reflection.
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Apply foundational ayurvedic principles, including the three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha), daily routines, individual constitution, and the relationship between personal habits, environment, and seasonal rhythms. by reflecting on individual tendencies and lifestyle patterns, identifying supportive daily practices, and developing a personal wellness routine that considers rest, movement, seasonal changes, and self-awareness without making medical diagnoses or treatment recommendations.
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Create an intentional, sustainable personal yoga practice integrating asana, pranayama, meditation, and reflective self-study. by maintaining documented practice logs that identify dates, duration, techniques practiced, sequencing choices, and personal observations; completing assigned independent practice and reflections; and demonstrating thoughtful integration of the curriculum into a balanced individual practice.
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Integrate asana, pranayama, meditation, and mindful self-regulation into a cohesive yoga practice appropriate for heated and non-heated environments. by demonstrating an intentional progression from preparation and breath awareness through active asana and final relaxation; using modifications when appropriate; recognizing signs of fatigue, overheating, or discomfort; and making safe, informed choices that prioritize individual well-being over posture depth or physical performance.
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Yoga History & Theory
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Describe the significance of the yoga sutras of patanjali, bhagavad gita, selected upanishads, and hatha yoga pradipika. by identifying the historical context, central philosophical teachings, primary objectives, and traditional practices associated with each text, explaining their contributions to the development of yoga and their relevance to contemporary yoga practice.
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Compare the yoga sutras, bhagavad gita, hatha yoga pradipika, and upanishads as foundational texts representing distinct yet interconnected traditions of yoga. by identifying similarities and differences in their approaches to liberation, meditation, ethical conduct, self-realization, physical practice, and spiritual discipline, and explaining at least two distinctions and two continuities relevant to modern yoga teaching.
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Discuss the foundational philosophical concepts of patanjali's yoga sutras and the bhagavad gita, including the eight limbs of yoga, yamas, niyamas, dharma, karma yoga, and nonattachment. by explaining the central purpose of each text, correctly identifying the five yamas and five niyamas, and demonstrating the practical application of at least two philosophical principles to personal practice, ethical decision-making, and yoga instruction.
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Describe the foundational principles of samkhya philosophy, including purusha (consciousness), prakriti (material nature), the three gunas (sattva, rajas, and tamas), and the tattva framework. by accurately distinguishing purusha from prakriti, describing the characteristics of the three gunas, and explaining how the tattva framework describes manifestation and experience, including its influence on classical yoga philosophy.
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Explain traditional subtle body theories, including the nadis (ida, pingala, and sushumna), chakras, five koshas, five prana vayus, and mudras. by identifying the primary characteristics and traditional functions of each framework and illustrating their philosophical applications through examples of asana, pranayama, meditation, and mindful awareness, while distinguishing traditional energetic concepts from contemporary anatomical science.
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Design an introductory philosophy-based teaching experience incorporating foundational concepts from yogic texts, ethical principles, or subtle body theory into asana, pranayama, or meditation. by developing a structured 10–15-minute teaching segment with a clearly identified philosophical theme, accurate historical context, appropriate experiential practice, accessible language, and an opportunity for student reflection or assessment of understanding.
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Trace the historical evolution of yoga from vedic and upanishadic traditions through classical yoga, medieval hatha yoga, colonial encounters, and modern global yoga, including the barkan method and its influence on the sankalpa method. by constructing a chronological overview identifying major philosophical, cultural, and practical developments, distinguishing documented historical evidence from modern lineage narratives, and explaining how traditional and contemporary influences inform the school's teaching methodology.
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Apply yogic ethical principles, including the yamas and niyamas, cultural appreciation, respectful representation of south asian traditions, inclusive teaching, consent, and professional boundaries. by examining realistic teaching scenarios, identifying relevant ethical principles, and proposing responsible approaches that demonstrate compassion, integrity, accessibility, cultural awareness, and respect for individual autonomy.
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Business Skills
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Create professional marketing materials that communicate a yoga teacher's teaching philosophy, qualifications, intended audience, and unique instructional approach. by developing a professional teaching biography, class description, and sample promotional content that demonstrate clear writing, accurate representation of credentials, inclusive language, and ethical marketing practices.
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Develop business skills
e.g. marketing, copywriting, budgeting, insuring
verb
topic
criteria
describe
your 1-year business plan post teaching certification
including achievable professional goals for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
critique
a peer's five year business plan
including detailed assessments of their target market, marketing plan, key performance indicators, and timeline.
develop
a unique program and marketing plan for a niche workshop
that serves the need of you community.
explain
key practical considerations for becoming a professional yoga teacher
including yoga insurance, waivers, and tax considerations.
describe
legal and administrative requirements
such as liability insurance, waivers, scope of practice, taxes, contracts, and professional boundaries by identifying achievable goals at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; outlining potential teaching opportunities, continuing education objectives, anticipated expenses, and strategies for establishing a sustainable teaching practice.
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Design a specialized yoga workshop or community-based program that addresses an identified interest or need within the local community. by preparing a workshop proposal outlining the intended audience, learning objectives, class structure, accessibility considerations, promotional strategy, anticipated expenses, and reasonable participation or revenue goals.
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Explain essential professional responsibilities associated with yoga instruction, including liability insurance, participant waivers, independent contractor considerations, basic tax obligations, contracts, professional boundaries, and scope of practice. by identifying common business and legal considerations, distinguishing yoga instruction from medical or therapeutic services, explaining the purpose and limitations of liability coverage and waivers, and recognizing when guidance from qualified legal, tax, or insurance professionals is necessary.
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Teaching Skills
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Design a comprehensive 60-minute yoga class integrating asana, pranayama, meditation, and intentional theming, drawing from hatha yoga, the barkan method, hot 26, and vinyasa traditions. by developing a written class plan identifying learning objectives, intended audience, philosophical theme, posture selections, modifications, breathwork, estimated timing, and closing practices while demonstrating appropriate preparation and logical progression.
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Construct safe, purposeful yoga sequences incorporating foundational postures, sun salutations, standing and balancing sequences, backbends, forward folds, twists, and restorative practices. by organizing postures into a coherent class arc that includes centering, progressive warm-up, purposeful movement, appropriate preparation for more demanding postures, counterposes when relevant, cooldown, and savasana, while demonstrating an understanding of anatomical and energetic considerations.
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Demonstrate effective verbal and visual instruction for foundational yoga postures, transitions, breath awareness, and movement patterns. by delivering clear, concise, anatomically informed cues using appropriate sanskrit and english terminology, directional language, breath coordination, and demonstration when necessary, while maintaining student engagement and minimizing dependence on personally demonstrating every posture.
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Observe student movement, alignment, breathing patterns, balance, physical effort, and individual responses during yoga practice. by accurately identifying observable movement patterns, recognizing potential safety concerns, assessing when students may benefit from additional guidance or modifications, and responding through clear verbal instruction without making medical diagnoses or assumptions about individual physical capabilities.
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Apply ethical principles and appropriate methods of assisting yoga students, including verbal guidance, visual demonstration, physical assists, and professional boundaries. by explaining when an assist may be appropriate, demonstrating safe verbal alternatives, obtaining informed and ongoing consent before physical contact, respecting student autonomy, and recognizing situations in which physical assistance should be avoided.
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Adapt yoga postures, transitions, and sequences to accommodate variations in anatomical structure, mobility, strength, experience, and individual physical limitations. by demonstrating appropriate modifications, prop usage, alternative postures, and accessible teaching language for selected asanas, including at least two viable variations for representative postures, without presenting advanced expressions as inherently superior.
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Manage the timing, pacing, transitions, and energetic progression of a yoga class, including breath-centered movement and appropriate use of verbal instruction, music, and silence. by teaching within an established class duration, providing sufficient preparation and recovery, coordinating movement with breath, adjusting instructional pacing to student needs, and maintaining a coherent progression from opening centering through final relaxation.
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Integrate foundational yoga philosophy, pranayama, meditation, and mindfulness into the development and delivery of an intentional yoga class. by incorporating an accurately represented philosophical concept, appropriate breathwork technique, and accessible meditative practice into a lesson plan and teaching demonstration, while connecting these elements meaningfully to the class intention rather than treating them as unrelated additions.
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Implement safe teaching practices for heated and non-heated yoga environments, including environmental awareness, hydration considerations, physical exertion, contraindications, and student self-regulation. by identifying common risk factors, recognizing observable signs of discomfort or heat-related distress, offering rest and appropriate alternatives, adjusting pace or intensity when warranted, and demonstrating sound decision-making that prioritizes student well-being over performance.
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Demonstrate effective communication, professional conduct, inclusive classroom management, and the creation of a welcoming, supportive yoga environment. by establishing clear expectations, communicating confidently and compassionately, respecting individual boundaries, managing common classroom disruptions, using inclusive and trauma-aware language, and maintaining appropriate professional and ethical standards.
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Evaluate personal teaching performance and peer instruction through structured observation, constructive feedback, and reflective self-assessment. by participating in supervised peer-teaching exercises, identifying specific instructional strengths and areas for improvement, providing respectful and actionable feedback, and demonstrating measurable refinement in subsequent teaching opportunities.
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Teach a complete 60-minute yoga class incorporating foundational asana, effective sequencing, appropriate cueing, pranayama, meditation, modifications, student observation, and professional classroom management. by preparing and delivering a supervised public teaching demonstration evaluated through an instructor rubric measuring preparation, sequencing, anatomical awareness, verbal instruction, student responsiveness, accessibility, safety, timing, and professional presence, followed by individualized feedback and self-reflection.
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Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics
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Describe the key muscles, bones, and connective tissues responsible for moving and stabilizing the major joints, including the shoulders, spine, hips, knees, elbows, wrists, and ankles. by accurately identifying major muscle groups, explaining their functions, and demonstrating their roles in movement, stabilization, and alignment during asana practice.
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Apply anatomical knowledge of contraindications, movement limitations, and potentially harmful alignment patterns associated with the asanas taught in the program. by identifying relevant physiological and structural considerations, explaining potential risks, and demonstrating appropriate modifications, alternatives, and safe teaching strategies.
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Teach the influence of individual anatomical variation, including skeletal structure, joint mobility, connective tissue differences, and functional limitations, on asana practice. by explaining how anatomical differences affect range of motion and posture expression and demonstrating individualized modifications, accessible variations, and functional alignment principles.
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Discuss the relationship between yoga practices and the nervous system, including central and autonomic nervous system functions and physiological responses to movement, breathwork, and meditation. by accurately describing fundamental nervous system functions and explaining how asana, pranayama, and meditation may influence arousal, relaxation, stress responses, and self-regulation.
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Describe the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system and its relationship to diaphragmatic breathing and pranayama. by identifying the diaphragm, intercostal muscles, lungs, and associated respiratory structures; explaining the mechanics of inhalation and exhalation; and demonstrating appropriate integration of breath awareness and breathing techniques into yoga instruction.
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Analyze fundamental biomechanical principles, including joint actions, planes of movement, muscular contractions, leverage, balance, and load distribution in yoga postures. by evaluating selected asanas and transitions, identifying relevant biomechanical forces and movement patterns, and demonstrating how these principles inform effective cueing, stability, mobility, and functional alignment.
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Explain the relationships among muscular strength, flexibility, mobility, stability, and connective tissue function during yoga practice. by distinguishing between concentric, eccentric, and isometric muscular contractions; identifying active and passive ranges of motion; and demonstrating how these principles inform safe and progressive asana instruction.
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Design yoga sequences informed by functional anatomy, biomechanics, physiological preparation, and the physical demands of specific postures. by constructing and teaching sequences that demonstrate appropriate warm-ups, progressive loading, balanced muscular engagement, purposeful transitions, and accessible posture variations.
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Evaluate the physiological effects of practicing yoga in heated environments, including thermoregulation, cardiovascular responses, hydration, exertion, and heat-related risks. by explaining the body's physiological responses to heat and physical activity, recognizing potential signs of heat-related distress, and identifying appropriate precautions, modifications, and responses that prioritize student safety.
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Demonstrate the integration of anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical knowledge into effective, accessible, and ethical yoga instruction. by successfully completing posture clinics, movement analysis exercises, peer teaching, and supervised teaching practicums that incorporate accurate anatomical explanations, individualized modifications, appropriate verbal cueing, and professional scope-of-practice boundaries.
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CYT-L3