Boston Yoga Union Foundational Yoga Training

Established 2019

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Boston Yoga Union

364 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, USA

Boston, MA

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Purpose

Our training delivers a thorough and well rounded foundation for teachers to begin building their own teaching practice.
You will advance your practice, your understanding of yourself, and discover your gifts as a teacher.

What to expect

Each day will include intensive practice, posture labs, lectures, and experiential learning as you discover the richness of the practice and the power of your voice! You will get your questions answered and be lovingly challenged to take the next steps in your practice and your life.

You will learn.

Alignment of Foundational Yoga Asana

Functional Anatomy for Yoga Teachers

Teaching Skills + Pedagogy

Restoratives + Energetics

Meaningful Sequencing

History of Modern Postural Yoga

Yoga Philosophy

The Business of Being a Yoga Teacher

Ethics, Social Justice and Racial Equity in the Wellness Industr

Style/Lineage

The Boston Yoga Union Teacher Training sets the standard for excellence for trainings in Boston and beyond. A dream team of Union teachers brings the structure, flow, and soul to this foundational yoga training program. Their shared love of the practice, varied backgrounds, and deep expertise provide a rich backdrop for exploring the practices of yoga.

We use our roots in the classical methods to not only teach poses and sequences, but also to understand the rich history and philosophy underpinning the physical practice

Additional Information

Graduates of our program are teaching throughout the Greater Boston area and across the country. They have opened their own studios, filmed for national brands, and spearheaded yoga programs for the causes they support. There is no better Program to embark on this life-changing journey.

Core competencies

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

Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Identify and accurately name major bones and joints of the body and locate them in relation to movement patterns commonly used in yoga practice. Discuss functional anatomy principles to yoga teaching by linking muscle action and joint movement to poses, adjusting cues accordingly, and supporting injury prevention Discuss common yoga-related injuries by identifying risk factors, modifying poses appropriately, and demonstrating informed decision-making to reduce injury potential Discuss the structure and function of the central nervous system (cns), including sympathetic and parasympathetic responses, and explain how yoga practices—such as breathwork, asana, meditation, relaxation, and pacing—can be applied to support nervous system regulation, resilience, and stress response modulation.
Practice Skills	Demonstrate foundational yoga postures commonly taught in modern yoga classes by executing each pose with appropriate modifications and prop use, maintaining steady and rhythmic pacing, and exhibiting observable, anatomically appropriate alignment specific to the practitioner’s individual body. Perform basic pranayama practices including ujjayi, viloma, anuloma, and bastrika with correct posture, breath mechanics, rhythm, control, and self-regulation Demonstrate efficient and safe transitions between postures by maintaining continuity of breath and movement, avoiding abrupt or unsafe shifts, and explaining the functional purpose of transitions within a sequence. Practice foundational arm balances and inverted postures by showing appropriate preparatory strength, alignment, and control, executing safe entries and exits, and explaining progressions and regressions
Yoga History & Theory	Define all eight limbs of patanjali yoga and integrate their ethical and practical principles into personal practice, teaching behavior, and professional conduct Discuss the yamas and niyamas by accurately identifying their sanskrit names, core principles, and traditional meanings, and explain how these ethical guidelines inform personal practice, teaching conduct, and professional decision-making within modern yoga contexts Discuss the historical development of modern postural yoga by identifying key figures and lineages and explaining how historical context informs contemporary practice
Lifestyle & Ethics	Describe each primary aspect of bhakti yoga by accurately explaining its philosophical foundation, devotional practices, and lived expression, including the nine classical forms of devotion (navadhā bhakti), and articulating how these practices cultivate relationship, humility, and surrender toward the sacred Discuss inequity within the yoga space related to race, economic status, body size, ability, and access, and demonstrate the ability to choose inclusive, trauma-informed language and teaching approaches that foster belonging, respect, and the skillful holding of space for diverse lived experiences. Discuss the practice of yoga from a socially responsible lens describing the difference between cultural appropriation vs appreciation, proximity to power, and distinguishing between equity vs equality, and citing examples of privilege Relate foundational yogic concepts to the lived practice experience by communicating philosophical principles in a clear, respectful, and non-dogmatic manner that supports relevance, accessibility, and embodied understanding for diverse students. Describe appropriate solutions to ethical teaching scenarios by applying yogic principles, maintaining professional boundaries, honoring consent standards, and demonstrating accountability
Teaching Skills	Lead pranayama practices including ujjayi, viloma, anuloma, and bastrika by applying correct breathing mechanics, explaining intended effects and contraindications, and maintaining calm, controlled pacing in a group setting. Teach surya namaskar a, b, c by accurately naming poses in english and sanskrit, delivering a minimum of three anatomically sound cues per posture, maintaining consistent breath-to-movement coordination, and ensuring safe transitions and pacing. Manage yoga classes of varying sizes and environments by organizing class flow, positioning themselves effectively in the room, and responding appropriately to common classroom challenges. Guide a full spectrum yoga class by maintaining an audible and steady vocal tone, using inclusive and respectful language, and demonstrating confidence, clarity, and authenticity. Plan complete yoga class sequences by organizing warm-up, peak, and resolution phases, aligning the sequence with a stated class intention, and demonstrating logical and progressive structure. Deliver a coherent dharma talk by synthesizing key philosophical ideas, communicating ideas clearly, and facilitating reflective discussion. Teach yoga classes of varying sizes and formats (public and private) across different environments by demonstrating effective classroom organization, addressing common classroom challenges, and practicing mirroring and clear visual demonstrations. Apply effective cueing techniques by distinguishing between instructing and cueing, avoiding excessive or unclear language, and adapting verbal instruction based on student comprehension and response.

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

Oral Exam
Written Submission
Group Project Or Presentation
Direct Observation
Solo Project Or Presentation

You will be evaluated with both group an individual projects, as well as oral exams and reading assignments

Did you graduate from this program?

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Program Faculty

Featured Faculty

Timothy Kelleher

I love yoga, and have devoted my life and career to teaching, creating spaces for others to teach, and offering students many ways in to this practice.

bostonyogaunion.com

Boston, MA, US