Upaya Yoga Student Immersion

Established 2025

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Upaya School of Yoga

1633 Fillmore St, Denver, CO 80206, USA

Denver, CO

Upcoming Instances

In person

Aug 1 – Sep 27, 2026

about 2 months • 100 hours • $ 1200.0+

Denver, CO, US

Led by

Rebekah Boatrite and Ashley Van Dyne

Level 3

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Purpose

The purpose of this program is to deepen students understanding of yoga through immersive study of philosophical, historical, and practical roots. The immersion emphasizes embodiment and self-inquiry as a foundation for person practice.

What to expect

This training is for anyone ready to explore the depths of yoga to deepen your understanding and embody the teachings.

Foundations of Yoga Philosophy and History

Introduction to key Indian philosophical systems with a particular focus on Tantra and Classical Yoga
Introduction and core teachings from the Bhagavad Gita
Historical development of Modern Postural Yoga

Asana: Intelligent Embodiment

Detailed breakdowns of foundational postures including:
- Twists
- Forward folds
- Back bends
- Lateral bends
- Arm balances
- Inversions
Introduction to E.A.S.E. alignment system and how it supports diverse bodies through anatomy-informed, non-dogmatic alignment
How physical practice relates to subtle anatomy, breath, and inner awareness

Pranayama & Meditation

Daily breath practices (e.g., Ujjayi, Sama Vritti, Nadi Shodhana)
Meditation techniques
Introduction to bandhas and their role in breath and meditation
Developing personal pranayama, meditation, and mantra practice

Subtle Body & Energetic Anatomy

Introduction to chakras, nadis, vayus, kundalini, and koshas
Assessing individual vayus in self and others & practices to support each vayu
Integration of mudras and bandhas as energetic tools

Ayurveda for Yogis

Introduction to doshas, prakruti/vikruti, and the five elements
Dinacharya (daily routine) and yogic lifestyle tools for balance
The 20 gunas, ojas, agni, and other key concepts
Understanding how to support your prakruti and vikruti through asana, pranayama, meditation

Mythology

Stories of deities central to our respective traditions
Understanding of deities as qualities within the self
Using mythology to embody deeper meaning in practice

Community, Inquiry, Integration

Reflective journaling, small group discussions, and personal inquiry woven throughout
Continued exploration of the question: “What is yoga?” in the philosophical and pyschophysical spheres
Emphasis on living the practice, not just learning about it

Style/Lineage

Upaya (Sanskrit): Skillful means, method.

At Upaya, we believe yoga is a holistic path of self-understanding, transformation, and deep remembering.

We teach alignment-based Hatha Vinyasa and Tantric Hatha, with our philosophies being rooted in both North and South Indian Tantric philosophy.

Additional Information

For those interested in continuing their education to teach, rather than beginning with sequencing and cueing, we start by exploring the “why” behind yoga: its history, its practices, and its profound philosophical systems. Through this immersion, you’ll cultivate a more integrated and authentic personal practice, one that will serve as the ground from which your teaching eventually grows. You'll also attune not only to your own unique needs and constitution, but also to those of your sangha, offering the invaluable opportunity to learn from the diverse expressions, experiences, and patterns of others in the group.

Core competencies

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

Yoga History & Theory	Discuss the history of the word yoga in psychophysical, political, and philosophical spheres by identifying where and in what context the word yoga shows up in texts like the rig veda, arthashastra, mahabharata, and others Describe the 11 tattvas added by tantra by describing what they are and why they were added to the tattva chart Describe samkhya philosophy including purusha, prakriti, the three gunas, and the principle tattvas Demonstrate Understanding Of the different subtle body systems, including the chakras, vayus, and koshas by describing the key components of each Compare samkhya, classical yoga, and tantric philosophies by describing their key philosophical differences Demonstrate an understanding of the eight limbs of yoga in the yoga sutras can identify each limb and explain how they relate to the overall path of yoga practice Demonstrates an understanding of the five prana vayus (prana, apana, samana, udana, vyana) and give examples of how they are experienced or supported through asana, pranayama, and meditation. Demonstrate an understanding of the four aspects of mind (manas, chitta, asmita, buddhi) by explaining their basic functions and how they relate to perception, memory, identity, and discernment Demonstrates basic understanding of the historical context, structure, and purpose of the yoga sutras and can describe their role as a foundational text in yoga philosophy
Practice Skills	Practice various categories of asana and demonstrate how to adapt alignment for your individual anatomy Practice various meditations and describe the different techniques and benefits of each Create home practices that support you physically, emotionally, and energetically Practice various styles of pranayama (including nadi shodhana, kapalabhati, sama vritti, breath retentions) and describe the different techniques and benefits of each
Teaching Skills	Utilize the mind map template to create yoga practices centered around a specific supportive theme Develop practices that balance and support different prana vayus, chakras, and other subtle body systems by creating 20-60 minute sequences that include asana, pranayama, and meditation
Lifestyle & Ethics	Identify practices that support each dosha including general guidelines for diet and lifestyle, asana, and pranayama Demonstrates an understanding of the three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha), including their basic qualities and how they influence physical, mental, and emotional tendencies Define agni and ama and explain their role in health, balance, and disease according to ayurveda Demonstrate an understanding of how the doshas relate to cycles of time including seasons, stages of life, and times of day
Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Demonstrate an understanding of individual alignment by describing basic anatomical variations that affect alignment Explain how pranayama and meditation affect the nervous system by describing the physiological effects of a regular pranayama and meditation practice

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

Students will be required to take an open book quiz at the end of the course to receive a certificate. Sequencing homework will be submitted on a weekly basis.