Private Yoga Teacher Coaching – 5 Sessions

Lecture, demonstration, and practice of shatkarma techniques and specifically jala and sutra neti. I will teach the students how to perform neti, sutra neti, uddiyana bandha (as a gateway to nauli), kapalabhati, and trataka. From there, they will practice daily with supervision neti, sutra neti and uddiyana bandha prior to their morning asana. I spent an entire month with a Himalayan yogi in India learning extensively pranayama and shatkarma techniques as he was taught by Himalayan rishis and sannyasins. Dhauti, cakri, and gajakarani will not be taught.

Learning Objectives
Become familiar with the classical yoga cleansing techniques, and learn hands-on jala neti and sutra neti.

Daily practice of jala and sutra neti.

Learning Objectives
Develop a morning routine of yogic cleansing by practicing neti, and uddiyana bandha/nauli.

Daily practice of focus and intention.

Learning Objectives
Incorporate a daily practice of focusing the mind through use of mantra and mala beads. Students will initially be given a mantra, and eventually be allowed to incorporate one that they naturally gravitate towards.

Applied knowledge of teaching basic pose instructions, deepening cues, and demonstration techniques.

Learning Objectives
Students will form small groups or pairs, and practice instructing yoga poses by using the vocal instructional techniques covered in the Fundamentals of Teaching lecture.

Create vinyasa sequences with specifically assigned nuances and unusual elements. Lecture on creating unique, entertaining, interesting, exhilarating vinyasa sequences.

Learning Objectives
The students will utilize the information from the lecture portion of this topic, and then create short vinyasa sequences that they will prepare to teach to their course peers. Develop an overall idea to structure a vinyasa yoga class with various considerations: form vs flow; the use of vinyasa to change from one side to the other, or to notate changes within sections of the sequence; sequence for range of motion, anatomy, and energy.

Create a peak pose sequence around a specific anatomical action of the body. Lecture on how to create a peak pose sequence around a specific anatomic function of the body.

Learning Objectives
Students are given time to create a peak pose sequence that adheres to the information and guidelines provided in the lecture portion of this topic. The peak pose sequence is designed to build incrementally towards a pose or a range of motion of the body. Pose actions are taught in more familiar poses and movements, and then the same actions are related to more complex variations.

Practice creating a gentle or restorative yoga sequence. Lecture about how to sequence and structure a gentle and restorative yoga class.

Learning Objectives
Students will be given time to create a gentle or restorative yoga sequence based upon the content of the lecture portion of this topic. Learn to incorporate props, sequencing, and ambiance in order to deliver a relaxing and gentle yoga class.

Hands on adjustment practice for various situations and student body types. I call the way that I adjust “Directional Touch”, where emphasis is placed on helping the student to find their own muscular engagement/capacity for the action required for the pose. I do not perform or teach “ashtanga” style or forceful adjustments. I do not believe that those are necessary.

I generally believe that if a student is unable to find their own way into a posture, then they are probably not ready for it, or that perhaps verbal instruction could be improved instead. Therefore, with a light touch combined with verbal cues I bring attention to where I want them to engage, lengthen, rotate, etc.

No student teacher is encouraged to provide any adjustments that they have not personally received, as students are not meant to be experimented upon.

Learning Objectives
Learn how to use guided touch (as opposed to forceful adjustment), as a means of helping students discover their own muscular actions to further their pose alignment.

A lecture on the subtle winds or sub prana of yoga energy theory in relationship to the body, and corresponding energy centers.

Learning Objectives
Learn more about prana and energy theory – subtle yoga.

A lecture of the 5 sheaths, or layers of the self. What is the relationship between these layers, and how does this concept fit into the philosophy of yoga.

How to instruct bandhas to your students in a way that allows them to understand. What muscles are used and activated during engagement of the 3 main bandhas. How do bandhas and retention relate to prana theory and kundalini energy.

What are the main energetic and anatomical features of breath. Prana theory as it relates to Nadis, Chakras, bandhas, and mudras.

A discussion karma and the practice of yoga as a means of finding balance of our karma.

What are the basic principles and methods of sequencing yoga in order to open the hips. Students create a hip opening sequence and teach it.

Learning Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge of hip anatomy and movement mechanics through a sequence designed to open the hips in a specific manner according to a muscle group or range of motion assigned: hamstring lengthening, hip flexor stretching, outer hip (gluteus maximus, piriformis, gluteus medius, or inner hip – pectineus, adductor magnus.

Anatomy lecture on the hips and the legs.

How to use physical assessment in the context of private instruction, and personal training.

Learning Objectives
Many teachers will offer private instruction to students… It should be done skillfully, and since so many teachers do this, how does it not fit into the scope and practice of a yoga teacher? This content provides tools for them that help to structure a private lesson, to offer a general postural assessment, just as personal trainers offer their clients. Being able to assess and understand posture and its relationship to human musculature will help as a means of determining what poses would benefit their student’s bodies.

Considerations and methods of instructing backbend poses and classes. Students create a backbend sequence and teach their sequence.

Learning Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge of backbend related anatomy and movement mechanics through a sequence designed to accentuate spinal extension. The sequence will contain proper core engagement instruction to provide support to the spine, and also focus on opening or lengthening the muscle groups that prohibit the range of motion of spinal extension: quadriceps, hip flexors, rectus abdominis, pectoralis minor.

Anatomy lesson on the spine and trunk muscles and bones.

Anatomy, bandhas, and techniques that provide your students with the skills they need to balance and fold more effectively. Create a class sequence that demonstrates how to teach arm balance and forward folds.

Learning Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge of arm balance in a forward fold position (bakasana, titibhasana, eka hasta bhujasana, etc.) through a sequence designed to fold the body at the hips as well as position the arms for structural integrity and support.

Create a private instruction plan around a case study that is provided for you.

Learning Objectives
Student teachers will be randomly assigned case studies with the following trait possibilities: beginner student, slight scoliosis, carpal tunnel, weak core, bone length abnormalities, etc., and plan a private instruction strategy for assisting their student adjust in their practice accordingly.

Lecture about instructing students to more success in binding and twisting poses. Create a sequence around guiding your students into binding twists.

Learning Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge of spinal rotation through a sequence designed to rotate the torso from the pelvic region up through the cervical spine and head: emphasis should be give to internal and external obliques, rotator cuff, rhomboids, and supporting muscles involved in core engagement and shoulder opening.

A lecture about the anatomical systems of the body beyond muscular and skeletal.

Teaching methods lecture for creating pathways to success for your students in their inversions. Create a sequence or class that helps to improve your students ability to safely and confidently practice inversion poses.

Learning Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge of shoulder and core stability – improvement and strengthening, while in an inverted position: muscular emphasis should involve serratus anterior, core/abdominals, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius and latissimus dorsi.

Lecture on the anatomy of the shoulder girdle and arms, including bones and muscles.

Lecture on principles and structure of leading a long format class of 2.5-3 or more hours in length (Master Class). Teach a master class, around a topic discussed with or provided by the lead teacher of 300 hour course. Create a master class of your own interests and choosing.

Learning Objectives
Determined by each student teachers area of interest, they will be assigned to create and teach an abbreviated master class around that interest. The master class is generally a 2-3 hour class that dives much deeper into a particular topic than an average class. Includes elements of: intelligent sequencing, pranayama, and draw relationships to larger yogic theory and philosophy. Students will be provided in-class time to prepare their master class sequences in the presence of their teachers.

Lecture on workshop goals, structure, and delivery. Research details, establish format, and consider marketing for a workshop class. Create and implement a workshop class that you can teach upon graduation of the course.

Learning Objectives
Experience in a controlled setting how to approach a studio manager and present an idea for a workshop class, prepare flyer/poster marketing materials, negotiate payment split, choose demographics, and handle social media. A workshop is a 2-3 or 4; hour class format that is very in depth around a particular yogic topic that utilizes components of asana, lecture, demonstration, student group work, student work implementation. Student teachers will build a workshop class with teacher supervision.

Students go through initial research work of creating an actual retreat. Students go through all of the work required to organize and book a retreat. Includes planning for budget, expenses, and profit calculations.

Learning Objectives
Students will begin the planning stages of determining the type of retreat they wish to hold and come up with realistic expectations of attendance and income. Students will leave the course with first hand experience contacting retreat venues, determining pricing for small to large retreats (local or destination depending on student teacher experience), travel expenses, attendance gifts, food included, and promotional and marketing techniques (upsell, couple/partner rates). We will use case studies from actual past yoga retreats held by lead and assistant 300 teachers to discuss what worked, what didn’t work, and what teachers would do differently next time based on actual experience.

Considerations for teaching philosophy to students in a way that is relatable, engaging, and elicits group participation.

Student research and organization of philosophy lecture topics. Student delivers discussion of philosophy.

Learning Objectives
Students will choose one book of classic yoga literature, or a writing from one of the modern masters. The Bhagavad Gita would be a good one to start with. Other examples include: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali – Any Translation The Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Any Translation The Upanishads – Any Translation The Ramayana – Krishna Dharma Autobiography of A Yogi – Paramahansa Yogananda Living With the Himalayan Masters – Swami Rama Light on Life – B.K.S. Iyengar They will be asked to provide a lecture on this book that includes a summary/main idea, practical application – insights into how we learn and grow from this as related to our practice, personal insights and introspection. They will be given guidance on how to facilitate the lecture. Each student will choose a text of classic yoga literature, and create a discussion/lecture around their reading and understanding of the text. They will provide context of the text back to their own practical and relatable personal experience and practice. As beginning to discuss philosophy with students can be challenging, student teachers will be guided to encourage student involvement through discussion and conversation.

How to prepare yourself for a teaching path that generates financial success. Considerations for running your yoga business in a way that correlates to yogic philosophy.

Each session will have a particular topic: Pose Research Worksheet; photos and sequence for pose improvements; Vinyasa Sequence, Peak Pose Sequence, Gentle Sequence, sequence that has an energetic (prana/chakra) focus, a meditation sequence, a sequence that highlights use of bandhas, a sequence based on one of the 5 elements (earth, water, fire, air, either). Create a blended sequence of asana, pranayama, and meditation. Create a sequence for core and butt strengthening, sequence for hip opening pose improvements, sequence for back bending, sequence for arm balance, sequence for twists. Create a mandala sequence, a sequence for a student with a shoulder or wrist injury, so that use of the shoulder or wrist is not required. Create a sequence that is inspired by or discusses yogic philosophy. Create a sequence for shoulderstand, and include variations of the pose from modified, beginner, and intermediate students. Create a light exercise warm up routine or yoga sequence that uses: Abduction, Adduction, Circumduction, Extension, Flexion, Pronation, Supination, and Rotation. Create a private instruction plan for a student brand new to yoga. Create a private instruction plan for a stressed out student. Create a private instruction plan for someone who wants to develop more core strength. Create a private instruction plan for an elderly student.

Learning Objectives
Teacher Trainees will gain direct practice sequence for a great many possibilities.

A discussion/lecture about how the Yoga Sutras apply to daily modern life.

Learning Objectives
Develop a practical and applicable understanding of how to consider the yoga sutras as part of daily life through explanation, reflection, and journaling.

A lecture on how the moon may affect our practice, and strategies for sequences that tap into or offset moon energy.

Learning Objectives
To explore the concept of moon salutations and moon flows.

An exploring session of brainstorming and researching creative ways to modify many basic poses.

Learning Objectives
We’ll use the book Cool Yoga Tricks as a starting point of adapting and modifying poses to achieve similar results with different types of accessible props.

A discussion of the philosophy of the Upanishads.

Learning Objectives
Familiarization with the concepts of Samsara, Karma, Dharma, Moksha, and Atman.

A lecture of the overlap of public speaking and teaching yoga, and strategies from our yoga practice that assist in public speaking.

Learning Objectives
Understand the relationship between yoga: breath, presence, posture, and acceptance, as related to public speaking.