200 Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training

What is Yin Yoga & What will you learn?

Yin yoga has been described to be a “new yet ancient” style of yoga. It is so because even though majority of what it’s known about yin yoga in the Western world today it has been developed in the 1980’s in USA, the practice of yin yoga is actually based on ancient Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophies and principles. The ancient Chinese believed that there are pathways of Qi (energy) that run through our bodies. By stretching and deepening into poses, we’re opening up any blockages and releasing that energy to flow freely.

While more dynamic,“yang” styles of yoga (like Ashtanga Vinyasa) focus on the muscles, yin yoga targets the deep connective tissues, like fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It is a slower and more meditative practice which will give you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. Because you’re holding poses for a longer period of time than you would in other styles of yoga, yin yoga helps you stretch and lengthen those rarely-used tissues while also teaching you how to breathe through discomfort and sit with your thoughts.

In a yin practice we hold floor streches for a minimum of 90 seconds up to about 8 or 10 minutes. There are plenty of physical benefits that you will achieve by developing a regular yin practice, but there are just as many mental benefits too: you will lengthen your connective tissues which in terms will help you to increase flexibility, it will boost your circulation and reduce your stress level (just to name few of the many benefits).

During your yin TTC you will be practicing thematic yin classes twice a day, you will learn about the five elements theory and the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and you also will deepen your knowledge about sequencing and how to modify the yin asanas during the “art of teaching” classes.

Pranayama

Pranayama is an ancient breath technique that originates from yogic practices using which you can control every juncture of your life. Some pranayama techniques you will learn in this course are:

• Surya & Chandra Bhedana
• Ujjayi Breath
• Sitkari
• Sitali
• Bhramari
• Anulom Vilom
• Kapalbhati & Bhastrika

Asana

You require a lot of stillness and suppleness, to be able to do the Yin poses. Body strength is not as important in Yin Yoga. When you are trying to achieve the opposites with the body and mind, you become strong mentally and physically as well. The trained yoga gurus will guide you through the process, with strong philosophical and physiological connotations. In Yin Yoga, you will come across 26 asanas, Wall Yin, Yin yoga for upper body, brief introduction for pregnancy.

1. Anahatasana
2. Ankle Stretch
3. Bananasana
4. Bridge
5. Butterfly
6. Camel
7. Cat pulling its Tail
8. Caterpillar
9. Child’s Pose
10. Dragonfly
11. Dangling
12. Deer
13. Dragons

14. Frog
15. Half butterfly
16. Happy Baby
17. Reclining Twists
18. Saddle
19. Shavasana
20. Shoelace
21. Snail
22. Sphinx and Seal
23. Square
24. Squat
25. Swan & Sleeping Swan
26. Toe Squat

Art of Teaching

• Alignment and hands-on-adjustments of the 26 Yin Yoga asanas, Yin Yoga for the upper body, Wall Yin & brief introduction for pregnancy.
• Teaching practice, receiving and giving feedback
• Principles of demonstration
• Observing, assisting and correcting
• Instructions guidelines, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher in depth
• Voice projection, and floor presence
• Different process of learning
• Planning and structuring a class
• Dealing with injuries and safety precautions

Anatomy, Physiology & TCM

• Human Anatomy, physiology and Fascial trains
• Theory of Daoism Chinese philosophy
• Theory of the Yin Yang Symbol, Its Meaning, Origins, and History
• Theory of the Qi and understanding what Qi is in TCM
• Traditional Chinese Medicine and its meridians
• Theory of 5 Elements and How the five elements work, the Chinese Organ clock
• The 7 Chakras, The meaning of the chakras and their effects on our body
• Practical & Theory Exam

Bandhas

In Yin Yoga, you will discover three essential bandhas that harness subtle energies. These bandhas aid in breath retention, allowing for prolonged posture holding. They promote tranquility and composure throughout your Yin Yoga practice, while also facilitating the smooth flow of Prana.

The three bandhas in Yoga are:

• Mula Bandha (Root Lock)
• Uddiyana Bandha (Abdominal Lock)
• Jalandhara Bandha (Chin Lock)
• Maha Bandha (great lock)

Practicum

Yin Yoga classes for up to 90 minutes or less. The teacher generally sets a goal for the class, which you have to accomplish. The breathing exercises give a go-ahead in terms of practice. The class commences with gentler poses and becomes harder as you progress. You will get adequate guidance in the sequence from a trained yoga expert at Shree Hari Yoga School.

• Practice teaching
• Receiving and giving feedback
• Observing others teaching
• Assisting students while someone else is teaching

Typical Daily Schedule

• 06:30 am – 07:20 am Pranayama or meditation
• 07:30 am – 09:00 am Yin/Hatha Practice & Last week Practicum
• 09:00 am – 10:00 am Silent Breakfast
• 10:00 am – 11:00 am Self Study
• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Anatomy & Physiology
• 12:00 pm – 01:00 pm Art of Teaching
• 01:00 pm – 02:00 pm Lunch
• 02:00 pm – 03:00 pm Self study
• 03:00 pm – 04:00 pm Philosophy
• 04:00 pm – 05:30 pm Yin/Hatha Practice & Last week Practicum
• 06:00 pm – 07:00 pm Meditation/Learn how to Chant your Mantra & understand Mudras

As a complimentary we offer some Sound healing, Yoga Nidra, Mantra & Mudra classes etc as well