Schedule
Our 200 Hour Foundational Yoga Teacher Training programs will be run in the spring and fall seasons for 2010-2011, and are held at the Clayoquot Field Station in Tofino's beautiful Botanical Gardens.
2010 Teacher Training Dates
Oct. 3rd-Oct. 31st
2011 Training Dates
Feb 27th-March 20th 2011
April 17th-May 8th 2011
Oct. 2nd-Oct 23rd 2011
These 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Intensives will be run over a 28 day period Mondays through to Saturdays. Classes are in session 8am to 5:30 pm. The program requires a full time commitment for the duration of the course so that you can maximize your learning potential.
Sample Daily Schedule
8:00-10:00 am Daily Yoga Practice and Techniques Training
10:30-1:30 pm Teaching Methodology
2:30-5:30 pm Rotation of subjects such as Philosophy, Ayurveda, Anatomy, Business etc.
Sundays and evenings are free for home study, relaxation and recreation. The charming town of Tofino has many delightful shops, coffee houses, pubs and restaurants for you to enjoy. The Botanical Gardens and nearby beaches are always a nice option for a liesurely walk. As well surfboards and kayaks can be rented in town so that you can enjoy the dynamic Pacific Ocean during your free time.
Course Curriculum
Practice and Techniques Training: each morning of our course will begin with a two hour practice session where we will delve into the experience and the technique of asana, pranayama, meditation and mantra allowing our students to deepen their personal practice of yoga while learning as much as possible about the application of technique for teaching.
Teaching Methodology: a minimum 3 hour portion of each day will be given to the study of teaching methodology. Topics include the study of alignment principles, creative and intelligent class sequencing, the art of physical demonstrations, verbal and physical adjustments, voice and presence of the teacher, as well as modifications for all posture types.
Teaching Practicum: it is of primary importance to us that all of our graduates get enough practical experience teaching asana within the Teacher Training program so that they feel confident to teach at the close of the course. Prospective students of this program can expect to be teaching to their peers within the first week and by the end of the course have the skills they need to lead a 90 minute full spectrum yoga class. A portion of each day will be given to Teaching Practicum.
Yoga Philosophy: afternoon session of the training program will rotate through a variety of subjects such as the ones listed below. The study of Yoga Philosophy is a key element of any yoga teacher training program as it puts the physical practice into a much larger context. In our 200 Hour training we will cover the History of Yoga, looking at the major philosophical ages and their impact on the yoga we practice today. As well we will take a closer look at the Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali's ever practical Yoga Sutras, and the Tantric vision of Kashmir Saivism. It is our intetntion that students of this program graduate with a working knowledge of the basics of yoga philosophy and a passion for continued study.
Anatomy and Physiology: in this portion of our training program we will focus on the study of the musculoskeletal and organ systems as well as anatomy of movement. It is important that teachers of yoga have an understanding of how the body moves, and doesn't move!, so that they can lead a class with confidence and skill. A significant portion of our training will be devoted to anatomy and physiology.
Study of the Energetic Body: here we will focus on Eastern Anatomy of the Energetic Body. Topics of study include an in depth look at the Koshas (vital sheaths), the 7 Major Chakras (energy centers), the 5 Major Vayus (vital airs), and the Nadi or Meridian System. This portion of our studies allows us to go beyond the physical body and delve into the exploration of our subtle energetic bodies.
Intro to Ayurvedic Lifestyle: Ayurveda is a sister science to yoga and is known as the "science of life" as it's primary intention is to support life and holistic health in the fullest sense. In our study of Ayurveda we will look at the history and philosophy of Ayurveda, The Six Primary Tastes of Ayurveda, The Energetics of Food, Discovering and Understanding your Dosha (constitutional type), Yoga for your Type, and the making of Ghee and Kitchadee. This is a fun and interactive portion of our program that is gauranteed to inspire.
Business and Ethics of Teaching Yoga: No teacher training program would be complete without a closer look at the ethical guidelines and responsibilities of the yoga teacher. As well we will cover some key aspects of the business of teaching yoga and marketing themselves so that our students are set up for success.
Pre Natal Yoga: teaching classes for pregnant women can be a key service in your community and may be something you are interested in focusing on, but whether or not you intend to teach classes specifically for pregnant women or not it is of vital importance that you know how to work with these students if they come to your class. Topics of study include cautions and contraindications for Pre and Post Natal yoga students, modification of regular yoga practice for the pregnant student, creative sequencing for pregnancy, as well as specific breathwork and meditation technique.
Yoga for the Elderly: teaching to the elderly or those living with chronic pain and impaired range of motion can be extremely rewarding. This portion of the training program has been included so that graduates can serve all member of their home communities when they finish our course. Topics of study include cautions and contraindications for the elderly yoga student, modifications of classical yoga poses, breathwork, meditation, and restorative yoga.