VICTORIA S WELCOME Hello and thank you for your interest in the StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training course! You re already a great Personal Trainer or Pilates, Fitness or Dance Instructor. Yet, you have a desire to learn more... With the StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training you will learn yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), philosophy, history as well as meditation techniques and yoga kriyas (cleansing techniques). This is the second StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training and this time it s taking place in Scotland. Once again, every detail has been lovingly created by yours truly. I have taken the original curriculum and crafted it so that it even more suitable for Pilates Instructors and Fitness Instructors. If you just want the quick facts they are: Dates: Fri 20 th Sun 22 nd March 2015 Fri 24 th Sun 26 th April 2015 Fri 29 th Sun 31 st May 2015 Fri 26 th Sun 28 th June 2015 Fri 24 th Sun 26 th July 2015 Fri 21 st Sun 23 rd August 2015 Venue: Cinnabarre Salon & Studio, 4 Hill Street, Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, ML2 7AT Costs: 2500 (Pay before 1 st February 2015 to get the Earlybird Price of just 2200) Or, pay a deposit of 500 and 5 payments of 400. (Pay your deposit of 500 before 1 st February 2015 and pay just 350 per instalment). Now, read on and I look forward to seeing you in March! Victoria 2
Stretch your body AND your mind by learning to practice and teach yoga! WHAT IS THE AIM OF THIS COURSE? You re already a great Instructor with a sound knowledge of the body and how it moves but you want to know more about the mind-body connection. The StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training course is designed to build on your knowledge and train you in a modern hatha style of Yoga using the ancient works of Patanjali as a base for our work. This is an intimate quality learning experience. Victoria delivers hands-on training in a small group so she is totally approachable, available and offers the best philosophy and teaching alignment. In each of the weekends you will be invited to become fully present to your body, mind and breath so that you can experience the state of yoga and you will then be expected to teach this to YOUR students. WHAT WILL WE COVER? The StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training is a blend of interactive discussions, handson teaching, active analysis of yoga classes, and multimedia presentations. You will practice teaching in small groups, practice designing & teaching a 10-week series of classes and giving & receiving of feedback. Practice & Training: Classic Asana postures will be taught in precise detail including safety precautions and modifications/variations. For each posture students are encouraged to understand human anatomy and how to modify postures for different needs and body types. Selected classical Pranayamas (breathing practices), and their anatomical and physiological effects, will be studied and practiced. There will be consideration of selected classical Mudras (body positions which invoke particular moods and mental attitudes) and Bandhas (psycho-physiological locks) and methods of combining the Bandhas with pranayama, mudras and other Yoga techniques. There will be an introduction to the Kriyas (internal cleansing practices of Hatha Yoga) as well as an introduction to Kundalini Kriyas (exercise sets to awaken kundalini energy). The practice of meditation greatly helps the yoga teacher to drop their ego and adapt to whatever circumstances present themselves. We will discuss several meditation and relaxation techniques including Yoga Nidra: (a deep relaxation technique) - its place in therapy, in eliminating insomnia, improving the depth and quality of sleep and as a preparation for meditation. 3
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 multi-tasking in a mixed level class verbal and physical adjustments modifications for all ages and posture types avoiding common injuries in yogic practices the voice and presence of the teacher including Sanskrit the ancient language of yoga. You learn the stories behind the names of the poses as you learn to properly pronounce their Sanskrit names. Anatomy & Physiology: In this portion of the training you 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. There will also be a focus on Eastern Anatomy of the Energetic Body. Topics of study include an introduction to the concepts of Prana (Life Energy/ Force), Chakras (energy centres governing aspects of our personality, bodily functions and health) and Nadis (energy pathways or meridians). This portion of our studies allows us to go beyond the physical body and delve into the exploration of our subtle energetic bodies. Yoga Philosophy & History of Yoga: Afternoon sessions of the training programme will rotate through the study of Yoga Philosophy, as it puts the physical practice into a much larger context, and the History of Yoga, looking at the major philosophical ages and their impact on the yoga practiced today. A knowledge of yoga philosophy and how it is relevant to practice is essential for the modern yoga teacher, bringing richness and depth to your teaching. Additionally, you will receive life coaching on how to authentically incorporate yoga into your life and teaching style using the eight-limbed philosophy of the Yoga Sutras. The 8 Limbs of Yoga as outlined by Master Patanjali are: The Yamas: the ethical and moral restraints that prevent the creation of negative karma The Niyamas: the ethical and moral freedoms that ensure the creation of positive karma Asana: the physical postures through which the practitioner's ethical and moral life is made tangible (what most people think of as "yoga") Pranayama: the breath and prana instructions that allow the practitioner to move inwards and upwards Pratyahara: the invisible but profound shift from outer awareness to inner quietude Dharana: the unsteady maintenance of holy concentration Dhyana: the steady maintenance of that concentration Samadhi: the uninterrupted state of that concentration 4
This part of the course will also take a closer look at the Bhagavad Gita and will include an Introduction to Ayurveda the sister science of yoga and understanding your Dosha (constitutional type). We also look at modern trends and developments in yoga and how it has evolved since its introduction to the West. Teaching Experience: When you become a yoga teacher, you are essentially starting a small business. Not enough people talk about this, but it s true. Even if you re only teaching one class a week at your local community centre, you still need to know how to write a catchy yet clear class description, get the word out about your classes and connect with all those students you really want to teach. So this course will walk you through the ins and outs of how to start your teaching with a clear plan in place so that you can get (and keep!) the students and classes you want. You will leave this training with a 10-week series in hand, ready to teach the moment you get your graduation certificate. This includes a theme for the series, the sequences, and the marketing materials all of which you ll create along the way with the support of our training community. No teacher training programme would be complete without a closer look at the ethical guidelines and responsibilities of the yoga teacher. Therefore the course will also cover some key aspects of the business aspect of teaching yoga such as liability and insurance. WHAT STYLE OF YOGA ARE WE LEARNING? The StretchBodyMind 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course focuses on the fundamentals of Hatha Yoga which are key to all styles of yoga. Your principal tutor (Victoria) has trained in Kundalini, Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Pre-Natal, Children s and Anusara Yoga amongst others so all these different influences will be brought together into your training. The certificate you receive will allow you to teach Hatha yoga which is a very broad designation and will allow you to find your own distinct and personal teaching style. Victoria is intentionally seeking students for this programme who want to find their own voice as a yoga teacher. While she will certainly provide you with a multitude of strong tools and templates to build with, this is your time to learn and share what yoga means to you. WHO IS VICTORIA? Victoria is a Registered Senior Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance UK, the Creator of awardwinning children s charity Stretch & Play, Complementary Therapist and Studio Manager at Cinnabarre and the Founder of StretchBodyMind. A yogi from the age of 13, Victoria 5
has been teaching yoga students for over 10 years and began training children s yoga teachers with Stretch & Play in 2007, Pilates Instructors with Stretch NI in 2011 and 200-hour Registered Yoga Teachers from last year. Victoria has trained in many different yoga traditions from Kundalini Yoga in Vancouver in 2001, through Ashtanga Yoga, Viniyoga, Anusara Yoga and Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga to Pre-Natal and Children s Yoga. She has combined this broad-ranging yoga training with her love of positive psychology and life coaching techniques to create a truly unique learning experience. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT OF ME? StretchBodyMind asks that you ensure at least a 90% attendance and completion of course and practical homework. You will also be assessed (see below). Assessment: 1. Students will complete a Learner Achievement Portfolio showcasing their knowledge in the main elements of the course (AKA the eight-fold path as outlined by Patanjali). 2. Students will sit an internally set and marked exam on A&P and write a 2000 word essay on the history of yoga. 3. Students will be required to create a 10 week class outline to ensure their knowledge is deeper than teaching one class. 4. Students will complete a practical assessment of their teaching skills. 5. Students will have a number of interviews with the Tutor/Assessor throughout the course. All successful graduates will receive a certificate of completion from StretchBodyMind as well as RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher) status from the Yoga Alliance UK. WHAT KIND OF HOMEWORK IS INVOLVED? Students in this training are expected to do a variety of activities and assignments between residentials. The homework is designed to both help you integrate what you learned in the previous session and prepare for the next. This includes, but is not limited to, practice teaching, reading related books and handouts, writing up pose instructions, writing an essay, creating your own 10-week series (complete with sequences & marketing) and more. For most people, this ends up being a couple of hours per week. WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS? There are no special entry requirements although the course is best suited to those already practicing Yoga with a strong self-practice, or those already working within the fitness or health industry. Individual attention and guidance in the subtlety and art of yoga practice will be offered so that you may progress towards developing or deepening your own personal practice. 6
WHAT IF I CAN T DO (FILL IN THE BLANK) POSE? CAN I STILL BE PART OF THIS COURSE? You are definitely not alone! But no one needs to be able to put their leg behind their head (or even close) to participate. This course helps you build your skills and confidence to then create the same safe, supportive environment for your future students and does not teach you to become a human pretzel (unless, of course, you were previously!) although your flexibility and confidence in the asanas will improve through the regular practice. WHAT ARE THE COURSE DATES? The course takes place over 6 monthly weekends: Friday 20 th Mar Sunday 22 nd Mar Friday 24 th Apr Sunday 26 th Apr Friday 29 th May Sunday 31 st May Friday 26 th June Sunday 28 th June Friday 24 th July Sunday 26 th July Friday 21 st August Sunday 23 rd August WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE? The training weekends are 20 hours long and include a 4 hour session on each Friday evening and 8 hour days on both Saturdays and Sundays. (There may be additional group and self-study time required on the Saturday night). Sample Daily Schedule: 9am-10.30am Led asana practice and meditation 10.30am-12pm Practice to integrate teaching, sequencing and anatomy principles 12pm-1pm Teaching methodology 1pm-2pm Lunch break 2pm-3.15pm Philosophy or history of yoga 3.15pm-5pm Asana lab: alignment, risks, variations 5pm-6pm Meditation practice and closing WILL THERE BE SUPPORT BETWEEN SESSIONS? Community is an integral component of StretchBodyMind training and in order to ensure that s a continuous experience for everyone, even when you re not together in person, your training group will have a private Facebook group where you can stay connected between modules (and even after graduation!). On top of that, Victoria will be available by email contact throughout the duration of the course and will be offering each student a free one-hour coaching call. WHERE IS THE VENUE? The venue for the StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training is Cinnabarre Salon & Studio in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire. This brand new salon & studio is ideally situated in Central Scotland with great motorway connections making both Edinburgh and Glasgow just a 30-minute drive away. Furthermore, the train station is just one stop from Motherwell and the whole of the UK train map. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? The cost of the course is 2500. (There is an Earlybird price available of just 2200 if you pay in full before 1 st February 2015). 7
You can also pay in instalments by paying a deposit of 500 and 5 monthly payments of 400. (Contact Victoria to discuss the payment options because there is also an Earlybird instalment price). The cost of the training includes tuition and your Teacher Training Manual as well as registration with the Yoga Alliance UK. Tuition costs do not include textbooks, travel to the venue, or any residential costs. The approximate cost for the required reading is around 150. You will be asked to purchase the books from the required reading list a minimum of two weeks before the course commences as there will be advanced reading assignments. The required texts are widely available from local booksellers or can be ordered online. You are free to purchase your books directly from Victoria s Amazon shop or wherever you d like - or even get them from the library! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE COURSE IS FINISHED? With the successful completion of all of StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training course requirements - contact hours, essay assignment, 10 week class plan and all exams - you will receive your Certificate of Completion evidencing your training at the 200-Hour Level. You may then register with Yoga Alliance UK at the 200 hour level which will allow you to use the letters RYT after your name and apply for work in many studios, gyms and health clubs or go out on your own. It is recommended that you begin teaching as soon as you complete the course to small groups of friends and neighbours so that you are developing what you have learned during your training. The benefits of completing an intensive yoga study are not limited to teaching, however. Many students who take teacher training programmes never intend to teach. Participants find that in-depth programmes deepen their own yoga practice significantly. Since each weekend builds on the one before it, the potential for growth is orders of magnitude larger than the growth that can be attained in a normal group class setting. Additionally, attending a long term training programme gives you the opportunity to connect with and build a community of peers and friends who share your love of yoga. Many people find they stay in close contact with their teacher training classmates for many years to come. I HAVE A QUESTION THAT WASN T ANSWERED HERE. Then email victoria@stretchbodymind.com to arrange a chat. Thank you SO much for your interest in the StretchBodyMind Yoga Teacher Training! 8