Yoga Teacher Training Level 1 Curriculum

The Ananda Yoga Teacher Training curriculum covers a wide range of topics. The following is a brief description of each of the major areas:

Asana Techniques

We will deeply explore all the major asanas including: open and closed pelvic poses, forward bends, balance poses, backward bends, side bends, twists, core strengthening poses, inversions, seated and meditative poses. We will also experience Surya Namasakar (Sun Salutations). For each pose, we will discuss alignment, safety, use of breath, beginner and advanced variations, benefits and contraindications.

Inner Experience of Asanas

“Mind over body” is well known; however “body over mind” is equally true. Specifically, a bodily position engenders a corresponding state of consciousness. Thus we feel uplifted simply by making the spine straight; by the same token, the mind cannot help but feel heavy when the shoulders and back as slumped. This simple observation is the basis for all asanas – they are carefully designed postures which uplift our level of consciousness. This upward movement of prana is the primary reason for the great healing power of yoga. When practiced properly, the body naturally assumes the pose using its innate intelligence. Ultimately, the job of a yoga instructor is to teach this inner experience.

We will discuss the principles of energy movement in the body, and the state of mind (joy, peace, strength, etc) fostered by an asana. And introduce many techniques (affirmations, breathing, neutral poses, etc) whereby this experience can be had by all students.

Teaching Techniques

An effective yoga teacher needs both awareness and knowledge. Awareness comes from intent, focus and experience. At the AYTT, we cover the knowledge part by teaching several techniques including:

  • Modifications: each human being is unique; so it is only natural that an asana has different expressions depending on who is doing it. We will explore the different ways of modifying an asana to suit different body conditions and health conditions.

  • Use of props such as blocks, pads, belts, etc., to enable a deeper practice for students with bodily limitations

  • Sequencing is an important topic. Do I do forward bends first or backward bends? When do I do inversions? We will discuss the basic principles behind sequencing different types of asanas.

  • Warm-ups: most yoga injuries are a result of not warming up prior to practice. When used properly, warm-ups not only prevent injuries, but also deepen the sadhana (practice). For example, backbends are more effective if hip-flexors are warmed up while forward bends are more effective if spinal erectors are warmed up. We will cover these topics in detail.

  • Use of affirmations: a unique aspect of Ananda Yoga is the use of affirmations. We will explore the art, science and practice of affirmations.

Assisting and Adjusting

Yoga is a subtle practice. Thus there is frequent need to “fine-tune” a student’s expression of an asana by adjusting. We will teach the general concepts behind adjustments and also discuss adjustments specific to each asana.

As a teacher, you also find situations where a little help in the form of a physical cue or support can greatly help a student go deeper into a pose. Depending on the asana and the physical condition of the student, there are different approaches to assisting. This is an important tool in any yoga teacher’s repertoire.

Yoga for special conditions

Even though everybody does (largely) the same set of asanas, each student has a different reason for doing it – such as back pain relief, stress reduction, for increasing flexibility, and so on. In a series of special classes, we will explore several common health concerns and show how to design yoga routines that alleviate those conditions. Topics include Yoga for a Healthy Back, Protecting and Strengthening Knees, Yoga for Cardiovascular conditions, and Relaxation with Yoga.

Pranayama, Bandhas and Mudras

In addition to asanas – physical postures, hatha yoga has 3 other equally important aspects which we will explore in some detail:

  • Pranayama which literally means “life force control”, is a set of breathing techniques which are very effective for maintaining good health. They are also the gateway to deeper experience of an asana, specifically its energetic effects.

  • Mudras: once you have some ability to control the subtle life force, mudras (meaning bodily attitudes) can be used to nudge the life force in a specific direction. Mudras are like a catalyst, enhancing and speeding up the effects of an asana.

  • Bandhas are used to lock (the word bandha means “to lock”) the prana in a specific location, typically at one of the chakras (energy centers). Because of the advanced nature of this practice, level 1 AYTT contains only a brief discussion of this topic.

Energization Exercises

This set of 39 exercises is a scientific, systematic method for increasing the flow of prana and strengthening and energizing every part of the body. They are unique to Ananda Yoga and were developed by Paramhansa Yogananda (whose teachings we follow at Ananda) to heal the body, clarify and focus the mind and prepare you for meditation.

Raja Yoga, Yoga Philosophy and Astral Anatomy

For 14 Thursdays (or 12 Thursdays and 1 Saturdays), we will explore Raja Yoga (Royal Yoga). Classically, this is considered the supreme path and it uses meditation as its central “yoga”; all other branches and practices of yoga are simply preparations or support for this central practice. We will explore the history and paths of yoga, Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga (8-limbed yoga of the sage Patanjali), basics of Yama (literally means “control”, refers to moral restraints) and Niyama (literally means “rules”, refers to practices or observances), the importance of a Guru (teacher), and the Yogic scheme of life.

We will also discuss basics of energy (prana), magnetism, and the use of affirmations, chanting, mantra (special chants imbued with deep vibrational power) and japa (repetition of the name of the Divine).

We will conclude our discussion of Raja Yoga/Yoga Philosophy with a brief introduction to two classics in the field of Yoga: the Bhagavad Gita, which is a transcendental scripture on Raja Yoga (among other things) and Autobiography of a Yogi, Swami Yogananda’s autobiography, considered one of the greatest pieces of esoteric literature.

Just as there is physical anatomy – muscles, nerves, organs, circulation, etc. – there is also an energetic or astral anatomy. Astral anatomy is concerned with the movement of prana within our energetic body. We will discuss nadis (energy pathways), chakras and their relationship to asana, pranayama, mudras and bandhas. Underlying our discussion is the theme of viewing spiritual development itself as a gradual movement of prana from lower to the upper chakras.

Anatomy and Physiology

Knowledge of the physical body is essential for a deep understanding of Yoga and is even more important for teaching it safely and effectively. We will discuss the skeletal structure, joints and muscles; understand how the body moves from the perspective of muscular action and joint mobility. We will also discuss circulatory, respiratory, digestive, elimination, endocrine, nervous, and immune systems.

At AYTT, we approach anatomy not merely as a corpus of knowledge to be accessed intellectually, but as practical, experiential, living science with immediate applicability to the practice of Yoga. For example, the spine is the central post around which the limbs move; using the fundamentals of anatomy we will discuss spinal alignment and proper articulation at the joints to ensure safe expressions of complex poses such as Trikonasana (Triangle pose).

Yogic Diet and Lifestyle

We will study the principles behind yogic diet, mainly from the standpoint of Ayurveda (literally, “scripture of [achieving] longevity”). Ayurveda is a holistic system of health-care based on yogic principles and herbal remedies. Ayurveda is a large subject meriting separate study; at AYTT, we will touch upon Ayurvedic principles as they apply to yogic diet.

Yoga philosophy and techniques are need not be limited to the hour or so spent in a yoga class. We will discuss practical ways of applying these techniques dynamically into your everyday life.

Practicum

Practice makes perfect. In the context of AYTT, “practice” means of teaching, assisting, and adjusting. We augment the comprehensive curriculum described above with several teaching sessions where you will have the opportunity to practice the techniques that you have learned. Practical sessions begin early on in the course and occur periodically throughout the duration of the course. You will also have the opportunity to assist, adjust and demonstrate in actual Ananda Yoga classes.