Curriculum
The Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training program offers students in‐depth skills to teach Yoga as a vehicle for total wellness and utilizes the Integrative Yoga Therapy curriculum from the lineage of Joseph and Lillian Le Page, both visionary leaders in the field of Yoga therapy. This training provides a solid foundation in Hatha Yoga and includes 200 hours of instruction and practice in Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Yoga Philosophy, Practical Anatomy/Physiology, Therapeutic Alignment Principles, Hands-on and Verbal Adjustments, and the Art of Teaching. You will learn both classical yoga poses and modifications so that you can instruct yoga based wellness classes to the general population as well as instruct yoga to those with specific therapeutic needs in a wide variety of complementary settings including hospitals, businesses, and community health care settings. Many graduates of the IYT program also develop specialty programs, such as Yoga for: healthy backs, depression, seniors, stress management, diabetes and other health conditions. Upon completion our graduates are eligible to apply for 200 hr Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) status by contacting yogaalliance.org for registration. Our program meets the Yoga Alliance standards as follows:
Techniques Training/Practice (110 contact hours)
Includes asanas, pranayamas, mudra, chanting, mantra, meditation and other traditional Yoga techniques. Includes both analytical training in how to teach and practice the techniques and guided practice of the techniques themselves.
Teaching Methodology (25 contact hours)
Includes principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, the student's process of learning and business aspects of teaching Yoga.
Anatomy and Physiology (15 contact hours)
Includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.). Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to Yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc). Anatomy and physiology principles will be applied to Yoga asana and yoga therapeutics.
Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers (20 contact hours)
Includes the study of Yoga philosophies, Yoga lifestyle and ethics for Yoga teachers.
Practicum (10 contact hours)
Includes practice teaching, receiving feedback, observing others teaching and hearing and giving feedback.
Home Study (20 hours)
To meet the 20 hours of home study required for Yoga Alliance and to complete the Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training requirements students will receive reading, video/audio, written assignments and/or empowerment reviews on yoga related topics which may include the following:
Specialty Focus
Woven into the above hours will be curriculum addressing back pain and healthy back care, upper body yoga therapeutics, lower body yoga therapeutics, therapeutic principles of alignment, chair yoga, somatic movement, therapeutic ball work and yogic assessments and wellness screens.
Supportive Kula
As we come together for this deep immersion into the theory and practice of yoga, teachers and students are encouraged to create a community that embraces the Yamas and Ni-Yamas as put forward by Patanjali with intention to create an association of respect, joy, celebration and support. We strive to celebrate our own and each other’s strengths and skills and recognize our own and each other’s challenges as opportunities for transformation. We acknowledge that each of us is on a remarkable journey that is both unique and woven in commonalities and therefore, we strive to cultivate attitudes and actions that support our own and each other’s positive growth and development.
Techniques Training/Practice (110 contact hours)
Includes asanas, pranayamas, mudra, chanting, mantra, meditation and other traditional Yoga techniques. Includes both analytical training in how to teach and practice the techniques and guided practice of the techniques themselves.
Teaching Methodology (25 contact hours)
Includes principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, the student's process of learning and business aspects of teaching Yoga.
Anatomy and Physiology (15 contact hours)
Includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.). Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to Yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc). Anatomy and physiology principles will be applied to Yoga asana and yoga therapeutics.
Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers (20 contact hours)
Includes the study of Yoga philosophies, Yoga lifestyle and ethics for Yoga teachers.
Practicum (10 contact hours)
Includes practice teaching, receiving feedback, observing others teaching and hearing and giving feedback.
Home Study (20 hours)
To meet the 20 hours of home study required for Yoga Alliance and to complete the Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training requirements students will receive reading, video/audio, written assignments and/or empowerment reviews on yoga related topics which may include the following:
- Evaluation of yoga classes outside of the program
- Memorization of common Sanskrit terms and names
- Anatomy and physiology exercises
- Yoga philosophy
- The Design of an eight-week Yoga for Wellness course. Students will identify a target population, research the condition or population they wish to teach from both the yoga perspective and a western medical perspective and design an eight-week yoga course. Class curriculum will include appropriate wellness theme, exercises, breathing, meditation and relaxation as well as information on the benefits of yoga for that specific population. Course plan will integrate a philosophy that addresses the body, breath, mind and emotions, intellect and spirit through the lens of the Five Kosha Model.
Specialty Focus
Woven into the above hours will be curriculum addressing back pain and healthy back care, upper body yoga therapeutics, lower body yoga therapeutics, therapeutic principles of alignment, chair yoga, somatic movement, therapeutic ball work and yogic assessments and wellness screens.
Supportive Kula
As we come together for this deep immersion into the theory and practice of yoga, teachers and students are encouraged to create a community that embraces the Yamas and Ni-Yamas as put forward by Patanjali with intention to create an association of respect, joy, celebration and support. We strive to celebrate our own and each other’s strengths and skills and recognize our own and each other’s challenges as opportunities for transformation. We acknowledge that each of us is on a remarkable journey that is both unique and woven in commonalities and therefore, we strive to cultivate attitudes and actions that support our own and each other’s positive growth and development.