Certificate Level Course
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Certified by Yoga Alliance (200 Hour)
A comprehensive training course to begin your teaching career. The Level 1 course also provides a basis for our specialist modules and apprenticeship options at Level 2 leading to our Diploma. This course is certified by Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level.
The course consists of five 3-day “weekends” plus one four-day and one five day meeting. The course runs annually from Oct. until April. There is also extensive home-study, in addition to the commitment of weekends, you should allow the equivalent of one day study a week.
This course provides the skills, techniques and knowledge you need to become a yoga teacher, you will be supported in developing your own practice and finding your own teaching method.
The teacher trainees have use of the beautiful Bristol City Yoga studio for the practical training, plus the healing room for some theory sessions. We are particularly privileged to have the use of the stunning Barefoot barn in Devon for a 4 day retreat to close the course in June 2011.
How to Apply- read here. If you are applying for this course please start reading the pre-requisite books on the reading list.
The teachers- meet the teachers here.
Subjects:
- Standing poses- principles & practice
- Dynamics of the breath & its effect on body & mind
- Creating a balanced asana practice
- Class Sequencing
- Teaching Beginners: Introductory course structure
- The spine & understanding postural alignment
- Safety in asana & pranayama and teaching safely
- The role of the yoga teacher
- A guided practice to support your personal asana
- Pranayama 1: Practice of Full Yogic breath & Ujjayi
- Intro to teaching basic breath practices and breath awareness
- Forward bends- principles & practice
- Twists- principles & practice
- Asana teaching practice with attention on the standing poses
- Adjusting standing poses
- How to read students bodies
- Anatomy & physiology of the foot, knee, hip and pelvis
- Understanding body types and the mobility/stability of the body
- Overview of cardiovascular & nervous system with reference to asana/pranayama
- Pranayama 2: Practice of Anuloma Viloma, Sama Vritti pranayama, Intro. to Antara Kumbhaka
- Workshop focusing on standing postures and alignment
Dates: January 2nd-3rd 2011
Subjects:
- 2 day New Years Retreat - a weekend workshop
- Asana, Pranayama, & meditation in practice
- Yoga Literature: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- Yamas & Niyamas & the 8 limbs
- Pranayama 3: Review of past techniques, Nadi Shodana, Visamavritti practice
Module 4
Dates: Feb Thu 24th- Sun 27th 2011
Subjects:
- Backbends- principles & practice
- Teaching practice assessment
- Ethics of teaching
- Introduction to Yoga History & Literature
- Chakras & koshas- theory & practice
- Shavasana- teaching & adjustments
- Backbend workshop (Saturday 26th)
- Women's menstrual health with Alexandra Pope (Sunday 27th)
Subjects:
- Anatomy & Physiology open book exam
- Teaching Practice
- Teaching Inversions
- Review key asana principles, practices & postures
- More Seated postures and Hip Openers
- Yoga Literature: Bhagavad Gita and its relevance today
- Teaching meditation
- Teaching methodology- demonstration, verbal instruction, visual cues and adjusting
- Review of safety guidlines for asana, pranayama & meditation
- Teaching practice - assessment: (times/ day to be arranged may be spread over the weekend)
- 200 hour exam covering all course work (2 hours)
- Career development & ethical business skills
- Teaching private clients
Dates: June Wed 15th from 7pm- Sunday 19th at 4pm
Personal Practice Retreat in Devon at the Barefoot Barn
- Review of asana and pranayama
- Review of Yoga Philosophy
- Experiential Anatomy with Aki Omori
- Course review and sharing
- Closing ceremony
- Anatomy & Physiology essay: learn a limb/area of the body or the main bones & muscles; think how you might refer to these when teaching.
- The Yoga Sutras: prepare one sutra to present in detail from chapter 1 or chapter 2. (Each student should present a different sutra).
- Live with one of the yamas or niyamas as a daily guide (ethical precepts). Change your guiding yama or niyama at each monthly meeting after reflection on the past month. Present your thoughts and experiences at the next module in no more than 5 minutes
- Practical assessment: Prepare a six-minute sequence of standing postures compromising a preparatory pose, main pose and counterpose.
- Main essay- choose a relevant area of yoga theory or practice that particular interest you, explore this subject in depth (guidance given).
- Present detailed lesson plans for a series of six classes.
In addition to this you will receive:
-ongoing support with your tutor & other senior teachers to help you develop your own personal asana practice
- one-to-one guidance to help you develop your own teaching practice
- a one-to-one tutorial to support your main assignment
-personal feedback on your work and development
- comprehensive course notes
- opportunities to observe classes at BCY
-halfprice classes at BCY for the duration of your course.
What previous Teacher trainees have said:
“Very inspiring teachings passed on with passion, understanding, experience, fun, loads of fun and a big heart! Thank you!”
‘The variety of teachers within the course made it a very special experience’
‘I found the course content to be ‘spot on!’
‘The venue is a perfect space, I have felt very comfortable here’
‘Very inspiring teaching on history & philosophy, beautiful energy & presence’
‘She really brought the heritage of yoga to life’
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‘Beautiful energy and space of the studio’
‘Welcoming teachers, felt supported on all levels’
‘I loved being given the opportunity to be part of the course’
“Amazing at instilling confidence and giving support!"
“A teaching experience with great depth and purpose”
‘Detailed handouts very useful, helped in my own practice too’
‘The workshops were amazing and transforming’
‘The assignments made me think and reflect on studied theme, given opportunity to go deeper in a subject’
‘Laura wants us to be the best we can and the assignments reflected this’
‘The exam was beautifully written, covered all the main topics of the course and I felt I was truly assessed by it’
“A very informative and practical training allowing time to integrate learning into teaching”