Certificate Level Course
Certified by Yoga Alliance (200 Hour)
Next intake April 2012, for details of how to apply please see the link below!
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 23 tuition days on 3 or 4-day “weekends” - Thursday to Sunday, plus a yoga retreat at the end of the course. The course runs annually with the next intake in April 2012. 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 course emphasizes learning to teach from your own experience and focuses on "how to teach" alongside the theory and philosophy of yoga.
Our Teachers - click here to meet our teachers who deliver the course!
BCY is thankful to all our course teachers for their varied contributions. The course provides a consistent training but with tutors from varied paths and areas of expertise.
The teacher trainees have use of the beautiful Bristol City Yoga studios in Stokes Croft and Bishopston for the training.
We are particularly privileged to have the use of the beautiful Bala Brook centre on Exmoor for a 3 day retreat to close the course in November 2012.
Please click here for details of How to Apply
Reading list - If you are applying for this course please start reading the pre-requisite books on this list.
The next intake will be in April 2012, application will open in July 2011, closing date for applications is 1st March 2012
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
- 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: The spine & understanding postural alignment, anatomy and 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: July 5th-8th: 4 days
Subjects:
- Yoga Literature: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali- Yamas & Niyamas & the 8 limbs
- Pranayama 3: Review of past techniques, Nadi Shodana, Visamavritti practice
- Teaching meditation
- Backbend workshop
- Backbends- principles & practice
- Ethics of teaching
- Tutorials to prepare final essay
Subjects:
- Anatomy & Physiology open book exam
- Teaching Practice
- Teaching Inversions
- Review key asana principles, practices & postures
- More Seated postures and Hip Openers
- Introduction to Yoga History & Literature - Bhagavad Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- Chakras & koshas - theory & practice
- Shavasana- teaching & adjustments
- Teaching practice - assessment: (times/ day to be arranged may be spread over the weekend or on a different day if needed)
- 200 hour exam covering all course work (2 hours)
- Career development, ethical business skills and marketing
- Teaching methodology - demonstration, verbal instruction, visual cues and adjusting
- Review of safety guidlines for asana, pranayama & meditation
Module 6
- Review of asana and pranayama
- Review of Yoga Philosophy
- Experiential Anatomy with Aki Omori
- Course review and sharing
- Closing ceremony
Anatomy & Physiology essay: Write a brief (750 word) description of an area (main bones & muscles) or / body system (e.g. lymph, nervous, circulatory). And how a chosen asana affects this area/ system. Prepare to give a 5 min presentation on this area- each student will take a different aspect.
The Yoga Sutras: prepare one sutra to present in detail from chapter 1 or chapter 2, or choose a common theme from the sutras. (Each student should present a different sutra/ theme).
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: Ongoing assessment and feedback on your teaching skills.
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. Teach these classes to beginner and reflect on the teaching practice in writtten form.
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
- half-price classes at BCY for the duration of your course.
From Previous Teacher Trainees:
'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’
‘Beautiful energy and space of the studio"
‘Welcoming teachers, I felt supported on all levels’
'A teaching experience with great depth and purpose'
'Very clear instructions in describing individual asanas'
'An exceptional teache training course. Laura's experience and knowledge gave me a broad insight into the world of yoga, giving me confidence and inspiration.'
'Detailed handouts which were very useful and helped my practice too'
'The workshops were amaxing and transforming'
'The assignments made me think and relect on a studied theme and gave the opportunity to go depper into a subject'
'Laura wants us to be the best we can be and the assignments relected this'
'A very informative and practical training allowing time to integrate learning into teaching'
Carol