Kranti Yoga is delighted to offer 300 hours Yoga Alliance registered

Yoga Teacher Training Course in

Vinyasa Flow

BOOK EARLY TO RECEIVE UP TO A 10% DISCOUNT

This residential 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training Course is a comprehensive Yoga Alliance approved program that runs over 4 weeks along with a Distance Learning Project to complete beforehand.  The program is an intensive course that presents a fusion of Indian tradition and contemporary thinking in a fun and progressive environment.

Students must have already completed a 200-Hr YTTC either at Kranti Yoga or another Yoga Alliance registered school. If your 200 hour certification is not Ashtanga Yoga or Vinyasa Flow, it is advisable that you have an insight into both of these types of yoga.

Course Objectives

• deepen your knowledge of Vinyasa Flow and its surrounding philosophies.
• know about the lineage of Vinyasa Flow and how it has evolved from the traditional practice of Ashtanga Yoga.
• explore strength and flexibility of both yourself and your students, appreciating how to maintain the body’s natural bio-tensegrity.
• understand the role of the myofascial connections throughout the body and their importance in sequencing a Vinyasa Flow Class.
• design a Vinyasa Flow class incorporating the technicalities of a Peak Posture.
• learn how to adjust postures with confidence.
• gain a contemporary insight into Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and commentaries of his sutras throughout the ages.
• know about Ayurveda and how to bring about balance in everyday life.
• develop mentoring skills that will facilitate differentiated teaching strategies.

Vinyasa Flow for the Fascial Body

Vinysa Flow allows the body to move fluidly with continuity as we flow from posture to posture.  This theory class will focus on the fascial connections throughout the body, looking at the function of the fascia and dealing with the body in totality. This is the anatomy of fascia. Students will compare traditional anatomy with contemporary thinking, considering how this applies to the practice of Vinyasa Flow. Studies will include mapping of the Superficial Front, Back and Side Lines; the Superficial Front and Back Arm Lines; the Spiral Lines. The module will provide an exploration of strength and flexibility for the fascial body. Students will understand the importance of bio-tensegrity and how to maintain the body’s natural tensile structure when preparing a Vinyasa Flow Class.

An Exploration of Strength and Flexibility

Students will learn how to stretch and strengthen mindfully and with integrity. Techniques will include Yin Yoga, PNF and Trigger Point Yoga. For many different reasons, the fascial connections within the body get sticky, bringing about stiffness. This prevents access to postures. Stretching and strengthening techniques can help break down adhesions and promote better hydration of the body. This can have a positive effect on range of motion and mobility. Students will apply these techniques to teaching Vinyasa Flow.

These classes will take place in a workshop format and students will work within the realms of the integrated body, releasing the Myofascial Lines to deepen access to the more complex postures of Vinyasa Flow, including Supta Kurmasana and Marichyasnana D. Students will study the Superficial Front Line (for backbends;) Superficial Back Line (for forward folds;) Lateral Lines (for deep twists and Lotus Pose;) Back Arm Lines (for shoulder stability.)

This module will include a review of the skeletal muscular system from the 200 hr YTTC curriculum and provide the fundamentals to understanding the Anatomy of Fascia. Students will review origin, insertion, functionality and physiology of muscles. This module will look in details at the anatomy of the shoulder and the importance of building shoulder stability to support your yoga practice.

Vinyasa Flow

These classes will form part of the morning practice. Each class will have a technical focus that will work towards a peak posture. Classes will demonstrate how to incorporate stretching and strengthening techniques into a Vinyasa Flow Class, providing inspiration for you to create your own class as part of the Teaching Methodology program. Peak postures could include Eka Pada Sirsasana (Superficial Back Line,) Urdhva Dhanurasana (Superficial Front Line,) Chaturanga Dandasana (Front and Back Arm Lines), Hanumanasana (Spiral Line.)  We will also explore the myofascial connections for postures such as Eka Pada Koundinyasa II, accommodating the complexities of such a posture in a Vinyasa Flow Class.  The commentary will include important cueing to bring awareness to the anatomy of the fascial lines throughout the body, dealing with the body in totality.

Vinyasa Flow Teaching Methodology

The fundamental aim of this module is to advance your teaching skills, adding depth and technicalities to what you are already teaching. Students will create a dynamic Vinyasa Flow Class that will achieve a peak posture through stretching and strengthening techniques. Students will also learn how to teach a class on multiple levels so that all students are challenged sufficiently in every class. Assessment of this module will be through Peer Teaching which will facilitate a sharing of each other’s ideas. The module is linked to the Vinyasa Flow Classes that will be taught by the Lead Trainer during morning practice.

Adjustments for Vinyasa Flow

Adjustments provide deeper access into postures and allow students to gain insight into new postures. Adjustments need to be managed carefully and with confidence. Different body types will be taken into consideration along with the importance of the student teacher rapport.   Students will practice adjustments as part of the morning practice. They will adjust peers during practice with feedback given during and after the session. Learning adjustments is a ‘hands on’ process and so will be closely supervised by the Lead Trainer.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

This class will lead students through the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga as prescribed by Sri K. Patthabi Jois. On selected days, this will form part of the morning practice. Students will learn an abbreviated version of the series in order that they can make the connection between Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and Vinyasa Flow. This class will allow students to understand how the contemporary style of Vinyasa Flow has been derived from this traditional sequence.  Students will progress to Self-Practice Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga where they will guide themselves through the series while the Lead Trainer corrects postures and gives advice on correct alignment. Students will be encouraged to practice with reference to the anatomy of the fascial body.

Alignment Workshops

These classes will allow you to gain a deeper insight into postures. Many Vinyasa Flow postures have been derived from the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and so you will learn about alignment through the study of The Primary Series. During these classes, you will focus on how to modify practice for students with weak areas whether due to a lack of strength or flexibility. By looking at different body shapes, sizes and abilities, you will learn how to identify such weaknesses and give advice on how to improve.  We will also use the postures to explore fascial connections, again dealing with the body in totality.  If appropriate, we include the alignment of Intermediate Postures including Shalabasana, Ustrasana, Bakasana and Ardha Matsyendrasana.

Pranayama & Meditation

Students will learn breathing techniques that will allow them to develop and improve lung capacity. Each week, new techniques will be introduced to the repertoire and opportunities will be provided for Self-Practice Pranayama, using breath work as the gateway to mediation. Students will learn about the physiology of breathing along with the contraindications of each of the techniques.

Guided meditation classes will take place after Ashtanga Yoga or Vinyasa Flow Morning Practice. Week 1 will commence with a revision of the benefits of meditation. Techniques will include Mantra Chanting, Breathing Techniques, Beach, Moonlight and Buddhist Meditations.

The History of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was developed around 1950 in Mysore, India by Sri K. Pattahbi Jois. This module will delve into the lives of the key practitioners and teachers of this era who were largely responsible for making yoga the accessible practice that it is today. This module will provide insight into how Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

The Yoga Sutras

Students will explore the fundamental concepts of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.  The module will discuss several interpretations of this text and look at how the commentaries have evolved and vary throughout the ages. The module will include debate on how the mind has evolved over time and what Patanjali hoped to achieve through this text in terms of controlling the mind.  Students will be encouraged to explore Dualist versus Non Dualist beliefs, including debate on interpretation in the concept of the soul.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the Vedic science of health and longevity.  It is intrinsically linked to the practice of yoga.  These two sister sciences developed together and were traditionally taught together.

Students will explore the foundations of this holistic discipline, learning the importance of self-healing that can be applied both on and off the mat.  In these classes, students will develop a deeper understanding of the gunas (qualities of nature,) doshas (mind and body characteristics) and pancha mahabhutas (the 5 basic elements.)  Students will learn ways to apply Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle recommendations to modern life.

Ethics for Yoga Teachers

The Yamas and Niyamas, as described by Patanjali in 500 BC, still have as much relevance today as they did back then. This module will take a detailed look at how this code of conduct can allow us to have a healthy relationship with the people around us, whilst taking good care of ourselves. Whether a yoga teacher or not, the Yamas and Niyamas present ideal guidelines for us to be more compassionate to those people around us as well as being compassionate to ourselves.

Managing a Yoga Business

Students will learn how to build his/her profile as a yoga teacher. Advice will be given on steps to take in order to get work within the profession. Strategies will include marketing through Social Media, writing a BIO, managing a successful website, SEO, building an international profile. This module is exclusive to the 300 hour YTTC and not a feature of the 200 hr curriculum.

Pre Course Reading

Students will be expected to have familiarity with David Swenson’s Ashtanga Yoga, The Practice Manual.  This text provides an excellent commentary of the Primary Series. Students are expected to have a familiarity with The Primary Series sequence along with the key features of Ashtanga Yoga. Students will be expected to present several postures from this text and asked to identify their own personal limitations to the full expression of the posture. There will also be some Yoga Philosophy preparation.  Course work will be sent out prior to the course for students to submit prior to the start of the course. This will be assessed through presentation when the course starts.

Assessments

• Peer teach a 1 hour Vinyasa Flow to peers
• Pass a written test in Yoga Philosophy
• Peer teach a Release Class
• Present the correct alignment of asanas along with the anatomical focus of the asana
• Pass a written test on the anatomy of the alignment of the Primary Series
• Adjust your mentees in morning practice

Evening Activities

These include: Moonlight/Candlelight/Om Meditation, Yoga Movies, Local Festivals and Japa Yoga.

Karma Yoga

Beyond the course, there are often opportunities for graduates to support us in the shala, should you want to lengthen your stay in Patnem. Subject to availability, we are happy for you develop and support the Senior Teachers on the YTTCs. This can be discussed on successful completion of your course. Please see the Karma Yoga section on the website.

Typical Daily Schedule

6.30 – 7.00 am                 Myofascia Release

7.00 – 9.00 am                Vinyasa Flow/Ashtanga Yoga

9.00 – 10.00 am              Meditation / Pranayama / Kriyas

10.00 – 11.00 am            Breakfast

11.00 – 1.00 pm              Anatomy of Alignment Classes / Adjustment Workshop

1.00 – 1.40 pm                Lunch

1.40 – 2.40 pm                Yoga Philosophy/Ayurveda

2.45 – 4.15 pm                Vinyasa Flow Teaching Methodology

4.30 – 6.00 pm                Technical Workshops

7.00 – 8.00 pm                Dinner