Explore the Curriculum Outline

provided by Yoga Alliance at yogaalliance.org

Techniques, Training, Practice

Anatomy & Physiology

Yoga Humanities

Professional Essentials

75 Hours

30 Hours

Asana

  • Historical context

  • Poses specific to RYS's lineage—must include sukhasana and savasana

  • Complete sequencing (asana, pranayama, meditation) to achieve particular effect safely

  • Shared anatomical and alignment principles plus contraindications

Pranayama & Subtle Body

  • Historical context

  • Effects of pranayama on anatomy and subtle body

  • Complete sequencing of pranayama safely, including alternatives and adaptations Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, among others

  • Koshas, kleshas, chakras, nadis and prana vayus

Meditation

  • Key meditation terms

  • Meditation methods by lineage

  • Ability to practice school's chosen meditation practice

  • Chanting, mantras, and mudras

30 Hours

Anatomy

Skeletal system, incl.:

  • Major bones

  • Types of joints

  • Major muscles involved in asana

  • Types of muscle contraction

Physiology

Nervous system, incl.:

  • ‘fight, flight, freeze’ stress response, vagal theory, overall mind-body connection

  • Cardiovascular/ circulatory, endocrine, digestive systems as they relate to yoga practice

  • Respiratory system, incl. muscles that affect breathing, involuntary vs voluntary breath, how air enters and leaves body

Biomechanics

  • Types of joint movements

  • Joint stabilization

  • Safe movement as it pertains to balancing, stretching, awareness, and physical limitations

  • Contraindications, misalignments, adaptations

History

  • Term ‘yoga’

  • School’s lineage, style, and methodology

  • Dates and key ideas such as the Vedas, Vedanta, Hatha, Colonial, Modern  

Philosophy

  • Definition of yoga and key terms

  • Relationship between asana, pranayama, meditation per school’s approach

  • Familiarity w/ major yogic texts (i.e., Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Hatha Yoga Pradipika)

  • Self-reflection on how philosophy relates to practice

Ethics

  • Awareness of Yoga Sutras or similar yogic ethical precepts

  • Relationship to Yoga Alliance Ethical Commitment including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, and Equity Position Statement

  • Comprehension of and responsibility to increase equity in yoga

  • Accountability measures

  • Self-reflection on how yoga ethics relate to practice and teaching

50 Hours

Teaching Methodology

  • Sequencing

  • Pace

  • Environment Cueing (verbal, visual, physical)

  • Class management

Professional Development

  • Yoga-related professional organizations, including the Yoga Alliance credentialing process

  • Ethical Commitment, including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct and Equity Position Statement

  • Lifetime of learning and continuing education

  • General professionalism, including timeliness, consistency, cleanliness

  • Marketing and promotion

  • Liability insurance, waivers, invoicing

Practicum (Practice Teaching)

  • Knowledge, skills, experience across 12 key competencies

  • Mentorship component, incl. apprenticeship, feedback

*Plus 15 elective hours under the four categories above.

*This curriculum outline belongs to Yoga Alliance

and can be found at yogaalliance.org