Purpose

This document sets out to assist in concocting a yoga teacher training or immersion program with a particular lean towards Yin Yoga. It steers you through the vast labyrinth that is the Yoga Teacher Central library, ensuring you don’t wander off course while selecting materials that align with your aspirations. And because we’re thorough, it also lays out how to describe and promote your training without sounding like you’re selling snake oil.

Employing this Document

This little gem complements the Foundations Curriculum, assuming, of course, that you’re not completely fresh off the yoga mat and have already dipped your toes into the foundational teachings. There’s some overlap with what you presumably already know, but here you’ll find a laser focus on what is crucial to Yin Yoga. It even encourages you to evaluate your students’ knowledge in key areas so you don’t just create a horde of bendy bodies devoid of true understanding.

You’ll start with a syllabus that acts like a handy cheat sheet. This is followed by a summary of learning objectives and a detailed curriculum. Think of it as a buffet: more topics than you could possibly stomach, allowing you the freedom to customize it to your heart’s content. Each lesson topic syncs up with the Yoga Teacher Central curriculum, giving you a premium selection of formats (lessons, quizzes—they’ve got it all) from the Download Library. Each piece of the curriculum comes with sample descriptions and learning objectives, perfect for marketing or whatever else requires a persuasive touch. The depth of each lesson may vary, but rest assured, nothing here is shallow. When planning, aim for covering one to two topics per day, with enough leeway to dive into poses based on your own teaching style and grand plan.

Downloading everything available would be like trying to swallow the sea—completely overwhelming. Use logic (you remember logic, right?) to decide whether a lesson makes the cut into your manual or is worthy of a lecture. Customize till you drop.

Part I – Syllabus at a Glance

Yin Yoga: 56 Lessons

Philosophy & Principles of Practice

• Yoga Philosophy
  • What is Yoga and Why Do We Do It? Sounds existential, doesn’t it?
  • Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
  • Overview of The Yoga Sutra
  • The Eight-Limbed Path
  • Energy and Subtle Body Anatomy
  • Koshas / Panchamayakosha Model
• Yin Yoga Philosophy & Principles of Practice
  • Understanding Yin & Yang, because who needs balance more than you?
  • Overview of Yin Yoga

Anatomy & Physiology

• Foundations
  • Introduction to Musculoskeletal Anatomy
  • Connective Tissue and Fascia, as stretchy as you’d expect
  • Joint Movement
  • Overview of the Nervous System
  • Stress and Relaxation Response: Breathe in, breathe out
  • Why Yoga Works: It just does, okay?
• Spinal Anatomy
  • Introduction to Spine and Back
  • Functions and Teaching Considerations
• Lower Body Anatomy
  • Introduction to Pelvis and Hips
  • Hip Muscles
  • Knees, Lower Legs, and Feet
  • Function and Issues of Knees
  • Teaching Considerations for Knees: Ever tried balancing a tree on them?
• Stretching & Sensation
  • Anatomy and Physiology of Flexibility and Stretching
  • Stretch-Related Reflexes
  • Stretching Issues and Teaching Techniques
  • Understanding Sensation and Pain: Fun, right?

Yin Yoga Teaching & Practice

• Poses & Sequencing
  • Summary of Asana Categories
  • Class Elements
  • Fundamentals of Sequencing
  • Choosing and Arranging Poses
  • Segmenting Your Class
  • Energy Balancing in Sequencing: Keep things interesting
  • Yin Yoga Poses and Sequences
• Breathing Techniques
  • Natural Breathing
  • Basic Breath Training
  • Yogic Breathing Practices
  • Lion Pose: Rawr.
• Meditation & Mindfulness
  • Introduction to Meditation and Mindfulness
  • Effects of Meditation: Yes, it has some
  • Teaching Meditation Techniques
  • Challenges in Meditation
  • Metta / Lovingkindness Practices
  • Breath Observation Techniques
  • Mindfulness Meditation
  • Guided Visualizations

Themes

• Presence and Present Moment Awareness: Because you should be present
• Inner Attention and Self-Awareness
• The Concept of Right Effort
• Beliefs and Vikalpas
• The Power of Beliefs, or the lack thereof
• Allegory of the Cave
• Subconscious and Limiting Beliefs
• Transforming Beliefs
• The Hero’s Journey: Your life isn’t boring, apparently
• Dharma and Personal Uniqueness
• Setting Resolutions, Goals, and Intention

End Part I – Syllabus at a Glance

Part II – Objectives at a Glance

Philosophy & Principles of Practice

• Yoga Philosophy
  • Defining Yoga: Dive headfirst into this rabbit hole
  • Overview of The Yoga Sutra: Your new best friend

For more exciting drivel, meander over to Ashtanga Yoga Techniques.