COURSE STRUCTURE & FRAME WORK 

The following are the benchmark and Course Frame work :

1. 50-Hours of Yoga Techniques/Training/Practice – Includes Asanas, Pranayamas, Kriyas, chanting, mantras, meditation, and other traditional yoga techniques. These hours are a mix between: 
                 a. Systematic training in how to teach and practice the techniques 
                 b. Directed practice of the techniques themselves

2. 20-Hours of Teaching Methodology – Includes principles of demonstration, observation, assisting/correcting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, the student’s process of learning, and business aspects of teaching yoga.

3. 10-Hours of Anatomy & Physiology – Includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, Nadis, etc.). Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc).

4. 10-Hours of Yoga Philosophy for Yoga Teachers – Includes the study of yoga philosophies, yoga lifestyle, and ethics for yoga teachers. 

5. 10-Hours of Practicum – Includes practice teaching, receiving feedback, observing others teaching and hearing/giving feedback. Also includes assisting students while others are teaching.

Techniques & Demonstrations: 

1. Principles of demonstration: the art of teaching, leading a class, voice modulation, effective communication with great clarity. 2. Observing, assisting, and correcting: Mindful adjustments, correcting/adjusting though physical and verbal instructions. 
3. Instructions, teaching styles: Designing and planning a class suitable to different needs. Learning Sanskrit names and other symbolism related to Asanas. Structuring and sequencing an asana class, Exploring various methodologies. 
4. Qualities of a teacher: voice, presence, Dealing with injuries and explaining about safety precautions. 
5. Business aspects of teaching yoga: Educating about business ethics and values. Setting up yoga business and community responsibilities. Marketing and advertising.

PRANAYAMA (Yogic Breathing) 

Pranamaya kosha – pranic body. Its nature and characteristics. Introduction, different aspects and different types of prana, breathing Basics, anatomy of breathing, Yogic breathing, Kapalbhati (frontal brain cleansing breath), Bhastrika (bellows breath), suryabheda (vitality stimulating breath).Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), Ujjayi (the psychic or victorious breath), Sheetali (cooling breath), Shitkari (hissing breath), Bhramari (humming bee breath), 
MUDRA (Attitude of Energy flow/Psychic Gesture): Sacred gestures and hand positions for Energy flow. 
Mudra Meaning, different types of mudras observed during Yoga practice, chin mudra (psychic gesture of consciousness)/Jnana mudra (psychic gesture of knowledge), Nasikagra mudra (nose tip gazing mudra), Shanmukhi mudra (closing the seven gates), Vipareet karani (inverted psychic attitude), Maha mudra (great psychic attitude), Shambhavi mudra (eyebrow center of gazing). 

Theoretical explorations, symbolism, practice and benefits of mudras and their effect on the Pranic body.

KRIYA: Yogic cleansing techniques: Nasal cleansing- Jala neti; Kapala Bhati and Trataka – flame gazing.

MEDITATION AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES 

MEDITATION PRACTICES: Introduction, definitions, types of meditations, preparatory practices, and obstacles during meditation, methods to overcome them and its benefits. scientific evidence of the benefits of meditation on the physical, pranic and emotional personalities.
GUIDED MEDITATIONS: Relaxation meditation, visualization meditation, Pranic awareness meditations, chakra meditation, silent meditations, mantra meditation, concentration meditation, mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, Loving kindness meditation and gratitude meditations.
MANTRA YOGA: (Mantra Chanting): Definition of Mantra, Its significance, its calming and healing effect on the psyche. The role of sound in spiritual practices.

ANATOMY& PHYSIOLOGY

ANATOMY: Including Physical Anatomy, Physiology and Energy anatomy: Physical Anatomy and Physiology: Insight into relevant anatomical systems in our body and their connection with Asana practice. The course focuses on the following topics; 
1. Understanding into different body systems and their function, terminology of human anatomy. 
2. Skeletal system, muscular system, connective tissue, nervous system, major joints of the body. 
3. Understanding the anatomical and skeletal differences i.e. compression, tension, and proportion and orientation theory. 
4. The foot, knee, pelvic floor, hips, spine, shoulder 
5. Breathing and respiratory system.

PRINCIPAL/PHILOSOPHY, LIFESTYLE AND ETHICS:

1. PATANJALI YOGA SUTRAS AND ITS PHILOSOPHY CONTENTS: Functional Definition, meaning, concepts, historical and cultural back ground of Yoga, its essence and goals. 
2. FOUR PATHS OF YOGA (Jnana, Raja, Bhakti, & Karma Yoga), 3-gunas and their effects on the mind, 5- Klesas or afflictions and their binding effect. Hatha yoga, Nadis (energy channels), Chakras, kundalini system. Vedas and six systems of Indian philosophy, theory of karma in relation to Self-realization. 
3. ASHTANGA YOGA (Raja Yoga): Yoga sutras of Patanjali, aim of yoga according to Sutras, modification of mind, mental disposition, different levels of preparation, the role of Ego in self-realization and understanding consciousness. 
4. OM: Meaning, symbolism and significance of OM, Eight limbs of yoga, Kriya yoga, Samyama yoga, types of Samadhi, Nirbija and Sabija Samadhi, super conscious state of self-realization. 
5. HINDRANCES: Obstacles on the path of yoga, physical and mental disturbances caused by an un-concentrated mind, means to overcome obstacles, methods to control the modifications of mind.
6. YAMAS AND NIYAMAS –life style and ethics for a yoga practitioners and teachers: value-based lifestyle 
7. YOGIC WAY OF LIVING: Life style of a yogi, yogic diet. The spirit of the yogic practices. Roles and responsibilities of yoga teachers. Written assignment on selected philosophical topics & finishing test.