Our Curriculum

This portion of your 200-hour YTT covers asana, pranayama, the subtle body, and meditation. Together, we will explore various yoga techniques and their applications. You will learn how to integrate these techniques into your personal practice, and you will also learn how to effectively share these techniques with others. This section includes:

• The historical context and evolution of asana.

• An experiential understanding of asana in your own body that will be nurtured through guided practice, asana labs, and practice teaching your peers.

• The historical context of pranayama and the subtle body.

• The effects of pranayama on the physical and subtle body.

• How to sequence various pranayama techniques from start to finish, as well as contraindications and alternatives.

• Foundational knowledge of the koshas, kleshas, nadis, chakras, and vayus.

• Practice with various meditation techniques.

• How to develop your personal meditation practice.

• An introduction to mantra and mudra.

It is important that yoga teachers have a good understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of the human body. This is important not only so that we can teach asana safely and effectively, but also so that we can understand how the systems of the body interact. When we understand the foundational anatomy and physiology of our bodies, we are also able to draw connections between the body and mind and begin to see our bodies as a holistic system rather than individual parts. This section covers:

• The major bones and joints of the human skeletal system.

• The major muscles involved in asana and types of contraction.

• A foundational understanding of the nervous system and the role of the nervous system in the mind-body connection.

• A fundamental understanding of the functions of the cardiovascular/ circulatory system, the endocrine system, and the digestive system and the way these systems relate to yoga practice.

• Knowledge of the respiratory system including muscles that affect breathing, involuntary vs. voluntary breath, and how air enters and leaves the body.

• Types of joint movement and joint stabilization and how this relates to movement in yoga.

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

• Contraindications, skeletal variation, misalignments, and adaptations and their relation to movement in yoga.

This portion of your 200-Hour YTT covers the history, philosophy, and ethics of yoga. It is important for yoga teachers to have an understanding of the context of the practice, as well as knowledge of the history and evolution of yoga. Yoga philosophy opens the doors for us to take yoga into the world and into our lives and ethics gives us guiding principles to live by. This section covers:

• The historical context of yoga.

• The unique lineage, style, and methodology of Satya Yoga Training Academy

• Key historical dates and ideas.

• The ability to define key philosophical terms.

• An understanding of the relationship between asana, pranayama, and meditation.

• Familiarity with major yogic texts, including the Bhagavad Gita.

• The ability to self-reflect on how philosophy relates to practice.

• Awareness of the Eight-Limbed Path of Yoga & Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

• A relationship to Yoga Alliance’s Ethical Commitment.

• An understanding of the need to increase equity in yoga and paths for diversity, accessibility, and inclusion.

• Resources on accountability and ethics.

• The ability to self-reflect on how ethics relate to practice and teaching.

This section of your 200-Hour YTT covers teaching methodology, professional development, and your final practicum. You will be equipped with the practical skills to teach yoga effectively, manage a classroom, continue your yoga education, and set-up your very own yoga business if you choose to do so!

• How to safely teach a well-rounded yoga class.

• How to use various pacing techniques to plan and teach a yoga class.

• How to create a safe, accessible, and welcoming classroom environment.

• The difference between verbal cues and physical demonstration.

• A formula for creating effective and concise verbal cues.

• How to manage a classroom and understand group dynamics.

• Professional development after your 200 hour YTT.

• General professionalism for yoga teachers.

• Marketing, promotion, and the business of yoga.

• Understanding of the benefits of mentorship, feedback, and continuing education.

You’ll learn about the history and fundamental principles of Ayurveda and how this can be useful for you as a yoga teacher.

• History of Ayurveda.

• Fundamental principles of Ayurveda & key terms.

• The Five Elements

• The Three Doshas & Constitutional Characteristics

• Lifestyle and Diet for the Doshas

• Ayurvedic Routine

• Lifestyle/ Diet/ Routine for the Seasons and Times of Day