WEEK 1: Foundations
Tuesday: Yoga Philosophy - Introduction to Patanjali's 8 Limbs
- Lecture (2 hours): Introduction to Patanjali’s 8 Limbs (Yama & Niyama)
- Practice (2 hours): Sun Salutation A & B with a focus on foundational alignment and breathwork
- Homework (1 hour): Reading assignment on Yamas and Niyamas + journaling reflection
Thursday: Anatomy & Basic Alignment
- Lecture (2 hours): Introduction to Yoga Anatomy (Body Planes, Parts, and Muscle Actions)
- Practice (2 hours): Basic postures focusing on safe alignment (Mountain Pose, Forward Fold, Downward Dog, Warrior 1, Warrior 2)
- Homework (1 hour): Review and label major muscles used in key postures
Saturday: Teaching Foundations
- Lecture (2 hours): Basic Teaching Cues and Assisting Techniques
- Practice (2 hours): Practice teaching and adjusting partners in foundational poses
- Homework (1 hour): Prepare a short sequence using the poses learned
WEEK 2: Exploring the Body & Breath
Tuesday: Pranayama - Introduction to Breathwork
- Lecture (2 hours): Overview of Pranayama & Techniques (Part Breath with Double Exhale, Square Breathing)
- Practice (2 hours): Sun Salutations incorporating breath cues and Pranayama techniques
- Homework (1 hour): Practice Pranayama techniques and journal about the experience
Thursday: Yoga Anatomy - Stretching and Strengthening
- Lecture (2 hours): Anatomy of Stretching & Strengthening (Types of Stretching, Golgi Tendon Response)
- Practice (2 hours): Practice stretches and strengthening poses (Lunges, Plank, Bridge) with anatomical focus
- Homework (1 hour): Create a sequence that balances stretching and strengthening
Saturday: Teaching Techniques - Cueing and Adjustments
- Lecture (2 hours): Verbal Cues and Adjustments for Sun Salutations and standing postures
- Practice (2 hours): Hands-on adjusting and cueing practice in small groups
- Homework (1 hour): Write teaching cues for a basic Sun Salutation sequence
WEEK 3: Asana, Breath, and Balance
Tuesday: Philosophy - Asana & Pranayama in Patanjali’s 8 Limbs
- Lecture (2 hours): Patanjali’s 8 Limbs continued (Asana & Pranayama)
- Practice (2 hours): Asana practice focusing on balance (Tree Pose, Half Moon) combined with breathwork
- Homework (1 hour): Reflect on how Pranayama influences your asana practice
Thursday: Yoga Anatomy - The Core and Balance
- Lecture (2 hours): Anatomy of the Core and Balance in Poses
- Practice (2 hours): Core-strengthening poses (Boat Pose, Chair Pose) and balancing postures (Half Moon, Tree)
- Homework (1 hour): Research how the core influences balance in yoga postures
Saturday: Teaching Techniques - Leading Balancing Poses
- Lecture (2 hours): Cueing and Adjusting for Balance Postures
- Practice (2 hours): Practice leading and adjusting balancing postures with partners
- Homework (1 hour): Create a short sequence focusing on balance
WEEK 4: Chakras & Energy Centers
Tuesday: Philosophy - Introduction to Chakras
- Lecture (2 hours): Overview of the Chakra System
- Practice (2 hours): Asana practice aligned with balancing the chakras (Warrior, Crescent Lunge, Bridge)
- Homework (1 hour): Research and journal about the chakra associated with your favorite pose
Thursday: Anatomy - Backbends & Opening the Heart
- Lecture (2 hours): Anatomy of Backbends and Chest Openers
- Practice (2 hours): Practice safe backbends and heart-opening poses (Camel Pose, Cobra, Upward Dog)
- Homework (1 hour): Write a reflection on how chest openers affect your energy and breath
Saturday: Teaching Techniques - Adjusting Backbends
- Lecture (2 hours): Verbal Cues and Adjustments for Backbends
- Practice (2 hours): Partner practice adjusting and cueing backbends
- Homework (1 hour): Create a backbend sequence with teaching cues
WEEK 5: Refining Pranayama & Meditation
Tuesday: Pranayama - Deepening the Breath
- Lecture (2 hours): Review and deepen Pranayama techniques (Dirga, Kapalabhati)
- Practice (2 hours): Asana flow incorporating advanced Pranayama techniques
- Homework (1 hour): Practice Dirga and Kapalabhati, and reflect on their effects
Thursday: Yoga Anatomy - Twists & Spinal Mobility
- Lecture (2 hours): Anatomy of Twists and Spinal Mobility
- Practice (2 hours): Twisting poses (Revolved Triangle, Revolved Crescent Lunge) focusing on spine alignment
- Homework (1 hour): Journal about the sensations in the spine during twisting poses
Saturday: Teaching Techniques - Leading Twists
- Lecture (2 hours): Cueing and Adjusting Twisting Poses
- Practice (2 hours): Practice teaching and adjusting twists with partners
- Homework (1 hour): Create a sequence focusing on twists with verbal cues
WEEK 6: Moving Into Advanced Asanas
Tuesday: Philosophy - Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi
- Lecture (2 hours): Patanjali’s final limbs (Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi)
- Practice (2 hours): Asana flow designed to promote concentration and meditation (Seated Poses, Forward Folds, Twists)
- Homework (1 hour): Reflect on the connection between asana, concentration, and meditation
Thursday: Yoga Anatomy - Hips & Pelvic Alignment
- Lecture (2 hours): Anatomy of the Hips and Pelvic Alignment in Yoga
- Practice (2 hours): Hip-opening poses (Pigeon Pose, Garland Pose, Crescent Lunge)
- Homework (1 hour): Create a sequence focusing on hip mobility and stability
Saturday: Teaching Techniques - Leading Advanced Asanas
- Lecture (2 hours): Cueing and Adjusting for Advanced Asanas (Half Moon, Camel, Crow)
- Practice (2 hours): Practice leading and adjusting advanced asanas in partners
- Homework (1 hour): Prepare a teaching plan for an advanced class
WEEKS 7 - 10: Practicum & Review
Each week from here would deepen knowledge and practice:
- Refining pranayama, meditation, and asana sequences
- Practice teaching and adjusting in progressively more complex sequences
- Special focus on teaching all class elements seamlessly
- Final practicum preparation and feedback
FINAL WEEK: Practicum & Graduation
Tuesday: Final Philosophy Review & Asana Practice
- Lecture (2 hours): Review of Patanjali’s 8 Limbs
- Practice (2 hours): Full Asana Practice with emphasis on flow and sequencing
- Homework (1 hour): Prepare for final practicum
Thursday: Practicum & Feedback
- Lecture (2 hours): Final Anatomy & Pranayama Review
- Practice (2 hours): Student Practicum: Lead full class with feedback
- Homework (1 hour): Final reflections and preparations for teaching career
Saturday: Graduation
- Lecture (2 hours): Professional Development as a Yoga Teacher
- Practice (2 hours): Closing Asana Practice & Reflection
- Graduation Ceremony (1 hour)