Yogshakti 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (RYT 300)

Scaravelli Inspired Spinal Yoga is an integral part of Integrative Yoga. When combined with Qi Gong, it allows us to move from the inside, align ourselves with gravity, and experience fluidity & lightness in our movement. In this module, you will study Qi Gong practices and learn how to combine it with Scaravelli Inspired Yoga and Yin Yoga.

Integrative Yoga sequences are short 12 -20 min routines that integrate Qi Gong, Yin Yoga, Scaravelli Inspired Yoga, Pranayama, Kriyas, Bandhas, Mindfulness and Yoga Nidra to create a balanced, effective Yoga session that can lead the student into the state of Yoga. The essence of Pranayama and the Buteyko method of breathing less is the basis of the practice. At the heart of Integrative Yoga is, the philosophy of Non – Duality and the principles of Tao, which are brought to life in the Yoga classes through the experience of *wei wu wei.

* Wei-wu-wei – is an important concept in Taoism that literally means non-action or non-doing. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu explains that beings that are wholly in harmony with the Tao behave in a completely natural, uncontrived way.

You will learn how to create your own sequences in: •  Hip Opening •  Sun Salutations •  Back bending •  Core Strengthening •  Inversions •  Standing Flow & Standing Balances •  Twists & Forward bends

Patanjali’s Sutra III: 29–– “Concentrated attention on the primordial navel center brings understanding of all bodily systems.”

Moving in Asana from our primordial navel center, also known as the Hara or Dantien, enables us to connect to our natural in dwelling presence. Qi Gong facilitates this connection most effectively. Through the integration of Qi Gong with Scaravelli Inspired Spinal Yoga, we find fluidity, ease, lightness and freedom in our movement, translating into moving meditation.

The Qi Gong is taught in the tradition of Master Yang Mian of Calligraphy yoga. Based on the principles of Tao, it helps us to find balance between doing and being, effort and effortlessness. Best described as ‘effortless effort’ or non-action action or, as it is called in Taoism, Wei-Wu-Wei, this is experienced as stillness in movement.

You will learn: •  Qi Gong practices combined with Integrative Yoga Sequences •  How to teach from Presence & lead students into Presence •  Qi Gong that can be practiced on its own or combined with any Yin or Yang asana •  The 8 Dynamic Spinal Movements based on the Yoga Synergy method of Simon Borg Olivier

An in-depth study of chakras, working with the subtle energy body and awakening and energising the chakras through mantra, visualisation and asana. You will discover how to build an asana practice with emphasis on chakras and lead students into practices that open and activate each chakra through postures, bioenergetic exercises, breathing practices, mantras, guided meditation, and yoga philosophy.

‘As tension is released and joints become free new deep muscles awaken, increasingly movement takes place in the spine rather than in the large superficial muscles that are accustomed to working.’ Vanda Scaravelli

We will skilfully guide you into asanas, particularly backbends so that they become a ‘dance of the spine’. Through Scaravelli Inspired Yoga you will learn how to cultivate a harmonious relationship with gravity, maintain joint freedom and stay spine centered. All the work in the postures comes back to awakening the spine. When the spine is alive and working then the natural intelligence of the body can awaken. In so doing, the body finds its own “natural blueprint’ and through this – joy, freedom & lightness.

This section of the course is centered around ‘the spine’ and ‘clarity’. It will be highly interactive and even theory sessions will be practical in equal measure. Participants will be expected to start adapting and (often creatively) their own interpretation of the principals according to their personal physical limitations and understanding instead of just regurgitating information. They will be guided and helped all the way to find their own wings of physical and mental understanding and gain confidence.

Main topics covered:

1. Tensegrity, Power and Weightlessness
2. Support Structure and Movement; Muscle bones, Nerves and Perception
3. Head and tail relationship; Front spine ligaments etc
4. Hands and Wrists and Feet and Ankles; Awakening and Discovering
5. Dealing with injuries
6. Repattern/Reprogram our Own Movements and Others
7. The natural state finding true natural

Pranayama is the doorway to awakening sushumna/the central channel. Breathing less is the aim of all pranayama. We will cover a wide range of breathing practices from the fundamentals of diaphragmatic breathing to advanced pranayama that lead to sushumna awakening.

You will learn: •  Pranayama, Bandhas, Mudras, Kriyas that can be integrated into Scaravelli Inspired Spinal Yoga •  How to integrate the principles of the butyeko method into asana

Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep-state of consciousness between waking and sleeping) is an immensely healing & powerful yoga meditation technique instilling deep relaxation.

You will learn: •  How to guide students into states of deep relaxation (long and short durations) •  The fundamentals of systematic relaxation in the tradition of Swami Satyananada Saraswati and that of Swami Rama of the Himalayan tradition

This module will emphasize techniques in asanas through exploring and breaking down postures at depth, ranging from standing postures, backbends, forward bends, inversions and twists.

You will learn: •  Vital tips •  Verbal and tactile cues •  How to provide modifications and adjustments to all levels (including beginners and pregnant women) •  How to use props to improve & modify postures •  How to observe •  The benefits of each posture •  The contraindications •  How to lead students into a safe and effective practice to help build flexibility, balance and strength

Most importantly, you will be given the opportunity to practice teaching.

The philosophy of non-volitional living/ non-dualism brings about the cultivation of an attitude – a state of mind that is balanced under all circumstances. The ultimate aim of Yoga is the cultivation of stillness of mind, for it is through this that one ‘touches’ the true essence of Yoga. The emphasis is in drawing the mind back to its source through practices that involve the gross and subtle body, the breath and prana.

“What is Non-Volitional Living? Simply void your entire mind: this is to have unpolluted wisdom (pure non-objective in-seeing or prajna). Daily go out, stay at home, sit or sleep, but in every word you say be not attached to the things of purposeful activity. Then, whatever you say or wherever you look, all will be unpolluted (undefiled by objects and karma-free).” – Enlightened Sage Huang-po of the T’ang dynasty

That is spontaneous non-volitional living. This is the ultimate aim of Yoga.

In this module we will undertake the study of Self – Enquiry (WHO AM I? ) through the means of: •  sravanna: listening to the teachings •  manana: contemplating the teachings using the instrument of the mind •  niddhidhyasana: meditating on and the experience of one’s true nature i.e. Yoga

We learn that Yoga is a philosophy & a way of life. The sutras lay the foundation for the asana practice and are the road map to self-realization. Through the study of the Sutras we are able to bring life to the practice so that through our dedicated practice we inspire our students to be skilled both – on the mat and off the mat.

You will: •  Study the sutras and learn how to practically apply them in your classes

We will cover various Yin sessions with the emphasis on Yin with Qi Gong, the science of Meridians, Pranayama and principles of Buteyko method, the four foundations of mindfulness, Scaravelli inspired spinal yoga, and Yoga Nidra. You will learn how to create your own yin sequences with varying themes; how to provide adjustments and modifications for beginners, pregnant women and students with special needs.

Yin Yoga presents the perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness through breath awareness. Yin by nature is about letting go and this includes releasing control on the breath. In deep help Yin postures, allowing your breath to find it’s natural rhythm can enable you to hold postures for longer.

You will learn how to: •  Create Yin Sequences with specific themes •  Modifications and adjustments using props •  Integrate Qi Gong, Science of Meridians & Chakras with Yin •  Integrate principles of pranayama and the Buteyko method with Yin •  Lead students into Mindful Awareness based on the 4 foundations of mindfulness •  Integrate Yin Yoga with Scaravelli Inspired Spinal Yoga

Yin Yoga provides us with the perfect opportunity to ‘rest’ and to ‘Be’. The breath and breath awareness, through pranayama, plays a powerful role in leading one into a state of meditative silence. Pranayama is the doorway to awakening the central channel. Breathing less is the aim of all pranayama. We will cover a wide range of pranayama practices that can be used to deepen a Yin session.

An in-depth study of chakras, working with the subtle energy body and awakening and energising the chakras through mantra, visualisation and asana. You will discover how to build an asana practice with emphasis on chakras and lead students into practices that open and activate each chakra through postures, bioenergetic exercises, breathing practices, mantras, guided meditation, and yoga philosophy.

In meditation, when the thinking mind ‘rests’, the ‘working mind’ awakens. This enables us to connect to our intuition. It is an inner knowing that is beyond the knowledge that we have accumulated from the outside and that is silent and free from all judgment, translating into awareness. We cultivate this state as we move in Integrative yoga. There is a quality of alertness, which accompanies a relaxed body. Presence permeates all action so that it is whole and not fragmented.

You will learn: •  How to guide students into Meditation, both as a dynamic and seated practice •  The preliminary practices leading to mediation

This module will consolidate and round up all the information that was covered from March & September Modules.

You will get practice in teaching with: •  Vital tips •  Verbal and tactile cues •  How to provide modifications and adjustments to all levels (including beginners and pregnant women) •  How to use props to improve & modify postures •  How to observe •  The benefits of each posture •  The contraindications •  How to lead students into a safe and effective practice to help build flexibility, balance and strength

The philosophy of non-volitional living/ non-dualism brings about the cultivation of an attitude – a state of mind that is balanced under all circumstances. The ultimate aim of Yoga is the cultivation of stillness of mind, for it is through this that one ‘touches’ the true essence of Yoga. The emphasis is in drawing the mind back to its source through practices that involve the gross and subtle body, the breath and prana.

“What is Non-Volitional Living? Simply void your entire mind: this is to have unpolluted wisdom (pure non-objective in-seeing or prajna). Daily go out, stay at home, sit or sleep, but in every word you say be not attached to the things of purposeful activity. Then, whatever you say or wherever you look, all will be unpolluted (undefiled by objects and karma-free).” – Enlightened Sage Huang-po of the T’ang dynasty

That is spontaneous non-volitional living. This is the ultimate aim of Yoga.

In this module we will undertake the study of Self – Enquiry (WHO AM I? ) through the means of: •  sravanna: listening to the teachings •  manana: contemplating the teachings using the instrument of the mind •  niddhidhyasana: meditating on and the experience of one’s true nature i.e. Yoga

We learn that Yoga is a philosophy & a way of life. The sutras lay the foundation for the asana practice and are the road map to self-realization. Through the study of the Sutras we are able to bring life to the practice so that through our dedicated practice we inspire our students to be skilled both – on the mat and off the mat.

You will: •  Study the sutras and learn how to practically apply them in your classes

Our diet is an indispensable part of a Yogic Lifestyle, one that is conducive to breath reduction and stilling the mind. You will learn how to cook wholesome vegetarian recipes that are nutritious, light and easy to digest. You will also learn about food combining, tonics to aid with ailments and gut health. The gut is the gateway to your body and not only significantly influences your physical health, but it has a major impact on your mental health. The stomach or gut is one of the key connections to your brain and emotional health and the health of your immune system.

You will learn how to cook vegetarian food that is satvic or pure in nature, light, easy to digest and nutritionally dense. Using natural, plant based, high fiber ingredients, spices, seeds, nuts, super grains and good fats these will be easy to prepare and delicious!

You will learn:
•  Healing tonics to aid ailments & digestion
•  Fermenting for probiotics
•  Sprouting
•  Learn how to cook Ayurveda based recipes