SAVY Chair Yoga Teacher Training Curriculum

Registered Teacher Of Yoga – Chair Yoga (RTY-CY), a 100 Hours course, is an advanced Specialty Yoga Teacher Training course and is taught under a Primary E-RYT 500/ E-RTY 500. This can also be taken up as an Elective for SAVY 500 (RYT 500/ RTY 500) course in-Studio, or, as a separate course, online as well.

Curriculum is in compliance with recommendations of WWYA, Canada and Yoga Alliance, USA.

This 100-hour training provides education in the following areas:

In this program, you will explore more advanced concepts geared towards office-goers or geriatric population in:

• Asana Practice suitable for Chair Yoga
• Pranayama Practice suitable for Chair Yoga
• Meditation Practice suitable for Chair Yoga
• Kriyas and Mudras suitable for Chair Yoga
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Yoga History and Philosophy
• Teaching Methodology
• Business of Yoga
• Practice Teaching
• Assignments

What You’ll Learn

ONLINE CLASSROOM/ LEARNING

The online classroom learning component of the program is 20 hours. This will requires the submission of *assignments and quizzes with each module and a project. Completion of this work is necessary before you can come for the in-person part of the program.

IN-PERSON CLASSROOM

It is 80 hours long. This program has the following major components:

It is mandatory to attend Contact Program for full hours to be considered for WWYA, Canada or Yoga Alliance registered RYT 500/ RTY 500 program. This program has the following major components:  

TEACHING, TRAINING AND PRACTICE

(38 Classroom Hours)

Includes the study and understanding of poses for Chair Yoga and who to teach these to. Also includes the understanding of the yoga teacher’s relationships with students and basic communication skills for conducting those relationships. Knowing when to suggest that a health care professional be consulted regarding health issues. Understanding of psychological considerations in each group and how to differentiate between high-risk and non-high-risk medical conditions.

• Rationale, myths, populations, guidelines of teaching Chair Yoga.
• Asana technique for Chair Yoga: Exploration of anatomy of postures, transitions, modifications, benefits, and contraindications of postures
• Pranayama, Meditation and Mudra Sequences for Chair Yoga
• Creative Movements designed to be done in a chair

COMPETENCIES TO BE TESTED

• Asana
• Pranayama & Subtle Body
• Meditation

ASANA PRACTICE IN A CHAIR (24 Classroom Hours)

Learn principles for advanced asana practice in a chair, as well as techniques for safely guiding students in and out of yoga poses. Develop the skills and confidence to provide effective private yoga sessions. The most popular component of yoga in the West, the asanas (or postures) are what typically inspire people to explore this ancient practice and lifestyle. In this program, you will learn how to teach postures in safe and supportive ways. You will revisit as well as learn about different yoga postures, the principles of entry and exit, and alignment, the precautions, contra-indications and benefits of asanas as well as how to offer safe and appropriate assists and modifications to help safely deepen your students’ experience of yoga. Your teacher will help you refine your postures. You will be required to practice an asana routine daily. To deepen your teaching skills, you are also required to attend yoga classes taught by individuals with a minimum of RYT 500 Yoga Teacher certification.Classes will be led by training faculty members and/ or visiting teachers. We will focus on growth and exploration of asanas (yoga postures). A variety will provide tools for interpretation, and further the process of making your teaching personal and authentic.

POSTURE AND EXPERIENTIAL ANATOMY WORKSHOP (8 Classroom Hours)

Practice giving more advanced postural assistance and receiving feedback from peers and skilled facilitators. Learn Yoga Anatomy principles through experiential posture clinics focused on the cultivating internal awareness of body systems. Learn to have every student experience the anatomical benefits of a pose in a way that works for them through the use adjustments. In this interactive series, each posture will be broken down to explore alignment, variations, staying in pose, and sequencing. This segment covers each representative pose in deep detail, so that the teacher trainers can discover the biomechanics of each posture and hence the safest and most effective way to enter and exit each posture. This section revolves around one of the most important aspects of teaching: the safe and effective performance of yoga asanas.

PRANAYAMA (2 Classroom Hours)

Prana is the basis of life. Practice of yoga is incomplete without proper knowledge of pranayama, or the science of breathing. In this component of the program, you will learn how to teach a variety of breathing practices which can be done sitting in a  chair, as well as develop a solid understanding of their benefits and associated precautions/contra-indications. You will learn about their relevance to general health.Dr. Jitender K Sahdev has done a lot of work on Pranayama and is a leading researcher on yoga therapy through breathing exercises. He or one of his close associates leads this segment. This is an extension of the regular understanding of breathing. The knowledge of these principles enables the student to integrate more deeply how we can utilize these postures when applicable.

KRIYAS AND MUDRAS OF YOGA (2 Classroom Hours)

Teacher trainees will get a chance to get introduced to kriyas and mudras. Learning all that opens up your mind to the facts connected with hatha yoga and gives you a chance to understand all that in a better way.

MEDITATION/ MINDFUL YOGA (2 Classroom Hours)

The physical practice of yoga is essentially about preparing the body and the mind for meditation. To be sure, the journey inwards is not for the faint at heart. You will learn about a variety of meditation techniques more suitable for Chair Yoga. Meditation, dynamic or adynamic, is an essential practice to accomplish this and teaches us mindfulness. We’ll be learning about meditation/ pranayama practice daily, led by one of our teachers. Although the practice will be more suitable to experienced practitioners, previous experience is not mandatory. It is no problem if this is your first time practicing meditation/ pranayama. This is a great way to cultivate a mindful, productive and stress- free day.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

(15 Classroom Hours: 10 Hours can be taught online)

COMPETENCIES TO BE TESTED

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biomechanics

Anatomy and physiology related specifically to changes with age, professions, and their application to yoga techniques.  Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc).  Includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.),Energetic and Structural Anatomy,Understanding the human body and anatomy as it relates to the Doshas; common physical limitations, digestive system, respiratory system, elimination system and energypatterns held in these areas.

An understanding of body mechanics is essential to keeping your students safe as they learn new poses and breathing techniques. You will learn about how muscles, ligaments, bones and connective tissues are impacted by the physical practice of yoga and pranayama, how the skeletal system supports those muscles and connective tissues and how yoga can become an effective, therapeutic way to heal the body of aches, pains, injuries and chronic conditions. This section will visit Human Anatomy and Physiology, Anatomy of Chakras, Nadis and Marmas and Relation of Anatomy with Yoga (at least 5 hours). You’ll get an exciting introduction to the larger structures and systems of the body. Dr. Jitender K Sahdev’s experience in the study of Human Anatomy and Physiology in Medicine, his extensive and in depth study of yoga and his passion for anatomy and physiology combined with his work as a Surgeon make what can be a dry topic interesting and fun to learn. All of our teachers are well-versed with human anatomy.

YOGA HUMANITIES

(15 Classroom Hours: 10 Hours can be taught online)

COMPETENCIES TO BE TESTED

• History
• Philosophy
• Ethics

Includes basic yoga precepts as they relate to teaching of Yoga (e.g., the Yamas and Niyamas). Awareness of ethical behavior and state and local legal requirements. Specific training in parameters and techniques of ethical touch with regard to teaching people. Basics of ethical language and behavior.

Topics in this category include, but are not limited to:

• Study of yoga philosophies and traditional texts
• Yoga lifestyle, such as the precept of non-violence (ahimsa), and the concepts of santosha, dharma and karma
• Ethics for yoga teachers, such as those involving teacher – student relationships and community
• Understanding the value of teaching yoga as a service and being of service to others through yoga (seva)
• Lifestyle Considerations: daily routines for students, different professions, food & nutrition, sleep patterns,circadian rhythms and the rhythms of nature and the seasons
• Swadhyaya: Self-study and personal reflection on how the Yoga principles and self-care experiences affect you
• Professional and Ethical practices

The philosophy of yoga is integral to complete understanding of the subject. Learn about its modern day applications and relevance. History of yoga is grand and newer research is taking us closer to witness its right perspective. We cover all that and explore the history and philosophy of yoga with the intention of connecting to the ancient roots of Yoga. You will be introduced to the main yoga texts and their central themes in a way that brings them to life and makes their wisdom relevant for yogis in our times. The study of yoga philosophy will give you an overview of a rich tradition and add greater depth to your teaching.

SAVY’s ethical commitment includes three elements: a Scope of Practice, a Code of Conduct, and a responsibility to equity in yoga. We are a strong advocate of these three elements.

PROFESSIONAL ESSENTIALS

(35 Classroom Hours)

COMPETENCIES TO BE TESTED

• Teaching Methodology
• Professional Development
• Practicum
• Elective

TEACHING METHODOLOGY

(12 Classroom Hours)

Includes knowledge of classroom techniques, lesson plans and group processing for Chair Yoga.  Chair Yoga-specific teaching skills for yoga class techniques and effective communication skills.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

(12 Classroom Hours)

Yoga is a multi-billion industry in the west. In this component, you will learn about how to set up your own yoga business and how to make it really work for you. Traditionally, yoga, just like all other learning, was taught free to deserving and meritorious students. In modern times, that is no more a practical way to keep yoga learning and teaching sustainable. Learn how to build a sustainable Chair Yoga teaching career and practice the art of abundance. We will explore in detail the nuts and bolts of setting yourself up as an effective yoga professional and introduce practical techniques for managing your time, building your class, creating a strong and consistent following and ultimately flourishing as a teacher. You will also learn the process of opening a Yoga studio. This will also cover knowing about Yoga-related professional organizations, including Yoga Alliance, Credentialing process, Scope of Practice and Code of Conduct, Lifetime of learning and continuing education, General professionalism, including timeliness, consistency, cleanliness, Marketing and promotion, Liability insurance, waivers, invoicing etc.

PRACTICUM

(4 Classroom Hours)

These hours must be spent observing another teacher lead a yoga class.  A portion of these hours must be spent with Lead Trainers. Practice teaching in small and larger groups,designing, teaching, and sequencing classes that incorporate the related principles. These hours must be spent teaching a Chair Yoga class.  A portion of these hours must be spent with Lead Trainers and as lead teacher of the class.

Topics in this category include:

• Practice teaching (does not include assisting, observing or giving feedback)*
• Receiving and giving feedback
• Observing others teaching
• Assisting students while someone else is teaching

Learn to teach from your most authentic self, using your own inner wisdom as the seed for inspired teaching. Develop techniques for crafting transformational workshops and creating sacred classroom space, including group facilitation methodology, approaches to assessing and shifting group dynamics, and reflective listening skills. In the program, you will be given opportunities to teach what you are learning and engage in compassionate and supportive feedback to help each other develop. At the end of the program, you will be asked to design and teach a complete class that includes asana, pranayama and meditation. Emphasis will be placed on preparing the teacher trainee for the actual practice of Chair Yoga. Each student may have the opportunity to lead small groups of their fellow trainees through several consecutive postures and learn thematic approaches to teaching. The teaching will be followed by feedback sessions.

JOURNALING AND PRESENTATION

(7 Classroom Hours)

Writing is another form of meditation. Document the physical, emotional and spiritual journey that you experience throughout the training. It gives you an opportunity to slow the mind and work through the challenges and excitement that arise in an intensive training. Also, teacher trainees will be required to give a presentation. Presentation topics will be provided, though trainers can choose to present a seminar on any topic that could benefit the group. This is an opportunity to put public speaking skills into practice in a setting that is more comfortable and varied than a standard yoga class.

ASSIGNMENTS

Your own personal practice and continued self-reflection will always be most beneficial to you. The assignments are designed to give you a format in which you can explore the various program components in a method of self-study that encourages you to delve more deeply into your experience of yoga. What you discover in this journey will have a lasting effect on you as a person and a teacher. You’ll be required to complete assignments given to you at different stages of training.

TOTAL HOURS: 100 hours

Total min. contact hours: 80 hours