Module 2
Blaze the Trail: The Art of Progressive Sequencing in the Teaching of Asana
For Students of Yoga who want to take their practice to the next level AND Teachers with at least 100 hours of Teacher Training experience and who want to deepen their insight into the fine art of sequencing classes
This Advanced Teacher Training will explore the dynamic art of progressive sequencing and give you concrete tools for:
- Exploring new and creative approaches toward deepening your practice and helping your students go deeper into their postures
- Sequencing classes for a variety of levels so that every student can enjoy some variation of each posture you teach
- Deepening your knowledge of the postures, alignments and actions so your entire class weaves together with beautiful coherence
For each category of postures we'll explore, you will be guided into understanding the basic principles that allow for safe, powerful and effective progression from basic to advanced postures.
Morning sessions will be geared toward students who wish to directly experience a powerful practice. Afternoon Sessions are focused on teacher training. Please Note: Teachers must attend both morning and afternoon sessions.
Class #1: Open your heart and say YES!!
A Heart Opening, Back Bending practice designed to accommodate all levels of students from beginners to advanced!
Class #2: Teacher Training Segment
Making Space for Grace: The art of Progressively Sequencing Backbends so as to keep beginners safe and to take advanced students deeper!
Topics for this session include:
- Exploring the first principle of Inner Body Bright as the magic of opening to deeper back bending
- Active Principles that open the body progressively specifically including: Inner Body Bright, inner and outer spirals of the legs and shoulder loop
- Sequencing Gates: When to take students deeper
- Contraindications for deep back bending
- Benefits of back bending
- Sequencing Strategies
- Being prepared with modifications
- Common Misalignments and helpful adjustments in teaching back bends
Class #3: Everybody do the Twist
Practicing Standing and Seated Twists for students of all levels designed to accommodate all levels of students from beginners to advanced!
Class #4: Teacher Training Segment
The Art of Progressively Sequencing standing, seated and arm balancing twists.
Topics for this session include:
- Active Principles that apply directly to the practice of twists including muscular engagement to ensure stability of the sacrum, and organic extension of the hips, pelvis, legs and spine
- Twisting for the different organ systems
- Twisting with the breath
- Sequencing gates
- Contraindications
- Benefits of practicing twists
- Being prepared with modifications
- Common Misalignments and helpful adjustments in teaching seated twists
Class #5: Opening and Closing
Hip Openers & Forward Bends for students of all levels designed to accommodate all levels of students from beginners to advanced!
CLass #6: Teacher Training Segment:
The Art of Progressively Sequencing Hip Openers & Forward bends, and teaching Pranayama
Topics for this section include:
** Active principles that apply directly to opening the hips and forward bends include shins in/thighs out, and for forward bends, let’s also root the femurs/pelvis and rise up from there before folding
** Which poses are we talking about when we say “hip openers”?
** Sequencing gates
** Contraindications
** Benefits of hip openers and forward bends
** Being prepared with modifications
** Common Misalignments and helpful adjustments in teaching hip opener
Class #7: Flying on the Wings of Grace: A morning practice of Arm Balances geared toward level 2 but open to all levels of students from beginner to advanced.
Class #8: Teacher Training Segment:
Progressively sequencing arm balances so all students can enjoy them
Topics for this session will include:
** Active principles that apply to the practice of arm balances
** Active principles that apply to the practice of arm balances
** Sequencing gates: When to take your students further
** Contraindications & Benefits
** Being prepared with modifications
** Common misalignments and helpful adjustments
Class #9: Upside Down Fun: Practicing Inversions for students of all levels designed to accommodate all levels of students from beginners to advanced!
Class #10: Teacher Training Segment:
Progressive sequencing in teaching Inverted positions and meditation.
Topics for this session will include:
** Active principles that apply to the practice of inversions
** Active principles that apply to the practice of inversions
** Sequencing gates: When to take your students further
** Contraindications & Benefits of inverted positions
** Being prepared with modifications
** Common misalignments and helpful adjustments
** Basic Meditation Instructions