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Asana
The Asana I-IV courses form the core of the Advanced Studies/Teacher Training Program. The level of instruction in these classes is geared toward the serious student and current or potential teacher. Asana I, II, III and IV focus particularly on individuals working deeply and intensively on their own bodies. Teaching Asana (I, II and III) offer detailed instruction and practice in teaching yoga asanas to students. With a sufficient background in yoga before beginning the program, a student can take one class right after the next, thus completing the core sequence in a minimum of two years.
Other students may want or need to wait before progressing to the next class. If the body has not gained the strength and flexibility needed to master one set of poses, it is not beneficial to go on to more advanced poses and could even be harmful to the student. For this reason, consent of the instructor is required each quarter to progress to the next class. If a student does not receive this permission at a certain point in the program, the instructor will meet with the student to discuss what areas need further work. The student may then need to repeat an asana course for non-credit, or may stay in public classes with an Iyengar instructor of choice until ready to begin the next class in the core program.
Asana I
36 hours
Theory and practice of basic asana. Detailed presentation and intensive practice of the basic asanas, emphasizing standing poses, beginning sitting poses and shoulder stand.
Prerequisite: Two year's practice of Iyengar yoga. (See "Admissions" for more information.)
Asana II
36 hours
Theory and practice of intermediate asana. Introduction and intensive practice of intermediate asanas and their sequential coordination with the Asana I poses. Emphasis on more advanced standing poses, headstand, twists, and beginning backbends.
Prerequisite: Asana I and consent of the Asana I instructor.
Asana III
27 hours
Review and further intensive work on the Asana I and II poses and the various ways these poses may be adjusted to meet individual needs. Set up and sequencing a daily practice will be included.
Prerequisite: Asana II and consent of the Asana II instructor.
Teaching I
36 hours
Students will learn and practice teaching techniques, visual and verbal skills, and will observe experienced teachers in beginning level classes.
Prerequisite: Asana III and consent of the Asana III instructor.
Teaching II
36 hours
Students will study ethics, student/teacher relationship, practice teaching Asana I poses more intensively, and focus on the theory and practice of physical adustments and the use of props.
Prerequisite: Teaching I and consent of the Asana I instructor.
Teaching III
27 hours
Students will continue teaching Asana I poses and key poses from Asana II, using the list of poses from the Introductory Certification Assessment.
Prerequisite: Teaching II and consent of the Asana II instructor.
Asana IV
27 hours
Theory and practice of more advanced asanas for the personal practice of the serious student and teacher. Emphasis on headstand variations, more advanced twists and backbends, and arm balances.
Prerequisite: 10 minute headstand before variations; Asana III and consent of the Asana III instructor.
Apprenticeship
50 hours
The student is required to complete 50 hours of apprenticeship with an Iyengar teacher certified at the Junior Intermediate I Level or above. In cases where there are no teachers available at these higher certification levels, the student may request an exception to be allowed to apprentice with an Introductory teacher for some or all of the required hours. It is important to begin studying with a certified teacher as soon as possible since most teachers will give priority for apprenticeship to student teachers who have studied with them for longer periods of time.
Students should be aware that if they are considering going on for Assessment by the Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS), it is a must for you to apprentice with a teacher who is certified at the Junior Intermediate I Level or above.
Prerequisite: Asana III and consent of the Asana III instructor.
Student Teaching
40 hours
The student must set up his/her own yoga class, and teach for at least 40 hours, with a minimum of four students in each class. The student teacher must have one class observed after completing a minimum of 20 hours of student teaching. The observation and evaluation MUST be done by an Advanced Studies faculty member, e.g. someone who teaches in the Institute's Teacher Training Program.
Prerequisite: Apprenticeship started.
PRANAYAMA
Introduction to Pranayama
18 hours
Exercises to increase awareness of the breathing process preparatory to practicing pranayama.
Prerequisite: Asana I and consent of Asana I instructor.
Pranayama I
18 hours
Discussion and practice of body alignment and breath flow. Beginning techniques of pranayama will be introduced.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Pranayama and consent of the Introduction to Pranayama instructor.
Pranayama II
18 hours
Further study of pranayama for the serious student.
Prerequisite: Pranayama I and consent of the Pranayama I instructor.
PHILOSOPHY
Yoga Sutras
18 hours (required)
A study of classical yoga philosophy based upon a reading of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. The aims, methods, and powers of yoga, as well as the nature of liberation, will be investigated.
Bhagavad Gita
18 hours (required)
The Gita, as a practical handbook for yoga, will be studied and related to daily life. The different branches of yoga described in the Gita will be discussed and placed in context with other major Indian scriptures.
SCIENCE
Anatomy I
18 hours
Following the introduction of anatomical terminology, planes of movement, etc., this course covers the skeletal, muscular and soft tissue structure of the vertebral column, pelvis and lower extremities; includes discussions on common soft tissue injury and their prevention, especially as it relates to the practice of asana.
Anatomy II
18 hours
This part of the course includes the study of the bones, muscles and soft tissue structure of the chest cavity, shoulder girdle and upper extremities.
Physiology
27 hours
A general description of how the body systems function, with some consideration of specific physiological mechanisms activated or affected by yoga practice. Systems covered include cellular, neuromuscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, immune, digestive, urinary, and male and female reproductive.