Curriculum
summary for 3 year Initial Certification
Yoga Alliance
Certified – 500 Hour Level
FOUNDATION
The origin and history of the Himalayan Yoga
Meditative Tradition is outlined, from the unfolding of the teaching
Spirit (Hiranyagharba) through the rishis and sages, such as Shankara and
Patanjali, to Swami Rama. Linkage with the Buddhist and Christian
traditions is shown, as well as with the Sanyasin and Bodhisattva
Traditions. Its connection with the culture of India is shown, as in the
4 Ashramas, the 4 Purposes of Life, and to the Indian arts (sculpture,
sacred architecture, music, dance and drama). The Guru-disciple
relationship is studied, and also the process of initiation, transmission,
grace and realization, as well as the adhikara (characteristics,
responsibilities and attitudes) of a student and a spiritual guide).
MEDITATION
A. THEORY
Meditation is seen as a systematic method in
the tradition of the Himalayan Masters, which leads one from the lower
(gross) levels of awareness to the highest and most subtle state of
consciousness. (“Yoga is samadhi” – Vyasa). The methods of applying
meditative states of consciousness and meditative insights are studied, so
as to purify ones thoughts and emotions and to refine one’s activities in
everyday life. (See also SADHANA)
B. PRACTICE
The Steps of Meditation in the Himalayan Yoga
Tradition are taught, including basic relaxations, breath awareness at the
physical and subtle levels. Also sushumna and subtle body
awareness are introduced along with mantra.
YOGA PHILOSOPHY
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are studied, as well as the philosophy of
Raja Yoga as interpreted by Swami Rama. The place of Yoga in the Seven
Systems of Indian Philosophy is studied, especially Yoga’s close
relationship with the Sankhya system of philosophy. Yoga cosmoloyg is
introduced and the ideas of karma and reincarnation, as found in the
Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Students are encouraged to develop
a personal, ethical philosophy of life.
YOGA PSYCHOLOGY
Students will be introduced to the Eastern and Western
psychological approaches to the concept of mind and personality and will
explore the Yoga Sutras as a psychological map. Various concepts
will be defined, such as nirodha, the 8 attributes of buddhi,
the 8 intangible functions of chitta, the 5 kleshas, the
idea of suffering and its ultimate remedy. The application of yoga to
daily life will be discussed and the necessity of self-observation as it
applies to manas buddhi, and to preya (what is pleasant) vs
shreya (what is preferable). Yoga techniques to purifying emotions
will be taught as they reveal themselves in the 4 Primitive Urges and Six
Negative Emotions and are expressed through thoughts, speech and actions.
Students will deepen
their understanding of practices that work with the subtle body and the
chakras. Also the purification of emotions will be studied in
relation to the yamas and niyamas and their ethical
dimensions. The effects of asanas, pranayama and pratyahara
will be covered, as well as positive urges and instincts. The twin
principles of ‘chitta prasadanam’ (purifying the mind and making it
pleasant) and ‘sthiti nibandhana’ (stabilizing the mind and making
that stability permanent and unshakable) (see Yoga Sutras 1:33),
will be seen as essential for spiritual progress. The karmic cycle (vrittis,
karmas, samskaras, vasanas) and the psychological principles of
reincarnation will be covered.
SADHANA: A SPIRITUAL LIFESTYLE
Sadhana is the
application Yoga Philosophy and Yoga Psychology to daily life. The
benefit of certain attitudes, as seen in
the
Bhagavad Gita
(e.g., emphasis on detachment, renunciation of the fruits of action and
skillfulness in action) will be shown. The student will learn how to
cultivate sattvic relationships, steadiness and stability in one’s life,
and universal compassion as a spiritual lifestyle. Inner Dialogue and
Journaling will be taught as tools for
adikshana
(self-observation) and
atma-aishleshana
(self-analysis). Awareness of habit patterns relating to the Niyama Saucha
(food, sleep, speech thoughts,
company, etc.)
The 5 Pillars of Sadhana: stillness,
silence, fasting, celibacy, and conquest of sleep will be explained
thoroughly and eventually (years 4-9) integrated into one’s life as
systematic practices. Various paths within the Raja Yoga tradition, such
as the Yogas of Life (Karma, Bhakti and Jnana) will be learned, as
well as the Yogas of Practice (Mantra, Tantra, Kundalini, Laya
etc.).
PRANAYAMA
The physiology of breathing (See Anatomy)
will be seen in relationship to the subtler practices of pranayama.
Pranayama will be defined and explained as “control” and “expansion” of
the pranas, and the link between mind and breath will be shown. The five
forms of prana and their locations in various regions of the body and the
underlying principles pranayama will be learned, as well as the koshas
and the pathways (nadis) through which the pranas flows.
In Year One: Proper
breathing will be learned (diaphragmatic, silent, nasal, smooth, even,
slow and pauseless) as well as 2:1 breathing. In Year Two the three
variations of Nadi Shodhana will be learned and well as Kapalabhati.
Also, Bhastrika, Ujjayi, Bhramari will be learned, and various
relaxations, such as 61-Point Exercise, will be deepened. In Year Three,
the application of mudras will be done as well as the practice of
anuloma and viloma bhastrikas. Also an understanding
of the principles of internal pranayama that merge into the practice of
pratyahara will be conveyed. At the intermediate level, students
will understand the practice of kevala kumbhaka, sagarbha and
nigarbha pranayamas.
ASANA
Hatha Yoga is defined as “forcing” of the
subtle energies and as “the balancing of solar and lunar energies.
In the Himalayan style of doing asanas is there is less emphasis on body
position and much more emphasis on what is happening within and how the
prana body can express itself. There is subtle observation in the mind
moving from inside out and a certain reverence and gentleness in totally
relaxing passive parts of the body and moving prana into tense areas with
the use of concentration and the breath. Hatha Yoga, as taught by Swami
Veda, is also “a continuum” involving all the angas of Raja Yoga,
especially ahimsa. B.K.S. Iyengar has written in Light on Yoga:
“Without firm foundations a house cannot stand. Without the practice of
the principles of yama and niyama, which lay down firm foundations for
building character, there cannot be an integrated personality. Practice
of asanas without the backing of yama and niyama is mere
acrobatics.”
In Year One, students
learn the Cultural and Meditative Asanas, the anatomy of poses and their
benefits, precautions and contraindications. Swami Rama’s Joints and
Glands Exercises are the foundation of the Himalayan practice of asanas,
and students learn their applications and benefits. The Ten-Step Sequence
of Poses, as given in Hatha Yoga Manual I, is also taught.
Students use a journal to record their deepening awareness in doing asanas
and learn the variations of nasal wash. In Year Two and Three, asanas are
refined with subtle body awareness, and suggestions from the classic hatha
yoga texts are applied to the postures. There is the connection of mental
attitude to one’s hatha practice, and the energy-flow in asanas is
observed. Some Shat Kriya cleansings, such as the upper
wash, are practiced, and so is mulabandha and jnana-mudra
and ashvini mudra. Throughout the 3-year training, students are
schooled in how to teach asanas, as this is the main vehicle for leading
most students from body-identity to the deeper levels of meditative
awareness.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
Year One:
·
Skeletal system — The bones of the
neck are studied as well as the shoulders, hips, and particularly the
spine. Students learn exercises to straighten and align the spine so as
to expand the breathing and help open sushumna channel.
·
Respiratory system — The ribcage and
the anatomy of diaphragmatic breathing is studied as opposed to
abdominal-breathing or chest-breathing. The anatomy of the nose and the
importance of nasal breathing and nasal wash are learned.
Year Two:
·
Muscles and Connective Tissue —
Muscles, Ligaments, tendons and the fascia are studied and how to stretch,
tone and strengthen muscles. Working with generalized tension,
sympathetic tension and agonist and antagonistic muscle groups. Subtle
ways of stretching, utilizing prana, are practiced. Establishing a gentle
investigative, non-competitive mood while doing asanas.
·
Circulatory system — The chemistry of
breathing and O2 and CO2 exchange is taught, and
also the way asanas can be used to affect blood flow and increase
vitality. The hazards of certain postures are also explained for students
with heart and other circulatory problems.
·
Digestive system — The way that
digestion is affected by mood, exercise and Hatha Yoga practices is
studied. Asanas, Kriyas and Pranayamas to help digestion are practiced.
·
Physiological effects of asana and
common physiological problems of yoga students (obesity, lower back,
joints, headaches, stress etc.) Indications and contraindications
Year Three:
·
Nervous system and Brain Function —
The most recent research pertaining brain research will be covered
including ways to utilize the breathing and concentration to establish
alternative thinking patterns.
·
Endocrine system
·
Pregnancy and Menopause and Hatha Yoga
HEALTH and WELL-BEING
Year One:
Importance of Diet and
Exercise
Affect of meditation on
wellbeing
Transition to a balanced
lifestyle
Introduction to cleansing
practices
Ayurveda and holistic
health through meditation (moved from MEDITATION)
Year Two:
Conscious eating
Transform your life to
enhance spiritual practices
Health, wellness and
disease from the perspective of Ayurveda and homeopathy
Cleansing practices
Journal keeping
PRACTICAL TEACHING PROCEDURES
Class logistics and marketing.
Class planning, steps and
sequencing
Teaching skills
Introducing yoga and the
Himalayan Tradition
Basic Principles in Yoga
Long Term Guidance of
Students
Keeping Communication
(Newsletters, e-mail, brochures)
Resources: Hand-outs,
Books, Audios, Videos, Websites
Programs and Opportunities
(Classes, Workshops, Seminars)
Teacher-Student
Relationship (Meeting students where they are and nurturing them)
Leading students to
initiation (establishing the linkage between student, teacher and lineage)
Integrating yoga
philosophy into yoga classes
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