This topic delves into the rich historical context and lineage-specific Asanas, while offering a comprehensive approach to sequencing Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation for precise outcomes. It explores anatomical alignment principles, contraindications, and the profound impact of Pranayama on both anatomy and subtle body. The course also covers safe sequencing and adaptations for various Pranayama techniques, along with their effects. Students will gain insights into Koshas, Kleshas, Chakras, Nadis, and Prana Vayus, and master key meditation terms and methods specific to the lineage. Additionally, it includes practice in chanting, mantras, and mudras, enriching the overall yoga experience.
The involved practices are –

• Asana – (different basic postures from Hatha Yoga asana for lightness and purification of body, standing, supine, prone – (backward, forward, spine twist), inversion and balance.
• Pranayama – techniques for correction of breath, breathing to heat and energize, breathing to balancing, breathing to cool and harmonize.
• Mudra – gesture of hands, fingers and body to affect energy in body.
• Bandha – practices of locking the energy in body.
• Shat-karma – practices of cleansing exercises to purify the body and mind to move higher levels of practice.
•  Meditation – practices for mind management such as study of sitting asana, Yogic breathing with awareness, peace establishment, Stillness of body, awareness of senses, awareness of thought process and Yoga Nidra.
• Mantra Chanting – chanting and practice of important mantras for well-being and auspiciousness in life.

Anatomy – Skeletal system – major bones, types of joints, major muscles involved in asana, types of contraction

Physiology. Explore the nervous system’s intricate responses, including the ‘fight, flight, freeze’ stress reactions and vagal theory. Understand the profound mind-body connection, and examine how yoga practice influences the cardiovascular, endocrine, and digestive systems. Delve into the respiratory system, focusing on the muscles involved in breathing, the dynamics of involuntary versus voluntary breath, and the process of air entering and leaving the body.

Biomechanics –Discover various joint movements and stabilization techniques, ensuring safe practices for balancing, stretching, and respecting physical limitations. Learn about contraindications, misalignments, and how to adapt movements effectively.

History – The term ‘Yoga’, historical perspective of Yoga, Yoga in ancient texts, school’s lineage, style and methodology, important dates and key ideas – Vedic period, Pre-classical era, Classical era, Middle Ages, Hatha Yoga 11 Century, Colonial era, Modern revival – 19th century with Swami Vivekananda and other great saints and Yogis, Vedas, Vedanta and Hatha.

Philosophy – definition of Yoga and key terms, relationship between asana, pranayama and meditation with reference from Yoga sutra and according to school’s approach, texts of Yoga – important topics from Yoga Sutra, relationship, message and similarity between Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, self-reflection on how philosophy relates to practice.

Ethics – Awareness of Yoga Sutras or similar Yogic ethical precepts, relationship to Yoga Alliance’s ethical commitment, comprehension of and responsibility to increase equity in Yoga, accountability measures, self-reflection on how Yoga ethics relate to practice and teaching.

Teaching Methodology – sequencing, pace, environment, cueing (verbal, visual, physical), class management.

Professional Development –. Explore key yoga professional organizations, including the Yoga Alliance and its credentialing process. Delve into ethical commitments such as scope of practice, code of conduct, and equity statements. Embrace a lifelong journey of learning and continuing education while upholding general professionalism—timeliness, consistency, and cleanliness. Understand the essentials of liability insurance, waivers, and invoicing to maintain a high standard of practice.

Practicum – knowledge, skills, experience across 12 key competencies, mentorship component, including apprenticeship and feedback.

Suggested Yoga Books for 200 Hours Yoga teacher training course –

Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha – Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Raja Yoga – Swami Vivekananda or

Four Chapters of freedom – Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Yoga Darshan – Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

Anatomy and Physiology – not specified