TEACHER TRAINING

OVERVIEW

Prajna Yoga is one of the most in-depth, comprehensive and transformational yoga programs available today. We start with the premise that a dedicated yoga practice involves not only physical discipline, but involves a combination of scientific rigor, profound contemplation, developed sensitivity and penetrating practice. Our aim is not to set up a yoga system that churns out students in a specific style or methodology of practice. In this sense our programs are akin to models of higher education; for our aim is to educate not indoctrinate, and to that extent, the Prajna Yoga In Depth Yogic Studies and Practice program offers a rich and varied curricula. The heart of the Prajna practice involves the weave of three main components– asana, anatomy and wisdom.

The aim of the asana portion of the program is to increase mindfulness within the yoga experience, for we feel that much of yoga today is done too fast and without precision and care. We emphasize “body intelligence”, detailed postural alignment and somatic awareness. We underscore the importance of wakefulness and presence within a pose, not the achievement of a pose itself.  To that end, the aim of Prajna Yoga is to integrate the insightful teachings on mindfulness  that stem from the Buddhist tradition with the techniques and practices within Hatha Yoga. We believe this to be the most potent means to transform mind and body. We teach yoga asana as a means to develop not only strength and flexibility, but to practice “skillful action”. We underscore the importance of how one’s approach to the physical practice on the mat is preparatory for how one thinks, feels and acts off the mat.

Central to Prajna Yoga is anatomical study. In order to assess posture and understand bio-mechanical function, one must have a good understanding of  the body’s structure and the relationships between structures. Our study is not a clinical approach based on memorization and listing the body’s structures, but a “living anatomy” approach wherein we integrate study and experiential practice.

The third component of our training, “prajna”, means insight or discriminating wisdom and so our intention is to train students to become more clear, informed and discerning practitioners. We study the central teachings of the yoga tradition (from the Vedas, Upanishads, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, the Buddha Dharma) not as abstract philosophy, but as living wisdom. Our training emphasizes the importance of engaging the mind in yoga practice in order to gain insight into one’s attitudes, view-points, identifications, agendas and (self) judgements . We address the importance of working with the emotional body and so approach the practice as a mind-body-heart discipline. To this end, we emphasis that seated meditation is a crucial to the growth and transformation of one’s entire being.

In the 200 Hour program, Sessions I-III offer a well of information for the practice and study of yoga. This is where the core  information on anatomical study, the foundation of the wisdom training and the foundation of asana training are given. In the 500 Hour Program, Session IV-VI are designed to enhance one’s teaching skills in the classroom and working with students. While we cover key information on teaching in the 200 hr program, it is in the 500 hour courses that the in-depth practicum take place.

Our home studio in the mountains of Santa Fe New Mexico is one of the most beautiful and serene locations for practice and study available today. Our class sizes are small and intimate as they are limited to 26 people. While offering a professional program designed for teachers to further their studies, it is also a program for students to deepen their own practice.

Here are some of the key components we offer:

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ASANA

The in-depth study of Yoga postures includes understanding opposing action, sequencing a practice, making hands-on adjustments, using props and teaching meditation. Each day includes a two-hour asana practice that builds off of the anatomical study and the study of correct sequencing. Practice sessions include both vinyasa or flowing sequences and slower break down sequences where individual poses are isolated and studied. Ultimately we emphasize precision of alignment combined with flow. We cover sun salutations, standing poses, seated forward bends, backbends, twists and inversions. We introduce pranayama techniques and the practice of yoga nidra. Students learn when it is appropriate to use props to support the poses particularly in the practice of restorative yoga, therapeutic yoga and yoga for people in recovery. A section of the training is devoted to the effects that trauma has on the body and the kinds of holding patterns that show up in the body due to a traumatic episode.

ANATOMY

The anatomy portion looks at the body from both the Eastern energetic and the Western anatomical perspectives. From the ancient yogic system we review the chakras, nadis, granthis, bindu and koshas. We study the science of the living anatomy by investigating the muscular-skeletal system, the fascia, the central nervous system, the organs, joints and cranial-sacral system. The anatomical study is directly applied to the study of the way energy flows through the asana. That is the anatomical study does not take a clinical approach based on memorization and listing the body’s structures. Rather it is an experiential guide to learning the structure of each pose in order to enhance the flow of prana through any given posture and to teach and practice the asanas safely. Prior experience in the study of anatomy is recommended but not required. The anatomical study is not limited to structural function, but includes a study of the emotional and psychological forces that impact physical structure.

WISDOM TRAINING

We emphasize the practice of meditation and encourage students to develop techniques to work directly with the mind. Through meditation practice students are encouraged to cultivate deep calm (shamatha) and insight (prajna). Students gain insight into the heart of the yoga teachings by studying the classical texts of the yoga tradition. These include Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, hymns from the Rg Veda, teachings from the Upanishads, verses from the Bhagavad Gita, and myths and stories that pertain to the study of yoga. Emphasis is given to the pith teachings of the Buddha on Impermanence, Wisdom and Compassion.

We apply the teachings of the Four Noble Truths, the Eight-fold Path, the story of the life of Siddhartha and the teachings on metta (loving kindness) to the practice of meditation and yoga. We undertake an initial study of the Sanskrit language. Students are encouraged to pronounce the asana names correctly and to be familiar with the powerful resonance and sounding of the Sanskrit language. To that end the practice of chanting is integral to the program. We investigate the meaning of the chant, the pronunciation and the meter or rhythm of each chant.