Location: via Zoom online
Dates: October 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26, December 3 and 10 (6:30 – 8:30 pm)
Cost: $199
Teaching yoga to vulnerable populations, such as older adults, those with chronic pain/illness or complex health issues involves more than just adapting a few postures. Yoga was traditionally taught one on one, usually in situations where the teacher had intimate knowledge of the student and could fine tune the practice over perhaps years. To truly offer yoga as a transformative healing tool, teachers need to understand the importance of relationship and they need to bring a level of sensitivity to their teaching that demands superior professional knowledge.
Barriers to trying yoga in a group environment can include moving too quickly or movements that are physically unsafe or inaccessible for many bodies. Gentle yoga is just as powerful as other types of yoga but is carefully paced and adapted to the widest variety of bodies. The emphasis on even breathing married with careful movement offers a powerful tool to calm stress and build strength.
This 16 hour course will provide the professional skills to:
- teach basic gentle yoga to all ages and fitness levels;
- assess how students are breathing, and provide coaching on how to breathe more naturally and fully; and
- confidently discuss the benefits of yoga practice and how these benefits accrue.
Who Would Benefit from this Course?
Yoga teachers and fitness leaders could add teaching gentle yoga to their skill set after this course. Also, professionals who are interacting with seniors or other special populations and see the need to offer some movement as part of their work would also find this useful. For example, a clinical therapist teaching mindfulness (MBSR) or other somatic work could gain confidence in adding more movement to their therapies. Physiotherapists or kinesiologists would gain new appreciation for the connection of breath to movement and increase efficacy in their treatments. Medical professionals seeking new tools for pain management would also benefit. Recreational therapists and others working with older populations will find new material.
Upon completion of this course, the student will receive certification in “Teaching Basic Gentle Yoga”, as recognized by the international Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credit program. This course is also recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Both certifying bodies offer 16 CEU’s. This course also qualifies as credit toward the RYT 300 program at the Yoga Centre of Niagara.
Course Outline
History and Philosophy of Yoga (as it applies to Gentle Adaptations)
Anatomy of Breath (identifies five unhealthy breath patterns and provides interventional strategies)
The Magic of Movement Married with Breath
Developing Fluidity in the Nervous System
Definition of Gentle Yoga
Review of Specific Health Concerns
Creating a Safe Environment (trauma sensitivity)
Sequencing Movements
Practicum: Teaching Live Students in dyads, groups
At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to confidently and safely offer three different basic class outlines to their students. One is completely chair based, involving no getting up and down from the floor.
Course qualifies for 16 hours Continuing Education Credits through the Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.
For more information
Please contact info@cherylgordonyt.com or 289-687-1704.