Mastering the often simple but powerful therapeutic applications of asana, pranayama, and meditation for a diversity of populations and conditions is an essential skill for yoga teachers in today’s world. Some yoga students are old, some are young. Some want simply to sleep at night, some want to get off drugs, some want to learn meditation, and some want to stretch their hamstrings or heal a sports injury. Knowing when to teach what to whom requires extensive knowledge about a vast array of yoga “tools” and how to put them together.

One of those tools is knowledge of how the body works, or Anatomy and Physiology! This foundational work is critical to your understanding and safe teaching of the yoga postures. We love and use David Keil’s book, Functional Anatomy of Yoga and incorporate his online Comprehensive (21 module) Yoga Anatomy course into the training. Whether preparing to teach conscious breathing to veterans with post traumatic stress, sun salutations to cancer survivors, or meditation to athletes, our training gives you an opportunity to practice and experience a variety of ways to “teach” yoga.

The depth and skill of teaching comes out of a regular and dedicated practice. Many students are longing to go deeper into the internal world of meditation and pranayama or to explore the encoded teachings of the Yoga Texts. Others are longing to heal deep wounds or find peace in this chaotic world. You, as a 500 hour certified teacher, have the opportunity to guide these seekers on the next step on their journey – but only if you grow and deepen your own practice. When you practice, the whole world is depending on your dedication. We practice not only for ourselves, but to strengthen the collective unconscious and make it possible for all to aspire to higher meaning and awareness, and greater peace of mind and happiness.

Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga, teaches us how to care for our whole self, and plant-based diets offer specific wisdom that is now supported by modern research. Ayurveda has its origins firmly rooted in the ancient practices and rituals of India. The five elements of nature, earth, water, fire, air, and space, are uniquely different and come together to form the three doshas, vata, pitta and kapha. All three of the doshas are found in varying proportions in everyone, and they combine to form the unique physical characteristics and psychological qualities that make you, you.

We will connect the yogic tradition of Ayurveda and vegetarian diets to the current evidence on plant-based eating styles for vibrant health and longevity. Plant-based eating does not focus on restricting animal products, but emphasizes the proven benefits of incorporating specific foods, carefully sources, into daily life for personal and planetary health. We will explore how to achieve a nutrient rich diet for a variety of lifecycle stages and special considerations. Your students will appreciate your studies and awareness of this fascinating and constantly changing field, that is proving to be a major component of longevity.

It is important to understand that the ancient texts of the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita are the foundation of our teacher training program and, really, of all yoga studies. These texts – which detailed over 2000 years ago in both practical and esoteric language the brilliant methodology of the yoga path – are exciting to explore, especially with the help of wise and inspired teachers who can bring them to life and make them accessible, fascinating and fun.

One of the most powerful attributes of the classical yoga system is that the practitioner does not need to accept any specific dogma or ideology in order to study and practice the discipline. In this way, the yoga path can be compatible with all religious traditions and is a very scientific form of personal growth and evolution – you can take it as far as you like – just do the practices and see what happens. If you like what is happening, you can continue. If you don’t, you can leave it behind.

As yogis and yoga practitioners, we have been preparing for challenging times like these for years. This moment isn’t a mistake. This is a lesson. A HUGE lesson. This is why we practice – to be strong, resilient, and clear. It is time for us to become the leaders in our communities and speak out for injustice. We are the voices for those who have no voice and it is our duty to struggle and push back against greed, hatred, and racism. Yoga isn’t something you just do on your mat. It is to be shared with all, and practiced all the time, 24/7, out in the world.

There are many ways to practice yoga, and to teach yoga. Certainly one of them is to rise up, speak out, and lead the parade. Find your dharma through your practice.

Seva (service) isn’t something you do part time, or only on Wednesday afternoons – it’s a lifestyle and awareness you bring into every aspect of your life, and it is born out of your personal yoga practice. Yoga is an experience – an experience of connection and boundlessness. You can’t talk about it or learn about it in books – you can only have it – through practice! Once that experience of yoga happens, it changes you. The realization comes that there really isn’t anything else to do with your life except to take your yoga out into the world, help others, and be of service to our planet and all its residents. We reach out not only through online teaching traditional asana through traditional studios, but by connecting with and empowering the underserved and under resourced populations in our communities.