Our Program
Alchemy Yoga comprehensive teacher training is designed not only a chance to become a certified teacher but for you to gain an understanding and learn the many layers of yoga, deepen and advance your practice, grow deeply within yourself, develop confidence and find your own unique voice of becoming a teacher.
Our training program emphasizes the importance of living your yoga on and off your mat with integrity, the ability to share from the heart passionately, teach skillfully and compassionately and to inspire others to do the same. We are here to help you develop a solid foundation as a yoga teacher.
Our teaching style is a mix of Traditional Hatha and Vinyasa Flow.
Techniques
Learning combines techniques to create a strong foundation of knowledge and skill of Hatha Yoga.
Full Spectrum
Full spectrum of asanas, benefits, Hands-on assisting & use of props, precaution and modifications.
Teachings
Teaching methodology, supervise practice teaching, class planning techniques out sequential development of poses for various levels of classes.
Benefits
Specific set of poses (asanas) verbal instructions that give you confidence and knowledge needed to lead a group class. You’ll also learn how to use tone-of-voice, word choice, and volume to be even more effective.
Technique Training/Practice
The Art of Alignment / Approximately 100 hours
In this component of the program, we will explore different asanas. We aim to increase mindfulness within the yoga experience, attention to sequencing and class structure, as well as “body intelligence,” will be emphasized.
The technique/practice component includes but not limited to:
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Practice of Yoga Asanas/Alchemy Yoga Series
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Benefits and contraindications of each Asana
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Bandhas and Breath (the movement and how to control it)
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Alignment Guidelines: Standing Poses, Backbends, Balancing, Inversion, Core
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Variations and modifications, including use of props
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Introduction to Adjustments and Essential Techniques
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Ethics of Hands-On Adjustment
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Adjustment: Standing, Balancing, Twisting, Forward Bending, Back Bend, Inversion, Savasana
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Instruct students on entering and exiting the posture safely, precisely, and with clear instruction
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Key points for teaching beginners and with injuries or limited movement
Teaching Methodology
The Art of Teaching / Approximately 25 hours
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Principles of demonstration, assisting, refinement, instructions, teaching styles
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Observation Methods
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Principles of Sequencing
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Exploring Voice and Language (Elements of Voice)
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Learn both physical and verbal adjustments
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Plan and Design classes
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Pacing
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Foundation of assisting and modification
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Teaching Styles and the varieties of approach
Yoga Philosophy/Ethics
Approximately 20 hours
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Yoga History – study of the major influencing teachers, texts and development of Yoga over the centuries
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Ethics of Yoga – overview of the importance of the 8 limbs of yoga to gain insight into one’s attitudes and viewpoints, exploration of the spiritual path of Yoga
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Yoga Sutra
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Chanting – become familiar with several Vedic Mantras
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Mythology of Yoga Goddesses and how we can relate to personal development and classes
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Address the importance of working with the emotional body and to approach the practice as a mind-body-heart discipline.
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Qualities and Ethics of a Yoga Teacher
Meditation/Pranayama
The Art of Breath / Approximately 5 hours
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Pranayama is the study of breath control, the “Prana” life force energy.
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Learn to teach various pranayama breathing techniques such as Ujjayi, Dirga, Nadi breath;
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Practice pranayama and meditation each training session
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They're used in Asana practice.
Anatomy / Physiology
Approximately 25 hours
To assess posture and understand bio-mechanical function, one must have a good understanding of the body’s structure and the relationships between structures. Yoga asana requires the anatomy of stable and easy movement in the human body to effectively guide students in, through and out of asana in a safe, clear and efficient way. You learn key muscles, bones, joints and connective structures along with terms of movement and alignment principles that foster both understanding and the safe application of asana for a wide range of considerations and abilities.
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Anatomy for Yoga
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Understand general principles of basic anatomy and bio-mechanics of the human body with direct application to yoga asanas and as they apply to teaching yoga
Personal Practice Hours
Approximately 20 hours
A minimum of 20 hours is required of your own personal yoga. A strong personal practice will aid you to teach, enhance creativity and develop a yogic lifestyle. These hours can be completed by taking different yoga classes. We recommend taking various workshops that will be taking place with the Toronto yoga community. Any workshops or classes taken may also be used towards these 20 hours.
Typical Schedule & Hours
SAMPLE PROGRAM HOURS
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Fridays 2:30 – 6:00 pm
Saturdays 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sundays 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
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SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
8:00 – 9:00 am Morning Practices Yoga, Breath work, Meditation, Relaxation
9:30 am - 12:00 pm Morning Sessions Teaching, training, practice, integration, practicums
1:00 - 7:00 pm Afternoon Sessions Teaching, training, practice, integration, practicums
5:00 - 6:00 pm Afternoon Practice*
Curriculum
Total curriculum includes both contact hours and personal study/practice (non-contact)
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Technique Training / Practice 100 hours
Anatomy & Physiology 25 hours
Teaching Methodology 25 hours
Yoga Philosophy / Ethics 20 hours
Pranayama / Meditation 5 hours
Practicum 5 hours
Elective, Assignment, Personal Study (Non- Contact Hours) 20 hours
Personal Practice (taken during the training at Alchemy Yoga or at another studio) 20 hours
Volunteer Hours (Non-Contact Hours) 5 hours
***Exceeds Yoga Alliance Standards
yinYoga Teacher Training
30 Hrs Certification: Upon completion, you will be eligible to register 25 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) with Yoga Alliance (YA)
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Learn a unique way to deepen your overall practice and address tissues rarely worked in more active yang styles of yoga. This training provides:
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Information about the philosophy and practice of yin yoga
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An exploration of the similarities between Eastern models of mind/body/energy principles (both Daoist and yogic) and Western scientific models
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An understanding of the difference between yin and yang styles of yoga
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Insight into energy including prana, qi (chi) and the meridians, and Western energy medicine
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Findings of the latest fascia research
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Effect of Yin Yoga on fascia and meridians
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The building of Yin Yoga sequences
Prerequisites:
Practitioners wishing to broaden, deepen their skills, and have a strong practice of yoga.
Yoga teachers to refresh, renew, and to deepen their practice and study of Yin and to teach Yin yoga in general.
