300 hr Foundational Teacher Training Course Syllabus

Introduction

 

Lime House Yoga was founded in 2011 by Jock and Emma on the north coast of Cornwall, only a short walk from the beach. We provide weekly classes, workshops, retreats and training courses covering all aspects of yoga and meditation.  We teach a range of yoga styles with a holistic approach to our teaching and training.

 

We believe that what we do can change the world we live in.  Cornwall is a beautiful place and we feel blessed to live here, so minimising our impact on the natural environment and making ethical choices about how we do business is important to us.  We also donate 5% of our annual profit to handpicked local charities who we think are changing the world.

 

At Lime House Yoga, our aim is to create community through yoga.  We do that by:

 

  1. Providing a space where people feel welcomed, supported and nurtured in mind and body

 

  1. Providing exceptional yoga and meditation teaching, enabling people to strengthen their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing

 

  1. Training individuals to become safe, resilient and inspirational teachers

 

 

Foundation teacher training certificate (300hrs)

 

Teaching yoga is what we love and it is both a unique privilege and a huge responsibility.  Becoming an inspirational teacher requires humility, integrity, experience and a commitment to practice and personal growth.

 

We have designed a 300 hour Teacher Training Programme delivered over 12 months, to allow more time for students to learn at their own pace and have the opportunity to put learning into practice in a safe and supportive teaching environment.  Besides a thorough grounding in yoga practice, philosophy, anatomy and business, each student will also receive 1-1 mentoring with the principal teachers throughout the course.

 

We are passionate about supporting individuals on their person journey of growth.  This teacher training programme isn’t just for people who want to teach, but also those who wish to deepen their understanding of the practice, theory and philosophy of yoga.

 

 

Course Entry Requirements

 

Students who apply for the teacher training programme must meet the following entry requirements:

 

  • A minimum of 2 years yoga practice
  • Submission of a completed application form
  • Interview with one of the teaching faculty

 

Applicants should recognise that the course will be demanding, both during and between taught modules.  Successful completion of the course will require significant effort, focus and practice.  Students should ensure they have both the time and the personal support they need to commit to the course fully.  Please discuss any concerns you may have or additional support needs at interview.

 

Course hours and accreditation

 

This is a 300 hour status registered course, accredited by Yoga Alliance Professionals (YAP).  The YAP guidance is for a minimum of 70% of the qualification hours to be contact hours with the teacher.  Our programme contains 83% contact hours and a further 190 non-contact hours giving you over 400 hours of study.

 

  • Tutor led: 120 hours theory, 131 hours practice (251 hours tutor led)
  • External tutor led: Minimum 75 hours (1 weekly class attendance)
  • Student home work: 30 hours theory, 85 hours practice
  • Total commitment: 441 hours

 

Course Aims

 

  1. To support students to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to become safe and inspirational yoga teachers with the ability to meet each student’s needs in the teaching environment

 

  1. To develop and maintain a regular personal yoga and meditation practice providing a basis for the teachers own continued personal and professional growth and development in the practice, philosophy and principles of yoga

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes

 

  1. Understand and safely teach a range of key yoga asanas

 

  1. Demonstrate safe and thoughtful adjustment of a range of yoga poses

 

  1. Recognise body types and limitations and modify asanas accordingly for individual students within a class environment

 

  1. Maintain a personal practice which includes a wide range of yoga ansana safely and with confidence, using modifications suitable for one’s own body type

 

  1. Know and pronounce the English and Sanskrit names of yoga asanas and pranayama techniques

 

  1. Understand the key elements that support a safe and successful yoga business

 

  1. Create and maintain a safe, professional and ethical yoga teaching environment

 

  1. Understand the value of social action and find ways to get involved in community work

 

  1. Reflect on teaching skills and experience and identify areas for further study and development

 

  1. Design and deliver lesson and course plans

 

  1. Understanding of basic anatomy and physiology and apply this to yoga practice and teaching

 

  1. To understand, practice and teach a range of pranayama techniques

 

  1. Understand the origins of yoga and how it has developed including modern usage

 

  1. Understand the role of mantra within the yoga practice, including function and meaning

 

  1. Understand basic concepts of meditation and foundations of practice, as well as awareness of different styles

 

  1. Develop a personal meditation practice and explain the benefits of meditation and mindfulness

 

  1. Understand a range of yoga styles and their lineage

 

  1. Build awareness of own body type and Ayurvedic constitution and how to maintain good personal health

 

  1. Reflect on and evaluate teaching style, learning progress and achievements

 

  1. Understand how to give and receive effective feedback

 

  1. Cultivate self-awareness, humility and self-responsibility

 

 

 

 

 

 

Syllabus

 

Name of Main Teachers: Jock Orton and Lucinda Pimlott both registered Senior Yoga Alliance Professional teachers

 

Topic Content Contact Hours Non-contact hours Teacher
Introduction ·      Personal journey of the teacher

·      Teacher as a guide (not a guru) to students own personal journey of exploration

·      Importance of personal practice and study

·      Course outline

·      Expectations and study

·      Understanding of your own and others learning styles

·      LHY Code of conduct

 2 Jock

Lucinda
Asana

 

 For each of these key postures the study of: form, function, methods of moving into and out of, precautions, teaching tools, adjustments, modifications and variations:

 

·      Surya Namaskar A&B

·      Twists

·      Forward bends

·      Back bending

·      Inversions

·      Standing poses

·      Hips

·      Arm balances

·      Contraindications and special groups

 95 75 (class attendance)

 

3 (final observed lesson)

 

5 (theory papers)

 Jock

Lucinda
Adjustment and Alignment To understand the alignment and be able to adjust all the poses covered in the Asana theme.

 

·      How and when to give verbal cues vs physical adjustment

·      Observation and listening skills

·      Appropriate adjustment, consent and personal space

·      Understanding of trauma and ensuring professional teacher/student relationship is maintained

 10 10 (home teaching practice)

 

10 (1-2-1 preparation, teaching and review)

 Jock
The business of Yoga

 

 

 Business

·      Getting started (student forms, insurance, room hire etc)

·      Health and safety

·      Risk assessment [including how to identify students that you are not able/qualified to teach and how to refer them on]

·      Data protection and information governance

·      Ethical conduct – personal qualities and boundaries, adjusting and consent

·      Professional conduct

·      Marketing (social media, print, newsletter, paid for advertising, website, developing your authentic voice)

·      Environmental and social responsibility

 

 3 3 Emma
Building a yoga community ·      Volunteering, social action and social responsibility

·      Getting involved in your community (Sangha)

 2 Emma
The Art of Teaching

 

 

 The art of good teaching

·      Listening

·      Observation

·      Communication

·      Learning styles

·      Demonstration

·      Ethics and respect

·      Helping you to find your own authentic voice as a teacher

·      Limitations (not teaching what you can’t do/don’t truly understand)

·      Being Present (holding the space of a class, being the strongest spinning plate)

·      The importance of supervision and mentoring

·      Understanding the needs of different levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced

 

 10 5 (lesson plans)

 

 

 Jock

Lucinda
Teaching practice ·      Class structure and planning

·      Sequencing

·      Theming

 30 10 (teaching practice)

 

15 (beginners course)

 

6 (final teaching observation)

 Jock

Lucinda
Anatomy and physiology

 

 ·      Functional anatomy of yoga

·      Body types

·      Knowing your own shape and edges

·      Muscles, bones and organs

·      Lymphatic, endocrine, digestive and nervous systems

 

 20 5 Jock
Pranayama and breath work Methodology and benefits, contraindications

·      Ujayi

·      Nadi shodana

·      Kapalabhati

·      Viloma

·      Kumbhaka

·      Kriyas

 10 5 (self practice) Jock

Lucinda
Philosophy ·      Chronology and history of Yoga

·      Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga

·      Non-dualism (Tantra, Buddhism)

·      Koshas

·      Chakras

·      Bhagavad Gita

 20 4 (essay)

 

2 (presentation)

 Jock

Lucinda

 
Mantra Overview of mantra

·      Gayatri mantras

·      Ashtanga invocation

 2
Meditation Theory and practice

·      Vipassana/Insight

·      Thich Nhat Hanh

·      Yoga Nidra

 15 10 (self practice)

 

3 (meditation and reflective diary)

 Lucinda
Yoga styles Overview of a range of different styles, lineage and development

 

·      Ashtanga Vinyasa

·      Iyengar

·      Anusara

·      Yin and Restorative

·      Khundalini

·      Hatha

·      Vinyasa flow

·      Jiva Mukti

 

 2 6 (class attendance)

 

3 (essay)

 Jock

 
Complementary practices Aurveyda and yoga

·      Do questionnaire and take through what that means for yoga practice

·      Nutrition and healthy eating

 3 10 Lucinda
First Aid for Yoga Understanding of basic first aid techniques for use in a yoga class or workshop

 

 6
Mentoring and tutorials ·      1-1’s

·      Group tutorials (satsang)

 7hrs –

(30 mins per student

per month)

 

14 – group

 
Total   251 190  
Post course Supervision 1 year post course supervision

 

 

 

The Teaching Faculty

 

Our programme is run by Yoga Alliance Professionals Senior Teachers – Jock Orton and Lucinda Pimlott.  Please see here for their biographies

 

Pre-course reading list

 

Mandatory

  • Light on Yoga – BKS Iyengar
  • The Heart of Yoga – Desikachar
  • Functional Anatomy of Yoga – David Keil

Additional favourites

  • Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit – A Return to Wholeness – Donna Farhi

 

Expectations of the student

 

  • To develop and maintain a daily practice. This may be a combination of self-practice and taught classes and can include yoga and/or meditation.
  • To attend every module and make alternative arrangements to catch up if necessary
  • To engage with the practical and theoretical subjects and extend areas of study according to one’s own knowledge and interest
  • To understand that this training course is the beginning of your yoga teaching journey and to develop a commitment to ongoing personal growth and development
  • To understand one’s own limits and not teach beyond them
  • To agree and work within, the LHY Code of Professional Conduct

 

 

Commitment of Lime House Yoga and your teachers

 

  • Teachers will be experienced, knowledgeable, approachable and prepared, able to convey the subject matter in a way that makes sense for the student
  • Teachers will give feedback in a constructive and positive way that enhances the students learning
  • Senior teachers who are mentoring newly qualified teachers will communicate clearly and supportively about a teachers progression, skill and any areas of development that may be required

 

Assessment

 

Becoming an inspirational teacher starts with your own personal practice and we will expect students to develop a daily practice.  This is the foundation for your ongoing learning and growth.

 

The course will include a mixture of theory and practical learning and will have a number of assessments including exams, observed teaching and essay papers.

 

In addition to completing all homework, written and practical assessments, in order to graduate students must attend 100% of the taught course.  Should a student miss a module then they will be required to catch up by agreement with the tutor.  Additional tutor time will incur an extra charge.

 

 

 

Practical

 

  1. Build and maintain a regular personal practice and attend regular classes with a qualified teacher for a minimum of 75 hours during the course

 

  1. Students teaching will be assessed throughout the course and they will be expected to practice effective verbal and physical adjustments in small groups

 

  1. Plan, deliver and review a 6 week beginners course

 

  1. Delivery of a 10 minute meditation to the group

 

  1. Formal assessment of teaching will be to prepare, teach and review 90 min group-led class

 

 

 

Theory

 

  1. Three lesson plans culminating in designated apex pose for mixed ability class

 

  1. Two papers on how to teach a pose (300 words each)

 

  1. Two written client case studies (300 words each)

 

  1. Production of the following documents: new student form, student feedback form and Code of Conduct

 

  1. A self-reflective diary on your personal meditation practice

 

  1. Written essay on the history of yoga with a focus on one element which resonates with the student (750 words)

 

  1. 5 min presentation on a Yama/Niyama which resonates with the student

 

  1. Written essay about the lineage and history of the different yoga styles (1000 words)

 

  1. Production of a personal health care plan

 

  1. A written exam on anatomy and physiology

 

 

Further details and support on each assessment will be given during the course.