Upward Facing Dog

For several years now, I’ve wanted to take part in the 200-hour teacher training program offered by YogaSource Los Gatos, but for reasons until now, could not. Although I have not had the experience of having other yoga teacher training programs, I cannot imagine a more thorough, well-rounded introduction to teaching than this program. Year after year, I’d witness the new teachers coming out of this training and would be amazed me at their well-rounded experience and confidence to lead a challenging and fun class. I was excited to enroll this year beginning in January.

The Yoga Alliance certified program is lead by studio owner, Linda McGrath who never ceases to surprise the student with the depth of her knowledge and openness to thought. The first 100 hours begin in an offsite setting, this year, at the Nabalam Resort, in Isla Majerus Mexico. This first week has a heavy emphasis on anatomy which ties nicely into how to instruct an asana based on anatomy. Although there is great focus on teaching the new teacher not to diagnose pain or injury, there is a great amount of attention drawn to typical injuries from sports, general living and even yoga. When a student informs his teacher of a particular injury a new teacher would feel prepared for how the student can address his practice without further injuring himself while getting the most from his practice.

So much is covered in the anatomy, starting with basics: bone, muscles, tendons and ligaments. But the curriculum takes a sidebar many times to address the individuality of every single body’s structure. An in-depth analysis of our own bodies plus review of Paul Grilly’s video on Yoga Anatomy really brought to light the differences of body structure and how one asana can and should vary from individual to individual. The point was driven home on safety first.

Along with anatomy, Linda covers teaching styles, and “how to teach” starting with the very basic sun salutation. Her approach to teaching a sun salutation is nothing short of brilliant. You’d expect to start in Tadasana (mountain pose), however, Linda starts by addressing the more difficult, high plank to low plank, focusing on alignment of the hands, shoulders, hips and elbows in both poses and proper transition. Later, the student learns how to connect the breath through movement (if not yet aware of that) and how to instruct and move with the students at the same time.

As a student in this program, I really appreciated the intense structure that Linda brought to the curriculum. She mathematically analyzed styles of yoga practices based on how well-rounded they are for the body as well as challenged the student to anatomically understand each asana. On the flip side, Linda’s sense of creativity kept the students energy engaged.

In addition to the strong focus on anatomy, the student is exposed to meditation styles (there’s a 30 minute daily morning meditation), ayurveda and the nervous system. By the end of the 100 hours, a student is able to instruct a 90-minute class.

Back in Los Gatos, the next 100 hours address the art of sequencing a vinyasa flow structured under an anatomy foundation. A teacher instructing for a particular theme, such as a particular asana, part of the body, or even a specific audience is challenged to create a 90-minute Power or vinyasa flow class for the particular subject. The student soon learns how to turn even a simple sun salutation into addressing a body part or a using the sun salutation to prepare the body for more a challenging asana to try later in the class. Linda demonstrates her own creative ability to “think outside the box” of a structured Power class and inspires the student teacher to do the same.

While the program focuses on teaching technique (how to teach), there is an equal amount of attention given to the history of yoga, starting with India’s Vedas, Upanishads and Bagahavad Gita, which served as a refresher from my college studies. Moving on, lectures covered the dualistic philosophy of Pantanjali, Krishnamacharya and his lineage, Patahbi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, TKV Desikachar as well as non-dualistic approaches such as Tantra and Buddhism. Each lecture left me a bit poorer, as I was always inspired to buy a new book to read!

The program has only time to touch a bit on these philosophies, however it does challenge the students’ own considerations about each one. The focus of this program is given mainly to teaching a creative, challenging, focused and safe yoga practice, which is perfect for the beginner teacher. It’s well-roundedness truly prepares the individual properly. Even the most hesitant, introverted individual will feel ready to address a class full of eager yogis. Although it was sad for it to come to an end after three months, the timing felt just right. Overall, I felt the 200-hour Teacher Training Program at YogaSource Los Gatos program was truly nourishment for the mind, body and soul.