Balance Through Movement Yoga Teacher Training: Lead with Compassion, 200-hour YTT
Led by Balance Through Movement, hosted by The UNC Program on Integrative Medicine
Credit hours, 200 hours, 20 CEU Credit hoursBeginning Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023End Date: Sunday, March 24, 2024Need in the community, importance, community outreach:In addition, to lay people in the community who want to know more for their personal development and to teach yoga in a safe, helpful, and accessible way, clinicians, including physicians, physical therapists, nurses, clinical social workers, and clinical psychologists, are looking for tools and complementary techniques to teach their patients and clients how to cope with pain, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, etc.Lay people and health care providers experience stress and emotional strain that can manifest physically in the body. Yoga and other mindfulness practices taught in our curriculum help people reconnect mind and body and deal successfully with emotional and physical strain and tension.Most yoga teacher training programs offer instruction in a yoga practice designed for an athletic and flexible person. They are not readily accessible to people with other body types, injuries, illnesses, or pain. This "traditional" training typically lacks anatomy and physiology instruction and evidence for why this practice is helpful. Our curriculum teaches an inclusive and compassionate approach to yoga with a foundation in contemporary anatomy, neuroscience, and research-backed mindfulness tools.The general adult audience, students and fellows, and healthcare providers who wish to teach yoga and include it in their clinical practice or for their self-care.Description:200- hours of instruction, including lectures, practicum, discussion, independent reading and projects, embodied practice, and small group exercises to integrate our mind/body curriculum so that participants are ready to teach others yoga, teach components of yoga, and mindfulness to their clients and patients, and to have a deeper understanding of their mind/body connection for their self-care.
In each training session, the students will learn the following:
- Yoga asana (poses) focused on current anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological knowledge with modifications and variations for injury prevention, practice intentions, and awareness of different body types.
- Human anatomy, joint injuries, and movement limitations
- Mind & body awareness practices.
- Compassion-based practices
- Theory and evidence behind how this mindfulness practice is beneficial.
Agenda and corresponding Objectives: 11 weekends/ times/dates/asynchronous learning
WEEK 1: Welcome To Your YogaLearning Objectives: Explore what you hope to gain from the training as we review the history of yoga & introduction to the physical & subtle body. Discussion & practicum include:
- What is yoga?
- Anatomy & physiology of the human body
- Introduction to foundational asana and meditation practices
- Asana contraindication, variation, and modification
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 1*
WEEK 2: Accessibility & The Nervous System
Learning Objectives: How can you intentionally create brain-friendly classes that emotionally, physically, and cognitively support and address what might arise in you, your students, or your loved ones? We will take an in-depth look at the following:
- The anatomy and physiology of the brain and related nervous system part 1
- Creating versatile practices to bring yoga & mindfulness to diverse populations.
- "Other than asana" - the power of incorporating other forms of movement and meditation in your practice.
- How emotional and physical trauma can affect brain function, and how you can create a trauma-informed setting as a teacher.
- Connect with your body's language to identify potential markers of a dysregulated system or impending burnout.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 2*
WEEK 3: The Brain on Yoga
Learning Objectives: Yoga, mindfulness, breath-work, and relaxation exercises can support and change the way we feel, but what is the science behind why it works?
- The anatomy and physiology of the brain and related nervous system part 2.
- Aging and the brain: common age-related changes of the brain & benefits of yoga for the older adult
- Mental health and yoga
- Pain and the brain: evidence-based practices to reduce tension, anxiety, and pain-related discomfort.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 3*
WEEK 4: Movement As Medicine
Learning Objectives: Discover how to use somatic practices such as asana and physical therapy-inspired techniques to nurture biological variability and lead mindfulness and breath practices to influence the health of the nervous system.
- Explore the anatomy of breathing part 1.
- Review the anatomy and physiology of common injuries people often show up to yoga class, such as back pain, rotator cuff injury, knee injury, and neck pain.
- Discuss the role of movement, rest, breath, and mindfulness in healing from an anatomical and nervous system perspective.
- Explore sequencing and its role in a well-designed class.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 4*
WEEK 5: Body, Breath, and Energetic Anatomy
Learning Objectives: How can understanding energetic "anatomy" support your teaching? This weekend we will:
- Explore the anatomy of breathing, part 2.
- Explore the concepts of "energetic' anatomy.
- Learn how to adapt & incorporate these teachings for various populations.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 5*
WEEK 6: Cultivating Calm: Rest and Restoration
Learning Objectives: Through the teaching and exploration of restorative and healing asana, as well as complementary modalities to the physical practice of yoga, we will discover how to:
- Encourage muscular relaxation and myofascial release to typically tense/tight body areas.
- Explore the concepts of "energetic' anatomy.
- Learn and experience yoga Nidra practices to dive deeper into relaxation and understand the importance of rest for overall health and well-being.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 6*
WEEK 7: Creating Mindful Strength & Mobility
Learning Objectives: Discover the impact of a healthy myofascial system and tools to incorporate this into your practice and teach classes to others.
- Learn about the body's myofascial system and its impact on mobility.
- Practice asana that encourages the healthy muscular strengthening of typically weak or unstable areas of the body
- Use self-massage tools to supplement flexibility and movement exercises in yoga.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 7*
WEEK 8: Finding Your Voice As A Yoga Teacher
Learning Objectives: Discover your strengths, what you value as a teacher, and how your unique and authentic voice can guide others to a practice that is deeply fulfilling for them.
- Learn how to "set the container"--lighting, music, setting--in the classroom for our students so they feel comfortable and confident in you as a teacher.
- Explore your unique strengths through individual and group exercises.
- Develop sample sequencing and structuring of a class or workshop based on your voice and unique offering as a teacher.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 8*
WEEK 9: Getting Down To Business: What Is Next?
Learning Objectives: How do you incorporate these teachings into your professional or personal endeavors?
- Incorporate yoga and mindfulness into your current professional or personal community involvement.
- Discover wellness themes of classes or workshops most likely to attract students or a population you want to serve.
- Learn the ethics of teaching and working within a yoga or wellness business.
- Discuss how to approach studio owners to teach, market appeal for corporate classes, and plan workshops.
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 9*
WEEK 10: Pulling it all Together.
Learning Objectives: This weekend will feature:
- In-depth review, including a practicum with feedback.
- Shavasana deconstructed: tips, tools & techniques.
- Capstone project presentations part 1
ASYNCHRONOUS MODULE 10*
WEEK 11: Graduation
Learning Objectives:
- Capstone project presentations part 2
- Competency exam
- Course Survey
- Community reflections
*Asynchronous Learning Includes:
- Independent work on capstone projects to meet milestones.
- Reading assignments
- Journal reflections
- Yoga & mindfulness practice
- Pre-recorded content (all pre-recorded content must be completed to be eligible for a certificate of completion. You will have up to 2 months to complete after graduation)
**Additional Synchronous Learning Includes:
- Meetings with lead trainers for group mentoring
- Practice teaching with BTM mentors and fellow students
- Yoga Lab hours (2 per month)
- Capstone presentations from previous BTM grads
Upon completion of our accredited program, you will be eligible for the 200-hour level of certification through the UNC department of Integrative Medicine and able to register as a certified yoga teacher Through Yoga Alliance.
Evaluation and Procedure:
Practicums throughout the training, homework assignments, capstone project, written final exam, and course survey after the training,
UNC Payroll Deduction is available to University of North Carolina Employees
Course Leaders
Whitney and Laura are co-founders and lead trainers of the Lead with Compassion Yoga Teacher Training Program, hosted by UNC's Program on Integrative Medicine.
Whitney G. Wilkerson, NBC-HWC, E-RYT 500, Yoga Educator, and Balance Through Movement Founder
Whitney is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness coach in leadership development focusing on behavioral change and compassion-based interventions. She supports clients in building and maintaining physical, emotional, & spiritual health through cognitive inquiry, mindful awareness, and somatic exploration. Discover more about Whitney here.
Laura Terry, Master's in Physical Therapy, BA in Exercise and Sport Science, E-RYT 200, Yoga Educator, and Balance Through Movement Founder
A Physical Therapist since 1998 and a yoga instructor since 2008, Laura Terry combines the science of Physical Therapy and yoga's mind/body integration in her teaching. Laura has her private practice of Yoga and Physical Therapy in Chapel Hill. Learn more here about Laura and her practice.
Please visit our website, www.pim.med.unc.edu
FACEBOOK: @UNCPIM https://www.facebook.com/UNCpim/
Twitter: @UNC Mindfulness https://twitter.com/UNC_PIM
For more information, email mindfulness@med.unc.edu
