The Primary Series is especially designed to repair, rejuvenate, and strengthen the system for the purpose of yoga. Within the series there is also a strong focus on realigning the musculoskeletal system and toning the muscles in the lower abdomen and pelvic floor, which are, incidentally, very important for establishing the correct breathing technique.

You will have the option of practicing all the asanas, with modifications, and/or with props.

Dynamic flows practiced four to five times a week, learning principles of sequencing, designing and teaching Vinyasa Flow classes.

In the in-person module, you will receive a daily two-hour workshop focused on alignment and adjustment techniques for the main postures of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series and a few other more advanced postures. These workshops also include modifications, advance variations, adequate use of props, postures clinics (arm balances, backbends, inversions, among others), and regular hands-on adjustments practice.

You will learn the principles of sequencing in order to create Vinyasa Flow sequences based on a chosen theme; the principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting, verbal instructions, teaching styles, the qualities of a teacher, voice projection, floor presence, planning and structuring a class, dealing with injuries and safety precautions.

There will be plenty of guidance on how to improve and enhance your teaching skills and how to plan and structure a class. In the in-person module, you will start teaching one-on-one and then progress to teaching larger groups towards the end of the course. You will receive feedback from your teachers and your classmates as well, to help you to improve and to find your unique voice and style as a teacher.

You will learn and practice different breathing and meditation techniques such as nadi shodhana, kapalbhati, bhastrika, ujjayi and bhramari; chakra meditation and yoga nidra.

In these classes you will learn about:

• Meaning of yoga, concepts, history
• The four paths of yoga (Jnana, Raja, Bhakti, Karma Yoga)
• Nadis (energy channels), Chakras, kundalini
• Vedas and six systems of Indian philosophy
• Ashtanga yoga (Raja Yoga): aim of yoga, modification of mind, mental disposition, meaning of OM, eight limbs of yoga, Kriya yoga, Samyama yoga, Samadhi (enlightenment)
• Mudras, Bandhas & Kriyas: Introduction, different types, practice and its integration with meditation
• Obstacles on the path of yoga, means to overcome obstacles
• Concepts of Gunas (Satva, Rajas, Tamas) and their applications in daily life. Effects of food in Gunas
• Life style and ethics for a yoga practitioner and teacher.

During the in-person course, we will have open and interactive philosophy classes where you are free to ask questions related to spirituality, meditation or any other enquiry related to the content learned in the pre-recorded classes.

Our anatomy classes ensure an understanding of the key muscles and bones involved in asana practice and their associated health benefits and contraindications. Substantial emphasis is placed on analytic training, muscular and skeletal anatomy, individual limitations and differences. The specially designed practical anatomy classes are the backbone of the alignment classes. You will learn the following:

• Basic concepts of anatomy and physiology related to movement.
• Application of anatomical principles to yoga practice (mechanics of yoga asana, its benefits and contraindications, healthy patterns of movement, etc.).
• Practical anatomy with a major emphasis on the skeletal system, muscular system, connective tissue, nervous system, and movements of the major joints of the body.
• Muscular and skeletal differences; compression, tension, proportion and orientation theory.

All these topics are studied in the online course using pre-recorded lectures, manual, exercises and review questions. During the in-person anatomy workshops, you will clarify doubts with your teacher, work with classmates, and practice to understand the anatomical principles of asanas.