Curriculum Content & application of teaching methods

Our Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings & Intensive Retreats are a potent addition to integrate components of Yin and Restorative Yoga into your own daily practice and into the creative unfolding of your teaching. We encourage seasoned yoga facilitators as well as emerging and brand new students who wish to deepen their own practice or begin teaching and sharing the essential practice of Yin Yoga with others.

While each training is uniquely distinct in its thematics, objective, and agenda, Durga Excursions programming integrates varied aspects pulled from our curriculum content below.

Yin & Restorative Yoga Asana

Grounded in the Five Element Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, our yin modules are dedicated to a deep exploration of the Elements.

>>> EARTH | WATER | FIRE | METAL | WOOD <<<

earth

Earth element: Anatomical & Physiological principles. Directions of spine, joint actions. Individual informed architecture: pelvis & femur. Root chakra. Abundant nourishment. Nurturing self. Sustenance & sustainability. Reciprocal inhibition in Yin Asana. Digestion & Spleen function. The Belly Brain. Spinal Flexion - Forward folds. Balanced Give & Receive. Hara.

water

Neuro-immunologic importance of rest. Sleep vs Rest. Adaptive & Innate immunity. Restorative Yoga. Essentiality. Replenishment & Kidney function. Creativity. Quietude. Reallocation of internal reserves & resources. Equanimity. Excretion. Psoas & Pelvis Anatomy. Sacrum, Ilium, nutation. Axial Rotations- Spinal Twists. Fear, Overwhelm, Stress, Trauma. Resiliency.

fire

Conscious Communication. Kriyas & Kundalini. Adjustments. Cacao. Expansion. Bhakti: The yoga of Devotion. Circulation. Joy, Sorrow. Oxygenation & Heart Function. Authentic Relating, Diads. Shoulder anatomy & therapeutic asanas for torso. Spinal Extension - Backbends. Compassion - Karuna.

metal

Refinement & Elimination. Self-doubt and cultivation of confidence. Worth. Grief & Mourning. Transition & Lung Function. Mindfulness seminar. Shamata meditation. Ritualized routine. Teaching Practicum.

wood

Visioning. Jewels of Awareness. Sequencing. Transform & Evolve. Integration. Purification & Liver function. Flexibility in physical and mental aptitude. Smoothing the Chi body. Detoxification. Breath & Lines of Energy. Vipassana Meditation.

More Yin Yoga asana concepts we cover

dissolving tensions, strengthening joint stability, and cultivating elasticity in the body mind

embodied and informed anatomy and alignment, scientific bases for sequencing.
Chakras
Introduction of intermingling: Purpose & Methods from Yin
Yin Practice: Organ Health, Yin sequence for Kidney health, Inner smile, Roles of Self & the Fear body personality structure
Restorative Yoga: propping, modifications, physiology of rest, immunologic importance of rest
Nervous system reset
Digestive Health
Hara, Hara Breathing
Pranayam: Taoist Four Part Breath
Methodology & pedagogy in the aim to become a transformational facilitator
Managing group dynamics. Language & cuing.

Yang Yoga Asana

The Anatomy of Movement. Study of the skeleton, muscles and joints, the cardio-vascular system, the respiratory system and the endocrine system and how they are benefited by yoga.

Beginner & intermediate variations in classic sequencing; entry and exit of poses, breath in postures, checkpoints for alignment, benefits and contraindications, technical assists and adjustments. Standing & balancing asanas, increasing musculoskeletal resiliency, full directionality of the spine, core poses, supine poses, inversions, adaptations, muscular reciprocal inhibition, stimulative engagement, pranic ascent. Pranayams such as abdominal breathing, three-part breath, ujai pranayama, breath of joy, bastrika, kapalabhati, breath retention Kumbhaka. Bandas: mula, jalandhara and uddihaya. Kriya. Mantra.

Mindfulness Methodology

Goals paths & techniques of mindfulness. Guided practices, creative visualizations, contemplations, somatic sensations, inner inquiry and partner diad work. Pratyahara: Withdrawal of the senses. Resetting the nervous system, healing from past traumas, psychological self inquiry grounded in Buddhist practices. Buddha Dharma, and Spiritual Depth Psychology. Internal Family Systems , Karma, Dukkha, Shamata, Vipassana, The Noble Truths, The Divine Abodes.

Dharma Talks with Kali Basman here.