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Sunday, May 11, 2008    
Objectives for the 200 Hour Intensive Program   

The Sunstone Yoga® Teacher Training program is designed to expand your understanding of yogic practices and the learning techniques required for moving students safely in and out of yoga postures. We cover the core topics required to complete the 200 hour level of training recognized by Yoga Alliance, including technique, teaching methodology, meditation, anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment technique, philosophy, history, ethics, and the spiritual practices of Indic Yoga.

Our goal is to examine yoga from a variety of perspectives so your personal understanding of the essence of yogic teachings will evolve in a balanced manner. More specifically, by successfully completing the training with Sunstone, you will be able to reflect the safe techniques of teaching a set yoga sequence, and to know the relevance of yoga in today's world.

The Intensive training program allows you to complete virtually all of your hour requirements within 4 weeks, and includes daily yoga practice and a variety of courses from Monday - Sunday, plus self-study, homework assignments, required reading, and regular testing. Online forums, tests, reading materials and information, and regular contact with your teachers and fellow students will be provided on the Teacher Training web portal or in your daily sessions.

See a sample weekly schedule for a more complete understanding of the program and look to the course descriptions below for an more complete explanation of what will be required of you to fulfill your course requirements.

Hours Requirements
Focus Level Category Contact
Hour
s
Non-Contact
Hours
pink wristband Foundation Technique:
FIRE
90 0
orange wristband Desire Methodology Lab 42 50
orange wristband Practicum 10 0
yellow wristband Purpose Anatomy & Physiology 18 10
yellow wristband Nutrition & Health 2 0
green wristband Balance Philosophy & Lifestyle 21 35
green wristband Testing 8 5
blue wristband Openness Meditation 10 0
  Total Hours 201 100
* Non-Contact Hour Note   
Non-contact study hours are based on estimates only. The minimum requirement to achieve the 200 hour course level is 100 hours, and is based primarily on self-directed study time. Some students will naturally require more study and preparation time than others.
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful competion of this course, Sunstone Yoga will issue a certificate. Before we can do so you must meet all of the following criteria.
  • You have satisfactorily completed all of the required 200 hours.
  • You have the strength and ability to do all asanas trained in the heated room.
  • You have demonstrated a proven, confident verbal teaching technique.
  • You have paid all fees due on this course.
Course Descriptions  Print   
Technique is acquired by attending 50 regular 90-minute classes in 4 intense weeks. Classes included in this category are FIRE, WOOD and the advanced 84 ASANA class, with optional METAL, EARTH, and WATER classes. The remaining hours are acquired in daily Posture labs.

Teaching Methodology is the study of the unique teaching techniques used to successfully guide students into postures. Using a variety of proprietary and stimulating exercises, you will quickly master the teaching dialogue, and you will study demonstration, observation, assisting/correcting, personal teaching style, qualities of a teacher, and the student’s process of learning. Stressed is the FIRE Series teaching scripts used to effectively teach individuals or groups, proper pacing for each posture, voice projection, articulation, student inspiration, when to use and how to make safe hands-on corrections, and how to maintain the energy of the group. Non-contact hours are approximate, and based on personal study of the teaching script.

Students in intensive training will attend Methodology lab 3 times a week throughout the 4 week course, with the remaining hours acquired in Saturday WOOD class.

Practicum is based on student teaching 6 regular Sunstone Yoga Fire Series classes. Hours are a combination of supervised and unsupervised. Trainees do not begin their practicum until they have successfully demonstrated a proven, confident verbal teaching technique and sound knowledge of the Sunstone Yoga Fire Series script. For most students in the intensive training program, their practicum will begin after successfully completing the 4 week course. Following the practicum, trainees will be given a 1 hour assessement of their performance.

Anatomy & Physiology includes both physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc). Physical anatomy and physiology will be taught by a professional anatomy instructor.

Nutrition & Health provides an overview of conventional diets, radical diets, fasting, neti, cleansing, supplements and herbs. It is recommended that each student in the intensive program keep a food diary throughout the 4 weeks of training. A variety of appropriate diet books and resources will be available to enhance your personal journey toward better understanding your own body's nutritional needs.

Philosophy, Ethics & Lifestyle includes a lecture series on Yoga Scriptures, ethics (principles and practicality), and lifestyles of a yogi (subtle anatomy, discipline and personal experience). Philosophy study takes place approximately 3 times per week throughout the 4 week course. Non-contact hours are approximate and based on required reading, keeping a process diary, and personal study.

Testing & Operations includes a variety of short answer tests, classroom discussions, essay questions and an introduction to Sunstone Yoga Operations procedures. Contact hours for testing are based on review and feedback of your submissions by a qualified instructor.

Meditation teaches you about meditation, philosophy, practicality, modern methods and ancient techniques. Regular daily meditation will take place throughout the 4 week course.
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