ONLINE Self-Paced 100-hr Yin Yoga Teacher Certificate

Erika discusses the importance of grounding oneself in the earth for a sense of security and stability. She emphasizes the value of acknowledging both the pain and the gifts in our lives. She also introduces the idea of forgiveness, not just for ourselves, but for those who couldn't be there for us. Erika highlights the significance of understanding that we're all lineage bearers of our ancestors and the union that created us.

Erika starts the yin yoga session by focusing on the body's internal experience. Starting with the hero's pose, she emphasizes the importance of extending the stance for the feet and the spine. Various students from the group move the practice along, each taking turns teaching a pose and its transitions. The session involves guided breathing, relaxation, and surrender, encouraging participants to listen to their body's needs and boundaries. 

Homework* Read Powers through p. 83

Erika emphasizes the importance of pleasure and joy in our lives and the need to reconnect with our bodies and senses. The group discusses various aspects of yoga practice, including the significance of the pelvic region, the role of different organs and meridians in the body, and the importance of self-care and listening to one's body during practice.

The students take turns leading the group through various yoga poses, including Sphinx, Seal, Sleeping Swan, and Shoelace. Participants encouraged listening to their bodies and adjusting their positions, emphasizing the importance of comfort and alignment. 

Homework*  Read Little through p. 159

Maria leads a session on the Manipura Chakra, focusing on the solar plexus and its connection to strength, boundaries, emotional patterning, and self-regulation, and guides participants through various breathing exercises and yoga poses. The group also discussed the importance of intuition, gut feelings, and gut health in decision-making and overall well-being.

Maria and Erika provide an overview of the spleen organ and the significance of the associated organs, energies, and themes of the third chakra.

The group was offered a series of yoga poses, including the child’s pose, half saddle, dragon pose, and sleeping swan, “ popcorn-style.” The importance of breathing and connecting with the body during these poses was emphasized. Various poses were practiced, including the hero, half splits, and stick poses. The group encouraged each other to check in with their bodies and adjust the poses to suit their comfort levels.         

Homework*  Read Powers through p. 106

Erika discusses the importance of connecting the heart, mind, and body, emphasizing the role of the heart in making humans different from other creatures. She explains the concept of meridian theory, which is the same as prana in yoga and Sanskrit, and its role in linking all parts of us. Erika also discusses the importance of balancing yin and yang and how meridian theory can enhance each organ's function and relieve energetic and emotional blockages. Erika discusses the importance of using props in Yin yoga to make poses accessible and comfortable for all body types. She demonstrates various ways to modify poses using pillows, blankets, bolsters, and blocks, emphasizing the need to experiment with props to find what works best for each student.

Erika introduces acupressure tools and therapy balls for self-massage and pressure point release. She discusses the importance of understanding body psychology and trauma in the context of yoga and teaching. She emphasizes that everyone carries trauma, whether they acknowledge it or not, and that trauma is held in the physical body. Erika also highlighted the importance of compassion and understanding when dealing with others' experiences and emotions. She introduced the concept of patterned responses, which are coping mechanisms that can become ingrained due to adverse childhood experiences or other traumatic events. Erika shares the principles of a trauma-informed class setting, emphasizing safety, trust, choice, and control. She highlighted the importance of respecting individual comfort levels and offering choices and alternatives.

The group took turns leading a yoga session focused on the Heart-Lungs-Intestines sequence, encouraging participants to use props like tennis balls and bolsters for support. The importance of intentional breathing and grounding oneself was emphasized. The benefits of each pose and acupressure points were highlighted, such as relieving frustration, balancing moods, and improving circulation. Erika closes out the practice with a guided meditation using Yoga Nidra and a Reiki attunement

HOMEWORK * Read Little through p. 195

The group discusses teaching identity and yoga styles, Viniyoga's therapeutic origins, and proper class naming conventions. Erika stresses the importance of teaching what aligns with one's current training and comfort level. Erika discusses the importance of mastering one's Yoga practice and the role of intention, breath, and pressure in acupressure. She also explained the difference between acupressure and acupuncture. The group also discusses the psychology of Yoga Nidra and the practice of guided rest with imagery. 

Erika leads a meditative session, encouraging participants to connect with their bodies, hearts, and souls. Focused on relaxation, healing, and self-love, Erika uses Reiki and visualization techniques with a Yin Restore practice, emphasizing comfort and relaxation. Participants are encouraged to find their preferred pose and engage in passive breath work. A sharing circle concludes the practice.

HOMEWORK * Read Powers through p. 160. Prepare A 45-minute Presentation

Erika guides participants through yoga poses, focusing on forward stance positions, warrior poses, and balance exercises. She emphasizes proper alignment, breathing techniques, and body awareness throughout the sequence. The practice includes variations of the triangle pose, the humble warrior, and standing splits. Erika then leads the group through floor exercises, including hip openers and backbends, before finishing with the bridge pose and optional inversions like the shoulder stand or plow pose. The session concludes with a brief period of free-flow movements for counterbalancing.

Maria offers a beautiful sound bowl musical meditation for Savasana.

HOMEWORK *Read Little through p. 263. Continue preparing for a 45-minute Presentation

Erika discusses various meditation techniques and their purposes. She explains Shamata (calm abiding), Anapanasati (breath awareness without control), and Vipassana (witnessing and naming thoughts). She also mentions Metta (loving-kindness) and Karuna (compassion) practices. Erika emphasizes that these techniques help rewire the brain, create new neural pathways, and can be practiced in daily life. She encourages participants to share their experiences with meditation and changing thought patterns. Erika also introduces kapalabhati, bandhas, and humming to stimulate the nervous system, self-massage for the neck, jaw, and face, as well as using mantras or prayers to enhance their practice for self healing.

HOMEWORK *Read Powers through p. 186. Prepare Your 45 min Presentation

Erika leads a discussion and yoga session focusing on the importance of the third eye, the 1,000-petalled lotus, and the throat chakra in spiritual growth and the transformative power of yoga.

Focusing on the Chakras of the Upper Triangle, Erika guides participants through various poses, including bridge pose, twists, and happy baby pose, to activate and balance their bodies' energy. The session emphasizes the importance of breath control and the connection between the physical and spiritual aspects of the body.

Homework* FINALIZE Your Presentation

The group led various yoga and meditation sessions, focusing on different chakras and emphasizing the importance of mindfulness, self-awareness, and breath control. The sessions also included acupressure techniques, visualization, and breathing exercises to ease tension and promote relaxation.

Erika expresses her gratitude towards the participants for their dedication and commitment to the Yin Yoga teacher training. She emphasizes the importance of Sanskrit pronunciation and encouraged everyone to continue their studies in Sanskrit as advanced teachers. Erika mentions that the participants have completed two of the six Cloud Nine Yoga program modules and will receive a Yin Yoga teacher certification. The participants share their experiences and express gratitude for the opportunity to learn from each other. Erika ends the conversation by leading a closing circle, chanting AUM, and sharing appreciation for the training.