Sun&Moon Yoga (CYA-RYS Gold Member)

School Info

At Sun&Moon Yoga, we practice and study yoga as part of a living and evolving practice rooted in sacred tradition. My classes are taught from the viewpoint that yoga is a sacred art and discipline. We continuously honour and bow to the teachings and lineage of wisdom teachers.
The main focus of my teacher training programs are two-fold: Alignment and Philosophical/Spiritual investigation. Alignment refers to the physical, postural alignment but also to an inner refinement of concentration and awareness . Spiritual investigation refers to reading, contemplating and discussing wisdom teachings in the classroom and through homework.

Course Outline

1. Anatomy & Physiology
YTT200-hours:
(Western) Anatomy is taught by Diana Perez and by the Lead Trainer during Posture Analysis (PA) classes.
The students learn about the musculoskeletal system (bones, ligaments, joint actions, planes of motion, types of muscle contraction), mechanics of the spine and pelvis, intro to fascial foundations, autonomic nervous system, basic biomechanics and alignment and application in yogāsana for safety and efficiency in practice and teaching.
YTT300-hours:
Refinement of (Western) Anatomy taught on the YTT200-hours level. Teacher: Colleen Jorgensen and by the Lead Trainer during Posture Analysis classes. Lectures include Embryology, Fascia, Neuroanatomy, Polyvagal Theory and Pain Care in Yoga and Somatic Movement.

2. Study of Asanas
YTT200-hours:
In morning classes, the students practice the different categories of postures. In PA classes, we analyze the basic postures from the view point of anatomy and alignment. We look at how to safely enter and exit those postures, what kind of warm-ups are required to support them and how those postures relate to other postures in terms of similar structure or as counter posture.
YTT300-hours:
In morning classes, the students practice the different categories of postures. In PA classes, we solidify already taught elements of building a posture sequentially. Postures of more complex nature are added.

3. Study of Pranayama
YTT200-hours:
Prāṇāyāma: 3-part breathing, Full Yogic Breath, Ujjayī, Nāḍī Śodhana, Viloma A and B, Kapālabhāti. Theory and practice. In addition to specific lectures on these techniques and the incorporation of them into the morning classes, the students also study in a textbook and practice on their own.
YTT300-hours:
Continuing studies of how mind, breath and deeper states of concentration are interlinked, from the perspective of tradition ((Patañjali, Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā and Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra as examples) and longer practices in the classroom. Dvādaśānta prāṇāyāma is practiced regularly.

4 and 5: Study of Energy Systems and of Energy Bodies
YTT200-hours:
Energetic Anatomy (breath, prāṇā, bandhas, vāyus, cakras and mudrā) in theory and application. Here we also study the koṣas. Through Āyurvedic lecture, they learn about the doṣas and lifestyle in harmony with those. Through the studies of Patañjali Yoga Sūtra, the Bhagavad Gītā, Saṁkhyā and Tantra Cosmology the students get an insight of the yogic view of the body as microcosm of the universe.
YTT300-hours:
The main basis of practice is Trika Yoga as taught by my guru Swami Lakṣmanjū and his disciple and my teacher Mark S. G. Dyczkowski. Trika Yoga teaches yoga as upāyas and involves what can be roughly categorized as prānic yoga and cognitive yoga. The body is taught as being a microcosm of the universe and we carefully map out the cakras and the nāḍīs and how inner, energetic harmonization brings about awakening.

6. Yoga Philosophy
YTT200-hours:
The students study and contemplate the Patañjali Yoga Sūtra-s, Bhagavad Gītā and basic tantra. In the classroom, we discuss content, socio-cultural background to the birth of these texts and practical application of yogic lifestyle for us as modern yoga practitioners. As an example of homework, the students explore the yamas and niyamas and write about their experiences.
YTT300-hours:
We take a closer look at the Vedic revelation including the Upaniṣads and a resume of the foundational texts and systems studied in YTT200-hours follows. The Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā is studied from the background of older and foundational haṭha yoga texts such as the Amṛtasiddhiyogaśāstra and the Dāttatreyayogaśāstra. We discuss: How is Haṭha Yoga different today? Which practices are still relevant? Why is Haṭha Yoga often told as being 'Gentle Yoga' when in fact Haṭha Yoga means 'yoga by means of force' (as translated from Sanskrit as a tatpuruṣa compund)? What is that 'force'? We study, contemplate and discuss tantric texts within the Kaśmirī Yoga tradition: Pratyabhijñāhṛdayam, Spanda-Karikās and excerpts of Vijñānabhairava Tantra and Śiva-Sūtras and some verses from the Tantrāloka. How can these texts support us today, a thousand year later in a modern society?

7. Teaching Methodology
YTT200-hours:
Topics include studies of Learning and Teaching styles, how to sequence and design classes basic classes including students using chair, how to give directions with specific commands and how to use voice. These classes work together with the Posture Analysis and Practice Teaching classes where anatomy, alignment, methodology and practicing on each other are integrated.
YTT300-hours:
Prop usage and assist and adjustment continued from YTT200-hours. Refinement in verbal communication and assists so that we move from general instructions to personalized and specific instructions to the individual student. In addition, a guest teacher teaches Accessibility and Trauma-Informed Yoga so that the students are given tools to give more inclusive classes and also know a proper vocabulary within this context. The YTT300-hours students also come in to supervise and guide the YTT200-hours students at several occasions.

8. Other
YTT200-hours:
Two exams are given. One is halfway through the course as a means to see if the student is keeping a good pace of studies. The final exam includes all topics studied during the whole program.
YTT300-hours:
Sanskrit studies run parallel with Yoga Philosophy classes. At the end of the program, the students are able to read ślokas and sūtras in the Sanskrit script devanāgagarī, do a basic word-to-word translation and with the Lead Trainer's assistance unpack and discuss the text studied from source text.

All the hours have been listed in the previously sent in Application Forms for YTT200-hours and YTT300-hours.

Graduates

Hilary Bond (Class of 2019)
Lindsay Booker (Class of 2013)
Cathy Bouskela (Class of 2012)
Rachel Bouthillier (Class of 2016)
Suzanne Boutin (Class of 2021)
Celina Brady (Class of 2012)
Kimberly Carter (Class of 2016)
Lin Chen (Class of 2019)
Christine Chung (Class of 2019)
Katherine Coughlin-Rinehart (Class of 2017)
Stephanie Couture (Class of 2013)
Beatrice Cuzzi (Class of 2015)
Lyse Delorme (Class of 2017)
Carla Drolet (Class of 2017)
Marie Josee Drouin (Class of 2012)
Christine Dulong (Class of 2012)
Annie Dumontier (Class of 2020)
Elsa Espinosa (Class of 2019)
Valerie Gabriel (Class of 2015)
Katherine Giard (Class of 2015)
Michelle Gingras (Class of 2022)
Gwylan Goddard (Class of 2019)
Melinda Grinham (Class of 2015)
Jenny Habashi (Class of 2019)
Mimi Hong (Class of 2014)
Amanda Hopkins (Class of 2023)
Julien Houde (Class of 2012)
Alisa Houde (Class of 2012)
Andreea Iftimie (Class of 2012)
Lynn Jacobs (Class of 2014)
Jenny Jeffy (Class of 2013)
Colleen Jorgensen (Class of 2019)
Isabel Kafesdjian (Class of 2017)
Ingrid Kalacis (Class of 2013)
Valerie Kimpton (Class of 2020)
Kadejah Laudi (Class of 2014)
Hui-Min Lee (Class of 2016)
Mara Leimanis (Class of 2012)
Jennifer Elise Long (Class of 2015)
Rhonda Mabe (Class of 2022)
Maude Maher-Boussieres (Class of 2012)
Josee Marion (Class of 2016)
Lesley Martin (Class of 2014)
Joanna Mathioudakis (Class of 2015)
Margaret McLean (Class of 2020)
Francois Mercier (Class of 2013)
Jean O'Connor (Class of 2016)
Lori Oness (Class of 2012)
Nellie Piotrowski (Class of 2015)
Margaret Quinn (Class of 2023)
Franca Redivo (Class of 2014)
Tammy Rose (Class of 2017)
Florence Say (Class of 2019)
Helena Scheffer (Class of 2020)
Ron Shin (Class of 2022)
Annie Simard (Class of 2012)
Saidiana Viccionace (Class of 2018)
Carmen Voicu (Class of 2017)
Carmen Woolgar (Class of 2012)
Mi-Sen Wu (Class of 2021)
Qing-Qing Yang (Class of 2019)

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