Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training: Anatomy of a Warrior

In this fun, interactive program, we'll use the Warrior postures to introduce a simple framework for analyzing the "anatomy" of all yoga postures.

• Why do some students have difficulty raising their arms overhead for the Mountain or Downward Facing Dog?
• Why can't some people bring their hands behind their backs for Bridge and Half Shoulderstand?
• What is restricting movement in backbends?
• How do muscles stretch?
• What promotes and limits flexibility?
• Which postures should be approached with caution?

This training is designed specifically to address these, and many of the other everyday, basic questions facing all yoga teachers.

You will learn to look at a yoga posture and analyze which muscles are stretching and which are contracting to create the pose. You'll discover practical techniques for assisting students and for modifying postures to accommodate their needs. As you increase your knowledge of anatomy, you'll learn how to work confidently with students of all ranges of flexibility and help them feel successful with their expression of any yoga posture.

We'll draw on the bodywork techniques of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Strain-Counterstrain/ Positional Release Therapy to learn ways to assist students in postures and to choreograph appropriate pre-stretches and warm-ups. You'll learn both colloquial anatomical language and more technical terms.

Can learning anatomy really be fun? YES!
We'll teach everything you need to know and ONLY
what you need to know!
You'll be given lots of handouts and clear, practical information.

* Identify whether a muscle group is stretching, contracting, or relaxing

* Figure out which muscle group(s) are
restricting full expression of a posture

* Identify the direction of movement of the spine
in relation to the pelvis in yoga postures.

In addition to the program content, all Kripalu guests can enjoy walking and hiking on the property, swimming in Lake Mahkeenac or soaking in the hot tubs. You also may choose to participate in Kripalu's noon-time DansKinetics, special workshops on pranayama, meditation or asanas, two daily yoga classes, as well as evening concerts and programs.

Eligible participants will earn 15 credit hours toward Kripalu Professional Level Certification.

What a deep pleasure it was to study with you two... a really well-conceived and well-executed program. I love how you work together. Ron, Lenox, MA

Anatomy has always been very difficult for me to learn - they presented this in such a useful, concrete way. I feel that all that didn't make sense from previous classes has begun to fall into place and make sense. It will be enormously helpful to me in my own practice, in my class designs & assisting my students in poses. Honey, Holland, PA

Who thought learning anatomy would be so much fun? Excellent workshop - information was presented in a way that made sense. Laura, Albany, NY

The very detailed knowledge was never overwhelming, but very well organized and presented. Ann, Pittsford, NY

Outstanding! It exceeded any expectation I might have had. They took a tremendous amount of information and reduced it to manageable portions. Pat, Ocean View, DE

The information was presented in a way that was easy to understand. The material was condensed to most important anatomy. Excellent handouts (included in course, not extra $$). Michele, Lititz, PA

These two know what they are talking about. Their experience shows and they really have distilled the information into an understandable and useful format. My whole practice will change for the better. Robert, Schenectady, NY