Yoga Teacher Training, Online Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School in Bellingham Washington

Ashtanga Yoga Bellingham

Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga Alliance Registry ID #26861 | est. 2006

360-325-9989

RYS-200 Yoga Teacher Training | Course Syllabus

Registered Yoga School # 26861 | Established 2006

Table of Contents

  1. OVERVIEW

    1. Course Purpose

    2. Sanskrit

    3. Readings

    4. Practicum

    5. Special Needs or Considerations

    6. Typical Daily Schedule (evening program)

  2. INSTRUCTORS

    1. Luke E. Baugh-Course Director

    2. David Keil-Yoga Anatomy (Online course)

  3. CURRICULUM

    1. Module 1 | Yoga Philosophy

    2. Module 2 | Foundations of Asana and Pranayama

    3. Module 3 | Explorations Into Theory & Practice

    4. Module 4 | Modern Masters and Refined Methods

    5. Module 5 | Professional Yoga Teaching

  4. PRICING, APPLYING, & REFUNDS

  5. CERTIFICATIONS

  6. LOCATIONS

  7. CONTACT US

Notice: Some aspects of the syllabus are adapted for online instruction under a temporary provision granted by Yoga Alliance to our school. While the method of teaching may change, the core curriculum of the program is the same. We utilize only one modular syllabus for all programs. This syllabus was originally designed by David and Catherine Garrigues, two certified Ashtanga teachers, and first approved in 2006. The training has been modified only in slight ways to take advantage of contemporary study materials (especially online learning that has become available recently) and more fluid scheduling to allow easier access. The core curriculum of the program has remained unchanged.

1. OVERVIEW

1. Course Purpose

The coursework in our 200 hour teacher training program is centered around classical yoga theory and practice. Ashtanga Yoga as outlined by the sage Patanjali in his yoga sutras are the theoretical foundation. The Hatha Yoga practices of the great T. Krishnamacharya will be the backbone of our asana and pranayama sequences. We will utilize contemporary business, ethics, and epistemology to make ancient material come alive, so that it can effectively transform our world for the better in the hands of the people who are on the earth today. 

This program relies heavily on ancient scriptures, texts, and philosophies from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Siva Samhita, and other yoga shastras. It is an interdisciplinary course that was created to move the world forward with the help of the ancient systems of yoga.

2. Sanskrit

Sanskrit is a beautiful and melodic language all on it’s own, and it absolutely comes to life and sings when it is coupled with vinyasa yoga practice.  Each day we will chant in sanskrit.  Each day we will memorize names of postures in their original format. We will honor the language of Sanskrit, and call asana by their sanskrit names for the purposes of accuracy as well as to get in touch with and show honor to the many generations of yogis that gave us this knowledge. We will use their language, not ours.

3. Readings

As the intellectual aspect of the training is undeniably a part of our endeavor, we seek to fill each day with reflections on a piece of literature related to our pursuit of yoga.  There are certain aspects of yoga which are spawned from Hindu thought, Indian thought, “Eastern Philosophy”; we are going to go there.  We will unearth the meaning behind these religious and philosophical texts in a scholarly, and non-dogmatic way.  It will be important to pursue these works with an objective mind, and a deep commitment to critical analysis as they may or may not apply to “your” yoga.  Nonetheless, we owe mother India nothing if not a nodding glance at her fundamental precepts, and the “cousin” philosophies of yoga that developed from similar ideas and evolved into notably different intellectual systems.

4. Practicum

In these smaller, more personal trainings, you will have an opportunity to pursue things deeper and with a more dynamic twist.  The rigors of the training should not be taken lightly; our yoga system is one that demands your attention and full energetic commitment.

The training is collaborative, and thus relies upon the input and feedback from the cohort of yoga training students. Communication is very important. Unfortunately, some of the other students in the training may be inexperienced, and thus, many of the sequences we will be experimenting will be untested and imperfect. There is a risk there that is simply unavoidable, and the process can be a bit adorably sloppy; accept the lack of experience around you as insight into the teacher student dynamic. The path of yoga is not always one of assuredness and comfort, and so the training offers a space to dwell in the uncertainty of meaning and skill. We forge pure ideas into workable methods, relying upon well researched traditional and contemporary means of achieving insight into yoga. This training is designed to ensure that you will be able to teach, practice, adjust, and instruct people in asana and that process can be a difficult one. We will undertake it together, embracing the positives and negatives that come from the experience.

Each and every person must invest their heart and soul into the training to reap the benefits of the material, and there is no aspect of the training where this is more important than in the physical practice.  In the Intensives especially, you will be tired, you will be sleepy, and you will be practicing more yoga than is humanly reasonable or possible. At times we will chant sutras again and again, we will have to ask difficult questions and offer difficult but sincere feedback to our peers and teachers. You must take in stride this massive amount of yoga, and digest it as best you can.

Each of us will be bringing something unique to this practice, and there will be many opportunities to learn and share. Be ready to practice, be ready to share, be ready to question, be ready to be critical.  No one wants to know what you think more than the people around you.  You will never (unless you take another training) be in a place where you are surrounded by so many people who are excited and passionate about the exact same things as you are, about a subject as meaningful as this one.  This training is note a time to be reserved, it is not a time to hold back...  It is designed to be challenging, and there is a lot of material that seems to be forcefully being jammed into you. While you can always step away if needed, it’s vital to take the commitment seriously to 200 hours of study. It is a time to dive deeply into the yogic arts and practice. 

The Online trainings offer a gradual approach to authentic material with great depth presented over time in an organized, thoughtful, and structured way by the same experienced teachers that direct the Intensive Programs. This is the best route for a student who would like to gradually develop yogic skill and knowledge through a structured and systematic approach.

The Intensive programs are thorough immersions that offer transformative experiences to all those willing place their search for yoga at the forefront of their ambitions through a deep and explorative learning experience. Both programs offer the same lineage, guidance, and content, but achieve the results in different ways.

5. Special Needs or Considerations

Yoga is for all people.  What sense would it make for us to exclude people with special needs?  We want to know your special need if it is relevant to yoga teaching.  For example, if you are deaf, you have knowledge that we can utilize to bring yoga to the deaf community!  If you have children and need to leave class early to pick them up, please share this with us that we can learn to bring yoga to children (perhaps you can make up your absence by allowing these children to participate in a training and be a “guinea pig”).  It is your choice what you share with the class, but if there is ANY reason that brings you hesitation about this training, whatever it may be, please do not hesitate to bring that forward.  If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable in this training, please IMMEDIATELY seek the counsel of your primary e-RYT’s.  If you have some kind of condition that would cause trouble during your training, do not worry, just please make sure that your primary e-RYT(s) are aware of what this situation is.  You are surrounded by friends, we all want you to be safe, careful, and comfortable.  If you have any disability, no matter what that is, please please please do this training.  Whatever it is about you that makes you different and unique, that is what makes you relevant to this training.

6. Typical Daily Schedule

Weeknight Schedule

6-7pm: Open Workshop & Community Class (teacher training students hold class & receive feedback)


7-7:15pm: Yoga Sutra & Mantra Chanting

7:15-7:30pm: Q& A + Discussion of required readings

7:30pm-8:30pm: Asana lesson, adjustments, and variations

8:30-8:45pm: Scheduled practicum and student teaching

8:45-9pm: Feedback/discussion of session

Weekend Schedule

12-12:30pm: Yoga Sutra & Mantra Chanting

12:30-1pm: Discussion (philosophy, ethics, business)

1pm-2pm: Asana lesson, adjustments, variations, anatomy (practicum)

3pm-3:30pm: Break

3:30pm-4pm: Yoga Sutra & Mantra Chanting

4pm-4:30pm: Q&A 

4:30-5:30pm: Asana lesson, adjustments, variations, (practicum)

5:30pm-5:45: Feedback/discussion of session

5:45-6pm: Closing Mantras, Kirtan, & Chanting

2. INSTRUCTORS

1. Program Director Luke Baugh ERYT, MBA has been practicing yoga daily since 2002 and teaching since 2005. Luke traveled extensively in search of a yoga teacher for about 4 years, including stays studying yoga in Maui, Maine, and Los Angeles and Encinitas California. Luke finally found his home at the Ashtanga Yoga School of Seattle and has remained in Western Washington most of his life since then, dedicating the majority of his efforts to the study of yoga and the business development of Ashtanga Yoga through online and in person teaching mediums.

Luke completed the rigorous traditional 200 hour in-depth teacher training at Ashtanga Yoga School of Seattle in 2007.  Luke began assisting his teacher during Yoga Teacher Training programs in 2008. With the blessing of his teacher, Luke left Seattle and with the help of another AYS Seattle student, became the first student of AYS to start a yoga school in this tradition. Luke’s school was called “Exist Yoga”, but was eventually given to his students there and now functions as a co-op as Ashtanga Yoga Lewiston. Luke eventually became co-director of the original Yoga Alliance registered In Depth Studies program, and it is this program that has evolved to what it is now. After all of these years the relationship between Luke and his teacher, David, remains one of sacred guidance, openness, love, and adaptability. As a devout student of David, Luke travels annually to practice with his teacher, and "check in" with new insights, and questions that invariably develop along the path.

Luke is currently an accredited E-RYT 200 through the Yoga Alliance and is currently pursuing his RYT-500 certification online. In addition to teaching yoga in Bellingham, Luke was advised by his teacher to pursue education in order to better understand society and bring yoga to the world. Therefore, under the advice of his teacher, Luke became a college student a short time after taking up study of yoga at AYS. After attaining a bachelors degree in Sociology, he attained a masters degree in business with a focus on developing and sustaining local yoga schools and online yoga instruction.

Luke has been trained and influenced notably by the following teachers and studios: Catherine Tisseront, James Butkevich, Manju Jois, Kevin Kimple, Noah Williams, Kimberly Flynn, Rich McGowan, Anne Finstad, Govinda Kai, and Tim Miller.

Luke has taught for multiple yoga studios as well as his own studios (Exist Yoga, LC Yoga Center, and now Ashtanga Yoga School of Bellingham). Luke has taught yoga at numerous institutional and corporate settings including Gonzaga University, Western Washington University, Lewis Clark State College, and Regence Blue Shield. Luke is very proud to have had the privilege of teaching yoga for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in a continuing effort to bring the fundamental equality, peace of mind, and tenacity of spirit that ignites people of all kinds through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.

2. David Keil’s “Yoganatomy” course is an integral and significant part of our teacher training program. Please click here for more information about Yoga Anatomy and Instructor David Keil.

3. CURRICULUM

Module One | Philosophical  and Theoretical Foundations

  1. Lesson Plans (60 contact hours with primary E-RYTs)

    1. History of Ashtanga Yoga and its founders

      1. The Dravidian People

        1. Select material from Alain Danielou

      2. Samkhya Philosophy

      3. Saivism, Jainism, and other ancient Dravidian religions

      4. Yoga Sutra origins & relationship to Samkya & Dravidian Peoples

    2. Yoga philosophy & Theory

      1. Tree of Samkhya

        1. Purusha

        2. Prakriti

          1. 3 Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)

          2. Phenomenal Elements (wind, fire, earth, etc.)

          3. Dieties as representations of Gunas

            1. Shiva = tamas guna

            2. Visnu = sattva guna

            3. Brahma = rajas guna

      2. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

        1. Introduction and Overview of Quintessential Yoga Sutras

          1. Yoga Sutra 2:23-29 as purpose and reason for the practice

            1. Ignorance of Duality and causes of suffering

            2. Eight Limbed Path of Ashtanga (Ashtau = eight, Anga = limb)

          2. Yoga Sutra 2:1-3 as method of practice

            1. Tapas

            2. Svadyaya

            3. Isvara Pranidhana

          3. Yoga Sutra 1:2-3 as definition of yoga

            1. Truth of the “seer” being “hidden” by chitta vritti (disturbances of mind)

            2. Truth of seer existing in pure form in state of harmony through yoga

        2. Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 

          1. Chanting Chapter 1

          2. Discussion and Analysis of Chapter 1 (Source: American Sanskrit Institute)

      3. Origins of Buddhism as it relates to Yoga through Samkhya and Alara Kalama

        1. Select readings

      4. Veda

        1. Bhagavad Gita

        2. Upanishads

        3. Vedanta

          1. Gaudapada & Adi Shankara

            1. self vs. non-self (atman vs. non-atman)

            2. monism vs. dualism

          2. Vishnu & Shiva as contemporary

    3. Required Reading & Study Materials

      1. Yoga; The Certainty of Freedom (Yoga Sutra Workbook) - Vyaas Houston (click here)

      2. Samkhya Karika - Isvara Krsna (any translation)

      3. Functional Anatomy of Yoga by David Keil (to prepare for module 2 and prevent injury)

      4. Audio discourse: Purpose of the 8 Limbs by David Garrigues (click here)

    4. Optional Reading List (depending on Individual areas of focus)

      1. The Myths and Gods of India by Alain Danielou

      2. The Upanishads - (any translation)

      3. The Bhagavad Gita - (any translation)

      4. The Science of Yoga by I.K Taimni –or- another translation of the Yoga Sutras

      5. Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhath Hanh (Buddhist reference to section 1.3)

Module Two | Exploration | Classical Texts | 15 sessions

  1. Lesson Plans (60 contact hours with primary E-RYTs)

    1. All Primary Series Asana (as taught at KPJAYI)

      1. Standing Postures: sūryanamaskāra pādāṅguṣṭāsana pāda hastāsana utthita trikoṇāsana (A+B) utthita pārśvakonāsana (A+B) prasārita pādottānāsana (A,B,C,D) pārśvottānāsana utthita hasta pādāṅguṣṭāsana ardha baddha padmottānāsana utkatāsana vīrabhadrāsana

      2. Primary Series Postures: paścimattānāsana pūrvattanāsana ardha baddha padma paścimattānāsana tiryaṅgmukha ekapāda paścimattānāsana jānuśīrṣāsana marīcāsana nāvāsana bhujapīḍāsana kūrmāsana supta kūrmāsana garbha piṇḍāsana kukkuṭāsana baddha konāsana upaviṣṭha konāsana supta konāsana supta pādāṅguṣṭāsana ubhaya pādāṅguṣṭāsana ūrdhva mukha paścimattānāsana setu bandhāsana

      3. Finishing Postures ūrdhva dhanurāsana salaṁba sarvāṅgāsana halāsana karṇa pīḍāsana ūrdhva padmāsana piṇḍāsana matsyāsana uttāna pādāsana cakrāsana śīrṣāsana baddha padmāsana yoga mudrā padmāsana utpluthiḥ

    2. Yoga Sutras Chapter 2  

      1. Chanting Chapters 1-2

      2. Discussion and Analysis of Chapter 2 (Source: American Sanskrit Institute)

    3. Adjustments for classical postures

  2. Anatomy

    1. Online Course provided by David Keil (click here)

  3. Injures & Variations

    1. Specific challenges

      1. Multiple Sclerosis

      2. Inflexibility or Common Injuries

      3. Pregnancy

      4. Disabled Students

  4. Energetic Body

    1. Vayus

      1. Prana

      2. Apana

    2. Nadis Overview

    3. Chakras Overview

  5. Introduction to Pranayama

    1. Ujjayi & Mechanics

  6. Classical Asana Texts discussion

    1. Classical Postures 

      1. Surya Namaskara

      2. Standing Asana

      3. Sequencing Basics

      4. Props

  7. Required Reading

    1. Functional Anatomy of Yoga by David Keil

  8. Optional Reading & Studay Materials List

    1. Ashtanga Yoga Practice and Philosophy by Gregor Maehle

    2. The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar

    3. Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health by BKS Iyengar 

    4. Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar

Module Three | Assimilation

  1. Classical Yoga Shastras (Siva Samhita & Hatha Yoga Pradipika)

    1. Classic Asana

      1. Padmasana

      2. Janu Sirsasana

    2. Intro to Sadhana & Asceticism

  2. Practicum

    1. Complex Sequencing

    2. Adaptations with props

    3. Adjustments for physical inability

    4. Communication

    5. Chants

    6. Primary Series of Ashtanga

  3. Required Reading List

    1. The Siva Samhita - any copy

    2. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - any copy

Module Four | Modern Masters & Contemporary Systems

  1. T. Krishnamacharya

  2. TKV Desikachar

  3. BKS Iyengar

  4. Advanced Asana Practicum

    1. Inversions

    2. Closing Sequence of Ashtanga

    3. Backbends

      1. Urdva Dhanurasana

    4. Second Series of Ashtanga Yoga (note: we do not instruct on all of these postures, but we will explore the purpose and benefits of the first half. Each of these postures must be “given” by a qualified lineage holding Ashtanga teacher).

      1. 1st half of 2nd Series: Pasasana (Noose Pose) Krounchasana (Heron Pose) Shalabhasana A, B (Locust Pose) Bhekasana (Frog Pose) Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) Parsvadhanurasana (Side Bow Pose) Ustrasana (Camel Pose) Laghu Vajrasana (Little Thunderbolt Pose) Kapotasana (Dove Pose) Supta Vajrasana (Sleeping Thunderbolt Pose) Bakasana (Crow Pose) Bharadvajasana Bharadvāja’s Pose Ardha Matsyendraasana Half Matsyendraasana’s Pose

      2. Ekapada Sirsasana A, B, C Dwipada Sirsasana B Yoga nidrasana Tittibhasana A, B, C Pincha Mayurasana Karandavasana Mayurasana Nakrasana Vatayanasana (Horse Face Pose) Parighasana (Iron Bar Pose) Gomukhasana A, B, C (Cow Face Pose) Supta Urdhvapada Vajrasana A, B (Sleeping Elevated Vajra’s Pose) Mukta Hasta Sirsasana A, B, C (Open Hand Head Stand) Baddha Hasta Sirsasana A, B, C, D (Bound Hand Head Stand)

  5. Required Reading List

    1. Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar

  6. Optional Reading List

    1. Yoga Makaranda by T Krishnamacharya (referenced throughout module)

    2. Yogasanagaulu by T Krishnamacharya (referenced throughout module)

    3. Yoga Makaranda by T Krishnamacharya

    4. Yoga Mala by Sri K Pattabhi Jois

Module Five | Execution

  1. Lesson Plans (60 contact hours with primary E-RYTs)

    1. Business and Ethics

    2. Sexual Assault

    3. Social Justic

    4. Sequencing Logic

    5. Student Teaching

    6. Advanced Adjustments

  2. Required Reading/Study List

    1. Yoga Alliance Code of Ethics (click here to download)

    2. Brand You by John Purkiss and David Royston-Lee

  3. Optional Reading List

    1. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa

    2. A Blue Fire by James Hillman

    3. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

    4. The Essential Rumi by Jalal Al-Adin Rumi and Coleman Barks

    5. Mohandas Ghandi autobiography “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”


Note: Other homework and study materials will be provided in class

4. Pricing, Applying, and Refunds

Applying: To enroll you simply need to pay on this website or by calling us at 360-325-9989. All students are, by default, immediately accepted into their selected program(s), but we do reserve the right to remove a student if there are breakages of our code of conduct, or if through the onboarding process leading up to the training it is determined by either the student of the yoga school that it is not a good fit. We have never removed a student due to lack of physical ability, years in practice, or for any reason other than being a threat to the integrity of the program or to other students. It really is up to you what you will do with the knowledge that is given to you; you will take from the training what effort you give it. This is a very personal endeavor, and we do not presuppose that you need to learn in a certain way.

The world is full of beautifully unique people that have talents to learn and teach yoga, we therefore ask that all students provide a statement of purpose identifying your background in yoga and wether or not you intend on teaching professionally, and as much insight as you can provide explaining your desire to attend this training. This statement of purpose can be written and emailed, mailed, or even a picture or YouTube video; it’s really up to you how you want to present yourself. The important thing that you understand is that by default you will be entered into the training, and we ask that you allow us to use these trusted processes we have to get you through the initial stages of the training. It really is nothing to be anxious about, but rather, we would prefer that you took this time to celebrate your personal commitment and dedication to the sacred art of yoga, and trust the path you are on, and trust our program to follow its intended course.

After enrolling and submitting your first payment, you may email your statement of purpose to ashtangateacher@gmail.com or call/text 360-325-9989 and talk to us. All space in trainings is on a first come, first serve basis. Students attending individual modules must pay in full at the time of their application (we will refund any payments if you are not accepted for any reason). 

You can also schedule a meeting with the program director by clicking here.

5. Certifications

Ashtanga Yoga Bellingham & Bellingham Yoga is a proud partner of Yoga Alliance. We advocate for universal professional standards for yoga teachers, the preservation of authentic yogic methods, pursuit of racial, gender, and ethnic equality, and the commitment to allow yoga to be shared regardless of economic or financial circumstances.

Completion of our 200 hour program will entitle you to a signed certificate of completion from the program which will allow you to be registered with Yoga Alliance. You may continue to utilize all materials at the yoga school under special rules given to alumni of the program. You may utilize hours in training as required “Continuing Education” in order to satisfy this ongoing Yoga Alliance requirement, as well.

click here to be directed to our Yoga Alliance public page

6. Locations

All Bellingham instruction and courses are held at 1412 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham Washington

 

All Mount Vernon Instruction and Courses are held at Riverwalk Studio 117 N 1st St #5, Mt Vernon, WA 98273

 

All Online Courses are held from anywhere in the world as long as you have internet

7. Contact Us