Yin Yang Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Trainings
A teacher and a student interconnect with each other. To offer maximum benefit to a student, a teacher needs to be open and receptive. It’s easy to be a yoga teacher, but it’s not easy to be a teacher who lives his / her teachings authentically.
This training program provides a platform for those who are ready to teach, already teaching, or those who want to gain more clarity of their life purpose and learn to cultivate harmony within and without. Teaching is only one part of life, so if we have clarity about our life path and live it truthfully, everything falls into the right place.
The Yin Yang Vinyasa teacher training is separated into four modules to meet different needs:
Completing specific modules will prepare you as a 200-hr and / or 500-hr Registered Yoga Teacher under the Yoga Alliance system. For details, please refer to the Certification and FAQ section.
You can enroll these modules to acquire the certification:
Yin Yang + Yoga Sutras
This training is suitable for those who have not undertaken any training previously but wish to teach or have a deeper understanding of Yoga. These two modules will give you a set of foundational tools that prepare you to stand in front of your students and lead yin-yang classes. Please refer to the modules page for details of specific module.
Remarks:- Apprentices have to complete and graduate the following modules within one to two years: Yin Yang followed by Yoga Sutras.
- Apprentices can complete the modules in different countries.
- To qualify for the Certification of Completion, full participation plus timely submission of homework is mandatory.
You can enroll specific modules under this lineage to acquire this certification:
| RYT200* | + | 300-hr Advanced Training |
| (Yin Yang or Yoga Sutras + Speak your Truth + Mindfulness) |
The 300-hr training offers you a platform to share your yoga knowledge and life wisdom in your own unique, authentic way. Depending on the elective module you choose (Yin Yang or Yoga Sutras), you can become a spiritual and yin yang vinyasa yoga teacher. Please refer to the module page for details of specific module.
Remarks:- RYT200 teaching certification from any lineage, approved by Yoga Alliance, is required in order to apply for RYT500 (existing RYT200 certificate PLUS the completion of the 300-hr training certificate).
- The Speak Your Truth and Mindfulness modules are mandatory and apprentices can choose either Yin Yang or Yoga Sutras as an elective to complete the 300-hr program requirement.
- Apprentices must successfully graduate from all three 300-hr modules no longer than four years and no less than two years in order to receive the 300-hr certificate.
- There is no specific order of the three required modules.
- For those who have taken RYT200 with Janet Lau, the Yin Yang OR Yoga Sutras modules must be retaken in order to fulfill 300-hr training requirements.
- To qualify for the Certification of Completion, full participation plus timely submission of homework is mandatory.
Any module(s) of interest
For those who wish to have a deeper connection and transformation within yourself, or those who wish to gain more understanding of spirituality, the Yogic, and Buddhist traditions are welcomed to enroll in the module(s) that interests you.
Remarks:- For existing RYTs, the modules qualify as continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance.
- For those who would like to obtain the RYT certifications on top of their personal studies training, then the RYT200-/ 500-hour track is recommended.
Understand the uniqueness of each body
The purpose of an asana practice is to heal the body and balance the mind, and to help us cultivate an equanimous attitude towards all experiences in our lives. It’s important to tune into the needs of our bodies to achieve the body-mind balance.
We start by studying our unique body structure and how to move according to our body to have an effective practice. We then study the energetic makeup of different asana groups and how to sequence them in a vinyasa or hatha class. After which we turn our focus to the softer aspect of yin yoga, and finally blending vinyasa and yin to create different chemistry within an asana class.
Certification:
This is the first mandatory module under the RYT200-hour program. It is an elective for the RYT300-hour program, and a continuing education credit. Full participation plus timely coursework must be completed for the accreditation under the Yoga Alliance system.
| 200-hr Foundational Training | 300-hr Advanced Training | |
| Yin Yang Yoga Sutras |
Yin Yang / Yoga Sutras Speak Your Truth Mindfulness |
- Main Topics:
- Our natural body predisposition
- The two main types of forces that stop our movements: tension vs. compression
- 14-joint segments that you will encounter in most yoga practices
- The functional purpose of main asana groups and individual postures
- Reading different body structures
- Reasons & effects of sequencing
- The integration between the yang (left brain) and the yin (right brain)
- How to bring ourselves and students to a balanced state with our yoga practice
- Results:
- Understand your personal body structure AND able to modify different postures to help you best utilize the practice
- Help students find the suitable way of alignment and modification according to their unique body structure
- Sequence a vinyasa or yin yoga class according to different needs of the body and mind
- Understand the essence of the yin and yang yoga, lead students back to a state of balance
- Practices and homework:
- Yoga asana
- Sitting meditation
- Individual and group work on the subject of anatomy
- Quiz
- Teaching practice
- Those retaking the module will be expected to take the role as team leaders, as a practice, to guide others and develop deeper understanding of the course material
- Pre-studies (must be completed prior to the start of the training):
- Anatomy for Yoga DVD by Paul Grilley
- Yin Sights (Ch. 1-4, 12 and 13) by Bernie Clark
The wisdom of Yoga
The Yoga Sutras is one of the must-read classic texts for every serious yoga practitioner. Given its importance, it is not easy to apply the ancient wisdom into our everyday modern way of life. Using real life examples and simple terms, this module helps you understand how spirituality, meditation, and the cosmic wisdom serve our lives in a profound way. We will also study the Yoga Sutras from the Buddhist perspective. You will discover the commonalities between the two lineages and learn to blend these spiritual teachings into your life and your yin yang vinyasa yoga classes.
Yoga and Buddhism are simply different attitudes towards life; those with different religious background are welcome to use these ancient wisdoms to develop a deeper connection with their own religion and belief.
Certification:
This is the second mandatory module under the RYT200-hour program. It is an elective for the RYT300-hour program, and a continuing education credit. Full participation plus timely coursework must be completed for the accreditation under the Yoga Alliance system.
| 200-hr Foundational Training | 300-hr Advanced Training | |
| Yin Yang Yoga Sutras |
Yin Yang / Yoga Sutras Speak Your Truth Mindfulness |
- Main Topics:
- The origin of the Yoga Sutras
- The Eight Limbs of Yoga within the Yoga Sutras
- Applied Eight Limbs of Yoga
- Comparison of Yoga, Buddhism, and Mindfulness
- Self-reflection on your own life and relationships with others
- Understand your habitual energies and learning how to embrace and transform them
- Results:
- Understand the teachings of the Yoga Sutras
- Apply the teachings of the Sutras into life to help overcome obstacles in life
- Deepen the understanding of meditation and spirituality
- Able to continue sitting meditation by yourself
- Practices and homework:
- Yoga asana
- Sitting meditation
- Self-reflective journaling
- Group work and sharing
- Teaching practice
- Those retaking the module will be expected to take the role as team leaders as a practice to guide others and develop deeper understanding of the course material.
- Pre-studies (must be completed prior to the start of the training):
Chinese readers: - 《瑜伽生活禪》by Janet Lau
- English readers:
- Mindfulness in Plain English (Ch. 1-7, 10-14) by Bhante Gunaratana
- Demystifying Patanjali The Yoga Sutras by Swami Kriyananda
Letting your true self shine
Besides in-depth knowledge and skills, it’s the authentic charisma of a teacher that makes his or her teachings powerful and attractive to others. Being ourselves can be easier said than done. We need to overcome all negativity and insecurity in order to truly shine.
This is a one-of-a-kind module offering teachings from different spiritual lineages with the purpose of getting to know your true self, leaving behind all the labels that don’t belong to you, sharing your insights authentically, and becoming the unique teacher and person you are born to be.
Certification:
This is a mandatory module under the RYT 300-hour program, and a continuing education credit. Full participation plus timely coursework must be completed for the accreditation under the Yoga Alliance system.
| 300-hr Advanced Training |
| Yin Yang / Yoga Sutras Speak Your Truth Mindfulness |
- Main Topics:
- Recognize your conditioned roles and the labels that bind you
- Recognize your emotional and thinking patterns
- Utilize your strengths and work around your weaknesses to assist spiritual growth
- Forgive yourself and others
- Understand your life lessons
- The Chakra system and the mind
- Results:
- Overcome the fear of being yourself in front of others
- Incorporate your own philosophy and wisdom into an asana class
- Understand the message behind the emotions and know how to work with them
- Understand how personal concepts create emotional blockages
- Put down mental baggage that no longer serves you
- Realize your unique purpose of life
- Lead a chakra-cleansing yin yoga class
- Practices and homework:
- Yoga asana
- Sitting meditation
- Self-reflective journaling
- Group work and sharing
- Teaching practices
Pre-studies (must be completed prior to the start of the training):
- Eastern Body, Western Mind by Anodea Judith
- 《黑白人生》by Janet Lau (Chinese readers)
Cultivating equanimity
Life is full of ups and downs. The practice of mindfulness is to help us cultivate a sense of openness towards all kinds of experiences in our lives. Combining the masculine nature of the Yoga Sutras with the feminine nature of Mindfulness, we learn to master the Middle Way, knowing when to act and when to retrieve on our spiritual paths and in our lives.
Mindfulness is a practice of cultivating equanimity and awareness. Unlike the knowledge in our minds, insights cannot be rushed or taught, they can only be born out of our personal experiences. For this reason, this module requires longer study time so that you can experience the healing power of mindfulness in your everyday life. This is an 8-week program consists of three parts:
- 7-days training: The foundations of Mindfulness & Buddhist teachings
- 10-weeks self-study: Applying Mindfulness in everyday life and yin yang asana practice
- 10-days training: Fine tuning and deepening the understanding of Mindfulness & Buddhist teachings
Certification:
This is a mandatory module under the RYT 300-hour program, and a continuing education credit. Full participation plus timely coursework must be completed for the accreditation under the Yoga Alliance system.
| 300-hr Advanced Training |
| Yin Yang / Yoga Sutras Speak Your Truth Mindfulness |
- Main Topics:
- Different meditation methods: walking, standing, sitting, and lying down
- Concentration vs. opened awareness
- The Four Foundations of Mindfulness
- The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Paths
- Joy vs. Liberation
- Applied Buddhism in everyday life and yin yang asana practice
- Results:
- Apply Buddhism in everyday life and in yoga classes
- Make different parts of life into meditation practices
- Able to continue sitting meditation by yourself
- Deepen the understanding of meditation
- Turn obstacles into motivations
- Practices and homework:
7-days and 10-days trainings: - Yoga asana
- Walking meditation
- Sitting meditation
- Body scan practice
- Self-reflective journaling
- Group work and sharing
- Teaching practice
- 10-weeks self-study:
- Zoom class every 2nd weekend evening to assist better understanding of the topics introduced
- Yoga asana (different theme per week)
- Sitting meditation (different theme per week)
- Self-reflective journaling
- Mindfulness application
- Pre-studies (must be completed prior to the start of the training):
- English Readers
- Mindfulness Yoga by Frank Jude Boccio
- The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Breath by Breath by Larry Rosenberg
- Transformation and Healing by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Chinese Readers
- Mindfulness Yoga by Frank Jude Boccio
- The Heart of Buddha’s Teaching by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Transformation and Healing by Thich Nhat Hanh
- 《關係中的修行之和自己的關係》by Janet Lau
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How much Yoga experience do I need in order to benefit from the training programs?
Everyone has a different body structure and not every posture is necessarily suitable for everybody. For this reason, we do not admit apprentices based on performance of physical asana. Rather, we encourage a minimum of one-year prior Yoga practice so that the material being discussed can be more readily understood. Eligible experience can be from all types of Yoga traditions, with ideally some exposure to vinyasa or hatha, and yin practice.
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What is the teaching schedule?
Most of the modules run from 8:00-17:00, except for Yoga Sutras and Speak Your Truth Modules that run from 8:00-17:30. Depending on the learning progress of the group, the schedule is subject to minor changes.
Here is a sample schedule which may vary slightly from module to module:
8:00 – 8:30 Sitting Meditation 8:30 – 10:00 Asana Practice 10:30 – 12:30 Lecture 14:00 – 16:00 Lecture / Group Work / Teaching Practice 16:00 – 17:00 Asana Practice -
Why are Yin Yang and Yoga Sutras mandatory modules for the 200-hr program?
The Yin Yang module provides fundamental knowledge on asana, sequencing, and the causal relationship between the body structure and the physical practice. The dilemma of the mind is that knowledge alone creates duality, which strengthens separation and feeds the egotistic self. The essence of Yoga is about liberation from the bondages of the mind, opening our hearts to touch the wisdom of life by living our life (not out of it). In this way, the Yoga Sutras module helps us overcome our sense of superiority and inferiority.
The other two advanced modules are building blocks for the two fundamental modules, diving deeper into the wisdom of life. This is the reason Yin Yang and Yoga Sutras are the mandatory modules for the 200-hr program.
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Why do I need to repeat the Yin Yang and Yoga Sutras module if I have taken the RYT200 with Janet?
Knowledge of functional teaching, energetic balancing and the Yoga Sutras are fundamental in this lineage. By retaking one of these two modules, you will build a deeper understanding of the science behind the body and the essence behind the practice. The first encounter acts as an introduction and offers a conceptual framework for the subject. Returning to the material a second time allows better comprehension following the self-discovery and realizations in personal practice and teaching experience.
In short, by taking the subjects twice, we gain a much deeper understanding of the material because of our shifted level of consciousness from the first encounter to the second encounter.
Different assignments will also be given to those who take the module for the second time to deepen understanding and integration of the subject.
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Why can’t I finish the 300-hr training within one year?
Study itself cannot make you a good teacher. In teaching, experience outweighs intellectual knowledge. We encourage apprentices to complete the 300-hr modules in no less than two years so that they have time to fully digest the knowledge and gain insight from actual experience outside of the trainings. Insight cannot be rushed and only this kind of revelation can shift our inner being as a person, and as a teacher.
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Why do I need to complete the 300-hr training within two to four years? Can I extend this timeframe?
By having a regular exposure to your teacher, the knowledge you have gained from previous trainings will be refreshed and revised. By returning to study with your teacher regularly, she will also have a better understanding of your learning progress and be able to fine-tune the teachings to your needs. We encourage apprentices to complete all modules within a maximum four-year period so they can maintain a strong understanding in the material. For those who need to extend the four-year timeframe, a written letter, followed by a discussion with Janet, is required without a guarantee of granting the extension.