curriculum
In alignment with the requirements from Yoga Alliance each curriculum meets the elevated standards.
From Yoga Alliance Website:
In early 2020, Yoga Alliance launched new Elevated Standards to replace our Legacy Standards underlying the foundational Registered Yoga School (RYS) 200 credential. This adaptation substantially increases the baseline for this credential, providing consistency across RYS 200s and building confidence in the quality and safety of service that our members deliver to their communities.
Legacy RYS 200 Standards: YA standards crafted and implemented prior to February 27, 2020. RYS 200 programs were initially asked to up-level by February 2022, however, due to COVID-19's impacts on our community, previously stated dates and deadlines are currently under review. Members will be informed of all relevant changes as they develop.
Elevated RYS 200 Standards: Enhanced standards launched on February 27, 2020 as a result of the community-led Standards Review Project. All aspiring RYS 200 programs must now apply under these standards.
Within the Elevated Standards is a shared core curriculum inclusive of lineage, style, and methodology. This curriculum includes a clear breakdown of four Educational Categories and 12 competencies encompassing respective sub-competencies —all of which must be tested for integration and application of knowledge.
Under these modernized standards, each RYS also assesses the knowledge, skills, and experience of its trainees prior to certifying them as 200-hour teachers against this core curriculum.
Asana
Historical context
Poses specific to RYS's lineage
Complete sequencing (asana, pranayama, meditation) to achieve particular effect safely
Shared anatomical and alignment principles plus contraindications
Pranayama & Subtle Body
Historical context
Effects of pranayama on anatomy and subtle body
Complete sequencing of pranayama safely, including alternatives and adaptations
Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, among others
Koshas, kleshas, chakras, nadis and prana vayus
Meditation
Key meditation terms
Meditation methods by lineage
Ability to practice school's chosen meditation practice
Chanting, mantras, and mudras
Anatomy
Skeletal system
Major bones
Types of joints
Major muscles involved in asana
Types of muscle contraction
Physiology
Nervous system, incl. ‘fight, flight, freeze’ stress response, vagal theory, overall mind-body connection
Cardiovascular/circulatory, endocrine, digestive systems as they relate to yoga practice
Respiratory system, incl. muscles that affect breathing, involuntary vs voluntary breath, how air enters and leaves body
Biomechanics
Types of joint movements
Joint stabilization
Safe movement as it pertains to balancing, stretching, awareness, and physical limitations
Contraindications, misalignments, adaptations
History
Term ‘yoga’
School’s lineage, style, and methodology
Dates and key ideas such as the Vedas, Vedanta, Hatha, Colonial, Modern
Philosophy
Definition of yoga and key terms
Relationship between asana, pranayama, meditation per school’s approach
Familiarity w/ major yogic texts (i.e., Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Hatha Yoga Pradipika)
Self-reflection on how philosophy relates to practice
Ethics
Awareness of Yoga Sutras or similar yogic ethical precepts
Relationship to Yoga Alliance
Ethical Commitment including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, and Equity Position Statement
Comprehension of and responsibility to increase equity in yoga
Accountability measures Self-reflection on how yoga ethics relate to practice and teaching
Teaching Methodology Teaching Methodology
Sequencing
Pace
Environment
Cueing (verbal, visual, physical)
Class management
Professional Development
Yoga-related professional organizations, including the Yoga Alliance credentialing process
Ethical Commitment, including Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct and Equity Position Statement
Lifetime of learning and continuing education
General professionalism, including timeliness, consistency, cleanliness
Marketing and promotion
Liability insurance, waivers, invoicing
Practicum
Knowledge, skills, experience across 12 key competencies
Mentorship component, incl. apprenticeship, feedback