SYLLABUS
Advanced Pranayama

We are not currently accepting new students in the Ananda Yoga Therapy Training

Course Hours: Total = 43 (Residential)

Prerequisite

Graduate of Ananda Yoga Teacher Training (200-hour), or
Graduate of a Yoga Alliance approved 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training,
Or Ananda Kriya Yoga initiate.

Teaching Format

This is a 7-day residential course which includes a combination of lecture, discussion, and experiential pranayama/asana workshops and teaching practicums.

Course Description

Pranayama is the key to a deep experience of yoga postures and meditation. In this course students will learn the anatomy and physiology of breath on the physical and subtle levels and how to teach advanced pranayama or energy control techniques, bandhas, mudras, and Yogananda's unique contribution to the science of yoga: Energization Exercises. We will go deeper into understanding how the astral body, especially the chakras, relate to energy control

Faculty: Ananda Ministers + Certified Meditation Teachers

Nayaswami Gyandev McCord, PhD, E-RYT 500, Director of Ananda Yoga TeacherTraining,,Kriyacharya
Nayaswami Diksha McCord, BSc, BFA, Level 2 Ananda Yoga Teacher, Director of Ananda Meditation Teacher Training

Required Texts/Reading Materials

Advanced Pranayama Training Manual. Gyandev McCord

Learning Objectives

At the completion of the course, students will know:

• Anatomy and physiology of breath
• How to teach pranayama;
• How to help students correct a range of breathing abnormalities
• How to integrate asana, pranayama, and meditation;
• The subtler aspects of the chakras;
• How to use the chakra energies to enhance your sadhana;
• How to awaken and raise kundalini energy;
• How knowledge of the subtle body aids understanding of karma and reincarnation;
• How to go deeper into the practice of Yogananda’s Energization Exercises.

Subject Matter/IAYT Competencies Covered

Section 1. Yoga Foundations

Category 1.2. Yoga and the Mind
1.2.2 Knowledge of yoga perspectives on distracted/disturbed conditions of mind and their expressions as expressed in such texts as the Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and other texts, including but not limited to,
1.2.2.1. klesha (affliction);
1.2.2.2. lobha, krodha, and moha (greed, anger, attachment);
1.2.2.3 duhkha and daurmanasya (suffering/discomfort and negative attitude/thinking), sarupyam (identification with the contents of the mind or seer taking the same form as the mind); and
1.2.2.4. antaraya (obstacles to progress in yoga).

Category 1.3. Framework for Health and Disease
1.3.1 Knowledge of the basic perspectives on health and disease from yoga and Ayurveda relevant to the practice of yoga therapy, including the concepts of
1.3.1.2. subtle anatomy;
1.3.1.8. prana vayu (prana, apana, vyana, udana,samana);
1.3.1.10. surya/chandra (sun/moon);

Section 2. Biomedical and Psychological Foundations

Category 2.1. Anatomy and Physiology
2.1.1 Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, including all major systems of the body and their interrelationships, as relevant to the work of a yoga therapist.
2.1.2 Knowledge of biomechanics and movement as they relate to the practice of yoga and the work of a yoga therapist.
2.1.3 Knowledge of common pathologies and disorders of all the major systems, including symptoms, management, illness trajectories, and contraindications, as relevant to the work of a yoga therapist.

Category 2.3. Psychology and Mental Health
2.3.2 Basic knowledge of psychological concepts and terminology, including mood, cognition, behavior, and personality, as relevant to the work of a yoga therapist.

Category 2.5. Body and Mind Integration
2.5.1 Knowledge of the interaction of the body, breath, mind, intellect, and emotions in health and well-being.

Section 3. Yoga Therapy Tools and Therapeutic Skills

Category 3.1. Yoga Therapy Tools
3.1.1 In-depth knowledge of the application of yama and niyama.
3.1.2 In-depth knowledge of the range of yoga practices and their potential therapeutic effects for common conditions Practices may include, but are not limited to,
3.1.2.1 asana (postures);
3.1.2.2 pranayama (regulated breathing);
3.1.2.3 meditation and relaxation techniques such as bhavana (visualization), mantra (recitation), and ritualized activities such as nyasa and mudra; and
3.1.3 In-depth knowledge of contraindications of yoga practices for specific conditions and circumstances.

Category 3.4 Principles and Skills for Working with Groups
3.4.1 Basic knowledge of and demonstrated ability to design, implement, and evaluate group programs.

Section 5 Professional Practice

Category 5.1. Ethical Principles
5.1.1. In-depth knowledge of yoga practices and methods for self-inquiry related to establishing, practicing, and maintaining ethical principles.

Course Completion Requirements

Students have demonstrated understanding of course learning objectives by their supervised practicum, attendance at all lectures, participation in all discussions and workshops. Completion of required reading. Demonstrate ability to teach Energization satisfactorily and completely via a live practicum.