Yin Yoga Foundations is a 3-day training led by Jeny Dawson of Zen Soul Balance from San Diego, CA. This course is designed for Yoga Teachers and Yoga Students desiring to deepen their practice, gain knowledge and hone their skills of a functional yoga practice and skeletal variations. Participants will look at the unique physical differences of each human being, while exploring their individual body’s range of motion. Each trainee will learn how to adapt postures for their body in order to experience optimal benefits.

Yin Yoga is an introspective practice that offers a chance to turn inward and nurture the calm, quiet center that is innate in all of us. Most postures are seated or reclined with 3-7 minute holds. Holding each posture while relaxing the muscles allows the deeper, dense connective tissues to be safely and therapeutically stretched, stimulated, and strengthened.This style of yoga will challenge the mind to remain present while physically and mentally releasing tension. 

Yin Yoga: A Functional Approach

Through interactive posture labs and creative sequences, we will unveil the intelligent approach to a healthy, long-term asana practice by:

- Examining the nature of yin and yang

- Understanding the main principles of Yin Yoga

- Acknowledging the reality of human skeletal variations

- Learning the fundamental principles of functional alignment versus aesthetical alignment

- Exploring healthy stresses by creating tension, contraction and compression

- Learning how to listen and observe your inner landscape to respond to the evolving needs of the body and mind

- Understanding the “Rebound”. Passively and steadily observe the flow of energy released on the exit of a yin pose

- Discovering the strength of surrender, the power in stillness, the beauty of silence, the virtue of patience, the importance of breath, and the empowerment of support

Yin Yoga Archetypes: Shoelace, Saddle, Caterpillar, Dragonfly and Twist

Realizing the uniqueness of every Yogi, founder of Yin Yoga, Paul Grilley, developed a system of Archetypes and Target Areas.

According to Paul Grilley’s Yin Yoga model, there are 7 archetypal poses. The foundations module takes a deeper look into 5 of the 7 archetypes and their myriad of variations.

As stated by Paul Grilley, “There are thousands of yoga poses but the vast majority of them are variations of 7 archetypal poses. This is why ancient books on yoga listed so few postures. Understanding these seven archetypes is the key to teaching variations, using props, and making adjustments."

Additional Course Information:

The Guiding Sutra: “14-10-7”. Explaining and applying this sutra is the heart of Paul Grilley’s model and the focus of the foundations module. The full sutra is: “When you learn to see the body as 14 Skeletal Segments being moved by 10 Myofascial Groups you will be able to skillfully adapt the 7 Archetypal poses to suit every student.”

This level one foundational course is a replica of Joe Barnett's curriculum from Yin Variations. He is the original Senior Assistant to Paul Grilley, Founder of Yin Yoga. The course lessons emphasize anatomical awareness, how to practice functionally, and the general understanding of the Grilley Yin Model. Learn more about Yin Variations advanced modules: Click Here

Benefits of Yin Yoga:

- Increases circulation

- Reduces stress and anxiety

- Revitalizes tissues of the body

- Improves flexibility and joint mobility

- Restores equilibrium and cultivates balance

- Activates the parasympathetic nervous system

- Positively impacts mental, emotional and energetic states 

Sample Course Schedule:

Friday March 11, 2022

2:00p - 3:00p: Introduction, Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics 

3:00p - 5:00p: Anatomy and Physiology Lecture

5:00p - 5:30p: Dinner Break

5:30p - 6:30p: Teaching Methodology Overview  

6:30 - 8:00p: Analyze and Practice

** Hourly 10 minute breaks & 1-2 hours homework daily

Saturday March 12, 2022

12:00p - 2:00p: Fascia and Connective Tissue

2:00p - 4:00p: Archetypes and Interactive Labs

4:00p - 6:00p: How To Practice Functionally

6:00p - 6:30p: Dinner Break

6:30p - 8:00p: Analyze and Practice

** Hourly 10 minute breaks & 1-2 hours homework daily

Sunday March 13, 2022

12:00p - 2:00p: Techniques, Training, Anatomy 

2:00p - 4:00p: Archetypes & Sequencing Overview

4:00p - 6:00p: Analyze and Practice

6:00p - 6:30p: Dinner Break

6:30p - 8:00p: Yin & Sound Healing practice

** Hourly 10 minute breaks & 1-2 hours homework daily

Why is it important to earn CEUs for Yoga Alliance?

As stated on the Yoga Alliance website, “In order to continue learning and growing as a teacher, all Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®s) must complete 45 hours of Continuing Education every three years. This includes 30 hours of yoga training, of which: At least 10 hours must be Contact Hours with a qualified provider, No more than 20 hours may be Non-Contact Hours, and All training hours must be directly related to one of our four Educational Categories, where you are learning something that is new to you. More information on Yin Yoga Foundations at Yoga Alliance.