cYs Professional Studies – One-to-One Practitioner Training Programme Outline

cYs Professional Practitioner Programmes offer an authentic training in the
Art of Practice, Study and Teaching in the approach of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar.

Learning the Viniyoga of Yoga for One-to-One Students
– 105 online small group hours Practitioner Training

For students who have completed:
the 165 online one-to-one hours prerequisites,
a 105 online small group hours Practitioner Programme
in the art of applying Yoga One-to-One is offered.
The focus here is on professional expertise adding one to one Teaching and Therapeutic skills to their personal relationship with Yoga in the fields of Practice, Theory, Psychology and Philosophy.

Together they facilitate an in-depth transmission between the teacher and the student in terms of adding professional practitioner skills in the Art of the Application of Yoga one to one for Individuals to the Core Level Personal Studies Modules, all within an exclusive learning environment.

“Teach what is inside you,
not as it applies to you yourself,
but as it applies to the other.”

– T Krishnamacharya

Approached through online small group teaching modules,
online or live personal practice lessons and
online or live professional 121 teaching supervision,
the Practitioner Training Programme is solely concerned with training a student in the Art of teaching Yoga Practice and Study to individual students.

This means that the student will have already completed the prerequisite training in the relevant areas of Yoga practice and study through the Art of Personal Studies Programme and therefore only needs to add individual teaching skills to this study.

The combined Programme is presented with the aim of reflecting the fundamentals of Śrī T Krishnamacharya’s teaching, namely, transmission occurs through the direct experience of the teacher with the student’s personal practice and study Sādhana.

What are the unique skills for Practitioners trained in this approach to adapting Yoga according to the person?

The uniqueness of the concepts described by Desikachar as Viniyoga of Yoga is in the ability of those trained as Practitioners, within a Professional Teacher Training Programme that includes an extensive one to one lesson process for their own development, to personally customise Yoga practice according to the individual and their situation.

The specialist Practitioner training in short term and long term personalising of our Yoga Practice and Study is in the many skills around respecting our unique differences in age, gender, mental aptitude, physical health, social lifestyle, occupation and interests, together with abilities in the ongoing mapping of the student’s developmental potentials according to their current situation and needs.

The Application of Yoga One-to-One – Practitioner Programme Prerequisites

Prior completion of a minimum of 165 one-to-0ne online hours through the Art of Personal Studies Modules within two primary areas of Yoga Practice Techniques & Theory Study and Associated Yoga & Lifestyle Texts Study.

Follow link for further details of the Practitioner Training Prerequisites

The Application of Yoga One-to-One – Practitioner Programme Framework

The Practitioner Programme reflects the Yoga teachings of TKV Desikachar and his teacher T Krishnamacharya as taught to Paul Harvey over 25 years through appreciating the Viniyoga of Yoga as a:

  • Learning or Healthcare practice for individuals
  • Holistic Yoga Teaching received from T Krishnamacharya through TKV Desikachar
  • Philosophy through the teachings from Texts and Teachers
  • Psychology comparable to Western models
  • Complementary Support in sustaining health or recovery from illness

The Application of Yoga One-t0-One – Practitioner Programme Topics

The Art of Professional Studies Modules explore the teaching of Yoga in the fields of Practice, Theory, Psychology and Philosophy to Individuals. It focuses on the areas that add professional expertise for those wishing to add Yoga Teaching and Therapeutic Healthcare skills to their personal relationship with Yoga.

This is a Practitioner Training Programme in the Art of Professional application of Yoga teaching and therapeutic healthcare theory for working with individual students or clients in the fields of:

  • Āsana or General Postures
  • Mudrā or Special Postures
  • Prāṇāyāma or Seated Breathing
  • Dhyāna or Seated Meditation
  • Adhyayanam or Chanting for Learning or as a Meditational Practice
  • Yoga Psychology
  • Associated Yoga Texts
  • Āyurveda Lifestyle Skills

These Teaching Skills are enhanced by the Prerequisite Personal Textual and Oral Study involving:

  • Experiential application of  Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma, Dhyāna and Chanting through personal practice
  • Experiential application of the Yoga Sūtra through an in-depth exploration as a self-inquiry
  • Experiential application of the principles in the Haṭha Yoga texts emphasised by Krishnamacharya
  • Experiential study of the core constitutional, diagnostic and lifestyle principles in Āyurveda
  • Guidance with linking Indian texts emphasised by Krishnamacharya with Yoga study and practice
  • Guidance with linking Krishnamacharya’s own writings and compositions with Yoga study and practice

The Application of Yoga One-to-One – Practitioner Programme 105 hour Syllabus Topics & Content

The 90 online one-to-one/120 small group hours Practitioner Programme obviously has a 165 online one-to-one  hours prerequisite studies criteria. However if viewed as a separate syllabus the Practitioner Programme has a minimum of 105 hours online small group contact hours in the fields of:

1. Professional Practice Planning and Observation Skills

  • Planning projects to develop self planning, planning for others and observational skills
  • Building and working with personalised recovery, support or developmental practices
  • Learning practice techniques, observation skills and awareness processes to help refine short-term and long-term practices in the fields of Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma, Dhyāna and Chanting

2. Yoga Practice Techniques and Practice Theory Study

– Teaching of Āsana Practice and Theory – General Postures

  • Teaching Āsana techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • In-depth exploration of the Principles of Observation in Āsana practices
  • Why and how we use the Principles of Observation in Āsana practices

– Teaching of Mudrā Practice and Theory – Special Postures

  • Teaching Mudrā techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Apprenticeship into the art and theory of observation of Mudrā in practice

– Teaching of Prāṇāyāma Theory and Practice – Seated Breathing

  • Teaching Prāṇāyāma techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Apprenticeship into the art and theory of observation of Prāṇāyāma in practice

– Teaching of Dhyāna Practice and Theory – Seated Meditation

  • Teaching Dhyāna techniques for individuals within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Apprenticeship into the art and theory of observation of Dhyāna in practice

– Teaching of Saṃskṛta and Nāda Theory and Practice  – Yoga of Sound and Chanting

  • Application of voice work and techniques for sound with individual students or clients
  • Teaching Sound and Chant in Āsana and Mudrā Practices
  • Teaching Sound and Chant in Seated Prāṇāyāma and Dhyānam Practices

3. Professional Study and Teaching of Yoga to Individual Students or Clients

– Application of Yoga for Individual Students or Clients

  • The Teachings from T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar
  • Eastern and Western Teaching Methodology and the student teacher relationship
  • Advantages and disadvantages of individual tuition
  • Application of Yoga for individual situations within Śikṣaṇa, Rakṣaṇa and Cikitsā situations
  • Application and development of the Viniyoga of Yoga through refining our 121 curriculum and developmental skills for teaching through individual lessons
  • Application of Yoga Lessons through contributing examples of our Yoga 121 work for case studies
  • Individual Supervision for Student and Clients practices and processes

– Yoga Therapeutics or Cikitsā applied to Individual Students or Clients

  • The therapeutic elements of Yoga when working with problems or illness
  • Therapeutic application using Yoga Cikitsā healthcare skills
  • Exploring aspects of the individual within situations at the physiological level through to emotional problems at the Transpersonal level
  • Study of Āyurveda Diagnostic and Lifestyle Principles and their relationship with Yoga Cikitsā and Yoga Rakṣaṇa
  • Individual Supervision for Student and Clients practices and processes

The Application of Yoga One-to-One – Practitioner Programme 270 hour Syllabus Topics & Content

However combined with the 165 online one-to-one hours prerequisite studies criteria we now have a total of 270 online one-to-one hours Practitioner Training:

1. Personal and Professional Practice Planning and Observation Skills

  • Individual lessons for personal practice and personal questions
  • Individual lessons for professional student and client supervision
  • Planning projects to develop self planning, planning for others and observational skills
  • Building and working with personalised recovery, support or developmental practices
  • Learning practice techniques, observation skills and awareness processes to help refine short term and long term practices in the fields of Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma, Dhyāna and Chanting

2. Yoga Practice Techniques and Practice Theory Study

– Study and Teaching of Āsana Practice and Theory – General Postures

  • Exploring Āsana Practice according to Age
  • Exploring Āsana Practice according to Health
  • Exploring Āsana Practice according to Lifestyle
  • Exploring Āsana Practice according to Energetic Constitution
  • Exploring Āsana Practice according to Psychological Constitution
  • Definition, purpose and benefits of Āsana
  • Introducing the components that make up an Āsana practice
  • Why and how we use Sequence Building in planning Āsana practices
  • Why and how we use Counterposes and Transitions in planning Āsana practices
  • Why and how we use the Breath in planning Āsana practices
  • How we use Energetic and Psychological characteristics of Āsana in planning practices
  • Why and how we use Movement or Staying in planning Āsana practices
  • Why and how we use Variation and Modification in planning Āsana practices
  • In-depth exploration of Primary and Intermediate Āsana Form, Function and Application
  • Personalising Āsana techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Teaching Āsana techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Teaching Āsana techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • In-depth exploration of the Principles of Observation in Āsana practices
  • Why and how we use the Principles of Observation in Āsana practices

– Study and Teaching of Mudrā Practice and Theory – Special Postures

  • Exploring Mudrā Practice according to Age
  • Exploring Mudrā Practice according to Health
  • Exploring Mudrā Practice according to Lifestyle
  • Exploring Mudrā Practice according to Energetic Constitution
  • Exploring Mudrā Practice according to Psychological Constitution
  • Exploring the components that make up an Mudrā practice
  • Definition, purpose and benefits of Mudrā
  • Introducing the Energetic and Psychological characteristics of Mudrā
  • Introducing how Mudrā are arranged sequentially in building a practice
  • Introducing how counterposes are used within Mudrā practice
  • Introducing how we breathe in Mudrā practice
  • Introducing how we use movement or stay as tools in Mudrā practice
  • Introducing how we modify or vary Mudrā within our practice
  • Why and how of using Primary Mudrā within a Yoga practice
  • Personalising Mudrā techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Teaching Mudrā techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Apprenticeship into the art and theory of observation of Mudrā in practice

– Study and Teaching of Prāṇāyāma Theory and Practice – Seated Breathing

  • Exploring Prāṇāyāma Practice according to Age
  • Exploring Prāṇāyāma Practice according to Health
  • Exploring Prāṇāyāma Practice according to Lifestyle
  • Exploring Prāṇāyāma Practice according to Energetic Constitution
  • Exploring Prāṇāyāma Practice according to Psychological Constitution
  • Exploring the components that make up an Prāṇāyāma practice
  • Definition, purpose and benefits of Prāṇāyāma
  • Detailed study of the theory of Prāṇa and Nādī
  • Introducing the Energetic and Psychological characteristics of Prāṇāyāma
  • Introducing how Prāṇāyāma are arranged sequentially in building a practice
  • Introducing how counterposes are used within Prāṇāyāma practice
  • Introducing how we breathe in Prāṇāyāma practice
  • Introducing how we use movement or stay as tools in Prāṇāyāma practice
  • Introducing how we modify or vary Prāṇāyāma within our practice
  • Why and how of using Primary Prāṇāyāma within a Yoga practice
  • Why and how of using Intermediate Prāṇāyāma within a Yoga practice
  • Additional techniques within Prāṇāyāma practice
  • Personalising Prāṇāyāma techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Teaching Prāṇāyāma techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Apprenticeship into the art and theory of observation of Prāṇāyāma in practice

– Study and Teaching of Dhyāna Practice and Theory – Seated Meditation

  • Exploring Dhyāna Practice according to Age
  • Exploring Dhyāna Practice according to Health
  • Exploring Dhyāna Practice according to Lifestyle
  • Exploring Dhyāna Practice according to Energetic Constitution
  • Exploring Dhyāna Practice according to Psychological Constitution
  • Exploring the components that make up an Dhyāna practice
  • Definition, purpose and benefits of Dhyāna
  • Introducing the Energetic and Psychological characteristics of Dhyāna
  • Introducing how Dhyāna is arranged in building a practice
  • Introducing how counterposes are used within Dhyāna practice
  • Introducing how we use the breath in Dhyāna practice
  • Introducing how we use movement and stay as tools for Dhyāna practice
  • Introducing how we modify or vary Dhyāna within our practice
  • Basic techniques of Dhāraṇā and Bhāvana applied through Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma
  • Āsana within a Meditational framework
  • Mudrā within a Meditational framework
  • Prāṇāyāma within a Meditational framework
  • Application of Dhāraṇā and Bhāvana as meditational techniques
  • Application of Dhāraṇā and Bhāvana within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Personalising Dhyāna techniques within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Teaching Dhyāna techniques for individuals within recovery, support or developmental situations
  • Apprenticeship into the art and theory of observation of Dhyāna in practice

– Study and Teaching of Saṃskṛta and Nāda Theory and Practice  – Yoga of Sound and Chanting

  • Understanding the important Saṃskṛta terms in Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma, Dhyāna and Chanting
  • Application of voice work and techniques for sound in personal practice
  • Application of voice work and techniques for sound with individual students or clients
  • Contexting Sound and Chant Material
  • Origins and context for Chanting
  • Guidelines for Sound and Chant
  • Saṃskṛta alphabet and pronunciation of the Sound and Chant
  • Saṃskṛta grammar and Saṃskṛta Sound and Chant rules
  • Personalising Sound and Chant in Āsana and Mudrā Practices
  • Teaching Sound and Chant in Āsana and Mudrā Practices
  • Personalising Sound and Chant in Seated Prāṇāyāma and Dhyānam Practices
  • Teaching Sound and Chant in Seated Prāṇāyāma and Dhyānam Practices

3. Personal Study of Associated Yoga and Lifestyle Texts

– Roots of Yoga – Introduction to Textual Study

  • Definition of Yoga according to root texts
  • Approaches to and evolution of Yoga

– Yoga Sūtra – Study of Yoga Psychology

  • An in-depth introduction to the background and all four Chapters of the Yoga Sūtra
  • Exploring some key concepts that underpin this Teaching on Yoga
  • How the four chapters are linked
  • What are the key words in each
  • Which chapters are most important
  • Why we need a view such as Patāñjali
  • Learning to look from the Yoga Sūtra at our relationship with others
  • Linking the Sūtra to the ebb and flow of daily life
  • Introduction to the value of reciting the Yoga Sūtra
  • Book 1 verse by verse with the commentaries of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar
  • Book 2 verse by verse with the commentaries of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar

– In-depth introduction to Haṭha Yoga texts

  • In-depth introduction to the Haṭha Yoga texts and teachings
  • Why we need a view such as Haṭha
  • Exploring some key themes that underpin the major Haṭha Yoga texts
  • Unpacking Key Haṭha concepts such as Prāṇa, Apāna, Amṛtam, Candra, Sūrya, Agni, Mūla, Mala, Tridoṣa, Dvadasa Nādī, Kuṇḍalinī, Avidyā, Ṣat Cakra
  • Which concepts are most important
  • How the key concepts are linked
  • Learning to look through Haṭha at our relationship with others
  • Linking the concepts of Haṭha to the ebb and flow of daily life
  • Practical learning skills from Haṭha Yoga to refine your personal Yoga Sādhana
  • Linking to the concepts of Haṭha to help develop and deepen your understanding of Yoga

– In-depth introduction to Gītā Scripture

  • In-depth introduction to the Bhagavad Gītā texts and teachings
  • Exploring some key concepts that underpin this Teaching
  • How the eighteen chapters are linked
  • What are the key concepts in each
  • Which chapters are most important
  • Why we need a view such as the Bhagavad Gītā
  • Learning to look from the Bhagavad Gītā at our relationship with others
  • Linking the Gītā to the ebb and flow of daily life

– In-depth introduction to Upaniṣat Mysticism

  • In-depth introduction to the Upaniṣat texts and teachings
  • Exploring some key concepts that underpin this Teaching
  • How the Upaniṣat are linked
  • What are the key concepts in each
  • Which Upaniṣat are most important
  • Why we need a view such as the Upaniṣat
  • Learning to look from the Upaniṣat at our relationship with others
  • Linking the Upaniṣat to the ebb and flow of daily life

– In-depth introduction to Sāṃkhya Philosophy

  • In-depth introduction to Sāṃkhya texts and teachings
  • Embracing the unique world view of Sāṃkhya
  • Understanding the principles that inspire and shape Sāṃkhya philosophy
  • Why we need a world view such as Sāṃkhya
  • Learning to look from Sāṃkhya at our relationship with the world
  • Guidance in emphasising a personal reflective study to support our inner life
  • Exploring the key concepts that underpin this Teaching
  • Appreciating the influence of Sāṃkhya on Yoga, Buddhism and Āyurveda
  • What are the key goals in its primary text the Sāṃkhya Kārikā
  • Overview of primary Sāṃkhya concepts around body, mind and awareness
  • Familiarisation with basic Sāṃkhya terms and reflective processes
  • Which concepts are most important for personal Yoga study and Practice
  • Deepening the reflective aspects of our personal Yoga study through Sāṃkhya

– In-depth introduction to Āyurveda Lifestyle

  • In-depth introduction to Āyurveda texts and teachings
  • Pañca Prāṇa – Understanding the flow of Movement
  • Agni – Understanding the Digestive Fire
  • Tridoṣa – Understanding the 3 principle Energetic Processes
  • Prakṛti Parīkṣa – Beginning and Intermediate Constitutional Diagnosis
  • Nādī Parīkṣa – Beginning Diagnosing through the Pulse
  • Bṛṃhaṇa Kriyā and Laṅghana Kriyā – As Therapeutic Lifestyle Tools
  • Dravya Guṇa – Appreciating and Utilising the value of Herbs and Spices in diet
  • Ahāra – Appreciating and Utilising food as a medicine
  • Vihāra – Appreciating and Utilising Lifestyle as a tool for change

4. Professional Study and Teaching of Yoga to Individual Students or Clients

– Application of Yoga for Individual Students or Clients

  • The Teachings from T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar
  • Eastern and Western Teaching Methodology and the student teacher relationship
  • Advantages and disadvantages of individual tuition
  • Application of Yoga for individual situations
  • Application and development of the Viniyoga of Yoga through refining our 121 curriculum and developmental skills for teaching through individual lessons
  • Application of Yoga as Therapeutic Healthcare through contributing examples of our Yoga Healthcare work for case studies
  • Individual Supervision for Student and Clients practices and processes

– Yoga Therapeutics or Cikitsā applied to Individual Students or Clients

  • The therapeutic possibilities of Yoga when working with problems or illness
  • Therapeutic application using Yoga Cikitsā healthcare skills
  • Beginning and Intermediate aspects of working with individuals with illness at the physiological level through to emotional problems at the Transpersonal level
  • Beginning and Intermediate Study of Āyurveda Diagnostic and Lifestyle Principles and their relationship with Yoga Cikitsā and Yoga Rakṣaṇa
  • Individual Supervision for Student and Clients practices and processes