300hr YTT Curriculum
intensive 1
This first intensive introduces the foundational therapeutic and philosophical principles that guide the program. Central to this exploration is ‘chikitsa’ (therapy) — practices that restore harmony and enhance adaptability within the human system.
Each morning begins with pranayama and asana practice, which draws from the natural sequence of human developmental patterns, progressing from early movements like rolling and crawling to kneeling, seated transitions, and standing balance. Soft tissue techniques are incorporated to support mobility and set the stage for therapeutic interventions. These sessions are followed by philosophical teachings rooted in Samkhya philosophy, creating a rich context for understanding the principles of harmony, adaptation, and freedom.
Afternoon sessions emphasize practical application and teaching skills, focusing on Evolutionary Development as students practice teaching in both one-on-one and group settings. Sequences build progressively from basic movements to more complex patterns, guided by the body’s natural progression.
A fireside storytelling session invites students to connect with the myths and narratives that illuminate yoga’s wisdom traditions, providing a meaningful backdrop for their studies.
REQUIRED READING
Katy Bowman, “Move Your DNA”, any edition
intensive 2
Building on the foundations established in Intensive 1, this intensive introduces the Ayurvedic model of health to expand the range of tools for personalizing interventions and harmonizing the system. Students explore how stability and motor control support the core and neutral spine in prone, supine, sitting, and standing, using a blend of biomechanical insights and Ayurvedic principles.
Each morning begins with pranayama tailored to the doshas (Ayurvedic constitutions), integrating techniques like Jiva Bandha, Ujjayi, and Mukhya practices. Asana practice is designed to support each dosha—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—through breath work, biomechanical tools like the Big Four. These practices emphasize activation, motor control, and alignment within an Ayurvedic framework.
The morning philosophy sessions focus on Ayurveda, exploring the doshas, the 20 qualities, and their practical applications to yoga practice and teaching.
Afternoons are dedicated to practice teaching with dosha-specific adjustments, one-on-one and group settings, and creating sequences that address specific doshic needs for both internal and external (environmental) rhythms.
Fireside storytelling with Matt continues.
REQUIRED READING
David Frawley, “Yoga and Ayurveda: Self Healing and Self Realization”, any edition
intensive 3
This intensive delves deeply into the concept of Prana and the five Vayus (winds) as foundational forces in movement, breath, and meditation. Students explore the qualities and movements of each Vayu to devise asana, pranayama, and meditation practices that support vitality, clarity, and harmony.
Each morning begins with meditation designed to awaken the awareness of the Vayu movements within. Asana sessions progress through targeted practices for each Vayu, emphasizing their unique qualities. From Apana and grounding movements like squats to Vyana and expansive sequences, students learn how to connect the principles of the Vayus to both functional and therapeutic applications.
Philosophy sessions focus on the evolution of Prana from the Vedas to the Upanishads and Ayurveda, providing a comprehensive understanding of how these ancient principles inform modern practice.
Afternoon sessions emphasize practice teaching and sequencing, with a focus on functional movement standards such as squatting and posterior chain activation in support of the upright posture.
The Saturday evening storytelling session continues.
This intensive focuses on creating dynamic kramas (sequences) that serve different student capacities, from therapeutic boundaries all the way to advanced functional movement (and beyond).
Morning pranayama and meditation is advanced. Asana sessions focus on multiplane movement, progressing from practices like the Joint Freeing Series (JFS) to dynamic floor and locomotion-based flows. These sessions develop fascial elasticity, spinal segmentation, and fluid movement strategies essential for functional health.
Philosophy sessions investigate the connection between concepts like Samadhi, Nirodha, and Samapatti and the "flow state", providing a framework for understanding higher cognitive states that support self-knowledge.
Afternoons emphasize practice teaching and sequencing. Students refine their ability to scale practices for different capacities, and review core principles of functional movement and therapeutic applications.
The Saturday evening storytelling session continues.
REQUIRED READING
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, “Flow”, any edition