Windfire Yoga Training Modules

The Windfireyoga teacher trainings are divided into the following elements or modules, different combinations of which entitle you difeferent certifications all endorsed by The Yoga Register. Many of these courses are open to those not wanting to become teachers.

1. THE DYNAMIC YOGA FOUNDATION COURSE in the practice of yoga according to The Dynamic Yoga Method. (90 contact hours)

offers a balanced and comprehensive introduction to safe and effective yoga practice. Its safety and effectiveness rests entirely on the inherent intellegence of the body. This course demonstrates how to recognise, access, clarify and apply that intelligence. This then invites the inherent unity of body, mind and spirit to enjoy a natural, illuminating and satisfying expression within the simplicity of yoga posture practice. This allows the depths and subtleties of being human to be accesses and enjoyed directly from sensitive, responsive action without reference to wishful thinking or incoherent esotericism.

The course presents and explores three Training Series that include xandranamaska, ullola, vinyasa and simple, accessible postures that sensitise, awaken and integrate the body. The main foucs of the course is clarifying, applying and integrating the Dynamics of Integrity. The course takes place over 3 weeks of 30 hours training each week. While together they constitute a single whole, aach module is self contained. Accordingly they can be taken in any order.

THE CONTENT includes:

• THE PRACTICE OF XANDRANAMASKAR to awaken the inherent wisdom of the body
• THE ART OF MOVEMENT ullola and vinyasa to to sensitise, awaken and develop muscular and respiratory function and integration, and mind-body synchronicity.
• THE ART OF BREATH BODY SYNCHRONISATION to release the breath and awaken the meditative mind in action
• THE PRINCIPLES OF INTEGRATION: clarifying the dynamics of integrity necessary to the safety and effectiveness of yoga practice: the art of activating the bandhas structurally.
• CLARIFYING THE BANDHAS: clarifying the activation of the seven bandhas their relationship to structural integrity, respiration, energy and awareness
• THE ART OF INTERNALISATION clarifying and applying basic pranayama and meditation techniques in movement and stillness 
• THE THEORY OF YOGA. Including exploration of the eight limbs of ashtangayoga, the true nature of action, volition and the self. You

 

2. THE DYNAMIC YOGA INTERMEDIATE TRAINING COURSE (75 contact hours)

offers a balanced and comprehensive introduction to the art of self practice. It involves three weeks of training. The Form week involves a deep practical exploration of the core postures of the yoga method as a process of reintegration. The Practice week presents four Dynamic Yoga Practice Series which serve as the basis of a sound, safe and effective yoga self practice. The Self Practice week allows you to develop and refine these and other practice possibilities under expert guidance.

1. THE PRACTICE OF SURYANAMASKAR to awaken the inherent wisdom of the body
2. The USE  OF 5 DYNAMIC YOGA PRACTICE SERIES
3. THE ART OF INTEGRATION applying the dynamics of integrity to yoga postures, pranayama and meditation
4. APPLYING THE BANDHAS as the integrating heart of yoga practice, and as a lens for pranayama amd meditation
5. THE DEEPENING OF INTERNALISATION utilising advanced pranayama and meditation techniques to access samadhi

You will learn the following Practice Series:

• THE VINYASANIXISYA practice series: This Practice Sequence focusses on releasing each part of the body from habituated tension and overexertion. The variable series includes xandranamaskar, standing postures, strengthening backbends, spinal extensions, forward bends, rotations and inversions. They are sequenced to create deep release in all the joints of the body, while strengthening the muscles supporting each joint. The sequence is varied extensively by alternating between different standing postures that together invite deep release into the motor joints. Only then can the body be established in structural integrity.
  
• THE VINYASADYNASYA practice series: This Practice Sequence focusses mobilising all the motor joints, while activating all the motor muscles. Its primary purpose is to develop the core structural muscles of the spine, while sustaining the mobility of the body and its current capacity for action and movement. The series includes xandranamaskar, open standing postures, strengthening backbends, extensions, rotations, forward bends and inversions. Being a maintaining, rather than an opening practice, it provides deep organic and energetic nourishment to body and mind, which fertilises the more challenging opening series.
• VINYASABHUJASYA:  this practice sequence focusses on releasing the body softly and gently into its currrent capcity of movement and release. The variable series is based around supine extensions, backbends, twists and forward bends, and shoulder balance inversions held for extended periods of time to invite deep release and softening. It is an opening, rejuvenating practice suitable for when tired, weak, or recovering from illness, or practicing late at night.
• THE VINYASAMUKTASYA practice series: This Practice Sequence focusses on deep psychosomatic release. Almost all phsyical problems have a psychological counterpart. For complete physical release to be possible, the psychological element it houses must be released. This can not happen if practice stays only on a physical level. Time must be taken to feel deeply into the sensations and feelings generated while maintaining postures for a longer period of time. The series includes deep, but accessible backbends, twists and forward bends.
• THE VINYASAYOGASYA practice series: This Practice Sequence focusses on establishing integrity between the ribcage and the pelvis: ie the spine. This is the key structural aspect of the human body, and the one upon which the effectiveness of yoga posture practice most directly rests. The series includes xandranamaskar, standing postures, armbalances, strengthening backbends, spinal extensions, forward bends, rotations and inversions. They are sequenced to integrate all the motor muscles of the body into the relationship between the ribcage and the pelvis. This recalibrates the motor musculature to establish integrity in every major joint of the body. This recalibration then allows the body to be opened safely and effectively.
• THE VINYASAVAJRASYA practice series: This Practice Sequence focusses on mobilising and strengthening the spine. It can be practiced along with vinyasayogasya. While simultaneously strengthening the limbs, shoulder girdle and pelvis, it focusses on gentle backbends that invite deep sensitivity to subtle sensations, as they open, strengthen and mobilise the spine. This invites deep psyhcosomatic release while simultaneously strengtheing the body parts that support the spine. The series includes xandranamaskar, open standing postures, standing balances, backbends, rotations and inversions. They are sequenced to allow the spine to be gently but fully mobilised without straining any of the supporting joints.

3. THE DYNAMIC YOGA DEPTH INTENSIVE (90 contact hours over two weeks) provides a pragmatic exploration of applied anatomy and kinesiology as the technical methodology of yoga posture practice. This training is based on the utilisation of sensitivity to the pain/pleasure mechanism of the body as the basis of both action and awareness. This is an intense course suitable for all yoga practitioners, not only trainee teachers, interested in deepening their understanding of the relationship between body, mind and spirit through practice. Almost 300 yoga techniques are explored in depth: through practice, presentation, explanation, exploration and observation. The techniques are explored not only for their own clarification, but also as lenses through which the dynamics of integrity can be experienced and embodied, and the inherent unity of body, mind and spirit enjoyed.

THE PRACTICAL CONTENT includes
a detailed exploration of over 200 yoga postures, 60 dynamic posture techniques (namaskar, ullola, vinyasa), 7 bandhas, 15 breathing techniques, 7 meditation techniques, their underlying mechanical principles, and their dynamic and inherent inter-relationships, taught in groups that reveal their inherent unities. All techniques will be practiced in a class format, and explored individually, in pairs and in groups. They will also be presented by a Trainer while being analysed in terms of action and impact.

THE THEORETICAL CONTENT includes:

• UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES underlying yoga practice: unity, nonduality, duality, spirallic motion and formation, awareness, gravity, motion, evolution.
• APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY: biological unity, systems integration,  structure-function synchronicities, neurology, muscularespiratory unity, biological learning mechanisms
• PRINCIPLES OF BIOMECHANICS: muscular functionalities,  structural keys,  core actions,  
• THE DYNAMICS OF INTEGRITY principles of action and awareness that express and support the human design in all of its depths and subtleties
• THE PRINCIPLES OF ASANA dynamic functional principles of action, movement, stability and stillness,
• THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BREATH: nature, function and significance of exhalation,  inhalation, and transition
• THE PRINCIPLES OF INTERNALISATION: relationship between body, breath, mind and awareness, stages of the meditative mind: pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, samadhi

4. THE WINDFIRE YOGA TEACHER SKILLS COURSE (150 contact hours over three weeks) All the techniques explored in the Depth Intensive are represented and explored from the perspective of teaching them. This course clarifies the art of teaching yoga from and with the inherent intelligence of the bodimind as a process of awakening the depths and subtleties of being human. It includes:

• Pragmatic exploration of 200 yoga postures, 80 ullola, 10 vinyasa and eight training/practice series. This analysis is made from the perspective of teaching and includes core actions, verbal keys, verbal and physical adjustments, modifications and variations.
  
  
• Pragmatic exploration of the seven bandhas that are the heart of yoga posture practice and the different ways to teach them directly, indirectly, structurally and functionally.
  
  
•  Pragmatic exploration of 12 pranayama techniques and 7 meditation techniques, their underlying principles, inherent interrelationships and transmission in movement and stillness.
  
  
• Theoretical exploration of the dynamics of learning, communication, teaching and group dynamics: a profound, pragmatic analysis of how the body learns and how that can be used to establish an effective teaching methodology; includes an analysis of preparation, compensation, contextualisation and progression of techniques, component actions and instructions; clarification of the teacher/student dynamic; clarification of the principles of class sequencing; etc
   
  
• Theoretical and practical exploration of the art of teaching by progressive instruction: or vinyasakrama. This includes an analysis of the relationship of actions, impacts, and words that underpins the precision and consistency of verbal expression necessary to effective somatic instruction
  capable of revealing the inherent unity of body, mind and spirit.
  
• Practical exploration of the art of teaching this includes the application of the principles of preparation, compensation, contextualisation, progression and sequencing of classes, techniques, actions and instructions, and refining group and communication dynamics.

 

5. THE TEACHERS INTENSIVE (45 contact hours) provides a clarification of the pragmatic challenges and requirements of teaching yoga in the real world. This involves intense theoretical and pragtical exploration of core yoga techniques and their transmission in real life situations, from the dynamic perspective of their inherent and inescapable interrelationships.

6. THE WRITTEN PAPERS. There are three written papers for the Windfire certifications, two more for the DYTM certifications. The first written paper (WYTT Certificate) requires a study of the biomechanical processes of the body pertinent to yoga practices, and involves an estimated 10 hours of study. The second written paper (WYTT Certificate) is based on the content of the Teacher Training Course, and involves an estimated 15 hours of further study. The third written paper (WYTT Diploma) involves an analysis of the common teaching errors that have become implicit in the contemporary yoga teaching culture, and involves an estimated 15 hours of study. The fourth written paper (DYTM Certificate) involves a deeper study of the biological and spiritual underpinnings and implications of yoga practice, and involves an estimated 15 hours of study. The fifth written paper (15 hours) (DYTM Diploma) involves a manifestation of a deep understanding of the nature of the relationship bewteen the dualistic and nondualistic perspectives and their impact on the ongoing process of enquiry.

7. THE FOUNDATION REVIEW (95 contact hours) is required to reclarify the application of vinyasa krama to the transmission of integrity in the practice of postures, breathing and meditation.

8. THE DYNAMIC YOGA PRACTICE REVIEW (60 contact hours) is required to clarify the integrity of practice as the basis of effective teaching.

9. THE PRANAYAMA INTENSIVE (75 contact hours) is an indepth application of Patanjali's presentation of Pranayama in the Yoga Sutras. It deepens and stabilises an effective spring of selfenquiry, based on the relationship between breath and consciousness, pranayama and meditation as a source of integrity, understanding and skillful means in the practice, teaching and living of yoga.

10. THE SOLO RETREAT (20 contact hours) furthers deepen selfenquiry, based on the relationship between stillness, perception, cognition and consciousness, as a source of integrity, understanding and skillful means in the practice, teaching and living of yoga.

11. THE MEDITATION INTENSIVE (75 contact hours) furthers deepen selfenquiry, based on the relationship between stillness, perception, cognition and consciousness, as a source of integrity, understanding and skillful means in the practice, teaching and living of yoga.

12. THE DYTM INTENSIVES (45 contact hours); LEVEL ONE provides a clear, pragmatic analysis of the 5 stages of teaching yoga according to the Dynamic Yoga Training Method, and an in depth exploration of a range of advanced postures. LEVEL TWO : clarifies the presentation of the eight primary Dynamic Yoga Training Series. LEVEL THREE clarifies the presentation of the seven supplementary Dynamic Yoga Training Series.

13. THE TEACHING MANUALS. This is an indispensable part of the Dynamic Yoga Training Method Courses, requiring many hours of homework based on notes taken during the training courses, with the ongoing guidance of course tutors. It involves a thorough analysis and presentation of the human body relevant to yoga practices, and the techniques taught in the Depth and Advanced Intensives, and the precise methdology of teaching them. The manual needs to be begun during the Depth Intensive, and completed after a minimum of 100 hours of teaching practice, following the Teaching Skills Course, during which it can be developed.

14. THE TEACHING REVIEW (10 contact hours) includes teaching short, long and workshop classes and an oral examination designed to clarify the level of understanding of action, perception, volition, learning and teaching reached.

15. THE ADVANCED INTENSIVE (75 contact hours) provides an indepth practice and study of advanced yoga postures and practice series.

Dynamic Yoga Teachers, at each level, are assessed on the three counts:
a. embodiment of techniques being taught on the basis of selfpractice.
b. demonstrated ability to teach.
c. embodiment of the spirit of yoga in terms of sensitivity, honesty, openness, presence, generosity (yama) integrity, trust, selfawareness and selflessness (niyama).

Matriculation is entirely at Godfri's discretion, and may require further study.

to book or enquire further
email to
info@dynamicyoga.info