Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics (35hrs)
Part of the Foundations of Yin Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training
Registration closed on Sunday, January 3 for the January 2021 cohort. Fill out the form below to be notified when a new round of this training is announced.
Referred to as "The Quiet Practice" by its innovator Paul Grilley, Yin Yoga offers a framework for attending to the often overlooked inner realms of our body, mind, and spirit. The simple, floor-based postures, held for several minutes, provide a unique opportunity to release deeply held tension, free stagnant or blocked energy, and cultivate a peaceful quality of mind.
In Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics, you will learn the essential elements of practicing and teaching Yin Yoga.
* Insight Yoga Institute Credit is now available. See Below. *
Learning Objectives
This 35-hour online course unfolds over two weekends. In addition to lectures and posture labs, each weekend will include one Yin Yoga class for an embodied experience of the theories behind the practice.
You'll also get lots of access to the instructor, Jennifer O'Sullivan, through a virtual sangha, optional weekly Yin Yoga classes and virtual office hours.
History and Principles of Yin Yoga - Discover the Taoist roots of Yin Yoga & its complementary relationship to other forms of yoga.
Posture Labs - Learn how to expertly practice and teach the essential Yin Yoga poses and the variations that support each individual's anatomical structure.
Safety & Personalization - Learn how to help your students safely explore their own body's capacities and use props to creatively enhance their experience in the poses.
Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy - Find out how skeletal variation, biomechanics, and the Theory of Exercise help us understand how to support individual students and design innovative class plans.
Fascia - Learn about fascia physiology and how Yin Yoga affects this ubiquitous tissue.
Sensation - Learn the basics of pain science and how to appropriately play the edge in Yin Yoga postures. You'll also develop an understanding of the difference between tension and compression and how to relate that to your students.
Principles of Teaching Yin Yoga - Learn and practice teaching masterful Yin Yoga classes including sequencing, cueing, and holding the space for your students’ personal experiences.
"In my 30 years as a practitioner, this was, by far, one of the best trainings I've attended. Jennifer is extremely knowledgeable on a wide variety of yoga and mindfulness practices. It was an honor to learn from her. I'd recommend this training to anyone with an interest in Yin, anatomy, philosophy, and mindfulness.
- Randi W.
"I truly think this certification program was one of the best I have ever taken. The care and attention that Jen put into developing a comprehensive, informative, organized program was evident. Every activity was well thought out and built upon the knowledge we were gaining from our readings and lectures, to culminate in a great understanding of the foundation, principles, and practice of Yin. The program was the perfect blend of lecture, readings, hands-on demonstrations, group practice, and leading others in practice. As a hatha yoga teacher, I feel like Jen's training has made me a better yoga teacher beyond Yin. Thanks for all you do, Jen!"
- Jill S.
Your Investment Includes...
Jennifer brings a compassionate approach and talent for making complicated material accessible and interesting.
- 35 hours continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance US
- 28 contact hours via Zoom
- 7 non-contact hours (readings, posture surveys, quizzes, and final assignment)
- Printed manual
- Access to Fascia 101 online physiology course ($89 value)
- Your choice of two of Teaching Yin Yoga continuing ed workshops ($130 value)
- Private, virtual community to post questions and reflections and stay in touch with your classmates
- Six Yin Yoga class sequences you can use in your own classes
- Access to Jennifer's weekly virtual Yin Yoga class on Monday evenings for one month ($60 value)
- Office hours with Jennifer via Zoom
- Lifetime access to course recordings
Insight Yoga Institute Credit
This training also qualifies for up to 50hrs toward the Insight Yoga Institute Yin Yoga/Anatomy requirement. To receive the full 50hrs of credit, students are required to complete Fascia 101 and take a quiz, attend at least 4 virtual Yin Yoga classes with Jen, and complete one additional writing assignment. Cost for the additional credits is $100.
If you choose the 35hr option, you'll be required to take additional training to fulfill the Yin Yoga/Anatomy credit.
This course is closed for enrollment.
"Jen's knowledge and delivery is fantastic. Her ability to organize and structure information in digestible chunks was so helpful to my application of this material in my practice and teaching. She has helped me view my practice in such exciting new ways. Every minute was intentional and well-spent!"
- Katie A.
"Jen's course was truly a pleasure and I learned so much information about Yin Yoga, how to teach it, and how to create my own tailored practice. Jen is a fun and patient teacher who is both passionate and knowledgeable about Yin yoga and mindfulness. I highly recommend this training for anyone interested in simply learning more about what Yin yoga is or getting a certification to teach it."
- Chanel D.
Dates
The online edition of Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics has been carefully designed to highlight the advantages of online learning while minimizing the shortcomings. You'll find that the program will feel spacious and your virtual experience will be humane.
The live, synchronous portion of the course is comprised of 2, non-consecutive weekend modules.
Weekend 1: January 15-17
Weekend 2: January 29-31
Times
Each weekend follows the same schedule. All times below are listed in EST (NYC/DC). Time Zone Converter
Fridays: 11:00 AM - 5:00* PM
Saturdays: 11:00 AM - 4:30* PM
Sundays: 11:00 AM - 4:30* PM
*Includes 30-minute lunch break and additional breaks throughout the day.
Participants are also encouraged to join several weekly opportunities free of charge through the duration of the course including:
Monday Yin Yoga: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Office Hours: TBA
(Registration closes on Sunday, January 3. Enrollment is limited to ensure a more personalized experience.)
This course is closed for enrollment.
"Jen's teaching is passionate, direct and highly educational. Her loving kindness is only surpassed by her thorough knowledge of physical, energetic and mindfulness practices. This training is totally worth the time and money. I am walking away with a lot of useful information for both my personal practice and teaching practice."
- Layne C.
"This course prepared me not only to teach a well-rounded Yin Yoga class, but it also gave me the knowledge to teach a class that goes beyond the physical body. I highly recommend this course to any yoga practitioner."
- Sharon R.
Certification
Yoga teachers who wish to receive a certificate must attend all sessions and fully participate in the program including completing the reading assignments, submitting posture surveys, taking quizzes, and satisfactorily completing the final homework assignment. While not required, participants are strongly encouraged to attend the Monday Yin Yoga classes. This will further enrich the training experience while supporting your growth as a Yin Yoga teacher.
To receive Yoga Alliance continuing education credits, participants are expected to attend sessions live per the Temporary Online Provision.
"Not being a yoga teacher, I was afraid that I was going to be overwhelmed and lost, but Jen is so well organized and she teaches in plain English. I was able to really enjoy the course, and I left with a wealth of knowledge to improve my personal practice."
- Stacy C.
Required Reading
Related writings and articles will be shared before and during the course.
Suggested Reading
Your Body Your Yoga by Bernie Clark
Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined by Jules Mitchell
"I am mind blown with all that I've learned. I feel inspired that this practice will help me better control of my health. Jen is so knowledgeable when it comes to Yin Yoga. I truly love how passionate and real she is when presenting this material. I feel so renewed after in this training."
- Casey B.
Payments
Space is limited to ensure a personalized experience for all who attend. Register early to secure your spot. To allow time to mail printed manuals, registration closes by 11:59PM on January 3, 2021.
Pay In Full: To register in full, click the "Enroll" button to sign up and pay online using all major credit cards plus Pay Pal and Apple Pay.
Payment Plan: You can secure your spot in the course by putting down a non-refundable deposit of 30%. Payment must be paid in full by January 3, 2021. Get in touch to discuss this option. I have to send you to a special link to start a payment plan.
Partial Scholarships: There are a limited number of partial scholarships (70% tuition reduction) available to teachers who share yoga with underserved populations. Email for a link to apply. Scholarship recipients will need to pay the 30% tuition to secure their spot on the program. While it's not the only criteria, priority will be given to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) teachers who seek to carry this work into their respective communities.
Refunds
Refunds are offered according to the following schedule:
No Refunds after January 3, 2020
December 20 to January 2, 30% refund*
December 6 to December 20, 50% refund*
Before December 5, 75% refund*
Your Instructor
Jennifer O'Sullivan has been teaching yoga and meditation in the Washington, DC area for over sixteen years after completing her first training in 2004. She has studied with exemplary yoga teachers from a number of disciplines but is most influenced by Don and Amba Stapleton of Nosara Yoga Institute and Sarah Powers. Jennifer is one of only 22 teachers to be endorsed by Sarah Powers to teach Insight Yoga, a heart-centered approach that weaves together yin and yang Yoga, Taoism, Buddhism and spiritual psychology.
Jennifer has completed nearly 1000 hours of Yin Yoga, biomechanics, and fascia physiology training and education with some of the most renowned teachers including Sarah Powers, Paul Grilley, Biff Mithoefer, Tom Meyers, and Jules Mitchell.
She is also greatly inspired by the mindfulness teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and Bhante Gunaratana with whom she has sat several retreats. Jennifer received the Five Mindfulness Trainings (precepts) and her spiritual name from Thich Nhat Hanh. She continues her Buddhist studies through various centers across the US.
With more than a decade of experience offering innovative in-person and online yoga programs, Jennifer sees herself a force-multiplier, educating yoga teachers around the world to share depth practices that truly transform lives.