Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics
October - November, 2022
This is a high-touch program with lots of personalized support, so class size is limited. Get on the waitlist to be notified first when registration opens (late spring for Fall 2022 cohort).
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 online course unfolds over three weekends. In addition to lectures and posture labs, each weekend will include multiple Yin Yoga classes 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 would really recommend the Yin Yoga & Biomechanics training with Jen. She has a wealth of knowledge, years of experience, and the variety of her own teachers results in a most comprehensive and evidence-based curriculum. Teachers would be lucky to gain such a thorough grounding in the practice."
- Grace T.
"This training was a well-balanced program that included segments like posture lab, in which we were able to gain a better understanding of individual experiences that can not be found in textbooks. I appreciated the way Jen organized and held the space for the group so that the learning environment had elements of in-person training."
- Dolly L.
Your Investment Includes...
Jennifer brings a compassionate approach and talent for making complicated material accessible and interesting.
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50 hours continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance US
- 39 contact hours via Zoom
- 11 non-contact hours (Fascia 101 course + quiz, readings, posture surveys, quizzes, and final assignment)
- Printed manual
- 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
- Yin Yoga class sequences you can use in your own classes
- Access to Jennifer's weekly virtual Yin Yoga class on Monday evenings for during the course ($90 value)
- Office hours with Jennifer via Zoom
- Access to recordings of some lectures from the course (note: this is not meant to be a substitute for attending the program live)
Insight Yoga Institute Credit
This training qualifies for 50hrs toward the Insight Yoga Institute Yin Yoga/Anatomy requirement. To receive the full 50hrs of credit, students are required to complete all program requirements including attending at least 4 virtual Yin Yoga classes with Jen.
This course is closed for enrollment.
"Jen provides a wonderful container for growth throughout her entire Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics course. Besides the "how-tos" of guiding a yin yoga practice for students, she includes why to practice and how to allow students to take and retain agency for themselves. I did not expect to be so drawn to the philosophies, but I left wanting to learn more! The instruction on anatomy included information I hadn't heard anywhere before, and I left with a deeper understanding of how different we are on the inside, as well as the outside. Jen's course is a terrific value, too."
- Karen C.
"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.
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. This is not a hybrid course. Participants will receive the full attention of the instructor.
The live, synchronous portion of the course is comprised of 3, non-consecutive weekend modules.
Weekend 1: TBD
Weekend 2: TBD
Weekend 3: TBD
Times
Each weekend follows the same schedule. All times below are listed in EDT (NYC/DC). Please note that seasonal time changes will affect times. Time Zone Converter
Fridays: 12:00 PM - 3:00* PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM - 3:00* PM
Sundays: 9:00 AM - 3:00* 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
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 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.
Certification
As this is an experiential program, yoga teachers who wish to receive a certificate and Yoga Alliance and/or Insight Yoga Institute credits must attend all live sessions and fully participate in the program.
While portions of this program will be recorded, they are for reference only and not a substitute for attending program sessions live. Please consider your energy and availability when signing up for this course.
Asynchronous elements – including Fascia 101 course + quiz, reading assignments, posture surveys, quizzes, and final homework assignment – have all been factored into the non-contact hours for this course and are also required.
"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 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 will closes two weeks before the first program session.
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 two weeks before the course starts. 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 historically marginalized and under-represented populations. Email for a link to apply. Scholarship recipients will need to pay the 30% tuition to secure their spot on the program. Priority is given to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) teachers who seek to carry this work into their respective communities.
Tax
Persons in the UK and EU may be subject to VAT which will appear during the checkout process. Persons residing in some US states will be charged sales tax per state legislation.
Refunds
Refunds are offered according to a schedule that will be posted when registration opens.
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.