Yoga Basics Course with Julie Tran
The ancient practice of Yoga can bring vitality, health, deep relaxation, and peace of mind to practitioners.
This course is designed to give the beginner better insight into the physical practice of yoga. Over this 4-week course, students will learn how to build a strong foundation for a regular yoga practice. Emphasis will be placed on awareness of the breath, body and mind, while practicing basic yoga asana poses. The teacher will explain the dynamics and benefits of each pose. Students will also learn how to modify some poses in order to better cater to their own bodies.
Upon completion of the course, students will receive an information package containing some key poses practiced throughout the course. Students are expected to develop a solid foundation to attend YogaJaya level 1 to 3 public classes and specialized workshops.
Course Curriculum:
Week 1: Introduction to Yoga and standing postures
In this first session, we will discuss the meaning of yoga and consider the role of asana in the practice of yoga. We will examine the breath and learn how to use it in our asana practice, as well as in our daily lives. We will examine our own physical structures and learn how to remain aware of them while practicing asana. We will learn basic sun salutations and standing postures, which build strength and flexibility. We will end the session by practicing stretching techniques, which are beneficial to all individuals, especially those seeking relaxation from tension and stress.
Week 2: Introduction to hip openers and seated forward bends
Building on our yoga practice, we will progress by learning poses that open the hips and surrounding regions. These regions trap many of the toxins and emotional stresses within our body. We will learn how to release such tensions and stress from these areas. Some poses may focus solely on the opening or lengthening of these regions, while others may also incorporate a strengthening of other parts of the body. We will end the session with relaxation poses.
Week 3: Introduction to chest openers, back bends, and twisting postures
We will review poses from previous sessions. Then, we will focus our attention on the upper body. The chest and shoulder region is another part of the body that can trap much tension. We will learn how to open this region, as well as strengthen it. We will also learn some basic core-strengthening exercises and end the session with twisting postures, forward bends, and relaxation poses.
Week 4: Integration of posture work
In this final week, we will connect and integrate poses that we learned through the course into one full asana class. The class will be followed by a Q&A session in which participants will be encouraged to ask about concepts that have been presented throughout the course. If there is time, their will also be a short discussion on how to incorporate yoga into a healthy, open daily lifestyle.