Welcome to the on High 300-hour teacher training program!

The Program Yoga on High’s 300-hour program is multi-faceted, and you may choose your particular focus when developing your training plan. The three main tracks though the program are the general track, the therapeutic track and the Urban Zen track. Those are described in more detail below.

In general, the program develops competencies expected from an advanced yoga teacher. In terms of designing and teaching classes, that includes more in-depth skills at understanding correct alignment, making appropriate modifications to poses and hands-on adjustments, and developing a long-term plan for classes and the progression of your students’ practices. It also focuses on teaching more difficult postures or sequences that lead to those postures.

In addition to the work done on teaching asana, the 300-hour program delves much more deeply into yoga philosophy, general anatomy and physiology, and , as well as developing skills for teaching those aspects of yoga.

In the 300-hour program you will deepen your understanding of: • Correct postural alignment, correct alignment in poses, and how anatomy, physiology and bio- mechanics play into correct alignment and misalignment • How to “read” a student’s body, assessing their needs. How to “read” a whole class of students, responding to the class as a whole. • How to sequence classes effectively for different outcomes (opening the body in various ways in preparation for an advanced pose, focusing on the energetics of a flow, weaving a philosophical theme throughout class, illuminating how a specific muscle or muscular/fascial system works in various poses and so forth) • How to sequence poses for different styles and paces of classes (vinyasa, hatha, restorative) • How to teach advanced poses not covered extensively in the 200-hour curriculum • How to guide a student to a heightened sensitivity to their own body’s signals and to self- adjustment • How to adapt poses for a wide range of student needs • The bio-physiology of stress and yoga techniques to counter stress • and how to work from its level • How to practice and teach various meditation techniques (6-month meditation program and iRest , as well as meditation programs given by visiting teachers)

pg. 1 • How to develop or evolve a personal pranayama practice; to teach varied beginning to intermediate pranayama practices; to sequence pranayama classes • Handling group dynamics in yoga classes and teaching to different learning styles • How to use props creatively and effectively in all types of classes • How to progress your own practice through classes at your level • Increased familiarity with and personal connection to classic yoga philosophical texts and principles

Components of the Program • Workshops and Intensives • Practice teaching sessions • Ethics paper, philosophy paper • Practicum project and its write up • Silent retreat • Assisting classes led by lead by senior teachers

Faculty Yoga on High has a distinguished faculty with a wide range of experience with various populations of students and years of experience practicing and teaching. Senior Yoga on High teachers conduct the in- person teacher training sessions and serve as mentors. You will be assigned a mentor when you join the program who will guide you throughout your studies and check on your progress. You also have the opportunity to study with a roster of nationally recognized guest teachers.

Assisting A distinctive opportunity at Yoga on High is the ability to observe and assist in various types of classes with a wide range of students. We have classes for people of all ages, from very fit athletes to people whose bodies are compromised by illness or injury and for people who have experienced emotional trauma. You are required to assist with a lead teacher in a classes of your choice for a total of 15 hours.

Payment Options There are two payment options available: payment in full prior to the start of the program or monthly payments. You may choose the one that fits your needs.

Criteria to Graduate • Complete all required training sessions in your track • Complete all elective workshop hours as described below for each track • Complete the ethics and philosophy papers according to the specifications • Complete all homework assignments on time • Assist a lead teacher in classes or workshops; if you are assisting in a classes, be present for consecutive classes • Complete the practicum assignment to specifications • Demonstrate teaching skills that meet program standards in the final certification class at the end of the program. You work with your mentor to schedule that class at your convenience, and the focus of the class is up to you.

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Timing The 300-hour program is designed to be completed in 2 ½ years. You may extend that for another 3 months without paying additional fees by letting your mentor know that you need more time. You have the option of extending for another 3 months, after the fee-free extension, by paying an extension fee of $125.00, and working with your mentor to complete the requirements of your program. No extensions are available beyond 3 ½ years in the program. The unlimited class pass to Yoga on High ends at 2 ½ years into the program, even if you extend the program.

You may also elect to move through the program more rapidly, but you cannot take more than 120 hours of workshops in any given calendar year without permission from your mentor. We know from experience that taking too many hours is fatiguing and means that you do not have time to assimilate and practice the skills you are learning. The value of a program like ours is that you are able to work with the material over time, practicing it yourself, teaching it to your students and engaging in ongoing conversations about it with your mentors and fellow teachers as you go through your studies.

Tracks There are three tracks through the Yoga on High 300-hour program—the general track, the therapeutic track and the Urban Zen track. Although each has its own set of required and elective workshops, all of them fulfill requirements for registration as a 300-hour teacher. When you first enter the program, and every year thereafter, you will meet with your mentor to go over your personal goals, look back at the preceding year and forward to the next, planning your studies in the year to come based on the requirements and electives in the track you have chosen.

General Track In the general track, you may chose electives from any of the workshops offered, including those listed as therapeutic. This track is for people interested in teaching yoga to a general population of students. Within this track you may elect to focus your asana studies in vinyasa, Ashtanga or hatha style, but that is not required. You are required to take these workshops: • 2 philosophy weekends (see note, below) • 2 anatomy weekends • The weekend Silent Retreat • The training day on Teaching Methodologies • 2 3-hour practice teaching sessions (see note, below) • 15 hour of assisting a lead teacher • 75 hours in Core Workshops given by Yoga on High faculty • 103 hours in electives; these may be taught by Yoga on High faculty or guest teachers

Other requirements: • One philosophy paper and one ethics paper • Your final practicum • Your final certification class

Therapeutic Track The Therapeutic Track is designed for students who wish to understand the therapeutic applications of yoga to a general population of students; the principles learned in this track can be applied to

pg. 3 students/clients with a variety of different diseases, injuries and disabilities. In this track, you are required to take these workshops: • 2 philosophy weekends (see note, below) • 2 anatomy weekends • The weekend Silent Retreat • The training day on Teaching Methodologies • 2 3-hour practice teaching sessions (see note, below) • 75 hours in Core Workshops given by Yoga on High faculty • 103 hours in electives; these may be taught by Yoga on High faculty or guest teachers

Electives may include Reiki workshops and up to 25 hours of workshops that are not specifically designed as therapeutic.

NOTE: The Meditation Teacher Training counts as one philosophy weekend. Participation in EMBER counts as one Practice Teaching Session.

The Urban Zen Track Urban Zen Integrative Therapy™ teacher training is a program designed by and Colleen Saidman-Yee and accredited through the Urban Zen national organization. It teaches methods of self- care for people challenged by injury or illness and their care-givers, who also experience high levels of stress. It was originally created for people who are hospitalized, their families and their medical team, especially their nurses, but its applications are farther-reaching. In Columbus, it is being taught in hospitals, hospices, assisted-living facilities, public schools, programs for veterans with PTSD, mental health centers and public Urban Zen classes at Yoga on High. Urban Zen sessions can be delivered to groups of all sizes and in one-on-one therapeutic sessions. After completing the Urban Zen Integrative Therapy program, you may apply some of those hours toward the 300-hour certification. A full description of requirements for this track are available upon request.

Mini-certifications Yoga on High offers several mini-certifications, longer programs within the 300-hour program that result in a specialized certificate. These include the prenatal program, the Sekoia teacher training, EMBER Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, the 7-month pranayama program, the 6-month meditation program, Reiki Masters’ Level training and iRest™ level 1 and 2.

pg. 4 Cancellation Agreement Should you need to leave the Yoga on High 300-Hour Teacher Training Program prior to completing its requirements, you must submit a letter of resignation to one of the principals, Marcia Miller, Linda Oshins, Michele Vinbury or Jasmine Grace. Upon receipt of a resignation letter, Yoga on High will give you an accounting of your participation in the program to the date of receipt of your resignation. You will be charged a $250 cancellation fee, a yearly non-refundable administrative fee of $250 for each year you have been active in the program and the total cost of all workshops you have taken. If the cancellation fee, administrative fee(s) and the total cost of workshops attended is less than the amount you paid to the date of cancellation, Yoga on High will issue you a check for the amount of the difference. If the cancellation fee, administrative fee(s) and the total cost of workshops attended is greater than the amount you paid to date of cancellation, you owe Yoga on High the difference.

Cause for Dismissal Yoga on High reserves the right to request that a student leave the program for the following reasons:

• Chronically disruptive or disrespectful behavior • Behavior described as unethical on the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Agreement • Failure to meet program requirements within the timeframe allotted (3 years, or 3.5 years with the paid extension)

Training faculty will warn the student at least twice, both verbally and in writing, before recommending dismissal. Students who are dismissed from the program are not eligible for refunds.

Grievance Procedure In the event that you have a problem with a member of the program faculty or administration or with a participant in the program, we urge you to speak with your mentor or submit a written complaint to one of the owners of Yoga on High, Jasmine Grace, Michele Vinbury or Marcia Miller. Your complaint will be investigated and responded to within 10 days of receipt. Expressing a complaint will not deprive you of any rights as a program participant.

Upon Completion of the Program Upon successfully completing the program and paying all fees due Yoga on High, you will receive a certificate of completion from Yoga on High, and you may register with Yoga Alliance as a 300-hour registered yoga teacher.

Next Steps Because there are so many tracks through this program, many students complete one and wish to focus on another. For example, they complete the general track or Urban Zen track and wish to take all the workshops in the therapeutic track. In that case, we can do a customized program for you and a payment plan that fits your needs.

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Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct Agreement

An essential element of Yoga on High programs in general is the development and maintenance of caring and professional teacher/student and client/practitioner relationships. Clear and appropriate professional, social, and sexual boundaries are necessary components that help create safe and nourishing environments that foster appropriate and healthy teacher-student and client-practitioner relationships.

Accordingly, Yoga on High is committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior with regards to personal and professional conduct in order to embody the philosophical essence that underlies the teachings of yoga. The following ethical and professional standards are intended to aid teachers in evaluating appropriate behavior and are a binding legal agreement for yoga teachers in training whenever they are working with students at events sponsored by Yoga on High.

Therefore, in consideration of my providing services to students at any Yoga on High sponsored event, I hereby agree to the following:

Professional Ethics and Conduct

Professional Practice “Client” is defined here as the individuals or small groups of students in classes or private sessions of any times sponsored by Yoga on High.

A “Yoga on High sponsored event” is defined as any interaction with a student/client during the 200- hour teacher training program, where you represent yourself as providing teaching or assisting services through Yoga on High.

I agree to:

1. To accurately represent my qualifications including education, training, experience and professional affiliations. 2. To provide only those services that I am qualified to perform. 3. To refrain from 1) attempting to diagnose a student/client's physical or psychological condition; 2) prescribing a treatment; or 3) suggesting or approving of a student/client going against her/his physician's (or other licensed medical professional’s) advice. 4. To conduct my business and professional activities with honesty and integrity. 5. To adhere to all local and national laws. 6. To neither refuse nor discriminate against clients on the basis of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or national origin.

pg. 6 7. To show sensitive regard for the moral, social and religious standards of my clients. I avoid imposing my beliefs on others, although I may express them when appropriate during a group class or individual session. 8. To abstain from the use of alcohol, illicit or illegal drugs, and non-prescribed medications while actively engaged in teaching or assisting at any Yoga on High sponsored event.

Sexual Ethics and Conduct All forms of sexual behavior with clients are unethical, even when a client invites or consents to such behavior. Sexual behavior is defined as, but not limited to, all forms of overt and covert seductive speech, gestures and behavior as well as physical contact of a sexual nature.

1. To not enter into a sexual relationship with a client who is a participant at a Yoga on High sponsored event where I am an Urban Zen Integrative Therapist in training, in either private sessions or group classes. 1. To refrain from establishing a sexual relationship with any client from an event I participated in as an Yoga on High Urban Zen Integrative Therapist in training for a minimum of six months after either the event or a client from that event has ceased working with me, unless I seek consultation regarding entering into such a relationship with a member of the Yoga on High Ethics Committee or other professional who can advise me on ethical standards of behavior. 2. To refrain from engaging in sexual or other harassment of clients.

Confidentiality

1. To safeguard the confidentiality of all student/client information whether written or spoken. 2. To keep or dispose of any records on a client in a manner that assures security and confidentiality.

Acknowledgements I acknowledge that these ethical guidelines are not exhaustive. I understand that the failure of these guidelines to address any particular conduct does not mean that the conduct is necessarily ethical or unethical. These guidelines do not preclude other ethical guidelines to which my profession adheres, and to which I have agreed. If I am uncertain about how to ethically proceed in a particular situation I will contact the Yoga on High Ethics Committee for guidance before acting.

This agreement is intended to assist yoga teachers-in-training and does not create or imply any liability by Yoga on High for the teacher-in-training’s behavior. I have read the foregoing in its entirety and fully understand and agree to all the terms and conditions contained herein.

______Signature Date

______Printed Name Address

______City State Zip

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300 Hour Advanced - Reading List

This list contains several books that are required reading to graduate from the 300-hour program, several books that are required for the Therapeutic Track, and a number of books that we recommend in different categories of study. You might want to acquire some of those for your library as you move through your studies. And some of those become required reading for specific workshops; if you elect to take those workshops, you will be assigned reading from those texts.

Required Reading

Heart of the Yogi: The Philosophical World of , Doug Keller Yoga in the Kashmiri Tradition, Billy Doyle Teaching Yoga, Pranayama: a Compendium of Practices, Linda Oshins (available through the Yoga on High Bookstore)

The assigned philosophy texts, Heart of the Yogi and Yoga in the Kashmiri Tradition take time to read. Please begin reading them when you enroll in the program.

For the Therapeutic Track , Doug Keller Healing Yoga, Loren Fishman, MD

Other required texts are assigned and due for specific workshops. You will receive the year’s reading list when you do your annual training plan with your mentor.

Texts We Recommend These are the required reading for the Yoga on High 200-hour program. If you have not already read these, you may wish to work with them.

Anatomy of Movement, Blandine Calais-Germai The Breathing Book, Donna Farhi Moving Toward Balance, Rodney Yee Yoga Mind, Body, and Spirit, Donna Farhi The Wisdom of Yoga, The Great Work of Your Life, Stephen Cope CD: Guided Relaxation and Affirmations, Sri Swami Satchidananda

pg. 8 The Radiance Sutras, Lorin Roche Teaching Yoga, Mark Stephens Sequencing, Mark Stephens

Other Recommended Texts

Anatomy Trail Guide to the Body: How to Locate Muscles, Bones & More, Andrew Biel (strongly recommended for the therapeutic track) Function Anatomy of Yoga, David Keil Anatomy of Hatha Yoga, H. David Coulter Ray Long’s series of anatomy books

Asana Awakening the Inner Body, Donald Moyer Moving Toward Balance, Rodney Yee Relax and Renew, Judith Lasater The Woman’s Yoga Book, Bobby Clennell The Woman's Book of Yoga & Health, Linda Sparrowe & Patricia Walden Easy Does It Yoga, Alice Christensen 50+, Richard Rosen

Ashtanga Ashtanga Yoga Practice and Philosophy, Gregor Maehle Yoga Mala, Sri Pattabhi Jois Moola Bandha, The Master Key, Swami Buddhananda Guruji: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students, Guy Donahaye and Eddie Stern

Health, Healing, Wholeness Yoga for Depression, Amy Weintraub Destructive Emotions, a Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama, Daniel Goleman Yoga as Medicine, Timothy McCall, MD

Philosophy/Meditation Light on Life, B.K.S. Iyengar The Mirror of Yoga: Awakening the Intelligence of Body and Mind, Richard Freeman The , Alistair Shearer Yoga Nidra: A Meditative Practice for Deep Relaxation and Healing, Richard Miller

Pranayama Refining the Breath, Doug Keller The Yoga of Breath, Richard Rosen Pranayama: Beyond the Fundamentals, Richard Rosen

pg. 9 Special Subjects Non-Violent Communication, Marshall Rosenberg Awakening the Spine,

Trauma Sensitive Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body, David Emerson

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Photo/Video Consent Form

I hereby give Yoga on High permission to use my photograph and publish the same without incurring any debts or liabilities to me. I understand the nature of the video/photography session and understand that I will receive no compensation or fee.

Photographs photo will be used for: X News Media X Internal Publication X Website and Social Media X Video

I give permission voluntarily and certify that I have full authority to give this consent.

Print Name: ______

Signature: ______

Address: ______

City, State, Zip: ______

Phone Number: ______

Date: ______

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