12 Day 95-Hour Comprehensive Kids to Teens Yoga Teacher Training in Nosara, Guanacaste

This course is designed for any person who loves kids and wants to guide children in yogic practices. There are no pre-requisites for the course as this is a specialized training for teaching children of all ages yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. The course is recommended for classroom teachers, PE teachers, yoga instructors who want to specialize in kids yoga, care givers, athletic coaches, parents and anyone who loves working with kids.

Course summary

In this 95-hour RCYT training you will learn how to teach yoga to kids of all ages from toddlers to teens, specifically:

• Mindfulness techniques to use with kids
• Breath-work and meditation practices for all ages
• "Tool kit" poses
• Mantras and chanting for kids
• Mindful movement with music
• Kid’s yoga games and activities
• Kids and teen yoga flows
• Mommy and me class structure
• How to integrate yoga into schools, after school programs, and kids camps
• Specific techniques in working with teens and teen athletes
• Class design for kids yoga classes for all age groups
• Classroom yoga for educators

Course syllabus

General background in the specialty (16 hours)

• Child development emphasis from ages 2-15
• Experiential exploration of developmental considerations for toddlers through to adolescence
• Typical development, individual development, cautions for developmental stages from birth to teenagers
• Teaching multiple age groupings effectively
• Teaching based on school aged groupings (mommy and me, pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school)
• Considerations for female and male learners at different life-stages
• Understanding age-specific milestones
• Self-study as it relates to child development
• Communicating and relationship-building with children and caregivers
• Communicating effectively with parents, guardians and professionals involved in child’s life

Techniques, training, and practice (20 hours)

• Inter-disciplinary approach on age-appropriate asanas and posture flows
• Choosing and using music to create energetic shifts and transitions, using music with movement
• Pranayama, chanting, partner poses, games, and meditation
• Affirmations, visualizations, stories and relaxation strategies
• Use of and choosing props, books, cards, and visual aids
• Classroom management strategies and techniques for learning differences and behavior challenges
• Teaching in varied settings, partner/co-teaching, business and marketing

Teaching methodology (15 hours)

• Knowledge of classroom techniques for varied settings - group processing for children’s activities
• Methodology for creating experiential learning environments
• Age-appropriate timing, teaching skills, phrasing / languaging for children, sequencing, and delivery
• Lesson planning, use of themes, organization and structure of a class depending upon the setting
• Designing specialty classes (e.g. studio classes, camp programs, family yoga, caregiver & toddlers, teen classes, yoga for athletes)
• Creating a safe, mindful, and non-authoritarian environment
• Communicating and relationship-building with students and caregivers / families
• Balancing the need for structure and creativity in the class
• Being in the role of a learner as you teach (learn from your students)
• Observing and embracing the energy of the room and being in the moment
• Engaging the senses and using multiple intelligence techniques

Anatomy and physiology (10 hours)

• Engaging students in the exploration of anatomy and physiology specifically for developmental stages
• Games, books, stories and songs as teaching tools for learning anatomy
• Eastern and Western approaches to physiology and energy anatomy
• Understanding of energy physiology (the chakras and nadis)
• Benefits and contraindications for yoga techniques
• Avoiding common injuries in yogic practices and instruction on healthy movement patterns
• Age-specific adaptations for asana and pranayama

Yoga philosophy, lifestyle, and ethics for children’s yoga teachers (16 hours)

• Incorporating yoga philosophy (Yamas and Niyamas) in age-appropriate ways
• Learning philosophy through the use of games, visualizations, affirmations and play
• Fostering a non-competitive, mindful, and inclusive class atmosphere
• The practice of yoga as a contemporary health and wellness tool
• Basics of ethical language and behavior when parents / guardians are present and when they are not
• Ethics, caution, and care in hands-on assists
• Creating a safe and protective environment for the students
• Collegial and ethical relationships with parents and associates
• Confidentiality
• Healthy boundaries in the student-teacher relationship
• Local, regional legal parameters, policies and procedures
• When to refer to other professionals

Practice teaching and observations (18 hours)

• Observing, assisting, co-teaching, and teaching
• Design and teach mini classes in your style
• Teaching mock classes and classes with children of varied ages
• Practice teaching in small groups
• Co-mentoring and self-evaluation
• Giving and receiving feedback
• Designing multiple lesson plans to use to teach from

After completing this training, graduates must teach 30 hours of children’s yoga. If desiring certification from the Yoga Alliance, additional requirements are required. Completion of a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training is not a requirement to participate in this course, but is a requirement to register as a RCYT with the Yoga Alliance and may be taken either before or after a children's YTT. Please confirm requirements for Yoga Alliance RCYT as the requirements may change.

Recommended reading

• Introduction to the Anatomy and Physiology of Children, second edition by Janet Mac Gregor
• The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel
• Play by Stuart Brown
• 10 Mindful Minutes by Goldie Hawn
• Spark by Dr. John Ratey

The Costa Rica course takes place between July 22-31, 2019. The course will take place at the Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort located in Nosara, Costa Rica. This course runs for nine days. Travel day Sunday, July 21 and orientation, first full day of training is Monday, July 22 and concluding with graduation on the last of the course. Travel day (departure) is the day after graduation (August 1).

Schedule

The typical schedule is listed below (note there may be shifts in afternoon / evening schedules) subject to change.

Travel day / orientation and overview of course 5 to 6 p.m.

Daily schedule (July 22- July 31, 2019)

• 06:00 - 08:00 Morning Sadhana personal yoga practice
• 08:00 - 10:00 Free time - integration / projects / meditation / community
• 10:00 - 13:30 Morning session, theory
• 13:30 - 14:30 Group lunch at Bodhi Tree Village
• 14:30 - 18:30 Free time - integration / projects
• 2 days will be observation classes 15:00 - 17:00 instead of evening session
• 18:30 - 20:00 Evening session
• Last day of training: 18:00 - 19:00 Graduation celebration
• Day after graduation: Travel day July 31, 2020
• Follow up mentoring calls to be decided for support and integration

The training will take place in Nosara, Costa Rica, on the Pacific Coast at the 5 star yoga resort, The Bodhi Tree. We will be in beautifully maintained shalas. All yoga mats, props included.

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Vegetarian or vegan buffet breakfast is included with accommodations at Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort. If staying at Bungalow accommodations, no food included.

All participants will pre-order lunches at Bodhi Tree for an additional cost or bring their own for group lunch. Dinner is on your own. Meal plans available for an additional cost at Bodhi Tree for all participants.

Surfing, horseback riding, ziplining, hiking, nature, wildlife preserve, stand up paddle boarding, are available during free time to explore. Massage and facial treatments are available on site for additional cost.

• 11 nights accommodation
• Breakfast (if you choose to stay at Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort)
• Tuition and course manual
• friendships for a lifetime

• Flight
• Transport to / from hotel
• Excursions
• Activities during free time
• meals not included

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 50% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.