Why are we talking about Meridians in Yin Yoga classes?
I have a confession to make, and a soft regret to share. For 7 years now in my yin teacher trainings I have been teaching my budding yin...
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100
Individual Lectures
Over 30 hours of learning content delivered over 29 modules all available on demand.
Unlimited Access
No time restrictions. Learn at your own pace with unlimited access to course material.
Course
Community
Join the discussion below each lecture to connect with Karina with any questions.
Free Handbook
Downloadable 22 page Asana handbook covering all postures and alternatives.
Downloadable
Classes
Enjoy six full length Yin Yoga classes which can be downloaded and streamed anytime.
24 hour trial
Explore the full course with an unrestricted 24 hour trial, no payment required.
Gain the knowledge, insights and practical skills you need to teach Yin Yoga.
The curriculum covers all aspects of the Yin Yoga practise including Chinese Medicine, Anatomy and Theory as well as practical elements such as Teaching Skills and Sequencing.
You'll learn how skeletal variation plays a massive role on our practise and how to use meridian theory in your Yin Yoga classes.
Most importantly, after this course you will feel more confident in approaching students in your classes who need assistance or alternative postures, as your teaching skill set will be broadened immensely.
Let's go on a deep dive together
We can bring the entire body back to a state of wholeness, rather than a collection of separate parts and pieces, which is so often how we have been conditioned to relate to our body and health.
Along the way there will be lightbulb moments as you gain a deeper understanding of your own skeletal variation and how that has been part of your yoga journey.
May this deep learning help you to find joy on the mat, and a sense of confidence in how you practice and hold space for others as they deepen their awareness of self, and strengthen their self-acceptance through the practice of Yin Yoga.
Feel confident in the Yin Yoga studio
Learn everything you need to know to teach Yin Yoga.
Yin Theory
History of Yin Yoga, philosophical foundations and Yin tissues in the body.
Sequencing
We revisit the Yin class discussing target areas, alternatives and the 'why' behind the sequence.
Anatomy
Detailed look at the major joint complexes in the body and its role in the Yin practise.
Yin Class
Start each unit with a full length Yin class setting up the themes for the learning.
Chinese Medicine
How this system of health approaches the body diagnostically.
Teaching Skills
Giving you practical skills to develop your language and to 'hold space' in the studio.
Who is this Online Yin Yoga Teacher Training for?
✓ Current Yoga teachers of all forms of yoga, who want to learn more about Yin Yoga with the intention of teaching it in the future.
✓ Current Yin Yoga instructors who want to deepen their Yin knowledge to improve their classes.
✓ Students of Yin Yoga who want to learn more about this healing practise, or who may want to teach it in the future.
Not ready just yet?
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A curriculum where you set the pace
Six study units with individual modules (subjects) delivered in bite-sized lectures.
Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 | Unit 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yin Class | Yin Class | Yin Class | Yin Class | Yin Class | Yin Class |
What is Yin? What is Yang? | Breath as Water | Non-linear in the body | Pratyahara | Journey through the meridians | Leaning into support |
Yin Theory | Yin Theory | Yin Theory | Yin Theory | Yin Theory | Yin Theory |
Yin & Yang Philosophy | Target areas | How is Yin Yoga safe? | TCM & the energy body | The Meridians | The Meridians |
Anatomy | Anatomy | Anatomy | Anatomy | Anatomy | Anatomy |
Introduction to tissues | The spine | Pelvis & hips | The knee and ankle | The Shoulder | Elbow / wrist |
Posture Breakdown | Posture Breakdown | Posture Breakdown | Posture Breakdown | Posture Breakdown | Posture Breakdown |
What is Yin? What is Yang? | Breath as Water | Non-linear in the body | Pratyahara | Journey through the meridians | Leaning into support |
Teaching Skills | Teaching Skills | Teaching Skills | Teaching Skills | Teaching Skills | |
The role of the teacher | Approaching the student | Per/post natal | Mindfulness | Sequencing with meridians |
Free Asana Handbook
Featuring all the postures included in the course.
Upon enrolment, receive your handbook full of professional images of Yin Yoga postures featured in the course including: Dragon, Saddle, Melting Heart, Shoelace, Banana, Seal and more.
There are also multiple variations of each posture for (+) increasing or (-) decreasing sensation, managing injuries and options for propping.
Handpick your subjects
The complete course is also available modularly for focused study.
Chinese Medicine
Foundations of this ancient system of health.
A$149
Functional Anatomy
Explore the major synovial joints.
A$299
Practise & Postures
Dive deep into how a Yin Yoga sequence is put together.
A$149
Yin Theory
History and foundations of the practise.
A$99
Functional Anatomy will change your Yoga
Aesthetic based cueing in a yoga class assumes that every person is able to “achieve” the right “look” of a yoga posture if they just put in enough effort.
The assumption here is that underneath all the soft tissues of the body, we have identical skeletons. This is simply untrue.
Whereas a functional approach to cueing in a yoga class re-examines the true intention of each yoga posture, (as in, what does the posture offer the body, or what does it do to the body), so that each person in their own unique physicality can find the alignment that works best for them.
Explore all the major synovial joint complexes
No two bodies are exactly alike, not even identical twins!
We all have different variations in our bones. This is the primary reason that two people can have such a different felt-experience of the same yoga posture.
Throughout the training, we will systematically look at:
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The major synovial joint complexes in the human body
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Why and how a person’s bone shape will affect their yoga experience
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Optional language and alternatives for students to explore their own body in a functional setting
By broadening your awareness of skeletal variation, you will gain a much deeper understanding of where more options are needed in your cueing, and why it is impossible for every yogi in a class to adhere to strict alignment-based cues for a yoga posture.
Deepen your knowledge of Yin Yoga
To the outside eye, Yin Yoga often appears as a simple practice. People are often surprised at how in-depth the theory is.
As facilitators of this practice, it is paramount that we understand the physiology, behaviour and needs of the yin tissues of the body.
This kind of anatomical content is often more advanced to include in a foundational yoga teacher training, but absolutely essential to understand if we are to provide a safe class for our students.
A really good example is understanding why the “rebound” in between Yin Yoga shapes is so important. If there is no rebound being included after a long-held yin practice, then the tissues do not receive a period of rest, which could make them more vulnerable to injury.
Throughout the Yin Theory modules, we will cover the physiology of the yin tissues of the body, as well as the history of Yin Yoga, the philosophical foundations, and the framework of how to hold space and approach the students when they need support and props.
Expand your Yoga Practise with Chinese Medicine
Learn how this ancient system of health approaches the body diagnostically.
Organ Functions
Including taste, spirit, time and channel pairings for each organ system.
Postures
Explore which Yin Yoga postures explore specific Meridian Channels in the body.
Meridian Channels
Diagrams of location and pathways of the Meridian Channels in the body.
Concepts
A complete set of concepts to use in your Yin Yoga classes that support specific Meridian Channels.
Elements
Understand how all the elements (fire, earth etc.) work with the organ systems of the body.
Sequencing
How to teach Chinese Medicine to your students and how to incorporate into your sequences.
The "how to" for Yin Yoga teachers
There is abundant theory on the practice and the postures of yin yoga, however because it is so different to flow yoga, it really does need some skill in how we deliver and hold this practice with our students.
In Teaching Skills we cover topics such as:
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Setting up frameworks of two-way conversation in the yoga classroom
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Expanding your vocabulary to find your “yin” language
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How to provide consensual support when troubleshooting postures and props with students
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What does it mean to hold space?
The intention of this training is to build up your confidence in the classroom so that when help is needed, you can approach your students with at least two or three ideas to workshop with them until they are comfortable.
As well as building on your awareness of providing a safe and inclusive space for yourself and your students.
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Is Acupuncture Painful?The needles we use for acupuncture are incredibly thin and smooth, and should not be painful. The sensations felt during acupuncture will vary from person to person and are sometimes described as "spreading", "dull ache", or even a low grade "buzzing" sensation.
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What is Cupping and Moxibustion?Cupping is a method of applying glass cups to the surface of the body to create a vacuum in order to stimulate the circulation of blood and fluid through that tissue. This can be a great method of helping to clear toxins, and shift old chronic pain. Moxibustion is a method of applying herbal heat to the body, either indirecly just above the skin, or through the acupuncture needle. This is a great method of warming the body, and helping to stimulate the circulation of blood.
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How many treatments will I need?Depending on the nature of what is being treated, and the history of that health condition, a minimum of four treatments will usually be recommended followed by a review.
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Can I claim Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine on my private health insurance?Traditional Chinese Medicine is covered by most private health funds but your coverage will depend on your insurance policy.
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Are Chinese Medicine treatments covered by Medicare?Unfortunately in Australia, Chinese Medicine treatments are not covered by Medicare.
FAQ
Meet your teacher
Dr Karina Smith Chinese Medicine Practitioner & Yoga Educator
Karina Smith is a Doctor of Chinese Medicine and Yoga Teacher, Teacher Trainer & Educator. She currently runs her own Chinese Medicine Clinic in Melbourne, Victoria Australia.
A career in contemporary dance led to the healing power of Yoga, which sowed the seed for her journey to Chinese Medicine.
Passionate about healing and the health of others, Karina brings her combined knowledge of acupuncture and herbal therapy together with her experience as a meditation, mindfulness, yoga and movement teacher to her patients and students alike.
She has studied extensively both internationally and in Australia including two respective 350hr Teacher Trainings (The Australian Yoga Academy and Shantarasa Institute, Gujurat India), and has been fortunate to be a student of both Bernie Clark and Paul Grilley.
As a teacher for more than a decade, Karina has taught Meditation, Vinyasa, Flow and of course Yin, and is currently a lecturer for The Australian Yoga Academy.
About Karina
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