THE YOGA TEACHER’S TEXTBOOK.

Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques

Paperback, 432 pages

Publisher: North Atlantic Books, 2010

ISBN 978-1-55643-885-1

Dimensions: 8 x 10

Also in Kindle format

Teaching Yoga -- featured

“Mark Stephens’s all-encompassing tome for both new and experienced teachers provides an exhaustive overview of philosophy, history, yoga styles, and guidelines for practice... Authoritative and engaging, but never dogmatic, Teaching Yoga will help instructors fine-tune their classroom skills and empower their personal practice.”

– Yoga International

ty testimonial - featured

“Whether you’re already a yoga teacher, aspiring to be one, or just seeking to deepen your understanding and practice of yoga, Mark Stephens’ thoughtful, eloquent, and thorough book would be a valuable addition to your library”

— Yoga Journal

DESCRIPTION

Teaching Yoga gives a broad overview of yoga philosophy, history, subtle energy, and body structure and movement before going into depth on the practical methods and techniques for teaching highly effective classes to a diverse array of students. Special focus is given to language, setting, vibem pace, observation, and the needs of unique students.

This readily accessible book is written to serve a diverse range of yoga teachers – not just those teaching within one style, brand or lineage. Its eclectic perspective encourages teachers to be their creative best while clear in understanding the foundational of the art and science of teaching yoga.

Available in over 10 languages.

PRAISE FOR Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques

Ganga White TY

"Teaching Yoga is an urgently needed manual that will be a valuable tool in the arsenal of aspiring yoga teachers to add perspective and to hone their skills. It provides a wealth of foundational information, advice, tips, guidance, and grist for the mill."

– Ganga White, founder, White Lotus Yoga Foundation, Santa Barbara, California, author, Yoga Beyond Belief: Insights to Awaken and Deepen Your Practice

Praise for teaching Yoga

Mark Stephens, a teacher of teachers, has created a comprehensive and inspiring guide for yoga teachers and serious practitioners alike...a brilliant merger of traditional wisdom with contemporary rigor and insight. It should be on the shelf of everyone who loves the practice of yoga." –

Sally Kempton, author, Meditation for the Love Of It and Awakening Shakti

Joel Kramer TY

"Comprehensive, deeply insightful, and chock full of tips and techniques for teaching and doing yoga, Mark Stephens' Teaching Yoga will be required reading for yoga teachers, teacher trainers, and serious students alike. We heartily recommend this essential new contribution to the conscious evolution of yoga."

– Joel Kramer, coauthor with Diana Alstad of The Passionate Mind Revisited: Expanding Personal and Social Awareness

Erich Schiffmann TY

"Teaching Yoga is friendly, well thought out, helpful, clear, and tremendously thorough. Many people will benefit from this gift, it being exactly what is needed to help a growing teacher teach at his or her best. I'm glad it is finally in print and it is coming out just in time for my next teacher training!"

– Erich Schiffmann, author, Yoga:The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness

Praise

"Yoga teachers and their students will love this book. Mark Stephens untangles the complexities of yoga, giving teachers a rich array of practical teaching tools. Teaching Yoga should be in the hands of every teacher and dedicated student."

– Seane Corn, author, Revolution of the Soul

Shiva Rea

"Mark Stephens' offering to yoga teachers provides practical tools and inspiration for the path that embraces all forms of embodied yoga. There are hard-to-find gems that make this a great resource, from the section of the mythological meaning behind the asanas to teaching cues for the core asanas and sequencing tools from vinyasa krama. Enjoy this great resource and dive deep into your own transformation of teaching yoga."

– Shiva Rea, yoga teacher, author, Tending the Heart Fire

Foreword by Mariel Hemingway

Introduction

Chapter 1: Ancient Roots of Modern Yoga

The Vedas
The Upanishads
The Bhagavad Gita
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Tantra
Hatha Yoga
Toward Modern Hatha Yoga

Chapter 2: Modern Hatha Yoga

Yoga’s Journey to the West
Contemporary Hatha Yoga Styles
A Teacher’s Palette of Styles

Chapter 3: Subtle Energy

The Five Sheaths
Prana
Nadis
Bandhas
Chakras
Gunas
Doshas
Highlighting Subtle Energy in Classes

Chapter 4: Body Structure and Movement

The Feet
The Knees
The Pelvis
The Abdominal Core
The Spine
The Shoulders, Arms, and Hands
Anatomy in Teaching

Chapter 5: Creating Space for Self-Transformation

The Physical Setting
Classroom Setup and Orientation
Class Levels and Prerequisites
Class Etiquette
Waking up the Spiritual Environment
Archetypes and Mythology
Creating a Happy Space
A Space for Healing and Awakening
Holding Integrated Space

Chapter 6: Techniques and Tools in Teaching Yoga

Teaching Who Is in Front of You
Voice and Language
Basic Elements of Asana Practice
Instructing Asanas
General Principles in Giving Physical Cues and Adjustments
Modifications, Variations, and the Use of Props

Chapter 7: Teaching Asanas

Surya Namaskara: The Sun Salutations
Standing Asanas
Core Refinement
Arm Balances
Backbends
Seated and Supine Twists
Forward Bends and Hip Openers
Inversions
Savasana

Chapter 8: Teaching Pranayama

The Discovery and Development of Pranayama
The Modern Science of Respiration
Teaching Basic Breath Awareness
Refining the Flow of Breath
Ujjayi Pranayama
Deepening the Pranayama Practice
Consciously Cultivating Energy

Chapter 9: Teaching Meditation

Patanjali’s Path of Meditation
Taking One Seat
Six Guided Meditation Techniques
When to Meditate
Meditating Amid the Flow of Body and Breath

Chapter 10: Sequencing and Planning Classes

Principles of Sequencing
The Basic Arc Structure of Classes
Sequencing Within and Across Asana Families
Planning Specific Classes
Sequencing for the Menstrual Cycle
The Chakra Model of Sequencing
Popular Hatha Yoga Sequences
Creating Your Classes

Chapter 11: Specialized Teaching

New to Yoga
Working with Injuries
Working with Depression
Working with Pregnant Students
Teaching in Alternative Settings

Chapter 12: The Yoga Profession

Yoga Teacher Training and Certification
Apprenticing
Teaching Opportunities and Remuneration
Cultivating Abundance
Preserving Abundance
Regulation of the Profession
The Path of the Teacher

Appendixes

Appendix A: Yoga Associations, Institutes, Organizations, and Professional Resources
Appendix B: Glossary
Appendix C: List of Asanas
Appendix D: Asana Elements Notes Bibliography Index About the Author