the Mentorship Program

Who Are You as a Teacher?

Anchor: Authenticity

Every teacher teaches from somewhere.

Before refining techniques or building sequences, we begin by exploring the person who is teaching. This opening quarter invites you to examine your relationship with lineage, authority, Sanskrit, chanting, and the student–teacher relationship, while developing the confidence to teach from understanding rather than imitation.

As the quarter unfolds, authenticity is explored through breath, philosophy, anatomy, and Āyurveda, helping you recognise how your own constitution, nervous system, and lived experience shape the way you teach.

Throughout this quarter we will explore:

• The role of the teacher within a living lineage

• Authenticity versus borrowed authority

• Sanskrit and chanting as foundations of practice

• The student–teacher relationship

• Breath as a teaching tool

• Philosophy as self-inquiry

• The nervous system and teaching

• Constitution and teaching through the lens of Āyurveda

Breath as the Teaching

Anchor: Prāṇāyāma

Every breath communicates something.

In the second quarter, we deepen our understanding of prāṇāyāma as both a personal practice and a teaching methodology. Moving beyond technique, we explore how breath influences the body, mind, nervous system, and the way we relate to ourselves and our students. Through the integration of anatomy, philosophy, yoga therapy, and Āyurveda, you’ll develop the discernment to teach breath practices with confidence, clarity, and respect for the individual.

Throughout this quarter we will explore:

• The foundations of traditional prāṇāyāma

• Breath as a teaching methodology

• Respiratory anatomy and the mechanics of breathing

• The relationship between prāṇa, philosophy, and practice

• Ethics and responsibility when teaching breath

• Yoga therapy applications for breath-related presentations

• The role of Āyurveda in supporting healthy breathing

• Reflection and integration through practice and case studies

The Mind in the Room

Anchor: Philosophy

How we understand the mind shapes how we teach.

Drawing from the classical teachings of yoga, this quarter explores philosophy as a practical framework for understanding ourselves and those we teach. Rather than studying philosophy as abstract theory, we examine how it informs ethics, relationships, breath, mental wellbeing, and the everyday decisions we make as teachers. Together, these teachings provide a steady foundation for thoughtful, compassionate, and skilful practice.

Throughout this quarter we will explore:

• The principal paths of yoga and their relevance to teaching

• The Yoga Sūtras as a guide for self-inquiry and practice

• The Aṣṭāṅga Mārga as a living framework

• Ethics, boundaries, and the student–teacher relationship

• Breath, the nervous system, and mental states

• Yoga therapy considerations for mental health

• Āyurvedic perspectives on the mind-body relationship

• Reflection and integration through discussion and case studies

The Body Knows

Anchor: Anatomy, Yoga Therapy & Case Studies

Knowledge becomes meaningful when it can be applied.

The final quarter brings together everything you’ve studied throughout the year, integrating anatomy, yoga therapy, philosophy, prāṇāyāma, and authentic teaching into practical application. Through case studies, teaching practicums, and guided supervision, you’ll strengthen your ability to observe the individual, think critically, and respond with confidence while working within an appropriate scope of practice.

Throughout this quarter we will explore:

• Functional anatomy through the lens of yoga

• The relationship between breath, movement, and the nervous system

• Yoga therapy case studies and therapeutic application

• Scope of practice and professional responsibility

• Observation, assessment, and critical thinking

• Teaching practicums with guided feedback

• Student case study presentations

• Year-end integration and preparation for the Summer Immersion