50 Hour Yin Yoga & Myofascial Release Teacher Training

For me Yin Yoga is a practice of stillness that releases physical and mental stress and develops a deeper self awareness. Self awareness is not the same as self indulgence! I feel it is the perfect antidote to the constant chattering of the ego. Inspired by my teachers, in particular Jo Phee and Donna Farhi, I look forward to sharing my experience of teaching Yin to others along with my approach to getting the most out of your personal Yin Yoga practice.

– Lucy, Yoga One Bournemouth

Overview

This comprehensive 50 hour Yin Yoga TT with Lucy at Yoga One Bournemouth will leave you with a clear understanding of Yin Yoga, myofascial release, anatomy of the spine, meridian lines and the therapeutic effect of the practice, making it relevant to you. 

We will explore fascia and practise myofascial release techniques to understand what fascia is and how we can use it as a functional approach to Yoga to complement active practices by removing tightness and adhesion in the fascial system.

This training will give you the theory and principles behind Yin Yoga as well as information on sequencing fascial Yin flows both with and without the use of props.  This training is suitable for teachers wanting to share this knowledge with their students, or simply students who want to deepen their knowledge and understanding in this area in order to expand their practice.

Course Focus

• Applied anatomy and physiology for Yin Yoga postures in combination with understanding of the subtle body
• Theory and practise of myofascial release and why it is an essential part of Yin Yoga
• Study of fascia fundamentals
• Exploration of spinal anatomy including skeletal variations and posture analysis
• Yin Yoga sequencing with and without props
• Teaching mindfully to support openness and presence in the practice
• Mentoring from Lucy and Jesse

When, Location & Cost

This Yin Yoga teacher training is a six day course (50 hours), split over two consecutive weekends (Friday to Sunday).

First Weekend

• Friday 19th September 6pm – 9pm
• Saturday 20th September 9am – 7pm
• Sunday 21st September 9am – 7pm

Second Weekend

• Friday 26th September 6pm – 9pm
• Saturday 27th September 9am – 7pm
• Sunday 28th September 11am – 7:30pm (including final assessments)

Location: Yoga One Bournemouth, 136 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1NL
Cost: £495

Recommended Reading

• Yin Yoga Principles and Practice by Paul Grilley
• The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark

Further Reading

• Insight Yoga by Sarah Powers
• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Sri Swami Satchitananda
• Anatomy Trains by Thomas Myers (fourth edition)

FAQs

Do I need my own Yin props? No, while we recommend purchasing your own bolster in preparation for the training so you can practise your Yin postures and sequencing at home all necessary props will be provided for the training. The bolsters we use at the studio are available from Manduka.

Is there parking? Yes, there is an abundance of free parking on Dean Park Road around Horseshoe Common, as well as £5 all-day parking on Glen Fern Road.  Be sure to check signs for time limits and loading zones when parking on the street.

Do I need to be a Yoga teacher to take this course? Definitely not!  This training is designed for people wishing to deepen their practice as well as teachers wanting to delve into teaching Yin to their students.

Will this training count towards my CPD points? Absolutely!  The Yin training counts as 50 CPD points.

Will I be able to teach Yin after this training? Provided you have completed a 200 hour Yoga teacher training and you have insurance and first aid qualifications, then you’re all good to go!

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Course Details

Yin Yoga & Myofascial Release Teacher Training

Self awareness meets the science of fascial anatomy in this exploration of movement training with application to Yin Yoga theory and practice.

What is fascia and what is its role in the body?  How do we “release” fascia?  This is what we explore in Yin Yoga.

Who is this course for?

Anyone curious about Yin Yoga and MFR

This Yin Yoga course is suitable for all students and teachers of Yoga.

The very nature of Yin Yoga’s passive postures that are held for anywhere between 3-8 minutes in a relaxed and supported manner makes it accessible to all levels of flexibility, whatever your age or level of fitness; it is also an ideal practice for contemplation and reflection.

You will explore fascia and practise myofascial release techniques to understand what fascia is and how you can use it as a functional approach to Yoga to complement active practices by removing tightness and adhesion in the fascial system.

You don’t need any previous knowledge of Yin Yoga or MyoFascial Release (MFR) to enjoy this course, as it is designed to bring these concepts to life for you – whether you want to share this knowledge with your own students or simply deepen your own knowledge and understanding in this area in order to expand your own practice.

Note: everyone that completes the course receives a Certificate of Completion recognising your study.

Regular practitioners of Yoga

For regular practitioners of Yin Yoga, this course represents a unique opportunity to explore how to go deeper into your own personal practice.  You will learn how to embody the specialist modality of Yin Yoga; and how to settle, focus, develop and discover so many new things about MyoFascial Release as well as Yin Yoga for personal transformation and finding clarity of mind.

Learn how energy flowing through the meridians (chi) is moving all the time, and how it can be healing and calming, connecting you to a sense of calm, quiet, peaceful and pleasant inhibition of movement.

Different body types will be considered on a case by case basis, explaining what types of MyoFascial Release (including Yin Yoga postures) are best suited to each individual, and explore how other movement based activities can take an active and balancing role in harmonising your yin/yang balance.

Note: you don’t need to have a regular Yoga practice to enjoy this course and the daily Yoga practices.  All practices require little or no previous experience of physical Yoga techniques and are very slow and supported.

Yoga teachers and providers of other wellness modalities

Yoga teachers – new and experienced – undertaking this course will be thrilled to be able to offer this knowledge to their own students with a new understanding; a deeper knowledge of Yin Yoga theory and practice; as well as the latest fascia science and research – applying it to a “functional” approach to Yoga (ie, there is no perfect pose, instead the focus is on stressing the proper target areas of the body) – as well as looking at the functional anatomy of the spine.

This comprehensive training will leave you with a clear understanding of Yin Yoga, MyoFascial Release, anatomy of the spine, meridian lines, and the therapeutic effects of the practice making it relevant to you as well as to your students.

For teachers of other movement modalities, as well as healers and other wellness practitioners, this course represents an opportunity to learn all of the above and more; allowing you to master innovative myofascial ball techniques artfully combined with Yin Yoga poses to create a variety of sequences to release myofascia.

Anyone who wants to learn how to teach Yin Yoga

Although this course is only 50 hours in duration it is very comprehensive and is set up with the purpose of training you to safely teach an introductory Yin Yoga class and the basics of MyoFascial release.

This course is ideal for Yoga teachers but any somatic practitioner will find it to be an advantage, especially if it is movement based (e.g. Yoga, dance, fitness instructor, Pilates) you will find you can quite easily introduce the concepts into your practice and teaching repertoire.

Course Features

Theory & Concepts

Yin Yoga and MyoFascial Release is uniquely different to most other “Yogas” in both its sequencing and teaching methodologies, as well as its use of props.

The ideas behind Yin Yoga incorporate the ancient philosophies of Hatha Yoga mixed with a modern and intuitive attitude to the body and mind.

Though connecting the universal principles of movement with breath and establishing strong foundations in the postures is the main influence of most Yoga styles, Yin Yoga encourages more self observation and mindfulness coming into postures, building a natural ability to listen deeply for an authentic experience in each and every shape.

The energy body carries the vital force (chi), breathing life into biochemicals and nourishing cells, animating the physical body – it’s this same energy that creates the movement of thoughts, and you will gradually find you have the power to slow this movement down with due attention.

In this schema nothing is completely “yin” or “yang”, and so you will be invited to look at some of the archetypal poses and explore how they can be transformed in one direction or the other.  Classic examples of this can be seen in the Yin postures that are a reflection of the yang variations practised in more dynamic styles, such as dragon, straddle and seated forward fold.

The catalyst for transforming yang postures into Yin postures is support (use of props).  This training will give you information on sequencing fascial Yin flows both with and without the use of props – the primary focus is on identifying the target area or meridian to focus on and then to support the physical body – ie, different variations of the pose, finding your edge, adding or removing props, relaxing into it, conducting body scans, cultivating a Yin-like attitude, and finding a suitable duration for the hold.

The MyoFascial Release work will allow you to understand the sensations of MyoFascial Release, including any mental/emotional/spiritual qualities that come with the release.

In this course you will explore combining Yin Yoga postures with MyoFascial Release techniques (MFR) with extra compression on various muscle groups in addition to the variations of posture choices.

As well as providing a structural framework for teaching these principles, you will learn advanced concepts of alignment that you can bring into your practice and teaching.  This truly is a unique undertaking, and one that is very rewarding.

Accented with explorations of the latest fascia science and research, you will learn about postural vulnerabilities and the limitations of MyoFascial Release and stretching by identifying areas that are suffering because of “too much” mobility.

This is an eye-opening course that will have you applying your enhanced understanding of anatomy and physiology of Yin Yoga postures in combination with a deeper understanding of the subtle body to your practice now and forever.

Yoga Practice

This course is rich in Yoga practice beginning with a guided class each morning that integrates MyoFascial Release with Yin Yoga.  During each of these sessions key themes are used to introduce the theories and concepts that will be learned throughout the day.  An embodied approach, driven by these morning classes, creates a multi-layered learning environment.

This effective method of learning helps you to absorb the course content through personal experience in body and mind.

These practice sessions also introduce other mindfulness techniques that are complementary to yin Yoga.

After each morning practice, time is given for journaling; after which there will be a discussion on the individual and collective experiences, forming a rich and illuminating dialogue to broaden your understanding of the topic.

Yoga Techniques

This Yin Yoga course is designed to train teachers to the highest standards in the specialist modality of Yin Yoga (along with MyoFascial Release techniques) and to teach in a masterful and interesting way.

You will also learn breath awareness and cultivation including mindfulness training and observing sensations, feelings and thoughts.

This course is a must for people wishing to deepen their practice as well as teachers wanting to delve into teaching Yin to their students with specific attention given to timing, theming, assisting, language and instruction, use of props etc.

Teaching Practice

Time is dedicated each day to Yin Yoga and MyoFascial Release sequencing and teaching methodology by exploring the techniques both in your own body and witnessing how others experience the shapes for themselves.

These sessions lead into practical teaching breakouts where you work in pairs or small groups so you can gain direct insight into how each person is unique in their anatomical makeup, so that you can build the confidence to teach mindfully to support openness and presence in the practice.

The teaching structure is to identify the target area, and then how to support the body including postural variations, working to a particular “edge”, use of props, relaxing the muscles, performing a body scan, cultivating a Yin attitude and then sitting in that space for a specific duration.  However one of the main roles of the teacher is to hold the space for self-exploration of their students.  In other words, you have to learn how to condense all of this information into one minute when you’re teaching before you even start the clock!

Understanding this is key to teaching Yin (and all other) Yoga – and you will come to know this directly from the course; feeling it in your own body as well as time spent practising teaching. 

Course Resources

For this course you will receive a complimentary manual, not available anywhere else.

The course manual summarises the learning outcomes – including all the techniques covered, as well as Yin theory and concepts and detailed instruction of the postures.

The course manual goes beyond what is offered in other courses.  You are welcome to make your own notes, but the manual is designed in great detail in order for you to spend your time on the course engaging with your instructor and fellow students, and the real time content.  In this way you can truly absorb the learnings, knowing that you have a course manual that you can return to whenever you wish as a constant keepsake and source of reference.

The manual has clear written instructions for each pose, and is rich in visual information to help you better understand the wide scope of the topic, including full colour photographs of all the Yin Yoga postures and their variations.

The manual is presented as a reference tool for your own practice and teaching.

Summary of Course Content

History & Theory of Yin Yoga

This course begins with the theory and principles behind Yin Yoga; moving on to the theory and principles of MyoFascial Release and why it is an essential part of Yin Yoga; culminating with an understanding of the various contributions that have shaped Yin Yoga as we know it today.

From there comes a discussion of Yin Yoga theory in relation to practice; how by applying stress to the tissues in a target area change the gel-sol balance of water channels in the fascia – the channels known as meridians in acupuncture theory.

From an Eastern viewpoint, the study of Yin Yoga theory and practice leads to an analysis of classic Yin poses; and from a Western viewpoint MyoFascial Release theory and practice leads to identifying trigger points in the body that can benefit from Yin Yoga and MyoFascial Release.

The history and theory component is completed with investigations into another viewpoint – that of how Hatha Yoga sees the multilayered dimensions of the body as the “koshas” – to see what parallels or similarities can be found with a more classical theoretical approach to Yoga.

Anatomy & Physiology of Yin Yoga

There are many things to consider when it comes to Yin Yoga postures – benefits, precautions, contraindications and variations of Yin asanas.  But how do you know what is best for different body types?

By investigating this topic you will learn how to integrate Yin Yoga to cultivate good health of the body’s joints and tissues, with consideration of the profile of the practitioner including their level of experience as well as factors such as their age and health status.

The fascial system of the body is a wide contiguous “web” of connective tissues and associated watery substances that play a vital role in how the whole body communicates from one end to the other, from inside to out and from outside to in.  When specialising in the anatomy of MyoFascial release within this body-wide system, reference is specifically made to the tissue behaviour of the sliding system.

Research on the latest fascia science will focus on the role of addressing myofascial pain – often neglected by traditional pain management techniques – and will be brought into practice by using innovative myofascial ball techniques artfully combined with Yin Yoga postures to remove adhesions in the fascial system.

From a more traditional viewpoint, this group of topics will look at the functional anatomy of the spine – how the spine moves as well as its limitations.

Following the groundbreaking work of Jo Phee as well as others (including Dr Thomas Myers, Paul Grilley and Bernie Clark) you will see how crucial each unique individual anatomical makeup is to how MyoFascial Release integrates with Yin Yoga.  Whilst the focus of the course is mainly on Yin Yoga, the MyoFascial Release element will emphasise how these theories apply to all human movement.

Through preparation for a practical assessment at the end of the course you will witness why some people need more assistance than others, and some postures have more adjustment options than others, rather than aiming for the whole class trying to make one particular shape.

For students and teachers this part of the course is the most effective at creating a change of approach – seeing how each pose varies from person to person – because essentially the most important characteristic of any Yoga posture is the sense of ease and calm that flows through you.

For those looking to teach, you will naturally find an ability to guide your students to listen deeply to aim for authentic experience in your classes.  You will become very passionate, to say the least, to guide your students to use their Yoga practice as a means for accepting themselves and developing acceptance of others.

The Meridians

This course also provides a foundational explanation of traditional Chinese medicine theory in relation to the “meridians”, the channels that conduct energy through the body.  This gives scope for understanding the therapeutic aspects of the practice, making it relevant to you.  

Each of the ten major organs has its associated meridian, and the meridian may be yin or yang, depending on the nature of the organ it pertains to… each meridian has an effect on the body, mind, emotions and so forth.

The 10 major meridians are the liver, gallbladder, heart, small intestine, spleen, stomach, lungs, large intestine, kidneys and urinary bladder.  But rather than going too far into traditional Chinese medicine theory, instead the primary focus will be on identifying different meridians to focus on when practising Yin Yoga.  Herein lies a usefulness as you can then apply endless sequences of Yin Yoga postures into this particular framework.

This is exactly how Yin Yoga uses meridian theory primarily to practise good organ health – certain Yoga poses target specific meridian lines by creating tension or compression across them – thus affecting the associated organs and therefore organ health.

For example, the energy flowing through the meridians is called “chi”, and although chi is moving all the time, it’s often easiest to feel when relaxing after a Yoga asana.  During this relaxation the “gel-sol” balance in the fascia is re-establishing itself and this can be felt as a pleasant tingling, or as pressure being dispersed, or as a spreading of warmth passing through.

Using the meridians as target areas allows you to fully understand what the target areas are so that you can create stress by stretching, contracting or compressing those tissues for a functional Yoga practice.

Throughout the course class sequencing will either be based on body mandalas or meridian lines.  In the same way that meridian lines have a corresponding Yin/Yang channel, the mandala sequencing looks at muscle groups that have a corresponding flexion/extension effect on the body.

Although this may seem complicated at first, we are confident that through embodied practice you will surely love this aspect of the course.

How to Teach Yin Yoga

Although you can attend this course simply to enhance your own knowledge and self practice, a portion of time will be spent learning the art of teaching Yin Yoga.

If this is not your goal, don’t worry.  The observations of different bodies practising and teaching Yin Yoga is enough to spark your interest and self-development.

But even those with such motivations will find being able to participate, observe and teach part of a class to be extremely helpful, and you should feel prepared to teach Yin Yoga at a quality, professional and safe standard.

For those who do want to explore teaching, you can see there is quite a science to teaching Yin Yoga.  This training will give you the theory and principles behind teaching Yin Yoga as well as information on sequencing fascial Yin flows both with and without the use of props.

In addition to the teacher-led part of the course, trainees will be required to complete various reading, class planning and written assessments.  Optional monthly mentoring via email, in person or phone is available at a reduced cost after graduating.

This training is designed for people wishing to deepen their practice as well as teachers wanting to delve into teaching Yin to their students.  Upon completion qualified Yoga teachers will be supplied with a certificate of speciality training in Yin Yoga teaching.  Other non-Yoga teaching graduates will be supplied with a certificate of completion in Yin Yoga and Myofascial Releases study.

For those from other wellness modalities, as well as for Yoga teachers trained in other traditions, this course is a key pillar for your professional development.

Example Timetable

Here’s what a typical day looks like at out Yin Yoga teacher training

• 9:15am – Arrive
• 9:30am – Daily Yoga practice
• 10:30am – Reflection / Journal
• 11am – Morning break
• 11:30am – Dedicated to review of practice; Lectures / Investigations; Conversation / Questions
• 2:30pm – Lunch break
• 3:30pm – Dedicated to (including) lecture, discussion, analysis, practical teaching, workshops (varies each day)
• 6:30pm – Daily Review; Discussion / Conversation / Questions
• 7pm – Close of day

Please note: Timetable is subject to change without notice, though we do our best to stick to what is scheduled.

Students are required to attend all sessions for course cohesiveness and continuity, and to receive the certificate of completion.

Final Course Details

Dates & Times

This Yin Yoga teacher training is a six day course (50 hours), split over two consecutive weekends (Friday to Sunday).

First Weekend

• Friday 19th September 6pm – 9pm
• Saturday 20th September 9am – 7pm
• Sunday 21st September 9am – 7pm

Second Weekend

• Friday 26th September 6pm – 9pm
• Saturday 27th September 9am – 7pm
• Sunday 28th September 11am – 7:30pm (including final assessments)

Attendance is required for all sessions for course cohesiveness and continuity; and to receive your Certificate of Completion.

Location & Address

We will be hosted at Yoga One Bournemouth, 136 Old Christchurch Road, BH1 1NL.

The studio is located opposite Horseshoe Common in the centre of Bournemouth.  There are lots of nearby places to eat; and the area is well serviced by public transport (local buses and nearby Bournemouth railway station).

Parking is available close to the studio – both free and paid.  Please email us if you need more details / recommendations for parking.

Course Fees

Total course cost: £495

How do you know if a course is right for you and whether it is good value or not? Check out our handy blog article Things to consider before Yoga teacher training.

Course Host

Further Details

Mats, props, course manual and course materials are included in your course fees, but please bring a notepad and pen(s) to take any extra notes.

Wear comfortable clothes, including something to practise in each morning.  The space is heated for your comfort during cooler weather, but you may wish to bring layers.  The Yoga practices in this course are generally gentle.

Please bring your own drinks.  Fresh, filtered water is available – please bring your own bottle.  We ask that you refrain from bringing meat and strong scented food into the studio.

Full bathroom facilities are available on site.

Please note that our course shares the studio venue with public Yoga classes and the members of the Yoga One Bournemouth community, so please be aware of noise levels within the communal areas.  We have our own space for the course.

Certification

Everyone that completes the course receives a Certificate of Completion recognising your study.