Pre and Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training
| An |
Online Pre and Postnatal (pregnancy, perinatal) Yoga Teacher Training Diploma course
, which fulfils the
Yoga Alliance's
CE non-contact three-year requirement (20 CE’s). The course is for yoga teachers, midwives, fitness professionals, childbirth educators and health care professionals wanting to specialise in teaching yoga for pregnancy.
The Course
This online course consists of 6 fully illustrated modules, each with a 4-question assignment. The emphasis is on safe, appropriate asana practice, meditation, pranayama, and relaxation. Yoga helps to minimise the discomforts of pregnancy by improving circulation, reducing fluid retention and aches and pains, increasing energy levels and breath awareness, and strengthening the mind and body in preparation for labour. A more gentle, reflective practice is recommended during pregnancy; it is the perfect time to turn the attention inwards, perhaps for the first time.
Coming to classes gives mums-to-be the time and space to connect with their babies, to acknowledge and deal with any anxieties about childbirth, and to be part of a great group of women who are all in the same boat. Pregnancy yoga classes teach women how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy and an active, conscious birth, in a warm, supportive and fun environment.
Jane personally mentors every student, except those from the US and Canada who are mentored by Linda, and those from Australia who are mentored by Amanda, so if you decide to enrol you will be corresponding with them frequently as they mark your assignments and answer any questions you may have. Their support and advice will help you to get the most out of the course. On successful completion, you will have the necessary skills and resources to teach with authority, confident that you are offering your antenatal students well-informed, safe teaching and advice.
Course outline
| Modules 1 – 3
Physical and emotional changes mums-to-be experience during pregnancy; development of the foetus through each trimester. Recommended asana, pranayama, relaxation and meditation techniques; relevant recommendations/modifications for each stage of pregnancy. Precautions to be observed throughout pregnancy.
Module 4
Optimal foetal positioning (OFP) describes how to encourage the baby into the best position 2 -3 weeks before birth, postures and breathing techniques to assist mother and baby during labour and delivery. Postnatal recovery; how and when to resume yoga practice safely and effectively from the day after delivery to the standard 6-week check up and beyond.
Module 5
Covers the mechanics of C-section and post-C section practice, diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation – AMS), combining pre and postnatal classes, postnatal students in general classes.
Module 6
Partner yoga - detailed instruction on introducing and teaching partner yoga to a prenatal class, or to expectant mums and their husbands/partners in a special class for mums and dads to be. The importance of transforming fear of childbirth into a joyful, positive expectation, with reference to hypnobirthing.
Assignments
What to expect
Each module has an assignment consisting of 4 questions. These include the creation of relevant course handouts, questionnaires, promotional fliers, lesson plans, course plans and some essay questions. None of the questions are multiple choice; all questions require understanding of the course text, reference to additional recommended texts, plus your own experience, opinion and rationale. None of it is rocket science, but it does demand time, thought, planning, a little creativity and basic computer skills.
Submission of Assignments
Clear guidelines are given (e.g. format, min/max word guide). Successful completion of the previous assignment is required before continuing to the next module. Assignments that ignore the guidelines or are below standard will be returned ungraded with clear feedback as to why the assignment needs to be resubmitted.
Handouts
Some questions require the creation of handouts for students. On completion of the course you will have a comprehensive portfolio of teaching aids for your classes. This preparation will help you to focus on your teaching, and encourage your students to develop their own practice with confidence, as they will have clear, accurate instructions to refer to.
Since these handouts are for your students, they need to be well presented (no spelling/grammar mistakes), visually appealing and accurate. Use of colour, logos and/or pictures is necessary.
How long does the course take?
Some yogis complete the course in 3 months, some take 6 months, some a year, depending on personal circumstances and the time available to study. It must be completed within 12 months of enrolment, but if life intervenes with exceptional circumstances, as it sometimes does, an extension will be granted.
Can I take the course whilst I'm pregnant?
Definitely!! Many graduates study for this course during pregnancy and find it's the perfect time to study how to teach prenatal yoga.
I’m a yoga teacher but I’ve never had a baby – can I enrol?
Definitely! There is an excellent prenatal teacher in the South West (and no doubt many others too) – he has never been pregnant either:)
I am a midwife involved in active birth – can I enrol?
Midwives are particularly welcome, as they have so much to offer pregnant women throughout their pregnancy, not just during the birth. If you have a committed yoga practice, and have been attending classes for at least 18 months, you are eligible for enrolment on the course, but please contact me before enrolling.
I am a doula – can I enrol?
Doulas are also welcome, as they have much to offer pregnant during late pregnancy and the birth. If you have a committed yoga practice, and have been attending classes for at least 18 months, you are eligible for enrolment on the course, but please contact me before enrolling.
I am a fitness professional teaching pregnant women – can I enrol?
Fitness professionals are well-placed to introduce yoga to pregnant women, often yoga virgins. If you have a committed yoga practice, and have attended classes for at least 18 months, are eligible for enrolment on the course, but please contact me before enrolling.
Continuous Professional Development and Continuing Education
CPD/CE is an important aspect of a yoga teacher’s lifelong journey. This course will provide CPD/CE credits whilst adding to your repertoire of teaching skills in a very relevant way; it is a rare teacher who doesn’t get requests for prenatal yoga.
Pre-requisites for enrolment
Open to yoga teachers, childbirth educators, doulas, midwives and other pregnancy health professionals with a strong yoga practice. Those who don't have a recognised yoga teaching qualification will need to supply evidence of their yoga experience and practice. Completion of a 200-hour yoga teacher-training program or its equivalent prior to taking this course is strongly recommended.
Teaching pre and postnatal yoga requires specialist knowledge. It is inadvisable to teach prenatal students without this knowledge.
How much does it cost?
The cost of the course is £445, payable on enrolment. You will receive the complete course on enrolment. On successful completion you will receive a diploma, and a letter of completion stating your total study hours will be sent to the Yoga Alliance to be added to your CEU record.
The only other cost will be buying at least one of the recommended books; much information can be found online, but it’s important to have at least one reference book.
This link takes you to a currency conversion site, so you can find out exactly what the cost is in any currency at today’s rate www.oanda.com/currency/converter/
What about insurance?
For UK teachers, we thoroughly recommend Yoga-Link, offered by DSC Insurance Services at http://www.yogalink.co.uk/fact_sheets/yoga_teaching_activities.htm Yoga-Link is an insurance scheme especially designed for yoga teachers of all traditions and their specialist needs. The scheme is arranged and administered by DSC Insurance Services and is underwritten by Lloyds; it has grown to become the largest independent group policy available on the market for yoga teachers. To qualify for this insurance, teachers must successfully complete the course and be observed teaching a class, and/or attend a pre/postnatal teacher training workshop.
English is not my mother tongue – can I still take the course?
If your English comprehension is at an upper intermediate or advanced level, you will be able to understand the course material. Test papers are marked according to content, not English grammar. If your written English has mistakes that cause misunderstanding, then your level isn’t high enough.
Your tutors
Amanda Chow:As a mother of three small children, Amanda is passionate about the enriching experience of yoga throughout pregnancy and beyond. She has practiced yoga for twelve years and loves the strengthening and calming focus it brings to her busy life. Amanda is a registered chiropractor with a special interest in pre and postnatal care. She is a qualified yoga teacher with a diploma from IYTA and holds a pre and postnatal fitness certification (BMFC). Amanda regularly attends workshops around Australia with a focus on perinatal health, and has completed her pre and postnatal yoga teacher training with Ana Davis in Byron Bay. She is currently completing her Perinatal Yoga Diploma with Birthlight.
Amanda is the founder of Baby & Me Vitality, an inspiring chiropractic and yoga health program for pregnancy, birth and motherhood. She has been specializing in teaching perinatal yoga for 3 years, and has helped 100’s of mums in Adelaide to enjoy a healthy pregnancy and birth.
Jane dropped in to one of Amanda’s classes in Adelaide when visiting her family; it was the best session she had attended for a long time. The meeting was one of those wonderful lucky coincidences, as Jane had been looking for a highly qualified and experienced teacher to tutor Australian perinatal student teachers for a couple of years. Jane is delighted that Amanda has agreed to tutor all Australian students who enrol on the course, as well as offering pre and postnatal workshops in Adelaide.
Jane Mackarness has been studying and practicing yoga for 35 years, teaching since 1979, and training teachers since 1997. She is based in Devon, UK, and offers prenatal workshops both in the UK and abroad.
Jane is the author of this course, co-author of Yoga for Fitness Professionals, and co-producer of a Sanskrit pronunciation CD.
Linda Antignani fell in love with yoga in 2002; since then she has immersed herself in the study and practice of yoga, and has focused on teaching pre and postnatal yoga full time since 2005. Linda is based in Connecticut, USA.
Yoga Alliance accreditation - CPD and CEUs
Approved for 20 non-contact hours credit toward Yoga Alliance's 500-hour Certification. This fulfills the Yoga Alliance's 3 yearly non-contact hour CEU (continuing education credit/continuous professional development) requirement; the remaining 10-hour requirement must be contact hours.
Increasing your yoga business
Demand for prenatal yoga classes is high, as most women are more motivated to make positive changes in their lives during pregnancy than at any other time. Yoga is now one of the most popular ways of preparing for childbirth, and many medical professionals also recognise its benefits.
Many women choose to attend a small class of 3 or 4; some opt for personal tuition, often in their own home, and are happy to pay more for individual attention, whilst others prefer a larger class.
Growing bellies are great for growing your business! Many new mums return to classes after their 6-week check up, and often request Mum and Baby and Children's yoga too. It's wonderful to be part of these young families. Offering pre/postnatal yoga really develops your business – as well as introducing yoga to young families, it often brings health care professionals, such as midwives, doctors and nurses, to your classes.
Every graduate who has actively promoted their classes runs at least one antenatal class per week, some run several and some have opened their own prenatal studios and have referrals from GPs, physicians, midwives and childbirth educators.
Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training Workshops
2-day workshops are available in London and the South West for UK students who wish to supplement the course with assessed contact hours. Other locations can be arranged on request; contact Jane for the 2010 workshop schedule. Workshops will also be held in Adelaide Australia
The advantages of distance learning
If you are new to distance learning, you will discover the many advantages of studying this way, which is why so many schools, colleges and universities now offer this method. Basically, distance learning gives you tremendous flexibility - you can study any time, anywhere, to suit your own timetable, without incurring additional travel or accommodation costs.
There is no ‘padding’ of the course – every assignment has a very practical function in producing handouts, class plans etc, and in understanding why and how to modify asana and pranayama.
You will always get a quick response to questions and receive expert individual tuition from your tutor via e-mail. But, please be aware that home study is not a soft option - like the practice of yoga, it needs motivation, commitment and self-discipline.
Testimonials
If you are considering investing your time and money, but need some reassurance that it is worth committing those two valuable resources to this course, check out what some course graduates have achieved by adding to their yoga teaching skills - click here to read.
If possible, phone or email Amanda to speak with her personally before enrolling, she would love to talk to you and answer any questions you may have.
Links / Resources
www.vitalityandwellbeing.com.au
www.pregnancy.com.au
www.welladjustedbabies.com
www.healthychild.org
International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
