Advanced Studies Program at
The Breathing Project

This Advanced Studies Program is a two to three year program of in-depth exploration of anatomy and kinesiology (as well as some physiology and embryology). The exploration of this material can be directly applied to your embodied experience of breath, movement and relationship.

The context for the exploration of this material is yoga asana, but the principles can be applied in any somatic field, including martial arts, sports, dance, pilates, etc.

There are four courses in the Advanced Studies Program, along with assisting and homework requirements. These courses can be taken in any order, though we recommend taking at least one of the anatomy courses before (or concurrently with) the weekend workshops. (Each course or workshop can be taken separately, as well.)

The courses:

with Amy Matthews:

> Embodied Anatomy & Kinesiology
> Embodied Asana Workshop Series

with Leslie Kaminoff:

> Yoga Anatomy
> Applications of Breath-Centered Yoga (ABC's)

> Program objectives
> Program components
     > courses
     > assisting
     > homework

> Schedule of Embodied Asana Workshops
> Prices
> Program pre-requisites
> Application
> Documentation/certification

Program Objectives:
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Anatomy & Kinesiology:

Understanding asana from the perspective of different body systems and tissues
Integrating principles of anatomy and kinesiology in teaching asana and vinyasa
Using principles of anatomy and kinesiology to explore and adapt asana
Empowering individuals to use their own embodied experiences as a foundation for exploration

Asana Analysis:

Developing observation skills in relationship to movement and stillness
Analyzing the effects of different choices in language, focus and orientation
Exploring how form is shaped by function in different approaches to asana

Transmission Skills:

Finding precision and flexibility in your language
Becoming mindful of your own preferences and patterns
Valuing different approaches to transmission and learning Distilling your own values and principles

Program Components:
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The full Advanced Studies Program is four courses, assisting, and homework-if all parts are completed, there is a total of more than 500 contact hours.
These parts can be completed over a two or three-year period, and in any order. There are no pre-requisites for Yoga Anatomy, ABC's or Embodied Anatomy & Kinesiology. (There is a pre-requisite for the Embodied Asana Workshops.)

COURSES:

Embodied Anatomy & Kinesiology: 65 hours
Taught by Amy Matthews
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This course travels through the body addressing both structure and movement from an experiential perspective, using drawings, models, and personal experiences. We will begin with the spine and torso in the fall semester, then move to the legs (feet to pelvis) and arms (hands to shoulder girdle) in the spring semester.
For each part of the body we use principles from Body-Mind Centering, Laban Movement Analysis and the Bartenieff Fundamentals, PNF and therapeutic yoga practices, to discuss principles of alignment and therapeutic applications. Class involves both discussion and movement - any level of movement ability is welcome, and no previous yoga experience is necessary.
(Graduates of Amy's course from previous years will receive $1,000 discount on their tuition.)

Embodied Asana Workshop series: 20 workshops x 15 hours = 300 hours
Taught by Amy Matthews
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Each of these 15 hour weekend workshops will have a particular point of focus based in anatomy and kinesiology. In each weekend there will be advanced A&K classes, asana practice, structured explorations, teaching practice and feedback.
See the schedule of workshops and specific topics listed below.
These workshops can also be taken individually, and in any order.

Yoga Anatomy: 72 hours
Taught by Leslie Kaminoff
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This course provides a practical grounding in the essentials of the anatomy and physiology of yoga practice with a particular emphasis on the relationship between breathing and healthy spinal function. To that end, each trimester covers the material from a different perspective. The fall session focuses on the anatomy and pressure mechanics of breathing, the three diaphragms and the thoracic and abdominal muscles. The winter session covers the evolution and anatomy of spinal mechanics, the development of postural support and articular freedom. The spring session deals with yoga physiology, balance and equilibrium and hands-on techniques of yoga therapy and assisted practice.
Each 11 to 13-week trimester is a self-contained unit, so the course can be started at the beginning of any of the three trimesters.

ABC's: 72 hours
Taught by Leslie Kaminoff
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Taught by Leslie Kaminoff
The Application of Breath-Centered Yoga class builds upon the material covered in the Yoga Anatomy course. Leslie teaches the dynamics of a non-standardized, adaptable, breath centered approach to Yoga. Through experience, practice, discussion and exchange students will learn how to customize yoga practices, read the body to identify patterns of holding and tension, offer hands-on assists from an anatomically-informed breath-centered perspective, and explore classic yoga philosophy with anatomical understanding of the human system. In addition, some ABC sessions will be conducted as "Yoga Clinics" in which we discuss and review case studies of specific individuals with chronic and acute health conditions.
(Graduates of Yoga Anatomy & ABC's from previous years will receive $2,000 discount on their tuition.)

ASSISTING:
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Assisting Amy and/or Leslie in classes and workshops will be an opportunity to observe different teaching choices and to witness the effects of those choices in class. (55 hours of assisting is required to complete the program.)

HOMEWORK:
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Spectrum classes (variety of styles and teachers):
With the goal of understanding the value of a variety of approaches to teaching yoga, an additional 30 hours of asana class are required. These classes should be in at least 10 different approaches possible choices include: Anusara, Astanga, Bikram, Dharma Mittra, Integral, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kundalini, Sivananda, Viniyoga, Yin Yoga.
(The cost of these classes is not included in the program fees.)

Spectrum class reviews:
After attending the 'spectrum classes', program participants will be asked to write a review of the classes, focusing on the strengths of each style or tradition, and how each supports an embodied experience of asana.

Book discussion:
The final part of each Embodied Asana weekend workshop will be a discussion of a book from the reading list. A small group of students will be responsible to lead a discussion of the book and its relationship to yoga, practice, and teaching. Each student (even if not leading the discussion that month) will be responsible for contributing to the discussion.

Research project:
Each student will choose a commonly made teaching statement that somehow references anatomy, kinesiology, or physiology (such as "twists wring out the organs" or "belly breathing is better because babies do it") to research and present their questions, explorations, and conclusions. In their presentations students will be expected to address the accuracy of the statement, it's possible usefulness, contexts in which it might be helpful or harmful, etc.

Schedule of Embodied Asana Workshops:
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2008

2009

Jan 23-25, 2009 Embodied Breathing: Breath as Shape Change
Feb 20-22, 2009 Starting from the Contents: Digestive System
Mar 20-22, 2009 Starting from the Contents: Lungs & Heart
April 24-26, 2009 Starting from the Contents: Kidney & Bladder
May 15-17, 2009 Shifting Consciousness: Embodied Breathing pt 2
June 12-14, 2009 Embodied Space
August 3-7, 2009 5 Day Bartenieff & BMC workshop
Oct 2-4, 2009 The Spine as a Limb #1: Head & Neck
Dec 4-6, 2009 The Spine as a Limb #2: Sacrum & Tail

2010

Jan 29-31, 2010 Grounding: Feet are Fundamental
Feb 12-14, 2010 Developmental Movement #1: Spinal Developmental Patterns
Mar 12-14, 2010 Developmental Movement #2: Fluids & Pre-Vertebral Developmental Patterns
April 9-11, 2010 Creating Movement: The Muscular System
April 30 - May 2, 2010 Organizing Movement: PNF Patterns
June 25-27, 2010 Synthesis: Asana Analysis #1
Oct 15-17, 2010 Synthesis: Asana Analysis #2
Nov 19-21, 2010 Transitions: Embodied Mind Part 2

The final three courses (JUNE, OCT & NOV 2010) will only be open to people who have taken at least three previous workshops in this program.
weekend schedule:
Friday: 6:30-8:30 pm
Saturday: 11 am-6 pm
Sunday: 10 am-6 pm

Prices:
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Individual workshops:
Single workshop: $400
3 or more workshops: $375 each
10 or more weekends: $300 each

Full 500-hour program: $9,000
(Graduates of Leslie Kaminoff's Yoga Anatomy & ABC's course from previous years receive a $2,000 discount, graduates of Amy's Embodied A&K course from previous years receive a $1,000 discount.)

PAYMENT PLANS & WORK STUDY are available.

Program Pre-requisites:
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There are no pre-requisites for the Yoga Anatomy, ABC's, or Embodied Anatomy & Kinesiology courses.
The Embodied Asana weekend workshops are geared towards people who have had basic training in anatomy and kinesiology, and have some teaching experience. (Possible prior training could be courses with Leslie or Amy OR a 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training OR equivalent training in another discipline.)

Application:
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Please send an email to Amy Matthews at training@embodiedasana.com, to request an application form.

Documentation/Certification:
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This program is not a certification program and does not grant certification as a yoga teacher. Instead, you will receive a document of completion that outlines your hours of study and the materials covered.