Yin Yoga & 5 Elements of Chinese Medicine
100 hours Teacher Training
19 Feb - 1 March, 2024, Thailand
Experience the Timeless Wisdom of Chinese Medicine and Yin Yoga
During this course you will learn how to view the universe through the lens of the 5
Elements from a Chinese Medicine perspective and tap into nature’s healing wisdom.
You will explore the concept of Yin and Yang, Chi and the 12 main energy pathways of the
body and their corresponding organs and emotions, which will help inform your Yin Yoga practice and teachings.
You will understand how the Yin Yoga postures can be utilized to support optimal health
and encourage healing and vitality for body, mind and spirit. By the end of the course,
you will know the specific therapeutic benefits of each Yin asana and be able to practice
and teach in a way that supports your – or your students – personal needs.
You will also have the opportunity to explore different meditations, pranayamas, gentle
flows, Yoga Nidra, Qigong and learn about the fascinating taoist art of Face Reading, an
ancient insightful diagnostic tool.
Tap Into the Flow of the 5 Elements and The Tao.
The intention of this Yin Yoga Teacher Training is to immerse students in the deep wisdom of the ancient Tao. Tao means “The Flow” and this Yin Yoga Teacher Training gives students a direct experience of this flow of life through embodied practices such as Yin Yoga, Qigong and Yoga Nidra.
The course explores the 5 Elements through a Chinese Medicine perspective, spending 2 days in each element, providing insights into life, health and practice.
The Yin Yoga: Theory and Practice
Yin and Yang are the Taoist concepts which describe the two relative qualities present in everything. Yin is more internal, passive, cooling and downward. While Yang is more external, dynamic, warming and upward. When these terms are applied to yoga, Yin Yoga is a slower practice where poses are passively held for longer, working on the deep, dens (Yin) connective tissues and joints in the body. The Yin practice is soothing and nurturing and allows us to move away from the “doing” and “achieving” of the yang energy and drop into a more receptive, calm and meditative energy.
During our asana clinics we will explore the main poses of the yin practice, how to modify the poses to suit the different bodies, how to use props and how to use the 5 Elements as a framework for creating yin sequences. We will also dedicate time to practice teaching in small groups and one-on-one.
Chinese Medicine
By understanding the 5 Elements and how they function, students will gain a profound knowledge of the essential nature of themselves and the universe. They will learn how to view the universe through the lens of the 5 Elements and tap into nature’s healing wisdom. Knowing the 5 Elements will help students and teachers to be able to create Yin practices that activate the natural power of the 5 Elements.
In addition to the 5 Elements, students will learn about the concept of Yin and Yang, Chi and the 12 main energy pathways in the body, and the corresponding organs and emotions, which will help inform their Yin yoga practices and teachings.
Knowledge of Chinese Medicine also helps students understand how the Yin yoga postures can be utilized to encourage healing, balance, vitality.
Face Reading
Using the face for diagnosis is one of the original aspects of Chinese Medicine. This is because the face is a map of life experience and a blueprint for the body’s functions.
During this course, you will learn which areas of the face correspond to each of the Elements and their respective organs, as well as identifying the signs of strength and weakness related to each of them.
From the facial markings, features and colours, you will be able to identify personality traits, assess signs of illness and discover the underlying psychological and emotional issues affecting one’s health.
Your day will look something like
07:30 – 09:30 – Meditation, Pranayama, Asana Practice
09:30 – 10:30 – Breakfast at The Sanctuary
10:30 – 12:30 – Chinese Medicine Lecture
12:30 – 3:00 – Lunch Break
3:00 – 4:30 – Asana Clinic / Workshop
4:45 – 6:30 – Evening Asana Practice
Target Audience and Accreditation
This program is designed for yoga practitioners of all levels, who are genuinely interested in deepening their personal practice and improving their health and wellbeing through Nature’s wisdom. This course is also for yoga teachers that wish to upgrade their teachings and learn the Elemental approach of Chinese Medicine applied to the Yin Yoga practice. We do not require that you have completed a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training to attend.
For Registered Yoga Teachers, this course counts for 100 hours towards Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Program (YACEP).
What our previous students say about it:
Yin yoga and The five element system contributed to big changes in my practice, my teaching and in my life. Marcela and Tobias managed to share their deep knowledge about the elements and yin yoga in such an interesting, genuine, fun and profesjonal way. I will definetily take more cources with them, and will highly recommand them!
The Venue
The course will take place at The Sanctuary Thailand.
This unique beachfront resort sits between the sandy shores of Haad Tien Beach, Koh Phangan, a small, beautiful tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand.
It’s cosy and relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by it’s pristine and natural environment, is the perfect set-up for our training.
The Teachers
Yin Yoga Lead Teacher
Marcela will lead the Yin classes, Asana Clinic and Teaching Practice.
Chinese Medicine Lead Teacher
Tobias will lead the Chinese Medicine, 5 Elements classes and Face Reading classes.