Quarter 1 Month 3
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In the course of your studies you will sometimes need to access the recordings out of numeric sequence. Here are the four month 3 recordings for your convenience.
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Guided Asana Practice and Breathing

The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga

Becoming an Effective Teacher

Respiratory & Nervous System

Notes on Practice

Month 3 Notes on Practice discuss the relationship between yoga practice and developing range of motion. We think you will find it to be an interesting article, which may challenge some of your assumptions about Hatha practice.

Notes on Practice
File Size: 71 kb
File Type: pdf
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 Reading Assignment - Notes on Practice

Please read the month three Notes on Practice. Please re-read and review the Notes on Practice during the month.

Asana Practice - Standing Postures  (continued)

    Month three’s eight new asanas focus again on standing postures, specifically those asanas which require a rotation of the hips. The resources include the asana instruction PDF, "Q1 M3 Asana Practice," and recording 9, "Guided Asana Practice and Breathing."  We have also included the "Notes on Practice Lined Pages" document, including a photo of each asana, that you can print out and use if you wish to keep your own personal notes on the poses.  Here are quick snapshots of month three's new asanas:
(Click on the images for full size and gallery version.)
Notes on Practice Lined Pages
File Size: 4426 kb
File Type: pdf
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 Reading/Listening/Practice Assignment - Standing Postures (cont.)

1. As a preparation for studying this month's new poses we suggest you review the anatomy and physiology vocabulary and terms from month one. Also review the definitions from month one.
2. Please listen to recording 9, "Guided Asana Practice and Breathing."
3. Then use the month three asana practice PDF to start your practice.
​4. Please review recording 9 and the asana practice section weekly during the month.
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Guided Asana Practice and Breathing
Asana Practice
File Size: 4489 kb
File Type: pdf
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Review and Practice - Yoga Techniques - Alternate Nasal Breathing

    Please review and practice alternate nasal breathing. Remember not to rush through your practice or study. Reflect upon what you are studying and think about it during the day.

Theory and Philosophy Recording 10 - The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga

This month's Theory and Philosophy curriculum features recording 10, "The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga" by Goswami Kriyananda. It is attached as a resource.

"As a hatha yoga teacher your function is to 
make people aware that the goal of life is to 
become happy — physically, mentally, 
psychologically and spiritually. I have a 
little plaque here, with a picture of a ship on 
the ocean, that sums it up — life is a journey, 
not a destination."    - Goswami Kriyananda

Listening Assignment - Recording 10 The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga

     Please listen to and study recording 10, "The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga," by  Goswami Kriyananda.

Reading Assignment - The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga

Please read chapter two of The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga (pages 22-34).

Reading Assignment - Yoga, the Iyengar Way

In Yoga, the Iyengar Way, please read pages: 21, 22-23, 28-29, 30-31, 36-37, 126-127.

Theory and Philosophy - Niyama

The theory and philosophy section for month three looks at Niyama, the observances, and completes your study of the first two limbs of the Patanjali yoga system. The PDF "Q1 M3 Theory and Philosophy - Niyama" is included as a resource.
 
 from the article:
   "As a yoga teacher, you will need to express as clearly 
    as possible exactly what you want your students to do. 
    If your thoughts and words are not clearly articulated, 
    students may do something ineffective or possibly harmful. 
    As a teacher, verbal purity needs to be cultivated for your 
    benefit as well as for those you teach."

Reading Assignment - Theory and Philosophy - Niyama

Please read and study the PDF "Q1 M3 Theory and Philosophy - Niyama."
Theory and Philosophy Niyama
File Size: 475 kb
File Type: pdf
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Reading Assignment - The Breathing Book

In The Breathing Book, please read and perform the exercises on pages 36-60.

Reading Assignment - Human Anatomy in Full Color

In Human Anatomy in Full Color, read and review pages 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 24, 25, 26. Also continue to review the month one vocabulary.

Recording 12 - The Respiratory and Nervous System

You will now study the first in a series of recordings on the anatomy and physiology of the body. Recording 12, included as a resource, covers two primary systems: the respiratory system and the nervous system.

Listening Assignment - Recording 12 The Respiratory and Nervous System

Please listen to recording 12, "The Respiratory and Nervous System." To support this recording, we suggest you review the Anatomy and Physiology text from month one. We would also encourage you to outline this recording and all anatomy recordings so that you can easily review the information when needed.

Assignment - Asanas

After practicing the month three asanas for three weeks, write a brief paragraph describing the progress you feel you are making.

    Please upload your assignment below.

    Max file size: 20MB

Assignments - Theory and Philosophy - Niyama

Choose a Niyama and consciously work at observing it, on all three levels, for one month.

Assignments - Theory and Philosophy - Recording 10 The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga

1. Start your yoga file or yoga drawer as described on recording 10.
2. Utilizing KIS-MIF describe, to someone you know, the value of yoga.

Assignments - Teaching Skills - Recording 11 Becoming an Effective Teacher

Buy a brand new package of 3x5 cards. Begin recording the key points you find important in the program and want to share with your students. (Try to use just a few sentences which will trigger your own understanding.) File them by subject.

Assignments - Anatomy and Physiology

Describe to another person what the diaphragm is, how it is structured and how it works.

Assignments - Anatomy and Physiology - Respiratory and Nervous Systems

Using all the teaching and communication skills you have been studying, describe the functions of the respiratory and nervous systems to someone you know. When you have finished, ask them to summarize what you communicated to them. Repeat this exercise with someone else.

Personal Reflections - Asanas

Please keep in mind that personal reflections do not need to be submitted for review.
Achieving Range of Motion
​This month’s article discussed that increasing range of motion in asana practice is not achieved by stretching and that what we want to do is allow any chronic tightness or gripping in the muscles to release naturally. How do these statements add to your understanding of your practice?

Personal Reflections - The Breathing Book

1. With or without a partner, practice the inquiries on pages 36-45. Afterwards, write in your journal what you experienced.
2. List in your journal the eight characteristics of free breathing listed on pages 45-46. Choose one and become more conscious of it in your asana practice this week.
​3. In the effortless rest position, practice breathing with an awareness of the movement of all three diaphragms. In your journal, write down what you experienced.

Personal Reflections - Theory and Philosophy

1. Reflect upon yourself and your life. Which niyamas do you feel you observe and which do you not observe?
2. What niyama would you like to observe more consciously? Why?
3. On what level(s)? Referring to recording 10, "The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga" for questions 3, 4 and 5, what are the extremes you experience in your life? 
4. Where is your psychological blind spot?
​5. Do you find contentment in your career? Why?

Personal Reflections - Teaching Skills - Recording 11 Becoming an Effective Teacher

1. How  can you expand on what your students want to learn without losing them?
2. What do you think the biggest obstacle is to becoming an effective teacher?
​3. Why do you want to teach?

Study Questions 

Study questions are designed to help you review and assimilate the materials you are studying. These are not tests. They are tools which can help you to build a deeper understanding of yoga and integrate it more fully into your life. You can later go back and re-read your answers to these questions as you study for your exams.
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Asana Practice
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Teaching Skills - Recording 10 The Philosophy of Teaching Yoga

Anatomy and Physiology - The Breathing Book

Theory and Philosophy - Niyama

Teaching Skills - Recording 11 Becoming an Effective Teacher

Anatomy and Physiology - Recording 12 Respiratory and Nervous Systems
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