Student Handbook, FYTT I
Requirements for Certification
1) 100% Attendance
2) 100% Tuition Paid
3) 100% Satisfactory Completion of Quizzes
4) 100% Satisfactory Completion of Homework
5) Demonstration of (at least) adequate ability to teach a flow yoga class. FYTT participants must demonstrate: sufficient knowledge of the class content, ability to address all students where they are (giving modifications, etc.), knowledge of logical sequencing, hands-on and verbal adjustments, and be able to provide a useful learning/practice environment.
Ettiquette
Check out our Etiquette and Practice Guidelines on our New Students page.
Missed Classes
If you miss a class you will need to do a make-up of some sort.
Keep track of your attendance and make-ups in case of any disparity with the FYTT records.
How do you make up a class? It depends on which class you’re missing. There are two basic categories of classes when thinking about make-ups:
1) All other classes
2) Student Led Classes (SLCs)
1) Making up all other classes
The first thing to know about making up other classes is that a make-up can not be scheduled or planned until after the actual class has happened. We do appreciate you letting the Program Assistant and the teacher of the class you will be missing, know if you have a planned absence. We also appreciate you contacting the teacher after the class has actually happened to see about how to go about making it up. The main reason for waiting until after the class has happened is that it is much more efficient for everyone, to group any/all students who missed the same class in the communication, scheduling and/or cost for the make up of that class.
The second thing to know about making up all other classes is that there are a few different ways that classes can be made up, they don’t all require a scheduled make up with a teacher.
Make-up classes that do require a scheduled make up with a teacher cost $60/hr, paid directly to the teacher. That cost is shared among the students taking that make-up class, if they missed the original (make ups are often open to the FYTT I students who were in attendance for the sake of the benefit of repetition). The make up class will be covered in less time than the original (usually 1/2 the time). Classes that are foundational for the program must be made up as soon as possible.
To give you a sense of the various possibilities, some classes, that are more discussion-oriented, can be made up by completing a reading/writing project for no cost. The way that a class is made up is determined by the teacher of that original class.
Going further… for some classes, that are not considered ‘foundational’, you may choose to wait to make them up with a future program, offered within two years of the program you originally registered for. However, you will not receive your certificate until all classes and requirements have been completed.
If you are making up more than 5 classes in a future program, offered within two years of the program you originally registered for, then an additional charge of $300 will be due to re-enroll in the program. There is, however, no guarantee of future programs. The $300 re-enrollment offer is good for a program that begins as much as two years after the program that your original program began. In other words, if your original program began in February 2013, then a program beginning in February 2015 is the last program you can enroll in for the $300 amount, after that the current tuition applies.
If you need to defer your participation, even if it is 100% of the classes, you are still responsible for completing tuition payments on time for the program in which you enrolled.
2) Making Up Student Led Classes (SLCs)
This class is made up of two parts: class and feedback/discussion.
Both parts of the class need to be accounted for in the way that you make up each SLC.
There are three different ways in which you can make up the SLCs. You will need to complete two of the options listed below in order to satisfy one missed SLC (SLCs are usually 3 hours).
a) Observation
Observe and take notes at any of the FYTT teachers’ ‘regular’ classes, outside of program hours.
Observation may be counted towards either taking the class or the feedback/discussion portion of the class.
(Aside from satisfying make-up requirements, you are strongly encouraged to observe 4 asana classes during the course of the program, regardless of your ability to take class.)
b) Assisting with Hands-on Adjustments
You may do hands-on assisting at any of the FYTT I teachers’ ‘regular’ classes outside of program hours. Hands-on assisting may be counted towards either taking the class or towards the feedback/discussion portion of the class.
(Within program hours, and aside from make-ups, you are required to assist with hands-on adjustments for 4 classes and are encouraged to do more.)
c) Taking the class
Take or observe any of any of the FYTT I teachers’ ‘regular’ classes outside of program hours. This may only be counted towards the ‘class’ portion of the SLC. Fees for these classes vary.
NOTE: A FYTT I teacher must be teaching or present in the class in order for your make-up hours to count toward your FYTT I hours. Their attendance, however, is not guaranteed, be sure to confirm with them ahead if time.
Be sure to document your make-ups!
Making up or Retaking Quizzes
If you miss a class that included taking a quiz, or you need to retake a quiz, you must make arrangements with the Program Assistant to proctor you taking the quiz, often either before or after a future FYTT I class. Ideally you do this as soon as possible. A quiz cannot be made up during FYTT I class time. Alternatively since you were provided PDFs of the quizzes at the start of the program you can bring a blank copy of the quiz to a public class that is taught by a FYTT I instructor. (Be sure to confirm that instructor will be teaching that day.) Sit on the sidelines to take your quiz and turn it in before leaving. There is no charge for making up or retaking quizzes.
Homework
Please refer to the calendar for all due dates and reading assignments.
Ongoing “home” work:
- Students are expected to maintain their personal practice, at least 3 sessions per week, in addition to the FYTT I program hours
- Complete the reading assignments throughout the program
- Learn your Sanskrit - You will be provided with a handout including most of poses that we cover in the FYTT program, you are required to learn the Sanskrit for all of the poses in the handout. You will be quizzed, check the calendar for quiz dates
Assignment #1) Script for the Basic Sun Salutation
In your own handwriting, not typed, write a sample script for guiding a class through the Basic Sun Salutation. Write:
1) inhale or exhale
2) the name of the movement or pose
3) three alignment, or quality instructions for the posture or the transitional movement
Example:
Inhale, swing your arms up over your head, gaze through your thumbs, press your feet into the floor and lift the very base of your abdomen.
Exhale, swan dive forward, keep your legs strong, toes spread and release the weight of your head at the bottom of your fold.
Inhale……
Assignment # 2) Script for Surya Namaskara A
Same instructions as for Assignment #1
Assignment # 3) Script for Surya Namaskara B
Same instructions as for Assignment #1
Assignment # 4) Dynamics of Breath
In your own words, typed, briefly describe:
1. Prana and Apana
2. Sthira and Sukha
3. Sukha and Dukha
4. Breathing - feel free to use terminology from the book such as ‘shape change’, ‘water balloon & accordion’, etc.. Include the actions of the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles generally, no need to get into specific accessory muscles. Your description of breathing could be as long as a page, not as brief as the other descriptions.
5. Ujjayi Breath
6. Mula Bandha
7. Uddiyana Bandha
8. Pranayama
Note: Your study of these concepts/actions/techniques are to help you gain a deeper understanding of what you will be teaching on a more gross level. We don’t recommend going into this sort of depth in a ‘regular’ yoga class, but for you to have this depth behind what you are giving.
Assignment # 5) Practice Teaching
Teach at least 4 classes outside of the scheduled program hours. Check the calendar for due dates for your write-ups. You may practice teach to your friends, family, co-students. You may teach to your goldfish or stuffed animals for your first try only 
The classes should become progressively more complete and thorough.
For each class do the following:
1) Prepare. Create your class sequence, etc.
2) Get feedback from your students. Find out what the most useful part of your class was for them? How could it have been better for them?
3) Consider… How did it go for you? What worked well? What will you do differently next time?
4) Submit on paper, typed: how you prepared, who you taught, include a little about your student(s) and the setting, list the feedback that you received, how it went for you, and what you will work towards doing differently next time. Do NOT provide the sequence that you taught.
Clearly label your homework with your name, the date of your practice teaching, and numbered (1-4). Turn your write-ups in as you complete the classes so that you can integrate any feedback on your homework into your next practice teaching.
Assignment # 6) Write out your class sequence based on the instructions in the Sequencing class
Assignment # 7) Write your yoga biography & resume
Assignment # 8) Take a picture to go with your bio
See the Instructor’s Page on Barefoot Movement’s website for examples for Assignments # 6 & 7, pics and bios. For resumes, search on line, and choose a template that will support what you want to include in your resume.
There is a total of 20 hours of homework assigned. The assignments are described below. Check the calendar for the due dates.
Assisting
You must assist 4 classes, offering hands-on adjustments. One of the FYTT Primary Instructors must be either teaching or observing this class. The most beneficial option is for you to assist one of the FYTT’s teachers at their ‘regular’ classes. Assisting for an SLC is a perfectly fine alternative. Up to 2 assistants can be scheduled per SLC. You are welcome to assist more than 4 hours.
Leah will give the ‘go-ahead’ when the class is prepared to do hands-on assistance, about half way through the program.
Transitioning from FYTT I to FYTT II
Many students like to take time to integrate the teachings from the FYTT I program before embarking on the FYTT II program. Others are simply ‘ready to go’. In order to complete the 500 hours (200 of FYTT I + 300 hours of FYTT II) in a shorter period of time, check in with Leah if you would like to overlap the FYTT II program with your FYTT I program. The Apprenticeship Program (AP) component is the only exception, AP enrollment requires that the FYTT I program has been completed.