Yin yoga is a slow-paced approach yoga practice where poses are held in a relaxed way for an extended period of time, up to 5 minutes or more. The practice requires little muscle engagement, which helps develop physical relaxation and flexibility. The poses focus primarily on strengthening and loosening connective tissue and joints; they stretch deeper muscles and stimulate our life energy, Chi, Prana or also called Qi. The real challenge of Yin Yoga lies in the ability to remain still and stay mindful and present with what comes up during the poses. Yin Yoga brings you energy, relaxation as well as space in body and mind. Yin Yoga and Mindfulness are inseparable and are excellent tools which can help us to stay here and now and reduce the stress response.
When you stay longer in a Yin pose, you create space where you can recognise your reactive thinking patterns, let them be and investigate them with loving kindness and self-compassion. You can see your thoughts and emotions as waves in the ocean of your consciousness. It helps you to get out of the vicious circle of repetitive thinking and to find peace again.
Yin Yoga is a method that teaches you to let go and surrender, to slow down and stop identifying with the streams of thoughts and emotions, cultivating a deeper state of relaxation.
For whom?
This Yin Yoga Teacher Training program will give you a deep understanding of how the body functions physically and energetically. You will be able to see and respond to people, their bodies, and their potential. Moreover, you will learn about: bones, muscles, fascia, joints, movements, organs and connective tissue, chakra’s, chi, meridians and meridian pathways, pranayama and meditation.
With this knowledge, you will be able to create personalised and therapeutic Yin Yoga classes suited for everyone’s physical and energetic needs. You will receive a 50hr Certified Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Certificate after successfully completing this training.
This training is open to all levels.
What you can expect in the Level 1 and 2 Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings
Level 1: Yin Yoga, the Fundamentals (50hrs)
In this module we focus on the physical aspects (movements, skeleton and muscles) of the Yin practice, and will provide you with a solid foundation to teach and adjust the basic
Yin Yoga poses of the lower body in a safe and personal way.
You will learn about:
- Yin Yoga philosophy & basic principles of energy (Chi), Meridians and Chakras
- Understanding Yin Yoga versus Yang Yoga
- Functional Anatomy. You will learn about bones, muscles and connective tissue (Fascia)
- Target Areas and functional analysis of postures
- The 14 segments of the skeleton, 10 muscle groups, 7 archetypal poses(14-10-7)
- 20+ Yin poses and the variations based on 14-10-7
- Adaptations and variations for different levels/physical abilities and use of “props”
- You will learn how to teach Yin Yoga professionally.
- Sequencing using different themes
- Communicating effectively, working out your script (function and aesthetics)
- Responsibilities and ethics of a yoga teacher
- And of course how to improve your own Yin practice
Level 2: Yin Yoga, the Energetic Body (50 hrs)
In this module we will go deeper into the energetic aspects of Yin Yoga and Upper Body Anatomy and Asanas.
You will learn about:
- The background of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Practical Energetic Anatomy
- Meridian theory and
- The relation between Meridians and the organs
- The relation between Meridians and the emotions
- The relation between Meridians and the Chakras
- Chakra meditation and theory
- Five elements theory
- Meridian tapping & Master acupressure points
- Anatomy of the upper body
- Yin Yoga asanas (for the upper body)
- Target areas, modifications and variations
- How to use yoga props (bolsters, blocks, straps, blankets)
- How to teach Yin Yoga
- Build creative Yin classes (sequencing) based on the meridians, five elements and Chakras
- How to bring more depth to your Yin Yoga classes and your own practice by using themes
On the Physical level, Yin Yoga targets bones, joints and connective tissues. It’s not about how the pose looks (aesthetic) but about what we feel (function), which makes the Yin Yoga approach very liberating. (Level 1 Teacher Training)
On the Energetic level, Yin Yoga reconnects with its roots of Taoist yoga, and uses the ancient map and modern theory of the meridian system, the long holds in Yin Yoga restore harmony in the subtle body by stimulating the chi (energy) in the channels that run through the connective tissues. (Level 2 Teacher Training)
Required books to buy:
The teaching days will be a variety of Theory, Learning by doing and Yin Practice. You will receive a very comprehensive syllabus but in addition it is required to purchase the following books:
– The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark (ISBN: 9780968766583) or the Dutch version Bernie Clark, een complete gids (ISBN: 9789493301245)
– The Key Muscles of Yoga by Ray Long (ISBN: 9781607432388)
More Information
Please read our Terms & Conditions here
For more questions or information please get in touch with lead teacher Hellen: info@hartenyoga.com or Bluebirds Academy: info@blue-birds.nl.
EARLY 2025
Level 1
Friday 24th of January | 13:30 – 19:00
Saturday 25th of January | 09.30 – 18:00
Sunday 26th of January | 09.30 – 18:00
Friday 7th of February | 13:00 – 19:00
Saturday 8th of February | 09.30 – 18:00
Sunday 9th of February | 09.30 – 18:30
Level 2
Friday 14th of March | 13:30 – 19:00
Saturday 15th of March | 09.30 – 18.00
Sunday 16th of March | 09.30 – 18.00
Friday 28th of March | 13:00 – 19:00
Saturday 29th of March | 09.30 – 18:00
Sunday 30th of March | 09.30 – 18.30
Location
Bluebirds Oost | Louise Wentstraat 186, Amsterdam
Both levels will return in late 2025
If you want to be put on the waiting list click here
Investment
Early bird:
1 module | 795 euro
Level 1: until the 1st of December 2024
Level 2: until the 13th of January 2025
Regular price:
1 module | 850 euro
Bluebirds member ticket: €765,- (10 % off)
Combination price:
2 modules | 1575 euro
(all prices at 0% VAT as we are CRKBO registered)
About Hellen van der Harten
My life as an independent filmmaker and mother of two was quite hectic, very Yang. I did a lot of work-outs to stay in shape and my first (power) yoga class at the gym was pure coincidence. It was not the best experience but it made me curious and that is how I found my way to a yoga school over 20 years ago. The deep meditative and relaxing effects of Yoga and in particular Yin Yoga brought balance to my life. A few years later I did my first Teacher Training with Anat Geiger, Marcel van de Vis Heil and Johan Noorloos. It started with Vinyasa Ashtanga, a very physical form of yoga but gradually my yoga practice became softer and softer and Yin Yoga stole my heart. I attended many trainings with highly qualified teachers around the world, including Paul and Suzee Grilley, on whose method my training is based. With all this knowledge and experience, I created my own Yin Teacher Training Program in 2015 and I am very happy to share my knowledge and love for Yin Yoga and guide students to discover the healing, liberating and transformative effects of Yin Yoga and train them to become competent, confident and inspiring teachers.
Read about the experiences of our previous students:
“With an open mind and a high degree of curiosity I subscribed to Hellen’s 2x50h Yin TT modules. Even though previous knowledge was obtained during my Ashtanga TT, I admit that I learned more than I had expected prior to this Yin TT. Hellen gifted me with new knowledge and key insights, inviting us to see things from a different angle, with a focus on Yin yoga yet applicable to different yoga styles and even life in general.
Next to theoretical information, Hellen gave each of us the opportunity to practice teaching hands-on. Thereby safely allowing us to get out of our comfort zone and learning throughout and from each other.
Because in the end is that not what it is all about? According to me, a good yoga TT helps us with the foundation of Safety: the magic of the transfer of yoga resides in a teacher feeling safe and being able to hold a safe space for her/his students. Mission accomplished for this TT! 🙂
Thank you, Hellen.”
– Fanny
“This was my first experience with a Teacher Training. The moment we started I felt safe and felt confidence on what was about to follow. Hellen has a deep knowledge of Yin Yoga and anatomy and a talent of passing her wisdom to the students. I never thought I would manage to enjoy Saddle and you found the way!
Hellen has a great way of providing feedback and most importantly she has a unique way of receiving developmental feedback.
What I also noticed is a mature way of reacting on challenging students and how she managed to convert the challenge into a really loyal student. I hope you will keep it up and show to more people the benefits of Yin!”
– Dimos
“I did a Yin Yoga level 1 Teacher Training with Hellen and I loved it. That was my second attempt to do the training but with the first one I didn’t really feel a resonance with the teacher. Hellen was the teacher I was looking for. Her extensive experience combined with strong feminine energy and interest in spirituality made this training very insightful and interesting. I feel I’ve learned a lot as a yin yoga teacher but also as a person. Highly recommended! Thank you Hellen!”
– Kasia
