Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics

Referred to as "The Quiet Practice" by its innovator Paul Grilley, Yin Yoga offers a framework for attending to the often overlooked inner realms of our body, mind, and spirit. The simple, floor-based postures, held for several minutes, provide a unique opportunity to release deeply held tension, free stagnant or blocked energy, and cultivate a peaceful quality of mind.

In Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics, you will learn the essential elements of practicing and teaching Yin Yoga.


* Insight Yoga Institute Credit is available. See Below. *

"In my 30 years as a practitioner, this was, by far, one of the best trainings I've attended. Jennifer is extremely knowledgeable on a wide variety of yoga and mindfulness practices. It was an honor to learn from her. I'd recommend this training to anyone with an interest in Yin, anatomy, philosophy, and mindfulness." ~ Randi W.

Learning Objectives

This online course unfolds over three weekends. In addition to lectures and posture labs, each weekend will include multiple Yin Yoga classes for an embodied experience of the theories behind the practice.

You'll also get lots of access to the instructor, Jennifer O'Sullivan, through a virtual sangha, optional weekly Yin Yoga classes, and virtual office hours.

History and Principles of Yin Yoga - Discover the Taoist roots of Yin Yoga & its complementary relationship to other forms of yoga.

Posture Labs - Learn how to expertly practice and teach the essential Yin Yoga poses and the variations that support each individual's anatomical structure.

Safety & Personalization - Learn how to help your students safely explore their own body's capacities and use props to creatively enhance their experience in the poses.

Fundamentals of Functional Anatomy - Find out how skeletal variation, biomechanics, and the Theory of Exercise help us understand how to support individual students and design innovative class plans.

Fascia - Learn about fascia physiology and how Yin Yoga affects this ubiquitous tissue.

Sensation - Learn the basics of pain science and how to appropriately play the edge in Yin Yoga postures. You'll also develop an understanding of the difference between tension and compression and how to relate that to your students.

Principles of Teaching Yin Yoga - Learn and practice teaching masterful Yin Yoga classes including sequencing, cueing, and holding the space for your students’ personal experiences.



Your Investment Includes...

Jennifer brings a compassionate approach and talent for making complicated material accessible and interesting.

  • 50 hours continuing education credits with Yoga Alliance US (39 contact, 11 non-contact)
  • Printed manual
  • Fascia 101 online physiology course ($89 value)
  • Private, virtual community to post questions and reflections and stay in touch with your classmates
  • Yin Yoga class sequences you can use in your own classes
  • Access to Jennifer's weekly virtual Yin Yoga class on Monday evenings for during the course ($90 value)
  • Office hours with Jennifer via Zoom
  • Access to recordings of some lectures from the course (note: this is not meant to be a substitute for attending the program live)

"I would really recommend the Yin Yoga & Biomechanics training with Jen. She has a wealth of knowledge, years of experience, and the variety of her own teachers results in a most comprehensive and evidence-based curriculum. Teachers would be lucky to gain such a thorough grounding in the practice." ~ Grace T.

Get to Know Your Instructor

Jennifer O'Sullivan has been teaching yoga and meditation in the Washington, DC area for 19 years after completing her first training in 2004. She has studied with exemplary yoga teachers from a number of disciplines but is most influenced by Don and Amba Stapleton of Nosara Yoga Institute and Sarah Powers. Jennifer is one of only 26 teachers to be endorsed by Sarah Powers to teach Insight Yoga, a heart-centered approach that weaves together yin and yang Yoga, Taoism, Buddhism and spiritual psychology.

Jennifer has completed nearly 1000 hours of Yin Yoga, biomechanics, and fascia physiology training and education with some of the most renowned teachers including Sarah Powers, Paul Grilley, Biff Mithoefer, Tom Meyers, and Jules Mitchell.

She is also greatly inspired by the mindfulness teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh and Bhante Gunaratana with whom she has sat several retreats. Jennifer received the Five Mindfulness Trainings (precepts) and her spiritual name from Thich Nhat Hanh. She continues her Buddhist studies through various centers across the US.

With more than a decade of experience offering innovative in-person and online yoga programs, Jennifer sees herself a force-multiplier, educating yoga teachers around the world to share depth practices that truly transform lives.

“I truly think this certification program was one of the best I have ever taken. The care and attention that Jen put into developing a comprehensive, informative, organized program was evident. Every activity was well thought out and built upon the knowledge we were gaining from our readings and lectures, to culminate in a great understanding of the foundation, principles, and practice of Yin. The program was the perfect blend of lecture, readings, hands-on demonstrations, group practice, and leading others in practice. As a hatha yoga teacher, I feel like Jen's training has made me a better yoga teacher beyond Yin. Thanks for all you do, Jen!” ~ Jill S.

Dates

The online edition of Level 1: Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics has been carefully designed to highlight the advantages of online learning while minimizing the shortcomings. You'll find that the program will feel spacious and your virtual experience will be humane. This is not a hybrid course. Participants will receive the full attention of the instructor.

Jennifer is on sabatical in 2023. Fill out the interest list form above to be notified of possible 2024 dates. Depending on the status of Yoga Alliance's online learning policy, this program may return to in-person only.

“Jen's knowledge and delivery is fantastic. Her ability to organize and structure information in digestible chunks was so helpful to my application of this material in my practice and teaching. She has helped me view my practice in such exciting new ways. Every minute was intentional and well-spent!” ~ Katie A.

To Receive Certification & Credit

As this is an experiential program, yoga teachers who wish to receive a certificate and Yoga Alliance and/or Insight Yoga Institute credits must attend all live sessions and fully participate in the program. Anyone who misses more than 10 hours will not receive a certificate.

While portions of this program will be recorded, they are for reference only and not a substitute for attending program sessions live. Please consider your energy and availability when signing up for this course. Recordings will be available within a month of the last program session.

Asynchronous elements – including Fascia 101 course + quiz, reading assignments, posture surveys, quizzes, and final homework assignment – have all been factored into the non-contact hours for this course and are also required.

Insight Yoga Institute Credit: This training qualifies for 50hrs toward the Insight Yoga Institute Yin Yoga/Anatomy requirement. To receive the full 50hrs of credit, students are required to complete all program requirements including attending at least 4 virtual Yin Yoga classes with Jen.

Required Reading

Related writings and articles will be shared before and during the course.


Suggested Reading

Your Body Your Yoga by Bernie Clark
Yoga Biomechanics: Stretching Redefined by Jules Mitchell

“Jen's teaching is passionate, direct and highly educational. Her loving kindness is only surpassed by her thorough knowledge of physical, energetic and mindfulness practices. This training is totally worth the time and money. I am walking away with a lot of useful information for both my personal practice and teaching practice.” ~ Layne C.

Payments

Space is limited to ensure a personalized experience for all who attend. Register early to secure your spot. To allow time to mail printed manuals, registration program closes two weeks before the first program session.

Sliding Scale Pricing: Recognizing that the cost of accessing yoga trainings was always inaccessible to many folks and that the global pandemic continues to diminish many teachers' livelihood, I’m now offering tiered pricing to help create better access to those with financial hardships.

There are now three options. True Price reflects the actual cost of delivering the program. Supported is for those who face financial constraints. More spots become available as enrollment grows. Pay-It-Forward is for anyone who'd like to help me offer more discounted and scholarship spots in this and future programs.

If you don't see the Supported option available, it means that all the spots have been taken. However, more spots may open up. Get in touch to be notified if/when more spots are available.

For more information on sliding scale pricing and how to know where you land on the scale, please refer to Alexis J. Cunningfolk to whom I owe a debt of gratitude for their nuanced perspective and sample language.

Pay In Full: To register in full, click the "Enroll" button to sign up and pay online using all major credit cards.

Payment Plan: You can secure your spot in the course by putting down a non-refundable deposit of 30% based on any of the price tiers. Payment must be paid in full two weeks before the course starts. Get in touch to discuss this option. I have to send you to a special link to start a payment plan.

BIPOC Scholarships: There are a limited number of partial scholarships (70% tuition reduction) available to BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) teachers. More spots become available as enrollments grow. There is no longer an application process to access this, but Scholarship recipients will need to pay their portion in full to secure a spot on the program. Choose BIPOC Scholarship when registering to receive the reduction. If you don't see this option, it means that all the spots have been taken. However, more spots may open up. Get in touch to be notified if/when more spots are available.

Refunds
Refunds are offered according to a sliding schedule that depends on the program start. This section will be updated when dates are announced.

Anyone on a payment plan or scholarship forfeits the deposit if they cancel. All refunds are minus transaction fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

2023 Dates TBD. The final assignment will be offered during the last weekend and is to be turned in 30 days after the last program session.

Some lectures will be recorded for your reference and will be available forever. In the future, if I close down this site, you'll have a chance to download the materials to keep. Please note that not all portions of this course will be recorded.

The classes are included with your tuition for the duration of this course.

This program is not designed as an on demand program. To receive a certificate, you can only miss up to 10 live program hours. Some lectures will be recorded, but posture labs and other experiential components will not be recorded. A more detailed schedule will be posted prior to each weekend session. Missed hours (under 10) will need to be made up by either scheduling a session with Jen (for a fee) or with another student.

There are 11 non-contact hours built into the course which covers Fascia 101, readings, homework assignments, posture surveys, and final assignment, turned in after our last live session.

No, you don't need to be a teacher to attend this program and get a lot out of it. In my in-person trainings, I usually have several students who aren't teachers who do really well with all components of the course including the quizzes and final assignment. Non-students find the program to be very enriching for their personal exploration of yoga. However, you will not be qualified to teach Yin or any other type of yoga after this program. Foundational 200hr trainings cover a lot of material that will not be covered in this program. Should you decide to do a 200hr level 1 teacher training program in the future, you could certainly teach Yin Yoga afterwards.

Yes. Upon full and successful completion of the program including the final assignment to be turned in after the last live session, you'll receive a PDF certificate via email which you can submit to Yoga Alliance for proof of credit. Through the end of 2023, Yoga Alliance will count virtual programs for their full amount.

This course qualifies for the Yin Anatomy requirement for Sarah Powers' Insight Yoga Institute. It is also part of the Sati Yoga 100hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training program. Occasionally, other 300hr programs will count this course as an elective. You'll want to contact your yoga school about that.

If you are interested in including Yin Yoga Asana & Biomechanics as part of you teacher training program, get in touch.

I offer partial refunds depending on when the course starts. When dates are set, look under the Payments heading.

There are no special qualifications to use a payment plan. You will need to put down an non-refundable down payment and make sure you're paid in full two weeks before the course starts. Get in touch if you're interested this option.

A limited number of partial scholarships are available to BIPOC teachers. If this describes you, there are no other requirements to receive the scholarship. If you don't see the option, it means that the allotted spots have been taken. However, more spots may open up as enrollment grows. Get in touch about the scholarship.