How Embodied Practice Becomes Confident Teaching Many people begin yoga for grounding, clarity, or stress relief. Over time, something quieter and more powerful happens. The practice starts following you off the mat. You notice how you speak. How you pace yourself. How you listen to your body. How you respond when life shifts unexpectedly. This is not accidental. This is yoga working. But for those who feel called to teach, living yoga is only the beginning. The next step is

Snug in this Winter for some meaningful inner work. For a long time, success has been measured by numbers. More students. Bigger rooms. Wider reach. And while there is nothing wrong with growth, I’ve been listening closely to what feels right in this season of my life and work. This week, I renewed my lease at my small studio in Downtown Wheaton. It’s a quiet decision on the surface—but internally, it felt like a deep exhale. A confirmation. I’m choosing small groups . I’m c

There are seasons in life when forward momentum looks different. Winter seasons often arrive quietly — through change, loss, transition, or a deep internal shift. During these times, people often seek grounding rather than acceleration, clarity rather than answers. Yoga teacher training is uniquely suited for this season of life. Rather than demanding constant output, training provides a supportive structure — weekly rhythms, reflective practices, and embodied learning — all

Winter happens. We plan with care. Winter in the Midwest can be unpredictable — and we want you to know that your learning, safety, and peace of mind are always part of the plan. At Edge Yoga School, we believe structure and flexibility can coexist. That’s why we’ve put a clear Winter Weather Plan in place so you always know what to expect, even when conditions outside feel uncertain. Our Guiding Principle Safety comes first. Consistency matters. And learning continues — eve

Yamas are about our interactions with others. 🧘🏻‍♀️ Yamas Living in Harmony with the World Around You The Yamas are the first limb of yoga and guide how we interact with others . They act as social ethics — compassionate guardrails that shape how a yogi moves through the world. When practiced consistently, they gently shift our worldview and deepen our sense of connection with all beings. 📖 Define It Yama literally translates to “restraint.” These five ethical guidelines i

That is for the student to decide. 🕊️ Spirituality vs. Religion in Yoga Creating Inclusive, Heart-Centered Spaces** Yoga teachers are often told, “I can’t participate because of my religion.” As guides, our role is to offer an environment where every student feels safe, respected, and welcome — regardless of belief system. At Edge Yoga School, we reassure students that yoga is a practice of connecting with the higher self , whatever that means for each individual. It is alw

Here are the basics to get your Sanskrit journey started. Sanskrit & Yoga Vocabulary — A Friendly Guide for Yogis (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 Why Sanskrit Matters in Yoga Sanskrit is often called the language of yoga and mantra . You’ll see it in pose names, spiritual texts, chants, and philosophy. You do not need to be a Sanskrit scholar to be a wonderful yoga teacher. But knowing a handful of key terms can: Help you understand classic texts more deep

For some it is bliss, others connection, some God. Samadhi — The Eighth Limb of Yoga (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) ✨ Overview Samadhi is the eighth and final limb of Patanjali’s Eight-Limbed Path — the culmination of a lifetime of practice, refinement, and surrender. Often translated as union , Samadhi represents a profound state of oneness where the practitioner feels fully merged with the divine, the universe, and all living beings. Patanjali describes Sa

These are some of our favorite ways to use props in your practice. Props in Yoga (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🧱 Overview Props are powerful companions in yoga practice. They help students feel supported, create space in the body, and enhance ease, safety, and alignment. Whether you're working with beginners, supporting injury recovery, or deepening awareness in seasoned practitioners, props can transform the experience on the mat. Think of props as bridges

Block out the noise by withdrawing your attention from it. Pratyahara (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌙 Overview Pratyahara , the fifth limb of yoga , is often described as sensory withdrawal —yet its meaning is far more nuanced and compassionate than simply “turning off the senses.” Rather, Pratyahara invites us to temporarily soften our attention to external stimuli so we can redirect our awareness inward. It is not about ignoring the world, but about choos

Pranayama is breathwork. Pranayama (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌬️ Overview Pranayama is the breathwork limb of yoga, and one of the most transformative tools we offer students. When paired with asana—like inhaling into Cow and exhaling into Cat—pranayama reveals the deep connection between mind, body, and energy. While often simplified as “breathing,” pranayama is truly the intentional regulation of prana , the life force carried on the breath. Through b

It is time to gently gaze inward to connect with one's self. Niyamas (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 Overview The Niyamas invite us to turn inward and explore the relationship we have with ourselves. Our thoughts, feelings, habits, and inner patterns shape the way we move through the world. By tending to our inner landscape, we cultivate a more grounded, peaceful, and soulful way of living. 📘 Define It The five Niyamas offer guidance for our personal att

Here are some samples you are free to use. Meditation Techniques (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 Overview Meditation can be shared in many different ways, from silence and stillness to sound, story, and gentle touch. As a yoga teacher, you have the opportunity to design Savasana and closing meditations that support your students’ nervous systems and invite deep rest. You are invited to create your own Savasana sequence using themes that feel meaningful and

Here are some samples authored by Edge Alum and donated to the course. Meditation Scripts by Yvonne (Edited for clarity, warmth, and flow while preserving author intention) Morning Outside Meditation Close your eyes and gaze gently into the back of your eyelids. Begin by scanning your body for any areas of tension. Soften your face, relax your shoulders, and allow your breath to slow and deepen.Inhale the promise of a new day, and exhale whatever remains from yesterday. Let e

Yoga is timeless, but here is a timeline. History of Yoga (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 A Living, Evolving Tradition Yoga is thousands of years old. While no one knows its exact origin story, we do know it has deep roots across many cultures, texts, and oral traditions. Recently, palm-leaf manuscripts with yoga teachings have been discovered, reminding us that yoga is an ever-evolving practice shaped by history, humanity, and heartfelt wisdom. At Edge Yog

True meditation that invites clarity of awareness. Dhyana (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 What Is Dhyana? Dhyana is often translated as meditation , but in the eight-limbed path it refers to something deeper than the act of meditating itself. It is the seventh limb of yoga , building upon the foundations of asana, pranayama, pratyahara, and Dharana. Where Dharana is concentration on one point, Dhyana is the effortless continuation of that concentration — a

Concentration awaits you. Dharana (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 What Is Dharana? Dharana translates to concentration . It is the practice of anchoring the mind to one single point of focus so completely that all other thoughts begin to fall away. By softening external distractions and gently clearing internal chatter, we create the conditions needed for the mind to rest on one chosen object with steadiness and ease. Dharana is often described as holding

How to know when they might be out of balance and what to do. Chakras (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 Overview There are seven main chakras in yoga. They are: Root (red), Sacral (orange), Solar Plexus (yellow), Heart (green), Throat (blue), Third Eye (indigo), and Crown (violet). These centers align with the spine and the nervous system, following the color pattern R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. Each chakra carries a corresponding sound vibration, symbol, and energetic fun

Here are some breathing techniques to explore. Breathing Techniques (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 Overview Breath is the thread between body and mind.In yoga, your breath becomes the foundation of your practice—organizing movement, supporting focus, and regulating your nervous system. When breath and body work together, movement requires far less effort and becomes more fluid and intentional. This lesson explores foundational breathing techniques used in

Here are some common benefits and risks to know. Benefits and Contraindications of Yoga (Lesson — Edge Yoga School Educational Library) 🌿 Overview A balanced yoga practice includes a wide variety of spinal movements: neutral, flexion, extension, lateral bends, rotations, and inversions. Understanding how these movements support the body—and when they may require caution—is essential for safe, inclusive, and compassionate teaching. This lesson explores the benefits of yoga, t