Why Spry?
The Spry Mind+Body methodology was developed by Kate Doran to meet the growing need for powerful yet safe and medically informed yoga classes for older students.
Kate began teaching seniors in 2009 at the Senior Citizens, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia. After almost ten years working with seniors she decided to bring her experience and knowledge to a larger community and developed the Spry Mind+Body methodology. This method brings together the principles of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga and the Integrative Yoga for Seniors Professional Training at Duke Integrative Medicine.
Adults over 55 are the fastest growing segment of the population and the fastest growing segment of the yoga market. Our Spry Mind+Body teacher training program will equip you with the tools, knowledge and sequences to deliver a powerful and safe class to seniors and/or those struggling with illness or injury.
Next Level Learning
Spry Mind+Body's unique teacher training program is focused on in-depth learning, individualized coaching and personal growth. Our student teacher ratio is kept small so that we can provide each participant with concrete coaching and real time feedback.
Our program is based on a proven methodology developed at our sister studio, Savannah Power Yoga. In this program we will be offering content specific to teaching Spry Mind+Body classes, as well as some content that is applicable to both programs.
Upcoming Training
2024 Schedule
If you are a certified yoga teacher looking to grow your skills and learn to safely teach older adults, we offer 30 and 50 Hour Spry Teacher Kickstart Programs to ground you in the methodology and give you the tools you need to safely teach seniors. These online course are offered on an ongoing basis on our Teachable platform. Read more here.
If you prefer in-person, hands-on learning, we have a 100 hour training program that includes live coaching and practice teaching. See below for our 100 hour Spry Teacher Training program.
If you have not taken any yoga teacher training, our 200 Hour Program is the place to start.
200 Hour Program
February 11th - June 2nd
Our 200 Hour Spry Mind+Body Teacher raining program consists of 100 hours of core curriculum, which we call "Yoga 101" plus our 100 Hour Spry Teacher Training Module, which focuses on the techniques and practices for teaching Spry yoga classes.
Yoga 101 Module
February 11th - April 10th
Curriculum
Yoga 101 consists of the foundations of yoga: asana, pranayama, meditation, anatomy, history and philosophy. Students wishing to gain their 200 hour certification will take all of the Yoga 101 workshops in addition to the Power Vinyasa or Spry teacher training.
The Yoga 101 program is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge required to teach yoga safely and effectively, with a strong foundation in the history and philosophy of yoga. We will look at the postures in depth and learn the nitty gritty details you don't learn in a typical yoga class.
Asana (Postures)
- Foundations of Alignment
- Standing Poses
- Backbends
- Sun Salutations
- Inversions and Balancing Poses
- Hip Openers and Twists
Pranayama (Breathing)
- Introduction to Breath and Bandhas
Meditation
- Introduction to Meditation
Anatomy and Physiology
- Introduction to Anatomy for Yoga Teachers
- The Shoulders and Spine
- The Hips and Knees
History and Philosophy
- What is Yoga?
- Survey of Yoga
- Introduction to the Yoga Sutras
- The Yamas and Niyamas
- The Bhagavad Gita
Required Reading:
Journey into Power, Baron Baptiste
Science of Yoga, Ann Swenson
The Living Gita, Swami Sathcidananda tr.
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Swami Satchidananda tr.
The Miracle of Mindfulness, Thich Naht Hanh
Yoga 101 Schedule for 2024
Kickoff Sunday, Feb 11th 1:00 - 3:00 pm in Studio
Every Wednesday | 6:30 - 8:30 pm on Zoom
Two Weekend Immersions | March 31st - April 2nd and April 28th - May 2nd
During the weekend immersions we will meet as follows:
Fridays 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Saturdays 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Sundays 11:30 - 3:30 pm
Spry 100 Hour Teacher Training Module
March 22nd - June 2nd
Our Spry Teacher Training module consists of 5 weekends during which participants learn the following:
Teaching Methodology
Includes principles of demonstration, observation, hands-on assisting, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, the student's process of learning and business aspects of teaching yoga.
- Sensitivity Training: Bunions, Bellies and Blindfolds
- Baptiste Methodology
- 5 Pillars
- Art and Mastery
- 10 Tenets
- Use of Voice, Mirroring
Anatomy and Physiology
Includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.). Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc).
- Health Considerations When Teaching Seniors
- Yoga for Osteoporosis
- Yoga for Arthritis
- Shoulder Workshop
Techniques Training/Practice
These hours include: 1) analytical training in how to teach and practice the techniques and 2) guided practice of the techniques themselves.
- The Spry Blueprint
- Teaching the Chair Sequence
- Teaching the Chair+Mat Sequence
- Teaching the Mat Sequence
- Teaching the Spry Power Sequence
- How to Give and Receive Feedback
- Practice Teaching and Feedback
- Required Reading: Journey Into Power, by Baron Baptiste
Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers
Includes the study of yoga philosophies, yoga lifestyle and ethics for yoga teachers.
- Spry Community Process and Group Inquiry Work
- Ethics for Yoga Teachers
Practicum
Includes practice teaching, receiving feedback, observing others teaching and hearing and giving feedback. Also includes assisting students while someone else is teaching.
- Practice Teaching Outside of Training (2 hours per week, minimum of 24 hours)
- Videotaping and Review
- Final Exam
Required Reading
Relax into Yoga for Seniors, Carson and Krucoff
Spry TT Schedule for 2024
Five Weekend Immersions
During the weekend immersions we will meet as follows:
Fridays (first and last weekend) 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Saturdays 2:00 - 6:00 pm
Sundays 11:30 - 3:30 pm
INVESTMENT
200 Hour investment
$3250 - includes Yoga 101, Spry Teacher Training and unlimited yoga classes Feb 11th - June 2nd. Your application deposit will be deducted from the total price of the program upon payment of your final balance.
Yoga 101 Investment
$550 - includes all Yoga 101 Workshops and Weekend Immersions. Does not include books or yoga classes.
SPRY TT 100 Hour Investment
$2450 - Spry Teacher Training and unlimited yoga classes . Your application deposit will be deducted from the total price of the program upon payment of your final balance.
APPLY NOW: https://savannahpoweryoga.com/teacher-training-application
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We also offer a 50 hour program for already certified teachers looking to expand their teaching toolkit. Read More and Sign Up Here.
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Look where our graduates are teaching!
Spry Mind+Body
Frank G. Murray Community Center
St. Paul Episcopal Church
Bryan County Senior Center, Pembroke
Bryan County Senior Center, Richmond Hill
Lake Mayer Community Center
Live Oak Library, Southwest Chatham
Live Oak Library, Hinesville
Senior Citizens Inc., Bull St
Smart Senior through Candler/St. Joes
Ruth Byck Center
Magnolia Manor Senior Living, Richmond Hill
City of Savannah Therapeutic Recreation Program
Generation 1 (Memorial)
Coastal Georgia YMCA