WHO are the CircusYoga Teacher Trainings designed for? Anyone who works with groups of people to facilitate learning or healing can benefit from this training: parents, yoga instructors, classroom teachers, circus educators, social workers, family counselors, occupational therapists, group facilitators, recreation directors, camp counselors and anyone inspired to embrace the principles of inclusion, connection and play. We recommend that applicants have a familiarity with yoga, however, no circus experience is necessary.

WHY CircusYoga? CircusYoga combines the consciousness of yoga with the communal celebration of circus for a deeply transformative experience. In CircusYoga, we foster a spirit of play and provide a level playing field for people of all ages and abilities. CircusYoga strengthens self-confidence, focus, trust, expression and teamwork. Developed out of our thirty years of work with families and kids, CircusYoga offers a safe, supportive environment for transformation within groups of all ages. CircusYoga celebrates the whole community, the whole family, the whole person. Most of all, CircusYoga teachers model the principles of inclusion, partnering, and community cooperation, embracing each individual and their gifts in our circle. CircusYoga says “Yes!” to life.

HOW will I learn? We will learn about CircusYoga through the practice of CircusYoga. And as we frequently say in our workshops: “Practice is Perfect.” The underlying principles of inclusion and connection will guide us on our own personal and tribal journey and discovery of the practice.

WHAT will I learn? We will learn techniques that support parents and kids, and any group of individuals, as collaborators and life-long learners. Opening new realms of vocabulary for play and communication, we will explore:

1. Creation of an environment where everyone is seen and celebrated
   

2. Group dynamics in Hatha yoga and collaborative story creation
   

3. Kinesthetic communication through partner acrobatics and partner yoga
   

4. Integration across the mid-line with juggling and balancing
   

5. The spirit of play in clowning and physical comedy
   

6. Balance on a tightwire and in asanas
   

7. Nurturance in Thai massage
   

8. Self-expression through creative movement and dance
   

9. Cultivation of your authentic teaching voice
   

Principles, Practices & Play:

An Introduction to CircusYoga Teacher Training (7 hours)

Add new skills and practices to your teaching, and refresh your inspiration to teach and play!

In our day-long CircusYoga® Principles, Practices & Play workshop we will explore accessible practices and techniques that support collaborative learning:

1. Intro to the Principles thru the experience of the Practices
   

2. Community practices and games that bring a group together
   

3. Partnering practices that foster connection and communication
   

4. Introduction to Forward Flying and Partner Thai Massage
   

5. Participation in a CircusYoga Community Workshop
   

6. Fostering a playful. collaborative learning environment
   

7. Listening for the gifts when you teach
   

Tuition includes a 2.5-hour Public Workshop and CYPPP print materials.

CircusYoga® Level 1 Teacher Training (3-day, 21 hours)

In our Level One Teacher Training we will cover:

1. The fundamental principles and practices of CircusYoga
   

2. Multi-generational Hatha yoga & partnering practices
   

3. Collaborative group play & creativity
   

4. Practices that unify a group: focus, integrate/incorporate, activate
   

5. Playful and dynamic classroom management techniques
   

6. Cultivation of your authentic teaching voice
   

Training includes a 2.5-hour Public Workshop and the 80-page CYTT1 Manual.

CircusYoga® Level 2 Teacher Training (4-day, 28 hours)

In our Level Two Teacher Training we will cover:

1. Integrate your skills and practices into CY
   

2. Dive deeper into practicing yoga in community
   

3. Develop a specific practice for your community
   

4. Expand your skills in circus practices such as diabolo, devil sticks, poi
   

5. Master the next level of circus skills you already have
   

6. Practice more advanced partner acrobatics in duos, trios, quartets...
   

7. Discover Mandala Yoga and build human and family pyramids
   

8. Delve more deeply into CY culture
   

9. Include the energy and creativity of the group
   

10. Analyze Parent-kid dynamics and discern when and how to intercede
    

11. Apply the principles and practice of CY to under-served populations—people with disabilities, seniors, pre-schoolers...
    

12. Create a closing ritual that gives your group closure and a celebration
    

Training includes the 40-page CYTT2 Manual.

CircusYoga® Level 3 Teacher Training (51 hours)

The focus of Level Three is to witness and support how you take the principles and practices into your teaching. We’ve created specific supports for you in this process that focus on class planning, teaching, co-teaching, reflecting and mentorship.

Our Level Three Teacher Training requires:

1. 20 hours of teaching in your community (also, must include at least 6 hours of co-teaching)
   

2. Completion of 12 personal Planning & Reflection Forms
   

3. 4 hours of peer to peer feedback (and completion of 4 Peer Reflection Forms)
   

4. 15 hours of mentorship with us—Erin & Kevin (assisting workshops and/or teacher trainings)
   

5. 3 in-person or phone sessions with Erin and/or Kevin
   

To engage in Level 3, submit the CYTT3 Application Form.pdf, with the program fee of $150. You will receive Planning & Reflection Forms to begin your process. Over the course of this training, we will review your plannings and reflections and schedule three in-person or phone sessions together.

After completing CYTT Level 1 and 2, and engaging in Level 3, teachers can lead CircusYoga Workshops. However, they may not lead CircusYoga Workshops at national conventions/festivals or lead CircusYoga Teacher Trainings. 

Completion of CYTT Levels 1-3 is a total of a perfect 100 hours.

Annual Teachers Gathering (3 days)

CircusYoga Teachers from across the country and around the world gather together for 3 days to share your practice, play and experiences!

Experienced CY teachers and practitioners working in a wide range of applications will share what they've learned and how they've adapted the principals and practices of CircusYoga to their communities.

Here are a few of our guiding inspirations for the gathering:

1. Advanced flying, circus skills and partner acrobatics
   

2. Peer-led exchanges
   

3. Bridging diverse communities
   

4. Teaching from your heart
   

5. Our teaching heroes
   

6. Recharging our battery
   

7. New practices and games
   

8. Breaking down the walls of isolation
   

9. Aligning inner and outer
   

10. Transparency in teaching
    

11. Looking at the role of the Teacher in society
    

12. Teaching as a spiritual path
    

This is our chance as teachers to fill our wells, and mostly... PLAY!