• Change: The crow is an omen of change; it is the totem of the Great Spirit in the Native American culture and is held with the utmost respect, representing creation and spiritual strength. Crows unite both the light and the dark, both the inner and the outer. Like the crow, we need to embrace change to grow into our best selves.
• Awareness: Crows build their nests up high, so they can pay attention to everything going on around them. This serves to remind us to bring awareness and mindfulness to our lives, observing the world around us and our internal beliefs and values.
• Uniqueness:  White crows are not the norm; they stand out from the crowd. This symbolizes our uniqueness and reminds us to be our authentic selves.
• Personal Connection: On a personal note, our founder’s great grandmother was a full-blooded Native American from the Crow Nation, and she was her grandmother’s Little White Crow. Read more about the Crow Nation in Memoirs of a White Crow Indian by Thomas H. Leforge.

Studies

De Michelis, E. (2004) A History of Modern Yoga (New York, Continuum)

Ergas, O., 2013. Overcoming the Philosohpy/Life, Body/Mind Rift: Demonstrating Yoga as embodied-lived-philosophical-practice. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 46(1), pp.74-86.

Under the guidance of Andiappan, we learned to incorporate Thirumoolar’s Ashtanga Therapeutic Yoga, which influences our teaching style tremendously. While we encourage growth and complexity in the asanas, we teach modifications, safety, and accessibility to all body types. Furthermore, our focus is not strictly on the asanas but evenly on all eight limbs of yoga, creating an opportunity for students to grow in mind and spirit and take their physical practice to a higher level.

Learning the history, philosophy, and lineage of yoga is important because to forget where this beautiful gift came from is to weaken the discipline. When this happens, yoga begins to feel ‘watered down,’ and we risk turning yoga into a fitness modality. This is not to say we can’t modify poses – because we can and we should – but we can do so while keeping the sacredness of the practice intact.

Thirumoolar’s main text is the Tirumandiram, which goes beyond even Patanjali’s 8 Limbed Yoga. It is a form of Jnana yoga, where we strive for Self Realization through our knowledge of the Divine. However, our lineage embraces all 4 paths of yoga, as they are not ever truly separated.  We practice Bhakti yoga, as we are ensconced in devotion. We practice Karma yoga, as we selflessly serve with mindfulness while fulfilling our dharma. We practice Raja yoga as we transcend the mind, seeking communion within.

White Crow Yoga strongly believes that ANYONE who has felt the calling to teach yoga should have the opportunity to participate in teacher training, no matter what their fitness level, race, religion, gender, age, or dietary beliefs. We offer teacher training that will enable you to teach a variety of populations including seniors and those with health issues or physical limitations. We believe that yoga is in the heart, not in the posture. You don’t have to be able to do the most complicated yoga poses, or be the most strong or flexible person in the class to be a yoga teacher. We welcome everyone!

While we encourage growth and complexity in the asanas, we teach modifications, safety, and accessibility to all body types. Furthermore, our focus is not strictly on the asanas; instead, we focus evenly on all eight limbs of yoga, creating an opportunity for students to grow in mind and spirit, as well as taking their physical practice to a higher level.

Learning the history, philosophy, and lineage of yoga is important because to forget where this beautiful gift came from is to weaken the discipline. When this happens, yoga begins to feel ‘watered down’ and we risk turning yoga into a fitness modality. We are dedicated to keeping the sacredness of the practice intact.

• We live by Satya – Truthfulness and Integrity
• Our money-back guarantee assures your needs will be met
• Review your course for 72 hours
  • If the course does not meet your needs, tell us why and request a refund in this timeframe and you’ll receive a refund ASAP

Register with peace of mind that you will receive quality training!