Yoga

Course aim

To enable the individual to experience yoga practices that aim to integrate body, breath and mind, developing physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

• You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• This course is for improvers
• This is a mat based yoga course so students must be able to get up and down from the floor. This course is not suitable for beginners or students who are pregnant. You will need a room where you can participate in the online class safely with enough space to move your arms and legs freely.

By the end of the course I should be able to:

• perform yoga poses (asana) that maintain and develop strength, flexibility and balance, practising with the qualities of comfort and ease (sukham) and steadiness and focus (sthira) in accordance with yoga philosophy (Patanjali's Yoga Sutras 2.46: "Sthira sukham asanam")
• practise at least 2 breathing techniques that develop awareness of the breath; improve control over the respiratory system; and aid mental focus
• choose from at least 2 concentration techniques to focus the mind and encourage a calm, meditative state
• state the benefits of relaxation and choose at least one technique that feels personally beneficial
• appreciate and identify aspects of yoga philosophy included in the course that explain the purpose, practice and benefits of yoga

How will I be taught?

• The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• Teaching will take place in an online class using Zoom. Development of home practice will be encouraged.

What kind of feedback can I expect?

• You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
• There will be continuous visual assessment by the tutor to ensure safe practice as far as possible within the online learning environment. There will be question and answer and discussion with the tutor to ensure correct understanding.

What else do I need to know?

• What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
• You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• You will need a non-slip yoga mat. Wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to move freely. Have extra layers of clothing and a blanket available to help keep you warm during relaxation. Sometimes blocks or yoga straps may be used but if you do not have these alternatives can be suggested.

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

• No pre reading or pre course work is required
• Students new to the Tutor will need to complete a health questionnaire and participate in a short one to one Zoom session with the Tutor to ensure the course is suitable in advance of the course starting.

What can I do next?

• Progress to another WEA course
• Progress to a course with another provider
• Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next