Welcome to our signature module 1 Functional Yin Yoga Teacher Training.

This training was recorded live and interactive on Zoom in the autumn of 2025.

This comprehensive study program is designed for teachers and practitioners interested in understanding the fundamental theory behind yin yoga, including the anatomical principles and practical application of Paul Grilley’s Functional Approach, and the energetic system rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

To read the full curriculum outline, please click HERE

Certification: On-demand students will be guided to take a short multiple-choice quiz at the end of the course, in order to gain the Yoga Alliance accredited certification. Please note that those who purchase this training on-demand do not need to prepare and submit a yin yoga class sequence as homework. The brief to prepare a sequence was set for live attendees only.

We hope you enjoy the course!

Course Content

Day 1
10 Topics
1.0 – Introductions & Orientation
1.1 – The History of Yin Yoga
1.2 – An Introduction to Human Variation & The Functional Approach
1.3 – Practice – Yin Yoga: Honouring Individuality
1.4 – Sequencing & Teaching Conversation: Yin Yoga: Honouring Individuality
1.5 – Skeletal Variation: The Bone Pictures
1.6 – Functional Anatomy Lab: Flexion
1.7 – Muscles: Hamstrings (Caterpillar Archetype)
1.8 – Pose Demonstrations: Caterpillar Archetype
1.9 – Day 1 Closing Notes
Day 2
16 Topics
2.0 – Short Clarification on Caterpillar
2.1 – Practice – Meridian Yin Yoga for Immunity
2.2 – Sequencing Conversation: Meridian Yin Yoga for Immunity
2.3 – An Introduction to TCM (History & Theory of Qi)
2.4 – Meridian Theory (Yin & Yang Meridians, Meridian Tree, Meridian Circuits)
2.5 – Metal Element (Lung/ Large intestine)
2.6 – Earth Element (Stomach/ Spleen)
2.7 – Meridian Pathways & Drawing (Lung/ Large Intestine/ Stomach/ Spleen – First Circuit)
2.8 – Prayer for Teacher & Student
2.9 – Meridian Chant (First Circuit)
2.10 – Anatomy Review & Discussion
2.11 – Muscles: Glutes (Shoelace Archetype)
2.12 – Functional Anatomy Lab: External Rotation
2.13 – Poll: Gathering Evidence for Variations in External Rotation (Sleeping Swan Analysis)
2.14 – Pose Demonstrations: Shoelace Archetype
2.15 – Day 2 Closing
Day 3
14 Topics
3.0 – Yin Yoga Theory
3.1 – Pain vs. Discomfort
3.2 – Practice – Meridian Yin Yoga for Anxiety
3.3 – Sequencing & Teaching Conversation: Meridian Yin Yoga for Anxiety
3.4 – Fire Element – Heart/ Small Intestine
3.5 – Water Element – Urinary Bladder/ Kidney
3.6 – Meridian Pathways & Drawing (Heart/ Small/ Bladder Kidney – Second Circuit)
3.7 – Session Intro & Meridian Chant (First and Second Circuit)
3.8 – The Functional Approach – Short Review
3.9 – Functional Anatomy Lab: Abduction
3.10 – Muscles: Adductors (Dragonfly Archetype)
3.11 – Pose Demonstrations: Dragonfly Archetype (Symmetrical)
3.12 – Pose Demonstrations: Dragonfly Archetype (Asymmetrical)
3.13 – Prone Symmetrical Dragonfly Experiment
Day 4
10 Topics
4.0 – Practice Yin Yoga for Better Sleep
4.1 – Sequencing & Teaching Conversation: Yin Yoga for better Sleep
4.2 – Yin-Yang Philosophy
4.3 – Anatomical Terms & Movements – Review
4.4 – Muscles: Quads & Hip Flexors (Saddle Archetype)
4.5 – Range of Motion Test: Hip Extension
4.6 – Review
4.7 – Functional Anatomy Lab: Internal Rotation
4.8 – Poll: Gathering Evidence for Variations in Internal Rotation (Saddle Analysis)
4.9 – Pose Demonstrations: Saddle Archetype
Day 5
15 Topics
5.0 – Practice – Yinyasa for Runners
5.1 – Sequencing & Teaching Conversation: Yinyasa for Runners
5.2 – TCM: Disharmonies & Diagnostics
5.3 – TCM: Other Treatment Modalities
5.4 – The Meridian Clock
5.5 – Short Meridian Review
5.6 – Fire Element (Pericardium & Triple Burner Meridians)
5.7 – Wood Element – Liver & Gallbladder
5.8 – The Meridian Pathways – Peri/ Tri/ Gall/ Liver
5.9 – Meridian Drawing (3 Full Circuits)
5.10 – The Functional Approach – Review
5.11 – Functional Anatomy Lab – Adduction
5.12 – Pose Demonstrations: Twist Archetype
5.13 – Sidebends
5.14 – Teaching Practice
Day 6
15 Topics
6.0 – Practice – Finding Comfort in Discomfort
6.1 – Yin Yoga & The Functional Approach Review
6.2 – Sequencing & Teaching Conversation: Finding Comfort in Discomfort
6.3 – The Rebound
6.4 – Yin Yoga – Layers of The Practice
6.5 – Yin-Yang Theory – Context for Discussion in Class
6.6 – The Meridian Chant (Full)
6.7 – Final 5 Elements Review
6.8 – Correlating the Meridians to the Poses
6.9 – Energy Curve in Yin Yoga
6.10 – Factors that Affect Sequencing
6.11 – Yin Yoga Theming Ideas
6.12 – Homework Briefing
6.13 – The Good Student Speech
6.14 – Upcoming Events & Farewell
Final Quiz
60hr Functional Approach & Meridian Yin – Final Assessment

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