Introduction to Yoga for Fitness Professionals in the Military / Armed Forces (CPD)

Course Origin

Catherine Annis Yoga was commissioned by a wing of the Armed Forces to create a bespoke course for their Physical Training Instructors (PTI’s).

The main criteria was to introduce their PTI’s to yoga-based movement to allow them to incorporate this movement into their existing PT sessions.  It was clear that this would be a CPD course and not a yoga teacher training course.

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The military’s objectives were to:

• Help reduce common injuries
• Aid recovery from injuries
• Help reduce stress levels
• Introduce breathing techniques to help calm the body

The course was developed over several months with regular discussions with the PTI’s and senior army personal to ensure the course content met their criteria.

Catherine Annis Yoga is recognised as a
CIMPSA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) Training Provider Partner.

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Course Intention

The intention of this CPD Course is to introduce Level 2 Gym Instructors to meditation and yoga-based movement and breathing approaches which they can incorporate into their existing training programme for serving military professionals.

Particular emphasis is given to:

• Breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety
• Mindfulness and meditation to aid focus
• Restorative techniques to aid recovery
• Injury prevention techniques, including yoga-based stretching and strengthening exercises
• Introduction to pain science to support stress, anxiety and long-term persistent pain

Practice guidelines and principles are given, together with an outline of the benefits and precautions for each movement. References and sources have been included in footnotes in the comprehensive Course Manual.

The course introduces several pre-designed sequences which are may be used in their current format, or adapted to support specific goals or phases of the current training schedule.

The course will be largely practical, to enable attendees to experience first hand the benefits of a yoga inspired practice.  There will be time throughout for questions and discussion and quizzes to check learning.

Course Overview

The course is spread across 5 days, working from 9am – 6pm each day, with breaks for lunch. To book Catherine to deliver this course at your centre, please contact us to discuss your requirements. 

There will be a combination of practice and theory on each day, including time for questions, learning checks and reflection on how the practices covered that day can be helpfully incorporated into your planned training sessions. 

Day 1

Introduction & Fundamentals 

  • Introductions;  Principles of yoga; How yoga-based movement supports your training goals
  • Fundamental movement patterns; Proprioception and accurate technique
  • Learn how yoga techniques can help develop awareness of personal patterns
  • Functional stretches and the value of slow, steady movement
  • Practice Sequence 1: a balanced movement sequence
  • Introduction to meditation

Day 2

Feet; Breath; Polyvagal Approach

  • Breathing practice
  • Feet and their affect on healthy movement through kinetic chain
  • Foot exercises to improve functioning of feet
  • The Sun Salutation
  • Polyvagal approach to yoga-based movement
  • Revisit Sequence 1 incorporating learning from Day 1, with focus on awareness and neuromuscular integration

Day 3

Breath Awareness and Integration; Yoga and the Lower Back; Working with Persistent Pain

  • Introduce breath awareness
  • Integrating breath with movement
  • Sitting comfortably and the role of props
  • Practice Sequence 4: for chronic low back pain
  • Movement strategies for the lower back
  • Introduce latest pain science and techniques for managing persistent pain

Day 4

Recovery; Inversions; Common injuries & Issues; Injury Prevention; Sequencing

  • Formal breathing practices and introduction to Pranayama 
  • Example 30 min breathing and meditation practice
  • Introduction to inversions – why and how, including contraindications
  • Modifying movements and working with common injuries and issues
  • Techniques for injury prevention, including practices for recovery 
  • Principles of sequencing – how to adapt sequences and incorporate them into a formal training programme

Day 5

Consolidation; Q&A; Practical Application of Course Material 

  • Creating intention-based sequences appropriate for each phase of your training programme 
  • Recap on breathing and meditation techniques for recovery phase
  • Q&A
  • Practical application of course material into existing training programmes

Course Leader

Catherine Annis

Originally a professional dancer, with a Masters in ballet studies, Catherine Annis has been practising yoga since the late 1970s.  She’s explored most of the main styles of yoga as well as other movement modalities, notably Pilates, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais.  She’s particularly interested in how yoga positively affects our physiology and fundamentally improves our ability to cope with stress, anxiety and long-term immune conditions.

Catherine is well known for her practical and down to earth approach, and her ability to convey complex information clearly.  As a teacher trainer, she is renowned for her clarity and attention to detail.  Inspired by her own journey with back pain, she is currently enrolled in the SIRPA practitioner training and her focus is to support those working with pain, stress and anxiety.

As one of the most respected teachers of Scaravelli inspired yoga, Catherine is regularly invited to share her expertise with large corporations including Network Rail, and is a regular guest teacher on several yoga teacher trainings.

British Wheel of Yoga Teacher Training, Scaravelli, bwy

Testimonials

“Catherine delivered an excellent bespoke yoga package for some of our Army physical instructors over a week long period.

It was immediately evident how much research she had done to understand our physical demands and ensure the training she was delivering was fit for our training purposes, and this, combined with her impressive knowledge and effective communication style, meant we gained great insight into how yoga can supplement and support training and Army personnel.

All participants left with a deeper understanding of yoga, their own bodies, and how they can support those they deliver training to.

I would certainly recommend Catherine, and the course, to other military units."

•

Capt C MacGregor RE

Booking / Enquire

If you have questions or would like to book Catherine to deliver this course at your centre, get in touch by email, phone or book a 30 minute Zoom call with Catherine.

Get in Touch by EMAIL
PHONE Catherine Now
Book your 30 minute Zoom Call with Catherine
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Yoga Course, UK Military, Armed Forces, UK Army, PTI's, UK Navy, UK Air Force
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Yoga Course, UK Military, Armed Forces, UK Army, PTI's, UK Navy, UK Air Force
Yoga CPD, CIMPSA Course, Armed Forces, Military, PTIs, UK
Yoga Course, UK Military, Armed Forces, UK Army, PTI's, UK Navy, UK Air Force
Yoga CPD, CIMPSA Course, Armed Forces, Military, PTIs, UK
Yoga Course, UK Military, Armed Forces, UK Army, PTI's, UK Navy, UK Air Force
Yoga CPD, CIMPSA Course, Armed Forces, Military, PTIs, UK
Yoga Course, UK Military, Armed Forces, UK Army, PTI's, UK Navy, UK Air Force

NOTE:
This is not a yoga teacher training course

If you're interested in a yoga teacher training course we'd highly recommend
Intelligent Yoga Teacher Training

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