New USU Program Brings Downward Dog to the Classroom
USU introduces a new yoga studies program in fall 2016 that can include a yoga teacher certification.
A new program at Utah State University moves yoga out of the gym and into the classroom. The new USU Yoga Studies and Teacher Training program begins offering a curriculum of yoga history, literature, philosophy and practice in the fall of 2016.
The yoga studies curriculum offers students the ability to get a yoga teacher certification through the Yoga Alliance.® While the program is designed so that students complete the steps for a teacher certification within two semesters, classes can also be spread over two years.
The program will also extend beyond the mat and into the classroom.
“Many yoga teacher training certifications exist, but most focus on poses and the application of yoga on the mat,” said Camille Litalien, the program’s co-director. “USU will offer a more integrated approach There will be a much larger emphasis on its history, philosophy and literature.”
Students in the program will be able to take classes with Ravi Gupta, director of religious studies at USU. Gupta lectures around the world on topics related to Vaishnava philosophy, a major branch of Hinduism, and Hindu devotional traditions.
Similar university-based programs are rare.
“I know of only a handful of other universities offering anything like this,” said Emily Perry, who, along with Litalien, directs the yoga program.
“The time seems ripe for a yoga program at USU,” said Litalien. “USU currently offers 14 yoga classes through campus recreation, and these fill up quickly. Many of our students are eager to expand their practice by learning the history of yoga, which reaches back 5,000 years or so.”
New students will be accepted into the program at the start of each fall semester. Litalien and Perry also hope community members and current yoga teachers will take advantage of the program to deepen their yoga practice.
The yoga studies program will hold an open house on April 12, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. in HPER 135, where interested students can meet the programs directors and learn more.
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Contact: Camille Litalien, co-director USU yoga studies, 773-655-6113, camillelitalien@gmail.com
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