Teaching Restorative Yoga
Established 2025
View program websitePurpose
A self-paced course for yoga teachers who want to guide deeply restorative experiences rooted in nervous-system science, skillful sequencing, and compassionate language. Gain the nervous-system knowledge, prop mastery, and pacing confidence to guide students into real rest.
What to expect
This course includes step-by-step prop tutorials, nervous-system education, ready-to-use class templates, cueing and pacing strategies, and environment design checklist. Learn how to set up each pose correctly, understand why restorative works, walk into your first class with a proven sequence, and communicate calm without over-explaining.
Style/Lineage
Restorative Yoga is the art of intentional rest—a precise, evidence-informed practice that teaches the body to feel safe enough to release. This course teaches restorative yoga based on nervous-system science, prop setup fundamentals, and compassionate teaching language that supports students in achieving deep relaxation and healing.
Core competencies
AYC allows each school to state and evaluate the competencies each student acquires
By the end of this program, graduates will be able to…
- Explain the history and lineage of restorative yoga practice
- Understand the differences between restorative, yin, and gentle yoga
- Explain the physiology of the nervous system including sympathetic and parasympathetic responses
- Understand how restorative yoga activates the parasympathetic nervous system for rest and healing
- Explain the role of props in creating full body support for restorative poses
- Understand proper prop setup techniques for each major restorative pose
- Explain how to create an optimal environment for restorative practice including lighting, sound, and scent
- Understand pacing and timing principles for restorative yoga classes
- Practice setting up major restorative poses with correct prop placement
- Practice entering and exiting restorative poses safely
- Teach a complete restorative yoga class using ready-to-use sequences
- Demonstrate proper prop setup for students in restorative poses
- Cue restorative poses using clear, calming language without over-explaining
- Teach students how to adjust props for individual comfort
- Guide students into deep relaxation through appropriate pacing and verbal cues
- Sequence restorative poses effectively for nervous system regulation
Requirements
Program evaluation
- Special project
You'll create and share three restorative yoga lesson plans, and Sage will provide you with feedback on them.
AYC Verification
This program will grant the following AYC CE badge after you verify your credential.
Restorative Yoga
Teaching Restorative Yoga
Sage Rountree
20 hours
Additional Information
The course is designed for you to use easily: watch the video lectures, listen to them as a private podcast, or read the transcripts. Then follow along with the lesson plans and contribute your own!
Program Faculty
Featured Faculty
Sage Rountree is a pioneer in yoga for athletes and a yoga teacher trainer whose 13 books include Teaching Yoga Beyond the Poses, The Professional Yoga Teacher’s Handbook, and The Art of Yoga Sequencing. A specialist in teacher development, she hosts Yoga Teacher Confidential.
Level 3
Up-front pricing and policies
Format
Attendance
Online only
Structure
Self-paced
Minimum hours of instruction
20 hours
Total time commitment
2- 30 days
Program fees (USD)
Estimated total cost
All details are subject to change; confirm on program website
AYC verification fee
AYC verification fee
One-time. Payable to AYC.
40% goes to Comfort Zone Yoga, 10% to the Give Back Fund, 50% to AYC Operations