Restorative Yoga Teacher Training 1 : The Essential Practice
with Anna Ashby & Chris Swain
January 28 - 31, 2027
> A 30 hour programme for Teachers, Trainees, Professionals & Experienced Practitioners
> Over 4 days with Anna Ashby + Chris Swain
This unique teacher training focuses on the practice, art and teaching of Restorative Yoga. It provides a solid foundation for being able to teach this style of yoga and includes: immersive practice, how to set-up/adapt postures, lecture + dialogue clarifying the purpose and nature of the practice, how to sequence and language instruction, and create sanctuary. The training explores basic stress physiology, its impact on health and how Restorative Yoga postures and environment can support nervous system health.
Course Content
The four days include :
Restorative Yoga practice each day
Reflection + journaling
Lectures + dialogue
The art of teaching/practising Restorative Yoga: history, purpose and nature of the practice, breath awareness, sequencing, safe practice, language, cues and creating sanctuary
Stress physiology and the anatomy/physiology of key postures
Practicums which cover basic set-ups of essential poses, how to adapt postures to suit individual needs and assisting/adjusting postures
*In addition to scheduled hours, students are asked to attend two online Restorative Yoga classes and observe two online classes with Anna Ashby to successfully complete the training.*
Course Structure
This training is designed for yoga teachers, trainees, professionals in healing modalities and experienced practitioners who wish to deepen their practice. It includes ample time for practice, exploration, and understanding the art of teaching Restorative Yoga. The four days offer a retreat-like atmosphere led by Anna Ashby which includes: four in-depth practices; time to learn about the history, nature and purpose of Restorative practice; how to structure a practice and teach classes. The anatomy and physiology portion of the training led by Chris Swain covers basic stress physiology and situates Restorative in relationship to nervous system regulation. Learning tasks are designed to support a process of assimilation and offer time to connect and engage with others. Practicums enable hands on experience where there is time to explore and refine the set up of essential poses and practice assists/adjustments. Particular emphasis is given to adapting postures to suit individual needs.
Learning Outcomes
Experience of immersive practice in Restorative Yoga
Mastery in setting up the most essential Restorative postures
Confidence in how to successfully structure/facilitate a Restorative Yoga practice/ class
Understanding of basic stress physiology, anatomy of the postures, and breath awareness
Understanding with regards to the history of Restorative Yoga, its purpose and nature
Practice in setting up and adapting poses to suit individual needs
The training includes an in-depth Companion Manual with photographs and requires the purchase of Restorative Yoga: Power Presence Practice for Teachers and Trainees written by Anna Ashby. Upon registration a discount code of 25% will be sent to purchase the book through the publisher.
Training Hours : 30 hours (25 in-person hours/5 online hours)
Days 1 - 3 (Thursday - Saturday): 9:30a - 6p
Day 4 (Sunday): 9:00a - 3:30p
Location
Béguinettes - Rue des Béguinettes 26 - 1170 Brussels
A list of props to bring will be provided prior to the training.
Fee
> 650 euros VAT incl. - includes 4 days of training plus 4 online classes with Anna Ashby - code to be sent prior to training
> 200 euros non-refundable deposit reserves your place as space is limited
Contact: Nicole at ncouloubaritsis@gmail.com to register
Teaching Team
> Anna Ashby – Restorative Practices and Art of Teaching
A senior teacher and trainer in the UK, Anna has been innovating in her field for over 30 years. Her unique style reflects a variety of influences including: dance, extensive yoga training focused on alignment and precision, restorative arts, tai chi and somatic movement. Much of her inspiration stems from her 12-year immersion in yoga practice while living in an ashram during the 1990s. Anna specialises in Restorative Yoga, a modern style that supports nervous system health through the healing effects of deep relaxation, breath and present moment awareness. Her book, Restorative Yoga: Power Presence Practice for Teachers and Trainees, released in March 2022, has become the ‘go to’ book for teachers and practitioners serving as an in depth guide for those interested in the Restorative arts. It elucidates and celebrates this practice spotlighting rest, stillness and space as necessary elements for cultivating balance and deepening spiritual endeavour. She holds the highest level of certification with Yoga Alliance Professionals in the UK (SYT) and the Yoga Alliance in the U.S. (E-RYT-500 + YACEP).
> Chris Swain – Stress Physiology and Anatomy of the Poses
Chris has been teaching yoga for over 30 years, initially qualifying as a teacher with the Chinese Yoga Federation in 1987, then as an Iyengar yoga teacher before being introduced to Ashtanga yoga with John Scott in London in 1999. It was whilst studying in the early 1980s that Chris came across yoga, Kempo (a martial art), Cheirology (hand reading) and meditation. During this time Chris developed a deep interest in natural healing. He moved to London in 1996 to take a 4 year degree in Osteopathy, deepening his understanding of western medical models. He is currently teaches on various yoga teacher training courses in the UK and also teaches asana and anatomy based workshops.
Eligibility + Accreditation
Applicants wishing to teach Restorative Yoga must be either taking, about to take, or have successfully completed a Yoga Teacher Training Diploma in order to teach students at a beginners/level 1 standard.
The training meets the Yoga Alliance YACEP Continuing Education hours and YogaPros (formerly Yoga Alliance Professionals in the UK) requirements for CPD.