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SHIFT Yoga Practitioner Training

An in-depth yoga training for students wishing to deepen their practice on their way to self discovery!

What you will learn

Yoga History + Theory

  • Identify the historical evolution of asana from ancient yogic traditions through hatha yoga to modern western practice and recall zokawa's lineage in hatha and vinyasa traditions and its specific definitions of hatha, vinyasa, yin, and restorative

  • Explain how the contributions of key modern pioneers—iyengar, pattabhi jois, krishnamacharya—shaped contemporary asana practice and describe how zokawa's style and methodology differ from broader yoga community conventions

  • Discuss the major periods of yoga history—vedic roots (1500–500 bce), pre-classical, classical (patanjali/yoga sutras), and modern (18th–20th c)— and identify the key figures and contributions of patanjali, swami vivekananda, swami sivananda, t. krishnamacharya, indra devi, b.k.s. iyengar, pattabhi jois, and paramahamsa yogananda

  • Identify the three primary sacred texts used at zokawa (yoga sutras, bhagavad gita, upanishads) by naming each text and describing its basic purpose, context, and central teachings.

Practice Skills

  • Practice the foundational poses of the zokawa curriculum—including sukhasana, tadasana, savasana, and the surya namaskar a sequence— with proper breath, foundation, spinal integrity, and intentional engagement

  • Evaluate one's own personal pranayama and meditation practice over time through journaling and self-inquiry assessing growth in breath control, subtle body awareness, and the integration of pranayama as a living, developing personal practice

  • Practice four meditation methods—guided, focused, silent seated, and arhatic yoga meditation— by demonstrating consistency, appropriate technique, and awareness of internal experience across each method

  • Assess the impact of a personal meditation, mudra, and chanting practice on self-awareness using journal reflections and self-inquiry to articulate discoveries and identify how these practices will inform one's journey

Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics

  • Explain how skeletal structure, joint mobility, muscular engagement, and contraction types interact in asana to produce stability, mobility, and safe alignment and describe how fascia, active and passive joint restraints, and core biomechanical principles underpin injury prevention

  • Explain how yoga practice—through asana, pranayama, and meditation— directly influences each physiological system, including effects on stress hormones, heart health, blood pressure, gut health, hormonal balance, respiratory mechanics, and the mind-body connection

Lifestyle & Ethics

  • Discuss the five yamas and five niyamas, the five components of zokawa's accountability framework (code of conduct, ethical commitment, scope of practice, dei, and grievances) and the core principles of creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable yoga environment.

  • Define the sanskrit meaning of 'yoga' and the key philosophical and asana vocabulary presented in the zokawa curriculum and identify root words, prefixes, and suffixes that enable reasoned decoding of unfamiliar sanskrit terms encountered in asana and philosophical contexts

  • Explain the historical role of sanskrit in yoga tradition why it is used in modern asana classes, how it connects practitioners to the lineage and philosophical depth of the practice, and how its transmission across cultures requires both accuracy and cultural respect

About Zokawa

Zokawa is a wellness and life transformation studio dedicated to inspiration, inquiry, and empowerment. Our trainings blend ancient wisdom with modern science — guiding students into embodiment, resilience, and leadership.

Led by River Lin
Author, facilitator, yoga educator, and guide for grief-informed healing.

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Why should you obtain your training from Zokawa?

River’s extensive background in the roots of yoga provide wisdom and insight unparalleled by other trainers. With an academic background in Eastern religions and yoga training from expert Indian teachers from generations of yogis in the Mysore lineage, River synthesizes formal learning with personal experience in Modern Dance, life in Japan, a deep awareness of the ethereal body through energy work, and her own quirky personality to bring depth and fun to the training. 

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Additionally, with more than 20 years experience in adult education, River has honed the art of meeting students where they are and taking them beyond their dreams and goals. Because she is inspired and energized by the process of discovery and learning, and motivated by this outcome for her students, she presents complex material in simple, practical, and easily applicable terms. River empowers others through the seamless flow of knowledge and experience.

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Zokawa is a welcoming and safe environment created to provide a truly deep and meaningful experience. ALL are welcome at Zokawa! Our intention is for you to leave the classroom feeling connected to yourself and connected to the community.

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