YFFR Protocol is a systematic answer to a known problem in public safety and the military: The high statistics of mental and physical stress leading to negative coping skills, injuries, burn out, pre-mature retirement, and death. The YFFR Protocol provides a safe, effective, and sustainable skill set to benefit the first responder and military populations.

These benefits include:

• Optimal levels of performance on the job

• Ability to process stress leading to growth vs. depletion

• A thriving personal life

• A proactive approach for strengthening mental and physical resilience

Instructor School is open to anyone looking to have deeper knowledge of the psychophysiological benefits of yoga. This includes:

• Yoga teachers

• First responders

• Military

• Clinicians

• Friends and family

• Social workers

• Anyone who works with these communities

YFFR Instructor School will not only prepare you to deliver the why and how of teaching yoga to first responders and military, but also how to successfully achieve buy-in and implement programming on an operational level. A public safety or military agency may send personnel or a civilian to our Instructor School specifically to bring a YogaShield/YFFR program back to their departments and academies. Select the first responder/military ticket option upon registration.

YFFR’s Level 1 Instructor School is a three day training that breaks down how to teach the YFFR Protocol to first responders or military in department settings. Instructors will be expected to uphold YFFR’s Personal and Professional Areas of Excellence including a code of conduct, internal and external communication protocols, demonstrate tactical and cultural competency and be able to effectively explain the science and methodology behind the YFFR Teaching Protocol. By the end of Level 1, trainees will be classified as Instructor 1 and have the tools to practice the techniques of YFFR Protocol themselves, speak authentically about yoga and the YFFR mission, and teach the YFFR Protocol with a high level of effectiveness and professionalism.

*Note: Instructors are not certified to teach YFFR Curriculum in the Academies or In- Service Training until attending Level 2.*Note: Outside training requirements must be completed before certification.*Note: Instructors must sign a licensing agreement to use YFFR’s name, logo, and material.

Subjects Include:

• Yoga Class Workshops

• Cultural Competency Classes

• Personal and Professional Areas of Excellence (Self-Care and YFFR Standard Operational Procedures)

• Breaking Down the YFFR Protocol Instruction

• Practice Teaching

• The Western and Eastern Science Behind the Protocol

• Breakout Sessions and Discussion

• Online Classes

Level 1 is good for anyone who has a desire to teach yoga to first responders or military whether it is officially within a department setting, informally in a community setting, or to add these techniques to their practice such as a clinician or peer support group.

Level 2: Advanced Operations & Tactics YFFR’s Level 2 Instructor School is a three day training (six days when combined with Level 1) that breaks down how to teach the YFFR Protocol in structured training programs, such as recruit academies and in-service training, using YFFR’s Training Curriculum. Instructors will be expected to represent YFFR at higher level and exemplify YFFR values of professional excellence in training and cultural competency. By the end of Level 2, trainees will be classified as Instructor 2 and have the tools to practice the techniques of YFFR Protocol themselves, speak authentically about yoga and the YFFR mission, teach the YFFR Protocol with a high level of effectiveness and professionalism, and the materials needed to teach and represent YFFR at a higher level of training in larger agencies.

Subjects Include:

• Introduction to Tactical Skills for Law Enforcement and Fire Service

• Techniques for Optimizing Performance

• Breaking Down YFFR Training Curriculum for Recruit Academies and In-Service

• Training

• Fascia Release Techniques for Optimal Mobility

• Peak Performance Drills

• Breakout Sessions and Discussion

• Practice Teaching

Level 2 is good for anyone who would like to make YFFR a bigger part of their lives by diving deeper into the WHY and HOW of the science and techniques, teaching in more formal and structured training programs, and representing YFFR in more professional platforms.

Advanced Operations & Tactics Trainees will receive:

• Introduction to Tactical Skills for Law Enforcement and Fire Service

• Techniques for Optimizing Human Performance

• Breaking Down YFFR Training Curriculum for Recruit Academies and In-Service Training

• 8 YFFR Mat Class Workshops

• Fascia Release Techniques for Optimal Mobility

• Peak Performance Drills

• Breakout Sessions and Discussion

• Practice Teaching

• Standard Neurological Reset practices (similar to Yoga Nidra)

• Digital Instructor Toolkit to support you after training (must successfully complete outside training requirements)

• Licensing agreement to use YFFR’s Structured Training Curriculum (must successfully complete outside training requirements and have a Service Agreement or Instructor Agreement in place.)

After this training, attendees will know how to teach the YFFR Protocol to first responders in official training environments. By the end of Instructor School, attendees will have the tools to practice the techniques of YFFR Protocol themselves, speak authentically about yoga and the YFFR mission, and teach the YFFR Protocol with a high level of effectiveness and professionalism.

Instructors will be expected to:

• Represent YFFR at a higher level of professionalism

• Exemplify YFFR values of professional excellence in training and cultural competency

• Uphold Standard Operating Procedures for YFFR teaching programs

• Adhere to structured curriculum while practicing adaptability of curriculum when needed

Prerequisites:

• Foundations

• Basic Training (included in 5 day trainings)

Post Training Requirements:

• Ride-along (for civilians)

• Written essay

• Required reading

This five day Instructor School certifies you to:

• Instruct YFFR Protocol for drop-in classes within department settings

• Using YFFR’s official and structured curriculum for:

• Academy Programs

• Training Demo Workshops

• In-service Trainings

• Conference presentations

• Assist with big events and presentations

• Possibly lead and manage the YFFR programs for a certain city or region (upon acceptance to position)

Resource Video

Click the link: https://www.yogaforfirstresponders.org/find-an-instructor