200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course

Course Eligibility

Interested students with a humble heart and self-motivation to learn are encouraged to apply. You don’t need to be a yoga teacher or an have any prior experience to attend. Practitioners of any age over 18 may apply. As the training is rigorous, attendees over 60 years of age or those in poor health are required to bring a fitness certificate from their doctor in order to be accepted.

We welcome students who are:

• Enthusiastic to learn traditional yoga combined with yoga philosophy and meditation practices.
• Want to apply yoga to their lifestyle and learn more about themselves.
• Have a reasonable understanding of English, as all classes are in English.

Daily Schedule

Our schedule is designed according to Ayurvedic principles or ‘Dinacharya’ to integrate one’s daily routines as an important step in cultivating discipline. To make the most out of the program, we ask that participants attend all asana and pranayama classes, lectures, spiritual activities and meditation sessions.

Course Overview

Yoga Teaching Methodology: Classes include various techniques for improving your skills as a yoga teacher, including

• Practical workshops where you will practice teaching
• Lessons on yoga sequence creation
• Techniques to properly teach the principles of yoga
• Skills for assisting, encouraging, caring and guiding the progress of students
• Methods for managing your yoga class
• Guidelines for being an ethical yoga teacher

Technique Training: You’ll practice asanas, pranayama, bandhas, kriyas and cleansing routines. During your practice you’ll learn about proper form, alignment and the reasons why all of these aspects of yoga are so important. You’ll learn about multiple forms of yoga, including Hatha and Ashtanga.

Lectures on Yoga Philosophy: Lessons on yoga philosophy will include information on the 8 limbs of yoga, Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, chakras, nadis and pancha-koshas. Don’t worry if all of these terms are new to you, that’s why you’re attending this program!

Anatomy and Physiology: During these lessons you’ll gain a basic knowledge of various body systems. We’ll learn about the functions of various organs, the endocrine glands and other systems which are affected by your yoga practice. You’ll also learn about the health benefits of a yoga practice, as well as precautions that are important to take to avoid contraindications and injuries.

Service (Seva): Students will assist to serve meals and perform group cleaning activities. They may also participate in community work during their yoga teacher training course.

Basic Sanskrit: Our Sanskrit lessons will give you a basic introduction to the language of Sanskrit, the Sanskrit words most commonly used in yoga, the sutras and mantra recitation.

Basic Teachings of the Bhagavad-gita: Learn about the history of Bhagavad Gita, begin your journey of self discovery, learn how to apply Gita in your modern life and chant verses of the Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit

Introduction to Ayurveda: These lessons will introduce you to Ayurveda, coming from the Sanskrit words ayuh and veda meaning life-knowledge. During these lessons you’ll get an introduction to Ayurveda, a traditional Indian science which uses herbs, medicines and foods to create a healthy lifestyle. You’ll also participate in a self-examination where you can discover your dosha and prakriti.

Applications of Yoga or Living the Yoga Lifestyle
Various topics including sessions on kirtan, mantra, meditation, vedic ecology, vegetarianism and compassionate communication with an emphasis on simple living and high thinking will be explored.

Final Assessment
During the final week of your course, we will conduct assessments and evaluate what you’ve learned. For successful completion of our course, each participant must attend all classes, submit a summary of what he learned, show an understanding of skills needed to teach yoga and make a presentation on a yoga topic of her own choosing. The final examination is conducted by external examiners from the Yoga Vidya Gurukul to ensure the highest standards of certification are maintained.

Your successful completion of our course and final examination are required for you to gain your yoga teacher certification. These are the criteria we will grade upon:

• Regular attendance of all classes (including satsanga and seva).
• Enthusiasm and positive attitude during practical asana, pranayama and kriya classes.
• Yoga teaching skills.
• Passing score on written examination on the theories of yoga.
• Completion of weekly assignments.
• Giving a final presentation.