• Sivananda Yoga

    Teachers' Training Course

Sivananda Teachers' Training Course

A life transforming experience

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Created and first offered in 1969 by Swami Vishnudevananda, the first yoga master in the West this course is now taught by his senior disciples throughout the world to more than 1000 people each year. With over 40,000 graduates to date, the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres is the largest yoga organization in the world.

  • Awaken and strengthen your yoga practice
  • Develop the intuition, knowledge and confidence to teach others
  • Experience a Yogic lifestyle (vegetarian diet and daily spiritual practice)
  • Connect to a tradition, lineage and senior teachers
  • Become an internationally recognized 300-hour certified Yoga Instructor

Course Curriculum

Becoming a Yoga Teacher

Swami Vishnudevananda and the Sivananda Yoga Teachers' Training Course

“My goal in creating this course was to allow people to develop their latent power and build a better world.” – Swami Vishnudevananda

Yoga Alliance Certified

Through hands-on learning and guidance, deepen your practice and gain the skills needed to teach yoga. Our graduates receive an internationally recognized certification through the worldwide Yoga Alliance confirming they have the practical knowledge and experience to teach Hatha Yoga (asanas, pranayama and relaxation). The Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course includes the following:

Course Topics and Details

Asana
Each day you will both study and engage in practical hands-on learning as the senior teachers guide you as to how to teach asanas and pranayama. The daily in-depth practice with individual corrections includes:

• Sun salutation

• 12 basic Yoga postures

• 100 Asana variations, from intermediate level to advanced

• Postural alignment

• Deep relaxation with autosuggestion

• Release of blocked energy

Pranayama
Pranayama, the science of breath control, consists of a series of exercises especially intended to keep the body and mind in vibrant health. Practice daily and study in detail both Kapalabhati and Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breathing), as well as being introduced to advanced pranayamas. Learn and experience how pranayama:

• Expands capacity of the lungs

• Relaxes the nervous system

• Balances the two hemispheres of the brain

• Purifies the nadis (subtle energy channels)

• Awakens the inner spiritual energy

• Kapalabhati (lung cleansing exercise)

• Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breathing)

• Introduction to advanced pranaymas

Nutrition
Responsible for building our physical body, the foods we eat also profoundly affect our mind, senses, and environment. Course topics and details include:

• Vegetarianism for ethical, spiritual, and health reasons

• How diet affects the mind

• Proper balance of the main nutrients

• Ayurvedic principles of nutrition

• Healing effects of fasting

Meditation and Mantra

Meditation is at the core of the practice of Yoga. It is both its main tool and its ultimate destination. This course teaches the practical steps of a meditation while also exploring the stages one passes through meditation on their spiritual journey to the realization of the oneness of all existence.

The course focuses on japa meditation, or mantra repetition. A sanskrit mantra is a mystical energy encased in a sound structure. Through repetition one creates a specific positive thought pattern and the energy then manifests itself, generating a positive creative force in our lives.

Kriyās
Yogic cleansing exercises, known as “kriyās” assist nature in removing waste products from our bodies. This cleansing is important as the Yogi regards their bodies as a vehicle in which to evolve toward higher consciousness. Learn and practice, with guidance, yoga kriyā exercises.
Anatomy and Physiology
Yoga is a system of self-experience. The purpose of this study is to improve the physical understanding of your own yoga practice, and to apply it in your teaching practice as well.

• Introduction to the major body systems

• The effects of asanas and pranayama on: the cardiovascular, respiration, digestion, skeletal muscular and endocrine systems

• Yoga and physical culture

Yogic Philosophy
Explore the philosophy and aim of yoga. Look into the deeper dimensions of the mind, body, and spirit through the study of yogic philosophy, classical yoga text and the Bhagavad Gita.

Kirtan
Kirtan is singing the Divine name, or the mantra, with devotion, love and faith. Practice and learn how it helps to purify the heart, calm the mind and turn it inward towards divine consciousness.

Study in an Ancient Tradition

THE GURUKULA SYSTEM

This 4-week course is styled after the ancient Gurukula system in which students live, study, and work with their teachers and fellow students in an ashram. This direct contact with experienced teachers transforms the students day-to-day into a learning experience. The daily schedule of this training provides a complete yoga routine:

The Daily Schedule


5:30am    Wake Up

6:00am    Meditation, Mantra chanting, Lecture, or Silent Walk (Satsang)

8:00am  Asanas and Pranayama

10:00am    Brunch

11:00am     Karma Yoga

12:00pm    Bhagavad Gita or Chanting Class

2:00pm   Main Lecture

4:00pm    Asanas and Pranayama

6:00pm    Dinner

8:00pm  Meditation, mantra chanting and lecture (Satsang)

10:30pm    Lights Out

Practical Information

Students enjoy special programs, festivals, concerts and symposiums that are offered during evening satsangs. There is one weekly day off.

*During the day off students are only required to attend morning and evening satsangs and to perform their Karma Yoga.

*Attendance at all activities is mandatory.

*Changes in the program may occur.

The Four Paths of Yoga

As an integral component of this course, for one month you will immerse yourself in and study the lessons of the Four Paths of Yoga. Learning within the Gurukula system, students transform detailed Yogic theory into practical, on-the-ground understanding.

Karma Yoga
The practice of selfless service helps to reduce selfishness and egoism and keeps you fit, healthy, and joyful. Learn the Karmic principles behind the Law of Action and Reaction and the wheel of birth and death.

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of Devotion, teaches how to open the heart and purify the mind. Discover Kirtan (chanting of classical Sanskrit mantras), Indian gods/goddesses and their energetic meaning, and other traditional Indian rituals.

Raja Yoga

Also known as Ashtanga Yoga, this is the science of mental and physical control where meditation is the chief practice. Discover the effects and experiences of meditation, how to meditate, the use of mantras, and how to cultivate concentration.

Jnana Yoga

Explore the Yoga of Knowledge and the concepts of Vedanta philosophy such as space, time, and causation, the difference between the physical and energetic bodies, and also the subconscious, conscious, and superconscious mind.

  • “An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory.”

    – Swami Sivananda

Registration Information

Signing Up for the TTC

The practice, and especially the teaching of yoga, demand a high degree of self-discipline and virtue. To ensure the success of the program, participants are required to attend all spiritual activities, meditation sessions, lectures, and asana classes.

A basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is helpful but not essential.

To maintain a pure environment and elevating vibrations necessary for the practice of yoga and meditation meat, fish, eggs, black tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and nudity are prohibited during the course (and in the ashram). Participants who do not comply with the ashram rules may be dismissed from the course.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to cater to all personal dietary preferences however we find that in providing a lacto-vegetarian (and almost fully organic) menu while also offering dairy-free and wheat-free main courses that people are happy, healthy and well fed. Side dishes, desserts and snacks may contain gluten and dairy.


Registration Details

LANGUAGES

The course in July is taught in English with simultaneous translation into French. All other courses are taught in French only.

If requiring a translation please bring your own headphones (type MP3/3.5mm jack) to use with our modern wireless translation system (rental fee 20 €).

COURSE TUITION

Course rates are date specific with more affordable rates for the November to May trainings. Rates includes the course, accommodation, meals, uniform and manual. Here you can find a listing of all upcoming course dates.

WHAT TO BRING (COURSE MATERIALS)

The following course materials and items should be brought or else, where noted, purchased on location in our boutique which will be open daily.

Required materials included in course fee and provided at course inauguration:

• 2 yoga pants, 2 t-shirts
• TTC Manual

Required materials not included by course fee but available in boutique for purchase:

• The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnudevananda, Three Rivers Press
• Yoga – Your Home Practice Companion by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Dorling Kindersley
• Bhagavad Gita with a commentary by Swami Sivananda, the Divine Life Trust Society
• Yoga mat
• Notebook and pen
• Kriya set (including Neti Pot)
• Meditation cushion, meditation shawl (recommended)
• Translation system (if required – rental fee 20 €)
• 10 € for the room key deposit

Also bring:

• Comfortable as well as warm clothing (covering shoulders and knees)
• Torch (flashlight)
• Sandals or slippers for indoors
• Walking shoes
• Towel
• Water Bottle and Travel mug or tumbler (for hot tea)
• Rain gear
• Toiletries
• If using a translation system please bring your own headphones (type MP3/3.5mm jack)
• For tent space only: bring your own tent, bedding, and towels

Course Preparation

The intensity of the training program requires a high degree of discipline and commitment but prior mastery of Yoga practices is not necessary. Yoga is about inner growth. Prior practice of asanas and meditation is however preferable.

To best prepare for the intensive ashram schedule attendance to a teacher training preparation weekend prior to the Teacher Training is recommended (link to calendar filtered for teacher training preparation weekends)

Recommended reading for at-home study:

• Sivananda Beginner’s Guide to Yoga by Sivananda Yoga Centre, Gaia Books

• Yoga Mind & Body by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Dorling Kindersley

• Meditation and Mantras by Swami Vishnudevananda, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers

Certification

The Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course is certified by the worldwide Yoga Alliance for the 300-hour standard for Registered Yoga Schools (RYS).

Upon successful completion, the participant receives a certificate confirming they have sufficient knowledge/practical experience to teach Hatha Yoga (asanas, pranayama and relaxation).

In acknowledgment, participants receive the title “Yoga Siromani” from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

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Teachers’ Training Course

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