Sivananda Teachers' Training Course
A life transforming experience
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
“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
• 12 basic Yoga postures
• 100 Asana variations, from intermediate level to advanced
• Postural alignment
• Deep relaxation with autosuggestion
• Release of blocked energy
• 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
• How diet affects the mind
• Proper balance of the main nutrients
• Ayurvedic principles of nutrition
• Healing effects of fasting
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.
• The effects of asanas and pranayama on: the cardiovascular, respiration, digestion, skeletal muscular and endocrine systems
• Yoga and physical culture
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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
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
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.
