28 Day 300-Hour Ashtanga, Hatha, and Flow Yoga Teacher Training in Varkala, Kerala

Facilities

If you are experienced or already a teacher, you can learn from the teachers professionally. But the course is designed in such a way that from beginners to the advanced students will get benefit by this course 100 percent. This 28-day 300-hour yoga teacher training course is a specially tailored program, designed to provide you with fundamental skills and confidence to teach yoga based on Hatha yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa lineages in your way to become a certified yoga instructor.

The training will prepare students to learn and teach yoga asanas (postures) and meditation, using a step-by-step method underpinned by yoga philosophies and other related subjects. The focus is not just to provide certification but to create a teacher who has a deep practical understanding of the yoga they wish to teach. Throughout the course, they will endeavor to develop the student’s understanding of the need for self-practice.

By the end of the course, the student will have the ability and confidence to teach at both beginner and advanced levels. The curriculum covers the most essential topics from basic asana practices to Hatha yoga lessons in detail to philosophical sessions thus enabling students to learn and understand yoga thoroughly to be the best version of the yoga teacher they can become. You would get the golden opportunity to teach your fellow trainees under the supervision of a senior teacher.

You are expected to have minimum daily practice: 30 minutes of asana, 10 minutes of pranayama, and 20 minutes of meditation is compulsory. Your day starts at 6:00 a.m. in the morning and finishes by 7:00 p.m. with dinner and self-study and assignments up to 9:00 p.m.

Syllabus

1. Yoga and yogic practices

• Etymology of yoga
• Brief introduction about the origin and development of yoga
• Yoga - Aims and objectives
• General introduction to Darshanas with special reference to Sankhya and yoga
• General introduction to four paths of yoga
• Principles of yoga and yogic practices
• Guiding principles for yogic practices

2. Introduction to Hatha yoga

• Introduction to Hatha yoga
• Introduction to important Hatha yoga texts with special reference to Hatha Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita
• Causes of success (Sadhaka Tattwa) and causes of failure (Badhaka Tattwa) in Hatha yoga Sadhana
• Concept of Ghata and Ghata Shudhhi in Hatha yoga
• Purpose and utility of Shat kriyas in Hatha yoga
• Purpose and utility of asanas in Hatha yoga
• Purpose and importance of pranayama in Hatha yoga

3. Introduction to Patanjali yoga

• Definition, nature, and aim of yoga according to Patanjali
• Concept of Chitta and Chitta Bhumis; Chitta Vrittis and Chitta Vrittinirodhopaya (Abhyasa and Vairagya)
• Concept of Ishwara and Ishwara Pranidhana
• Chitta Vikshepas (Antarayas) and their associates (Sahabhuvas)
• Concept of Chitta Prasadana and their relevance in mental wellbeing
• Kleshas and their significance in yoga
• Ashtanga yoga of Patanjali: its purpose, effects, and significance

4. Introduction to human systems, yoga, and health

• The nine systems of the human body
• Functions of the different systems of the human body
• Introduction to sensory organs
• Neuro-muscular coordination of sensory organs
• Basic understanding of exercise physiology
• Homeostasis
• The benefits of various asanas on different parts of the human body
• Limitations and contra-indications of specific yoga practices

5. Yoga for wellness

• Health: meaning and definitions
• Concept of Pancha Koshas
• Yogic conceptions of health and diseases
• Interdependency of physical (Prakriti) and psychological (Triguna) components according to Ayurveda
• Concept of Panchamahabhutas
• Yogic principles of healthy living
• Introduction to yogic diet and nutrition

6. Yoga and stress management

• Human psyche: yogic and modern concepts, behavior, and consciousness
• Frustration, conflicts, and psychosomatic disorders
• Relationship between mind and body
• Mental hygiene and role of yoga in mental hygiene
• Mental health: a yogic perspective
• Prayer and meditation for mental health
• Psychosocial environment and its importance for mental health (Yama and Niyama)
• Concept of stress according to modern science and yoga
• Role of yoga - stress and lifestyle management

7. Familiarity with body joints and Vyayama

• Movement of key joints
• Sukshma Vyayama
• Shat Kriyas

8. Suryanamaskar and asanas

• Introduction to Suryanamaskar (sun salutation)
• Technique of Suryanamaskar practice
• Asanas
• Five spinal movements in yoga

9. Pranayama and meditation

• Introduction to pranayama
• Meditation - the concept
• Practical techniques of meditation

10.Teaching practice

• Teaching yoga
• Principles and skills for educating aspirants
• Teaching yoga in a group setting

11. Detailed study of Ayurveda and massage techniques

12. Iyengar asana practice with adjustment and alignment

• Chair yoga
• Hatha flow sequencing
• Detailed study of Iyengar asanas with adjustment and alignment
• Therapeutical benefits of yoga as taught in yoga therapy

13. Mudra yoga

14. Introduction to yoga therapy

• Advanced meditation and pranayama practice and techniques

Daily schedule

• 05:45 - 06:00 Wake up
• 06:00 - 07:45 Morning tea
• 07:45 - 09:00 Classical Hatha yoga
• 09:00 - 10:30 Breakfast
• 07:45 - 09:00 Pranayama
• 10:30 - 11:30 Yoga anatomy
• 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
• 14:00 - 15:00 Rest
• 15:00 - 16:00 Yoga philosophy
• 16:15 - 17:45 Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga
• 18:00 - 19:00 Meditation
• 19:30 - 20:00 Dinner
• 22:00 Lights off

The course will take place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Mathatitu Yoga Ashram is located at Hill Top Beach Resort, neighboring Mathatitu Vegetarian Restaurant, Tibetan Kitchen Restaurant (nonveg), and of course right in front of the beach.

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You will be served three vegetarian Kerala and Indian-style meals and energy drinks per day included in the price. A balanced and nutritious diet forms the basis for the nourishment of the mind and body. Carefully cooked foods with traditional ingredients offering amazing healing properties are provided to you in the correct proportion. They hire specially trained chefs for yoga students and trainers.

Breakfast includes light and protein-rich foods such as porridge, bread-toast, salads, sprouts, nuts along with tea, coffee, and fresh fruit juices. The lunch features a traditional Indian Ayurvedic Thali with rice, chapati, lentils, vegetables, salads, and yogurt. The dinner is a combination of Ayurvedic food and cooked vegetables, raw salad, fruits, and herbal tea. Gluten-free and vegan options and clean filtered water are available.

• Ayurveda treatments
• Cookery class
• Reiki

• Yoga classes
• 27 nights accommodation
• 3 vegetarian meals per day
• Airport pick up from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV)
• Course materials including books and yoga mats

• Airfare
• Excursions

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.