70 Day 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Koh Phangan, Thailand

Certification

Students who complete the training are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®).

About the training

Throughout the training, you will dwell on the details of yoga asanas and unravel their anatomical underpinnings along with their effects on your energetic body. The study of ancient yoga philosophy will unlock the secrets of a thousand-year-old wisdom, wrap the teachings into the right context, and explain the reasons behind the techniques employed. The guided meditation program is designed to deepen your introspective practice, preparing you for a life-long mindful journey, pointing you in the direction of the goal of yoga - self-realization. The breathing exercises practiced in the progressive pranayama classes will raise your energy and teach you powerful Prana techniques to purify your body and mind from energy blockages.

The experienced instructors will reveal invaluable teaching tips and lead you to create a safe space to guide your students on their spiritual path. With a focus on teaching methodology, their training course will help you develop the skills to correctly sequence a class, adjust and assist students, and respond to the unique needs of each student. All this, in their private beachfront resort, surrounded by nature and the crystal-clear waters of a paradise island in Thailand, with healthy plant-based meals served daily.

Plus, as a special benefit, you will get 30 days of free access to One Yoga Online Studio to help you keep up your practice, any time, anywhere, thanks to their yoga and meditation app, featuring over 1,000 classes, courses, and challenges. This 500-hour yoga teacher training is not just an educational program, but a transformative journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and professional development. Immerse yourself, evolve, and emerge as a certified, confident, and compassionate yoga teacher.

Top-level certification

The curriculum is designed to adhere to and surpass Yoga Alliance standards. A 500-hour certification will pave the way for a bright future in the yoga field, anywhere in the world. With a clear edge over the popular 200-hour training and the advanced 300-hour certification, a 500-hour certification opens the doors to outstanding career opportunities as a yoga teacher.

Extended practicum

Newly-certified teachers may find it challenging to apply what they have learned in the controlled environment of a teacher training course to real-life yoga classes. This is why at One Yoga, they offer the possibility of continuing the practical training by teaching free classes to the local community. This is a unique opportunity for new teachers to grow their confidence, sharpen their teaching skills, and learn how to address specific student requirements. The experienced teachers are always around and happy to answer your questions and support you every step of the way. As you sharpen your teaching experience in a familiar environment, you also give back to the local community and share your passion for yoga with others.

What makes this training special?

The combination of these 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training courses gives you a seamless and profound learning experience. As the first-level training naturally flows into an advanced course, those who long to “know more” will feel completely satisfied. One Yoga’s vision goes beyond teaching physical asanas as part of the holistic approach to yoga as a multifaceted, comprehensive self-development journey. This 500-hour training covers subjects such as pranayama, philosophy, mudras, bandhas, and meditation techniques with a particularly high level of detail.

As a matter of fact, many teachers who choose to further develop their teaching skills months or years after their first training course find themselves in need of reviewing basic notions of yoga philosophy, anatomy, physiology, and specific technique details. The second part of this 500-hour training reinforces and deepens the concepts learned in the first part while your memory is still fresh. As you develop a deeper bond with the teacher team and grow more familiar with the facilities and the space, you find yourself in a productive learning environment.

On the other hand, the teachers will also get to know you deeper so they can tailor their supportive efforts to your specific needs. Dedicating 10 weeks of your time to this intensive 500-hour yoga teacher training course is a life-changing experience. It will shape your future as a fully qualified yoga instructor, surpassing the standards of most entry-level yoga teachers in terms of preparation, confidence, and depth.

Why One Yoga?

The instructors are dedicated and seasoned practitioners. They boast years of experience and expertise in yoga and meditation, and a deep-rooted personal commitment to their practice. They're eager to share their skills with you, coming from a genuine, service-driven, and heart-oriented service. Positioned in the idyllic island setting of Koh Phangan, a well-known sanctuary for yoga enthusiasts, One Yoga stands out as a devoted yoga learning center. Their primary mission is to sincerely impart the fundamental principles of yoga as dictated by age-old traditions.

One Yoga embraces and promotes the yogic lifestyle as passed on by the guardians of this ancient spiritual practice. They recognize the significance of having a 'sangha' or spiritual fellowship, a nurturing environment where you can establish real and enduring relationships. The school has been graced by thousands of students, instructors, and yoga lovers from across the globe. They warmly invite you to become part of the close-knit One Yoga community.

Curriculum to be covered

1. Yoga techniques, training, and practice

• Asanas - the classical yoga poses along with their physical, energetic, and healing effects. Modern additions and variations from intermediate to advanced are included
• Pranayama - traditional yogic breathing techniques will be practiced on a daily basis
• Mudra - important yogic “gestures” will be studied and practiced
• Bandha - “energetic locks” will be applied, combined with asana and pranayama
• Kriya - classical purification techniques will be explained and practiced
• Meditation - five classical techniques will be introduced and practiced daily

2. Teaching methodology

• Demonstrating, adjusting, and assisting students
• Teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, and the student’s process of learning
• Class sequencing and class layout
• Preparation points for building a yoga class
• Meeting the needs of students
• Four tools of teaching
• Principles of teaching different asanas; standing, balancing, seated, core, backbends, restorative or cool down poses, etc.
• Advice for teaching based on Karma yoga
• Combining asana and pranayama for more powerful classes
• Teaching various kinds of meditation, from modern mindfulness practices to the classical techniques outlined in the Yoga Sutras
• Teaching the philosophy of yoga to beginners
• Weaving yogic philosophy into your classes
• Accessible yoga – teaching targeted classes (such as yoga to regulate the nervous system) and specific populations, injuries, prenatal, and postnatal
• Trauma awareness – holding space, safe vocabulary, and asana awareness
• The business of yoga and principles of online teaching

3. Yoga anatomy and physiology

• Subtle anatomy (Chakras, Nadis, Energy bodies, and Kundalini)
• Physical anatomy (human skeleton, joint segments with movement and functions, muscle tissue, and fascia theory)
• Functional anatomy (main muscle groups and their functions, skeletal variations, and the influence on yoga asana performance, spinal health, and most common injuries)
• Human physiology (the major body systems and organs, special focus on the respiratory system and the nervous system)

4. Yoga philosophy, lifestyle, and ethics

• What is yoga?
• The purpose of yoga.
• Deep look into the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and key verses including Dharana, Bhavana, and Ishwara Pranidhana.
• Looking at each sutra in detail, translating it, then practicing with it (sadhana), and understanding how to embody it into your life
• The eight limbs of yoga
• History of yoga
• Sat Karma Kriyas (Purification techniques)
• The Gunas and Ayurveda. Understanding the play of the Gunas and how to increase Sattva (balance)
• Going beyond the Gunas
• Tantra
• Meditating on the verses of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra and how each one can be a way to live life with a greater depth of awareness
• Supernatural powers and liberation
• The Bhagavad Gita
• Buddhism and yoga including essential teachings: anatta, four noble truths, and the eight-fold path
• How to include yogic philosophy in your day-to-day living and develop trust in the way life works

Practicum

• Practicing teaching
• Receiving feedback
• Observing others teaching and listening or giving feedback
• To assess your teaching skills and understanding of the course content, you will pass three practicums in weeks four, seven, and 10. Each practicum consists of a 60-minute guided yoga class. In addition, you will assist your fellow students as an adjuster.
• In weeks four and 10, you will also need to take written exams to complete the course.
• Optional extended practicum after graduation.

Daily schedule

Weeks 1 - 4

Daily schedule from Monday to Saturday. Sundays are your days off.

• 06:30 - 07:00 Meditation
• 07:00 - 09:00 Yoga practice
• 09:00 - 10:00 Breakfast break
• 10:00 - 12:00 Art of teaching
• 12:15 - 13:30 Yoga philosophy
• 13:30 - 16:00 Lunch break
• 16:00 - 18:00 Yoga or anatomy and physiology
• 18:15 - 19:30 Lecture, Kirtans, or free time

Weeks 5 - 10

Daily schedule from Monday to Saturday. Lighter schedule on Sundays.

• 06:30 - 07:00 Meditation
• 07:00 - 09:00 Yoga practice
• 09:00 - 10:00 Breakfast break
• 10:00 - 11:15 Yoga philosophy
• 11:30 - 13:30 Art of teaching
• 13:30 - 16:00 Lunch break
• 16:00 - 18:00 Yoga or anatomy and physiology
• 18:15 - 19:30 Meditation