24 Day 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh, India

Certification

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

Overview

Whether you are new to yoga or have some experience, this 200 hours program will allow you to expand your knowledge, improve the quality of your practice, feel the vibrant energy within you, and experience new dimensions to your understanding of the meaning of life.

Yoga is a very ancient and unique contribution to the whole world, and it has come directly from the yogis and gurus of the Himalayas, thousands of years ago. That is why people come to the Himalayas to study with authentic masters in their ashram.

How to get the most out of your program

• To learn yoga authentically, one has to make efforts with love for positive results
• The most important of any training is your own openness and willingness to learn and receive wisdom
• Join them with an open mind and drop any expectations of how things should unfold
• Be flexible with yourself, with other students, and with teachers

What will you learn

This program will not only teach you how to become a yoga teacher, but it will also help you to resolve many kinds of obstacles you might be experiencing in your life. You will become better able to handle your stress, manage your mind, and other spiritual obstacles. You are also going to develop the skills for becoming the master of your own senses and move up to the ultimate aim of yoga – Samadhi.

Curriculum

The goal of this training program is to produce qualified and inspiring yoga teachers who are able to draw on their own practice and personal discipline in imparting the yoga experience to others. Having a 200-hour training would be a long ride. There are a lot of courses prepared for you as you enter this magical yoga program.

A high degree of self-motivation is necessary for all aspects of the course. Basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is helpful but not really essential. The sincere desire to learn and openness to the teachings of yoga are more important.

The yoga teacher training will be based on the five points of yoga, which can be understood as the practical application of the traditional four paths of yoga. There will be an intensive daily schedule that includes two meditation sessions, two yoga classes, two lectures, and one hour of service to the ashram community every day. One day a week is lecture-free.

The practice, and most especially, the teaching of yoga, demands an utmost degree of self-discipline and purity. To ensure the success of the program, participants are required to attend all spiritual activities, meditation sessions, lectures, and asana classes.

Asana (yoga postures)

Asana will be a daily teaching practice class devoted to educating on how to divulge asana or yoga posture and pranayama or control of breath. Practicing asana every day can give you the opportunity to practice the perfect posture and thus will help you build a good habit.

The daily in-depth practice with individual corrections covers

• Sun salutation
• 12 basic yoga postures
• 100 asana variations (from intermediate level to advanced)
• Postural alignment
• Deep relaxation with autosuggestion
• A release of blocked energy
• Training sessions for all age groups

Benefits of asana

• Controls emotions
• Improves concentration powers
• Rids excess body fats
• Enhances physical fitness
• Relieves chronic ailments such as constipation, rheumatism, and stomach complaints
• Stimulates circulation
• Stabilizes thyroid functions
• Keeps muscles youthful and supple into old age

Pranayama

• Awakens the inner spiritual energy
• Relaxes the nervous system
• Balances the two hemispheres of the brain
• Purifies the Nadis or subtle energy channels
• Expands lungs capacity
• Kapalabhati cleansing exercise
• Anuloma Viloma or alternate nostril breathing
• Ujjayi, Surya Bheda, Bhastrika, Sitali, Sitkari, Bhramari
• The three bandhas: Jalandhara, Moola, Uddiyana

Kriyas

Topics like tratak, neti, kapalabhati, dhauti, nauli, and basti are the six classical purification exercises for the eyes, nose, air passages, esophagus, stomach, abdominal organs, and large intestines.

• The absolute and how it manifests itself in nature
• Macrocosmos and microcosmos
• The seven chakras
• The awakening of cosmic energy

Yoga anatomy and physiology

• Introduction to the major body systems
• The effects of asanas and pranayama on: The cardiovascular system, respiration, digestion, skeletal and muscular systems, endocrine system
• The eight systems of the body
• Yoga and physical culture
• Diet and nutrition

Karma and reincarnation

• The law of action and reaction
• The law of compensation
• The law of retribution
• Destiny and self-effort

Teaching practice

• How to teach the 12 basic postures and breathing exercises to beginners and intermediate students
• Setting up of a proper environment for class
• General pointers on teaching a class
• Beginners’ course
• Advanced postures
• Relaxation
• Detailed correction workshops
• In the second half of the training course, participants will teach each other under the guidance of an experienced instructor

Yoga nutrition

• 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

• Guide to meditation
• What is meditation
• Why meditate
• Physical and mental meditation
• 12-step daily practice
• Effects of and experiences in meditation
• Mantras – spiritual energy in sound
• Mantra initiation (if desired)

Hatha yoga

• Ethical and moral principles
• Body – prana (life energy) – mind
• From control over the body to control over the mind and meditation

Raja yoga

This includes three:

• Ashtanga: with the eight steps of yoga
• Antahkarana: the functions of the mind
• Concentration and meditation

Kundalini yoga

• The absolute and how it manifests itself in nature
• Macrocosmos and microcosmos
• The 7 Chakras
• The awakening of cosmic energy

Bhakti yoga

• Kirtan: chanting of classical Sanskrit mantras
• Indian gods and their cosmic meaning
• Arati and Pujas (traditional Indian rituals)
• Chanting that opens the heart and purifies the mind.

Because with daily chanting, you develop a strong feeling of devotion and very pure vibration. In devotional chanting, correct pronunciation, devotional attitude, and awareness of meaning are all equally important.

Karma yoga

Karma yoga is the practice of selfless service. It helps reduce selfishness and egoism. Moreover, it keeps you fit and healthy and truly gives immeasurable joy. Here, you will be asked to do various tasks within the Ashram setting, including gardening, cooking, cleaning, office works, and any other work that is necessary for the smooth running of the community.

• The law of cause and effect
• Samsara - the wheel of birth and death
• Karma yoga - selfless service; one hour daily in the ashram community

Jnana yoga

• Basic concepts of Vedanta philosophy
• The seven Bhumikas or planes of consciousness
• Space, time, causation
• The three bodies
• The three levels of the mind
• Conquest of death

Satsang

Satsang means being in companionship with the truth and with the wise. This course consists of half an hour of silent meditation, half an hour of chanting, and a talk or reading on the aspects of yoga philosophy that will help you develop a strong and steady meditation practice and show you the way to peace and happiness.

Daily schedule (except Sundays holiday)

• 07:00 Wake up
• 08:00 - 10:00 Practice
• 10:00 - 10:30 Breakfast
• 11:00 - 12:30 Practice, which is Karma yoga / Seva / service without expectations
• 12:30 - 13:00 Self study
• 15:00 - 15:15 Tea break
• 15:30 - 19:30 Theory, practice, and self study
• 19:30 - 20:00 Dinner
• 21:00 Rest

Note

• Karma yoga is an important and vital part of the course.