28 Day 200 Hour Asthanga Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh

Facilities

Program

Ashtanga Yoga as asana practice

The detailing of Ashtanga Yoga is also discussed by one of the ancient sages Vaman Rishi in his text Yoga Korunta. This ancient manuscript holds the details of many asanas and quite original and authentic teachings on vinyasa, drishti, bandhas, mudras & philosophy as well. These teachings of the text Yoga Korunta were delivered to Sri T Krishnamacharya in the early 1900s by his guru Sri Ram Mohan Brahmachari and later Sri T Krishnamacharya passed down this knowledge to his disciple Pattabhi Jois during Jois’s learning period with Sri Krishnamacharya, started in 1927. Pattabhi Jois has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga since 1948, from his yoga shala, The Ashtanga Research Institute as per the tradition of Guru Parampara.

Pattabhi Jois also believed Patanjali’s eight limbs, a perfect path to get united to the universal consciousness. According to him the first five limbs, “external control”, can be correctable but the last three limbs, “internal control”, cannot be correctable. To be perfect in the last three limbs the practitioner has to be very steady and controlled energy on the first five. And the most prior and important is controlled physical energy which gets developed by practicing asanas for a long time in a particular manner. Because doing asanas for longer will increase the adaptability of the body to be prepared for the inner realization and to get more control on the other limbs. To perform Asanas correctly in Ashtanga Yoga one must incorporate the use of “Vinyasa” and “Tristan”

Vinyasa means moving and breathing system. This is very important for the practitioner to indulge the breathing flow while practicing asanas so that a proper flow would be maintained and particularly coordinating movement and breathing in the asanas heats the blood, cleaning, and thinning it so that it may circulate more freely. Improved blood circulation relieves joint pain and removes toxins and diseases from the internal organs. The sweat generated from the heat produced by the practice of vinyasa excretes the impurities. Through the practice of vinyasa, the body becomes healthy, light and strong. Tristhhana means union of three places of attention or action :- posture, breathing system and looking place(drishti). In Ashtanga yoga, the practice should be always performed with the combination of each other discussed abve as tristhana.>

Posture

Postures are the ways for purifying and strengthening the body. In Ashtanga Yoga, the postures are sequenced in different series as primary, intermediate and advanced series. Primary series Yog Chikitsa detoxifies the body and bring the body in a proper alignment. Intermediate series Nadi Shodhana is primarily acting on the purification of the nervous system by opening and cleaning the energy channels. The advance series A, B, C & D sthira bhaga incorporate strength and elegance of the practice necessitating higher levels of flexibility and modesty. It is important for the practitioner to attain full perfection and control at each level before proceeding to others.

Breathing

The breathing technique performed with vinyasa is known as ujjayi [victorious breath]. Both inhale and exhale should be stable and even. The length of inhaling and exhale should be the same as each other. Further, with time, the intensity of the breath should be increased for more and deeper control and stability by the increasement of the internal fire. This increased fire strengthens and purifies the nervous system.

Bandhas

Bandhas are basically known as the energy locks or seal and in the practice of ujjayi breathing, these are essential components of the technique. In yogic or spiritual science it is explained that there are 72000 nadis [energy channels] of the subtle body through which the pranic energy flows and moves freely in the body. The improper lifestyle and unawareness of our consciousness take us to the state where these nadis[energy channels] can get blocked and that takes us to the state of improper functioning of our bodily systems which could be the reason for the toxin accumulation in the body and further generation of several diseases. The purpose of bandhas is actually to unlock pranic energy and direct it into the 72000 nadis of the subtle body.

Looking place [drishti]

Drishti means vision. In Ashtanga Yoga practice Drishti is described as the gazing point on which one focuses while performing asanas. Drishti enables the purification and the stabilization of functioning of the mind of the practitioner. While the practitioner perform asanas where the mind focuses on inhale, exhale and the Drishti, the emerging deep state of focus and concentration makes the way for the practice of dharna [attentiveness or concentration] and dhyana meditation. There are 9 Drishti's explained in the practice of ashtanga yoga:- Nose 2. Between eyebrows 3. Naval 4. Thumb 5. Hands 6. Feet 7. Up 8. Right side and 9. Left side

Practicing asanas for many years with correct vinyasa and tristhana gives the practitioner clarity of mind, steadiness of body and purification of the nervous system to begin the practice of pranayama. Through the practice of pranayama, the mind becomes focused in a particular direction and follows the movement of the breath. Pranayama builds the foundation for internal control. So for the complete control of the subtle body, it is very important for the practitioner to built a strong foundation and this comes from the control on the physical body first and the practice of Ashtanga yoga is the ideal way of diving into the delicacy of the subtle energy. One who is walking into the path of yoga should definitely understand the importance of the Ashtanga yoga practice not just for a workout or physical satisfaction but for the achievement of the complete essence of subtle energy.

Daily Schedule

• 06:30 - 08:00 Asana practice
• 08:00 - 09:00 Pranayama
• 09:00 - 10:00 Breakfast
• 10:00 - 11:00 Anatomy and physiology
• 11:00 - 12:00 Philosophy
• 12:00 - 13:00 Teaching methodology / adjustment and alignment
• 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
• 14:00 - 16:00 Rest / self study
• 16:00 - 17:30 Asana practice
• 17:30 - 18:00 Evening tea
• 81:00 - 19:00 Meditation & mantra chanting / Sanskrit language session
• 19:00 - 21:00 Dinner and free time
• 21:00 Light off

Note : students are requested to go to sleep at 09:00 p.m. because every morning the class starts at 06:30 a.m. so they will need to get up at 05:30 a.m. so to get refreshed sleep is most important.

You will enjoy the following excursions in Rishikesh

• Ganga Arti
• Ayurveda massage
• Visit ashram or temple
• Kunjapuri temple visit
• Visit the cave
• Kirtan session
• Morning yoga session in the bank of holy Ganga
• Sanskrit language session

The location is situated in the footsteps of the Himalayas near the bank of holy river Ganga which is known for its mythological explanation as the purest river holds the healing and purifying properties and that is why known as Mother Ganga. Many ancient sages got enlightened near the bank of Mother Ganga and that is why their energy still flows in the air of Rishikesh. One of the main benefits of choosing a Yoga teacher training course in shivsiddh yogpeeth, Rishikesh, India is to learn near this holy river and grasp the pure vibrations from it as this is the source of purity and light. Along with this benefit, the nearby environment is also one of the main reasons that make the school special as we are situated in a peaceful place, a bit isolated from the loudness of city life but in a few minutes distance. So this is ideal that the practice and learning time is peaceful and in the off days easily people can reach to see and learn the local culture and experience the hospitality of Rishikesh.

Distances:

• Ganga River - 5 minutes
• Jolly Grant Airport (DED), 15 kilometers - 45 minutes
• Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi (DEL) - 6 hours

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All meals are served in Shiv Siddh Yog Peeth restaurant with beautiful view of Ganga River and Himalayas. Shiv Siddh Yog Peeth serve very light organic (Satvic) food to the students and all retreat participants. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are light but nutritious, vegan meals. Please inform them about any dietary requirements and food allergies you might have, they will be happy to accommodate all your needs.

During your free time, you may take a stroll to the banks of Ganges river, explore the spiritual city Rishikesh, join the counseling sessions, or take a peaceful nap.

• 27 nights accommodation
• Daily healthy nutritious meals
• Daily yoga sessions
• Detailed teaching on Ashtanga and Patanjali yoga
• Mantra and philosophy classes
• Pranayama and meditation practices
• Certificate of completion
• Yoga teacher training complete curriculum and materials

• Extra activities
• Travel expenses

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• 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.