YogaVahini is offering in-depth training in yoga practice and philosophy for serious aspirants through a Certified Teacher Training Program spread over a period of one year.

Focus Areas

Your Personal Development

Be a Yoga Professional

Moving beyond the role of a “yoga instructor” to that of a yoga teacher, YogaVahini equips and empowers you to help others through yoga. Be part of a community of yoga professionals who are deeply committed to creating a happier, healthier and more peaceful world.

Become a Yoga Therapist

• Over 350 hours of course-work - based on a module perfected over nearly two decades of  study, teaching and training experience.

• The most extensive and comprehensive curriculum that empowers you to evolve as a confident and compassionate yoga teacher.

• Based on holistic understanding of the human system with highly individualized application where each person’s unique needs and capabilities are respected and addressed.

• Integrates experiential knowledge with philosophy aiming at facilitating learning and practice that is deep and life transforming.

Personal Attention

At YogaVahini, each participant receives personalized care, attention and guidance both in personal and professional development. The teaching methodology, approach and process are aligned to our core philosophy: the individual is more important than the tools and techniques. There will be 2 full-time teachers in class at all times to ensure personal attention.

Mentorship

A healthy student-teacher relationship lays the foundations for learning. In this course, each student has a mentor who provides support and guidance throughout the training. In addition, for those graduates who are interested in continuing with their studies and require guidance in future work, YogaVahini offers ongoing mentorship to assist and aid each student along their personal and professional paths.

Internship

One-on-one Teaching

During the training, students will be facilitated to transfer the class-room learning to real life situation through internship and teaching under supervision and guidance in a one-on-one setting for normal, healthy adults

Group Classes

During the course of the study, YogaVahini offers students opportunities to assist in teaching group classes where they can refine and improve their skills at teaching, handling different kinds of groups.

Community

Today, the Sanga (community) is the real teacher. This program offers you an opportunity to participate and engage in a healthy community of like-minded people committed to the path of personal growth and transformation; a group that can inspire social change.

Opportunity to Teach Community Classes

Working with the community - both general public and under-privileged groups  - is an important activity at YogaVahini. Once we feel the student is ready, we offer opportunities to teach in community development programs to obtain valuable teaching experience and the satisfaction of contributing to the welfare of the society in a concrete manner.

Professional  Growth

Upon successful completion of the course, we offer professional advice and support for developing your own practice as well as teaching opportunities to hone your skills and become a successful yoga professional.

Upon successful completion of the training program, participants will have:

• An in-depth experiential understanding and appreciation of the art, science and philosophy of Yoga.
• Developed a comprehensive knowledge of the theory of Asana, Pranayama and Meditation and how to appropriately apply these tools of Yoga.
• Acquired the ability to teach group classes and general (non-therapeutic) individual sessions in a safe, effective and confident manner.
• Acquired the tools to enact positive changes in their own lives and to provide the same guidance and consultation for others.
• A certificate recognizing oneself as a 'Certified Yoga Teacher' (CYT).

The Teacher Training involves over 350 hours of study spread over a period of one year organized into weekly/monthly modules.

Included in the total cost of the program:

• 300 class room contact hours (lecture and practice sessions).
• 10 hours of Observation & Assisting Internship classes.
• 10 hours of teaching under supervision.
• 20 hours of community work/workshops/allied training programs.
• 15 hours of individual personal & professional development sessions with Mentor/Trainer.
• Course material.

I. History of Yoga & Yoga Philosophy (75 hours)

• A brief overview of the origin of Yoga. Vedas, Darsana.
• An in-depth study of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (chapters I & II) and an overview of Chapters III & IV
• Introduction to the major Yoga concepts found in other Classical Teachings and Texts of Yoga, such as: the Upanisad-s, Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Yoga Rahasya, Yoga Yajnavalkya and Yoga Taravali

II. Asana, Pranayama & Meditation (100 hours)

• Classical techniques of over 60 postures
• Role of breathing in Asana
• Principles of Asana practice
• Variations and modifications of postures to suit the needs of an individual
• Developing a personalized practice: principles and process
• Classical techniques of Pranayama
• Principles of Pranayama practice
• Developing a personalized Pranayama practice
• Understanding Meditation
• Process and models of Meditation
• Teaching Meditation
• Other tools: Chanting, visualization, diet and life-style modification & their application
• Developing Practices integrating the various tools of yoga
• Developing practices focusing on specific needs of an individual/group

III. Basics of Human Anatomy & Physiology (15 hours)

• Introduction to experiential and functional Anatomy as it relates to the practice and teaching of Yoga
• Introduction to Subtle Yogic Anatomy, Physiology and Energy Systems

IV. Basics of Ayurveda (15 hours)

• Understanding the human constitution according to Ayurveda
• Food & life-style modification according to the constitution
• Applying yoga practices according to the constitution

V. An introduction to Yoga Therapy (15 hours)

• Principles of yoga therapy, process of diagnosis, observation skills
• General guidelines for applying the tools of yoga in Yoga Therapy

VI. Yoga Psychology  (15 hours)

• An overview of Western psychology in comparison with eastern psychology
• Guidelines in counseling

VII. The Art of Facilitation (10 hours)

• Developing stronger inter-personal skills and other soft skills to effect deeper change of attitudes and behaviors and emerge as master facilitators

VIII. Teaching Methodologies & Ethics  (5 hours)

• Teaching Yoga for Group Classes & Individuals: Process, guidelines, structure
• Safely teaching Pre & Post Natal Yoga
• Understanding the proper role and ethics in Teacher-Student relationship.

Yoga Practice, Study and Internship (105)

Group Yoga Practice                            (50 hours)
Individual Private Sessions with Mentor/Teacher          (15 hours) (includes development of student's personal Yoga practice, study supervision, and mentoring.           
Observation classes and assisting internship         (10 hours)
Community programs/retreats/workshops           (20 hours)
Supervised Teaching Practicum: one-on-one setting  (10 hours)

The course also includes:
Daily Personal Yoga practice (at home).

Supervised Self Study - includes reading texts, written assignments and oral presentations.
Continuing Education Programs – workshops/seminars/courses (optional - at an added cost).
 
Personal Practice Sessions with Mentor:

Since personal practice is an integral and indispensable part of becoming and being a yoga teacher, regular one-to-one sessions with the mentor is a compulsory part of the teacher training program.

Each student is expected to meet their respective mentors for at least 15 sessions over the period of one year (equally spaced out).

During the course of the study, participants will have an opportunity to participate in a two-week yoga retreat in the Himalayas with an international community of yoga teachers and practitioners, engaging in intensive practices, sharing and learning together.

Saraswathi Vasudevan will be the lead faculty assisted by other teachers trained with her.

Other resource persons for this training program will be invited from a pool of leading teachers and practitioners in their respective fields.

It is proposed that a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 25 participants will be accepted in this program. We would like to proceed with a committed group of students where each student is guaranteed to receive sufficient personal attention from the trainer and mentor.

The Training will begin in February 2011 and end in February 2012 with a summer break in May 2011.

We will meet for a total of 75 days, with all sessions beginning at 9.30 am and ending at 1.30 pm.

Also, students are expected to attend 20 group classes throughout the year (approximately 2 classes per month).

In addition, there will be private sessions scheduled with your mentor throughout the program. (approximately one or two sessions per month).

The Total Cost of the one year training program is Rs.45,000.

Over the course of the 355 hour training, this works out to approximately Rs.125/- per hour of instruction.

Due upon Acceptance: non-refundable Enrollment Fee of Rs.5000/-.
Due February 15, 2011: Rs.10,000/-
Due May 15, 2011: Rs.10,000/-
Due August 15, 2011: Rs.10,000/-
Due November 15, 2011: Rs.10,000/-

If an alternative payment plan is required, please contact us directly for further options.

Those wishing to become certified yoga teachers and seeking to pursue a career in yoga.

Those who teach yoga already but wish to further their studies and evolve their teaching methods.

Those seeking to deepen their knowledge of yoga for their own personal practice and evolution.

Though some knowledge of yoga is useful, you are not required to have previous yoga experience.

While everyone can practice yoga for their own health and wellbeing, not all are ready to become teachers. A few elements are essential in becoming good teachers of yoga.

Thus, a few pre-requisites are suggested to apply for this training program:

• The applicant must have a sincere desire to help him/herself and others with Yoga.
• The applicant must be willing to commit to a regular personal practice.
• Since on completion the applicant will become a Yoga Teacher, they must be mentally and emotionally stable and also possess reasonably good communication skills.
• The program includes periods of intensive study and Yoga practice, which requires dedication and commitment to self-discovery through Yoga.
• As Yoga is designed for the needs of each unique individual person, there is no requirement for particular levels of fitness, strength or flexibility to do yoga postures.

The applicant must fill in an application form and attend a personal interview. We request to meet every applicant in order to ensure that there is a suitable compatibility for all involved, as well as to discuss any further questions, clarifications and expectations about the program.

Upon acceptance, a non-refundable Enrollment Fee of Rs.5000 is required in order to secure your enrollment in the program.