ASHTANGA YOGA
The Original Method
300 Hour Teacher Training

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CLASS SCHEDULE

TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM

We will meet once a week from 10AM-5PM
Daily program will vary a bit from week to week, but in general it will follow this schedule:

10-11.30 Mysore Practice
12-2 Asana Theory/practical
2-4 Philosophy/chanting
4-5 Pranayama and Meditation

WEEKLY MYSORE PRACTICE
Mysore practice will continue throughout training. In addition to weekly training meetings, we will offer three additional days for practice at the studio.

ADJUSTMENTS TRAININGS and PRACTICUM
Adjustment training and Practicum will take place on the last two weekends of the training.

HOME STUDY
Asana/Sutra workbook. Reading assignments.

ONLINE MEETINGS/DISCUSSION
Sadhana/Book/Film Club

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SIGNING UP AND PAYMENT DETAILS

The cost of the full training is 10,000 INS. This can be paid in 3 instalments. A non-refundable deposit of 500 INS secures your spot.

The training is limited to 20 students. Please call or leave your number and one of us will get back to you.

WhatsApp - Amit +972 54-790-8122

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CURRICULUM

The training is broken down into two main Components and several sub-Components:

Part One: Practice


(1) The foundation for everything else is MYSORE practice. Going to a yoga class once or twice a week is not practice: one should be able to practice independently and with regularity. (2) In order to enhance our understanding of the practical method, we will detail a complete breakdown of the Primary Series and based on the deepening of practice, we develop (3) a daily Pranayama and Meditation Practice for each student and expand practice into a Yoga Sadhana (integrated practice). (4) Deepening our understanding of yoga and how to practice in the best way, is then further supported by our studies of Yoga Theory and Yoga Philosophy.

Part Two: Teacher Training

The purpose of our training is to help students evolve in their practice (sadhana) so they are properly ready to teach. As we go deeper into theory and practice, and as we expand practice beyond asana to include all eight limbs of ashtanga yoga, we would expect to see a profound transformation in practice, over the period of training: out of this transformation evolves the teacher with deeper understanding, confidence and new skills.

(1) We start by observing and analysing how the practice works differently for different body types, physical conditions, such as ill health, injury etc.. (2) We start to assist each other physically in the postures, gradually helping each other to deepen practice and (3) evolving our understanding through study to mature as teachers.

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Training Components in More Detail:

MYSORE PRACTICE

In the Mysore tradition, there is a focus on learning just a few postures at a time and gradually building up a practice over weeks and months. Each step in the series is a preparation for what comes later - there is an organic progression through the series, so that later postures depend on deepening flexibility or strength in earlier postures. Mysore practice is mostly non-verbal and is guided by hands-on assistance. Mysore practice is the foundation for everything else and continues throughout the training.


BREAKING DOWN the PRIMARY SERIES

There are 55 postures in the Primary Series, 479 vinyasas, 9 drishtis, 54 chaturangas, etc.… each detail is precisely recorded. This component is an in depth exploration of the precise Vinyasa, Drishti, Alignment, Sanskrit Posture Names, Variations, Contra-Indications, Modifications, Comparisons to other Asana Systems, etc.. Students will create their own asana workbook to record all important details. (completing this project is part of the final assessment)

LED CLASSES
Although the foundation of our training is based on the Mysore Style approach to teaching, Led Classes can be an integral part of learning the Ashtanga method. Led classes allow the teacher to reinforce foundational principles, such as drishti, bandha, alignment and vinyasa. This format emphasises synchronisation of breath and movement, maintaining a steady pace, and the cultivation of discipline and focus.  


SUPPORTING PRACTICES

In this section we will explore understanding bandhas, breathing, vinyasa, kriyas, yogic diet and lifestyle, Yoga and Ayurveda, how to practice with injuries, during menstruation, pregnancy, old age, modifications and contraindications, warm ups etc..


PRANAYAMA, MEDITATION and INTEGRATION into SADHANA

Ashtanga Yoga is an eight step system. The physical practice is just one segment that needs to be understood and practiced in the context of the other seven parts. When postures are woven together with breath, meditation, diet, ritual and daily repetition, practice becomes what is called sadhana. We will develop a pranayama and meditation practice for each student and integrate practices into a sadhana.

YOGA THEORY and PHILOSOPHY

Yoga philosophy makes yoga practice meaningful and effective. Our main study will be a sutra by sutra breakdown of the first two chapters of the Yoga Sutra. We will look at the important commentaries, translate and chant the text and create a Sutra Workbook for each student. We shall also look at the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita and Yoga Yajnavalkya Samhita.

HISTORY and BACKGROUND

Here we will explore the history of the Mysore yoga tradition, Krishnamacharya’s influence and an overview of Pattabhi Jois’ yoga system as it compares to Krishnamacharya’s teachings. We will also look at the ancient historical roots of yoga and the classical ashtanga yoga system as it appears throughout history.


SANSKRIT and CHANTING

We will translate and learn all the posture names, the Ashtanga Mantras and important verses from the Yoga Sutra.

ADJUSTMENTS TRAINING

The traditional way of learning Ashtanga is with hands-on adjustments. Physical assists are not forceful, but utilise breath and focus on the body’s natural range of motion. Adjustments release tension and have a healing, relaxing quality. We will explore this methodology during our training as a way to understand how different bodies have different needs. The training will conclude with two in-depth adjustments training weekends.


TEACHING SKILLS

In this section we develop analytical and teaching skills to work with different body types, age, health conditions, menstruation, pregnancy, injuries etc.. We will explore yoga techniques for improving balance, digestion, pain relief, relaxation etc., how to teach beginners, students in old age etc., and how to introduce pranayama and other practices.

TEACHING YOGA
The Mysore Ashtanga Business model - how does it work? Ethics for yoga teachers: student/teacher relationships. The guru model, insurance, continuing education etc.

READING ASSIGNMENTS and BOOK CLUB

Students will be given a variety of texts to study at home, which we then discuss together.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will be provided with a bare bones asana workbook, with which we will detail instructions for every asana, every breath, drishti etc. of the Primary Series. As we work through one asana at a time, students will fill in information about the postures as we go along. Student’s knowledge about yoga theory and practice will be assed through a final exam, and we will conclude with a practical assessment as trainees teach Mysore Style. It also is expected that students will continue daily Mysore Practice throughout the training.

SUGGESTED READING AND TEXTS COVERED IN THE BOOK CLUB

Yoga Mala – K. Pattabhi Jois
Health Healing and Beyond - TKV Desikachar
The Heart of Yoga - TKV Desikachar
Light on Yoga - BKS Iyengar
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali (Yoga Sutra will be taught during the course)
Katha, Mandukya, Taittiriya Upanishads
Hatha Yoga Pradipika - AG Mohan translation
Bhagavad Gita