Overview | Yoga Teacher Training Program
This 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Program follows the guidelines set out by the Yoga Alliance, ensuring the
highest educational standards of quality, integrity, and professionalism. Participants will develop a personal yoga
practice appropriate for each individual while learning to foster a connection with their own inner wisdom and voice.
It is from this deeper connection to Self that the ability to communicate the practice to others in a dynamic and
sensitive way blossoms.
We concentrate on exceptional training. We do not operate as a Yoga studio running daily classes, but focus on
training great teachers. The philosophy of our training is to make the practice of Yoga accessible, fun, safe, and
honor the traditions of Yoga while playing a part in its’ evolution. The foundation of the program is grounded in an "Open Source" philosophy - all paths that lead to deeper understanding are honorable, and as Consciousness is
expanding and evolving, our path is open to continuing inquiry and refinement. Every being is seen as a condensation
of Supreme Consciousness, with an innate wisdom. As the artist Michelangelo said, in order to make a sculpture he
simply had to “remove all the stone that was not a part of the statue”. Yoga practice is as well, a process of revelation.
In our methodology, Yoga practice is not imposed on the individual - Yoga practice is adapted to the individual.
Teachers in training develop their innate, sometimes dormant skills of clear communication and leadership along with
a personal practice suited to their individual needs and goals.
It is a Zen tradition to send a student to another teacher, a teacher who may offer a completely different approach.
We bring in guest instructors from a variety of Yoga disciplines - Yin, Vijnana, Vinyasa flow, Restorative Yoga and
Yoga Therapy. In this way, the students’ faculties of discrimination and inner wisdom are stimulated. A clear
understanding of differences in approach allows an honoring of that approach, and incorporation into one’s
teaching of what is helpful.
Participants need only have the desire to embark on what is essentially a life-long discipline, and the energy and
time to give full attention to study and practice for the duration of the program. Many students have asked if it is
important to have an advanced physical practice in order to teach Yoga. The ability to perform difficult postures is
not necessarily a hallmark of advanced practice. Advanced practice is the ability to go deeply into the simple.
Familiarity with asana practice is required, however, as you will be practicing at least 2 hours per day and must
be energetically capable of this.
Graduates from our Yoga Teacher Training in B.C. will receive a Yoga Alliance recognized certificate and can
expectto be employable worldwide in the yoga industry.
Course Components
-Principles of practice- The source of great Yoga teaching is personal practice. Personal practice opens the door to the teacher’s innate wisdom, allowing that wisdom to be expressed “from the heart”. Using holistic bio-mechanics applicable to all postures, students learn to bring their bodies, minds and hearts toward wholeness. Rather than adhering to a specific sequence of posture only, daily practice includes creative sequencing techniques. Some Pranayama (breath expansion) techniques and an introduction to meditation are components of daily practice. By the end of the program teachers in training will have a well-rounded personal Yoga practice that informs their teaching.
-Teaching Methodology- The program's central focus is on how to lead a safe, effective and joyful yoga class. The methodology of teaching plays an integral role in leading a successful and interesting yoga class. Teachers in training learn to listen to their own voice, their own particular pattern of language, and from there begin to examine and refine communication to become as clear as possible. This approach has far-reaching effects on and off the mat. Beginning by writing and then speaking simple scripts describing the performance of everyday activities - things we take for granted like opening a door - the mechanics and the art of precise direction unfolds. By the time the teachers in training lead their own classes, they are fully aware of nuance of language and how to use it effectively to inspire and deepen the experience of yoga for their students. This skill coupled with an understanding of bio-mechanics, optimal alignment, verbal and physical adjustments and developing a class intention to enrich and add meaning to their class gives our teachers in training a diverse and colorful pallet to draw from. Ultimately, it is our own inner wisdom, humor and unique voice we seek to reveal as a teacher.
-Physical Adjustments- A Yoga student absorbs information in three ways – verbally, visually, or through sensation. Touch can be one of the most powerful teaching tools a teacher has. Understanding types of touch – directive, affirming or therapeutic – teachers in training develop appropriate and non-injurious skills to communicate and connect with their students.
-Anatomy- An understanding of the structure of the body and how postures create change within that structure is key to safe instruction. Practical applied anatomy, observing types of body – organic or muscular - is a component of the anatomy training. Compressive and tensile forces and variations in skeletal structure are explored as well as muscle groups, the subtle body, and it’s energies.
-History and Philosophy- When teaching this art and science of Yoga, the question “What are we actually teaching?” needs to be answered. Yoga philosophy can be interwoven into the physical practice itself to enrich the experience and give it context. The origins of Yoga and the development of its’ philosophy are fascinating subjects. Yoga philosophy ultimately seeks to answer the question “who are we?” Through lectures, D.V.D. presentations and discussion, a foundation of understanding is developed. Classical Yoga, Tantra Yoga and the dualistic and non-dualistic philosophies are explored. Key texts – The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are also summarized.
-Ethics and lifestyle- What is ethical behavior? How does a lifestyle aligned with our highest good affect our ability to teach? Considering these questions and the approaches Yogic texts have taken, as well as how our modern world deals with these questions is the starting point for a discussion of Ethics. Teachers in training also play-act practical situations to embody an understanding of the importance of Ethics.
-Meditation, Chanting, Pranayama- Stillness can allow our innate nature to become visible. Invoking energy through the vibration of sound can harmonize us with our environment. Students learn the role these approaches play in creating sacred space, and learn several Sanskrit invocations and their meaning.
-Sanskrit Basics- If you can say “Extra-hot, non-fat, triple-tall no-foam half-caf Grande Capuccino”, you can pronounce posture names in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is understood to be a “revealed” language. Though it is not necessary to teach a Yoga class entirely in Sanskrit, the language itself holds a certain power and beauty. Often it is easier to teach a class a posture name in Sanskrit than try to find an appropriate English equivalent. Posture names and the basic root components of those names are studied.
-Ayurveda- Ayurveda means “The science, or knowledge of life”. Determining one’s constitution through an understanding of this ancient wisdom helps to determine the focus of one’s own Yoga practice, and how to address the needs of students who will have a variety of constitutions. The five elements that Ayurvedic “doshas” are derived from and their relation to cosmology – the order of the universe – are connected and explored.
-Types of Asana practice- Every student comes to Yoga with their own personality, abilities and areas of interest. We offer components of Flow, Restorative, Yin, Chair Yoga, Structural Therapy and simple meditation. The teacher in training has a variety of tools and is able to design a class for a wide variety of students with varying physical abilities. Presently, about 8% of the adult population in North America is practicing Yoga. Another 8% have expressed a strong desire to try Yoga (Yoga Journal statistics) but have not yet attended a class. Presented in the right way, we can bring Yoga to this new, interested population.
FAQ.s
Open Source Yoga sees all of creation originating from one Source. Therefore, the practices of yoga, no matter how unique, are simply an expression of our nature, developed by individuals and passed on freely. The techniques of yoga practice and teaching exist to serve students and teachers, and can never really be owned or trademarked. Below are some frequently asked questions about our training:
Q -How advanced a yoga posture practitioner do I have to be to take the training?
A – You need some familiarity with physical practice. You will be practicing one full 75 minute led class per day and at least another 60 – 90 minutes of workshop style practice and practice teaching. If you are brand new to Yoga, we suggest you find a teacher or studio you like and practice daily for 3 months prior to the training.
Q – What will I be certified to teach when I complete the course?
A – You will be certified as a Hatha Yoga instructor. Hatha Yoga is an umbrella term that includes all yoga practice involving movement and breath. Ashtanga Yoga, Anusara Yoga, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Chair Yoga are all forms of Hatha Yoga, and are all studied within the course. The majority of time during physical practice is spent on a dynamic style of Hatha yoga – moving from posture to posture at a medium pace. Headstands, Handstands, backbends, and linking movement to breath (Vinyasa or flowing yoga) are part of the practice.
Q – How easy is it to get a job teaching after I graduate?
A – Teaching yoga is a micro-business. You will be an independent contractor offering your unique gifts through your teaching. Yoga is growing steadily in popularity, and there will always be a demand for skilled, engaging and dependable teachers. Success in this field depends largely on your ability to determine your gifts as a teacher and market them intelligently using internet marketing, word of mouth and developing symbiotic relationships with those who need your services.
Q- What percentage of your graduates are teaching?
A- Of the graduates that expressed a strong desire to take the course to teach professionally, most are teaching. Some students take the course to teach friends and family, or simply to expand their own understanding or enrich a discipline they are currently employed in (counseling, therapy, education, meditation).
Q – Why is there such a difference in the cost of different trainings?
A – There is no standard rate for yoga teacher training. Each school has their own specific curriculum and expenses. We have tried to offer high value and professional teaching in our course at a reasonable cost.
Q – What is the average age of your student teachers?
A – We accept applications from students 18 years or older, and we’ve had students from the age of 18 up to 55. The average age would be around 30 years old.
Q – What are the requirements for graduation?
A – Attendance, attitude and participation in all components of the course. Completion of all assignments, passing grade on 5 quizzes, and presentation of a 60 – 75 minute practicum class taught to the rest of the YTT group. Demonstration of safe, effective and uplifting teaching that includes good observation, verbal and physical adjustments when necessary, clear language and providing a context or intention for the class. Feedback wiill be provided on your class – seeing your gifts as well as areas that could be improved. Students also have the option to record a 20-minute practice class for self-review and feedback by the lead instructor.
Q – English is a second language for me – how proficient do I have to be to take the course?
A – Learning to teach yoga involves concise and skillful use of language. Yoga philosophy requires fluency in the language used in the training (English). If you have any concerns about your ability to communicate with proficiency in English, please contact us by phone and we can set up a phone interview to determine if the course is a good fit.
Q- How much do yoga teachers get paid?
A – Yoga teachers working in a studio generally get paid per class, and that can be anywhere between $35 - $90 per class depending on the studio, the size of class and the location. If you are running your own classes it is up to you to determine a cost for your class or course of classes. Full-time yoga teachers would normally teach between 10 – 15 classes per week. Retreats, workshops, corporate yoga and private classes can also be part of a yoga teacher’s income.
Q – What is the philosophy behind this style of yoga?
A – Open Source Yoga is essentially part of the lineage of the later Tantric teachings that were referred to as Kashmir Saivism, and when they moved to the south of India “Shri Vidya” – auspicious wisdom. The very latest articulation of this yoga, called "Rajanaka", is a yoga that has no singular or fixed attainment or enlightenment as a goal. Rather, it is through our reception of the gifts and challenges of life that our sensitivity and wisdom increases. Our yoga sees all of creation as a manifestation of Source, or Consciousness. Our physical reality is not less than, or less spiritual than anything else. On the contrary, the world is the only place we know of where we can practice yoga! Within this diverse and astonishing world, there are things we consider to be “good” and “bad”. Rather than seeking a practice to escape from or avoid what we consider to be our problems, we use our yoga practice to engage fully with whatever life presents.
Q – how can I find out more about the program before I register?
A – Come to one of our information sessions and meet the lead instructor, take a sample yoga class and have the rest of your questions answered!
