Yoga Teacher Training at the Institute for Religion and Health at the Texas Medical Center

Basic Yoga Teacher Training

What style of Yoga will be taught?

The teaching style, vinyasa krama, is eclectic and non-dogmatic and is compatible to all styles of yoga regardless of the lineage, i.e. Iyengar, Sivananda, Kripalu, Bikram, Integral, Ashtanga, Power, and Kundalini.

What are the course objectives?

A comfort level will be reached in every facet of teaching yoga. Students/teachers will learn step by step:

The constitution of a complete yoga course (beginner to advanced) drawn from ancient yogic traditions.
To develop the knowledge, skill and confidence one needs to become a yoga teacher.
To identify and cultivate one's own teaching style.
To educate students/teachers in the business of yoga.
To get course graduates out teaching.

National certification will be awarded upon successful completion of the course.

Who should attend?

The Basic Yoga Teacher Training and National Certification Course is for all levels of students and new or experienced teachers of all traditions. No teaching experience is required.

Most students/teachers develop an interest in becoming certified for these reasons:

To shift paradigms and see the art of yoga from a teachers perspective.

To freelance teach full or part-time and offer classes on a limited schedule in a variety of venues.

To own a yoga studio and teach classes full-time for right livelihood.

What will be taught in the course?

Part 1 - What to Teach

Breathing practices, core hatha yoga postures and meditation techniques that should be included in every beginner through advanced curriculum. A seven grade level/42 week course is offered as a 35 year time-tested model.

Pranayama - Traditional breathing practices that develop a full breath and a mien as cool as autumn and as mild as spring including the complete yogic breath, ujjayi (sound), sur puvak (healing), nadi sodhana (alternate nostril), kapalabhati (skull cleansing), bhastrika (bellows), and sitali (cooling).
Asana - A potpourri of fifty classic hatha yoga postures including stretching, twisting, bending, balancing and inversions that cultivate straight posture, suppleness of body, strength, muscle tone and body alignment. Also, myriad improvisational stretches to help the hundred joints, nine openings and six organs all function together.
Dhyana - Meditation and relaxation practices-ancient in origin and drawn richly and widely from many cultures and centuries-to cultivate a calm manner and an unfurrowed brow, including vipassana (insight), zen, mantra, zikr, comtemplative prayer, metta (loving kindness) and shavasana (relaxation).

There will be two hatha yoga/breathing classes and two meditation sessions each day of the course.

Also

The seven schools of classical Indian yoga: hatha, kundalini (chakra system), mantric (sound), bhakti (devotion), raja (Patanjali's sutras), jnana (knowledge), and karma (action and work).
Working with children and seniors
Food and diet
Working with injuries and students with special needs
Anatomy, physiology and kinesiology.

Part 2 - How to Teach

There is a difference between knowing and doing yoga and teaching yoga. This course is for those who want to cultivate an individual teaching style with the skill of articulating the teachings with clarity, conviction, and passion.

There will be two practice teaching classes each day of the course.

Part 3 - The Business of Yoga

The majority of teachers are impeccably trained in yoga but not in the business of yoga. Teachers - full and part-time - spend the majority of time on business, not teaching. Teaching and the business of yoga go hand in hand; the business piece of the practice is no less a part of yoga than teaching.

Each of the following topics will be covered in separate sessions:

Transitioning to a full or part-time yoga teacher personally, professionally, and financially.
Writing a course syllabus.
Setting a class schedule and tuition - structured grade levels (beginner through advanced) vs. open classes.
Designing and writing a brochure and website.
Planning a budget
Selecting and designing a venue.
Studio proprietorship vs. freelance teaching
Advertising and the Magic of Ding-a-Ling: how to keep the phone ringing.
Building and maintaining a mailing list - the lifeblood of the business.
Mastering the Free Class/Introductory Lecture - a student's first impression. What to include in the most important class for a teacher.
Retaining current students - The Magic of Ding-a-Ling Part II.
Insurance - coverage that is necessary
Establishing a book and sideline inventory
Recognizing and honoring the differences among the myriad schools of yoga.
Sponsoring special events - planning and promoting special workshops and retreats.

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A list of five reference books will be furnished at the time of registration.

All books may be purchased at wholesale cost.

The entire course will be audio taped and tapes will be available at cost.

When? 19 - 25 July, 2008

6 - 12 September, 2008

Where? The Institute for Religion and Health at The Texas Medical Center

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To register call 800.524.6674

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