|
Mandalayoga Yoga Ashram
YOGA TEACHER TRAINING COURSE (YTTC)
Sample YTTC Prospectus
Prospectus
for Students
To be conducted under the auspices of Mandala Yoga
Ashram. All teaching will be at Mandala Yoga Ashram
Course
Director and Tutor: Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati
The
structure of the course and its teachings have been formulated by
Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati and are based on his 30 years of
experience of teaching Yoga and training Yoga Teachers in India, the
U.K. and Europe.
The
practices will be based mainly on those developed and taught at the
Bihar School of Yoga, Bihar, India.
The
following is intended to give a general idea of the proposed course;
it will be modified according to the needs of the participants.
Mandala
Yoga Ashram Yoga Teacher Training Courses (YTTC’s) are
accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY). Therefore, Mandala
Yoga Ashram YTTC certificates are recognised by them and authorise
the holder to teach Yoga in public places throughout the U.K. and
many European countries.
1. AIMS:
- This
course will provide a comprehensive training in many aspects of Yoga
so that graduates of the course will be able to provide a
professional, responsible and high quality service to their
students.
- It
will give students a deep understanding of the essence of
traditional Yogic techniques, philosophy and its practical
application, and how to teach/ transmit Yoga in the Western class
situation.
- It
will motivate and inspire students to undergo a transformation in
their understanding and perception of themselves, others and life in
general. (This course necessitates an openness to profound
change on a personal level and an aspiration to deepen the
understanding of one's spiritual Nature.)
2.
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this
course, all students will:
- have
expanded and developed their own practice of Yoga so that they are
fully competent and experienced in all techniques which they will be
required to impart to others
- have
the ability to teach the practices safely according to the personal
needs of their students
- have
acquired a grounding in the philosophical bases of Yoga and their
application to everyday life in the Western world
- understand
the main principles of teaching Yoga, including the planning,
presentation and evaluation of a Yoga class; to demonstrate their
ability to apply these in the class situation in a calm and well
co-ordinated way
- have
deepened their understanding of the relationship between Hatha Yoga
practice and body mechanics
3.
POTENTIAL STUDENTS: It is expected
that students will be recruited to the course from:
- existing
teachers of Yoga who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills by
undertaking a further course of study.
- students
of Yoga who wish to become Yoga teachers.
- students
of Yoga who wish to develop their own knowledge and skills of Yoga,
and who wish to go deeper into their understanding of themselves and
others.
4.
QUALIFICATIONS for ACCEPTANCE on the COURSE:
- at
least 3 years practice of Yoga.
- a personal interview with one of the course tutors to ascertain
suitability.
5.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students on the
course will be required to:
- practise
at home what they learn for a regular daily period (say one hour).
- attend
the residential week-end seminars at the Ashram.
- attend a 2-week residential Summer Intensive at the Ashram in July of the first year.
- attend
a 3-week residential Summer Intensive at the Ashram in July of the second year.
- conduct
their own regular weekly Yoga class(es) in the second year of the
course.
- keep
a daily journal of their experiences of the Yoga practices, their
dreams etc, as an ongoing personal development tool.
6.
DURATION: 23 months.
7.
DAYS of ATTENDANCE: There will be a
total of 67 days of class tuition in the Ashram comprising of 16
Weekend Seminars, one 2 week Summer Residential and one 3 week Summer
Residential.
8.
COURSE CONTENTS: The syllabus of the
course comprises four main elements shown A, B, C & D as follows:
A.
THE PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES OF YOGA
For
all parts of this section, there will be a detailed study made of the
practice, its benefits, its likely effects (physical, mental and
emotional), the necessary precautions and limitations in application
and methods of teaching it.
Asanas:
Selected Asanas (postures) from the following groups:
-
Pawanmuktasana series 1,2 & 3
-
Eye Exercises
-
Relaxation Asanas
-
Pre-meditative Asanas
-
Meditative Sitting Asanas
-
Asanas performed from Vajrasana
-
Standing & Side Bending Asanas
-
Surya Namaskara & Chandra Namaskara
-
Backward Bending
-
Forward Bending
-
Spinal Twists
-
Inverted Asanas
-
Balancing Asanas
Particular
attention will be given to practical methods of doing each asana, its
counterpose, likely benefits and precautions, as well as discussion
of its anatomical and physiological effects. Attention will also be
given to relating each asana to Kiniesiological principles so as to
promote safe, effective and focussed physical movement.
Pranayama:
Selected Classical Pranayamas (breathing practices) including: Nadi
Shodhana, Bhastrika, Ujjayi, Bhramari and Kapalbhati.
Anatomical
and physiological effects will be studied and discussed.
Bandhas/
Mudra:
The
4 classical Bandhas (psycho-physiological locks): Jalandhara, Mool,
Uddiyana & Maha.
Methods
of combining bandhas with pranayama, mudras and other Yoga
techniques.
Selected
Classical Mudras (body positions which invoke particular moods and
mental attitudes) including Hand Mudras, Shambhavi, Bhoochari,
Agochari, Khechari, Nasika, and Vipareeta Karani.
Shat
Karmas: The Cleansing Practices of Hatha Yoga including Jala
Neti, Kunjal,
Agnisar
Kriya, Nauli, Shankhaprakshalana, Kapalbhati and Trataka.
Yoga
Nidra: Deep relaxation techniques of Yoga; its place in therapy,
eliminating
insomnia,
improving the depth and quality of sleep, and as a preparation for
meditation.
Meditational
Techniques: Includes Antar Mouna (Inner Silence), Japa (Mantra
Repetition), Ajapa Japa (Spontaneous Sound Repetition), Likhit Japa
(Writing with Mantra), Chidakasha Dharana (Observation of the Mind
Screen), Chankramanam (Meditative Walking) and other meditation
techniques.
The
Theory of Meditation and the Yogic Theories of the Mind
Yoga
Therapy: A preliminary introduction to the management of simple
and common ailments using selected Yoga techniques; discussion and
familiarisation with the practices which are specifically prescribed
and contra-indicated for particular ailments.
Mantra:
Theory of mantra. Discussion and practice of the following
mantras: OM, Shanti Path, Brahmarpanam, Mrityunjaya, Gayatri, Surya
Namaskara Mantras - both Bija and Sun Mantras.
Introduction
to Kirtan (collective chanting).
B.
THEORETICAL STUDIES
Anatomy
& Physiology: This will include a study of the body and its
main systems: Respiratory, Circulatory, Digestive, Excretory,
Endocrine, Brain and Nervous, Muscular, Skeletal and Lymphatic.
There
will be particular reference to how these systems relate to, and are
affected by, Yoga practices.
Yogic
Energy Centres and Pathways: This will include an introduction
to Chakras (energy centres governing particular aspects of our
personality, bodily functions and health), Nadis (energy pathways or
meridians) and Prana (Life Energy/ Force).
Also
an introduction to the Koshas (the Sheaths or Subtle Bodies of the
Human Personality) and Akashas (Inner Realms of the Mind)
Course
Texts: Students will be required to obtain the following texts:
- 'Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha.'.
-
'Sure Ways to Self-Realisation.'
-
'Yoga Nidra'.
-
'Hatha Yoga Pradipika.'
(These
four texts are all published by the Bihar School of Yoga and are
available from the Ashram.)
-
'Karma Yoga’ pamphlet (produced by and
available from the Ashram)
-
'The Anatomy Colouring Book.'
by Kapit and Elson, 2nd edition.
Study
of Classical Yoga Texts will include selections from among:
Bhagavat
Gita Yoga
Sutras of Patanjali: Selected
Upanishads These
will provide the background, theory and philosophy of Yoga.
Different
Paths of Yoga: Introduction to Gyana, Karma, Hatha, Bhakti,
Mantra and Raja Yogas.
Symbols
& Yantras: Introduction to selected symbols and yantras.
C.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHING OF YOGA:
Communication:
The two main channels - visual and oral; the importance of clear and
accurate demonstration, presentation (including the use of visual
material/ hand-outs), appropriate use of language and modulation of
voice to attain a desired effect. A variety of teaching methods will
be taught, practised and discussed throughout the course.
Planning
and Preparation: Choice of physical environment for classes;
lesson planning;
preparing a course syllabus; progressive development and assessment
of the practices. Attention will also be given to the legal
requirements of Health and Safety, communication with Local Education
Authorities and the different approaches required with regard to
running private or local authority regulated classes.
Delivery:
Consideration of class management, handling mixed-ability classes and
managing class crises and problems.
Teaching
Yoga as a Business: Consideration will be given to how to teach
Yoga professionally as a business.
Safety:
In depth consideration of safety aspects of teaching Yoga with
particular reference to the class situation.
First
Aid: A working knowledge of first aid in the class situation.
Teaching
Practice and Assessment: Throughout the course, students will
gain teaching skills and experience through preparing and presenting
Yoga Practices to the rest of their peer group in the form of
‘micro-teachings’. The skills of assessment and
evaluation will be developed throughout.
D.
PROJECT: Each student will undertake a suitable Yoga-related
research project during the 2nd year of the course. The
project will be chosen in consultation with the course tutors. This
will consist of both a written and an oral presentation, to be
completed by the final assessments in July 2007. The written thesis
will consist of a minimum of 7500 words. The oral assessment will be
given to the student's peer group and will last 45 minutes with an
additional 15 minutes for questions and answers.
Students will be assessed on their practical and theoretical knowledge of Yoga
and on their ability to teach the subject as follows:
- Practical
experience of the Yoga techniques will be assessed continuously
throughout the course by the course tutors, focusing mainly on the
students' ability to practise accurately within their personal
limitations.
- Theoretical
knowledge will be assessed throughout the course both orally and
by written examination. That is, students could be requested to
explain theoretical aspects of Yoga in front of their peer group, as
well as being required to submit written essays for assessment by
the course tutors.
- Teaching
ability will be assessed in two different ways:
- in
the ‘micro-teachings’ throughout the course. Students
will be expected to present specific Yoga practices to their peer
group on a regular basis.
- in
the formal assessment at the end of the course. Each student will
present an integral programme of a Hatha Yoga Class, a Yoga Nidra
session, a Meditation practice and a presentation of their chosen
project. The classes will be assessed by both the course tutors and
also by an external assessor representing the British Wheel of Yoga.
The
main criterion throughout will be the individual's ability to enable
their students to practise appropriate Yoga techniques in a
personally fulfilling way, with full awareness of each student’s
needs and limitations, and with full consideration for safety
measures.
Students
will be expected to:
- have
knowledge of the appropriate precautions and prohibitions and have
the ability to modify practices when necessary.
- have
knowledge of the appropriate benefits for each practice and be able
to transmit these to their students, so as to enhance their
students' understanding of the practices.
- be
able to teach the preparatory practices to warm and limber the
muscles prior to the performance of the major asanas.
- have
a sound grounding in the philosophical and theoretical aspects of
Yoga.
Successful
students will be awarded a Yoga teaching diploma from Mandala Yoga
Ashram and also from the British Wheel of Yoga.
|