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:

1. 'Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha.'.
2. 'Sure Ways to Self-Realisation.'
3. 'Yoga Nidra'.
4. 'Hatha Yoga Pradipika.' (These four texts are all published by the Bihar School of Yoga and are available from the Ashram.)
5. 'Karma Yoga’ pamphlet (produced by and available from the Ashram)
6. 'The Anatomy Colouring Book.' by Kapit and Elson, 2^nd 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 2^nd 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. have knowledge of the appropriate precautions and prohibitions and have the ability to modify practices when necessary.
2. 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.
3. be able to teach the preparatory practices to warm and limber the muscles prior to the performance of the major asanas.
4. 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.