Mandala Yoga Ashram
YOGA TEACHER TRAINING COURSE (YTTC)
September 2009 - July 2011
Prospectus for Students

The course is conducted under the auspices of Mandala Yoga Ashram. All teaching will be at Mandala Yoga Ashram

• Spiritual Director and Tutor: Swami Nishchalananda
• Course Director and Tutor: Swami Krishnapremananda
• Course Tutor: Tara Rupa
• Course Tutor: Hridaya Purna

The structure of the course and its teachings have been formulated by Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati and are based on his 35 years of experience of teaching Yoga and training Yoga Teachers in India, the U.K. and Europe.
The following is intended to give a general idea of the proposed course; it will be modified according to the needs of the participants.
The course will be accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY). This means that the course certificate will be 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 course graduates will be capable of providing professional, responsible and high quality teaching to their students.
• It will give students a deep understanding of the essence of traditional Yogic techniques and philosophy, their practical application, and how they can be taught/ transmitted within a western yoga 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 the techniques which they will be required to impart to others.
• have the knowledge and 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; and demonstrate their ability to apply these in the class situation in a calm and well co-ordinated way.
• have acquired sufficient knowledge in anatomy and physiology, and know how to relate this to Hatha Yoga practice.

3. POTENTIAL STUDENTS:

• Yoga teachers who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills by undertaking a further course of study.
• Yoga practitioners who wish to become Yoga teachers.
• Yoga practitioners who wish to develop their own knowledge and practice of Yoga, and deepen their understanding of themselves and others.

The course has a dual emphasis – it will emphasise and promote both the deepening of personal Yoga practice and the development of the skills and experience required to teach Yoga to others.

4. COURSE PREREQUISITES:

• at least 3 years practice of Yoga.
• a personal interview with two of the course tutors to ascertain suitability.

5. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• practise at home what they learn for a regular daily period (say one hour).
• attend the residential weekend seminars at the ashram.
• attend a 2-week residential Summer Retreat at the ashram in July 2010.
• attend a 3-week residential Summer Retreat at the Ashram in July 2011.
• conduct their own regular weekly Yoga class(es) in the second year of the course.

6. DURATION and DAYS of ATTENDANCE: The course will span 23 months and will include a total of 68 days of class tuition in the ashram comprising of 16 Weekend Seminars, one 2 week Summer Retreat and one 3 week Summer Retreat.

7. 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
  
• 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 practising each asana, it’s 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 aspects 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 yogic techniques.
Selected Classical Mudras (body positions which invoke particular sentiments 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, Shankhaprakshalana (short lagoo form), Kapalbhati and Trataka.

Yoga Nidra: Deep relaxation techniques; its place in therapy, improving the depth and quality of sleep, and as a preparation for meditation.

Meditational Techniques: Including Spaciousness, Antar Mouna (Inner Silence), Japa (Mantra Repetition), Ajapa Japa (Spontaneous Sound Repetition), Likhit Japa (Writing with Mantra), 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.
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. ‘Meditations from the Tantras’'
(These two texts are published by the Bihar School of Yoga and are available from the Ashram.)
3. ‘Edge of Infinity’ (produced by and available from the Ashram)
Study of Classical Yoga Texts will include selections from among:
Bhagavad 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 Yoga.

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, mixed-ability classes and
common class 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 practical 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 2011. 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.

8. ASSESSMENT: Students will be assessed on their practical and theoretical knowledge of Yoga and on their ability to teach the subject as follows:

a) 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.
b) 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.
c) Teaching ability will be assessed in three 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 a teaching practice that the course student will give to a group of students who are other than their peer group. This will generally take place in the student’s home area, and will occur around the middle of the second year.
• in the final 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 consideration of each student’s needs and limitations, and appropriate 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.

9. COURSE TUTORS
Swami Nishchalananda is the founder of Mandala Yoga Ashram, and has been the inspiration behind all of the previous teacher training courses organised by the ashram. He brings a wealth of experience of all aspects of Yoga, having lived and taught it for 35 years in India, the UK and Europe. Swamiji will guide the course tutors, teach certain key aspects of the course, and offer individual guidance to the students.

Swami Krishnapremananda will be directing the course and teaching various sections of the syllabus. He has been a resident in the ashram since 1997, developing his own practice and understanding under the guidance of Swami Nishchalananda, the late Swami Neel Kamal, and others. In 2007, he participated in a 12 month Vedanta course in India, studying yogic texts, under the guidance of Swami Anubhavananda. He is a graduate of the ’99-’01 YTTC and has been a tutor on the previous two YTTCs.

Tara Rupa (Heather Donovan) has practised Yoga for 30 years. She trained as a Yoga Teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), going on to complete the BWY pregnancy, pranayama and meditation modules. She later went on to become a Diploma Course Tutor (DCT) and has successfully run her own YTTC. She is a Chartered Physiotherapist and has developed an interest in the energetic body working with shiatsu, acupuncture and reiki.

Hridaya Purna is a graduate of the Ashram ’02-’04 YTTC and was a tutor on the ’05-’07 YTTC. She is also a BWY Foundation Course Tutor. She is experienced in teaching and managing yoga programmes in variety of settings including drug rehabilitation groups, schools, Birmingham Adult Education and the Satyananda Yoga Centre, Birmingham. She is particularly interested in making yoga accessible to a wider range of people and helping people to apply the principles of yoga in everyday life.

For further information contact, see below: