YOGA TEACHER

TRAINING COURSE

PREPARE FOR A GENUINE YOGA EXPERIENCE
"Virabhadra Namaskara” 200-hour training
8 October - 20 November 2023

Online sessions - October 8 - 19, 2023 - Studying with Emma Slow – anatomy and physiology
Onsite training - October 21 - 5 November 2023 - Training with Janne Kontala and Emma Slow
Online sessions - November 7 - 20, 2023 - Studying with Jan Simak – asana practice, meditation, and philosophy.

TEACHERS

Janne Kontala

Janne Kontala

Teacher

Janne Kontala, E-RYT500, YACEP, PhD in Religious Studies, the author of the books Inner Yoga and a commentary to Yoga-sutra, practices yoga since 1992. His training includes traditional ashram-studies, contemporary applications, as well as academic study of religion. His special interest lies in combining the wisdom of yoga philosophy, the sacred sound of mantras, and the techniques of mental stillness with contemporary physically oriented yoga. Currently, Janne teaches in the Nordic countries and Benelux, educating both practitioners and teachers in the physical, meditational, and philosophical aspects of yoga. https://www.jayananda.info/

Jan Simak

Jan Simak

Teacher

Jan Simak (Jananivasa Dasa) is a registered Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP). Jan has been practicing Yoga for the last ten years, with a special interest in philosophy and meditation. Being trained in various systems including Sivananda Yoga, Gokul Yoga, and Purna yoga and having spent five years of his life in ashramas around the globe in order to deepen his insights into the true Yoga tradition, he now works full-time as a Yoga Teacher. Originally from Germany, he is currently employed as a senior teacher trainer at the Byron Yoga Center (Australia), presenting a spectrum of topics including asana, pranayama, meditation, and philosophy. He also offers private classes, runs public studio classes and hosts workshops in various countries. Still continuing to deepen his understanding of the tradition, he regularly travels to Malaysia to practice with and teach for his teacher and guide Jani Jaatinen (Gokulacandra Das)

Emma Slow

Emma Slow

Teacher

Emma’s yoga path started in 1999 – 2000 with Hatha and Ashtanga yoga. Slow yoga has become a daily habit since 2009 when she started practicing it with her teacher Janne Kontala. Emma also studied yoga therapy and has been teaching a wide range of yoga at several locations in Finland and abroad since 2008. Currently, in addition to her weekly lessons and courses, she trains with Janne Kontala slow yoga instructors in Helsinki, Stockholm, and Oulu. Key themes in her teaching are anatomy, body function, therapeutic perspective, and increased awareness and safety in practice. Emma is a registered Yoga teacher (E-RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance.

COURSE SUMMARY

OVERVIEW: "Virabhadra Namaskara” 200-hour training

This training centers around a series of warrior positions, which yield inner strength and stability. It can be used to support physical endurance, but from the traditional point of view, the most important battle we will have to encounter takes place in our hearts. Yoga prepares us to overcome our lower self, with a combination of physical practices and regulated breath.
You will learn the alignment principles of effective and safe practice of asana (postures). This is studied from the point of view of bandhas, or energetic applications to stabilize the body and mind. You will also learn the skill of pranayama, regulated and breathing augmented with pauses to induce a meditative state of mind. This is developed further in the inner sound breath (ajapa japa), where a particular breath mantra is combined with absorption in the external sound of the breath.
You will also learn how to effectively teach these practices to others, including how to create and structure a yoga class, how to use language and demonstration to communicate effectively with your students, and how to provide hands-on assistance and modifications.
Bhaktivedanta College believes that yoga is much more than purely postural exercise. To bring students in touch with sacred knowledge and to unlock deeper inner wisdom, this TTC is fortified with the asynchronous self-study online module on one of the principal yoga texts - the Bhagavad Gita.

DAILY SCHEDULE

  • 07:00 – 09:00 practice
  • 09:15 – 10:00 breakfast
  • 11:00 – 13:00 technique
  • 13:30 – 14:15 lunch
  • 15:30 – 17:30 teaching skills
  • 17:45 – 18:45 philosophy and meditation
  • 19:00 – 19:45 dinner
  • 20:40 – 21:15 kirtan in the temple (optional)

CONTENT

Asanas (Hatha yoga practice)

The main topic is to learn to use the main energetic applications, or bandhas, in asana practice.

Understanding and practice of yogic breathing

We will study some of the better known meditative pranayama techniques, such as alternate nostril, application of ujjayi to regulate the pace, and combining heating and cooling techniques to provide a balanced practice.

Meditation and recitation

Various techniques of meditation and preparatory techniques, learning kirtan, or chanting mantras together with other sound-based practices, such as ajapa japa.

Applied anatomy and physiology

In the anatomy section, we study theory in lectures and do practical exercises. Anatomy studies include understanding the joint structures and ranges of motion. You learn to take into account individual variations in the shape of the joints as well as normal ranges of motion. You will understand why asanas look different when performed by different practitioners and which anatomical factors affect the differences. You will learn to identify motion control disorders and understand the reasons behind them. You will also study the structure and functioning of the nervous system and the effects of yoga practice on the nervous system. You will also get information about the mechanics of pain, physiology of recovery and exercise physiology. You learn to know how to plan a physiologically progressive and safe yoga practice for different situations.

Body - asana, alignment, and adjustment

Students will learn techniques to access bandhas from the gross level towards more subtle applications and how to modify the techniques based on the capacity and skill of the practitioner.

Verbal instruction and demonstration

Students will practice and learn how to use positive language to optimize verbal instruction within a class.

Ethics for yoga teachers

Discussion on the ethics of yoga for a teacher, based on the historical overview of yoga, its major developmental phases, major challenges and how to deal with them.

Teaching practice

Hands-on skills for assisting your students. How to plan a class and approach a teaching situation (sequencing rules, adapting class for different groups, etc.). Each student will teach one session as a lead instructor and will be required to assist when others are teaching.

Deepening the regular personal practice

Central principles of effective techniques for personal practice. Developing a strategy to maintain daily or weekly time for practice.

Yoga philosophy

The philosophical foundation of yoga and based on its key historical moments, from Indus valley to prominent contemporary teachers. Continuities and discontinuities between pre-modern and contemporary approaches are discussed. The techniques of modern yoga are shown to fit into the traditional framework, if the underlying map to purifying consciousness is understood properly.

ASSESSMENT

The course will prepare students to act in the role of yoga teachers. Students need to demonstrate their skills and competence in the following areas:

  • Assessed through the Yoga Philosophy YACEP Approved online course based on multiple-choice questions.

  • How to do asanas and breathing exercises with proper technique and ability to sustain the effort for the required time.

  • How to introduce an exercise, guide students in a group setting through an exercise, and give personalized instructions.

REGISTRATION

Yoga Teacher Training Course at Bhaktivedanta College Yoga School can be attended without any special requirements. Some experience in practicing yoga is, of course, needed but beginners are also encouraged to register. Depending on the profile of students, they are split into smaller groups if needed, based on their level of expertise. A small number of participants (maximum 17) guarantees individual attention of trainers and personalized feedback. The package prices also include Yoga Philosophy online course (no separate registration is needed). Price doesn’t include local travel.

Package 1 - Room

2,360Single room with shared bathroom

Package 2 - Studio

2,360Shared studio (kitchen and bathroom)

Package 3 - Apartment

2,360Shared apartment (bedroom, kitchen & dining, bathroom)

CONTACT

WE ARE HAPPY TO BE IN TOUCH!

Contact:

Bhaktivedanta College

Petite Somme 10

6940 Septon-Durbuy

Belgium

 

Office Phone: +32 (0) 86 32 32 77
WhatsUp: +32 456 21 59 55
 

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