When
- Session 1: 2012.5.22-5.30 (SPACE YOGA)
- Session 2: 2012.6.22-6.30 (SPACE YOGA)
- Session 3: 2012.7.14-7.21 (Samahita Retreat-Yoga Thailand) www.yoga-thailand.com
There will also be pre-course assignments which aim to elevate your practice and understanding of yoga. These assignments are emailed out between the sessions and require the student to do certain readings, practices and reports.
A common point of controversy is how long should a "training" be. In truth it is ongoing through one's whole life. Throughout life there will be times of focused and dedicated study to help take one's practice and teaching to a much higher level. This is the purpose of this course. To provide the sincere student with a platform and the tools to understand and go further in practice. We do not claim to "produce" teachers but rather to help bring out that hidden potential and start you on your journey. We have found this 3-month period to work very well at this level. Some courses are short and not enough help for a student. Others drag on over a few years and can almost hold the student back. After this 3-month period we encourage you to grow further in what is appropriate to you. Centered Yoga continues to offer many advanced courses on yoga practice, Asana, Pranayama, Philosophy and Anatomy.
Where
Non-residential program at SPACE YOGA, Taipei
Final session as a residential intensive at Samahita Retreat-Yoga Thailand www.yoga-thailand.com
You have the opportunity to experience your training period over a period of time working on it at home and then being able to solidify and conclude it in a very focused and beneficial dedicated environment.
A residential program gives you the opportunity to really focus on practice and concluding the course without the distractions of home. It encourages the learning to go that much deeper. Over many years of teaching this we have found this to be the most beneficial approach.
Koh Samui is a tropical island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is a beautiful place possessing lush jungles and white sand beaches, surrounded by sapphire-blue sea. Situated in a high energy zone, Samui (and its surroundings) has a direct effect on yoga and meditation-an ideal environment in which to focus, practice, and grow. Samahita Retreat is a facility developed specifically for the teachings. Opened in 2003, it is dedicated to the practice and teaching of yoga.
Level
A thorough foundation training program – an education in yoga
This comprehensive training covers the vital aspects of yoga and goes deep into the practice, refining your ability to pass on the message to others. A lot of thought has been put into making it challenging yet appropriate for this level. In essence, it is an all-around education in yoga intended to expand your horizons and develop your abilities and strengths. It is a foundation course-a necessity to move forward in any aspect of yoga practice and teaching.
Qualification
Yoga Alliance internationally accredited.
The program duration adds up to almost 300 hours and qualifies for Yoga Alliance's 200-hour level, recognized worldwide, for those who successfully complete the training. Ultimately, however, training is beyond borders and pieces of paper. The continued dissemination of yoga will come from your own inner growth and deeper understanding. This is the focus.
The training prepares you to lead a basic Ashtanga-based class, give adjustments, and apply all of this to a variety of levels of Hatha Vinyasa and Flow-style classes. Basic breathing techniques and chants will also be covered.
For whom
Those with a true and sincere calling and a committed practice.
The most important qualification for this course is the call from within. But the call is not enough on its own. For it to be true and sincere, it also needs to be based on a certain level of practice (i.e., so many times per week over so many years). Your interest level will reveal itself in the desire to read more on the topic, to study and practice more, and in the absorption of your thoughts in the subject. The application form is detailed, and will reveal a lot about you. If the call is strong, then proceed.
Approach
Two sessions in Taipei, one session in Thailand plus emailed pre-course work.
We have the gift of yoga today because it was passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years. The student would spend time with the teacher studying, then go off to practice on his own, later returning to grow further. Things are a little different today, and three months cannot compare to years with one's master. This is your starting point, however, and we assume that you have had a few years of practice and that your study will continue to deepen after the course. The opportunity for time in a dedicated residential environment however gives it a special learning opportunity.
Style
Classical systems of Vinyasa and Hatha, Pranayama and Philosophy
The Asana program is based upon the classical Ashtanga Vinyasa system. Our aim is to understand flow (vinyasa), alignment, and breathing, as well as the inner work-bandhas, focus, and concentration. We have expertise in both vinyasa and alignment, and what we teach may be applied to classical Ashtanga practice and all forms of Hatha Vinyasa and Flow-style practices.
We teach Pranayama as laid down in the classical writings and taught by the masters. For philosophy, we refer to many texts, taking Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as our base guide. Many other elements accompany these three primary focuses. (See the course content section.)
The traditional Ashtanga standard is beyond the reach of many. Our aim is to ground, educate, and enlighten the student and teacher at the level they are at, elevating them to a level appropriate for passing on the message to others. As such, we offer a full yogic education and an opportunity to deepen and explore in the path of yoga, and contribute to real yogic insight. This course is not limited to Asana; it takes you further.
Uniqueness
Elements that make this course stand out
- immersion in a focused learning environment, living the practice
- small, dedicated group of students
- mentoring and close attention to your practice, teaching method, and personal progress
- direct experience in teaching students (privates and groups)
- classical training in Pranayama (only a handful of western teachers have background in this essential practice)
- the development of an advanced and dedicated yoga practice, molding the teacher in you
- approximately 100 hours additional training beyond the basic requirements of Yoga Alliance
- precise training in Asana and the vinyasa system
- three months of precourse readings and assignments to prepare and guide you
Led by: Paul Dallaghan
Paul is a senior level teacher with international recognition. He is one of three senior students of Tiwariji in Pranayama and one of the few in the world certified by Pattabhi Jois in Ashtanga vinyasa. This places him in a unique position to teach at this level, teach both practical and the philosophy behind it all. Mostly though he loves to share the teaching with passion and joy.
Anatomy with Adarsh Williams
Adarsh Williams teaches a contemplative style of yoga that embraces both modern innovation and traditional wisdom. Since 1995, Adarsh has been engaged in the field of natural healing and has received certifications in therapeutic massage and active isolated stretching. He continues as a student of Ashtanga Yoga and its sister studies of Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and Bhakti.
As an Authorized Ashtanga teacher, Adarsh has continuously traveled to Asia since 2001 for study and pilgrimage. Adarsh strives to pass on the precise method of Ashtanga as taught to him by his late Guruji, Shri. K Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Believing that the best teacher is one who inspires students to "practice, practice, practice", his approach is individualized, compassionate, and respectful, allowing each practitioner to receive the appropriate attention without any one person getting lost in the crowd of students. He maintains the exact method of counting vinyasa, dristhi, pranayama, asana, and bandha which form the core techniques of Ashtanga.
Through in-depth study of human anatomy and physiology and formal training as a massage therapist, Adarsh is highly regarded for his sensitive yet deep adjusting style. He has experience working with a wide variety of students of diverse abilities, ages, and backgrounds. With a deeply held belief that anyone can develop a personal yoga practice, Adarsh is an energetic teacher who infuses his enthusiasm for practice and hard work in his students.
Prior to coming to Taiwan, Adarsh directed the Ashtanga Yoga Shala in Palo Alto, CA specializing in progressive instruction for beginner through advanced levels.
Overview
Primary Elements |
Secondary Elements |
Minor Elements |
Asana |
Yogic Anatomy |
Teaching Special Cases |
Pranayama |
Chanting |
Sanskrit |
Physical Anatomy |
Diet, Food and Yoga |
Ayurveda & Yoga |
Philosophy |
Shatkarma Kriyas |
|
Teaching |
Energetic Focus |
|
Your Practice |
Injuries and Pains (therapy) |
|
Meditation |
Starting to Teach |
|
Primary Elements
Asana
Asana is a typical starting point in yoga, and what you will primarily teach. As your awareness and understanding deepen in other areas, your asana and how you teach it will develop. The poses have the power to open up energy channels, build strength and flexibility, rearrange the nervous system, and detoxify the body’s inner organs.
In addition to practicing asana, you will focus on specific poses. The Ashtanga primary series is our model, along with a number of other asanas. Alignment, breath, inner focus, benefits, common mistakes, and variations are covered for each pose. You will learn from doing the pose and adjusting students in it, both in group and in private instruction.
All types of asana are covered: standing, balancing, forward bends, backward bends, twists, and inversions, totaling approximately fifty poses. Sun salutations are a major component of the practice, and both the Ashtanga (jump back) and classical twelve-point will be studied. The vinyasa element of jump back and jump through will also be studied.
Pranayama
In Patanjali’s eight-limb system (Ashtanga), Pranayama is the fourth limb, after asana. Its importance is acknowledged in many classical texts, though today it is typically misunderstood and taught badly. It is a subtle practice that has tremendous effects on the nervous system and the mind.
The training in this course is grounded in the classical teaching of Sri O.P. Tiwari (Kaivalyadhama, India), one of the few authorities on Pranayama. You will learn and practice the preparations for Pranayama together with six of the classical techniques. You will be guided daily and observed carefully as you build a personal practice. Upon completion, you will understand the nature of the inhale, exhale, and retention; the correct performance of each Pranayama; and how to guide someone in basic breathing. You will also study the breath and its mechanisms.
Physical Anatomy
We take a detailed, thorough approach to anatomy and physiology. During the course you will methodically go through the anatomy of the human body as it relates to asanas, vinyasas, and pranayamas. In addition, we will explore at length the nervous system, the musculo-skeletal system, knee and hip joints, the pelvis, the spine, the circulatory system, and other topics.
Yoga Philosophy
Yoga is summed up in the Bhagavad Gita and laid down in the sutras of Patanjali. Understanding these texts will open your practice and give you the basis to teach. Other classical texts, such as the Hatha Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, and the Upanishads will be presented as well. To elucidate the material further, we will also refer to other philosophies, in particular the teachings of Buddha.
Concentration and Meditation
These are the sixth and seventh limbs of Ashtanga. Building concentration of mind should be developed in all practices. You will learn how to harness the mind while practicing asana and pranayama. It then will become a direct practice when you sit for meditation.
Meditation cannot be “done”; it just happens. But when is that? You will have your own experience.
To help the process along, you will learn meditation techniques, external to internal, which will engage the mind through concentration. Your growth in this area will reveal itself in your practice of the other seven limbs. Progress in Asana and Pranayama is essential, and directly affects concentration. Observing Yama and Niyama (i.e., living yoga) aligns our being, which can then bring about meditation.
Teaching
This is a practical course, in which you will learn chiefly by doing. The first ten days you will work with your fellow trainees on teaching assignments. The effort of explaining and showing something to someone else serves to embed it into your consciousness. From the eleventh day onward, there will be other (non-trainee) students in class. You will progress from observation to assisting to adjusting to private instruction to group instruction.
Your Practice
As your practice is your foundation, you will practice daily Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation. The other elements of the course will gradually be added to your practice. What you build as your practice you will understand and then be able to teach. Your practice will be deepened, cleaned up, and encouraged. What you ultimately practice integrates your personality, develops your mind, and eventually leads to higher states of awareness.
Secondary Elements
Yogic Anatomy
Awareness and understanding of the vital layer of the body can greatly advance your practice. You will study it and then integrate it in to your practice. The identification of energy lines in practice receives a lot of attention, along with chakras, nadis, vayus, koshas, to be learnt and understood in the light of the process of yoga.
Chanting
In the Vedic system virtually all activities commence and conclude with a chant. In addition, one can increase the feeling of devotion (bhakti) through chanting sessions known as kirtans. Beginning with the simple but powerful Om, chants permeate the practice.
Usually a yoga class begins with a chant. There are some classic chants you will learn, some standard slokas you will become familiar with, and also a few bhajans you’ll enjoy during our lively kirtans. The differences between all these will be explained.
Diet, Food and Yoga
When it comes to food, much confusion surrounds what, when, and how much. We will focus on this controversial topic from the vantage point of its effect on the body and mind, both in the gross and the subtle.
Food is one of the biggest influences on our practice. Eating well is not just a matter of good health; it affects and nurtures the nervous system and mind.
With a new understanding of food and its effects, you may be inspired to make positive changes in the way you eat.
Shatkarma Kriyas
Shatkarma Kriyas are cleansing and purification practices that prepare you for deeper practice. All six kriyas will be presented; five will be practiced and learned.
Injuries and Pains (therapy)
An injury will cause pain, but not every pain is the result of an injury. When the practice is done properly, certain pains come as a result of the body opening up, changes in the nervous system, an inner reorganization, or perhaps the release of past actions. Improper activity, whether in practice or not, will cause injury. We will go over how to deal and work with both cases.
Chakra Focus
How can we stimulate the chakras? How do we energize them, work with them, and benefit directly from their opening? We will tune into the subtle, pranic body in this practical way, focusing on the chakras as both an art and a science. Chakra exercises will be brought in to our daily practice, turning your attention inward.
Going on to Teach
How to put together a class, what classes to teach, how students will find you, where to teach, and the difference between privates and group classes.
Minor Elements
Teaching Special Cases
Not everyone falls under the category of average health. Different approaches, as well as compassion and patience, are needed for children, people with disabilities and overweight cases. Simple approaches will be taught and where possible even practiced. Some cases will also be simulated.
Sanskrit
The language of yoga is Sanskrit. It is the oldest language still in use today, and it is the basis of many other languages. All language is simply vibration, and Sanskrit possesses the highest vibration and the best organized. Hearing and chanting Sanskrit has an extremely positive effect on the state of your mind. You will learn the alphabet, numbers, pronunciation, and the chanting of all pose names, slokas, and sutras—all taught in a light and enjoyable way.
Ayurveda & Yoga
Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science, is not well understood. We present it during the course from an informative point of view. What is its relevance and connection to yoga? What are the different doshas? How can ayurveda benefit you?
Our overview aims to correct misconceptions about ayurveda in the hopes that you will be equipped to inform others and see if it is something you would study further.
