About the Course

This in-depth, transformational course is ideal for those who have established practices and wish to deepen their education in yoga. For those who wish to teach, or have already begun teaching, it will provide an invaluable platform for growth. The format of the course, an intensive month long program with pre-course work and international faculty, offers a great opportunity to deepen the practice on a practical and theoretical level.

The foundation of the course is the morning sessions, which begin early with silence, chanting, pranayama and are followed by an intensive asana practice (approx 3.5 hrs in total). In the afternoons, theoretical and practical work is done in workshop and study modules that cover the following topics:

‧Alignment for freedom
‧Yoga therapy
‧Applying spiral and loop dynamics into asana
‧Injury prevention, healing and therapeutics.
‧Pranayama and meditation
‧Development of asana sequencing
‧Growing your own practice
‧Making adjustments, assisting others and working in partners
‧Sanskrit, chanting and mantra
‧Study of yoga philosophy and its application in real life
‧Understanding the universe and the self from the yogic perspective
‧Comparative approaches to yoga from classical to Tantra, from to Buddhism to Zen

There will also be time for personal journal work, trips to sacred places, films, music and discussion forums. It will be a special month!

About the Asana Approach

The asana approach is two-fold:
1. You will learn in-depth the Alignment theory that comes from the B.K.S. Iyengar tradition. Regardless of the style or method you practice, these techniques will put the physical and energetic body into optimal alignment in every asana. This method truly awakens the potential of the asana and allows the yogi to move into deeper realms of the pose. The longer holds and slower movements also build intensive inward mind concentration and power.
2. You will also explore a flowing approach of asana in Vinyasa practices, which include traditional techniques of dristi (gazing points), breath control, bandhas, internal heat, alignment awareness and linked movement. Asana practice is much more than the shape of a pose or the physical actions. Using bandhas, inner gazing and subtle awareness, combined with linked breath work, a pose becomes a pathway to flowing meditation, which cultivates balance and unlocks blocked energy.

The course will alternate days between exploring Alignment and the Vinyasa flow approach. Through skill and intelligence and through heat and repetition we honor two great ways to evolve our Yoga path. The Asana teaching will also emphasize and encourage the exploration and growth of your individual practice, as we often will break into guided small groups and offer support for you to work into your edges and your own psychic knots and sticking points.

Special areas for study in Applied Anatomy: the complex Hip and Pelvis structure, Upper Back and Shoulders, Feet and Hands, Psoas and Low back, Core Stabilization, Diaphragm and Respiratory Organs.

About the Pranayama and Meditation approach

This course provides a unique opportunity to advance the practice in the ancient science of Pranayama. It is a gateway that helps to unlock the hidden potential energy and puts us into a state of true balance. "Prana" is the life force in the human body, which sustains our being and enlivens our existence. "Ayama" means to set free or extend without limitations. Pranayama works specifically with the pranic impulses and their effect on our mind/body complex. In this course, you will learn how to deepen this art taught directly from an authentic lineage of Masters O.P. Tiwari and Swami Rama. This is a very personal practice and one that you can keep evolving for life. It is also a fundamental skill for therapeutic purposes.

In the meditation sessions, we will explore a variety of approaches that covers Tantric/Hatha, Zen, and Classic Raja Yoga. A number of hours during the course will also be dedicated to observing silence.

About the Philosophical approach

The course looks at the insights of philosophies such as Zen, Taosim, Classical Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Tantra, and integrates them into real world experience for you. Rather than intellectualizing or conceptualizing these philosophies, we seek to put them into practice. By doing so, a window to the unlimited experience of living in an expanded, balanced and peaceful state opens up to the practitioner. As we begin to taste this liberation for ourselves, we can transmit it through teaching or through our relationships to others, ourselves and nature.

In this course, you will learn and develop understanding of:
‧Prana - life energy
‧The gunas - the timeless interplay of the energies of the cosmos
‧The historical roots of yoga - the core purpose and nature of yoga itself
‧Samsara - the realm of earthly existence
‧Samskaras - the karmic grooves of habit and addiction
‧Kleshas - root afflictions that cloud consciousness
‧The wheel of karma - universal laws of cause and effect
‧Granthis - psychic knots
‧Moksha - the joyful liberation of the spirit.

About the Teaching Methodology and Yoga Therapy

We will also spend time in group and partner formats, learning how to refine the skills of presenting yoga, as well as focus on how to use the ancient wisdom of Yoga for Healing and Therapy. Special workshops on understanding life and health from the perspectives of the physical body, the energetic Body (Ki) and the mental body will be presented. There will be guest presentations and workshops on Nutrition, Ayurveda, Meridian Therapy and power of Meditation.

★This course can be combined with Sri O.P. Tiwari's Pranayama workshop on Oct 15-16, 2011.

• Pre-course assignments including practices and reading (34 non-contact hours).
• Nov. 28th 19:30 - 21:00 (1.5 contact hours) ：Meet and greet. Hand out materials. Review the schedule with students, Introduce the faculty.
• The 24 day 200-hr training will be held in Five Sessions. The daily schedule will rotate between 3 formats:

A: 7:30 - 19:00
B: 7:30 - 13:00
C: 9:00 - 19:00

Session I : 30 contact hours + 8 non-contact hours

Nov.29 - Dec.1	7:30 – 19:00 (A)
Dec.2	7:30 – 13:00 (B)
Dec.3	OFF Day (self study and rest)

Session II  : 30 contact hours + 8 non-contact hours

Dec. 4	9.00 – 19:00 (C)
Dec. 5 – 6	7:30 – 19:00 (A)
Dec. 7	7:30 – 13:00 (B)
Dec. 8	OFF Day (self study and rest)

Session III : 30 contact hours + 8 non-contact hours

Dec. 9	9:00 – 19:00 (C)
Dec. 10 – 11	7:30 – 19:00 (A)
Dec. 12	7:30 – 16:00 (B*)
Dec. 13	OFF Day (self study and rest)

Session IV : 30 contact hours + 8 non-contact hours

Dec. 14	9.00 – 19:00 (C)
Dec. 15 – 16	7.30 – 19:00 (A)
Dec. 17	7.30 – 13:00 (B)
Dec. 18	OFF Day (self study and rest)

Session V : 20 contact hours + 12 non-contact hours

Dec. 19 – 20	9:00 – 19:00 (C )
Dec. 21	7:30 – 19:00 (A)
Dec. 22	7.30 – 19:00 (Exam and Testing)
Dec. 23	Graduation Program Day plus morning practices

Teaching faculty includes Adarsh Williams and Rachel Tsai. 
A special guest teacher will be announced.

About Stephen Thomas
Stephen Thomas is a senior international yoga teacher. He leads Teacher Trainings, Workshops and Immersions across Asia and Europe. His teaching is deeply rooted in the traditional Yoga practices of asana, Pranayama, and meditation. His philosophical background is influenced by studies in the Classical systems of Yoga Philosophy as well as Tibetan Buddhism and Tantra, enriching and informing his personal approach.

Stephen presents Yoga in its classical form, directly from lineage. In his teaching, he encourages a synthesis of physical effort (asana, cleansing Kriyas, Pranayama, etc.), with the study of Sanskrit, chanting, meditation and devotion. Integrating these deep practices into the daily spectrum of one’s life is a central theme of his work. Stephen studies directly with O.P. Tiwari of Kaivalyadham, India and continues to evolve his knowledge in the fields of Pranayama, therapy, healing, and Ayurveda. This lineage is one of the few living sources of authentic Pranayama available. He has completed Advanced Pranayama Studies with Tiwari and continues to dedicate his personal practice and work to promoting health and transformation through this method of yoga. He has also undertaken a 3-year study of Yoga Philosophy with the scholar and author, Georg Feuerstein.

Stephen embodies the spirit of joy, respect and deep gratitude for those who have influenced him over the years, including, Sri.K. Patthabi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, Richard Freeman, Aadil Palkhivala, Paul Dallaghan and Patrick Creelman.

Stephen currently divides his time between his base in Asia and Zurich, Switzerland. For more information please also check out stephenthomasyoga.com.

About 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.

About Rachel Tsai
Rachel has been studying the great science of yoga for over a decade both in and outside India. She currently teaches courses and workshops in yoga philosophy, Ayurveda and Sanskrit. She is a Ayurvedic clinical practitioner, with qualification in both Ayurveda and Yoga (Therapy). She has an ongoing advanced study in Sanskrit as well as in Vedic and Western astrology. With gratitude and faith, Rachel draws inspiration from the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system as taught by the late great teacher Sri K Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. She is Yoga Alliance 500 hr qualified. Please refer to www.matipatha.com for more information.

About James Newman
YA 500hr and 'Cerified Yoga Therapist'

James Newman (E-RYT 500) is a yoga therapist, bodyworker and retreat leader based in Bali. He's certified to teach in the Anusara, Kripalu and Vinyasa Krama styles. Since 2005 he has studied personally as a senior student with Srivatsa Ramaswami - a living masters of the yoga tradition. Ramaswami was the personal student for 30 years of Krishnamacharya, the "Father of Modern Yoga" and guru to BKS Iyengar and Pattabi Jois. James is one of only a few dozen teachers worldwide to be certified by Ramaswami. He is also a graduate of the asana sequencing/adaptation program at KYM - the Krishnamacharya family yoga school. James combines his knowledge of yoga with his work as a Level 5 CranioSacral therapist to create an integrated, effective approach to deepening your yoga practice. Please refer to jamesnewmanwellness.com for more information.

Tuition

★Teacher Training Info Session:
　　Date：2011.6.2
　　Time：7:30pm
　　Studio: SPACE Anho
　　Led by: Stephen Thomas

★Interest free installment plan Available
Please contact our representatives
œAn-Ho Studio +886.2.2773.8108
œTien-Mu Studio +886.2.2877.2108
or email: teachertraining@withinspace.com