Teacher Training Fall Intensive October 5th Thru November 1st
Lineage
My teachers, Bikram Choudhury and Emmy Cleaves, are from the Ghosh lineage of physical-culture Hatha Yoga. The sequence is grounded in a series codified between the 5th and 10th century AD, by the Nath sect. Followers of the Nath believed that "the main objective of Hatha Yoga is to create an absolute balance of the interacting activities and processes of the physical body, mind and energy. When this balance is created, the impulses generated give a call of awakening to the central force which is responsible for the evolution of human conciousness. If Hatha Yoga is not used for this purpose, its true objective is lost". (Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati, Commentary, 1985 translation, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Yogi Swatmarama).
Bikram, an accomplished student of Sri Bishnu Charan Ghosh, is the founder of the Yoga College of India and author of the popular "Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class". He was trained at Ghosh's College of Physical Education (est. 1924) in Calcutta, India. In the late 1960's he was sent to Japan to establish a school and teach their method of Yoga. In the mid-1970's, he established a school in San Francisco, then settled in Los Angeles near the headquarters of Yoganandaji, his teacher's brother.
Bishnu Ghosh, Bikram's teacher, was trained at the Ranchi School for Boys founded in 1917 by his older brother, Paramahansa Yogananda, who later founded the Self-Realization Fellowship and authored "The Autobiography of a Yogi". Bishnu became a physical culturalist and worked with Swami Sivananda Saraswati to develop a system of Hatha Yoga asanas for health and fitness, based on the original classic 84 postures. He established Ghosh's College of Physical Education in 1924, in Calcutta, where his son Bishu, is now the director.
Paramahansa Yogananda founded the first "yogoda" (Hatha-Raja Yoga) school in Ranchi, Bihar, India, in 1917. Today, there are many schools of yogoda throughout India that provide training in physical, moral, mental, and spiritual ideals for youth. Yogananda was a pioneer, sent to America in 1920 by his teacher, to introduce Kriya Yoga. His book, "The Autobiography of a Yogi", continues to inspire millions of people around the world.
Sri Swami Yuketeswar, Yogananda's teacher, established several ashrams in India to teach Kriya Yoga, and authored "The Holy Science". He was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, the first non-sadhu to learn Kriya Yoga.
Lahiri Mahasaya was initiated into Kriya Yoga (Raja-Yoga) by Babaji Nagaraj in 1861. Babaji was a "sanyasing" or "sadhu", but Lahiri lived the normal life of a householder and worked for the Indian government. He inspired hundreds of people to practice Kriya Yoga during his lifetime by demonstrating that it was possible to keep self-realization without giving up city life.
The Teachings originate from Yogi Matsyendranath, regarded as the first human teacher of Hatha Yoga. Matsyendranath's chief disciple, Gorakhnath, was guru to Yogi Swatmarama, who compiled the wisdom and techniques of Hatha Yoga in the Hatha Yoga Pradipikas.
Unlike Buddhist and Jain scriptures, and Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika does not impose yamas and niyamas (self-control, rules of conduct and observances). Yogi Swatmarama considered them to be more religious than spiritual. He was also aware that trying to follow yamas and niyamas created more mental stress than piece of mind. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika advocates discipline and purification of the body through Hatha Yoga, which will develop self-discipline and self-control and, ultimately, induce natural spiritual development.
The following Curriculum outline is based upon my 3000 plus hours teaching this lineage of yoga and countless hours practicing and exploring the various methods of using the 84 original postures.
Curriculum Outline
This is a brief summary. A full curriculum will be provided in the registration packet upon acceptance into the training program.
- Asana Practice
- By practicing two 90 minute classes a day, you will begin to understand the full depth and potential of how hatha yoga can change the physical body. You will build strength, endurance and an ever changing appreciation for the full potential of your Self once you begin learning to use your mind and body together. This experience is where you will begin your leap off into teaching. It will define the process of yoga for YOU.
- Teaching Methodology
- This is where you will learn how to teach. Based on your own personal experience with the asanas and by observing and helping your fellow trainees, you will create an approach to teaching that works using your strengths. Each student will be required to write a draft(s) instruction for each pose and "teach" it in front of instructors and fellow trainees. We will work on body language, voice projection, timing and how to handle scenarios that arise while in class, such as when and when not to make physical corrections. We will also cover the professional aspects of teaching yoga.
- Teaching Practicum
- Includes teaching partial classes in a round robin style and assisting a senior teacher during a class. You will be required to observe fellow trainees teach and be part of helping them become sincere teachers.
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Just what it sounds like with a large emphasis on the practical application to yoga. We will really get in to the scientific function of each posture and why it does what it does. There will be plenty of discussion regarding specific organs, systems and health issues. You will be fully prepared to help folks who have injuries, health problems and limitations.
- Yoga Philosophy/Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers
- will include a history of hatha yoga, how it came to bein the West, how to apply yoga in today's lifestyle and all the various forms and styles that yoga can assume.
Sample Schedule
Monday through Friday
- 6:00
- 90 minute Asana Class
- 8:00
- Breakfast
- 9:30
- Lecture (Anatomy, philosophy or practicum)
- 12:00
- Lunch
- 1:00
- Lecture (practicum)
- 4:00
- Break
- 4:30
- 90 minute Asana Class
- 6:00
- Dinner
- 7:00
- Daily Review. Q & A and evening pranayama. Should be done by
- 8:00
- pm
Saturday or Sunday
One yoga class at a local studio. Should be a different one each time.
Study poses for the upcoming week and write your posture guides.
Course Costs
- Early Registration:
- By July 31st 2008 · $1800
- Late Registration:
- By September 1st 2008 · $2000
- Last Minute Registration:
- Before October 1st 2008 · $2200
Course costs include unlimited classes at Open Door Yoga and the weekly classat neighboring studios; free towel use for each class, all lectures and instructions, a course manual and CD's of your teaching practicums.
A reading list and recommended materials will be included in the registration packet once you are accepted in to the training.
Application
PDF download link