21 Days 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Piedmont, Italy

The subjects of the course vary from the physical (asana, pranayama, anatomy and alignments) to the more spiritual, subtle and philosophical aspects (meditation, history, philosophy, chakras, and tantra). There are two practices a day of two hours each and five hours of lecture between morning and afternoon.

Daily schedule

• 08.00 - 10.00 Practice
• 10.00 - 10.30 Breakfast
• 10.30 - 13.00 Lecture
• 13.00 - 14.45 Lunch and break
• 14.45 - 17.15 Lecture
• 17.30 - 19.30 Practice
• 19.30 - 20.30 Dinner

Asana

Principles and importance of alignment:

• Basic asanas: Tadasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana
• Neutral standing asanas and standing asanas with external rotation: Virabhadrasana II, Utthita Parsvakonasana, Utthita Trikonasana, Vrkasana, Virabhadrasana III, Ardha Chandrasana, Utthita hasta Padangusthasana, Garudasana
• Forward bending asanas: Uttanasana, Parsvottanasana, Prasarita Padottanasana, Upavista Konasana, Dandasana, Navasana, Pashimottanasana, Adho Mukha Virasana, Pavanmuktasana
• Seated asanas with external rotation: Janu Sirshasana, Baddha Konasana, Gomukhasana, Brahmasana, Siddhasana, Padmasana
• Asanas with backward extension: Alanasana, Virabhadrasana I, Utkatasana, Bhujangasana, Salambasana, Setu Banda Sarvangasana, Urdhva Mukha *Svanasana, Purvottanasana, Dhanurasana
• Asanas executed in Vinyasa: Marjariasana, Ardha Chatarnga Dandasana, Chataranga Dandasana, different versions of Surya Namaskar
• Inverted asanas: Viparita Karani mudra, Sirshasana , Sarvangasana, Halasana
• Laying-down and twisting asanas: Parivritta Parsvakonasana, Jathara Parivartanasana, Parivritta trikonasana, Parivritta Ardha Chandrasana, Ardha Mtsyendrasana, Savasana

Every asana will be examined through these aspects:

• Alignment points
• Most common errors
• Possible variations that simplify or intensify the asana
• Physical benefits
• Contraindications
• Effects on the mind and spirit
• Effects on the chakras and doshas

During the first two years, a single sequence will be taught. Explanations will be given on the internal logic of the positions, and possible variations will be expounded upon that can modify or substitute the asana while leaving its structure intact.

Pranayama

During the 200-hour of the teacher training program organized by the school, pranayama plays an important role. The concept of prana is explained by describing the five main types of prana (Prana, Apana, Vyana, Samana, Udana), and what pranayama, the bandhas, and the breath cycle mean.

The program is divided into three units, including a practical part in which the participants are guided to experiment the different pranayama techniques, and a theoretical part where the techniques are explained together, with the effects, benefits, and how they work by an anatomic and physiological point of view.

As for the asanas, pranayama techniques will be explained by studying:

• Various approaches and teaching methods
• Physical benefits
• Contraindications
• Effects of the mind and the spirit
• Effects on the chakras
• Effects on the doshas

Pranayama 1

Prana - The five main types, Prana, Apana, Vyana, Samana, Udana - Pranayama - Bandhas - the breath cycle. After an initial practical approach where the teacher will lead the participants to practice some simple pranayama techniques, the first unit focuses on the concepts of pranayama and prana.

Pranayama 2

Nadi Sodhana, Ujjay, Anuloma, Viloma, Sitali, and Sitkari. The second unit dives further into the analysis and explanation of other techniques, always through a practical part first to experiment, and a second theoretical part to understand what happens in the physical and energetic bodies.

Pranayama 3

Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, Agni Sari, Samavritti, and Asamavritti Pranayama. The third unit is part of the second year program. First, there will be a review of the program of the first year to refresh and then to aid in explaining more complex and advanced techniques, always through a practical part first, to experiment, and a second theoretical part to understand what happens in the physical and energetic bodies.

Dharana (meditation techniques)

You will look at the the practice of meditation, its meaning, and the effects of meditation techniques as seen from scientific and physiologic perspectives. Students will practice and learn to teach meditation techniques utilizing breath, mantra, yantra, concentration on the chakras and the principal nadis (Ida, Pingala, Shushmna, Arohan, Awarohan).The majority of the meditation techniques that will be taught in the course of three years of study will have their origin in Tantra, Kriya, and Raja yoga.

Mudra

• Introduction to mudras and their various meanings
• Mudra e prana
• The five mudra groups (hasta, mana, kaya, bandha, adhara)
• Experience and use of mudra belonging to the five different groups accompanied by theoretical explanations of their meaning, benefits and eventual contraindications

Mantra, Yantra e mandala

• Mantra as the power of sound and shape, their meaning and how they effect the subtle energy. You will learn about how they work, how they are to be used
• how they influence karma
• Seed mantras
• Kirtan practice
• Introduction to Nada yoga, the yoga of sound

Subtle physiology

• The three bodies (sharira)
• The five sheathes (kosha)
• The seven progressive chakras
• Kundalini: progress by way of kundalini or shakti, techniques and methods for reawakening kundalini, obstacles in its ascent
• The subtle channels (nadi) and the prana blocks (granthi)

Philosophy

• What yoga is and yogic lifestyle
• Analysis of different yoga systems and information on their origins
• Introduction do Samkhya: purusha or prakriti, evolution or involution, and the path of liberation
• Ashtanga: the eight stages of yoga
• Readings and commentary on abstracts of Pantanjali's Yoga Sutra
• Karma yoga: the path of action
• Bhakti yoga: the path of devotion
• Jnana yoga: the path of knowledge
• Introduction to tantra, tantra and sexuality, the divinities, and their nature

Further techniques

• Vinyasa
• Introduction to the principles behind the various asana sequences
• Introduction to yoga therapy
• Introduction to yoga for expecting mothers
• The art of teaching: student and teaching approaches, ethics, yoga as job, organization suggestions

Ayurveda

• What is Ayurveda
• The five elements (earth, wind, fire, water, ether)
• The concept of dosha (Vata, Pitta e Kapha)
• The concept of prakriti and the diagnosis of the dosha and their imbalances
• Ideal daily routine according to Ayurveda: correct diet and yoga practice in relation to dosha imbalances and personal constitution (prakriti)
• Introduction to the concepts of Prana, Ojas and Agni

Anatomy

In the course of the four weeks of 200-hour yoga teacher training, the multiple aspects of anatomy and physiology are treated throughout a detailed program, starting from the simple cells form and function to the most complex and vital processes of the human body. The program emphasizes the study of the muscular bundles, the behavior in relation to the static and dynamic phases, and the various typologies of reaction to stimuli.

The referring textbooks will be completed by handbooks that will help the student to deepen their knowledge of the joints and their functions, with the specific purpose of expanding the capacity of the future teacher in the prevention of possible injuries.

During the four weeks of the teacher training, there will be also treated the physiological and biomechanical processes activated by the practice of the asanas, pranayama, and dharana. Details for the classes: With underline - topics discussed in the class; in Italic - subjects to be studied in the books.

Anatomy 1

Subjects treated:

• Cartesians plans cell agonism and antagonism of muscles
• Definition of anatomy which includes cells and tissues, skeleton, and muscular system
• Gravitational and antigravity muscles bundles

Anatomy 2

Subjects treated:

• Nervous system or sensory organs
• The shoulder, the elbow, the hip

Anatomy 3

Subjects treated:

• Endocrine system, digestive system, respiratory system
• The knee, the ankle, the foot, six asanas (biomechanics)

Anatomy 4

Subjects treated:

• Circulatory system, excretory system, reproductive system
• 12 asanas (biomechanics)

Yoga therapy

• The concept of health in Western and Eastern traditions
• Philosophy and psychology of yoga therapy
• Yoga therapy in its spiritual aspects
• One example of therapeutic program with asana, pranayama, mudra, meditation, and yoga Nidra

Certifications

Upon completion of this yoga teacher training, students will receive attendance certificate affiliated with Yoga Alliance. Registration with Yoga Alliance provides a globally recognized credential.

Farmhouse Bellaria is a classical farmhouse in Piemont style, part of it to be drawn back to the half of the nineteenth century. It is located in a quite hilly area of the countryside between Alessandria and Acqui Terme.

Far from the inhabitant center and from the main roads, it is surrounded by a quiet and relaxed atmosphere that follows the rhythm of nature. Foxes, deer, squirrels, wild boars and many kinds of birds live in that countryside and very often they get close to the houses and to the small lake, which is located inside the property of the farmhouse.

Delicious vegetarian and organic daily meals will be provided throughout the training. Breakfast consists of a buffet, vegetarian, rich of fresh and homemade food. The oldest side of the farmhouse has become a dining room, characterized by the barrel vaults with bricks, with a suggestive fireplace that warms the whole setting during winter months and particular oriental furniture.

Ayurveda treatments

The farmhouse has a room for Ayurveda massages, with a wooden massage table in respect of the traditional Indian medicine. In Farmhouse Bellaria, people can receive the following Ayurveda massages:

Abhyangam

It is the typical Ayurveda massage which is done by massaging the body with lukewarm medical oil or a mixture of essential oils in vegetable oil, different according to the person and the parts of the body. Besides being relaxing and acting against stress, it has as main aim the psycho-physical reactivation. From a physical point of view, it cleans and makes the skin softer, reactivates and melts the muscles, and helps improve the lymphatic and blood circulation. It is excellent for people with a Vata Dosha constitution and for all troubles due to an imbalance (insomnia, depression, dryness).

From a deeper point of view, it helps to discover and to remove fears and anxieties, and to gain a better ability to live and profit from the present and increase self-consciousness. It can be done for therapeutic purposes and specific troubles.

Abhyangam by four hands

It is the classical massage of the Indian tradition, an energetic massage with two therapists that move synchronously.

Podikizhi

It is done with cotton sacks filled with a warm mix of dusts, spices, and legumes, and used to tap or scratch the body, more or less energetically according to the constitution. First of all, the body is covered with sesame oil and essential oils, and then the body is tapped with Kizhi. This allows the oil to penetrate more deeply. This kind of massage improves the lymphatic and blood circulation. It is useful against backache, cervical pains, and sciatica.

Shirodhara

It consists in pouring a constant lukewarm thread of vegetable oil on the forehead. It gives a deep sense of peace and serenity to the mind and body, very useful for people suffering from headache, insomnia, eye diseases, strong stress, and depression as it improves the intellectual ability, the memory, auditory, and eye perception.

Udvartanam

The body gets strongly massaged with a mixture of soft and fragrant dust, spices, and legumes. It is useful to diminish the excess of Kapha Dosha and to dissolve the fat layer. It improves the skin color, the blood and lymphatic circulation, and gives stability to body and mind.

• 21 nights accommodation
• Daily healthy brunch and dinner
• Fruit and herbal tea break in the afternoon
• Herbal tea before morning practice
• One towel and sheets change every week
• Professional certificate of attendance recognized by the Yoga Alliance
• Training manuals
• Tuition

• Airfare
• Airport transfers