22 Day 200-Hour Intensive Yoga Teacher Training in Lefkas

Facilities

Certification

Students who complete the training are eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®).

Vision

The vision is to create a sacred and nurturing environment that enables everyone to grow and flourish as a yogi, yoga teacher, and as a human being. House of Yoga Greece know that their students will transform their lives and then go on to transform the lives of others, by passing on their knowledge and passion for yoga and life. Join their family for an unforgettable journey of exploration, growth and bliss.

Get to know House of Yoga Greece

The yoga teacher training will be led by Savvas Giantsis, the owner of House of Yoga Greece and his experienced and certified teacher team, each sharing their knowledge over a period of 21 days. Based on his 25 years of experience as a yoga teacher and practitioner they have crafted a unique teacher training program that contains a well-rounded balance between physical and spiritual yoga in theory and practice. Savvas and his team have vast teaching knowledge and have been training hundreds of future yogis over the last decade.

Why House of Yoga Greece

The House of Yoga teacher training is a unique and inspired curriculum that will lead you on a journey into the classical roots of yoga. They firmly believe in the power and strength of knowledge and find it their task to marry the principles of theory and practice together throughout the course.

Combining classes and hands-on workshops with expert guidance the senior teaching team will support you in deepening your personal practice and purifying your mind and body in this course.

You will dive deep into yoga philosophy and anatomy, engage in daily yoga classes as well as a variety of asana labs such as alignment, hands-on adjustments and modifications, for injury-free classes. Vinyasa sequencing and teaching in small groups will equip you with all you need to create fun, engaging and unique classes.

The program aims to be inclusive and the information presented is made accessible for any level of students wishing to deepen their own practice or begin toward the path of teaching.

Many students find their lives transformed and enlivened by their experiences in the training program, and this is House of Yoga Greece's hope for all who join!

Course information at a glance

• Comprehensive advance training program
• Covering all major aspects of yoga in practice and theory
• Vinyasa yoga flow asana classes
• Ashtanga yoga sequence (Series 1)
• Alignment of various postures
• Physical (hands-on) and verbal adjustment of postures
• Modifications and variations of asanas
• Teaching practice (delivery of classes to your fellow students and receiving feed-back)
• Anatomy of the body in relation to movement
• History and philosophy of yoga
• Pranayama (breathing techniques) and their benefits
• Meditation techniques
• Yogic cleansing techniques (Kapalabhati, Kriya, Nauli, etc.)
• Mudras, Bandhas, mantra chanting and their benefits
• Creative sequencing for different styles of classes
• Learn about common injuries and how to prevent them by creating safe classes for your students
• Learn teaching skills (how to give verbal instructions and how to demonstrate poses)

Typical daily schedule

• 07:00 - 08:00 Pranayama and meditation
• 08:00 - 10:00 Asana practice
• 10:00 - 11:00 Breakfast
• 11:00 - 13:00 Alignment and hands-on adjustments
• 13:00 - 15:00 Lunch break
• 15:00 - 17:00 Anatomy / yoga philosophy on alternating days
• 17:00 - 19:00 Free time
• 19:30 - 21:00 Dinner

There is 1 day off each week (Sunday) where you can enjoy and explore nearby beaches and villages or simply relax by the pool.

Or you can participate in numerous activities on the island such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, paragliding, horseback riding, mountain biking, sailing around the sur-rounding islets or getting a massage.

Curriculum

Philosophy

Yoga philosophy is interwoven throughout the course. In this module, you will explore what yoga really is; its meanings, significances, and practices. You will get a break down of the eight limbs of yoga, discuss their meaning and their practical application. You will be introduced to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Hatha yoga, yoga Nidra and the Bhagavad Gita, Yamas and Niyamas.

You will also learn all about the deeper aspects of yoga and how to bring your practice off the mat and into your life.

Subjects that will be taught

• History and meaning of yoga
• Schools of yoga
• Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the 8-limbed path
• Yoga Ethics: Yamas and Niyamas
• Obstacles in the path of yoga
• Gunas, Doshas, and yogic diet
• Hatha yoga
• Yoga Nidra
• The Vedas
• Mantras
• Chakras
• Vayus
• Pranayama
• Bandhas, Mudras, Dristi
• Meaning of OM

Pranayama and meditation

The term pranayama is derived from several Sanskrit roots; prana meaning “vital life force”, yama meaning “control'' and ayama meaning “extension” or “expansion”.

Pranayama can be understood as methods to extend and expand vital life force energy through the control of respiration.

Within your pranayama and meditation session, you will be guided through basic breathing techniques. By the end of the course, you will have developed your own sequence of pranayama techniques that you will be able to self-practice.

Pranayama's benefits are significant and able to transform your mental clarity and self-control. You will also be taught mindfulness techniques that will help you to focus and build your meditation practice.

Subjects that will be taught

• Introduction to pranayama
• Nadi Shodhana breathing technique
• Bhramari breathing technique
• Kapalbhati breathing technique
• Ujjayi breathing technique
• Bhastrika breathing technique
• Introduction to meditation techniques

Asana and adjustments

This course will deep dive into basic and advanced postures. You will have the opportunity to learn how to correctly align the body and how to offer hands-on adjustments for each pose.

Subjects that will be taught

• Introduction to Sanskrit terminology
• Analysis of asanas
• Modifications and variations of all postures from beginners to advanced
• Back-bend, inversion and arm balances clinic
• Ashtanga yoga primary series
• Modifications and use of props in your yoga practice
• Adjustments and hands-on practice

Anatomy

Yoga being mostly a system of self-experience, the purpose of this course is to improve the physical understanding of your own yoga practice, and to apply it in your teaching practice as well.

You will gain the wisdom of how the postures functions in your own body and in the bodies of others, there is no one size fits all.

Subjects that will be taught

• Introduction to anatomy
• Analysis of the skeletal system, connective tissue, muscular system and the nervous system
• How to identify and locate bones, muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, understand their functions in the body
• How to apply principles of functional anatomy to specific asana and to transitions between poses
• Movement analysis of all major joints and muscles and direct application to yoga practice and asanas
• How to add anatomical language to your cuing so that your students can understand it as they practice with you

Teaching methodology

The art of teaching is yoga requiring sensitivity, compassion, and practice. A teacher must encourage and inspire, remaining sensitive to the needs of both the individual and the group.

This module focuses on the skills needed to become a successful, ethical, creative, dedicated, passionate yoga teacher.

Unlike other courses, this teacher training equips all graduates with the skills to teach after the course. You will gain the knowledge and tools to be able to design and plan a range of classes, based on different levels.

Subjects that will be taught

• Different types of Vinyasa classes
• Asana modification
• Practice of hands-on adjustments
• Lead up to teaching your own 45 - 60-minute class
• Principles of safe and effective sequencing
• Principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and adjusting
• Learn to teach pranayama
• Voice projection and verbal instruction skills
• Instruction, teaching style and qualities of a teacher
• How to work with an open level class
• Introduction to the basics of the business of yoga
• Apprentice in class with various teachers

Completion

In order to complete the course, you will need to pass a three hour written examination on asana analysis, yoga philosophy, and anatomy. You will also have to deliver a 30-minute Vinyasa yoga flow class, as a yoga teacher to your fellow students.

Training pre-requisites

• The teacher training program includes a two-hour asana practice, so House of Yoga Greece highly recommends that applicants have minimum 6 months of consistent yoga practice.
• A meeting or call with a program advisor or with a suggested teacher trainer.
• Completion of House of Yoga application form.
• This training will focus on Vinyasa yoga and will be taught in English.

The yoga teacher training will take place on Lefkada, at Urania luxury Villas, which is an incredible property with stunning views. You will stay in their four luxury villas He-lios, Fos, Eos, and Iris.

The beautiful island of Lefkada (Λευκάδα) is located on the west coastline of Greece, on the Ionian Sea. The other well-known name of the island is Lefkas, which means ‘white’ in the Greek language.

Lefkada is a unique island, because it can be accessed by car via a floating bridge; thus you do not have to travel by ferry. Lefkada is a relatively small island that remains unspoiled.

The main attractions of Lefkas are its exceptional beaches, natural beauty, picturesque fishing villages, and of course its unique atmosphere.

Kathisma, Egremni, and Porto Katsiki are amongst the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean – have won international accolades.

Windsurfing, kitesurfing, paragliding, scuba diving, horseback riding, mountain biking, sailing around the surrounding islets, like Scorpios, Ithaca etc, are some of the activities this beautiful Ionian island has to offer.

Distances

• Aktion International Airport (PVK), 21 km from the center of Lefkas
• Ioannina International Airport (IOA), 149 km from the center of Lefkas
• Athens International Airport (ATH), 390 km from the center of Lefkas
• There are several international airports situated on nearby islands such as: Kefalonia Airport (EFL), Zakynthos (ZTH), and Corfu Airport (CFU)

+−

Mouth-watering vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served daily. Gluten-free and vegan options will also be available by special request.

As much of the food as possible is sourced from organic gardens and from the local community. The philosophy when it comes to food is fresh, local, and nourishing.

Relish in classic Greek summer flavors made with love and a creative plant based approach. Detoxifying for you, cruelty-free for the animal friends, and sustainable for the environment.

• 21 nights of all-inclusive luxury accommodation
• 3 homemade vegetarian meals each day and fresh fruit for snacking for all the days of training
• Certification upon successful competition of exams (eligible to register with Yoga Alliance)
• Yoga teacher training manual
• Daily 2-hour asana practice
• Introduction to yoga philosophy and anatomy
• Studies on pranayama and meditation
• Effective sequencing practices and postural alignment study
• Learn leadership and business skills
• Learn how to structure 60-90-minute yoga classes
• Mentorship and personalized guidance
• Yoga studio overlooking the Ionian sea
• Yoga mats and props

• Any additional activities
• Traveler’s and medical Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport is not included but can be arranged for you
• Any additional meals and drinks not included in the itinerary
• Personal expenses
• Flights

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.