Strength, Insight & Authenticity: 29 Day Multidimensional 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in India

Important points

• In the 300-hour yoga teacher training course, there is an in-depth focus on both the primary and intermediate series of Ashtanga Yoga.
• The program includes advanced asanas, various types of pranayama, yoga philosophy, thorough yoga anatomy and physiology, comprehensive alignment and teaching methodology.
• As this is an intensive program, students are recommended to start incorporating yoga practices in their day-to-day lives before enrolling in the course.

The course includes

• Ashtanga Vinyasa series
• Vinyasa flow sequences
• Asana alignment
• Pranayama (breathing techniques)
• Yoga Philosophy and ethics
• Anatomy and physiology
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Teaching methodology
• Excursions and silence day

The 300-hour yoga teacher training in India by Vinyasa Yoga Ashram includes learning and practicing Ashtanga intermediate and advanced series. The first 15 days of the course include detailed learning and practicing of the Ashtanga Intermediate Series followed by 15 days of classes of the advanced Ashtanga Series.

Focus on the backend asanas, the intermediate Ashtanga Series is known as Nadi Shodhana or Nerve Cleansing. This series opens the energy channels that allow a free flow of Prana. While the advanced level of the Ashtanga Series requires an optimum level of flexibility, endurance, and humility. The switching to the advanced series only allows after successfully practicing the primary and intermediate series.

Vinyasa flow

• The 300-hour yoga teacher training in India includes the advanced Vinyasa flow. This advanced-level series can be used to keep the body warm and to build strength throughout the class. A complete advanced-level series of Vinyasa flow can take around 3 to 4 hours depending on the person's energy and strength level.

Vinyasa advanced level series link one asana to another in a continuous movement. This advanced-level series is a continuous sequence of plank, chaturanga, upward-facing dog, downward dog poses.

Course syllabus

Ashtanga yoga

In 300 hours of yoga TTC, students progress gradually to the intermediate series of Ashtanga yoga and the teachers systematically guide them through the complete sequence created by K. Pattabhi Jois in a traditional way which includes:

• Week 1 - Practice of primary series guided by the instructor and Mysore-style practice
• Week 2 – Starting with intermediate series halfway.
• Week 3 – Full intermediate series guided by the instructor.
• Week 4 – Mysore-style intermediate series and teaching practice.

The first week will be a refresh of the primary series followed by intense practice of the intermediate series.

Vinyasa Flow

• Introduction and benefits Vinyasa Flow
• How to design a Vinyasa Flow sequence
• Vinyasa flow for peak postures
• Importance of breathing in Vinyasa flow
• How to cue/instruct the Vinyasa flow for different levels of practitioners

In the last week of the course, students will be asked to prepare their own flow and guide the 200-hour class.

Yoga philosophy

• Introduction to yoga philosophy (Yog Darshan) and its evolution
• Patanjali Yoga Sutras in detail
• Nadis (Ida, Pingala & Sushumna) in detail
• Chakras in detail
• Eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga
• Pancha – Vayus, Panchakoshas
• Life stories of yogis (inspiring stories)

Anatomy and physiology

• Introduction to applied yoga anatomy
• Anatomical explanation of asana
• Importance of movements
• Introduction to a skeleton system
• Understanding joint mobility and their restrictions
• Introduction to the muscular system
• Muscle contractions in detail
• Tension, tightness, strength weakness of a muscle
• Understanding flexibility and strength in detail
• Muscle relaxation technique
• Co- activation of muscles & Bandhas
• Musculoskeletal system
• Neuromuscular system
• Anatomical exploration of an exercise or posture
• The yogic approach to breathing and circulation

Pranayama and breathing exercise

• Introduction and benefits of pranayama
• Introduction of meditative poses and mudras
• Introduction of bandhas (locks) and Kumbakhas (breath retention)
• Knowledge sharing and regular practice of below-mentioned breathing exercises:
• Clavicular, Thoracic and Diaphragmatic Breathing
• Yogic Breathing
• Ujjayi, Bhastrika, Kapalbhati, Surya – Bhedi
• Nadi – Sodhana, Bhramari, Chandra – Bhedi, Sheetali, Sheetkari

Shatkarma (yogic cleansing practices)

• Jalaneti
• Rubber-neti
• Eye-cleansing
• Kapalbhati- cleansing the lungs
• Kunjal - stomach cleansing
• Shankprakshalan
• Dhauti Kriya

Teaching methodology

• How to sequence a class
• How to work with breathing and posture to create an appropriate sequence
• How to adjust
• How to work with different levels of students
• How to cue/instruct different levels of students
• Building positive and conscious communication, friendship, and trust
• Time management
• Qualities of a teacher
• Principles of demonstration, observation
• Assisting and correcting the postures
• Use of voice in class
• Mental and emotional preparation for teaching
• Class preparation
• Step-by-step class structure planning

Asana alignment and adjustment

• Fundamentals and need for body alignment in yoga asanas
• Alignment of different postures like standing, seated, backward extension, forward extension, twisting, and inverted postures
• Alignment explanation covers
• How to perform the posture
• Correct alignment
• Common mistakes and precautions
• Contraindication
• Benefits
• Modifications
• Verbal adjustments
• Hands-on adjustments

Meditation

• Introduction and importance of meditation
• Tips to improve concentration in order to avoid distractions during meditation
• Different types of meditation techniques like Om / Mantra Meditation, Trataka, Dynamic meditation, Silent Meditation Practice Japa Meditation, Ajapa japa, Antar mouna, Nada Brahma Meditation, yog Nidra

Evaluation

Students will be tested based on:

• Written test
• Asana practical test
• Vinyasa flow teaching to the class
• Attendance, performance, and behavior

Additional learning

• Sound healing
• Keertan meditation
• Beach yoga
• Acro yoga
• Yin yoga
• Partner yoga
• Iyengar class

Note: all these additional classes are not part of the course but are included additionally.

All classes are mandatory only in case of an emergency or illness one can take leave with the respected teacher's permission. Uninformed leaves won’t be accepted and this will leave a bad impression on students' monthly performance.

Sample daily schedule

• 05:00 Morning bell
• 06:00 - 07:00 Shatkarma and pranayama
• 07:00 - 08:30 Hatha / Vinyasa flow yoga
• 08:30 - 09:30 Breakfast
• 09:30 - 10:30 Yoga philosophy
• 10:45 - 11:45 Yoga anatomy
• 11:40 - 12:30 Alignment, adjustment, and methodology
• 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
• 15:00 - 16:00 Yoga therapy
• 16:00 - 17:30 Ashtanga yoga
• 18:00 - 19:00 Meditation and mantra chanting
• 19:10 Dinner
• 22:00 Lights off

Prerequisites

A high degree of self-motivation is required for all aspects of the course. The practice and especially the teaching of yoga demand a high degree of self-discipline and purity. To ensure the success of the program, participants are required to attend all spiritual activities, meditation sessions, lectures, and asana classes. Meat, fish, eggs, black tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and nudity are prohibited during the course as they are counterproductive to the yoga practice. Participants who do not comply with the school rules may be dismissed from the course.

Rules for students

Smoking and alcohol are strictly prohibited in the school. If you are having a fast any day, you have to inform the kitchen manager for avoiding food waste. Always make disciplined, respect teachers, and follow all rules. Always be on time, you are late means will not be permitted to join the class. Clear your books of account before departure from Vinyasa Yoga Ashram. Before departure return your books, maps, or any goods which you borrowed. Vinyasa Yoga Ashram provides accommodation for a student who joins the yoga course. So any friends or relatives will not be included in accommodation however they can stay in school by renting another room. The student has to be present in all scheduled programs of Vinyasa Yoga Ashram.

Please note that the program officially starts on the second day, after the arrival.