Program Details

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training -- 200-Hour Level

• Systematically deepen your understanding of yoga.
• Develop skills for teaching yoga at a beginner's level.
• Deepen your personal practice of yoga.
  

Theory

Comprehensive explanation of the systems of Ashtanga (8-limbed) Yoga and Hatha Yoga, as well as supporting studies of

• Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
• Ayurveda - Introduction to the ancient system of health care derived from the Vedic tradition. (Ayurveda is a complete science in itself. We will only be able to touch on the most basic concepts that relate most to yoga practice.)
• Subtle Body Theory
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Yoga Scriptures (Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gherand Samhita, Ratnavali, and others.

Practice

• Shat Karma (internal and external cleansing practices)
• Asana (postures) (more below)
• Pranayama (breathing practices)
• Mudras (locks)
• Dharana and Dhyana (concentration and meditation)
• Yamas and Niyamas (personal disciplines, observances and restraints) .

Who Should Attend?

• Serious students of all levels - This program offers instruction in beginning, intermediate, and advanced methods of pranayama and asanas. It is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in an intense discipline either to begin or to deepen a practice.Advanced techniques will be explored in some of the specialty classes.
• Yoga teachers - For those who would like to teach, or for those who are already teaching, this course is designed to expand your knowledge of the theory and practices of yoga as well as to develop and enhance your teaching skills.

Typical Day's Schedule

(This is a sample of a typical day, however, please note there will be variations and changes made along the way.)
5:00 am Wake-up
5:30 – 6:15     Shat Karma     
6:30 – 8:15     Pranayama and Meditation       
8:30 – 10:00    Asana (practice)       
10:00 – 12:00 pm        Breakfast/Break
12:00 – 1:30    Theory Class   
1:30 – 2:00     Break  
2:00 – 3:30     Asana (practice)       
3:30 – 4:00     Break  
4:00 – 5:00     Asana (theory) 
5:00 – 6:00     Dinner 
6:00 – 7:00     Break  
7:00 – 8:30     Evening program
(The Sunday schedule goes through breakfast, then the rest of the day is free.)        

Certificate of Completion

At the end of the course, all participants who have attended the specified number of classes will receive a Certificate of Completion. This course is registered with The Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level, so that graduates can become Registered Yoga Teachers.

Asana

Though Asana is but one limb of Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga, it is often identified as Yoga, and many inquires about the course relate to it. The following gives an overview of that part of the program.

This program lays the foundation to prepare you to teach a beginning level asana class. The underlying aim of the asana program is to cultivate the experience of triputi, which means three energies united: breath, body, and mind. Twenty-eight classical asanas will be practiced and studied daily, covering the following aspects:

• Proper alignment and biomechanics
• Manual adjustments
• Modifications and the use of props as needed
• Health benefits and contraindications

In addition there will be specialty classes in:

• Restorative Yoga
• Dynamic flow-style yoga - exploring a variety of asanas
• Asana and Ayurveda - classification of asanas according to the three body humors (constitutions)
• Asanas appropriate during the menstrual cycle
• Anatomy and physiology as related to asana
• Teaching Skills:
  >Teaching methodology
  > Designing a balanced class - principles of sequencing
  > Teaching beginners with varying abilities
  > Supervised student teaching
  > Setting up classes in your community
  > Evolving a personal teaching style
  

CURRICULUM

History and Philosophy of Yoga 
Course No.                  Y101
Credits:                       1.8
Lecture Hours:             18
Practicum Hours: none

Description:                This course traces the oral and written history of Yoga and the six main philosophies that developed in Indian Culture.  It also addresses other significant scriptures and belief systems that influenced the spread and propagation of Yoga. Students will gain an understanding of the 5000 year old tradition that has spread to America in the last one hundred or so years.  Students will gain familiarity with such texts as the Vedas, Upanishads, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Shiva Samhita and Gheranda Samhita.

Anatomy, Yoga Physiology and Ayurveda
Course No.                  Y102
Credits:                       1.8
Lecture Hours:             14
Practicum Hours: 4
Description:                This course introduces students to the subtle body physiology described in Yoga Philosophy and the complementary subtle body system described in Ayurveda.  It also emphasizes gross body anatomy as it applies to correct posture, alignment and safety in teaching Yoga postures (asanas). Students will learn about the various muscle groups and physiological systems of the body and how they interact to obtain optimal well being and safety. Students will learn about subtle energy movement in the body and how one can control this energy through practices of Ayurveda and Yoga. Students will practice incorporating this information in their teaching of pranayama, meditation and asana.

Breath Practice (Pranayama) and Meditation (Dhyana)
Course No.                  Y103
Credits:                       4.6
Lecture Hours:             12
Practicum Hours: 34
Description:                This course is both instructional and experiential.  Students will learn, practice and teach the eight main traditional pranayama and various meditation techniques which are described in the Yoga scriptures. These methods will be practiced daily under the guidance of mentors, allowing for experiencing and reinforcing of the techniques.  Students will also learn the benefits and contraindications of all practices for personal and teaching purposes. 

Cleansing Practices (Shat Karma)
Course No.                  Y104
Credits:                       1.2
Lecture Hours:             4
Practicum Hours: 8
Description:                This course explains and demonstrates five of the main Yoga Cleansing methods found in traditional Hatha Yoga teachings, explains the benefits and contraindications attributed to the practices, and provides students with the opportunity to practice each method.

Postures (Asana) (20 lecture hours)
Course No.                  Y105
Credits:                       8
Lecture Hours:             20
Practicum Hours: 60
Description:                The asana program consists of 30 core postures for designing a well balanced class. The postures draw from standing, sitting, kneeling, lying, balancing, forward bending and back bending positions to strengthen and harmonize various systems of the body.  There are also specialty classes for working with specific populations such as those with physical handicaps, women who are pregnant, children and seniors.  Students will learn to sequence the postures based on optimal use of body mechanics and ease of flow while focusing on the needs of a particular class. Students will have multiple opportunities for planning and teaching classes in small groups and for receiving feedback from fellow students and mentors.

Rituals in Yoga Practice
Course No.                  Y106
Credits:                       .8
Lecture Hours:             2
Practicum Hours: 6
Description:                This course describes the concepts and beliefs surrounding ritual practices referred to in various Yoga scriptures including the Vedas.  It also offers the opportunity to observe such practices – e.g., the ancient vedic yajna (fire ceremony). 

Teaching Methodology
Course No.                  Y107
Credits:                       .6
Lecture Hours:             6
Practicum Hours: none
Description:                This class helps further prepare the students to be Yoga teachers. Classes explore various styles and types of learners, how to design a class, values and ethics in teaching and specific teaching techniques and styles.

Independent Study
Course No.                  Y110
Credits:                       1.2
Lecture Hours:             none
Practicum Hours: 12 minimum
Description:                This course requires work in the presence of a mentor as well as prescribed tasks either alone or in small groups.   Students review and study the given material in preparation for teaching.   Students read related books, journals and other articles on their subjects. Students may elect to participate in additional rituals or other elective classes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER
visit mountmadonna.org/yoga/ytt.html

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training – 500 Hour Level

500 hour level

Course Objective

This course is designed to:

• Encourage a flexible format with a variety of content to enable yoga students to put together a personally meaningful program.
• Increase one's exposure to philosophy and practices of yoga.
• Strengthen one's personal practice through deeper understanding
• Offer teaching opportunities and practicum in a supportive environment.
• Provide opportunities for student mentorship with senior teachers (Yoga Alliance refers to senior teachers as E-RYT or Experienced Registered Yoga Teachers).
• Enhance spiritual learning where students and teachers engage deeply with each other in an intimate setting (Indian Gurukul system).

The Teachings…

Yoga is a holistic system for health and well being as well as a ladder towards knowing our higher essence, our deeper spiritual selves. Though it often takes many years of study and practice to understand the subtleties of these esoteric teachings, students will have an exposure to various paths which include Bhakti (Devotional) Yoga, Sacred Sound and Mantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga and our underlying emphasis on Ashtanga Yoga, the eight limbed system elucidated in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Our core courses draw their theory from various scriptures including the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Siva Samhita and Gheranda Samhita. These source materials serve primarily as guides and supports for personal practice. The scriptures themselves declare that the wisdom of yoga is revealed and experienced best through regular practice.

Our Purpose

• Out of respect to the ancient tradition of yoga and to our own teacher Baba Hari Dass, we hope to provide others with the classical teachings as they have been handed down for thousands of years.
• To offer further training in theory, philosophy, benefits and practices of yoga to asana and meditation teachers as well as to yoga practitioners.
• To inspire students and teachers to continue with the worthy search for self knowledge and eternal peace.

Program Details

This program is registered with Yoga Alliance and provides 300 hours of study. Upon satisfactory culmination of the program, a certificate of completion at the 500-hour level is given.

• 250 hours must be taken in residence at Mount Madonna Center. Balance of 50 hours may be taken at MMC, from an off-site program approved by an E-RYT or an independent study project arranged with an E-RYT.
• Courses are divided into 1) Intensives of 45 hours or longer, 2) Mount Madonna Center Retreats, 3) Mount Madonna Center Weekend Programs and 4) Independent Study.
• The intensives and retreats are core courses and students must select at least one program in each of these categories. Balance of hours is flexible.
• Specific Courses may vary annually.
• Some intensives have recommended readings which will be sent to you upon registration.

Who Should Attend

This program is for Yoga teachers pursuing registration with the Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level as well as for yoga practitioners wanting to increase their knowledge and experience. One should already have a 200-hour certificate from Mount Madonna Center (see YTT 200 page) or elsewhere before applying. You must apply and be approved before you can take YTT 500 program for credit.

Application

A.  A one time initial email application and introduction should be sent to:ratna@mountmadonna.org with the following information.

• Your name, email, phone and street address.
• Name and address of the Registered Yoga School where you received certification and the year completed.
• Describe yourself in terms of your yoga practice and teaching interest,experience or expertise. 
• Describe why you are selecting Mount Madonna Center for further training.
• Let us know about any areas of specialization you are interested in learning more about.

B. Upon acceptance into the 500 hour program, please send the following to Mount Madonna Center Programs Office, attn: Jayanti, noting that it is for YTT 500 enrollment:

• A non-refundable administrative fee of $200 (payable to Mount Madonna Center)
• A copy of your certificate of completion from your YTT 200 hour training school for our files.
• A current photo of yourself.

We look forward to meeting you and to sharing the joys and challenges of studying, practicing and teaching the ancient science of yoga.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER
visit mountmadonna.org/yoga/ytt500.html