The School of Yoga
Program Details
Curriculum
Background and Philosophy of Yoga
Courses No. Y201-213
Credits: 1.8
Lecture Hours: 18
Practicum Hours: none
Description: These courses trace the oral and written history of Yoga, compare yoga systems and examine the main yoga philosophies in depth. From these studies, students gain an understanding of this ancient tradition. Texts include Vedas, Upanishads, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad-Gita, Panchadasi, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Shiva Samhita and Gheranda Samhita.
201 Ashtanga Yoga
202 Background of Yoga
203 Tattwa Theory
204 Sanskrit Pronunciation
205 Sacred Sound and Mantra
Philosophy
206 -210 Five classes on Yoga Sutras
211-213 Selected scripture
Anatomy, Yoga Physiology and Ayurveda
Courses No. Y220-225
Credits: 1.8
Lecture Hours: 14
Practicum Hours: 4
Description: These courses introduce students to the subtle body physiology described in Yoga Philosophy and the complementary subtle body system described in Ayurveda. Gross body anatomy, as it applies to correct posture, alignment and safety in teaching Yoga postures (asanas) is also emphasized. Students learn about the various muscle groups and physiological systems of the body and how they interact to attain optimal well being and safety in practice. Students learn about subtle energy movement in the body and how one can control this energy through methods of Ayurveda and Yoga. As a way of deepening and assimilating this information, students are required to practice teaching the methods of pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation and asana (postures).
220-221, Anatomy 1 & 2
222-223, Subtle Body 1 & 2
224-225, Ayurveda 1 & 2
Breath Practice (Pranayama) and Meditation (Dhyana)
Courses No. Y230-232
Credits: 4.6
Lecture Hours: 12
Practicum Hours: 34
Description: These courses are both instructional and experiential. Students learn, practice and teach traditional pranayama and various meditation techniques, which are, described in the Yoga scriptures. These methods are practiced daily under the guidance of mentors, allowing for experiencing and reinforcing of the techniques. Students also learn the benefits and contraindications of all practices for personal and teaching purposes.
230-231 Meditation 1& 2
232 Daily Instruction & Teaching Pranayama /Meditation (9 hours, equivalent to 3 classes)
Cleansing Practices (Shat Karma)
Courses No. Y235
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. It covers the benefits and the contra-indications attributed to the practices, and offers students the opportunity to practice each method.
Postures (Asana) (20 lecture hours)
Courses No. Y240-256
Credits: 10
Lecture Hours: 42
Practicum Hours: 58
Description: The program consists of an integrated approach for students to learn how to teach asana. It includes 30 core postures drawing from standing, sitting, kneeling, lying, balancing, forward bending and back bending positions to strengthen and harmonize various systems of the body. Students learn the biomechanics and purpose of each posture and learn how to sequence, modify and adapt each pose. Students have multiple opportunities for planning and teaching classes in small groups and for receiving feedback from fellow students and mentors. There are also specialty classes designed for teaching specific populations, e.g. children, women who are pregnant, elders, etc.
240 Curriculum Overview (3)
241 Student Teaching Overview (3)
242 Student Teaching Prep-Group Work (9)
243 Student Teaching Practicum (18)
244 Daily Practice Classes (24)
245 Core Postures (27)
246 Restorative
247 Kid’s Yoga
248 Partner Yoga
249 Arm Balance & Inversion
250 Sun Salutation
252 Moon Salutation
253 Forgiveness Posture Series
254 Hanuman Warm Ups
255 Asana & Ayurveda
256 Pre-Natal Yoga
257 Chair Yoga
Rituals in Yoga Practice
Courses No. Y266
Credits: .8
Lecture Hours: 2
Practicum Hours: 6
Description: This course describes the concepts and symbolism of 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) and Arati (worship ceremony)
Teaching Methodology/Ethics
Courses No. Y270-272
Credits: .6
Lecture Hours: 6
Practicum Hours: none
Description: These classes help 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 as well as starting out as a yoga teacher.
270, Teaching & Learning
271, How to Make a Lesson Plan
272, Next Steps
Independent Study
Courses No. Y290
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 elective classes.
The 200-hour training is offered two times per year.
A four-week residential program from mid-June to Mid July.
A modular format beginning in the fall with a one-week intensive, followed by five, three-day weekends once a month for five months.
Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training – 500 Hour Level
This course is designed to further students’ exposure to theory, philosophy and practices of Yoga. This training takes place in residence at Mount Madonna Center and currently consists of a core program of a seven-day intensive followed once a month by five, four-day weekends. (Beginning in 2012, our core program will be three, eight-day sessions with the same core content). A student then selects 100 hours of electives through a combination of four-day yoga retreats and approved weekend programs. The program is designed for asana, panorama and meditation teachers (teachers must already be certified at the 200-hour level in order to enroll in the 500-hour program) as well as for Yoga practitioners wanting to deepen their own practice and understanding.
Registered with The Yoga Alliance, this program provides 300 hours of study. Upon satisfaction of requirements, a certificate of completion at the 500-hour level is given.
Staff: Mount Madonna Center senior Yoga teachers, Baba Hari Dass and guest faculty.
Time Frame: A student has two years to complete this program.
Tuition: There is a $200 one time, non refundable registration fee upon acceptance into the program. After that, all fees are charged according to the specific selected programs in the Mount Madonna Center current brochure.
Weeklong Intensive—64 hours in residence and 6 hours Homework = 70 hours
Learning Objectives, Core material, and Overview
Courses No. Y501,
502
Credits: .8
Lecture Hours: 8
Practicum Hours: none
Description: These courses outline the curriculum and syllabus for the 500-hour training as well as set the context for a learning community. They include review of core material from YTT 200 and a synthesis and integration of material from YTT 500
Breath Practice (Pranayama) and Meditation (Dhyana)
Courses No. Y530-532
Credits: 1.3
Lecture Hours: 7.5
Practicum Hours: 6
Description: These courses are both instructional and experiential. Students learn, practice and teach intermediate pranayama and various meditation techniques that are described in the Yoga scriptures. These methods are practiced daily under the guidance of mentors, allowing for experiencing and reinforcing of the techniques. Students also learn the benefits and contraindications of all practices for personal and teaching purposes.
531 Prana Vidya,
The Knowledge of Prana
532 Daily Instruction & Teaching Pranayama /Meditation (12 hours, equivalent to 4 classes)
Philosophy and Theory of Yoga
Courses No. Y540-560
Credits: 1.35
Lecture Hours: 13.5
Practicum Hours: none
Description: Detailed study of the philosophy, theory and texts introduced in the YTT 200 program. Introduction to additional systems of Yoga.
540 Ritual and Bhakti Yoga
541 Samkhya Yoga
542 Sanskrit and Sacred Sound III
543 Yoga Sutras, Samprajnat Samadhi
544 Ayurveda III
548 Introduction to Tantra Yoga
550 Subtle Body, III
555-556 Selected scripture
Teaching Methodology
Courses No. Y570-572
Credits: .4
Lecture Hours: 4
Practicum Hours: none
Description: These classes help 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 as well as starting out as a Yoga teacher.
570 Student Teaching Preparation
571 Personal Integration, Applied
Practice
Postures (Asana) (20.5 lecture hours)
Courses No. Y575-590
Credits: 2.95
Lecture Hours: 16.5
Practicum Hours: 13
Description: The program continues an integrated approach for students to learn and teach asana. It introduces more subtlety to the 30 core postures from YTT 200 and introduces more intermediate and advanced practices and teaching.
575 Essential Principles of Teaching Asana (1,5)
576 Biomechanical principles of the postures (9)
577 Asana and the Physiological Systems (3)
578 Asana and the Subtle Body System, (1.5)
579 Asana Theory Integration
580 Asana Practicum Training (4)
581 Student Teaching, Asana Practice (9)
WEEKEND INTENSIVES
All intensives include 28 hours of classroom time with varying segments of lecture and practicum.
Asana Intensive
Courses No. Y600-614
Credits: 2.8
Lecture Hours: 16
Practicum Hours: 12
Description: The asana weekend is designed to immerse the students in intermediate concepts of asana, while they continue to practice and experience pranayam and meditation.
600 Program Overview and Introduction
601 Essential Principles of Teaching Asana
602 Advanced Teaching Techniques (6)
603 Assessment and Observation in Asana (2)
604, 605 Asana and Ayurveda (4.5)
606 Breathing and Meditation Practicum
607 Student Teaching of Breathing and Meditation
608 Student Teaching Asana Practice Class
609 Student Teaching Preparation
610 Student Teaching of Theory Classes
Yoga Sutra Intensive
Courses No. Y615-625
Credits: .2.8
Lecture Hours: 22
Practicum Hours: 6
Description: Immersion in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
615 Weekend Overview & Introduction
616- 622 Patanjali Yoga
Sutras
623 Student Teaching of Breathing and
Meditation
624 Student Teaching of Patanjali YogaTheory
625 Integration and Planning
Meditation Intensive
Course No. Y628-639
Credits: .2.8
Lecture Hours: 22
Practicum Hours: 6
Description: Immersion in Meditation.
628 Weekend Overview & Introduction
629- 632 Meditation Theory
633 Student Teaching of Breathing and
Meditation
634 Student Teaching of MeditationTheory
635 Integration and Planning
Tantra Intensive
Courses No. Y640-649
Credits: .2.8
Lecture Hours: 22
Practicum Hours: 6
Description: Immersion in Tantra Yoga
640 Weekend Overview & Introduction
641 Tantra Ritual Morning Group
Practice
642-648 Tantra Philosopy
649 Integration and Planning
Integration Intensive
Course No. Y650-660
Credits: .2.8
Lecture Hours: 22
Practicum Hours: 6
Description: Integration and Student Teaching
650 Weekend Overview & Introduction
651 Student Teaching of Breathing and
Meditation
652 Student Teaching of Theory
653 Asana Advanced Theory
660 Final Circle, Next Steps