Teacher Training

The month-long training program covers yoga philosophy and scriptures, history of yoga, introduction to Sanskrit, introduction to anatomy, practice teaching sessions, study groups, mentor guidance, quizzes, midterm and final tests, and all aspects of Jivamukti Yoga. The training focuses not only on the physical postures, but also on how the postures evolved. We explore yoga’s ancient sacred texts and five-thousand-year-old traditions, as well as the psychotherapeutic benefits that develop with a steady practice and the spiritual power that is set free when energy flows throughout the heart, body and mind.

Throughout the month, participants experience:

• Immersion in daily yoga practice
• In-depth sessions focused on vinyasa sequencing and alignment, including standing poses, forward bends, twists, back bends, inversions and balances
• Study of the physical and energetic anatomy of the human body
• Sanskrit language immersion, where you learn to read, write and recite the Sanskrit alphabet
• Exploration into major yogic texts, including the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, the Bhagavad Gita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika
• Meditation practice twice a day and instruction on how to teach meditation to others
• Practice teaching and instruction for how to give hands-on assists to students while they are practicing asanas
• Lessons on how to practice and teach healing, purifying and detoxifying hatha yoga kriyas
• Exploration of philosophy, ethics, and activism: how to live a more effective, positive and harmonious life
• Direct experience of the importance of a vegan diet for human health, for sustaining the ecosystem, for reducing violence in the world and as a means to enlightenment

Successful completion of the 300-Hour Training Program certifies the teacher to call their classes Jivamukti Yoga Classes (so long as the classes are taught strictly in accordance with Jivamukti Yoga methods); to advertise and identify themselves as a Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher; and to be listed on the Jivamukti Yoga web site as a current Jivamukti Yoga 300-Hour Certified Teacher.

A Sample Daily Schedule

Curriculum outline

A. Techniques and Practice of Jivamukti Yoga… 48 hours:Learn to teach 2 full Jivamukti Yoga® class sequences (practice and memorization), kriyas, teaching and practicing meditation and chanting, teaching basics, and teaching mixed level classes (the “open class”).

B. Basic Sanskrit… 16 hours: Learn the Sanskrit alphabet in Devanagari script. You will be able to read and pronounce Sanskrit words, as well as some grammar, and you will explore the role of Sanskrit in a yoga practice.

C. Teaching Methodology… 38 hours: The Jivamukti Yoga® teaching method; the 5 tenets of Jivamukti Yoga® and the 14 requirements of Jivamukti Yoga® open classes; adjustments and assists for standing poses, forward bends, twists, backbends, inversions, and balances; the art of sequencing, energetics of assists and vinyasa krama; ethics of teaching yoga, including the types of teachers and students; teaching Jivamukti Yoga® sequences.

D. Anatomy and Physiology… 12 hours: Anatomy and physiology: basics of skeletal, muscular, respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems; injury and recovery; esoteric anatomy, including chakras, nadis, prana, granthi, and bandha.

E. Scripture, Philosophy, Ethics, & Lifestyle… 23 hours:Includes basic philosophy, Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, Bhagavad Gita, Hathayogapradipika, Karma, 7 Bhumikas.

F. Group Practicum… 12 hours: Includes class observation and transcriptions focusing on adjustment, sequencing, theme, and music.

G. Small Group Peer Review and Practicum… 17 hours: These are classes that you teach in a small group setting to hone your skills. Includes student teaching as well as observing and assisting in classes taught by others, oral presentation skills.

H. Satsang… 59 hours: Satsang combines many of the subjects of the course, including chanting, meditation, japa and mantra, nada yoga and music, community responsibility, ahimsa, vegetarianism, philosophy and practical skills for conducting satsang. Course quizzes, including a midterm and final test, are conducted as part of the satsang.

I. Pranayama principles and practice… 5 hours: This includes the principles and theory of pranayama, practical training in samavritti and visamavritti pranayama, including teaching methods

Daily Homework… 20 hours: Each day includes a homework quiz to be completed and checked by the student’s mentor.

Prerequisite Spiritual Commentaries… 64 hours: Prior to attendance, three books and one essay must be read and a commentary must be written on each one. See below for details.

2013 International Teacher Trainings:

Omega, Rhinebeck New York, USA April 21st – May 17th
Facilitated by  Sharon Gannon, David Life & Ruth Lauer-Manenti

Blue Spirit, Nosara, Costa Rica June 2nd – June 29th
Facilitated by Jules Febre, Rima Rabbath, Sharon Gannon & David Life

Chiemsee, Germany November 18th – December 16th
Facilitated by Yogeswari, Patrick Broome, Sharon Gannon & David Life

For more information on these trainings, please visit http://jivamuktiyoga.com/events/teacher-training/300hour

Further details/questions? email: carlos@jivamuktiyoga.com