WHY ENROLL IN A 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
The 200-hour yoga teacher training is meant to educate, inform, and lead you into a deeper understanding of the yoga tradition and practice. Not only will the training offer the chance to study yoga breathing, meditation, asana, philosophy, sequencing, anatomy, pose workshop and breakdown, but you will be given ample opportunity to find your teaching voice by way of practice teaching your fellow trainees, throughout the entire training.
WHY SHOULD I ENROLL IN THIS 200-HOUR TEACHER TRAINING?
This training is a unique offering of the 200 hour training in large part due to what lead trainer Dana Damara brings to the experience: over a decade of studying, practicing and teaching yoga. In addition to her profound understanding and knowledge, she brings an innate passion for teaching yoga to those seeking to learn not only more about yoga and its many aspects but also about themselves.
Dana is a Master Trainer, former studio owner, 200 and 300 hour trainer, a mother, an author, a philanthropist, as well as an Energy Coach and Healer. She invites all of her students to connect within intuitively. The ability to tap into and express your own true voice in a safe and authentic way is instrumental as you begin on the yoga teachers’ path.
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING FOR ME ?
This is a great question. Many people who are interested in delving deeper into the yoga practice decide to enroll in a 200 hour (Yoga Alliance Certified) training at their home studio with a teacher who they like and respect. All 200 hour trainings should cover similar material. So then the question becomes about the lead instructor; do you like her/him ? Does her/his approach resonate with you ? Also it becomes one of timing; are you able and willing to commit the time fully so you can take full advantage of the training making the most use of your dedicated time and resources?
WHO IS THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THIS PROGRAM?
You are! Just the fact that you are taking the time to read this material shows your interest and that you are ready to take your practice to a deeper level of understanding. Questions I would ask my self were I considering enrolling in the training program are: Why do I want to do this? How am I hoping to benefit? Can I commit the time and energy? Can I ask my family, friends, co-workers to support me during the training process ?
AM I READY TO PARTICIPATE IN A 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?
Inquiring students often ask if they are ready to enlist in a training of this sort. It’s a fair question. First and foremost you do NOT need experience or a certain amount of time on your mat. It is ideal if you have 1+ year of yoga practice, priming you for the deeper study, but everyone comes as they are, and we meet you there.
The main requirement for “readiness” is desire to show up and curiosity to sit in the student’s seat and learn.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY?
We understand that Yoga Teacher Training is a large commitment of both time and finances. With that in mind, and to offer our teacher trainers a full and supported program, we have created the following cancellation policy: Following your purchase of teacher training tuition, you have a 30-day grace period. If you decide teacher training is not right for you during that time, we will happily refund everything except your $500 deposit. Following the 30-day grace period, your tuition will not be refunded. However, once the training begins, the 30-day cancellation policy is null and void, and there are no refunds.
If you need to leave the training, you may use your funds for another training or take it online at your leisure.
WHAT WILL THE PROGRAM EARN ME?
All trainees will be required to complete the 170 contact (in studio) training hours as well as the 30 +/- out of studio hours. There will be reading and writing assignments, short quizzes and a test along the way. If you show up to the practice, if you do the work you will pass. At the completion of the training you will have earned your 200 hour RYT certification status which is the bare requirement for hire. From there you may decide to go right out and look for teaching opportunity. Or you may wish to supplement the training with a mentorship program. Or you may wish to continue training by way of additional supplementary workshops or enrolling in a 300 hour training.
IS IT OKAY IF I DON’T CURRENTLY PRACTICE INVERSIONS I.E. HEADSTANDS, HANDSTANDS?
Absolutely not a problem. You will have the opportunity to practice poses like this and others. However, if for any reason, including past injury, you do not wish to practice a particular pose it will not be a problem.
WHAT IF I HAVE TO MISS A DAY DURING THE TRAINING, CAN I MAKE IT UP?
We strongly recommend you attend the training in full. However, if you need to miss a few hours, a day or a short amount of time we will work with you to make sure you make up the missed material. If you know that more than one of the weekends will prove conflict, you might want to consider postponing the training until a time when you can make the entire commitment.
IS THE REQUIRED READING CURRICULUM FOR THE DURATION OF THE COURSE OR SHOULD I COMPLETE THE READING PRIOR TO PROGRAM START?
We strongly encourage you to buy the required reading and have a look at the books over the summer. At very least just leafing through the books to get a sense of the sort of things we will be reading and discussing. The two philosophy books - Patanjali’s Sutras and the ancient yogic text the Bhaghavad Gita, are hardly accessible, however are corner stones of yogic tradition. Similarly, it is not expected that you have read and absorbed all information contained in the Anatomy book prior to the program start, but that you have had a look and are generally familiar with the major body part which we will thoroughly dissect during the training. Dana’s book, Oms from the Mat will be an easy and pleasurable read.
THE 5 EDUCATION CATEGORIES TO BE COVERED:
Techniques, training and practice:
Practice and training on how to teach pranyama, meditation, asana, mantra, mudra Teaching Methodology
Study of pose names Sanskrit and English
Study of sequencing
Study of how to address a class
Learning styles auditory, visual, kinesthetic, tactile
Anatomy and Physiology:
Study of the human body; bones, muscles, organs
Study of energetic centers, the chakras and nadis
Study of how poses can be beneficial or contraindicatory
Study of safe alignment
Working with injury or physical limitations
Yoga philosophy, ethics and lifestyle:
Reading and discussion of yogic texts
Yoga lifestyle, such as living practicing non violence, exploring the concepts of karma, seva, bhakti, and dharma
Practicum:
Practice teaching
Receiving and giving feedback
Observing others teach
Hands on assist
A typical training day:
Yoga practice (pranyama, meditation, mantra, mudra, asana)
15 minute break
Lecture and group discussion
Lunch break
Workshop poses and group practicum
15 minute break
Gentle practice