International Yoga School SYM

200 HOUR HATHA YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

Principal SYT: Gerry Rixen

This 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training is registered by Yoga Alliance International YAI and International Yoga Federation. The course includes accommodation, breakfast and 2 full meals a day (except free days), text books, Yoga Alliance International and SYM Certifications.

Course Description

The course reflects an energetic and therapeutic approach to yoga in line with the instructors' wide ranging experience which includes: 30 years experience as a professional shiatsu therapist and teacher. Sequences taught are designed to improve both strength and flexibility as well as bring awareness to the flow of subtle energy through the body.

The course emphasizes teaching from beginner to intermediary levels. It therefore concentrates on safety, the use of props, correct breathing and alignment, restorative asana, relaxation and meditation as well as more dynamic and strong asanas to improve strength, endurance and will power. Students need to respect their own limitations and are not expected to exercise beyond their own physical capacities. However all students should be in general good health both physically and emotionally, in order to complete this course with the focus and dedication it requires.

Course Objectives

This program will enable future graduates to teach with confidence. The sequences taught are designed to provide an excellent foundation to all the basic poses, to teach avoiding any injury and where necessary adapt poses and sequences for differing physical levels and needs. Emphasis is on getting prana (energy) to flow while doing the poses, to understand their therapeutic benefits and for each person to practice with enjoyment, correct breathing, correct alignment and sincerity: Ultimately harmonizing mind, body and energy.

The spiritual notions of yoga can also be found in other philosophical/spiritual traditions such as Buddhism or the Western traditions. This will be looked at more closely in the yoga philosophy classes.

Course Syllabus - 200 hours

This course is divided into 180 contact hours with a teacher and 20 non-contact hours of individual and/or group study

Yoga Asanas: 86 hours

• Basic routine, postures and variations, sun salutation, relaxation, abdominal breathing; full yogic breath, two pranayama techniques, recuperative and advanced postures, meditation.

Practice and Teaching: 20 hours

• Beginners and intermediary classes for all levels and ages, in depth asana practice and variations (touches on classes for: the elderly, children and yoga for pregnancy).
• Teaching techniques: Guiding, coaching, leading, use of language and communication, use of props, hands-on assisting, finding your personal teaching style, designing classes for mixed levels, teaching new postures in-depth, assessing individual needs, ethics and safety guidelines.
• The course also includes discussion on teaching yoga as a business including self employment, safety, legal requirements and marketing.

Anatomy, Physiology: 16 hours

• Basic anatomy and physiology; including muscles, bones, the spine, the hormonal system, the nervous system, the urinary system, the immune system and the reproductive system but with particular emphasis on respiration, circulation and digestion.
• Physiological and energetic effects of asanas, pranayama, meditation and relaxation.
• Benefits and contraindications for all asanas (poses).
• Effects of structural and postural alignment on health and wellbeing.
• Physiological and emotional effect of stress.
• Principles of diet and nutrition.

Philosophy, Psychology, Lifestyle, Energetics, Ethics: 30 hours

• Philosophy and aim of yoga.
• The five points of yoga.
• Prana (Qi) Nadis (Meridians) and chakras (energy centres).
• The human energy field.
• The 4 elements and the akasha.
• The five koshas.
• The bandhas.
• The 4 paths of yoga.
• The 8 limbs of yoga.
• Principles of self-development.
• Teacher student relationship.
• Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita.
• Karma and reincarnation.
• The Gunas.
• The Yugas.
• Mantras and Kirtans
• Principles and benefits of meditation
• Ethics for yoga teachers.

Chanting, Shiatsu, DVDs, Discussions: 18 hours

• Chanting, Introduction to body work, Shiatsu and Chinese meridians, Developing sensitivity, Tuning into energy fields and the chakras, DVDs; relevant documentaries.

Homework and Group Study: 20 hours (non-contact)

Daily Schedule

This is an example of the Daily schedule; please note times may change slightly due to season and location.

The course fees include 2 main meals per day, lunch and dinner.

We advise students not to eat any breakfast before the morning asana class but there is time for snacks in the morning break.

All meals are vegetarian and prepared by our cook at the house and will include a completely vegan and gluten free option.

Make sure you bring swim wear as you will have enough free time each day to enjoy the swimming pool and go to the beach once a week.

Healing/Spa Treatments

In addition to the healing modalities explored in the course, students have the opportunity to arrange private treatments with Gerry, a certified therapist in shiatsu, traditional Chinese medicine. Remedial massage is also available. These can be arranged at an additional cost during the course.

Dress Code

Please wear plain white clothes, no logos. We do also accept yellows and blues.

Language

The course will be taught in English with translations into French if and when necessary. You may read the relevant literature in your own language. The practical part will be evaluated by continuous assessment and you may write the final exam in your own language.

Practitioners are advised to have a minimum of 2 years and 100 hours yoga experience. It is also helpful for students to have a basic understanding of the philosophy of Yoga, life style and diet; however all these subjects are taught during the course.

Successful applicants should be in general good health both physically and emotionally, in order to complete this course with the focus and dedication it requires.

Individuals who do not meet these minimum requirements may still apply for a place and their applications will be evaluated on a case by case basis.