Teacher Training

The Teacher Training Program offered at Sthalam 8 is an immersion into the deeper aspects of Ashtanga Yoga. Whether you simply want to deepen your practice or to become a teacher, this program will cover both the theoretical and practical applications to get you started.

A certificate and Training Manual will be given to students on completion of the month-long course.

Interested students must attend yoga classes with Sthalam 8 for a month prior to starting the training. This is to assess their readiness for the training and to ensure that they are well prepared to deal with the discipline and rigour needed for a teacher’s training course with Sthalam 8 Yoga Shala.

Course Description

The training will focus on the following:

1. The origin, history and contemporary relevance of yoga. The first few days of training will focus on understanding the philosophy of yoga, and how it is connected to the physical practice. Focusing on the ashtanga or eight-limbed system, the topics covered will include ethics of teaching, importance of breathing and bandha work, yama, niyama and karmas.

2. Applying correct breathing techniques to your practice and teaching these to others effectively.

3. The Om Meditation and the Opening and Closing prayer.

4. Chanting/Explanation of the Yoga Sutras.

5. Alignments and Adjustments. This will form the core of training. Trainees will learn the correct alignment for each asana followed by adjustments to be given to students to correct alignment and gradually increase flexibility. We will also focus on specific injuries for different asanas learning how to overcome and work with both pain and injury.

There will be 2 practical tests, one in the middle of and the other at the end of the training.

At the end of the month, trainees’ will have both the theoretical and practical tools to lead a Mysore style class, Their skills will include introducing and teaching asanas to students, correcting alignment, giving adjustments and ensuring a safe, disciplined and relaxing environment for students to practice in.

Daily Schedule:

6.30 am – 8 am: Ashtanga Yoga Mysore Style class (Primary Series)

11.30 am– 12.30 pm: Silent Meditation followed by Om Chanting. Revision of previous day’s teaching

12.30 pm – 2.30 pm: Ajay Kumar’s teaching class. Learning yoga theory, correct alignment, hands-on adjustments and other core aspects of asana practice

2.30 pm – 3 pm: Break

3.00 pm – 4:00 pm: Chanting/Explanation of Yoga Sutras