Curriculum of YTT

Becoming a Yoga Instructor

Our teacher training course is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.

The mission of the Himalayan Yoga Institute is to assist you in becoming a highly competent, inspiring, ethical and spiritually evolved yoga teacher, who will be of service to individuals from all walks of life and who will teach the practices with an open heart facilitating deep physical, emotional and spiritual healing within yourself and your students. 

One of the foremost aims of the Institute is to contribute to the development of a new society, based on kindness, compassion, justice and love.

At the end of the training you will be centred, calm, superbly inspired, beaming with joy and empowered to skilfully guide others into the sacred landscape of their bodies, minds, and hearts, and teach powerful, uplifting, and intelligent classes infused with joy.

Our training courses are of outstanding quality, marked by excellence and attention to detail. They are the most thorough and comprehensive ones you will find, while allowing you to experiment within your own body, mind and spirit and experience the incredible transformation initiated by the practices for yourself. Expect to discover new realms beyond your limited sense of self and find a love and joy never felt before. Expect an adventurous journey into your inner being.

The intensive daily schedule includes two meditation sessions, two yoga classes, two lectures and about half an hour of service to the ashram community. One day a week is lecture-free.

Our school is accredited by Yoga Alliance International. Yoga Alliance registers both individual yoga teachers and yoga teacher training programs (schools) that have complied with educational standards established by the Alliance. Yoga Alliance supports yoga teachers and the diversity and integrity of yoga. Their mission is to lead the yoga community, set standards, foster integrity, provide resources, and uphold the teachings of yoga. 

There is limited space on all our courses.

• One daily asana practice class which will provide you with the opportunity to practice your asanas and will help you to build a good habit of practicing the asanas, and
• One daily teaching practice class devoted to understanding how to teach the asanas.

The daily in-depth practice with individual corrections comprises:

• Effective warm-ups and how to incorporate them into the class
• Sun salutation and its variations
• 66 basic yoga postures
• 100 asana variations, from beginners level to advanced
• Postural alignment
• Guided deep relaxation and yoga nidra
• Release of blocked energy and deep healing
• How to develop flexibility and strength
• Helpful instructions for practising asanas

• Achieving emotional balance by regulating the glandular system
• Balanced mind
• Improved power of concentration
• Ridding the body of excess fat
• Enhanced physical fitness
• Relief of chronic ailments such as constipation, rheumatism, stomach complaints
• Improved circulation
• Stabilised thyroid functions
• Muscles and joints remain youthful and supple into old age

Pranayama and Breathing exercises

• Expands breathing capacity
• Relaxes the nervous system
• Balances the two hemispheres of the brain
• Purifies the nadis (subtle energy channels)
• Calms the mind
• Ujjayi, Surya Bheda, Sitali, Sitkari, Bhramari
• The 10 Vayus (Pranas) and Pranayama

Kriyas, Bandhas and Mudras

• Neti, Nauli, Kapalabhati and tongue cleaning : classical yogic purification techniques for the nose, lungs, abdomen and tongue which will be demonstrated and practiced
• Bandhas: Jalandhara and Uddayana
• Bandhatraya Yoga: Mahamudra, Mahabandha and Mahavedha
• Mudras
• General Health rules
• Yogic secrets for a long life
• Lymphatic drainage massage

Yoga anatomy, physiology and Bio-Psychology

• Introduction to the major body systems
• The effects of yoga on: the cardiovascular system, respiration, digestion, skeletal and muscular systems, endocrine system
• The science of asanas: their physical and mental benefits
• Yoga and physical culture
• Yogic Diet, Nutrition and the Principles of Ayurveda
• Human Anatomy and Yoga Physiology are important aspects of yoga study, but another relatively unexplored aspect of yoga is Bio-Psychology. Bio-Psychology is the study of glands and hormones and their profound effects on all physical and mental (psychic) functions like growth, digestion, energy levels, emotions, etc.

The history of yoga

• Various Definitions of Yoga
• A brief history of Tantra
• From Shiva to Krsna
• Patanjali
• The Nath lineage
• Astavkra Muni
• The Kriya Yoga Lineage (Lahiri Mahasaya, Paramahansa Yogananda, etc.)
• Ramakrsna and Vivekananda
• Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya and his students

B.K.S.Iyengar
Pattabhi Jois
T.K.V. Desikachar

• Shrii Shrii Anandamurti

Karma and Reincarnation

• The law of action and reaction
• Karma and Samskara
• Life, death, rebirth and liberation
• Destiny, Prapatti Vada and self-effort

• How to teach the basic postures, breathing exercises and elementary meditation to beginners and intermediate students
• Setting up of a proper environment for class
• Sequencing
• General pointers on teaching a class
• The Basic Raja Dhiraja class
• Beginners' Course
• Advanced Postures
• Yoga for Children
• Yoga for Older Citizens
• Yoga for Pregnancy
• Relaxation
• Detailed correction workshops
• In the second half of the training course, participants will teach each other under the guidance of an experienced instructor 

Yoga nutrition

• Vegetarianism for ethical, spiritual and health reasons
• How diet affects the mind
• Proper balance of the main nutrients
• Ayurvedic principles of nutrition
• Healing effects of fasting

Meditation

• Guide to meditation
• What is meditation
• Why meditate
• 12-step daily practice
• Experiences in meditation
• Mantras as spiritual energy encapsulated in sound
• The science of mantra
• Mantra initiation (if desired)

Raja Dhiraja Yoga

• Ashtanga - the 8 limbs of yoga
• Ethics and moral principles
• Hatha Yoga
• Koshas – the five layers of the mind
• Kaoshikii and Tandava: dynamic yogic dances for women and men
• Concentration and meditation
• The six lessons of Sahaja Yoga
• 16 points of yogic life

Kundalini Yoga

• Understanding Kundalini Shakti
• Macrocosm and Microcosm
• The Absolute and how it manifests itself in Nature
• The 7 Chakras
• The awakening and raising of Kundalini Shakti

Bhakti Yoga

• Kirtan: devotional chanting of Sanskrit mantras
• Chanting opens the heart and purifies the mind. With daily chanting, you develop a strong feeling of devotion and a very pure inner vibration. In devotional chanting correct pronunciation, devotional attitude and awareness of meaning (ideation) are all-important.
• Creativity and artistic expression for spiritual development and upliftment
• Mandala Art, Bhajans (devotional songs), Prabhat Samgiita (devotional music for mental expansion), Indian Classical Dance.

Karma Yoga

• Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Giita: relinquishing the attachment to the fruits of our actions
• Karma yoga is also the practice of selfless service. It keeps you fit and healthy, counteracts depression and gives immeasurable joy.
• Service to society
• The law of cause and effect
• Samsara, the wheel of birth and death

Jinana Yoga

• Yoga philosophy
• The History, Science and Philosophy of Tantra
• The Intuitional Science of the Vedas
• Upanishads
• Contemporary Yoga philosophy: Brahmacakra
• Conquest of death and immortality

Bhagavad Gita

• Krsna and the Bhagavad Giita
• Bhagavad Dharma
• Considered one of the greatest spiritual texts of the world, the Bhagavad Gita contains subtle and profound teachings and has a universality which embraces every aspect of human activity. It symbolises the solution to the eternal struggle between the spiritual and the material in every human being
• Study of the text and commentaries

Daily class schedule and course rules:

• 6:00 am: Satsang (meditation, chanting, inspirational talk, Bhagavad Gita)
• 8:00 am: Asanas
• 9:30 am: Anatomy and physiology/workshop/lecture
• 10:30 am: Breakfast
• 11:00 am: Karma Yoga 
• 12:00 pm: Main lecture (philosophy/theory/history)
• 1:30 pm: snack and leisure time - go for a walk, swim, relax
• 4:00 pm: Asanas and pranayama
• 6:00 pm: Satsang (meditation, kirtan, chanting)
• 7:30 pm: Dinner
• 8:00 pm: Free time and study
• 10:00 pm: Lights out

Prerequisites

A high degree of self-motivation is required for all aspects of the course. A basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is helpful but not essential. A sincere desire to learn and openness to the teachings of yoga is required. Training to be a yoga teacher requires dedication and faith in the process of yoga.
The practice and especially the teaching of yoga demand a high degree of self-discipline and purity. To ensure the success of the program, participants are required to attend all spiritual activities, meditation sessions, lectures and asana classes.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to cater to personal dietary preferences beyond the yogic-vegetarian meals.

The teacher training modules serve to educate yoga health professionals, yoga instructors, yoga students or anyone with an interest in the science of Yoga.

Our trainers are internationally recognized teachers and are highly skilled and experienced in the field of yoga education.

Activities and Excursions

One day per week is lecture-free to enjoy some leisure time and excursions specific to the area.

Optional Activities Include (depending on the location): 

Hiking, biking, swimming, snorkelling, rafting, water sports and boating – rock climbing, winter sports and the hot springs. For the less active – you will also find shopping and tourist attractions.

Students are responsible for making their own way to the Course. Details of how to get there will be sent to you upon registration. Please arrive on the date indicated as the course start date. Departure date is the date indicated as the last date of the course. Please do not arrive late or plan to leave early.

We are now offering a yoga teacher training intensive in two locations: in Kullu Valley, India and on the beautiful dolphin island Losinj, Croatia.

You can apply for the YTT by filling out the online application form

For more information regarding the yoga teacher’s training you may contact us:

Tel: +44 (0)7969 157994
Email: info@himalayanyogainstitute.com