Yoga Teacher Training (YTT)

September 2015 - Course Highlights!!

The Growth Journey in Pictures....

Fire Ceremony : 01 October



There is a fire ceremony to usher in each batch of students. The fire ceremony is called a yagna where the fire is used to carry our offerings to the Gods. This is done in the spirit of Guru-shishya tradition or the Teacher-student tradition to ensure students’ course completes successfully without any obstacles. It is a very pious and sacred prayer.

Nature Getaway : 30 September



The course is a holistic course that ensures that the student receives variety of activities for a holistic growth. Some of the activities would include a visit to a waterfall, a dip in the holy river Ganga, a visit to the Beatles Ashram or Maharshi Mahesh Yogi’s Ashram, discourses at the Sivananda or the Dayananda Ashram or Swami Veda Bharti’s Sri Rama Sadhak Gram, Group Karma Yoga Activities involving selfless service and many more total personality development activities.

Alignment and Corrections : 29 September



In a physically intensive system such as the Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, special emphasis is laid on correction of postures and alignment. The courses are hands-on training where teachers ensure correctness through passive support. The teachers take special care to help the student sufficiently to help them gain the strength required to do the advanced practices.

Kriyas : 28 September



Students are encouraged to compulsorily participate in shatkriyas or cleansing techniques including Jalaneti, Sutra neti, VamanDhouti and LaghuShankaprakshalana. After the cleansing, the body becomes tender and delicate. Special care is taken to give sufficient relaxation to the students. Special care is taken also about the food given to the students after the kriyas. The students feel liberated and cleansed after these practises.

Library : 26 September



Ajarya library is well-stocked with relevant books. Students are allowed to refer these books in their free time. Teachers also prepare extensive book reference lists that are given to the students for their growth. These lists contain the best and the most relevant books for students seeking higher yogic goals.

Time to Absorb the Learning : 25 September



The time-table allows for sufficient gaps between the schedules to allow students to absorb the rich knowledge that is given by the teachers. The school accommodates relaxation techniques in between sessions to address any stress that may have built unknowingly. By doing simple relaxation techniques, the students start experiencing a deeper silence which lays hidden in all of us.

The holy Ganges : 22 September



The holy Ganges which flows only a few hundred meters from the venue, is a source of great energy and divinity. The surrounding Himalayas offer many attractions including treks to nearby temples and attractions.

Special Celebrations : 21 September



Ajarya - Ajarya and your new friends will make special events on important days in the calendar! And explore the nearby activities and locations in Rishikesh. Beatles’ Ashram, Sivananda Ashram, Dayananda Ashram, Swami Rama Ashram and many more Ashrams started by yogis.

Karma Yoga : 18 September



An opportunity to understand through practical experience, the concept of Nishkama Karma… work to help you draw deep satisfaction!! A session to help one experience selflessness and one’s role in a larger activity.

Group Discussions : 17 September



Time to interact and informally resolve queries on all aspects of Yoga – physical asana aspects, food and nutrition, psychology through yoga, therapeutic relevance of yoga, effect of Yoga on personality… and much more! The discussion is not just a lot of gag, the group makes note of important points of a discussion and then shares them with other groups.

All work & no play : 16 September



All work & no play…. Not at all!! Structured Creative Sessions included in Course including Yoga Games that help imbibe the teachings of Yoga in a fun atmosphere. Each group of students will be given a theme and the group will enact a skit / drama on the theme. Students maybe asked to draw a chart to represent a particular asana or a sutra from Patanjali Yoga. There is no limit for creativity!

Anatomy : 15 September



Anatomy aspects strategically intertwined to understand the Biomechanics of Asanas as they are being learnt and performed. Simple activities such as sitting cross-legged, walking and jogging will be related to the yoga and anatomy / physiology explained from this perspective.

Progressive growth in Asana Expertise : 14 September



We use multiple assessment model to assess your total personality growth during the TTC. Ajarya experts have developed a structured, weekly progression assessment model. This model will test your progression on a weekly basis. These methods go hand-in-hand with regular tests in theory and practise subjects. Continuous Stress-free Evaluations – through small but regular challenges that actually help you feel better as you witness your improvements! Similarly, Personality Inventory is a standardised, validated tool to help assess your personality before and after the TTC.

Loosening & Strenghtening to Avoid Injuries : 12 September



For anyone coming to India especially for a Yoga TTC, there is a need for internal and external acclimatization; Ajarya teachers have developed modules to help you loosen your joints such as your hips, knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, etc. Similarly, specific Hatha Yoga practices have been developed to help you strengthen your muscles for your core asana practices.

Students Understanding Vital Parameters : 11 September



As part of the Yoga for Health topics, hands-on training will be given to the students to record parameters specific to common ailments. How do you check the pulse? What is breath rate? What is breath hold time? What is the pain scale? How do you measure hypertension? Many more simple techniques which are seldom taken up in other schools at the 200-hour TTC level!