Teacher Training

7-Week Teacher Training Intensive, Goa, India: 4 February - 25 March, 2009

Yoga is about transformation and freedom! The Shakti Spirit Yoga Teacher Training is designed for practitioners who love the Hatha Yoga system, including Vinyasa Yoga, and would like to learn more about integrating their practice with the philosophies of Ayurveda and Kriya Yoga. The training also spends considerable time learning safe alignment, and includes the use of 'props' where appropriate.

Once a foundation in safe alignment is established we focus on conscious movement and breath, by linking the postures together into intelligent and flowing sequences (vinyasa). We also include sequences that are not so much vinyasa based, but are none the less intelligent in their design. The Shakti Spirit approach is also interested in the energetic aspects of the practice, such as the flow of prana in the body, or the effects on the gunas and doshas. The Director and Senior Teacher, Rachel Hull, is known for her precision with alignment, as well as her ability to encourage each participant to practice in a flowing and graceful way that is suitable for their individual body.

SHAKTI SPIRIT/ BRAHMANI YOGA - TEACHERS TRAINING INTENSIVE

Director and Senior Teacher: Rachel Hull
Asana: Rachel Hull & Jodi Boone-Starick

Asana Assistants: Sue Pendlebury & Nathan Gray

Pranayama: Emil Wendel and Rachel Hull
Philosophy: Emil Wendel
Ayurveda Philosophy: Rachel Hull
Anatomy & Physiology: Christoph Kummer
Voice & Presentation Skills: Sue Pendelbury and Julie Martin

Click here to read more about the teachers

This course has several unique aspects that you will not find in other programs, and is suitable for those practitioners who would eventually like to share their knowledge and inspiration with others, in the role of teacher. Whether or not participants choose to go on and teach, they will find this training provides a rare and wonderful opportuntity to delve deeply into their own nature.

Small select group: No more than 14 participants on the course.
Course located in Goa, India.
The training has been designed to be 'intense' while allowing space and time to integrate the experiences you are having.
A rare opportunity to journey into creative Vinyasa sequences, as well as focus on alignment and use of ‘props’.
Strong emphasis on the practical understanding and application of Ayurveda (Yoga's sister science) – including how to apply Ayurveda to asana and pranayama. Rachel will also share some treatments and 'shat karmas' (cleansing techniques) with you that can aid your practice.
Participants will have the opportunity to work with highly experienced teachers.
Practical component: Much of the training is spent in a private and 'closed' training group at the secluded Satsanga Retreat Centre, a perfect environment for practicing Yoga. We will also spend some mornings practicing at the Brahmani Yoga Centre, as well as assisting and observing the teachers there as they work with 'real people' from the public. This practical component is an invaluable addition the the course.
For those that have the time, and feel that they would like to continue with the practical component (assisting in public classes), it is possible to make arrangements to stay longer and keep practicing and assisting with the teachers at the Brahmani Yoga Centre. There is a small fee for this option, in keeping with the locals prices for classes at Brahmani Yoga Centre. This is a non-compulsory option that some people may wish to explore - meaning your training could last for up to 10 weeks!
A 350+ page training manual, including hundreds of photographs has been written for the training.

Learning to teach Yoga well takes a long time and grows out of having a steady and dedicated practice of one's own. On this course, we focus on participants consolidating their individual practice, understanding themselves and others more thoroughly through the insights of Ayurveda and establishing a solid foundation in the areas of: alignment and adjustment skills, prop usage, pranayama, meditation, movement-related anatomy & physiology, Yogic philosophy and teaching skills such as voice and communication.

LOCATION: SATSANGA RETREAT CENTRE, PARRA, GOA, INDIA. Some morning classes will be held at the Brahmani Yoga Centre, Anjuna, which is approximately 10 minutes drive from Satsanga Retreat Centre.
To read more about Brahmani Yoga Centre, go to www.brahmaniyoga.com
COST: $ 4100 Australian dollars. (Aud $500 deposit is payable once you have been accepted in order to reserve your space). This is refundable for cancellation until 30 days before the course starts (except Aud $150 admin fee which is non-refundable). The balance for the course is due before the 7th January, 2009. The cost includes the Yoga and other tuition. It does not include airfares, visas, accommodation or food.
ACCOMMODATION: It is highly suggested that students stay at the Satsanga Retreat Centre, which has both single and twin share rooms. This is a lovely centre with a purpose built Yoga Shala, large gardens and a beautiful pool. Most of the training (including all early morning pranayama sessions) will run from here, making it an easy option.
The cost for the 7 weeks accommodation for a single, standard room is approximately Rp 58 800 (approx Aud $1500), which includes the 8% tax. Meals can be arranged upon request. Twin share rooms are available but because of the course length it is advisable to consider taking a private room. It is possible to arrive one day before the training starts, and to stay for one extra day after the training ends.
The room availabilty operates on a first come, first served basis, as the number of rooms is limited and will be affected by people choosing single or twin share. Applicants are requested to contact, book, and pay for their accommodation with the retreat centre directly.
Contact Olaf or Jodi via email at: satsangaretreat@yahoo.com. The website address: www.satsangaretreat.com
Should you require other options, or wish to arrive a week earlier to get used to Goa (highly recommended), we can provide you with a list of possibilities.

CURRENCY CONVERTER
You can check the exchange rates between various currencies on these sites
www.oanda.com
www.xe.com

SAMPLE DAILY TIMETABLE - Classes including asana, pranayama, Ayurveda, anatomy, philosophy, alignment, assisting classes, sequencing skills, prop usage, creative voice and presentation sessions etc, will be held mornings and afternoons 5-6 days per week. Sundays are a free day.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE -

2 years of regular prior Yoga practice is required – Iyengar, Ashtanga or Vinyasa Flow Yoga are suggested.
You must be open-minded and prepared to learn different techniques and approaches to teaching and learning.
A keen interest in Ayurveda and Indian Philosophy is an advantage.
As the training takes place in India, please be aware of the challenges of heat, insects and various other things.
You will need to be self-reliant, able to process your emotions maturely, and committed to full attendance in order to successfully complete the course.

YOGA ALLIANCE: This training is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level, although the actual hours of the course number 280. Upon succesfull graduation, students can, if they choose, apply for RYT-200 status with Yoga Alliance. This is at a fee determined by Yoga Alliance.

APPLICATION: Please email Rachel at shaktispirit@gmail.com with any further questions or click here to download an application form. Once you fill in the form Rachel will get back to you to let you know if you are successful. At that time you will need to pay your deposit, or the full fee to hold your place.

If you feel this training is just what you are looking for, and feel ready to take your Yoga journey to the next level, we look forward to hearing from you.

Namaste, Rachel Hull & the Shakti Spirit Yoga Team