/Courses/Yoga_Teachers_Training

Annual Yoga Teachers Training

History

Every year since 1968, Six Month Residential Yoga Teachers Training and Sadhana Courses have been offered in a Guru Kula setting from October 2nd through March 25th at ICYER. These courses have been devised by Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri. He personally conducted these courses from 1968 until he left his body on December 29, 1993.

The courses are now being led by his son Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, a trained medical doctor, and AMMAJI Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, the wife and chief disciple of Swami Gitananda Giri with assistance of many Senior International Faculty members of this illustrious living Yoga tradition. Senior faculty members helping Ammaji and Dr Ananda in guiding the new Yoga eaglets include Yogacharini Devasena Bhavanani, Yogacharini Catherine Davis, Yogacharini Shobana Devi, Yogacharini Latha, Yogacharini Jnanasundari and others.

Faculty of ICYER & YOGNAT

Thousands of students from all over the world have studied this elegant system, a combination of modern scientific inquiry and information with ancient wisdom

What do the experts say?

Yoga as taught a thousand years ago

Content of the course

From the first wake up bell at 4.30am. through the Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Jnana and Raja Yoga classes in the morning, through the Mantra and Satsangha classes in the evening, the student remains immersed in a life style designed to totally transform his nature into a Yogic personality.

More than 375 Asanas, Kriyas and Mudras are taught; forty Pranayamas, and scores of relaxation and concentration methods are imparted. Classical cleansing practices, Yogic fasting, diet and Yoga Therapy are also an important part of the training.

Syllabus of Yoga Training at ICYER and Yoganjali Natyalayam

To view some techniques of the Gitananda Yoga Tradition please go to LEARN YOGA.

The scientific, medical and classical theory behind every practice is clearly explained. Bhajanas, Carnatic Music, Bharat Natyam, (Classical Indian Dance), Pujas, participation in Hindu cultural and local community festivals and exposure to the classical spiritual arts of the Hindu culture are all part of the course.

Monthly examination sheets help the student to ogranize and understand his knowledge. A final thesis and other written projects are also necessary for qualifying certification. Guided study of sacred scriptural texts is undertaken. Successful completion of this intensive six month course will earn the candidate the title “Yogacharya” (for men) or “Yogacharini” (for women), which literally means, “one who is fit to guide others on the Yoga path by his own example”.

An International Yoga Teachers Training Certificate is also awarded to successful candidates. The total working course time is approximately 1,400 hours in the six months, of which 700 hours are devoted to theory and 700 to actual practices.

Eligibility of Candidates

A maximum of ten candidates are selected for each year’s course. Those who are chosen for this training must have completed or be presently enrolled in the 52 Lesson Correspondence Course: YOGA: STEP-BY-STEP which is also the basic syllabus for the residential course. This preparation enables the candidates to benefit much more effectively from the actual in-residence teaching, as the lessons act like a road map, or a guide as to the path to be taken during the six months.

Contents of the Correspondence Course: YOGA: STEP-BY-STEP

Those accepted for the residential course must be willing to accept a vegetarian diet and live as Brahmacharis (celibates) during the six months. They must also be willing and able to live in a close community family-like structure. Students are accepted only who are willing to make a commitment of six months and not for less amounts of time.

Special One Year Course

A special additional six months practical advanced Yoga Teachers Training is available from May 1st to September 15th each year for those who have completed the first six months training. This can be taken immediately after the completion of one's six month course or at a later time. This programme is more loosely structured with emphasis on "hands on" teachers training, organizing practical classes, giving lectures, etc. Advanced Yoga practices are imparted. A thesis and other written project work will also be assigned.

How to enroll?

Download the Ashram brochure

Download the Application form for the 6 Month Residential Yoga training Programme