Yoga Teacher Training in Santa Rosa, California - Yoga Alliance Approved 200 Hours
Upcoming Fall 2010 Yoga Teacher Training-Registration Open
Full training includes all six sessions:
2010: October 22-24, November 5-7,
December 10-12
2011: January 14-16, February 18-20,
March 23-27
This training is an opportunity to deepen your inner connection to Self through yoga and meditation practices, while attaining certification that allows you to become a nationally registered Yoga Instructor, RYT, at the 200 hour level.
The Ananda Seva Hatha Yoga Teacher Training focuses on personal spiritual development through yogic practices as well as learning to teach asanas. During training students have an opportunity to live the yogic lifestyle and experience spiritual community. This Certification Program provides a comprehensive overview of the breadth and depth of yogic philosophy and practices. It allows students to explore their own development of body, mind and spirit through exposure to the richness of the yogic tradition. The training explores increasing one’s intuition, compassion, love and sense of service through deepening in ones understanding of yoga. This program is registered at the 200 hour level with Yoga Alliance.
For information on Trainings in the USA contact the Yoga Trainings Manager at 707-239-3650 or
Our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training is located in Northern California at the Ananda Seva Yoga and Meditation Center, in a beautiful retreat like setting in the hills of Santa Rosa. It is situated on three and a quarter acres in Sonoma County, just 60 miles north of San Francisco.
*We are registered provider number 15162 with the Board of Registered Nursing. Eligible students may receive up to 30 hours of Continuing Education credits for this training.
The Ananda Seva Hatha Yoga Teacher Training gives students an opportunity to experience the yogic lifestyle and its multiple benefits while teaching them about the yogic tradition, its history, theory and practical application. The course teachings include:
- An in-depth overview of traditional yoga postures (asanas) and teaching methodology
- Meditation practices – how to meditate successfully, visualizations, and how to teach basic meditation
- Yogic self-massage, restorative yoga and deep relaxation practices
- History of Yoga from ancient times – classical and modern schools of Yoga
- Overview of the six primary yogic traditions
- Yoga Psychology and Anatomy – Kundalini, Nadiis, Chakras, Prana, Vayus and understanding spiritual experience
- Yoga Philosophy – reincarnation, cosmology, Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga, yama and niyama (the yogic guidelines for action) and other aspects of yogic wisdom
- Basic Ayurvedic principles – doshas, gunas, diet, physical, mental and emotional health tendencies
- Yogic Health Practices – cleansing, purification methods, yogic dietary practices and fasting
- Breathing practices (pranayamas) and their effects
- Basic meditations and visualizations for yoga classes
- Starting a successful business as a yoga instructor
About the Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Style
The style of yoga postures (asanas) done in our program is a classical Hatha flow called Sahaj yoga. Its roots are in the ancient traditions of Tantra and Hatha out of North India. Students are taught the correct identification and performance of the major Hatha Yoga postures, their benefits, subtle energy and hormone or therapeutic impact. They are also taught how to sequence a class and how to teach Asanas at three levels of development:
- At the beginning level, students are taught movement from one posture to another and stretches that enhance flexibility and flow.
- At the intermediate level, students learn to hold postures for specified lengths of time and master sequences and repetitions specifically designed to balance and integrate the glandular systems of the body.
- At the advanced level, students learn the integration of breath retention with Asanas.
Other Aspects Taught in the Asana Program Include:
- Proper alignment and biomechanics
- Guiding and adjusting students properly in postures including use of props, straps and chairs
- Health benefits, indications and contraindications of particular postures
- Adapting yoga teachings for special populations.
- Self Massage and Deep Relaxation Techniques used with Asanas
- Guidelines for the practice of Asanas
- Asanas and Ayurveda
- Anatomy and physiology as related to Asanas
- Restorative Yoga
- Teaching methodology
- Designing a balanced class – principles of sequencing
- How to teach a class, spot, and align
- Supervised student teaching and developing a personalized style
This certification program is open to people of all faiths and traditions. It is especially designed for those who want to experience a comprehensive overview of yogic teachings. For those who want to immerse themselves in the richness of the yogic lifestyle, either for beginners or to deepen an existing practice, this program offers an in-depth overview and opportunity to practice all aspects of yogic life. For those who are teaching or would like to teach, this program is designed to expand your knowledge of all aspects of yoga as well as to develop and enhance your teaching skills. And for those whose primary goal is more personal, the program offers an opportunity to deepend and enrich your own personal practice.
Application and Certification
This training is designed for those who wish to teach yoga to the public or simply want to deepen their own yoga and meditation practice. This program is open to anyone with a sincere desire to learn about the yogic tradition. An active yoga practice before beginning is encouraged, but beginners are also welcome. Participants from all yoga traditions are welcome.
Ananda Seva will award a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Certificate to participants who complete all requirements of the two (or more) sessions and the home study program between sessions. This certification is approved with Yoga Alliance and upon completion students will be eligible to become Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT).
Fees and Registration
A $500 deposit is required to hold your place in the Yoga Teacher Training. This deposit may be paid by check, credit card, money order, or cash. Deposits are refundable up to 60 days prior to the start of training, minus a $100 administrative fee. The remaining balance is due at the start of training.
For those with financial difficulties, we offer two work-study positions for each Yoga Teacher Training. Students will typically come for 2 days before and after each training session (for a total of 8 days) and help us to clean, set-up, etc. In exchange, students will receive a tuition discount equal to $12 per hour for the time worked. For more information or to apply for a work-study position, please contact the Yoga Trainings Manager at 707-239-3650.
To register for the Yoga Teacher Training, e-mail or call the Yoga Trainings Manager and request a registration form. Once you have filled it out mail it, along with a check or money order for $500, to: ATTN: Gayatri, Ananda Seva Mission, PO Box 2862, Santa Rosa, CA 95404-0862. Alternatively, you may register over the phone and pay your deposit with a credit card by calling us at 707-239-3650.
Full Program Tuition is $2000 and includes:
- A 200 hours Yoga Teacher Certification, with completion of the program
- A Yoga Teacher Training Manual
- Guided home study/internship program between sessions.
- Enrollment in the Ananda Seva Yoga Teachers Yahoo Group for contact and support from classmates, other graduates and administration.
Meals and Accommodations Costs are in addition to program tuition. The cost are as follows:
- Commuter (from nearby location) = $650
- Tenting (in your own tent) = $875
- Shared room (2 - 4 people) = $1350
- Private room = $1850
For more information contact the Yoga Trainings Manager at 707-239-3650 or
*Please note: Accomodation Fees include two vegetarian meals daily, simple accomodations and shared bathroom facilities.
Home-Study Internship Program
Between the Yoga Teacher Training Program sessions, students will complete a home-study program, which enables them to obtain the non-contact hours needed for Yoga Alliance certification. Students must complete a total of 30 non-contact hours, which must be documented and turned in prior to graduation from the program. Home-study hours will include the following:
- Creation of flashcards for each Hatha Yoga posture, which the students will memorize
- Practice teaching a minimum of 3 classes, which can be taught to friends, family, or the general public
- Observation of at least 3 yoga classes taught by others. This will include a short write-up of your experience and what you learned in observing the class.
- Any remaining hours can be logged in for yoga related study, observing or teaching. Any of these additional hours are to include write-ups of what you have done and what you have learned.
Yoga Teacher Training Faculty
Maetreyii Nolan, PhD, ERYT 500
Maetreyii has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 30 years, and is the co-founder and president of Ananda Seva Mission, as well as Co-Director of the Yoga Teacher Training. She has a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice, a former director of the Spiritual Emerence Network and a founding board member of the Kundalini Research Network. She has done extensive teaching on Yogic philosophy and practices, drawing on a strong intuitive connection to her Guru, Shrii Shrii Anandamurti, through which she receives teachings and shares them with others.
Avadhutiika Ananda Deviika Ma Acharya, MSc, ERYT 500
Ananda Deviika’ Ma graduated from the University in Belgrade, in Yugoslavia , with a degree in Theoretical Physics, which inspired her to further her research in the domain of spirituality. She received her spiritual initiation in 1977 and decided to dedicate her life to serving others as an Acharya, or spiritual teacher. She became a Sannyasini, or yogic nun, in the Northern Indian Tantric tradition under the guidance of her Guru Shrii Shrii Anandamurti. She spent three years training in India and then came to the United States and Canada where she has taught many people the practices of Sahaj yoga. She is a Co-Founder and the Training Coordinator of Ananda Seva Mission, a trainer of family Acharyas, and a Co-Director of the ASM Yoga Teacher Training.
Gayatri Dawson, E-RYT 200
Gayatri's study of classical yoga began in her twenties. In the ensuing decades asana, meditation and spiritual practice have grounded her life. Her interest in the physicality of asana can be traced to her early years as a professional modern dancer. Her intense willingness to bring awareness to the sensations of asana can be traced to her lifetime immersion in the Diamond Heart work of AH Almaas. Gayatri, who resides in community at Ananda Seva, is a graduate of the Ananda Seva Yoga Teacher Training herself and has labored in love as she has spent over 3000 hours teaching asana to students.
Gloria Tucker, MD, RYT 200
Gloria Tucker is an MD who has practiced Internal Medicine for 10 years and Sports Medicine for the last 7 years, being Board Certified in both. In addition, she is a Certified Yoga Instructor and has been using yoga postures as therapy for some of her patients with difficult muskuloskeletal problems. She began spiritual practice 18 years ago under the guidance of Sri Eknath Easwaran, and every day that passes she remembers how deeply grateful she is.
Upcoming Fall 2010 Yoga Teacher Training-Registration Open
Full training includes all six sessions: 2010: October 22-24, November 5-7, December 10-12, 2011: January 14-16, February 18-20, March 23-27
DAILY SCHEDULE
7:00 am – Morning Meditation
8:00 am – Asana Class
9:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Morning Lecture/Class (daily topics will vary)
12:00 pm – Lunch and Free Time
1:30 pm – Asana Methodology
5:00 pm – Evening Meditation
6:00 pm – Dinner and Free Time
YOGA TEACHER TRAINING COURSE OUTLINE
The Ananda Seva Fall 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training will be held at Ananda Kamalalaya, our center in Santa Rosa, CA.
Course Outline – Meets Yoga Alliance National 200 hour Standards
I. TECHNIQUES CONTACT HOURS: 83
1.Asanas and Deep Relaxation
2.Meditation Practices and Techniques
3.Yogic Health & Purification Practices
4.Pranayama (Traditional Yogic Breathing Practices)
5.Chanting, Spiritual Songs, Bhajans, Kiirtan
II. TEACHING METHODOLOGY CONTACT HOURS: 41
1.Teaching Asanas and Adapting Them for Individual Needs
2.Guidelines for Safety in Asanas and Pranayama
3.Integrating Learning Styles in Teaching - Kinesthetic, Visual, Auditory
4.Ethics And Qualities of a Good Yoga Teacher
5.Providing Guidance as the Student Progresses
6.Managing Your Business as a Yoga Teacher
III. ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY CONTACT HOURS: 19.5
1.Anatomy and Physiology of the Physical Body
2.Anatomy and Physiology of the Subtle Body:
3.Chakras, Nadiis, Prana and Kundalini
4.Ayurvedic Physiology
IV. YOGA PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY CONTACT HOURS: 32
1.History of Yoga
2.Overview of the Techniques and Philosophies of the Six Major Yogas: Jnana, Tantra, Karma, Bhakti, Ashtanga and Hatha Yogas
3.Creation of the Universe according to Sankhya and Tantra
4.Nature of Mind and Self; Lokas and Koshas
5.Stages of Meditation
6.Stages of Samadhi and Advancement of Consciousness
7.Yama & Niyama, the Ethical Code of Yoga: Integrating Yogic Values into One’s Life
8.Yogic Lifestyles, Integrating Yogic Practices into Your Life
9.Reincarnation, Karma & Samskara
10.Texts: Ananda Sutram, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
V. PRACTICUM CONTACT HOURS: 5
1.Supervised Student Teaching
2.Home Study Assignment
TOTAL CONTACT HOURS: 180.5
HOME STUDY NON-CONTACT HOURS: 30.0
TOTAL COURSE HOURS: 210.5
