The aim of this course is to give you the knowledge and confidence to teach Hatha Yoga in the Astanga style with strong emphasis on the Iyengar approach to alignment. All aspects of teaching, with the emphasis on acquiring practical teaching skills, will be covered. The theoretical section of the course will include Anatomy and Physiology as relevant to an understanding of Hatha Yoga, Yogic Subtle Physiology and Philosophy. The topics have been chosen to meet the increasing demands and interests of the ever growing number of yoga practitioners.

The course draws on key elements from some of the most influential schools of yoga. Including, amongst others:

• Ashtanga Yoga - Strength and Flow 
• Iyengar Yoga - Alignment
• Sivananda Yoga - Traditional Values

Passionate and effective teaching is drawn from strength and confidence in your own practice. We aim to ensure that your own asana practice develops in line with your teaching skills. We place an equal emphasis on developing your own practice in line with your teaching practice. The course is designed to ensure that our instructors continue to develop and improve their own practice, not just for the duration of the course, but throughout their career. This ensures that our teachers continue to develop and grow, deepening their understanding of yoga through their own personal practice rather than from reading a book.

This part of our program is the key to our entire ethos and the courses we teach.

We want our teachers to practice what they teach and teach what they practice!

The non-residential course consists of the following modules:

• A one-week intensive which will introduce progressive practice and build a solid foundation for the rest of the course.
• Five weekends (Friday evening to Sunday) or six weekends (Saturday and Sunday) which will be distributed over a one year period.
• Written assignments and tutorial work based on each weekend’s content
• Observation and assisting in classes
• The entire course will take approximately twelve months to complete, and you will be assigned a mentor to assist you throughout the course.

The residential course consists of the following:

• A three week residential training course which covers the same topics as the non-residential course.

12 month course – induction and core weekend modules
In this format, students have time to practice and improve upon what they have learned during the weekends. This is especially useful for those who are not familiar with the astanga series, or who feel they need to build up their practice. Students have time to digest and assimilate what they have learned, and to discuss with their fellow students. More information

3-week intensive
This format is immersion-style training, with practice starting early morning and finishing at approximately 7.30pm. There are minimal distractions, and all the students’ needs are taken care of so they can concentrate fully on the training. The environment is carefully chosen to provide an uplifting and appropriate atmosphere, and our chef is instructed in preparing food following yogic guidelines. These factors greatly enhance the students’ health, vitality and energy, and have a transformative effect on learning. The course is suitable for students who have a strong practice and who are prepared to work hard to achieve major advances in both their practice and teaching skills. More information

The topics you will study are outlined below but are not exhaustive

• Yoga Philosophy and History, and its influence on current day yoga: This will provide you with an understanding of the roots of what you will be teaching, and the philosophical traditions which have shaped modern yoga.
• Anatomy and Physiology of Hatha Yoga: This gives you a fundamental understanding of what correct alignment actually means, and how to teach it and to analyze a student’s posture. Physiology covers the effects of yoga practices, their benefits and their contraindications. All anatomy and physiology is taught with direct relevance to Hatha Yoga and is not merely textbook learning.
• Techniques in Astanga Vinyasa: The use of body mechanics combined with the correct use of energetic locks reveals the tremendous potential of this style of yoga.
• Learning to adjust with awareness and sensitivity: Combining the latest flexibility research with adjusting is a powerful tool for increasing both flexibility and strength.
• Developing Verbal and Communication Skills: The use of the voice to motivate and uplift and of demonstration to teach and inspire.
• Vinyasa Krama: Intelligent sequencing is the key to a well-balanced successful yoga session, and gives you the confidence to be original and interesting in your yoga teaching.
• Modifications and Variations to suit individual needs: How to tailor a yoga class.
• Esoteric teachings of Hatha and Tantra: A practical introduction to energetic concepts used in advanced practices.
• Yoga Nidra: Learn one of the most popular stress relief programmes in the world.
• Chanting and Sanskrit pronunciation: The correct pronunciation of Sanskrit words commonly used in class.
• Teaching in class: Starting in small groups, you will gain the confidence to teach in front of others.
• Yoga Teaching as a Career: The business side of setting up classes in the public domain.

For an approximate breakdown of how the hours are distributed among the key topics refer to 200 hour Yoga Alliance UK Standards

On acceptance to the course, you will be able to log in to the members area of Union Yoga Teacher Training, where you can view and download the relevant pages of the teaching manual required for each module. You will also receive a comprehensive reading list to accompany the course.

Please note only under extenuated circumstances are you allowed to miss a weekend on your 200 hour non residential course. To qualify you willl need to attend the missed weekend on another 200 hour non-residential course and pay pro rata for the weekend.

Please let us know your enquiry and we will get back to you shortly.

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