Teacher Trainings

Teacher Trainings

500 Hour RYT

EVOLVE FROM A YOGA INSTRUCTOR TO A YOGA TEACHER

To be a Yoga Teacher is to become an embodiment of yoga knowledge through which you can inspire and transform students, well beyond the skillset of an instructor of yoga. If you have completed a 200-hour training program, we have continuing education opportunities to take your education and teaching practice to the next level! In our 500-hour training modules, you'll learn to develop your own style, master the techniques of skillful, experienced teaching, and further your own practice of yoga with mindfulness.

ELIGIBILITY

You must be a current 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor. If your training was not through Yoga for Life, you must submit a syllabus from the training program that certified you. Additionally, you may be asked to interview to ensure eligibility criteria.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

The advanced studies coursework is composed of three modules, each of which is 100-hours in duration. Given the significance and depth of the material, there is approximately a six-month time allowed in between each module to absorb and practice.

Each Module is five weekends: Fridays 5-8 PM, Saturdays and Sundays 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. You will also need to allow time for significant homework which includes both academic study, as well as practical application of theories. You will develop your own sequences and practices which will be deeply embedded in the principles of Universal Yoga. You will need to demonstrate competency in the materials covered in the three modules prior to receiving 500-hour certificate.

What is Universal Yoga?

Universal Yoga (R)* is a multi-faceted yoga system with the goal of spiritual growth and liberation, created by Guruji Andrey Lappa. To achieve this goal, Universal Yoga employs traditional yogic methods and techniques, from the rich philosophical heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism, Tantra (collectively called Himalayan Yoga), and combines modern science. The system is suitable for any practitioner seeking to become conscious of and liberated from their behaviors and individual patterns. This individual evolution is used to influence change within and then in the individual's surrounding environment. The goal of this micro- and macro-change is to inspire all beings towards karmic liberation: enlightenment.  Yoga Teachers who are well-versed in the Universal Yoga "superset system" can intelligently teach any style of yoga asana classes that are effectively "sub-styles" of practices of yoga.


PROGRAM TUITION:

Tuition for each module is $1400, including registration and certification fee. Registration fee of $500 is due within seven days of acceptance in the program. Deadline of registration is one month prior to the start of each program. Students who are certified in Module 2 previously, but want to repeat the curriculum receives a 40% discount on tuition.

MODULE 1

Segmentation and categorization of yoga asanas

  • Segmentation and categorization of yoga asanas, including reconstruction of complex asanas with anatomical understanding

  • Active and Passive asanas based on human ranges of mobility as described in Universal Yoga

  • Foundations of Universal Yoga and sub-styles

  • Single and multi-sector posture creation and alignment techniques and practicum

  • Advanced Yoga philosophy and decoding cornerstone Yoga texts

  • Principles and applications of adjustments based on anatomical and energetic alignments

  • Pranayamas and breath techniques based on Himalayan Yoga

DATES: Five weekends: to be announced

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: TBD

MODULE 2

Single and Double mat Mandala Vinyasa Sequencing

  • Single and Double mat Mandala Vinyasa Sequencing

  • Advanced Vinyasa sequencing principles based on complexity of postures and logical progression

  • Cultivation of Tantrayana, Mantrayana, and Yantrayana practices

  • Sequencing techniques based on orientation on mat and developing psychic-energetic states in practitioners

  • Teaching Pranayamas and Bandhas within a yoga class, according to Universal Yoga

  • Meditation for teaching and personal practices

  • Partner yoga

DATES: Five weekends of June 5, 12, 19, 26, and July 10

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 4, 2020

MODULE 3

Internal Practices of Tantrik Yoga

  • Internal Practices of Tantrik Yoga

  • Practices specific to last five limbs of Raja Yoga

  • Advanced techniques and sequences of Pranayam to cleanse Nadis (energetic channels) and remove of Granthis (energetic blocks)

  • Advanced techniques of Bandhas

  • Cultivation of single-pointed focus internally, using kriyas of the second and third Mayakoshas (shells of human awareness)

  • Methods of invoking Tantrik symbols of major and some minor chakra

  • Techniques of Kundalini awakening

  • Safe Kriyas (practices) of Neti and Basti, guided fasting, and observances of silence

  • Invoking dormant energy through methods of Brahmacharya for household men and women

DATES: 10 days to be announced

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: TBD

A YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED EDUCATION CENTER

A YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED EDUCATION CENTER

We offer training programs that continuously surpass all standards set by Yoga Alliance. The curriculum ensures our yoga practitioners and teachers grow to understand an authentic yoga lineage, while learning about anatomy, alignment and complex sequencing theories. Our advanced training programs also offer life skills and health information grounded in the yogic tradition.

Raj Patra

FACULTY: Raj Patra

Raj's yoga journey started in Kolkata, India at the age of seven at Ghosh's Yoga College which was established in 1923 by Bishnu Ghosh, younger brother of Sri Paramhansa Yogananda, the author of "Autobiography of a Yogi". Incidentally, Raj grew up on the same street, blocks away from the birthplace and house of Swami Vivekananda, the personality single-handedly responsible for introducing Yoga and Hinduism to the United States in 1893. For Raj, yoga involved not only physical exercises, pranayama, and meditation, but a prescription of lifestyle, in close association with Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and helped cure ailments and improve quality of mental and physical connections.

Over the the past four decades Raj has studied in the lineages and inspirations of Yogananda, Sri Anandamayi Ma, Swami Vivekananda, Bishnu Ghosh, Dr. A. G. Mohan, Zhander Remete, 17th Gyalwa Karmapa of Kagyu Lineage, venerable Chöje Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche, and most importantly, Guruji Andrey Lappa, founder of Universal Yoga and teacher of Tantrika. Raj is well-versed in systems of Hatha yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and its western derivations, Bikram yoga, Power yoga, Yin yoga, Shadow yoga, and the extensive system of Universal Yoga and Shiva Nata (Dance of Shiva), and has spent time in Ramakrishna Mission, Dakshineshwar Temple, Balur Math Vivekananda Institute in Kolkata, and Karma Lekshey Ling monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Raj's mission is to educate yoga practitioners and teachers about Yoga in its authentic and universal way, enriched by centuries of lineage.  His activities and energy these days revolve around teaching ancient philosophies in modern and scientific contexts, and inspire people to live life in conscious and meaningful ways.