In 1967 Swami Vishnudevananda, founder of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, taught the first Yoga Teachers' Training Course in the West. Today, this internationally renowned course is taught by his close disciples. Over 18,000 teachers worldwide have graduated from this comprehensive course. The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers organization is today the largest yoga organization of its kind in the world and has nearly forty years of experience in teaching this course.

This four-week course offers a profound personal experience, designed to build a firm foundation of inner discipline and provide the proficiency to teach yoga to others. The essence of yoga is learned through a combination of repeated practice and inspirational lessons. The approach to teaching is personal, focusing on the individual student. Among the many benefits students report are increased strength and flexibility, greater spiritual awareness, improved power of concentration, enhanced self esteem and a new found sense of self discipline.
Curriculum

Yoga Asanas
• The sun salutation and the twelve basic yoga postures
• Advanced variations
• Effects of asanas on the physical and astral body
• Proper posture alignment, deep relaxation, release of blocked energy

Pranayama
• The basic practices: kapalabhati, anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing)
• Advanced pranayama exercises

Kriyas
• The six classical exercises for purifying the body

Hatha Yoga Theory
• The astral body
• The nadis (energy channels) and chakras (energy centers)

How to Teach
• How to teach the sun salutation and the twelve basic postures
• Setting up a proper environment for class
• The basic class
• How to teach beginners and intermediate students
• How to teach children, the elderly, and prenatal yoga

Yoga Philosophy and Psychology
• The four paths of Yoga: Karma Yoga (selfless service), Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion, including attendance at devotional rituals); Raja Yoga (mind control), and Jnana Yoga (the path of wisdom and realization).
• Psychology of the spiritual aspirant
• The law of karma
• Kundalini yoga

Anatomy and Physiology
• The effects of hatha yoga practices on the major body systems

Yogic Diet and Nutrition
• Ethical, health and spiritual reasons for vegetarianism
• Influence of diet on the mind
• Proper diet
• Nutrition according to Ayurvedic guidelines

Meditation
• Twelve-step guideline to meditation
• The benefits of meditation
• Mantras, mantra-initiation (if requested)

Kirtan (Chanting)
• Positive effects of chanting on the emotions
• Correct pronunciation and mental attitude
• Learning classical Sanskrit chants

Bhagavad Gita
• Study and commentary of the classical scripture


Yoga Teacher Training course