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YOGA for ALL Teachers' Training
Any Body. Any Condition. At Any Age.

Basic Certification in Creative Yoga Teaching with Paul JJ Alix

Introduction:

The YOGA for ALL Teachers' Training is a comprehensive study of the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya through the practices taught by his son T.K.V. Desikachar. Included in this training will be an overview of yoga styles having their roots in his teachings, such as Classical Hatha, Iyengar Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa, and even discussions on what was once called Viniyoga. The relationship to other styles in popular circulation will be explored including Daoist teachings such as Chi Qung and it's relationship to yoga. These styles, methodologies and forms are compared and discussed to facilitate a broader understanding, while continually emphasizing the core principles of Krishnamacharyas' Teachings and how they apply to our present day. The practical aspects of teaching as well as foundational theory (readings on yoga philosophy, it's derivatives, and it's relatives) are also emphasized. Participants are encouraged to dive wholeheartedly into their own personal practice, teaching practice and class observations in order to further their own development in yoga, and to gain practical insight into teaching technique, methodology and style.

 

The YOGA for ALL Teachers' Training is in process for approval and registration with Yoga Alliance and exceeds the minimum Yoga Alliance requirement of 200 hours. Each training session includes theory, postural practice, breathing practice, meditation, relaxation, lecture, discussion, teaching practicum, feedback and processing.


Total Hours: - 240

 

Training Class Time with Paul                                         130 hours

 

Class Observation                                                            20 hours

 

Class Assisting                                                                           10 hours

 

Class Preparation                                                              20 hours

 

Practice Teaching                                                            20 hours

 

Reading                                                                                40 hours

                                                                                             ___________

Total                                                                                      240 hours

 

 

What Participants study:

Yoga practices of the Krishnamacharya tradition as taught by Desikachar and interpreted by Paul JJ Alix of YOGA for ALL : postural, breathing, internal energy movement, meditation and relaxation.

 

Teaching methodology, ethics, technique and style.

 

Anatomy and physiology related to yoga practices.

 

The practice and teaching of fundamental postures and their adaptations.

 

The practice and teaching of basic breathing techniques.

 

Basic Ayurveda and yogic cleansing practices.

 

The Sanskrit Alphabet with correct pronunciations.

 

Common Sanskrit terms and mantras associated with yogic postures and practices.

 

Patanjali's Yoga Sutras with application to teaching.

 

Bhagavad-Gita with application to yoga.

 

Basic yoga therapy with application to students needs.

 

Dates & Times:

YOGA for ALL Teachers' Training begins May 8, 2004, and runs through a span of 6 months, meeting approximately one weekend per month at a convenient times to be announced. Weekend course time includes Friday nights from 6:00-9:00 pm; Saturdays and Sundays (some Mondays) from 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Training dates include:  May 8, 9; 14, 15, 16; 21, 22, 23; 28, 29, 30, 31; June 4, 5; July 2, 3, 4, 5; 9, 10, 11;. Finishing the training with 1 or 2 weekends in October and/or November.

Next 200 hour Teacher Training starts September 10, 2004

 

Elective outings and workshops are scheduled on non-training weekends, and are held at the YOGA for ALL Studio and outside locations.  Elective workshop dates will be announced.

Tuition:

Tuition is $3,200 for early registration (by August 30, 2004), increasing to $3,500 thereafter. Cost of books and props is not included. Cost of attendance at YOGA for ALL¨ public classes and workshops is not included. Cost of attendance for trainees at elective workshops is at a reduced rate.

 

Prerequisites & Requirements:

Candidates for admission into the YOGA for ALL teachers' training are required to have a current self-guided yoga practice, and a basic understanding of the principles of YOGA for ALL.

 

YOGA for ALL Teachers' Training is a comprehensive study of the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya through the practices taught by his son T.K.V. Desikachar. Participants are required to attend all class sessions (with the exception of illness or severe emergency situations), complete all assignments, and pass all tests in order to be certified. Each session will have required reading assignments and homework due upon arrival. Trainees will be asked to commit to practicing regularly, prepare sample classes, and teach one class between segments. During each session, participants will be asked to practice, comment, question, demonstrate and teach. Over the course of the training, participants are required to attend 6 YOGA for ALL¨  classes with at least one class with each teacher in the school and at least 6 classes at 6 different yoga schools representing different styles. Attendance at elective outings and/or workshops is encouraged, but not required. Our training emphasizes creative teaching and each student is encouraged to discover their own teaching style.

 

Required Supplies:

PRIOR TO THE FIRST TRAINING SESSION:  Each participant must complete all pre-training reading requirements and acquire the following props.

 

Props: Each participant must obtain a yoga sticky mat, 9-foot quick-release yoga strap, 2 yoga blocks, and one yoga blanket:

 

Books:  *Denotes Required.

 

*2 Notebooks and a set of 12 different colored drawing pencils.

Lined for drawings and notes.

 

*The Essence of Yoga.

by Bernard Bouanchaud

 

*The Science of yoga.

by I.K. Taimni

 

*Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

Any translation, any author.

 

*Bhagavad-Gita.

Any translation, any author.

 

*The Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Of Swatmarama (any translation).

 

*Religiousness in Yoga.

Lectures on Theory and Practice

by TKV Desikachar with Mary Louise Skelton & John Ross Carter

 

 

*The Heart of Yoga.

by TKV Desikachar & Mark Whitwell

 

*Yoga For Body, Breath, and Mind.

A Guide to Personal reintegration.

by AG Mohan

 

*Yoga For Wellness.

Healing with the Timeless Teachings of Viniyoga.

by Gary Kraftsow

 

*Health Healing & Beyond.

Yoga & the Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya.

by TKV Desikachar with RH Cravens

 

Yoga for the Three Stages of Life.

by Rama Swami

 

*Emotional Anatomy.

by Stanley Keleman

 

*Visualizing Muscles.

A New Ecorche' Approach to Surface Anatomy

by John Cody, MD

 

*The Anatomy Coloring Book.

Wynn Kapit / Lawrence M Elson

 

*The Thinking Body.

A Study of the Balancing Forces of Dynamic Man

by Mabel E Todd

 

*Dao de Jing.

Any Translation.

 

*The Business of Teaching Yoga.

by Larry Payne PhD

 

About the Instructor:

Paul was initiated into Tantric Practices in January 1974. He has studied in depth Tantra, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Integral, Hatha, Raja and Viniyoga. Paul began his teaching career in Yugoslavia offering optional ballet classes to performers in the state run dance troupe of which he was a member. In 1984 he moved to NYC and taught Pilates under Romana Krysanowska and Carola Trier, direct descendants of Joe Pilates and his Methodology.  Finding his method physically fulfilling and exact however incomplete due to its' lack of attention to the mind, he decided to teach yoga. He participated in a Teacher Training offered by Swami Ashokananda of Integral Yoga New York. Due to the years of dedication, practice and skill behind him he graduated as the only student not required to memorize the Òteaching script. He began to teach Hatha II at the IYI NYC and was given 'permission' to deviate from the 'script' and introduce postures not normally allowed in the institute.Ó

 

Paul moved on to teach at Yoga Tone with Leslie Kamanoff where he was introduced to Gary Kraftsow and began to attend seminars with TKV Desikachar. Within a short time Paul received Verbal Certification from Gary Kraftsow of Viniyoga America then known as Maui Yoga Therapy. As a result of his training in Krishnamacharyas' style of teaching he developed YOGA for ALL¨ out of the feeling that anyone could practice yoga if only the practices were appropriately adjusted to their abilities.

 

Paul continued to pursue his studies by traveling to India many times over a course of years to study with the Iyengar family and the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram maintaining a curriculum of Asana, Pranayama, Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Vedic Chanting and in-depth study of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

 

Paul has enhanced his yoga practices with Daoist studies and creates a parallel to their application to yoga. In this field he has studied Daoist healing and Chi Qung with Mantak Chia. He recently spent three days and two nights high up Daoist Mountain ÒHaushanÓ (China) in a damp cold Daoist cave without food, practicing Kan and Lee meditation just to maintain body heat.

 

Offering Vedic Chanting and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with commentary, Paul travels around the country guest teachering in several Teacher Training programs. He also educates teachers in basic asana sequencing, counterpose and aplication to specific needs. 

 

He has explored several methods and styles, spicing his teaching with versatility and creativity. His goal is to convey the essence of yoga, making it accessible and applicable to all.

 

To insure the integrity of the learning experience, all participants must receive prior approval of the instructor. Application available online or by mail.

 

Registration, Payment & Refunds:

A completed application, along with a deposit check payable to YOGA for ALL in the amount of $1000 is required to register in YOGA for ALL Teachers' Training. Receipt of the $1000 deposit no less than 10 days prior to the start date of the training secures the discounted tuition of $3,200. Tuition or deposit payments made thereafter are subject to the full tuition of $3,500. Payment in full is required prior to beginning of training.

 

Refund Policy  

Withdrawal refund prior to start date, $800. Thereafter, withdrawal refunds will be determined on an individual basis, depending upon time spent in the training, cost of training materials, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Plan:

Segment 1
May 8, 9; 2004

 

Fundamentals and Basic Yogic Principles;

Foundational practices and basic principles; overview of the different body systems. The basic underlying sequence for all practices. The science of Pratikriya, Counter pose. Ujjayi pranayama technique. Krama breathing for enhancing breath expansion.

Samkhya Yoga and Patanjali's Yoga;

Dualistic and Non-dualistic philosophies.

The Shat-Darshanas.

 

 

Segment 2
May 14,15,16; 2004

 

Shiksana Krama; Developmental Yoga.

Practices geared toward the young and healthy. Redevelopment of movement patterns, strengthening and increasing range of motion. Improvement of concentration, listening ability and memory.

 

Relationship to popular Astunga Yoga with postural practice emphasizing alignment principles; the major postures to be learned. The use of vinyasa krama.

 

Basic anatomy presentation on fascia and musculo-skeletal systems. Examination of the respiratory and cardio-vascular systems.

 

Cleansing practices anyone can do.

 

Segment 3
May 21, 22, 23; 2004

 

Chikitsa Krama; Therapy for pain and illness.

Practices geared toward mainstream productive society. How to deal with chronic back problems upper vs. lower. Neck stiffness and injuries. Working with basic aches and pains and emotional instability. The use of props in practice and teaching. How to work therapeutically.

 

Overview of the digestive and elimination systems. Introduction to Ayurveda for yoga.

 

Segment 4
May 28, 29, 30, 31; 2004

 

Adhyatmika Krama; what lies beyond. Beyond our belief systems.

Spiritual practices for those who have a strong desire to explore what lies beyond our normal everyday awareness. Chanting, nadi shodhana pranayama, asana, meditation, prayer, ritual. Creating intention, action and result that match and support each other. Exploration of the inner practices meant to transform our parameters and open us up to hidden dimensions of our being.

 

Improving the nervous and endocrine systems.

 

Mid-term practical and written test.

 

Segment 5
June 4, 5; 2004

 

New York Yoga Expo.

Critical evaluation of the event and various classes and lectures offered. Attendance is required throughout Friday and Saturday. Sunday is elective but highly encouraged. Exploration of Sanga and what it means to our spiritual development.

 

Segment 6
July 2, 3, 4, 5; 2004

 

The Art of Creating a Personal Practice and Creative Sequencing.

YOGA for ALL style postural practice emphasizing the major vinyasas to be learned in this method, relaxation, meditation, chant, practice teaching Viniyoga style, practice presentations on the Yoga Sutras.

Classical-style Hatha Yoga vs. Adaptation. Kapalabhati; Nadi Shodhana; Shitali-Shitkari; relaxation; meditation/chant; practice teaching Classical style;

 

Yoga in the Bhagavad-Gita.

What are the various yogas discussed, and how many? What is karma yoga? Bhakti yoga? Laya yoga? Jnana yoga?

 

 

 

 

Segment 7
July 9, 10, 11; 2004

 

The Art of Creative Integration of Styles and other schools. It's all one yoga.

Discussion and analysis of teaching techniques and styles with review of material from first 6 sessions.

 

Daoist Practices.

The inner smile.

Color therapy.

The microcosmic orbit.

Pranic (chi) saliva.

 

YOGA for ALL practice session; teaching practicum; extended pranayama, chanting and meditation; Yoga and Ayurveda. Presentation on Tantra.

 

Segment 8 ~ October (to be announced); 2004

 

Graduation

Final YOGA for ALL practice session; teaching practicum; extended pranayama, chanting and meditation; proficiency evaluations; teaching proficiency practical exam; written yoga theory and practice examination; final instructor feedback. Graduation Ceremony.

 

Segment 9 ~ November (optional post graduation retreat in Jamaica); 2004

Not included in training fees.

The Art of Creative Sequencing, Integration and Beyond

YOGA for ALL practice session; teaching practicum; extended pranayama, chanting and meditation; review of anatomy, risk management, contra-indications and therapeutic applications.  Adhyatmika Krama exploration.

 

Elective Outings & Workshops: Dates/locations to be announced.

May 12; Purification & Devotion Celebration with Dharma Mittra & Krishna Das.

June 6; New York Yoga Expo.

 

Next 200 hour Teacher Training starts September 10, 2004