300 Hour Yoga Therapy Teacher Training

April 6 – May 14th, 2013
November 3 – December 10th, 2013

7 Centers Yoga Arts offers a 300 hour program of advanced yogic studies in a six week format with 285 contact hours with faculty. This is one of our tracks to obtaining a 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate. This training introduces yoga therapy as as a holistic modality that includes ayurvedic assessment to support the healing of chronic medical conditions as well as recovery from injury and surgery through a diversity of yogic practices.

Rama Jyoti Vernon assisted by her daughter, Mira

The primary yogic lineages guiding this training are that of Swami Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger, India and Rama Jyoti Vernon, founder of the International Yoga College. The curriculum is also inspired by the teachings of Dr. Vasant Lad of the Ayurvedic Institute and Dr. David Frawley of the American Institute of Vedic Studies . This yoga therapy curriculum includes a strong emphasis on Ayurveda, which is foundational is developing skills in diagnosis and assessment of imbalance. One focus will be on food and culinary herbs as a support for yoga therapy. In addition, the psychology around imbalance, chronic conditions and health dysfunctions will be addressed through the practices of Yoga Nidra and the yogic philosophy of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. In this six weeks, the Anatomy portion will emphasize the muscular and skeletal systems addressing common spine, back and joint issues related to injury – an area where yoga in mainstream is known for being particularly effective.

During the six weeks, there is study of the primary systems of the body: nervous, digestion, cardio-vascular, respiratory, reproductive, urinary, muscular-skeleto, immune and endocrine systems. Then we examine a system from the point of view of beneficial yoga practices (which include asana, cleanses, pranayama, yoga nidra), anatomy -both physical and energetic bodies, ayurveda, nutrition, and yoga philosophy. The faculty designs a personal yoga therapy program for each student which they do first thing in the morning before starting their day. In this way there is a deeper understanding of the challenges people face in following a daily program.

Typical Day (Monday through Friday)

6:30am – Yoga Therapy Sadhana
7:45am – Breakfast
8:30am – Karma Yoga
9:00am – Asana I
12:30pm – Lunch
1:15pm - Nature Walk
2:15pm – Yoga Nidra
2:45pm Break
*3pm- Ayurveda Principles
5pm Completion of Day

*Each afternoon there is a different lecture that includes Yoga Philosophy, Anatomy, Food & Nutrition and Ayurvedic Principles. If students are interested there is a 5:30 yoga class that is optional after the day completes.

On Saturdays we review the week’s teachings and integrate them into a yoga therapy clinic where we invite volunteers from the community to participate in doing a yoga therapy program. Initially students observe faculty in yoga therapy sessions and eventually lead their own under mentorship.

In the third week of the program we take a break from our set schedule for a special 4 day workshop on Conflict Resolution Based upon Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras that includes participants from the public. This workshop becomes the basis for looking at the psychological aspects of illness and the relationship between thoughts, emotions and how they express in the body.

TEXTBOOKS

Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Banda by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Yogic Management of Common Diseases by Dr. Swami Karmananda
Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing – A Practical Guide, Dr. Vasant Lad
Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff
7 Centers Yoga Arts Yoga Therapy Manual

REQUIRED READING LIST

Yoga and Ayurveda, Dr. David Frawley

PREREQUISITES

Yoga Teachers

To get a 500 hour Yoga certificate w/ Yoga Therapy emphasis – all applicants must have a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate from a registered Yoga Alliance program. If the goal is a 500 hour certificate, the student must provide documentation showing the equivalent of 100 hours of teaching in a formal or informal setting. Upon acceptance, students will be a sent a required reading list along with an open book review of basic anatomy as well as ayurveda that must be completed prior to the start of the program.

Licensed Health Practitioner

This program may be helpful additional training to those already in the healthcare field. If you are interested in pursuing this as ongoing vocational education call Sydney to discuss the possibility. Acceptance into the program will depend upon background and a personal interview process.

TUITION

The tuition for the course is $4,990. Tuition includes an ayurvedic breakfast and lunch five days a week and two textbooks, Yogic Management of Common Diseases by Dr. Swami Karmananda and Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Banda by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

A deposit of $1,000 along with your completed application form, will reserve your place. Deposits are non-refundable. If we receive written cancellation at least four weeks before the start of the training, your deposit will be transferable and can be used for any 7 Centers classes, workshops, trainings or retreats. If less than four weeks’ notice, your entire deposit will be forfeited. The balance of $3,990 is due 30 days before the start of the course and once the course starts, there are NO refunds. The fee is not transferable to another person.

To apply for the yoga therapy program, please fill out and return the 2012 Yoga Therapy Application along with a current photo of yourself . You will then be contacted by phone and sent an orientation package with housing logistics, preliminary materials and reading lists and a client intake form.

HOUSING

We are a non-residential yoga center however we will provide assistance in finding appropriate housing during the training which may be with friends and families of 7 Centers that are accustomed to hosting students in our programs. You can expect to pay an average of 1100$ for the six weeks, including utilities for a room and bathroom with access to kitchen facilities for evening meals. Other housing options may be available such more economical, shared spaces or high end accommodations. Upon receiving your registration form we will send you the names and contact numbers for potential housing situations. All financial agreements will be made directly with them.

Course Leader:
Ruth Hartung (Sraddhasagar), E-RYT 500
Faculty:
Zac Occhiline, RYT-500
Jeff Masters, LMT, Anatomy & Physiology & Yoga Therapy, RYT-200/500
Mira Murphy, Ayurvedic Chef & Teacher,RYT-200
Staff:
Sydney Pinkerton, Center Manager

For bios on the faculty please go to Overview/ Teachers.