imagesVikara Yoga Academy is an accredited Yoga School with the Yoga Alliance; the largest International governing body of Yoga Teachers and Yoga Schools.   Upon completion of the initial 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program, trainees will receive a certificate of completion and be eligible to register as a 200 RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) with the Yoga Alliance.

Our 200 RYT program is a unique and powerful journey ensured by our dedication to maintain individual attention to each trainee and their own authentic expression of aliveness.  Our commitment is to the integral teachings of yoga that when embodied can support living life with intimacy. We ourselves know the value of the practice within our lives as sisters, mothers, daughters, friends, humans.

Our course is rich in yoga tradition and philosophy combining many of its ancient practices with the influence of modern approaches and a variety of modalities. Together we seek to explore the shadows confluence with the heart and how we can uncover more of our potential to actualize and authenticate our lives from a place of bravery and vulnerability.  What lies within you?

Over the course of the 200 hours, our syllabus is as follows:

Critical Alignment & Anatomy (20 hours)

During the 20 hours with Heidi Mason, Physiotherapist and Yoga Teacher, you’ll learn the fundamentals to body movement and body mechanics.  You’ll understand the the layers of the body from bones – ligaments – muscles – to movement.  Planes of motion and it’s importance when teaching yoga asana. The SPINE!  Components of our spine and what we mean by neutral spine.  Common injuries.  How can we avoid over-injury and how can we modify postures to suit the needs of such injuries.  Most importantly, you’ll learn from an anatomical perspective, what muscles are contracting and which should be relaxing and what the purpose of each posture is, exactly 🙂

History & Philosophy

Traditional yoga practices emphasizing the teachings of the yoga sutra of Patanjali are integrated into our weekly gatherings through technique practice and philosophy discussion.  We will learn the historical context of yoga theory and practice while learning to apply practice to modern life. We bring the philosophy out of the ancient scriptures and dust off the pages to make practical what can otherwise be rendered to the corners of the mind. Discover how an ancient practice meets us right here right as we are.

From learning concepts of Dharma, and the eight fold path to freedom we will dive with sincerity into the complexity of our human spirit.

Meditation

Calming the fluctuations of the mind.  Since ancient time people have sought methods to achieve inward peace. Perhaps now more then ever we need a revival of this desire in each of us so that we learn how to be together in loving kindness. We explore a large variety of techniques while unpacking the different aspects of mind and its aggregates according to both yogic and Buddhist thought. By the end of the course you will be a competent companion to your inner world.

Mantras/Mudras

  Learn the definition of a mantra along with several powerful mantras to support the purification of shame or doubt from your beautiful soul.  Mixed with the power of verse and song is the power and intention behind mudras or yoga in the hands.  Incorporating mudras into a meditation, pranayama or asana practice has many benefits.  Learn the purpose of several mudras and how they can enhance your practice as whole.

Subtle Energy & Practices

An introduction of subtle energy and the concept of charkas and energy centres.  Along with Jaya Amy, students will be able to identify with seven major chakras – the intersection of the emotional and the physical as they express in our bodies or our lives as repeated patterns of behaviour.  We ground this otherwise esoteric approach into our understanding of yoga and how energy operates in our own lives.

Pranayama & Prana Vayus

If you did not breathe you would cease to exist.  The fourth limb on our eight-fold practice is that of our breath.  In our pranayama (or breathing) practice learn several types of pranayama, their benefits and precautions as well as how to properly guide beginners through the art of breathing.  With this understanding comes the teaching of the prana vayus or changes in our breathing patterns.  Iyengar use to say that controlling the breath is like taming a wild horse.  It takes practice and patience.

Yoga Asana

Learn over 90 yoga asana (postures) by uncovering the layers of each using 4 components:  1) Alignment principles 2) Modification 3) Benefits 4) Precautions.  During the course of the 80 hours, postures are practiced and stripped down to the mechanics, building the progress of the physical practice of yoga from the inside – out.  Clare Newman takes great pride in being able to teach every student a yoga posture, despite having an injury or an ailment by the use of understanding the anatomical and composition of the body as well, being able to offer modifications to achieve postures.  Each yoga asana has it’s own benefits but as well, some precautions.  The intention of this portion of the program is to teach trainees to watch their students and to cue and teach according to the needs of their student vs a text book case of what a posture looks like.  Much discovery is to be learned but oh, so much fun!

Ayurveda

The concept of the “Science of Life” dates back thousands of years.  Learn the basics of this sister science to yoga… What is Ayurveda, it’s rich history, the three doshas and gunas, prakrit, the 5 basic elements and how it relates to Ayurveda, the digestive fire, the 6 basic tastes, rasa and the emotions and a general food guide on pacifying foods and herbs for each dosha. Sound like a mouthful? Don’t worry we will make it simple and delicious.

Teaching Methodology

Throughout the teacher training program, Clare and Jaya encourage and incorporate practice teaching and guidance when learning postures, meditations, concepts, breath techniques, and deeper ethics.  Both have fun and challenging ways to enhance the specific of cueing and the awareness of language as a tool of awakening, as well as the power of intention and holding space.   Proper class sequencing to ensure a well balanced class is emphasized at the end of the training and many hours of hands-on teaching and feedback is given.

Practicum

The practicum component will be discussed the first day of training.  The final test at the end of the program is to teach a 1 hour class (style of the trainees choosing) FREE to the public and observed by either Jaya Amy or Clare Newman in order to receive the certificate of completion.

Please email vikarayogaacademy@gmail.com if you have any further questions or need clarification on the syllabus above.