Yoga Therapy Teacher Training Course

Course Structure & General Overview of Syllabus

Swadhyaya & Personal Sadhana (Including: Yoga Therapeutics – Part 2)

This is a continuation and specialization of the studies and practices undertaking by the serious students-after attending the first 2 main courses (200 + 300 hours program). This Continuing Education programs consist of 5 modules of 100 hours each (500 hours program in total) focusing on the Therapeutic aspects of Yoga. Upon successful undertaking of the 5 modules the sadhaka will have completed a total of 1000 hours of formal training and will be eligible to register oneself with the International Association of Yoga Therapist in USA.

Category of Disciplines and Description:

1. Yoga Therapeutics & Lifestyle Diseases

The management of diseases under the Yogic approach does not make use of “quick-fix” techniques neither is ‘solely’ a specific one, with “this-for-that” instructions. In Classical Yoga we deal with management of diseases making use of psycho-physiological practices and procedures that are correlated to the mental processes. It is a two way traffic here: the body and the limbic system influencing the mind and at the same time perception and conation influencing the body. Managing stress at the very base foundation level and reaching up to a wide overview of life is the Yoga way of managing diseases.

1.1. Yoga for Psychosomatic & Lifestyle Diseases

Therapeutic aspects of Yoga will be covered during the program by providing knowledge and training on the application of a Yogic approach in the management of stress, psychosomatic and psychogenic diseases following the orientations and methods applied, tested and advised by The Yoga Institute of Santacruz, Mumbai, India, since several decades.

Including detailed studies of the following:
Cardiac, Hypertension & Diabetes;
Orthopedic & Musculo-skeletal Diseases;
Gastro Intestinal & Genito-urinary Diseases;
Respiratory – Asthma & Bronchitis;
Stress Management – Affective Disorders, Depression & Nervous System Disorders.

1.2. Yoga Psychology For Stress Management

Man & Mind in the context of Samkhya Philosophy;
Cognitive Appraisal & Stress;
From Unbalanced (Rajasic) to Balanced (Sattvic) Mental State;
Stress Management – Ancient & Modern

2. Yoga Practices For Lifestyle Disorders

The training will include the examination and understanding of the above mentioned specific disorders and the therapies and recommended routines for their management and treatment including:

Healthy Routines (Yogachara & Vihara)
Change in state of Mind (Yoga Vichara);
Food recommendation & Dietary (Yogahara);
Education of the Physical (Asanas);
Respiratory Practices (Pranayamas);
Yoga Hygiene & Cleansing processes (Yogic Kriyas);
Psychosomatic Practices (Absorption, Relaxation & Meditation);

3. Discipline & Personal Practices (Sadhana)

All the students engaged in advanced training are expected to maintain a personal and regular practice while staying in the ashram. The Sadhana will include:

Meditation (Individual or in Group);
Physical Education – Asanas & Pranayamas (Individual or in Group);
Yogic Hygiene (Shatkarmas & Kriyas);

Other personal practices and observances will be followed according to the student’s need and under direct orientation of a Senior Teacher. This will include practice of mauna (silence), upwas (fasting) during specific timings or following a specific diet program if required.

4. Karma Yoga

All students will be assigned specific duties in the center for which they will be responsible to coordinate & execute, alone or along with other students and workers of the Center, under the Senior Teacher’s guidance. Karma Yoga is not only executing a specific work but it is mainly doing it with a particular attitude and state of mind. A positive attitude and sense of enjoyment is to accompany any physical action besides doing it with full attention and not having personal interests in the final result (selfless or altruistic work).

5. Advanced Studies on Traditional Texts & Selected Topics on Yoga

Personal guided studies will be conducted in form of workshops and assignments including attending lecture and doing research and paper/talk presentation on Traditional Texts or selected topics on Yoga and including:

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali & Samkhya Karika;
Bhagavad Gita and the 4 Paths of Yoga;
Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, Shiva Samhita, etc;
Yoga & Mystics & Mysticism;
History & Background of Yoga;
History & Background of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz.

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