200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Curriculum

Course Structure

The Arhanta Yoga teacher certification course is spread over four weeks of intensive yoga training covering 240 hours in total. The yoga teacher training program is carefully designed to give you detailed knowledge of yoga, vedic philosophy, detailed correction and modification techniques and useful anatomy and physiology. All of the knowledge is brought to you in a very systematic manner. The course curriculum meets and exceeds the international teacher training curriculum requirements.

The courses are conducted at the Arhanta Yoga Ashram India and the Arhanta Yoga Ashram the Netherlands, Europe where you will learn and study following the ancient Indian system of study i.e. Gurukul system. This system is based on the philosophy that the student lives and studies with the fellow students at the residential study center.

This system helps to build a strong bond of trust and dedication between the teachers and the students and facilitates a smooth flow and proper understanding of the teachings. Staying at the ashram for four weeks also helps the students to take a step back from distractions outside and completely focus and learn at their optimum potential.

Curriculum Overview

The study program in India and the Netherlands is the same.

Satsang

The early morning satsang starts with breathing exercises, meditation, mantra chanting and kirtan (singing).

Yoga asana and breathing exercises

The course covers 21 basic asanas in complete detail, including the proper alignment, important benefits, counter indications, precautions, individual adjustments, corrections and modifications as well as different variations. Furthermore the course teaches additional 170 asanas including 84 beginners asanas.

The course also covers the Shat Kriyas, three main Bandhas, eight advanced breathing exercises, pregnancy yoga, yoga for children, yoga for elderly or for people with limited movements. In the morning, the How to teach class explains the skills and techniques for teaching yoga. The students learn the most effective way to explain the yoga asanas and give accurate corrections and modifications of the asanas suited to each individual. You will also learn the most efficient communication and motivation techniques. In this class you will also practice teaching in groups. Additional 40 hours are provided for this class in addition to the 200 hours of yoga training.

Karma Yoga

Karma yoga is practiced daily for one hour. Karma yoga includes volunteer work or selfless service.

Main Lecture

The main philosophy lecture is the eye opener in the yoga teacher training course. It explains the ancient yogic philosophies in the light of a modern point of view.

In an interrogating way the ancient philosophies are discussed and accessed to understand properly their true meaning and importance. This class clears most of the questions about the Self, the soul, the mind, the purpose of life etc.

Chanting

Chanting is part of Bhakti yoga. Chanting is practiced daily in the morning and evening satsangs. You will learn various bhajans and vedic mantras in this session. Chanting instantly calms the mind and brings a state of tranquility.

Group discussions

There are often group discussions during satsang, in which student are asked to share their life experiences, fears, thoughts on various topics like anger, love, etc. These sessions help you to discover new ideas as well as overcome the fear of talking in front of groups.

Detailed Study Program

Yoga Asanas

• 170 Classical yoga poses
• How to teach 84 classical poses and 21 basic classical Hatha yoga poses in precise detail, as well as the Sun salutation
• How to create a proper class environment
• Important pointers on teaching a Yoga class
• Basic structure of a Yoga class
• Basic structure of the Beginner’s course
• Yoga asana variations for beginners and elementary levels
• Kids yoga
• Yoga asana modifications for elderly people and people with limited movements
• Yoga for pregnant women
• How and when to modify asanas
• Deep relaxation / Yoga Nidra

Pranayama

• Abdominal breathing
• Full Yogic breath
• Anulom Vilom
• 8 Advanced pranayama

Bandhas and Kriyas

• 3 Bandhas: Jalandhara, Moola, Uddiyana
• Shat kriyas: Jala and Sutra neti, Nauli, Dhauti, Basti Tratak, Kapalabhati

Meditation

• What is meditation
• Meditation vs Concentration
• Why to meditate
• Guide to proper meditation
• Different methods and steps to meditation
• What are mantras
• Mantra initiation and chanting

The four paths of yoga

• Raja yoga
• Bhakti yoga
• Karma yoga
• Jnana yoga

Kundalini Yoga

• Kundalini yoga
• Awakening of the Kundalini shakti
• Common obstacles in the path of Kundalini awakening
• 3 Main nadis: Ida, Pingla, Sushumna
• Seven chakras

Yoga Philosophy

• Aim and meaning of yoga
• 5 Principles of yogic practice
• 4 Paths of yoga
• 8 Limbs of Raja yoga
• 7 Stages of awareness
• 3 Gunas – Sattva, Rajas, Tamas
• Maya, Prakriti, Brhaman, Avidya
• Atman, Parmataman, Jiva
• 3 Bodies; physical, astral, spiritual
• 4 Inner instruments; mind, intellect, subconscious, ego
• Working of the mind
• 5 Major and 5 minor pranas

Anatomy and Physiology

• 8 Main body systems
• Spine and its common disorders
• Difference between yoga and other physical exercises
• Injury prevention and cures
• Alignments, adjustments & modifications
• Yoga as therapy

Diet and Nutrition

• What is Ayurveda
• Yogic diet
• Effect of diet, nutrition and lifestyle on body and mind
• Body types and suitable diets

Karma and Reincarnation

• The law of action and reaction
• The law of compensation
• The law of retribution
• Destiny, self-effort and free will
• Purpose of birth and rebirth

Techniques for teaching

• Psychology of a teacher
• Psychology of a student
• Correction and guidance techniques
• Motivation techniques
• Communication techniques
• Structuring and planning the classes & workshops

Ethical Guidelines

• Ethical guidelines for a yoga teacher

Running your own yoga school

• How to set up your yoga business or yoga studio
• How to: find location, advertise and promote, get renewals
• Common fallback and mistakes and how to avoid them
• Practical tips for the smooth running of a yoga school / studio
• Study material (complementary for every yoga teacher training course student)
• Arhanta yoga teacher training manual