This four-week course offers a profound personal experience, designed to build a firm foundation of inner discipline and provide the proficiency to teach yoga to others.The essence of yoga is learned through a combination of repeated practices and inspirational lessons. The approach to teaching is personal, focusing on the individual student. Among the many benefits students report are increased strength and flexibility, greater spiritual awareness, improved power of concentration, enhanced self-esteem and a new found sense of self-discipline.
This training course fulfils the requirements for the Yoga Alliance 200-hour certification, for which graduates of the program are invited to register.

Sep 29 – Oct 28, 2012 - in Almora, Himalayas, North India (click for details)

Nov 3 - Dec 2, 2012 - in Varkala, Kerala, South India
Dec 8 - Jan 6, 2013 - in Varkala, Kerala, South India
Feb 16 - Mar 17, 2013 - in Varkala, Kerala, South India

Varkala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Almora, Himalayas, North India.

This course is open to all students who wish to deepen their knowledge and application of some of the highest teachings of yoga. Participants do not need to be yoga teachers. Mastery of any yoga practice is not necessary… only your sincere desire for knowledge and your commitment to personal growth. Even if one does not wish to be a yoga teacher, one may attempt this course for the deeper understanding of the philosophies as well as for the intense purification experience and for all round development of the personality.

Five points of Yoga as per the teachings of Sri Swami Vishnudevananda
1. Proper exercise – Yoga Asanas
2. Proper breathing – Pranayama
3. Proper relaxation – Savasana
4. Proper diet – Vegetarianism
5. Positive thinking and meditation – Vedanta & Dhyanam

Yoga Asanas
• The sun salutation and the twelve basic yoga postures
• Advanced variations
• Effects of asanas on the physical and astral body
• Proper posture alignment, deep relaxation, release of blocked energy
• Benefits of Yoga Asanas

Pranayama
• The basic practices: kapalabhati, anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing) 
• Advanced pranayama exercises
Kriyas
• The six classical exercises for purifying the body

Hatha Yoga / Kundalini Yoga Theory
• The astral body
• The nadis (energy channels) and chakras (energy centers)
How to Teach
• How to teach the sun salutation and the twelve basic postures
• Setting up a proper environment for class
• The basic class
• How to teach beginners and intermediate students
• How to teach children, the elderly, and prenatal yoga
• How to correct

• Sivananda Training Manual – by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.
• The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga – by Swami Vishnudevananda
• Bhagavad Gita (with commentary by Swami Dayananda Saraswati)
• Meditation and Mantras – by Swami Vishnudevananda
• The Sivananda Chant book - ISYVC
* These texts are included in the course donation.

• Sivananda Companion to Yoga - by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
• Sivananda Beginners Guide to Yoga – by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
• Yoga Mind & Body – by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre
• *The above mentioned texts are available for purchase in the ashram boutique

The students are continuously assessed throughout the course at all levels. There will be a written exam at the end of the course to evaluate the understanding of the philosophy of Yoga and skills of the students. Participant should pass all different aspects of the course to be eligible for the course diploma.

Assessment is based on:
1. Regular attendance of all classes
2. Attitude and behaviour inside and outside of the ashram while attending the course
3. Performance and attitude in the practical asana, pranayama, bandhas and kriya classes
4. Hatha yoga teaching skills
5. Written daily summary of the main philosophy classes and hatha yoga theory classes
6. Written examination of 3.5 hrs on the theories of Yoga and Vedanta philosophy.

Upon successful completion of the course students receive the Certificate of the Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham.
This training course fulfils the requirements for the Yoga Alliance 200-hour certification, for which graduates of the program are invited to register.

The donation mentioned here applies only to non-Indians and non-resident Indians.

Indian nationals may please contact SVYP directly for information on the course donation sivanandapeetham@gmail.com

US$ 2250 per person - sharing double room

In Almora ashram it is possible to book a Single room as well - US $2650 for the course. This is not available at our Varkala location.

Please email SYVP to register. Please send the completed application form (downloadable from the website or sent by request from SYVP) to sivanandapeetham@gmail.com.

Please make a deposit donation of US$100 securely via paypal to secure your place on the course – click here

or email SYVP for details for making an international bankers draft or a UK bank transfer.

The balance of the course donation should be remitted at the latest by the day of joining.

Course donations are non-refundable, however any unused amount may be transferred, minus an administration fee of US$100, to another course within one year of the original course starting date. Alternatively a credit note may be issued minus the administration fee. Credit notes are valid for one year from date of issue and can be used for any other courses/ programs or for anybody recommended by the depositor and also for boutique items or any other supplementary services.

Email sivanandapeetham@gmail.com if you need further information.