Pacific Yoga's 500-Hour Teacher Training Program is open to all who wish to advance their knowledge and practice of yoga beyond a 200-hour certificate. If you have a 200-hour certificate from any school, or the equivalent experience, we invite you to embark on an integrated exploration of yoga with some of the Pacific Northwest's most seasoned teachers.

Our studies involve a commitment to the entire spiritual practice of yoga consisting of asana, pranayama, meditation, chanting, and philosophy. Each topic is presented over 12 weekends and includes a retreat for a deeply internalized experience of yoga. Every weekend is progressive, integrating practices and conversations over the course of a year. Students begin and end the program together, develop lasting relationships within the yoga community, and benefit from the advantages of having a small and consistent teaching staff.

Some of the most advanced postures appear to be the easiest. For example, samashtiti (mountain pose) requires one to stand with a balance of effort and ease. This is no small endeavor— witness people standing in line at the grocery store in obvious discomfort. The practice of asana (posture) requires both an intellectual process and an emotional understanding of one's being. Over time, the postures unfold and tell a story through the body. To this end, fundamental postures will be reviewed and refined before progressing to new topics. Students work within their ability and adaptations are made accordingly.

Asana topics include:

• Advanced standing poses: Parivrtta ardha chandrasana (revolving half moon pose), vrksasana (tree pose) with variations including standing side splits.
• Inversions: Sirsasana and sarvangasana (head and shoulder stand) variations, with special attention to techniques for varying blanket heights in sarvangasana and pincha mayurasana (peacock-feather pose).
• Backbends: Urdhva dhanurasana (upward bow pose), eka pada rajakapotasana (king pigeon pose) variations, and hanumanasana (monkey pose).
• Seated twists: Pasasana (noose pose) and revolving forward bends.
• Seated forward bends: Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend) progressing into seated balances.
• A full range of arm balances.

Students are given a historical tour of yoga while studying traditional texts from several sources of yoga philosophy. Without a doubt the West is influencing the way yoga is taught and the practice of yoga is evolving as we add our voice to its rich tradition. At its core, however, yoga is a state of awareness and this can never change. Through the study of traditional texts we learn to perceive yoga's pure, timeless teachings in chant, group study, and contemplation. An emphasis is placed on each student developing his or her philosophical voice to serve as a purveyor of yoga's ancient wisdom.

A Partial List of Philosophy Topics

• Upanishads with an in-depth study of the Mandukyopanishad.
• Bhagavad Gita and the practice of devotion (Bhakti yoga).
• Review of Patanjali with an emphasis on his teaching of Samadhi.
• Vedanta Philosophy including Shankaracharya's Advaita Vedanta.
• Introduction to Tantric philosophy.
• "Eight Vital Principles of Practice" as taught by Dona Holleman and other current authors.
• Sanskrit for pronunciation of poses, terms, and mantra
• Ayurvedic lifestyle with Melanie Farmer. Students will learn the fundamentals of Ayurveda with an emphasis on understanding their own constitution and how to nurture their own health. This is a 12-hour course taught over two days.

Students continue to refine their sense of prana and how it moves within the body. Patanjali describes pranayama as a practice that "clarifies consciousness"—in other words, the pranayama practice benefits our most subtle nature and requires sensitivity and patience. Pranayama also serves as a main support for meditation. As a group, we will often "sit" together and provide support for all types of meditation practice.

A Partial List of Pranayama and Meditation Topics

• Nadi shodhana, kumbhaka, and ratio.
• The trajectory of the breath in asana for body-mind unification.
• Pratyahara: Students will learn variations on shanmukhi-mudra (six-faced seal) as a means to interiorize the senses and cultivate internal awareness.
• Learning to sit with ease along the gravitational forces.
• Practicing asana sequences designed specifically for meditation.
• Developing awareness of the "witness" or seer within.

Teaching is an art. There is the methodology—but there is also the ability to think on your feet and create a dynamic learning environment for your students. This training will address methodology and impart the combined teaching experience of a staff with nearly 40 years of teaching experience.

A Partial List of Teaching Topics

• Learn to teach an Intro to Yoga series and create formats that support the new-to-yoga student.
• Discern between vinyasa and stationary practice. What is appropriate for each level of student?
• Introducing yoga philosophy into the classroom. How, why, when...and when NOT to.
• How to introduce and teach meditation.
• The far-sighted teacher: How to take a long-run look at your student's progress
• Teaching pranayama: Learn five-minute, 15-minute, 30-minute, and entire class sequences for pranayama practice.
• Boundaries and students: Examine the subtle and not-so-subtle line between teacher and student.

No matter the experience level, first time teacher or ten years strong, nothing strikes fear into the heart of a yoga teacher like peer teaching! When we stand among our well-intentioned peers there is the promise of doing our absolute best. And if we miss our mark, we find out where and why. Students will also have the opportunity to apprentice with highly experienced teachers, gaining tips, tricks, and "in-the-action" training.

• Practice teaching in a supportive environment through peer teaching.
• Learn by watching and assisting the experts through apprenticeships.

The Business of Yoga

You"ve got the training and credentials—now what? (Note: Kathryn and Theresa have successfully opened and run their own studios. Both women have earned their living from yoga for 18 years in the Seattle region).

• What does it mean to earn a living as a yoga teacher? Open your own studio?
• Marketing tools and models, local advertising "best bets."
• Headshots, asana photos, and bios.

Schedule

The schedule for our next Pacific Yoga 500-Hour Program in 2011 will consist of 12 extended weekends and a summer retreat at Sleeping Lady Lodge in Leavenworth, WA. Specific dates TBD.

Tuition & Application

Tuition information and application forms for the next 500-hour program will be posted to this website when they become available. In the meantime, please contact us by phone or by email if you'd like more information.