The Curriculum

The Curriculum is based on the five principles of yoga through the practice of the four classical paths of yoga:

1 Proper Exercise (Asanas)
2 Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
3 Proper Relaxation (Savasan)
4 Proper Diet (Vegetarian)
5 Positive Thinking and Meditation (Vedanta and Dhyana)

ASANAS (Yoga Postures)

Daily detailed practice of the sun salutation and yoga postures.
These help to:

• Control the emotions
• Increase concentration at work
• Reduce overweight and achieve a fit body
• Relieve chronic constipation
• Reduce the effects of rheumatism
• Relieve stomach complaints
• Encourage good circulation
• Stabilise the function of the thyroid gland
• Achieve maximum flexibility
• Keep the muscles youthful and elastic into old age

KRIYAS

Tratak, Neti, Kapalabhati, Dhauti, Nauli and Basti are the six classical purification exercises for eyes, nose, respiratory tract, oesophagus and stomach, internal organs and colon.

•  Explanation and demonstration of the exercises and their effect.
•  Individual tuition.

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Introduction to the most important systems of the body in relation to the effects of yoga exercises:

• Heart and circulation system
• respiratory system
• digestive system
• bone structure and muscular system
• endocrine system.

PRANAYAMA

Increasing the lung capacity, relaxation of the nervous system, balancing the brain hemispheres, cleansing of the nadis (subtle energy channels), awakening of the inner spiritual energy.

Kapalabhati (cleansing of the lungs), Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breathing), Samanu (spiritual cleansing of the nadis), as well as eight main pranayamas: Ujjayi, Surya Bheda, Bhastrika, Plavini, Moorcha, Sitali, Sitkari, Bhramari.

THE PRACTICE OF TEACHING YOGA

In workshops the teaching of yoga is practised and corrected.

In the second part of the 28-day training course participants practise teaching on each other under the supervision of an experienced teacher.

NUTRITION

• Vegetarianism
• Yogic dietary rules
• Fasting
• Vedanta Philosophy
• Basic concepts of philosophy
• The Seven Bhoomikas – levels of consciousness
• Space, time, causality
• The three human bodies

RAJA YOGA

• The eight steps of raja yoga
• Antahkarana – the working of the mind

BHAKTI YOGA

• Kirtan and Mantra Chanting
• Explanations of the various forms of deities

MEDITATION

• Physical and spiritual meditation
• Mantra teaching

KARMA YOGA

• The law of action and reaction
• Samsara – The wheel of birth and death
• Karma yoga – selfless service

BHAGAVAD GUITA

• Study and commentary of the classical yoga scripture.