Yoga Teacher Training, Vrindavan

Advanced Yoga Teachers' Training Course
in Vrindavan, the holy city by the Yamuna River, North India

10 October - 8 November 2009
437 Training Units

(Dates include arrival and departure days)

 

 

ATTC Brochure (PDF)

The Advanced Teachers’ Training Course allows graduates of the Sivananda Teachers’ Training Course to deepen their spiritual knowledge over four weeks of intensive yoga practice and study of Vedanta philosophy. Individual guidance and yogic self-discipline are integral components of the course. Upon successfully passing the exam, participants receive a certificate of completion from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

 

 

Prerequisites

Sivananda Teachers' Training Course.

Participation in the Advanced Teachers’ Training Course in Jai Singh Ghera Ashram in the traditional setting of Vrindavan requires constant adaptation to local customs, as well as open-mindedness and sincere acceptance of the instructions given by the Swamis. Before enrolling, please meet or telephone with any of the European Acharyas or Swamis to better understand the spiritual nature of the course and get information on clothing, medical precautions and diet. This personal course introduction by a Swami is essential for enrolment.

 

Course languages

The course will be taught in English with simultaneous translation into German, French and Spanish and possibly other European languages.

 

Tuition fee

simple dormitory: 1350 Euro
dormitory: 1550 Euro
double room: 1800 Euro

 

 

The Location

Vrindavan

Vrindavan is located 150 km from Delhi and can be reached in 2.5 hours on Highway NH2, one of the most modern roads of India. Vrindavan is one of the holiest cities of India. The spiritual wealth of hundreds of temples permeates the atmosphere. For centuries, yoga practitioners have been coming to Vrindavan to immerse themselves in Sadhana (spiritual practice).

The Ashram

The Jai Sing Ghera Ashram is the former Sadhana (spiritual) residence of King Jai Singh. The Ashram is located directly on the banks of the holy Yamuna River. The Ashram is the seat of the 500-year-old Goswami Vaishnava tradition of the nearby Sri Radha Raman Temple, one of the oldest temples of Vrindavan.


The Ashram is a spiritual oasis with a manicured lawn and exquisite temple gardens where pandits recite the scriptures daily. The ancient palace walls offer picturesque views of the pilgrim road, old royal palaces, and vast fields on the opposite banks of the river.


Guest rooms with fan and detached bath are found on top of a large auditorium built in the classical Rajastan style. Asana classes will be taught on the roof terrace overlooking the houses of Vrindavan. The large open-air Mandapam regularly hosts the seven-day scriptural recitals.


The Ashram kitchen provides carefully prepared lacto-vegetarian meals twice daily, which are moderately spiced.

 

 

The instructors

Swami Durgananda

is a Yoga-Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Europe. A senior disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda, Swami Durgananda travelled with her teacher throughout India. She has been building up the European centres for over 30 years and teaches at the Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses worldwide. The Advanced Teachers’ Training Course in Vrindavan will be personally overseen and guided by Swami Durgananda.

Swami Sivadasananda

is a Yoga-Acharya and director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Switzerland, Spain and South America. He was personally trained in Asanas and Pranayama by Swami Vishnudevananda and will be teaching the yoga classes during the course. He is known for his inspiring and relaxed methods of teaching asanas and pranayama.

Swami Kailasananda

is a Yoga-Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in England and France. She is a scholar in Sanskrit and a long-time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda.

Swami Atmaramananda

is a Yoga-Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Berlin. He is a long-time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda and lived for several years in India.

 

 

 

Daily schedule

5:00 am

Pranayama

6:00 am

Meditation, mantra chanting, lecture

8:00 am

Asanas

9:00 am

Anatomy and physiology

10:00 am

Brunch

11:00 am

Karma Yoga

noon

Raga Yoga or Sanskrit

2:00 pm

Main lecture on Vedanta

4:00 pm

Asanas and pranayama

6:00 pm

Dinner

7:30 pm

Meditation, mantra chanting, lecture

 

Curriculum

Daily: Two meditation sessions, two yoga classes, one pranayama class (breathing exercises), three lectures, one hour of Karma Yoga (helping out in the ashram). One day a week is lecture-free.

 

Asanas

The twelve basic postures in depth
Practice of classical advanced variations
Precise corrections
Deeper understanding of Hatha Yoga

 

Pranayama

Expanded practice of Anuloma Viloma
Advanced pranayamas
Proper use of the Bandhas

 

Vedanta

The philosophical schools of India
Analogies of the supreme reality
Study of Vedantic meditation techniques
Explanation of Vedantic mantras

 

Raja Yoga

In-depth study of Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The mind, its mystery and control
Detailed study of the eight steps of Raja Yoga

 

Bhakti Yoga

The nine types of Bhakti
The five attitudes of devotion

 

Sanskrit

Learning the Sanskrit alphabet
Correct pronunciation and spelling of the mantras and hymns

 

Anatomy and Physiology

Study of the functions of the nervous system, the brain and the endocrine glands'
in relation to the practice of yoga.

 

Kirtan(chanting)

Positive effects on the emotions
Correct pronunciation and mental attitude
Learning of classical Sanskrit songs

 

Diet

Subtle aspects of the vegetarian diet
Proper nutrition according to the three-Dosha theory of Ayurveda


During the ATTC, yogic-vegetarian meals will be carefully prepared with the aim to balance body and mind.

 

 

Special Programs

Bhaja Govindam

Inspiring verses on devotion (bhakti) by the great Yogi Sri Sankaracharya, an incarnation of knowledge.

Elevating chanting and live raga-music, with Bhagavatacharya Sri Venugopal Goswami.

 

30.10. – 8.11.2009 Bhagavata Saptaha

A seven-day recitation of the ancient scripture Srimad Bhagavatam with Bhagavatacharya Sri Venugopal Goswami. These spiritual discourses with traditional meditative music are a deep source of the ancient wisdom of yoga. This special programme during the last week of the course also constitutes the first part of the 2007 pilgrimage.


The participation fee of 590 € is included in the tuition for the Advanced Teachers’ Training Course.

 

27. October 2009: Diwali

The Festival of Lights is celebrated throughout India.

 

 

Temple ceremonies

Traditional priests will explain and perform classical Pujas (ritualistic worship) and Homas (fire ceremonies).

 

 

Living Yoga Philosophy with Prof. Dr. S. N. Pandey

Professor Pandey teaches at the Institute of Oriental Philosophy in Vrindavan. He has published numerous academic papers on Indian philosophy, culture and religion.

 

Traditional Music and Culture of North India

Introduction to Kirtan, Odissi Dance (choreography of stories from mythology) dance performance, vocal and instrumental concerts. Ras Lila Dance Theatre: Divine stories of Lord Krishna.

Individual vocal, harmonium and and tabla lessons possible on request (additional fee).

Excursions Visit of the Taj Mahal, a jewel of the mogul architecture (additional fee).

Tempel visits in Vrindavan, guided by staff of the ashram.

 

Immediately following the ATTC, students have the chance to take part in the second half of the

North Indian Pilgrimage 2009

Vrindavan - Agra - Jaipur - Varanasi (Benares) - Delhi
from 30 October to 17 November 2009

Agra: Sunset at the Taj Mahal. Jaipur: Bhagavatam celebration at the Govinddev Temple with procession. Visits to the Royal Palace and Amer Fort; elephant ride. Opportunities to shop for the arts, crafts, jewellery and textiles of Rajastan. Varanasi: Darshan at the Hanuman and Siva Temple. Sunrise at the Ganges Ghats, boat ride on the Ganges. Delhi: Sightseeing and visit to the Bahai Lotus Temple.

Donation: 600 €

For further details on the pilgrimage please visit: www.sivananda.org/europe

 

What to bring

The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga as well as Meditation and Mantras from Swami Vishnudevananda. They can be purchased at any Sivananda Yoga Centre or from the Online Shop at www.sivananda.at.
Also bring your TTC manual and teachers' uniforms.

Supplies: yoga mat, meditation cushion, flip flops, trainers, writing pad, torch, alarm clock, towel, 1 bed sheet, private toilet articles, soap, clothes line, detergent, money belt.
A copy of your visa, passport and plane ticket should be kept separately from your luggage.
The Ashram offers a laundry service.

 

Important information

To ensure a successful course, attendance at all spiritual activities, meditation sessions, lectures and asana classes is mandatory. Meat, fish, eggs, black tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, drugs and revealing clothing are not allowed, as they are not conducive to the practice of yoga. Not abiding by these rules may lead to dismissal from the course. During the course we cannot cater to personal dietary preferences except for yogic-vegetarian meals.

 

Registration and payment

Application form (Word)

Please complete the application form and return it by email, fax or by post.

 

Please contact one of the European Sivananda Yoga Centres.
Booking and payment need to be made at the same centre.

London: Tel. +44 208 780 0160, e-mail: london@sivananda.net
Paris: Tel. +33 1 40 26 77 49, e-mail: paris@sivananda.net
Geneva: Tel. +41 22 328 03 28, e-mail: geneva@sivananda.net
Madrid: Tel. +34 91 361 5150, e-mail: madrid@sivananda.net
Reith: Tel. +43 5356 67,404, e-mail: tyrol@sivananda.net
Berlin: Tel. +49 30 85 99 97 98, e-mail: berlin@sivananda.net
Munich: Tel. +49 89 52 44 76, e-mail: munich@sivananda.net
Vienna: Tel. +43 1 586 3453, e-mail: vienna@sivananda.net

 

Down payment: 300 €

The outstanding balance is due 4 weeks prior to the beginning of the course.

In case of cancellation: Up to three weeks before the beginning of the course you will receive a credit note for the full amount of the course minus 150 € administrative fee. If less then 3 weeks before the course, you will receive a credit note for the full amount of the course minus 800 € cancellation fee. In case of departure during the course, you will receive a credit note for the full amount of the course minus the days present in the course and minus 150 € administrative fee.


Please contact the Sivananda Yoga Centre nearest to you for bank details.
Booking and payment need to be made at the same centre.


The course fee includes administration, instruction, room and board, uniforms and manual. Airport transfers are not included.

It is recommended to purchase a travel health insurance policy through your travel agency.

 

Pharmaceuticals

Please ask your pharmacy for a small kit of medicines appropriate for India.
Please consult with your physician.

 

Clothing

Loose-fitting clothing adapted to the traditional life style of India is required. No halter tops, shorts or short skirts.

 

Travel information

Visa

Make sure to allow sufficient time for obtaining a visa for India.
The visa application form can be downloaded from your local Indian embassy's website.
Your passport should have minimum validity of 6 month.


Arrival

Please book your flight to New Delhi so that you arrive in Delhi either on the evening of 9 October 2009, or by 7 am on the morning of 10 October.

Suggested travel agent: The Flight Centre. Tel: +44 208 780 9411

Departure

Since 8 November will be a travel day from Vrindavan to Delhi, please book your return flight no earlier than late evening on 8 November, or early morning on 9 November.


How to get to Vrindavan

On arrival day, a chartered bus will bring the ATTC participants from Delhi to the Vrindavan Ashram. (The bus departs at 10 am)

Please be at Shanti Palace Hotel no later than 9 am.

Two hotels in Delhi will serve as meeting points. Both hotels are about a 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. Please make your own arrangements at the hotel of your choice by e-mail.


PLEASE NOTE:
A written confirmation from the hotel confirming your reservation is absolutely necessary.
Please state clearly your name, type of room desired, arrival and departure days as well as airline arrival and departure times, and indicate whether you would like a shuttle transfer between the airport and the hotel.
In both hotels it is possible to share a room with another participant of the pilgrimage in order to save money.


Hotel Shanti Palace
A-67, Mahipalpur Extention-1
National Highway-8
Near Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi 110 037
Mobile: +91/ 9810110607
Phone: +91/11 26781271 76
Fax: +91/11 26789400 26785740
Hotline: +91/11 3061 7300
Email: info@shantipalace.com
www.shantipalace.com


Participants of the pilgrimage qualify for a special rate, called a “corporate tariff” for “Sivananda Yoga Centres”.
Single room: 5040 INR / 93 Euros per night
Double room: 6188 INR / 113 € (3094 INR / 56.50 € per person) per night
Extra bed: 550 INR / 10 € per night
Breakfast included.

Costs for shuttle transfer from the International Airport:
550 INR / 9.50 € with Amb./Indigo (small car)
900 INR / 15 € with Qualis (up to 5 people)
Please make your reservations per e-mail: info@shantipalace.com
Payment is made directly at the hotel.


Hotel Lohias
A-53, Mahipalpur Extn. National Highway No-8
Near Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi 110 037
Phone: +91 11 26 78 95 91 or /92 or /93
www.nivalink.com/lohias/index.html
Double room (super deluxe): 2240 INR / 42 € (21 € per person) per night
Double room (classic room): 3763 INR / 70 € (35 € per person) per night
Extra bed: 224 INR / 4 € per night
Meals not included.
There is no special rate for the Sivananda Yoga Centres.
Shuttle transfer from the airport: 360 INR / 7 €
Make reservations at: Ms Sonu
sonu@nivalink.com
cc: sonunivalink@gmail.com
Payment is made via the following link: www.nivalink.com/payment3.html

Bus transfer application form (Word)