Our comprehensive curriculum blends theory and practice to provide systematic teaching for self-development rooted in the rich tradition of yoga and combined with Vagabond Temple’s unique approach of yogic mindful living. Our course not only enhances your personal yoga journey but also equips you with the skills to guide others towards transformative experiences in yoga.
Main Asana Styles:
- Hatha Yoga: Our primary asana practice style is Hatha Yoga, influenced by Iyengar principles, emphasizing precise alignment to achieve postural perfection and profound awareness of our inner selves. In this practice, we move slowly and deliberately, holding poses for extended durations to cultivate strength, flexibility, and awareness.
- Kundalini Yoga: An energizing practice designed to awaken and harness latent energy within. Kundalini Yoga combines rhythmic movements, specific breathing techniques, mantra chanting, and meditation to balance the body’s energy centers (chakras) and reach heightened states of consciousness.
- Yin Yoga: A gentle and meditative yoga style that focuses on passive stretching and sustained postures. It targets deep connective tissues, enhancing flexibility and mobility while promoting mindfulness and relaxation. Yin Yoga is a powerful tool for stress reduction and inner tranquility.
Practices:
Asana: Cultivate a strong foundation in the practice of asanas.
- Essential poses across various categories of asana practice, beginning with poses suitable for beginners and intermediates. For those who are proficient, advanced poses are included. These encompass standing poses, forward and backward bends, twists, inversions, Surya Namaskar, and more.
- Safely and skillfully make corrections and adjustments.
- Develop a profound understanding of how different asanas influence various energetic channels and centers within the body.
Pranayama: Develop a strong and progressive pranayama practice to enhance both physical health and awareness of subtle energies.
- Techniques encompass deep breathing, fast breathing, alternate nostril breathing (anuloma Viloma), Surya Bhedan (Right Nostril breathing), Bhramari (Humming Bee Pranayama), Shitali, Sitkari (Cooling Pranayama), and specialized practices for addressing mental-emotional issues.
Meditation: Engaging in diverse meditation practices from yogic and Buddhist traditions.
- Practices include guided meditation, mantra, visualization, yoga nidra, breath awareness meditation, mental noting, and more.
- Understanding the significance of mantras in meditation and harnessing the power of sound and vibration.
- Cultivating inner silence, exploring the role of the witness, and gaining insights into the self, conditioning, and inner forces that takes you away from your inner essence.
Kriyas/Cleansing Processes: Purifying the body and mind through Hatha and Kundalini yoga cleansing techniques.
- Hatha Yoga cleansing techniques like Neti (nasal cleansing), Kapalabhati (breath purification), morning cleansing, and Trataka (gazing meditation).
- Kundalini yoga kriyas for detoxification and the release of mental and emotional blockages.
Ceremonies and Rituals: Honor the traditions and spiritual aspects of yoga.
- Special ceremonies to set clear intentions, purify body and mind, forster a deeper connection with your inner essence and the supportive community of fellow practitioners.
- Daily Havan ceremony (for in-person course) is a sacred fire ritual involving ghee offerings and recitation of the Vedic Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times for health and prosperity.
Lectures on Yoga and Spiritual Philosophy:
Establish a deep understanding of yoga philosophy and practices and how to embody them into your life and create yogic mindful living.
- History of Yoga: Understand the evolution of this ancient practice.
- Various yoga traditions, including Hatha Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Mantra Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga.
- Vagabond Temple’s unique approach and system for spiritual growth and healing.
- Ashtanga Yoga, including the Eight Limbs of Yoga as outlined by Patanjali and the theory behind its practices. (Yama and Niyama, asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana & Samadhi).
- Foundations of spiritual practice, creating and maintaining a self-practice, and addressing obstacles and inner forces that divert us from our inner essence.
- Introduction to Ayurveda and Ayurvedic body types.
- Yogic nutrition principles to healthy living.
- Studying the foundational text of yoga philosophy, Patanjali Yoga Sutra.
- Basic study of Bhagavad Gita: Explore the wisdom of this sacred text.
- Western Anatomy: Acquire a basic knowledge of the body’s systems.
- Eastern Subtle Energy Anatomy, covering the 5 Koshas (energy body), Nadis (energy channels), Chakras (energy centers), and Kundalini awakening.
Yoga Teaching Methodology:
Establishing the ability to lead yoga classes professionally, confidently, effectively, and compassionately.
- Lesson Planning: Develop effective yoga class plans.
- Injury Prevention: Understand how to keep students safe.
- Cues & Alignment Principles: Understand alignment principles and how to correct students effectively.
- Educational Techniques: Learn effective teaching methods.
- Holding Space and Using the Voice: Create a supportive environment.
- Ethical Guidelines: Explore the ethical responsibilities of a yoga teacher.
Practicum:
Gain hands-on teaching experience. Step into the role of a lead teacher in a supportive environment
- Teaching micro-teaching lessons, planning and conducting one-hour practice classes.
- Essay: Deepen your understanding by writing a short essay on a yogic subject of your choice (online students will be required to create a presentation of their essays).
- Examinations: Assess your knowledge and progress.
Karma Yoga:
Practice selfless service as a path to spiritual growth.
Karma yoga, often referred to as the path of selfless action, entails serving and helping others with compassion without seeking personal gratification. It involves offering actions infused with your best thoughts, feelings, love, and compassion to uplift others. In the context of an ashram, karma yoga practice involves participating in the ashram’s maintenance, which includes tasks such as helping in the kitchen, light cleaning, gardening, and more. Over time, karma yoga becomes a way of life where living for others takes precedence over living for just oneself.
Upon completing our 4-week yoga training, you’ll be eligible for registration with Yoga Alliance as a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT®), and continue your journey with Vagabond Temple’s level 2 courses.
What Our Students Have to Say:
There are no words that do justice to the experience that Vagabond Temple provides. I have been practicing yoga and meditation for many years. I am also a follower of Eastern philosophies. Vagabond Temple combines it all. Kobi and Pazit, the people behind Vagabond Temple, are two of the most wonderful and genuine people I have ever met. Both of them have such a vast knowledge of yoga, meditation, Eastern and Western philosophy, Reiki, sound healing, nutrition, and the list goes on. Even more important, they walk the talk. They are passionate about everything they do. Their mission is to help people and that is what they do best. Pazit and Kobi don’t discriminate, they don’t judge, and they treat every single person as an individual with differing needs.
