Education in Yoga: Foundation Course

Centered Yoga and Yoga Alliance 200+ hour accredited

one month residential program

preceded by up to 5 months of self-study assignment course

Accepting Applications for March 5 - April 2, 2011

Foundation Course Details:

Where: Yoga Thailand, Koh Samui, Thailand

Koh Samui is a tropical island located in the Gulf of Thailand. It is a beautiful place possessing lush jungles and white sand beaches, surrounded by sapphire-blue sea. Situated in a high energy zone, Samui (and its surroundings) has a direct effect on yoga and meditation-an ideal environment in which to focus, practice, and grow.

Our training takes place at Yoga Thailand, a facility developed specifically for the teachings by Paul and Jutima of Centered Yoga. Opened in 2003, it is dedicated to the practice and teaching of yoga.

When: March 5 - April 2, 2011 for the residential intensive

The key part of the training is a one month residential intensive. Prior to that is approximately 5 months of pre-course assignments which aim to elevate your practice and understanding of yoga. These assignments are emailed every two weeks and will require you to do certain readings, practices and reports.

(If you are selected after the five month period has begun, due to a late opening, catch up time will be possible.)

A common point of controversy is how long should a "training" be. In truth it is ongoing through one's whole life. Throughout life there will be times of focused and dedicated study to help take one's practice and teaching to a much higher level. This is the purpose of this course. To provide the sincere student with a platform and the tools to understand and go further in practice. We do not claim to "produce" teachers but rather to help bring out that hidden potential and start you on your journey. We have found this 6-month period to work very well at this level. Some courses are short and not enough help for a student. Others drag on over a few years and can almost hold the student back. After this 6-month period we encourage you to grow further in what is appropriate to you. We continue to offer many advanced courses on yoga practice, Asana, Pranayama, Philosophy and Anatomy.

Level: A thorough foundation training program - an education in yoga

This comprehensive training covers the vital aspects of yoga and goes deep into the practice, refining your ability to pass on the message to others. A lot of thought has been put into making it challenging yet appropriate for this level. In essence, it is an all-around education in yoga intended to expand your horizons and develop your abilities and strengths. It is a foundation course-a necessity to move forward in any aspect of yoga practice and teaching.

Qualification: Centered Yoga Foundation Level and Yoga Alliance 200 hours

The program duration adds up to over 300 hours and qualifies for Yoga Alliance's 200-hour level, recognized worldwide, for those who successfully complete the training. Ultimately, however, training is beyond borders and pieces of paper. The continued dissemination of yoga will come from your own inner growth and deeper understanding. This is the focus.

The training prepares you to lead a basic Ashtanga class, give adjustments, and apply all of this to a variety of levels of Hatha Vinyasa and Flow-style classes. Basic breathing techniques and chants will also be covered.

For whom: sincere and committed practitioners

The most important qualification for this course is the call from within. But the call is not enough on its own. For it to be true and sincere, it also needs to be based on a certain level of practice (i.e., so many times per week over so many years). Your interest level will reveal itself in the desire to read more on the topic, to study and practice more, and in the absorption of your thoughts in the subject. The application form is detailed, and will reveal a lot about you. If the call is strong, then proceed.

Approach: one-month residential intensive plus 5-months pre-course work

A residential intensive provides an untold opportunity to be really in the practice, develop it as part of you, and emerge ready to commence on the teaching path. We have the gift of yoga today because it was passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years, very often in a residential environment. This system was known as Gurukula, and the student would spend time with the teacher studying, then go off to practice on his own, later returning to grow further. Things are a little different today, and six months cannot compare to years with one's master. This is your starting point, however, and we assume that you have had a few years of practice and that your study will continue to deepen after the course.

Distractions are kept to a minimum in a residential setting, and this is necessary to allow for transformation.

Style: Classical systems of vinyasa and Hatha, Pranayama and philosophy

The Asana program is based upon the classical Ashtanga Vinyasa system. Our aim is to understand flow (vinyasa), alignment, and breathing, as well as the inner work-bandhas, focus, and concentration. We have expertise in both vinyasa and alignment, and what we teach may be applied to classical Ashtanga practice and all forms of Hatha Vinyasa and Flow-style practices.

We teach Pranayama as laid down in the classical writings and taught by the masters. For philosophy, we refer to many texts, taking Patanjali's Yoga Sutras as our base guide. Many other elements accompany these three primary focuses. (See the course content section.)

The traditional Ashtanga standard is beyond the reach of many. Our aim is to ground, educate, and enlighten the student and teacher at the level they are at, elevating them to a level appropriate for passing on the message to others. As such, we offer a full yogic education and an opportunity to deepen and explore in the path of yoga, and contribute to real yogic insight. This course is not limited to Asana; it takes you further.

Number of Students: up to 39

Uniqueness: elements that make this course stand out

• immersion in a focused learning environment, living the practice
• small, dedicated group of students
• mentoring and close attention to your practice, teaching method, and personal progress
• living and studying in a clean and natural setting
• distance from the distractions of home gives perspective, a fresh mind, focus, and ease in letting go
• direct experience in teaching students (privates and groups)
• classical training in Pranayama (only a handful of western teachers have background in this essential practice)
• the development of an advanced and dedicated yoga practice, molding the teacher in you
• approximately 100 hours additional training beyond the basic requirements of Yoga Alliance
• precise training in Asana and the vinyasa system
• five months of precourse readings and assignments to prepare and guide you

Led by: Paul Dallaghan and guest teachers

Paul is a senior level teacher with international recognition. He is one of three senior students of Tiwariji in Pranayama and one of the few in the world certified by Pattabhi Jois in Ashtanga vinyasa. This places him in a unique position to teach at this level, teach both practical and the philosophy behind it all. Mostly though he loves to share the teaching with passion and joy.