300 Hours Raja Yoga Teacher Training Course

300 Hours Raja Yoga Teacher Training Course is a fully residential course systematic designed which contains theory as well as practical classes. Raja Yoga classically termed also as “Astanga Yoga” is inclusive of all Yogas, and it’s philosophy goes beyond the frontiers of general human perception. The Sanskrit word “Raj” means secret, hence Raja Yoga imbibes the “secret of  Yoga”. It reveals experienced facts in succession, of journey towards liberation. This branch of Yoga has been discussed in various Yoga texts such as Hath Yoga Pradipika (4.3 – 4.7) but traditionally the most detailed text on this is Yoga Sutra by Patanjali. The training is based upon the commentary of Great Swami Vivekananda on Yoga Sutra and methods expressed in it.

In the modern time, the first expounder of Raja Yoga on international platform was the great Swami Vivekananda. The prominent quote of Swami Vivekananda is clear about the idea of the entire context which is as follows – “Each Soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest this Divinity within, by controlling nature, external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship, or psychic control, or by philosophy, by one, or more, or all of these – and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms, are but secondary details. The Yogi tries to reach this goal through psychic control”. Swami Vivekananda (Commentary on Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, Chapter 2, Sutra 25)

Yoga Teacher Training and assessment – The entire teacher training is the assessment of the students at all levels including practical and written tests. At the successful completion of the course an aspirant will be conferred upon a certificate indicating that the aspirant is qualified to impart the techniques in which he or she has been trained.

Pre-requisites – For 300 Hours Raja Yoga teacher training course, a great degree of self-motivation is essential. Here are a few things which the participants should be aware of. They are  –

• The students should have good understanding of Yoga and must be practising on regular basis.  
• They should be able to practice discipline of Yoga such as purity, punctuality, early waking up, participation is the daily activities and so on.
• They should be able to motivate themselves to continue with the life-style, the school prescribes for them such as on time classes, food and other guidelines according to the need. 
• They want to experience relaxation, clarity and ability of mind as means for spiritual awakening.

Accreditation – Sanatana Yog Sandesh is certified by Yoga Alliance USA and Yoga Alliance International which provide the chances to use the certificate for career and job opportunities.

• Providing of the requisite completing training to the participants endeavour to blossom into integrated personalities with balance of head, heart and hand.
• Fetch the attention of people to other unnoticed aspects of Yoga which we all need for our further evolution.
• More importantly attracting the teachers of Yoga in the world who are stuck into the jugglery of physical exercises so that they may see things beyond and help themselves and other in the path of transformation.
• To offer to the world at large well trained Raja Yoga Teachers.

28 days (4 weeks) – The total duration for this course is 28 days however with the day of arrival this becomes 29 days.

The course is open only to those who have ample perfection in Hatha Yoga practices. To clarify this more, the participant need to estimate these followings –

• Complete medical fitness; physical as well as mental.
• To be able to hold a posture of meditation for at least 20 minutes without any discomfort.
• To have the capacity to hold the breath for 5 to 10 seconds in continuity of any practice without even slight difficulty.
• To be able to maintain disciplines of Yoga for the duration of the training.
• To have inner motivation towards the subtle practices of Yoga which requires patience.
• To have flair for study and practice as the main focus during the course with strong commitment.
• More importantly long time practitioners who want experiences of causal level to be a guide to themselves and others in this path.
• Some of us gifted with special talents who do not require much preparation. They are always welcome as they are naturally eligible for the training. However, this is an exceptional situation.

Raja Yoga teacher training course incorporates a series of subtle of topics for study and practice. All these topics come under these following heads –

1. Techniques, Training and Practice – It incorporates several practices of Hatha Yoga as well for greater efficiency into Raja Yoga practices which students will study in the Yoga teacher training course. They are –

Asana – (Specific postures from Hatha Yoga such as purificatory asana for lightness and purification of body. Also postures from different group of asana like standing, supine, prone – (backward, forward, spine twist), inversion and balance. From all the group of asana very selective ones would be focused on for the training purpose.

Pranayama – techniques for correction of breath, breathing to heat and energise, breathing to balance, breathing to cool and harmonise. Special focus on Nadi Shodhana Pranayama as a means of purification of nadis and sense control.

Mudra – Some important gestures of fingers and body to affect energy in body.

Bandha – Important practices for locking the energy in body. 

Shat-karma – Some purificatory practices (Shat-karma practices) in Yoga such as nasal cleansing etc.

Meditation – Study and practice of sitting asana, stillness of body, Yogic breathing with awareness and visualisation, awareness of  layers of body, elements, energy channels, senses, various methods of concentration, various methods of reflection and introspection and practices of meditation from Yoga Sutra of Patanjali etc.

2. Teaching Methodology – This is a combination of complex topics such as designing Raja Yoga class, how to teach different practices of Yoga,  how to be good Yoga teacher, ethical guidelines, develop communication skills, time management,  principles of demonstration, assistance, awareness, correction, styles of teaching, specific needs of individuals in a Yoga class and business aspects of Yoga teaching etc.

3. Anatomy and Physiology – 

(a) Modern Human anatomy and Physiology (Nervous System in detail, Respiratory System, Digestive, Cardiovascular System), important Joints and their movements in different Asana, important muscles and their movements in different Asana.

(b) Yoga Human anatomy and Physiology (composition of Human body – 5 elements, 5 Koshas, 3 bodies, Nadis, Chakra and Kundalini).

(c) Holistic approach of Yoga (learning how system of Yoga needs to be incorporated for human well-being of body, mind, emotion and spirit).

4. Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers – Reflection on the previously studied topics such Philosophy, Philosophical perspectives of Yoga, Yoga, its meaning, definitions, aims and objectives, Historical development of Yoga (Pre-classical, Classical, Post-classical and Modern Approach), Schools of Yoga, Brief discussion on Vedas, Samkhya Philosophy, Selected topics from Yoga Sutra (Antahakaran, Chitta, Antarayah, Ishwara, Aum, Samadhi, 5 Kleshas, 8 limbs, Samyama, Kaivalya) and Srimadabhagavada Gita, 3 bodies, 5 elements, 5 Koshas,  5 Pranas, Nadis, Chakras, Kundalini, 5 Senses, Mind and its aspects, states of mind. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali as the main text discussed in detail.

5. Practicum – Practice of teaching different practices in groups as the lead instructor, observe and assist while others teaching, focus on specific practices and compiling feedback etc.

Suggested Yoga Books for 300 Hours Yoga teacher training course –

Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha – Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Raja Yoga – Swami Vivekananda or

Four Chapters of freedom – Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Yoga Darshan – Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati

Anatomy and Physiology – not specified

The daily schedule starts by 5am. All students have to wake up at this time except in some contingencies. The daily programmes are tentative and subject to change according to need. All classes are held for 6 days in a week.

• 5.30am to 7am – Personal practices (Recommended ones)
• 7am to 7.15am – Herbal tea/Drink
• 7.30am to 9.30am – Asana, Pranayama followed by Relaxation
• 9.30am to 10.30am – Meal time
• 10.30am to 11.30am – Rest
• 11.30am to 12.30pm – Lecture (Anatomy, Philosophy etc.)
• 1pm to 1.30pm – fruit/fruit juice
• 2pm to 3.30pm – (Meditation, Relaxation – Lecture and practice and Vice-versa)
• 3.30pm to 4.30 – personal cleaning and Karma Yoga
• 4.30pm to 6.30pm – (Asana, Alignment and Adjustments – theory and practical training, teaching practices)
• 6.30pm to 7.30pm – Dinner
• 7.30 to 8.30pm – Kirtan, Chanting, video shows, personal time etc. (This is an optional session but participation of everyone brings a distinct harmony between all of us)
• 9pm – Bed time

• 3150 Euro only for overseas, NRI students and 80000/- INR only for Indian students including food and accommodation for one person (both in single bed room and sharing rooms). The course fee is calculated from the day of the commencement of the course until the concluding day of the course. The arrival of the student before the commencement of the course and staying of the students after the concluding day of the course don’t come under the concerned course fee. The students have to pay the extra fee for the concerned days.
• For convenience, we hint at the normal exchange rates which keep changing as per the day – 1 USA$ – 68 rupees Indian, 1 Euro – 72 rupees Indian, 1 Australian$ – 47 rupees Indian, 1 Swedish Kr – 8 rupees Indian. The exchange rate keeps changing. You can always check the current rates at www.xe.com

• The Course Fee includes accommodation and required vegetarian food for 22 nights, text books, a note book, a pen, a new Yoga mat, Jala neti pot, education, private consultation etc. 
• The fee does not include Flight tickets, airport Pickups and drop backs, day tours, tours after and before course, any other transport costs and students’ personal expense in miscellaneous ways.

Registration – Please Apply or write to us via our email (sanatanayogsandesh@gmail.com) to check the availability of a place. It the place is available we will request you to fill in the registration form online. Then you need to make non-refundable deposit to finally be selected for the course.

Deposit – A non-refundable deposit of 300 Euro only for overseas, NRI students and total course fee only for Indian students plus transaction bank charges/commissions is required to confirm the candidature in Yoga teacher training course. Please follow Payment.

Cancellation of the application for the course – For the time being we do not provide this facility. Therefore, properly decide before you deposit the amount for the course.

Remaining Payment – The remainder payments can be made after arrival. For more details please look into Orientation guide in Download.

Accommodation, Food & Drink etc. – Please follow Accommodation and Yoga School.