Homework & Certification Requirements

200 hr Yoga Teacher Training

Kula Assessment & Certification:

Required Pre-Reading:

In preparation for Kula Collective RYT-200 programs, we ask that you read The Wisdom of Yoga by Stephen Cope, and any translation of Patanjali’s Sutras.

Required On-Site Reading:

The Kula Collective RYT-200 Manual will be provided for you at the location of the YTT program. Please complete all assigned reading as well as continued reading during and after the program.

Syllabus (YA Certification):

In order to meet Yoga Alliance standards for certification, your attendance will be required at all sessions during the training program. If you miss more than three sessions of the course due to illness or non-participation, you can arrange for private tuition with facilitators who will be able to make up time with you via one-on-one hourly sessions, so that you remain eligible for certification according to YA standards.

YTT 200 Program of Study:

(guided by YA Certification requirements)

• 100 hours: Form, method of teaching, benefits and cautions of principal asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing techniques) and kriyas (cleansing techniques)  

• 25 hours: Teaching methodology, including modifications for age and common injuries/conditions, how to create a grounded and inspired space for teaching/learning, the use of voice, prenatal yoga, learning to create various class-styles: beginner, intermediate and prenatal yoga: each class having either a very mindful, flowing sequence, or a more dynamic feel, depending on your nature as a yoga teacher, and the students present in any given class

• 20 hours: Anatomy and the physical/mental benefits of yoga, Subtle Yogic anatomy and the Chakras

• 5 hours: Introduction to Ayurveda, nutrition, and the Yogic diet

• 30 hours: Ashtanga philosophy (the eight-fold path), Study and discussion of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, aphorisms giving insight into profound yogic practices and contemplations, as well as their life-transforming benefits

• 20 hours: Teaching practicum and feedback from the trainers and your peers

Kula Assessment & Certification:

We reserve the right to certify only students who attend and are actively participating during all required hours, who pass the practicum for safe teaching and demonstrate an ability to facilitate and communicate effectively with a group in a class setting. In the case that you do not receive the certificate directly, we offer a mentorship program to help students achieve certification.

Assignments:

We will assign various reading assignments from the manual throughout the course. You will also be asked to answer some questions for reflection at the end of each of the three cycles, ideally the first session on the last day of each cycle, or be provided with another similar form of assessment. This helps you and the facilitators know whether you are spending enough time reviewing the concepts learned in the course, or whether you need to increase the intensity of your study and class participation.

Practicum:

During each day’s Asana Analysis class time, trainees will be gradually introduced to teaching by teaching their peers each pose or mini sequence in the Techniques class. This will progress towards ‘Group Teaching’ in the Review time each day - teaching one pose or mini sequence to the whole class. In addition to these regular opportunities for teaching, there are two assessed teaching opportunities:

1. Each student will teach the Kula Basic Flow to a peer. This class is 75-90 minutes long.

2. The final teaching will incorporate creating a completely unique sequence. Students will have space to develop their unique class by sequencing to their choosing. This will be taught to a peer. This class will be 90 minutes long.

Regarding Teaching and Learning:

We hope that you enjoy the course and feel that we are all working together as a yoga community in the scholarly study, esoteric practice, devotion and service of the propagation of yoga. If you have any concerns related to the course, please communicate with one of the facilitators right away so that we can address them or help you to work with the issues.

Please be conscious of your facilitator’s time, and first look within to make any inquiries you may normally be quick to voice. Seek nature to see if your questions can be answered, then next discuss your queries with your peers to develop greater perspective, before seeking guidance or counsel with the facilitators for any questions that do not directly affect the running of the program.

We ask that you:

• Review your notes at least one hour per day, and do all the readings and activities assigned for homework

• Respect the space and location, keeping it conducive for spiritual growth and learning. Walk quietly and meditatively to and from classes and maintain inward inquiry during personal sadhana periods

• Observe mouna (silence) when requested

• Do not force the asana poses for any reason

• Be on time to class

• Sit in class in any comfortable position, keeping the spine lengthened and neutral to maintain awareness and energy levels

• Participate fully in pair work or group activities, as well as asking questions at the end of lectures.

• Listen respectfully to all peers and teachers, contribute to group discussion and give all the chance to speak. We are all learners, it is immensely valuable to open ourselves to learning from others as well as expressing our thoughts

• Keep an open mind in yoga philosophy discussions. Yoga is an esoteric philosophy, not a dogmatic one, and aspirants may interpret and practice according to their understanding and experience of the scriptures and teachings. It is always useful to consider new perspectives, diverse class styles of yoga, etc. The paths are many, but the Truth is one.

• Take this opportunity to explore the yogic understanding of life, human interaction and conscious community living.

• Recognize the importance of approaching others with openness and respect, acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses and encouraging them in their personal and spiritual development.

• Remember that teachers are also on a journey (a process-oriented, rather than product-oriented journey) towards increased consciousness.  They are there to simply act as facilitators of learning and discussion. A teacher may be able to trigger you to engage with yoga and sadhana and to continue to peel away the layers of ego and social conditioning, but the universal teacher lies within you. A student is not a passive follower, but actively engaged in and responsible for his/her own contemplation, integration of the teachings and sadhana.

Example of Daily Schedule:

(will vary depending on location and facilitators)

• 6:00-8:30 AM - Meditation & Yoga Asana class (Art of Practice)

• 8:30-10:00 AM - Breakfast

• 10:00-11:30 AM - Philosophy Discussion (Art of Living)

• 11:30-1:00 PM - Special Topic, Anatomy or Ethics Discussion (Art of Living/Healing)

• 1:00-1:30 PM - Lunch

• 1:30-3:00 PM - Personal sadhana

• 3:00-4:00 PM - Techniques class (Art of Teaching)

• 4:15-6:00 PM - Techniques or Practicum (Art or Teaching)

• 6:00-7:00 PM - Dinner

• 7:30-8:30 PM - Kirtan, sharing and meditation (Art of Healing) {every other day}

• 8:30-9:30 PM - Studying or journaling in Silence

  Every 4th day of the 8 day cycle is a half day, and every 8th day a full day of Self Sadhana.

Mindfulness During Yoga Teacher Trainings:

Yoga Teacher Training, especially in the retreat or immersion setting, can be a transformative experience that brings up issues from the tissues for processing and release. It often prompts noticing of the samskaras, or habitual patterns that are in operation in our lives, so that we can move to the processing stage.

If you are currently feeling emotionally vulnerable, please seek appropriate support before considering embarking on Yoga Teacher Training. If you feel emotionally vulnerable during the course, please seek a facilitator to help guide you in the process of unfolding to understand the deeper layers of Self. If you are currently receiving medical attention of any form, including psychotherapy, please ensure you have the approval of a medical professional to attend the course and inform your facilitators of your status and any medications that you are taking. Be aware that facilitators, while trained in coaching, yoga and support techniques, are not legal health professionals and are only able to offer assistance within the scope of their role as yoga teacher training facilitator.

We may at any moment take time out to discuss living and learning together and how we can move towards an optimal state of harmony during the program. Any behavior that is disrespectful or harmful to peers or teachers will not be tolerated at any time and facilitators reserve the right to request departure from the training if adequate shifts are not made. Our intention is to create a loving container for self-supported exploration and transformation. Please keep this in mind and aim to support this container through your words and actions within the space. Thank you so much for joining us on this journey!