Training Programmes

"Study with your warm heart, not just your brain"

Shunryo Suzuki.

We offer various training possibilities.

aYs Introductory Yoga Workshop (I W): Asana and Beyond

Who is it for? :This course is designed for those who wish to deepen their study of yoga. The approach has evolved from the work of T Krishnamacharya, TKV Desikachar and his student Paul Harvey. The two day course gives background material and a structure which is developed further within the Foundation course.

Aim : We hope your enthusiasm, understanding and practice will be deepened by developing your knowledge and experience on this course

  • Practice Planning: WHAT constitutes a rounded practice, and how can you devise one to suit your needs?
  • Breathing Techniques & Meditation: WHY are they important, and how can we integrate them into our asana practice?
  • Yoga Philosophy: HOW can the wisdom of ancient eastern texts help us practice yoga & live better in the western world of today?

Length of Course : 12 hours minimum, eg 2 days of 6 hours study time.

Award : AYS Introductory Course Certificate

Pre-requisites :
One or a combination of the following:

  • Regular attendance in a class from any tradition for 1 year
  • Individual tuition with a Viniyoga, aYs or equivalent tutor

Venue : Yoga Space, Pilates Studio, Taunton, Somerset (non-residential)

Dates :13th/14th September 2008

Course Tutor : Ranju Roy

Cost : £110 (£50 non-returnable deposit to secure a place, balance payable on first day of course). Part of this fee will be used for membership of aYs (£15) which is required for the course.

 

aYs/ Sadhana Mala Foundation Course (FC)

Who is it for? :This Foundation Course is for those who have some experience of yoga practice and wish to further develop their knowledge and practice. The Foundation Course (or equivalent) will itself be a pre-requisite for full teacher training programme offered by Sadhana Mala.

Aim :This course will give you a thorough grounding in the principles that underpin Viniyoga in a practical and enjoyable way. There will be considerable study of some of the major themes of the Yoga Sutras as well as an exploration of many of the principles that inform the practice of asana and pranayama. You will be introduced to the chanting of Yoga Sutras and we will practice this on each weekend

  • Practice Planning: CAN we practice in way that is efficient, safe, inspiring and supports our lives? We will explore sequencing of postures, counter postures, dynamic/static work and the role of variations and modifications.
  • Breathing Techniques & Meditation: HOW does the way we breathe influence our posture work? What's the relationship between breathing in posture work (asana) and seated breathing practices (pranayama)? What are the different types of pranayama; how and when can we use them?
  • Yoga Philosophy: WHAT are the major themes of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and how can they be of use to us now? Are they important in our journey with yoga? How do they fit in with other teachings - like those of hatha yoga?

Home study and Assessment : In between days/weekends participants will be expected to spend up to 4 hours to:

  • Explore practice(s) given by the tutor
  • Read preparatory material for the next meeting
  • Complete short assignments set by the tutor

Assessment will be informal. Each day will include a review session for looking back over the day, and for covering questions arising out of home study activities. These are intended to be participative, with tutors using them to assess the development of participant's knowledge and understanding.

Length of Course : 60 hours minimum, e.g. 10 days of 6 hours study time, over a minimum period of 6 months

Award : AYS Foundation Course Certificate

Testimonials

"The course has been a real delight. The weekends are well structured and provide a balance between practice, the theory behind practice and yoga philosophy. The tutor (Ranju) brings the material alive and makes it pertinent to the way we live our lives in the modern west. He delivers it in just the right way, treating each subject with the seriousness it deserves but with a lightness of touch that enables participants to apply it easily and without judgment to their own lives"
Eleanor S

"With regard to Sadhana Mala's Foundation Course, which you tutored so inspiringly, as a British Wheel of Yoga trained teacher, it gave me a wonderful opportunity to revisit many aspects of yoga and consider them from a new perspective in the company of a wonderfully various group of people."
Annie W

Pre-requisites :Successful completion of the aYs IW (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite requirement for undertaking the FC, OR one or a combination of the following:

  • Completion of aYs Introductory Course.

OR one or a combination of the following:

  • Regular attendance in a class for 2 years.
  • Individual tuition with a Viniyoga, aYs or an equivalent tutor
  • Some experience of Viniyoga e.g. attendance at a workshop or retreat by a recognized tutor

In the latter cases participants must have an understanding of the material covered in the Introductory Course.

Venue : Cheddon Fitzpaine Memorial Hall, Taunton, Somerset (non-residential)

Dates :

  • Nov 8/9th 2008 (weekend) FC1
  • Jan 10/11th 2009 (weekend) FC2
  • March: 7/8th 2009 (weekend) FC3
  • May: 2nd/3rd 2009(weekend) FC4
  • July: 4-5th 2009 (weekend) FC5D

Cost :£550 (£110 non-returnable deposit to secure a place, this is offset against the last weekend)

Course Tutor : Ranju Roy

 

Teacher Training

Sadhana Mala is an organisation set up by Ranju and Dave Charlton both senior teachers within the Association for Yoga Studies, in 2004.

The original aim of Sadhana Mala was to develop a series of retreats and workshops focused on personal development as students of yoga. After a number of very successful retreats through 2004 and 2005, we started our first full Teacher Training Programme in London in Jan 2006. This is a 3 year commitment focused on developing the skills to work with students both in groups and individually. This course will be accredited with the British Wheel of Yoga. (BWY)

Testimonials

"On my first night of group teaching .... was an overwhelming sense of security  that I had been taught the skills and tools needed to be a professional and sincere teacher  The outlay for the course can feel quite daunting but I have come to see it as a wise investment in my future.  Dave and Ranju's partnership provides teaching which is grounded in years of study and practice, confidence and belief in the approach and tradition but also innovation to apply the teaching into a current dialogue.  They are real and down to earth humorous but also with high expectations of our role as teachers"
Marie, London

"Ranju and Dave's combined experience and skilful teaching have made for a valuable and enjoyable course. I feel well prepared to enter the world of yoga teaching"
Rich, London

"I value the course for the breadth of topics covered, their depth and the clarity and sensitivity with which they are presented. I appreciate the teachers for their experience and their unreserved willingness to share this experience, their approachability and their immense integrity and sincerity."
Sabine, London

The second Sadhana Mala Teacher Training Programme started in Dublin in April 2007

We aim to start another Sadhana Mala Teacher Training Programme in the Taunton in 2009.

For further information see www.sadhanamala.com

 

The Art of Individual Teaching

We are starting a 2 year programme of 250 contact hours for those who already have a teaching qualification (BWY Diploma or equivalent) who would like to develop their skills in individual teaching and increase their knowledge and understanding of the principles of viniyoga. The programme will be based in Cheltenham and start in Jan 2009.

For further information see www.sadhanamala.com