Complete union with the ultimate reality is the final goal of a true yoga aspirant. But realizing the duality and multiplicity of the physical world, there are frequent chances of getting lost in the yogic journey.
If you are stuck in your yoga practice or your life needs a genuine direction, it is always wiser to follow the footsteps of a realized soul. Swami Sivananda was one such realized soul, born to spread the message of love and service to mankind. His teachings are taught across the globe by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre.
To spread this unified message of yoga to the world, one of his disciples, Swami Vishnudevananda, designed the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training course to develop individuals into successful yoga professionals and also spread peace in the world through them.
In this post, we share the details of the top Sivananda yoga teacher training courses.
Key Takeaways
- Swami Sivananda’s yoga is known as the Yoga of Synthesis, combining different paths of yoga: Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. It emphasizes on: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation.
- Sivananda yoga teacher training course started in 1969 was one of the first Yoga Alliance-certified programs in the Western world.
- There are many benefits of Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course including holistic development of future yoga teachers, eligibility of advanced yogic practices, teaching of japa meditation, globally recognized certification and many more.
What is Sivananda Yoga?
About the Founder – Swami Sivananda
He was born with an eagerness to serve and experience an innate unity with all. He was a doctor who served the poor in Malaysia for many years. But he felt this was not enough and left for a life of renunciation.
After initiation from his Guru, Swami Vishwananda, he spent most of the time meditating for the next seven years.
From the early 1930’s, he extensively toured India and Sri Lanka attracting thousands with his spiritual magnetism. He conducted sankirtana (chantings), gave lectures, and encouraged everybody to follow a spiritual path. He also taught people how to stay strong with asanas, pranayama, and kriyas.
People started to flock around him in Rishikesh where an ashram grew overtime. In 1932, Sivananda Ashram was started and in 1936 the Divine Life Society was born. In 1948, Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy was started to spread the teachings of Yoga and Vedanta.
Over the decades, the organization expanded significantly, establishing over 80 Sivananda Yoga Centers worldwide in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Today, the centers are a hub for individuals seeking authentic teachings and community support in the classical yoga tradition.
Fundamental Teachings of Swami Sivananda
Swami Sivananda’s teachings combined all paths of yoga into one – the Yoga of Synthesis. Different paths of yoga were combined into his ashram teachings for holistic development of the students: Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. He summed up this path with “Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize”.
His yoga crystallized basic principles of all religions and thus he had disciples all over the world of different nationalities, religions, and creed. Based on the extensive observation, current lifestyle of people, and his knowledge, Sivananda Yoga was preached through the following five fundamental principles:
Proper Exercise (Asanas)
Asanas strengthen and tone muscles and joints and release energy in the body. At Sivananda Yoga Center, they emphasize on twelve classical postures that are primary to teach hatha yoga. They exercise every part of the body and work on all the major body systems.
Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
It increases oxygen intake and removes fatigue and lethargy. Through pranayama, gradual mind control is possible.
Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
Deep relaxation is emphasized by consciously relaxing every muscle of the body, de-stressing, and experiencing inner peace.
Proper Diet (Lacto-Vegetarian)
It keeps the body lean, mind clear, and protects the environment also.
Positive Thinking and Meditation (Vedanta and Dhyana)
Positive thoughts are inculcated through meditation and Vedantic studies.
Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course
To share Swami Sivananda’s teachings, his disciple Swami Vishnudevananda created the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course in 1969 after sincere practice and service to his master.
This course was one of the first Yoga Alliance-certified programs in the Western world. This yoga teacher training course is now recognized globally by the Yoga Alliance as a respected program for those wanting to begin their own yoga practice or become certified to teach others.
This course has been gradually differentiated and arranged as per the levels of intensity to attain the present-day structure of the Sivananda yoga teachers training course.
Yoga Teacher Training Course
Duration
Four-week intensive residential course
Location
- Dhanvantari ashram, Kerala
- Meenakshi ashram, Madurai
- Tapasvini ashram, Andhra Pradesh
- Sivananda Kutir, Uttarkashi
- Himachal Pradesh
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of yoga asanas or philosophy is helpful but not mandatory.
Curriculum
The comprehensive curriculum includes: Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Kriyas, Teaching practice, Bhagvad Gita, Karma and Reincarnation, Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.
Schedule
- The daily schedule begins at 5:20 am and lasts till 10:30 pm.
- It includes two meals- brunch and dinner.
- One day a week is no lecture day.
Accreditation
This course is certified by the international body of the Yoga Alliance. On completion of the course, graduates become a Registered Yoga Teacher 200.
Cost
The cost of the course varies from USD 1725 to USD 4500 depending on the type of accommodation and the chosen location. The website is regularly updated with the details of the upcoming course with its location and fee structure.
Advanced Yoga Teachers’ Training Course
Duration
This is a transformative four-week course that takes you to a more profound level of spiritual knowledge.
Location
- Dhanvantari Ashram, Kerala
- Meenakshi Ashram, Madurai
- Sivananda Kutir, Netala
- Phu Chai Sai Resort, Thailand
Prerequisites
For this course, you need to successfully complete the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course, which gives you a Registered Yoga Teacher 200 credential.
Curriculum
The comprehensive curriculum includes: Asana, Pranayama, Vedanta, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Sanskrit, Anatomy and Physiology, and Kirtan (Mantra Chanting).
Schedule
- The daily schedule begins at 4:30 am and lasts till 10:30 pm.
- It includes two meals- brunch and dinner, and two teas.
- One day a week is no lecture day.
Accreditation
This is also a Yoga Alliance certified course. On completion of the course, graduates become a Registered Yoga Teacher. After you graduate, you’ll receive the Yoga Acharya or Master of Yoga certification.
Cost
The cost of the course varies from USD 2070 to USD 4500 depending on the chosen accommodation. The website is regularly updated with the details of the upcoming course with its location and fee structure.
Benefits of Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training
Holistic development of the future yoga teachers
Sivananda yoga covers important aspects of yoga teaching by giving proper knowledge and experience of different paths of yoga- Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Raja yoga, and Jnana yoga. It enables holistic development of the individuals.
Helps balance emotions
Bhakti Yoga is given special emphasis during the teacher training at the Sivananda yoga centers. It is helpful to stabilize the emotions of the teacher before they start teaching other students.
Teachings of karma yoga
The Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course emphasizes the importance of selfless service, viewing it as a means to develop compassion and reduce egoism. Participants engage in karma yoga, involving selfless service and personal discipline, fostering deep personal growth and transformation.
Sivananda yoga graduates are eligible for advanced yogic practices
The Sivananda graduates are eligible to pursue Sadhana Intensive and Sadhana Mandalam courses. Sadhana Intensive is a two-week intensive program with advanced pranayama practices. Sadhana Mandalam is a 41-day profound spiritual practice of the aspirant.
Living yogic lifestyle
Compulsive ashram settings help to detach from the physical world and attach to the own practice. Sivananda ashram enables a complete yogic lifestyle which is difficult to practice in the hybrid or the online model.
This immersive setting allows students to fully engage with the teachings and develop a deep understanding of yoga practices.
Living close to the instructors
Another advantage of a traditional ashram environment is close interaction with the experienced instructors who embody the yogic lifestyle. These teachers embody the principles of Sivananda Yoga, sharing their experience and wisdom with students. This mentorship is invaluable for developing teaching skills and deepening understanding of yoga.
Teachings based on Vedanta
Vedanta philosophy is a fundamental aspect of Sivananda Yoga, emphasizing the unity and connection between the individual and the universe.
This yoga philosophy helps students understand the deeper aspects of yoga, including the nature of consciousness and the interplay of space, time, and causation. Integrating Vedanta philosophy into the training provides students with insights into the spiritual underpinnings of yoga, enriching their practice and teaching.
Japa Meditation
Japa meditation involves the repetition of classical Sanskrit mantras. It is another significant practice in Sivananda Yoga. This form of meditation connects practitioners to the classical yoga tradition by using sacred sounds to quieten the mind and deepen the concentration.
These mantras are recited during morning and evening satsangs. And allow practitioners to enhance their inner focus and maintain spiritual energy throughout their daily yoga classes.
Teaching of Shat-kriyas or the cleansing practices
An essential component of Sivananda Yoga involves kriyas or yogic cleansing exercises that cleanse the major body systems, such as the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. These practices are part of the course curriculum and allow practitioners to purify their body, facilitating the flow of spiritual energy.
Globally recognized certification
Graduates receive an internationally recognized certification that meets the standard set by the Yoga Alliance, enhancing their professional opportunities in the global yoga community through yoga teachers training courses.
Inspiring yoga teachers and community
One of the most enriching aspects of the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course is the opportunity to learn from inspiring yoga teachers. Senior teachers play a vital role in nurturing new instructors and guiding their practice.
The supportive community at Sivananda centers foster friendships, collaboration, and encouragement among participants. This environment of mentorship and community enhances personal growth and deepens yoga practice. The bonds formed during the training often last a lifetime, contributing to a global network of Sivananda yoga teachers.
Who Can Join Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training?
The Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course is open to anyone with a sincere willingness to learn and an openness to yogic practices. While prior experience with yoga postures and philosophy is preferred, it is not mandatory.
Participants must adhere to a vegetarian diet during the training, promoting a conducive learning atmosphere and aligning with the yogic lifestyle principles.
The Bottom Line
Today, the Sivananda Yoga Centres continue to uphold Swami Sivananda’s motto, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds to experience a path of service, love, and self-realization through the yoga teachers training and teachings of Sivananda Yoga.
The Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course offers a comprehensive and transformative experience for aspiring yoga teachers. From the detailed curriculum and daily routine to the supportive community and personal growth opportunities, this training equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to teach yoga effectively.
By embracing the principles of Sivananda Yoga, graduates embark on a journey of continuous learning and self-discovery, enriching their own lives and those of others.
FAQ’s
Do I need prior yoga experience to join the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course?
You do not need prior yoga experience to join the Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Course, though some familiarity with yoga postures and philosophy will be helpful.
What kind of certification will I receive upon completion of the course?
Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certification that meets the 200-hour and 300-hour standard certification set by the Yoga Alliance, which is recognized globally for registered yoga schools. This credential is highly regarded in the field of yoga.
What is the daily routine like during the training?
The daily routine during training is highly structured, starting early in the morning with wake-up activities, followed by sessions of pranayama, satsang, asana practice, lectures, and karma yoga. This disciplined schedule fosters both physical and mental development.
What should I bring to the training course?
You should bring a meditation shawl, appropriate yoga attire, and any personal items that will enhance your daily routine during the training course. This will ensure your comfort and support throughout the sessions.
What are the main components of the curriculum?
The main components of the curriculum encompass Classical Hatha Yoga Curriculum, Vedanta Philosophy and Yoga Psychology, and Teaching Practice and Techniques. This comprehensive framework ensures a well-rounded education in yoga.
