Teacher Training Level I & II

All classes are taught in English
The Level I/II Course conveys a basic knowledge in philosophy (Yoga Sūtras, Bhagavad Gīta, Hatha Yoga Pradīpikā), anatomy, physiology, methodology and didactics following the IyengarMethod.

The skills of teaching, observing, correcting and use of props are acquired systematically throughout the course.

The total training hours for the Level I/II Course must be a minimum of 201 hours (Level I - 100hours, Level II - 101 hours) of teacher training including 50 hours of assisting, adjusting and teaching students within the course. The course has to be completed within 24 months.

Eligibility Criteria
Prior to entering this teacher training program, a student must be a competent yoga practitioner who maintains a daily yoga practice and must have attended regular yoga classes for several years. 
If requested, the trainee has to show his/her practice in order to be accepted on the program.

The Aims:

  • Develop ones own health, contentment and vitality
  • Develop maturity in one’s personal practice of āsana and prānāyāma
  • Develop a thorough understanding of the āsanas and prānāyāmas for teachingpurposes
  • Gain proficiency in teaching skills
  • Gain a basic education in anatomy and phisology 
  • Develop a working understanding of the philosophical basis of Patañjali’s Ashtanga Yoga
  • Learn the various precautions (basics of yoga therapy) that need to be followed for students with common problems
  • Practise one’s teaching skills under the guidance of a qualified teacher trainer.  

The Teacher training includes:

  • 8 TT-weekends per year 
  • 2 Retreats per year 
  • Daily personal practice 
  • Studies / homework
  • 2-4 short presentations per year 
  • 1 Class per week 
  • Teaching and assisting classes 

Level III
Patanjali Yoga Switzerland is offering a coaching and training course to support the Level II teachers to progress in their practice and to teach more advanced postures in upgrading their level to Level III, and preparing them for Level IV.

The total training hours for the Level III Course must be a minimum of 100 hours of teacher training, and 20 hours of assisting, adjusting and teaching students within the courses.

Patanjali Yoga Switzerland also proposes an apprenticeship (Yoga Sadhana) during which the apprentice is present in different classes and, under the teacher’s direction, assists students in the class. Thus the apprentice has the opportunity to observe both the teacher’s method of teaching and the students’ response to it.

Teachers may apply to take Level III a minimum of 18 months after gaining the Level II Certificate.

A teacher in training is expected to maintain a regular home practice, a complete attendance at the teacher training classes as well as regular attendance at general yoga classes.
Course outline:
The complete course is structured into four main parts:
  • Practise of the asanas and pranayama (Level III)
  • Teaching skill
  • Basic knowledge in Yoga-Therapy
  • Self-study
Self-Studies:
  • Study and practise every asana and pranayama of Level III
  • Know the basic ideas of Samadhi Pada and Sadhana Pada
  • Choose one of the Sutras and write an essay about it
  • Study chapters l and Vl of the Bhagavad-Gita and write a résumé about them
  • Read the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, know its content
  • Write a thesis of about 20 pages about a topic of your choice (f.e. yoga therapy, yoga during pregnancy, yoga for children, anatomy or philosophy)
Certification:
To obtain an official Certificate issued by Patanjali Yoga Switzerland, the trainee has to pass two evaluations. The teacher in training
  1. has to take pictures of all the asanas and pranayamas of Level I/II or III 
  2. has to teach 3-5 poses and 1 pranayama of Level I/II or III 
These evaluations will be held by Ali Dashti & Kate Beck. The Certificate Level I/II and III will only be issued, if the trainee meets the required standard in teaching and practice.

This Certificate entitles the holder to refer to his/her professional education with Patanjali Yoga Switzerland and to teach yoga. The teacher would then be required to visit at least one workshop per year with a Senior Teacher of Patanjali Yoga Switzerland.

    Teacher Training
Patanjali YOGA Switzerland  °  Sickingerstrasse 6 (Hinterhof), 3014 Bern  °   phone: +41 79 761 62 16  °  e-mail: info@patanjali-yoga.ch