“Just teaching is not enough. Along with teaching, one has to add the components of affection for the students, the ability to understand their needs and the dedication to help them as much as possible. Therefore, teachers should know the needs, aspirations, strengths and limitations of every student, because without really understanding these, it is not possible to teach yoga.

If teachers feel compelled to teach something, then the effect, the benefit or even the mental projection of the teachers will not be positive, and that will affect the students. If the teachers enjoy what they are doing and give out positive emanations, then the students will be able to understand and perceive more than the practice. The attitude of the teacher is important.”

—Paramahamsa Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati



LIVE, LEARN, TEACH YOGA

Learn from the wellspring of ancient wisdom. Delve into the time-tested practices of yoga that have been applied to modern times. Receive a yoga education that will broaden your horizon and nurture you. Get to know yourself and expand your awareness through holistic yoga. Use the knowledge you gain to teach and benefit others by guiding them in their yogic practice. 


The Course

Since 2014, Atma Darshan Yogashram has been conducting a two-year Yoga Teachers Training Course (YTTC), and nearly 200 students have passed through its portals under the program.

We are pleased to announce the commencement of the next session of the training: Yoga Teachers Training Course 2025 (YTTC 2025). The 2025 session comes with a major change in the format: it now becomes a one-year training with the option of continuing a second year of further learning for those who qualify specified criteria.

The new format has been chosen to allow a wider section of sadhakas to benefit from the holistic yoga training the course offers, and at the same time provide committed and serious sadhakas the opportunity to explore the depths of yogic knowledge. Irrespective of the time-frame of participation, the training will seek to provide all participants with the classical understanding and experience of yoga as per the tradition of Satyananda Yoga/Bihar Yoga, and prepare them to teach the same.

For one year, participants will meet over two weekends every month, when they will be taught the principles of yogic disciplines such as hatha yoga, karma yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana yoga. There will also be satsang with senior members of the Satyananda Yoga family, wherein questions and doubts may be resolved. In addition, there will be special sessions with medical and psychology experts to understand the parallels in these fields. In these weekend sessions held exclusively for the group, there will be the opportunity to discuss, practice, contemplate, share, laugh, make mistakes, improve, and more.

It will be mandatory to be physically present at the ashram for the weekend sessions. The ashram weekend will allow participants to practically experience a yogic lifestyle beyond classroom learning, imbibe the ashram energy and connect with the parampara, with opportunity for karma yoga, sattwic meals, kirtan, prakriti aradhana, havan, and more.

This mandatory physical presence will also be an endeavour to break out of the conditioning created by the pandemic of online living and learning and, despite personal challenges the step may entail, to make conscious evolution a priority.

The main aim is to help participants experience yogic precepts as living principles, so they may take them back into their daily lives and thereby create a yogic culture – the purpose of all yoga teaching.

The YTTC participants will also be part of the ongoing Yoga Fundamentals/Yoga Sadhana courses throughout the year, wherein a progressive deepening of various practices of hatha yoga, raja yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and karma yoga takes place through daily one-hour classes. They will have the option of choosing a suitable time for themselves for the classes (online or offline), as these are held several times in the day Monday to Friday. The practices learnt during the week will be delved into in detail during the weekend sessions in special hatha yoga and raja yoga sessions, to develop an understanding of the purpose and application.

In the last three months, the participants will receive practical training of teaching yoga.

At the end of the year, all participants will undergo an assessment, and those who qualify will be allowed to continue to participate in the Fundamentals/Sadhana courses for the second year and also teach at the ashram under the guidance of senior teachers. They will also receive the experience of teaching special groups such as children, senior citizens, differently-abled, etc. A deepening of experience will take place with participation in the monthly Yoga Anubhava and Yoga for Wellness programs. (Refer to out website for details of these programs.)

Other than the weekend sessions, a special ashram experience will be part of the course with a one week stay at Atma Darshan Yogashram for all. The whole group will also visit our Guru Ashram in Munger, Bihar, circumstances permitting – no doubt, it will be a memorable part of the course for all.

We invite all sincere yoga practitioners in and around Bengaluru who wish to make a meaningful difference in their own lives and in the world around them, to experience the joy and depth of yoga through this training. Not only those who wish to teach yoga, but anyone who wishes to expand their vista on the yogic journey is welcome.

  Aspects of the Course


Structure

The one-year program is divided in the following way:

 


Ashram life experience


Ashram life experience will be an integral part of the course. Other than weekend visits, students will be required to come and stay in the ashram for a duration of one week. The days and month will be decided at a later time based on the situation prevailing; however,

everyone will be intimated well in advance.


A seven-day visit to our Guru Ashram in Munger at the Bihar School of Yoga will also be organized, if the circumstances permit such a visit.


Apart from the above, all participants of the course are welcome to come and stay at the ashram at any time during the course, whether the entire duration, a few months, or a few weeks. In fact, we encourage you to do this, as it will minimize external distractions, help imbibe the yogic lifestyle and keep you focused. (Read details about ashram living on the Ashram Life page of our website.)


Faculty

The faculty includes teachers who have lived yoga as a lifestyle under the guidance of Guru in an ashram environment. These teachers have the ability and experience to convey the wisdom of yoga in a simple and interesting manner. Students will learn, practise and assimilate various aspects of the art, science and lifestyle that is yoga.


A brief overview of the curriculum

The course is designed to provide experiential learning of all the major branches of yoga, including hatha yoga, raja yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga, and jnana yoga. The training program encompasses a gradual deepening of the practices of asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, pratyahara, dharana, yama-niyama, as well as learning to live yogically. During the ashram stay, the cleansing practices of shatkarma are taught. The classical understanding of yogic precepts is provided throughout, besides learning the techniques to convey these to others appropriately within a class setting.

Over the period of the course, participants acquire a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. In the process, they experience yoga as a body of living knowledge.

The course will include:

● The techniques of asana, pranayama, mudra and bandha.

● Meditation (pratyahara and dharana) techniques that address deeper aspects of the human psyche.

● Progressive relaxation techniques such as a deep, multi-level shavasana and various stages of yoga nidra as formulated by Swami Satyananda.

● Lifestyle yama-niyamas as given by Swami Niranjanananda.

● Shatkarma practices.

●Discourses by medical experts on human anatomy, physiology and psychology, alongside yogic understanding of the body, prana and mind.

● Discourses on the rich history and tradition of yoga which occupies a unique place in the six ancient darshanas (philosophies) of India.

● Discourses on Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga.

● Study of yogic texts, in particular those published by the Bihar School of Yoga.

●Training to design complete classes and courses for individuals and groups, and introduce various practices in a systematic and thorough manner.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply. They must be of sound physical and mental health. Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Ability to read Devanagari script is desirable.

Dakshina (Course Fee)

Registration fee: ₹10,000 (to be paid by 30th November 2024)

For remaining fee:

Option 1: Full payment of ₹1,15,000 in Jan 2025. (Total amount ₹1,25,000.)

Option 2: Initial payment of ₹20,000 in Jan 2025 and ₹12,500 every month for next 8 months. (Total amount ₹1,30,000.)

The fee includes the dakshina for the Yoga Fundamentals and Yoga Sadhana courses (one year of offline/online yoga classes), ashram accommodation and meals whenever participants stay at Atma Darshan Yogashram. It does not include course expenses such as text books or travel related expenses to ADY or Bihar School of Yoga, Munger.

A limited number of scholarships will be available to ashram sevaks. The office may be contacted for details.

Refund policy

A refund request can be made only within a period of one month after starting the course. The request has to be made in writing along with a reasonable explanation for withdrawal from the course. It will be reviewed by the faculty and the decision regarding the refund will be communicated in writing. Any amount refunded will be pro-rated.

Graduation requirements

To receive the certificate of completion, students must complete the following:

1. Required attendance of sessions.

2. Completion of assignments.

3. Demonstration proficiency in the assessments.

4. Completion of practical training during the last 3 months of the course.

5. Physical attendance during the two weekend sessions in a month.

6. Ashram stay of seven days.

How to apply

Interested candidates should fill up the application form below, and submit it to the ashram. The last date of submission is 25th Nov 2024. Applicants will be interviewed at the ashram on a date and time fixed mutually.

There will be an online Information Session to explain the details about the course and answer the queries on 13th October 2024, 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm. Those interested in the course or applying for it should attend this. The Zoom link will be shared upon request. A second Information Session will be held on 22nd Dec prior to the commencement of the course.

Inauguration of the course

The inauguration ceremony will be held on 1st January 2025, during the auspicious Hanuman Aradhana. The classes will commence from the second week of January 2025.

Timelines

September–December 2024: Application submission, interviews, and intimation to selected candidates.

Sunday, 13 October 2024, 4 pm to 6 pm: Online Information Session to provide an overview of the course and answer questions.

Monday, 25th November 2024: Last date to submit the completed application.

Saturday, 30 November 2024: Last date to pay fees and sign agreement.

Sunday, 22nd December 2024: Second Information Session.

Wednesday, 1st January 2025: Inauguration ceremony and havan.

January 2025: Classes begin.

January 2026: Graduation ceremony.

The YTTC Experience 

"I remember stumbling upon this course and signing up for it right away. Becoming a yoga teacher or learning more about yoga was not my primary motive; it was basking in the glory of Swamiji and the tradition with the help of this course. Little did I know, the course had more to offer than I could have imagined. It felt like someone held my hand, took me to the right crossing, gave me the required directions, and said, ‘All yours. Happy travelling!’ I have never felt lost again. During one of our very first interactions in the course, a senior teacher said, ‘It is our intention that matters, the intention of sharing the knowledge with others.’ It stayed with me, and I hope it does forever. Now when I look back, it all comes down to the purpose –living yoga moment to moment, with sincerity, seriousness, and commitment."

—Ashi Jaiswal, YTTC 7 

"Words become inadequate when I write about an experience which is beyond description. The Yoga Teachers Training Course (YTTC) journey at Atmadarshan Yogashram (ADY) has touched and transformed many aspects of my being. The structure of the course was very well planned in such a way that we begin with understanding the purpose, tools, and techniques in a detailed manner while joining the Fundamentals and Sadhana classes during the week. The weekend satsangs with senior members of the ashram and guest talks helped deepen the understanding. The next step was moving from yoga on the mat and in the books, to experiencing yoga in daily life - the cornerstone of Bihar Yoga and the YTTC at Atma Darshan. The remaining period was devoted to using the understanding and experience gained, and teaching the same to others by assisting senior teachers in regular classes. The focus was moving from intellectual knowledge to teaching from personal experience, and becoming an open channel for the Guru Parampara and wisdom to flow through. This is the essence and sprit of the YTTC course, which is imbibed and practised by all our facilitators and senior teachers."

—Ravi Viswanathan, YTTC 7 

Glimpses of YTTC . . .

Starting the journey – the inaugural havan and prasad

Living the Experience

“The YTTC at ADY is a deeply holistic course that allowed me to explore various aspects of the yogic system. The journey was gradual, immersing me into the depths of yoga practice. I was able to internalize the principles of pratyahara and experienced the intricacies of yoga nidra. Classes on human anatomy, bhakti yoga, and counselling sessions enriched our knowledge. Prakriti aradhana, discussions on Shivalingam and Shaligram, learning to bead chanting malas, created unforgettable memories. We also spent a week living the ashram life, which added a new dimension. The presence of Guru energy, the sannyasins, the guidance of teachers and ashram staff, infused the course with a powerful experience. In summary, if someone seeks to truly activate their experience of yoga while managing a professional life, ADY’s YTTC is the way to go. It embodies the principles of BSY and Swami Sivananda, integrates the wisdom of head, heart and hands, along with a bit of everything in integral yoga.”

—Praveen Kumar, YTTC 8

“December 2023, we students had a stay at ADY for the holistic ashram life experience as part of YTTC 8. Even though I was quite sick, I surrendered to God and our Gurus to help me and take me towards whatever was best for me. All was going well and I was feeling better in a few days. Then one day it was time for swadhyaya, and I was asked to read ‘Mere Aradhyaya’, biography of Swami Satyananda, written by Swami Dharmashakti Saraswati, his first disciple and Swami Niranjanananda’s mother. As I started reading it aloud to my batchmates, I realized every page was leaving an indelible mark on me - this experience went on for an hour. By the end, it dawned on me that I was made to read because it was time for My Guru to reveal himself. It took 25 years to bring me to this day where I understood that he was not just a yoga guru but a true yogi and a complete guru. From Swami Satyananda he became Sri Swamiji to me. Boundless joy and gratitude!”

—Anshu Todi, YTTC 8

YTTC 2025.pdf