Become a Yoga Teacher: Inspire students, quit the 9-5 rat race, work anywhere in the world, and live a healthy life sharing the wonderful practice of yoga with others... are you ready for a change?

Date:
From: Lucas Rockwood (Koh Samui, Thailand)

Dear Yoga Students,

Let me guess… you LOVE yoga? You take class every day,
you read yoga books, watch DVDs, and hang out on yoga
Web sites while you’re at work…

… sound familiar?

If you ask any teacher, “How did you become a yoga instructor?” most will tell you a similar story. At some point, yoga becomes such a big part of your life—such a source for joy and balance—that the next logical step is to teach. Are you ready?

TOP 7 REASONS TO TEACH YOGA

1. Inspire Students & Change Lives – Most people get a job to pay the bills, but as a yoga teacher, you do a lot more than just “get by.” When your day-to-day work life consists of helping people grow in healthy, peaceful living; now that’s an amazing job to have!
   
   
2. Receive Fulltime Pay for Part-time Work – Life is short, the world is crazy, and most people never get a chance to step back and take deep breath! Teaching yoga is one of the rare jobs that allow you to work part-time and earn as much as you would working fulltime. If you’re like most people, that extra time is the one of the greatest gifts you could ever be given!
   
   Working a 15-20 hour week instead of 40-50 hours allows you to focus on your own practice, your own growth, and other interests as well! Many yoga teachers are also artists, writers, fulltime parents, and travelers! And the best part is, whenever you step in front of a group of students, your added life experience is what makes your classes so rich and inspiring… what an amazing way to live!
   
   
3. Stay Healthy & Fit – Have you had enough of those stuff-your-face, beer-guzzling office parties? Well, yoga teachers’ lives are all about healthy living, so if that’s the direction you see your life going, than you’ve come to the right place!
   
   It’s hard to be the only salad-eating, seltzer-drinking person in a group of friends, but as a yoga teacher, you’ll see a whole new, health conscious world open up; and your new friends and co-workers will share your passion for healthy, conscious living.
   
   
4. Work in a Positive Environment – A yoga studio is one of the few places where peace and positivity are actually expected from people. How refreshing! The world will never be free of office politics, impossible bosses, and overtime… but ask yourself, do you really want to be a part of that system anymore?
   
   
5. Travel & Work Anywhere in the World – Yoga came from India, spread to the western world, and then looped full circle back to the East. Today, yoga is everywhere, and as a teacher and student, you’ll find it almost impossible not to teach and study all over the globe. And the best part is, yoga teachers travel with a purpose, and ultimately, live with that same purpose as their guiding light!
   
   
6. Enjoy a Flexible Schedule – A big part of the yoga tradition is discipline, but true discipline can only come from the freedom to choose. Yoga teachers are able to set their own working schedule to accommodate the needs of their personal lives and personal practice. This is both a luxury and a necessity for growth and fulfillment (plus, it just feels great not to have to be anywhere at 09:00 a.m. every Monday morning!).
   
   
7. Do What You Love – 83% of people worldwide do NOT like their jobs. This is a tragedy! We live in a world where you really can craft your own lifestyle, your own reality; and if yoga is what you love, why not teach and share it with others? Very few people follow their passion in life, but for those that do, the opportunities that await you are amazing!

MICHEL BESNARD (ERYT-500, head trainer)

Originally from France, Michel has become one of the most sought-after teachers in Asia since he opened YOGASANA, the very first Ashtanga Yoga studio and training center in Hong Kong.

In class, Michel gives clear guidance while listening to the needs of students’ bodies without pushing or straining. He encourages students to take their practice very seriously—but not themselves.

Michel will help you discover the balance and openness that yoga can provide, and he’ll also teach you how to enjoy the process. Michel is immersed in the tradition of yoga with 30 years of study with world-renown teachers.

As a student, Michel began practicing yoga in 1978, and has been teaching since 1983. Michel practiced Iyengar yoga and was a direct student of BKS Iyengar himself making regular trips to study under his teacher in Pune, India. Michel later discovered Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, and after 1993 that became his primary focus. He studied directly under Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India on several extended trips to India and now teaches and practices this powerful, ancient system of yoga himself.

Along with yoga, Michel has an extensive background in bodywork and postural alignment. He is an advanced Reiki practitioner and a certified Advanced Postural Integrator certified by Psycho-Physical institute of San Francisco and holds a certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Melbourne Australia.

Truly a teacher’s teacher, Michel has trained instructors in 10 different countries and is accredited by IYTA (International Yoga Teacher Association) and Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level trainer level (highest possible). Michel brings the depth of knowledge and years of experience into class that is so often lacking from modern yoga teacher trainers.

Michelle Lam (Yoga Anatomy Trainer)

Michel is a physiotherapist specializing in sports injuries and prevention. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1998; and now, after working in the sports rehabilitation for nearly 10 years, Michelle has developed a unique way of incorporating physiotherapy with exercise training and performance enhancement. Michelle is also a Personal Trainer, Group X instructor, and a part-time lecturer in the Chinese University Adult Learning Center in Hong Kong.

Hélène Liu (Yoga Teacher & NLP Trainer)

Hélène is the founder of The MASTER MINDS an organization offering trainings and coaching services on the theme of mind mastery. She has been promoting excellence through various means for nearly two decades, both in the corporate world and with individuals.

Hélène is a Certified Trainer of NLP and Hypnotherapy, a Master Fire walk Instructor and Master Glasswalk Trainer as well as a Reiki Master. She has been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for 5 years, and is registered with the Yoga Alliance.

YOU’RE GOING TO LOVE TEACHING YOGA

Teaching what you love is one of the most rewarding career choices you can make! Yoga Alliance Certified teachers spend their days sharing the benefits of yoga with the world.

“Here’s some good advice: choose a training course taught by a great teacher. The course should give you all the skills needed to be an effective instructor—but also make sure it excites you! Yoga is supposed to be fun!”

WHAT WILL MY DAYS BE LIKE?

Wake up early, take in the sunrise and the sea view, and then meet at the yoga studio! On training days, you’ll practice yoga first thing each morning at 7 a.m. You’ll learn so much! Michel and his teaching team will work one-on-one to give you hands-on adjustments and suggestions in Mysore-style classes.

Practice tips and pose secrets make yoga so much fun. The morning Mysore class is great because Michel can share with your specific adjustments and tips based on your body from his 30+ years of experience. Believe me, you’ll be amazed at how much different you’ll feel in your practice when you learn subtle changes that make a world of difference.

Sample Daily Schedule:

After the morning class, you’ll have a lovely breakfast with fresh fruit, homemade toast, yogurt, and juice. Shortly thereafter, you’ll have a morning workshop held either indoors or outdoors depending on the weather. Here, you’ll learn all the fundamentals: safety in class, how to setup the mats, where to stand, and how to speak.

Lunch is at 1 p.m. The food is healthy and delicious, prepared by our exceptional team of cooks who have now been keeping yoga students healthy and fit for nearly 3 years straight!

After lunch, you’ll have some time to relax by the pool, get a massage, or take a nap before it’s back to work with presentations and hands-on practice sessions that address the more advanced teaching skills you’ll need to be an outstanding teacher.

The training day finishes after dinner with an evening gathering just before 9 p.m.—and then it’s bedtime. Trust me, you’ll be tired! Now that’s a day well spent!

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN!

How to teach a class (from start to finish—and everything in between) How to create fun and effective posture sequences Yoga history & philosophy with a modern twist! Real-world anatomy and physiology Ayurveda, yoga diet, and meditation Breath work and kriyas (cleansing exercises) It’s one thing to know how to do a posture—but it’s another thing altogether to teach it! During the course, you’ll learn tips and tricks that will make your classes popular and your students loyal.

LEARN SKILLS THAT TOP TEACHERS USE EVERYDAY!

• Overcome stage fright (public speaking)
• Deal with injuries in class
• Draw clear student-teacher boundaries
• Inspire students so they want to learn
• Beyond asana… teaching more than just poses (inspiration, spiritual teaching)
  in class

Good news! This training course follows Yoga Alliance comprehensive guidelines for training curriculum which means you’re going to be a well-rounded teacher who knows more than just yoga poses.

“Here’s the best part: This course is designed to give you all the tools you need so you can go out and begin teaching-right away!”

WHAT IF I’M A SLOW LEARNER?

Don’t worry. The training always covers the required topics, but we also leave plenty of “open sessions” where we can address the teaching topics that are most challenging or most interesting to you.

Having trouble pronouncing the pose names? We’ll break up into groups for practice.

Can’t remember the order of the postures? You can meet with the assistant teacher during lunch to learn some memorization tricks.

Not sure if your femur connects at the hip or the shoulder? No problem. You’ll have handouts and guidebooks to study from—plus one-on-one time with the guest teaching staff trained specifically in anatomy.

So let’s be honest. To become a yoga teacher, there’s a lot you need to learn—but it’ll be lots of fun too. You’ll make new friends, take your yoga practice to a whole new level, and discover things about yoga and yourself that you never even considered before.

Is it easy? No. Is it worth it? Yes!

“It’s truly a pleasure to spend an entire month immersed in the study and practice of yoga- something you love so much!”

FACILITIES, ROOMS & FOOD

Let me tell you, if you’ve never been to Koh Samui in Thailand, you’re in for a treat! Absolute Sanctuary is located 30 meters from the sea in a quiet, seaside village. We have a delicious health food restaurant called, The Love Kitchen, an internet lounge, a reading library, and a bright practice studio with hardwood floors.

After a long day, you’ll sleep like a baby! Your room is just up the hill from the studio with lovely sea views, air conditioning, hot water, and plasma televisions. And it gets even better! As a trainee, you’ll have access to Absolute Sanctuary’s swimming pool, steam room, and spa which are so luxurious!

THE YOGA STUDIO
	Brand new hardwood floor studio State-of-the-art heating system Showers, lockers, changing rooms Moroccan-style lounge Internet café & reading library
THE FOOD
	Enjoy delicious, healthy meals every day. Breakfast will be served poolside, and lunches and dinners will be at The Love Kitchen. 3 group meals daily (included in tuition) All-natural, gourmet, healthy food Fruits, juices, homemade breads, burritos, stir fries, rice, noodles, Italian, Thai, American, and Mexican foods Additional food, snacks, and beverages are readily available from nearby shops and restaurants
THE ACCOMMODATION
	All trainees will stay at Absolute Sanctuary, our newly-opened, Moroccan-style resort with stunning sea views. The resort is located on a quiet hillside over-looking the sea, and the cool evening breezes are spectacular. Rooms are very private and comfortable, and ideal for yoga students who need a place to study and escape. Quiet location with an infinity pool and full spa Outdoor gazebo (some sessions held here) TV, air-con, hot shower rooms, Shared room (private rooms available for extra charge)

The course is divided into two main sections, Level I and Level II. It’s highly recommended that all students attend both levels, but under special circumstances, it may be possible to attend just one, two-week session.

FUNDAMENTALS (Level I: 1-14 March, 2009)

Jump right into the deep end! The first two weeks are where you learn all the basics, from yoga history to teaching techniques. Yoga is a vast subject, so we’ll primarily focus on the knowledge that you’ll find useful every day in class.

Level I – 100-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification

TEACHING PRACTICUM (Level II: 15-28 March, 2009)

Now it gets fun! During weeks three and four, we’ll start learning the more advanced teaching techniques that separate good teachers from great ones. I’m sure that at least once you’ve taken a yoga class that really blew your mind. Well here, you’ll learn how to create that kind of experience for your students.

Level II – 100-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification

Please note: 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification is the international standard for beginner and intermediate level yoga teachers, so it’s highly recommend that all students attend the full 1-month course with Level I and Level II.”

SO HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

This teacher training will change your life, but luckily, it won’t cost you nearly as much as you thought! Our training facility is located on the beautiful but affordable island of Koh Samui so accommodation, food, and transportation costs are lower than most parts of the world—and we pass those savings on to you!

Tuition includes all training materials and certification.

120,950 THB (Level I and II): 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification Course
30,000 THB: Shared room (1 roommate)
25,000 THB: 3 meals daily
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175,950 THB all inclusive

But wait, you can get a discount! Save 15,000 THB if you are accepted and pay your tuition before 15 December, 2009. How is this possible? Well, when we book our rooms early, the resort gives us a substantial discount that we are more than happy to pass along to you. So if you can, apply early and save!

175,950 THB all inclusive tuition cost
- 15,000 THB early discount (if accepted before 1 December)
---------------------------------
160,950 THB all inclusive “early bird” price

Please Note: Most graduates will be able to earn back their tuition within 4 months!

For Exchange Rates: www.xe.com

EARLY BONUS #1 - Save 20% Off Future Trainings!*
Absolute Yoga hosts 6-12 yoga trainings and retreats throughout the year, and as a graduate, you’ll receive 20% off all course tuition fees for 1 full year!

FREE BONUS #2 – Free Yoga Mat!*
Traveling with a yoga mats is no fun, so we’ll have a new one waiting for you in your room!

FREE BONUS #3 – Real Life Teaching Experience!*
To all students who apply and are accepted before 1 December, you’ll be given the opportunity to assistant teach one of Absolute Yoga’s regularly scheduled classes in Koh Samui, Singapore, or Bangkok. This is scheduled on a one-to-one basis, and is an amazing way to gain real life teaching experience right away that you can use on your resume!

*PLEASE NOTE: FREE Bonuses available ONLY to students who are accepted and pay full tuition before 15 December, 2008.

Space is limited, so request an application today!

Can I ask you something? Do you know that feeling you get when you’re about to do something that will change your life forever? I love that!

I’ve participated in 3 teacher training programs and about 16 yoga workshops—so I know what I’m talking about when I tell you that if you’re serious about becoming a teacher, this course will really blow you away.

Enter your email above, and I’ll send you an application along with some excellent information about teaching so you can get started learning today.

Congratulations on your decision to become a yoga teacher! I hope to see you on sunny Koh Samui very soon!

Keep practicing,

Lucas Rockwood
Absolute Yoga Samui
lucas@absoluteyogasamui.com

p.s. Are you bad at making decisions? Maybe this will help… if you’re accepted before 1 December 2007, you’ll be invited to assistant teach one of Absolute Yoga’s public class. This is real-world teaching experience that you can use on your resume!

p.p.s. Michel Besnard is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-Level, the very highest trainer certification granted. His exclusive Hong Kong courses have been sold-out for years, and he now only comes to the beautiful island of Koh Samui once per year—so don’t miss it!

Proudly accredited by:

QUESTIONS?
Please email lucas@absoluteyogasamui.com or call +66.77.430.290 (Thailand) or +1.310.878.4829 (USA).
or call +66.77.430.290 (Thailand) or +1.310.878.4829 (USA).

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