Have you always dreamed of
becoming a yoga teacher?

Take a powerful step along the path: Join senior teacher trainer, Stephen Thomas, on Koh Samui Island for a 200-hour Yoga Alliance Certification course in Hatha Yoga!

Date:
From: Stephen Thomas (E-RYT)

Dear Yogis,

I will be spending the month of November on Koh Samui Island training a select group of students in the art and science of teaching yoga—and I'd like to invite you to join me!

I've learned that there are moments in your life when you realize that it's time for a change, a transformation. The yoga tradition lays down a clear path for you to follow, and for most, a teacher training course is giant step along that path.

“Grow your practice, learn to teach, and inspire others by

sharing the healing benefits of the ancient practices of yoga

with the world!”

For many people, an intensive teacher training course is one of the few opportunities they have to step out of the normal condition of life and transform though inner growth, learning and sharing. Trainings to teach yoga often initiates huge positive changes in people's lives—on every level!

Yoga has a message for humanity, for the body, for the mind and the spirit. In the words of my Guru:

"Are there some… willing to step forward to learn so that this
practice can be shared throughout the world?"

WHY DO YOU WANT TO TEACH?

• Inspire students & change lives
• Stay fit & healthy
• Work in a positive environment
• Live & work anywhere in the world
• Enjoy a flexible schedule
• Have plenty of free time (work less hours)
• Receive a good salary

PREPARE TO BE CHALLENGED, INSPIRED, AND TRANSFORMED!

The form of yoga taught requires previous Hatha Yoga experience and a good level of awareness of movement and breath. You will learn how to move deeper into your body and breath, slowly and with proper alignment and technique.

The training will be physically and mentally challenging. There will also be a strong pranayama and meditation component which means students must be prepared for the stamina of sitting. You will also learn and explore the cleansing kriyas of Hatha Yoga and how to incorporate a supportive diet into their lifestyle.


HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• How to teach a 90-minute Hatha Flow-style class
• How to structure a class and sequence postures
• How to safely and appropriately adjust students in class
• Kriyas (yoga cleansing techniques) & pranayama (breathing exercises)
• Yoga history, philosophy & anatomy
• Ayurveda

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE CLASSES

Hatha Flow Yoga is a fun and powerful practice that teaches students to integrate their body, breath, and spirit. The yoga poses taught include standing asanas, seated postures, inversions, balancing poses, and twists—the same sequences that ancient yogis have done for thousands of years.

Hatha Flow combines the dynamic vinyasas and internal heat practices of Ashtanga Yoga with detailed alignment instruction and a wide range of postures and sequences. It’s a challenging practice that is accessible to all students regardless of age or ability. On a more subtle level, Hatha Flow includes specific breathing exercises, cleansing practices, and philosophies that make it a truly holistic approach to living more than just a yoga class. Hatha Flow creates light bodies, clear minds, and open hearts. 

ARE YOU READY TO TEACH?

So how do you know if you're ready to teach? You're ready to teach when you fall in love with the practice; when you feel something deeper growing inside you; when your awareness extends beyond your physical body and out into the world.

When this happens, the natural urge is to share yoga with others… to teach! 

BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS  

• Must have an established, committed yoga practice (6-12 months minimum)
• Must be mentally and physically prepared for an intensive training
• Must bring a positive, healthy attitude and a sense of lightness and humor

AND WHAT ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION?

All students who successfully complete the course will receive a 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Teaching Certificate. This is the internationally-recognized standard certification for beginner and intermediate-level teachers. 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified teachers are fully qualified and prepared to teach.

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
                                                                    - Henry Adams

During our time together, I'll help you explore the deeper dimensions of the sacred path of yoga from all angles, both on and off the mat! Together, we'll embark on a 24-day journey into the depths of yoga asana, the power of pranayama, the centering bliss of meditation, and the healing science of Ayurveda.

All classes and most workshops will be held at Absolute Sanctuary, our newest yoga facility on Koh Samui nestled into a hillside overlooking the sea.

• Brand new hardwood floor studio
• State-of-the-art heating system
• Showers, lockers, changing rooms
• Moroccan-style lounge
• Internet café & reading library

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
• Additional food, snacks, and beverages are readily available from nearby shops and restaurants

All trainees will stay at Absolute Sanctuary, our newly-opened, Moroccan-style resort with stunning sea views.

• Quite 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)

This training is rare opportunity to explore the wide spectrum of Hatha Yoga rooted in ancient teachings. The core of your studies will revolve around the practices of three of the most influential modern schools of yoga: Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Bihar . From the ancient scriptures, you’ll also study the philosophical teachings of Patanjali's, Yoga Sutras, and the universal life lessons of the Bhagavad Gita.

On a physical level, you will study and practice vinyasa, bandhas, and breath. You will also learn to apply and teach precise alignment to make postures safer and more therapeutic.

On a subtler level, you’ll be introduced to the transformative teachings of pranayama, mudra and meditation along with music and mantra for uplifting the spirit! 
 

To give you a well-rounded base of knowledge, you’ll also delve deep into the formal study of functional yoga anatomy, Ayurveda (including diet and cleansing), and yoga history and philosophy all taught in a fun and relevant way that you can apply in your daily life as a student and a teacher!

“You must first understand yoga through the body and the breath… but to teach, we must begin to awaken and experience our own essential nature!”

With this in mind, a big part of your journey will be experiential. Through trial and error, you’ll feel the real life effects of asana, pranayama, and meditation. This is challenging of course, but it’s also incredibly rewarding; a way to connect deeper into yourself and find your true essence.

“Great teaching comes from committing to the practice, living what you are taught, and sharing your experience with others,” says Stephen. “What I teach is rooted in the ancient scripture and traditions that have been passed down for generations, and my goal is to take you right into the heart of yoga!”

MAIN STUDY POINTS:

Ø    Asana (yoga postures) – There is much more to yoga postures than strength and flexibility. During the course, you’ll learn how specific poses affect the energy in our bodies and promote health and peace within.

Ø    Pranayama (breathing exercises) – In the tradition of Sri. O.P. Tiwari, you’ll learn the subtle science of breath. For most students, it’s challenging enough to remain aware of their breathing, but our goal is to go much further… to learn to control and expand the breath consciously for health and spiritual growth.

Ø    Kriya (yoga postures) – The ancient yogis developed a very specific set of cleansing practices that are just as powerful today as they were thousands of years ago. During the course, you’ll learn how to naturally detoxify your system.

Ø    Mantra (vocal repetition of sacred sounds) – The yoga of sound is one of the easiest to experience. If you sit in a room and chant the sound of OM, immediately you feel the power of yoga mantra! During the course, we will learn and experiment with many different sacred sounds.

Ø    Meditation (seated practice) – Perhaps the most challenging practice of all is the practice of stillness. Meditation can be very intimidating, but during the course, we’ll take baby steps as we learn to practice properly.

Ø    Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine) – Ayurveda and yoga are sister sciences. You’ll discover how your body’s constitution relates to you yoga practice, the foods you should eat, and even your behavioral tendencies. 

Ø    The Art of Teaching — Teaching a great class requires a delicate balance of skill, experience, and inspiration. You’ll learn how to bring out the best in any student through real-life practice sessions.

Ø      Yoga History & Philosophy — Through the study of the ancient yogic texts, you’ll learn practical ways to apply these classical teachings in a modern world.

MORE ABOUT ME (Stephen Thomas)
 
Well, for starters, I’d like to offer my deepest respect and thanks to my teachers, whose guidance has enabled me to grow in this path of yoga. These ancient practices have offered me grounding, truth, strength, balance, openness and deeper connection to my heart. I am grateful and humbled to be in contact with all those who have come before.

My own yoga path has slowly grown in intensity and dedication over the years. My direct teachers are O.P.Tiwari, Dharmanidhi Saraswati and Paul Dallaghan. These teachers have built my practice, grounded my teaching skills and provided fertile soil for my deeper growth. My daily practice is a combination of pranayama, seated meditation, and asana.

I teach a freestyle form of Hatha Yoga that is influenced by my many years in the Ashtanga Vinyasa System and borrows inspiration from studies I have undertaken in Tibetan Buddhism and the Tantric Yoga practices of Kashmir Shaivism.

I also incorporate the alignment principals of the Anusara system of John Friend, as a way to refine alignment, prevent and heal injuries. I teach an integrated class that incorporates asanas, pranayama, mudra, devotion and meditation techniques. The intention of my work is to present Yoga in a classical form, as a way rediscovering our essential nature and awakening our fullest potential.

I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and moved to the Vancouver in 1992. It was there, through grace, that I discovered yoga. I have taught yoga in many countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. My yogic travels include two trips to India, and pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash, and multiple trips and retreats in Sri Lanka. 

MY TEACHING TEAM

Rachel Tsai (assistant trainer)
Rachel currently teaches workshops and training courses in Ayurveda, the healing and therapeutic sister science of Yoga and Yoga Philosophy around Asia. She holds qualification in both Ayurveda and Yoga (Therapy) and has an advanced Sanskrit and Jyotish (Hindu Astrology) studies with teachers she sought privately.

Rachel is a dedicated Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practitioner and has made two trips to India to study Sanskrit and Yoga with Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Sharath Rangaswamy. She also takes yearly Ayurvedic internship at the Dhanvantari Dham Herbal Research Centre in Vrindaban India.

During the training program, Rachel will teach workshops on Ayurveda Foundation and Yoga History and Philosophy, with an aim to broaden the scope of the study of yoga and enrich the depth of our practice.
For more information about Rachel, please visit: www.mantipatha.com

Additional Guest Teachers

There will be one additional guest teacher who will teach you the fundamentals of yoga anatomy.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP!

My objective is to give you all the tools needed so that you'll walk away with the personal experience and knowledge that builds the foundation for all inspired teaching. It will be a challenging and rewarding course to be sure, so ask yourself: 

"Where do you want to be a year from now, and how does yoga fit into your life?" Form a clear vision in your mind, and begin to make some declarations. 

If a yogic life is for you, then you need to take steps in that direction. I'd be honored to be your guide and share with you what I've learned from my teachers, so we can walk on this path together. 

In peace,

Stephen Thomas (E-RYT)

stephenthomasyoga@gmail.com

p.s. There is an early discount of 10% off tuition if you apply and are accepted before 15 July, 2008! (When you book early, the resort gives me a better room rate, so I’m happy to pass those saves on to you).

p.p.s. I’m ordering free yoga mats for the all students enrolled in course, but again, you need to be accepted before 15 July 2008 (I have to order them from Singapore, so I need some time).

p.p.s. I’ll be sending out bunch of information to my email list about the course, but also about yoga in general. If you’d like to join my list, just enter your name and email below.