500-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification
Advanced Teacher Training Course
14 Nov – 18 Dec 2010 – Koh Samui, Thailand – 500-Hour Yoga Alliance Course

 

 

“Amazing New Training Course…
7 Modules, 7 Trainers and 34 Powerful
Days that Will Change the Way You
Practice and Teach… Forever!”
—————————————-
14 Nov – 18 Dec 2010 – Koh Samui, Thailand – 500-Hour Yoga Alliance Course

 

To: Yoga Teachers Wondering: “What’s Next?”
From: Lucas Rockwood (E-RYT 200)

Dear Yoga Teacher,

If you’re a certified teacher (or soon-to-be) and feel like your yoga practice has reached a plateau and you’re wondering, “What’s next?” then I’d like to introduce you to our 500-hour, Advanced Yoga Teacher Training course…

… one of the ONLY teacher training programs designed specifically for existing teachers!

Here’s why this is so important…

If you’re like most yoga teachers I work with, after awhile, you get so wrapped up in teaching, that you lose touch with your personal practice. Many teachers reach a point where they’re not learning or practicing ANYTHING new—and worse yet, whenever they do go to a training or workshop, it’s always geared toward beginners.

So frustrating…

But let’s be honest: the yoga community has matured, and there are now 30,000 teachers just like you all over the world. And so here are the obvious questions that arise:

• “Where do these yoga teachers, people like you and me, go to deepen their practices?”

• “Where can you find intermediate and advanced level courses offered?”

• “And finally, what can you do to avoid that ‘flat line’ feeling that every teacher has experienced… when you walk into class and just aren’t feeling it?”

Years ago, when I was teaching 2-3 classes per day and struggling to stay inspired, I asked myself these same questions and couldn’t find an answer. I ran off to India for 3 months hoping to find advanced training there; and while it was a great experience, it was NOT the well-organized or formalized study I was hungry for.

I was looking for a practical, formalized study of the entire word of yoga…

I wanted to STUDY yoga, to PRACTICE YOGA, and to understand it as a teacher on a much deeper level than anything that anyone was offering.
And as they say, “If you can’t find what you want in the world—create it!” So that’s exactly what we’ve done!

Here’s Why You’ll LOVE this Advanced Training

• BECOME A STUDENT AGAIN – burnout and fatigue are real concerns that all teachers must battle with; and ALWAYS, the way to overcome burnout is through relighting the fire of your own practice.

  During the course, you’ll be a fulltime student again for 34 days. Finally, you can be the one asking questions, seeking advice, and sitting on the receiving side of the student-teacher relationship.

• INCREASE YOUR VALUE – as the yoga community matures, so do the requirements of employers. Many of my friends who own yoga studios will now ONLY hire teachers with in-depth yoga training that must include a minimum of 2 training courses. In the same way that a bachelor’s degree used to be very significant in the academic world, serious students now go on to get Master’s Degrees or PhD’s With yoga, the same is happening with advanced yoga studies.

  Your peers are becoming more and more qualified every day. They are experts in anatomy, body work, women’s issues, leadership, and nutrition. They are authors and speakers, and many are learning business skills that give them financial freedom and independence.

  To keep up, to stay current, and increase your value as a teacher, you need to go back to school again! This Advanced Training Course facilitates your growth.

• THE POWER of IMMERSION – you probably have LOTS of advanced yoga interests, but on your own, it’s really hard to go deep. If you’re like me, you’re always carrying around some new book about a new subject you’re dying to learn more about…

  … but book learning has its limitations, and NOTHING compares to face time with experienced teacher trainers.

  What I’m talking about here is 34 days on a beautiful island with expert teachers from all over the globe flying in each week to spend time with you. To share their teachings. To take questions and give advice. To help you get fired up and inspired so you can bring your new knowledge and enthusiasm back to your students.

• A PEER GROUP of “WINNERS” – as the saying goes, “Love your family and choose your friends.” And with yoga people, you and I both know how true that is.

  If you’re like me, you have yoga friends that talk a good game and dream big dreams, but when it comes down to actually manifesting the things they want in life, they flake out.

  Yoga teachers right now have NEVER had so many opportunities including traveling, guest lecturing, books and DVD creation, training events, and workshops…

  … BUT most teachers NEVER take advantage of any of those opportunities because their peer group stinks and they don’t have the support and encouragement needed to really become creative and productive with their career.

  Due to the nature of this course, it will attract a very specific type of yoga teacher—those with creative force—and these people will be your new peers, your new friends, and possibly partners in future projects that could last for many years to come.

  You already know that you become the average of your peer group; and during this course, you’ll get the rare chance to be surrounded by people who are at your level (or higher) raising the bar standard and guiding you toward future success.

• MORE THAN JUST ASANA – yoga asana is the starting point, but in class, you can see right away that your students need more. They want to learn about their anatomy and physiology. Pregnant students want to better understand their bodies, and the more senior students are exploring Ayurveda and nutrition—and they want your help!

  As you grow as a teacher, you need to expand your horizons, encompassing the broader world of yoga, digging deep into the philosophical and historical study of the practice, exploring breath work and meditation, and moving toward the subtler understanding of charkas and energy systems in the body.

  Through hands-on, practical training, your world of yoga will expand exponentially—and fast. This is going to be a fun, intense adventure.

• CREATING OPPORTUNITIES – as a yoga teacher, you are in a wonderful position. The economy can go up or down, there can be political chaos or turmoil—but a good teacher will ALWAYS have more opportunities than hours in the day.

  And what makes a good teacher?

  It’s not perfect postures or perfect Sanskrit pronunciation. It’s not book knowledge, age, or even talent. A good teacher—a great teacher—simply creates life affirming experiences for his students in class. And a teacher who can do that is flooded with opportunity at every turn.

  So where do those teachers come from?

  Without fail, the inspired, passionate, magnetic teachers of the world have accumulated so many hours of practice and study that they are literally bursting at the seams to let it out. To share it. To teach.

  This course is all about filling up your cup full, and then letting it overflow. Advanced training is the most-effective way yoga teachers can create opportunities for themselves.

How the Course Works…

In your first yoga teacher training, you probably spent much of the course getting comfortable with teaching, saying the pose names, and using your hands and voice with students. You were probably introduced to some fairy complex teachings about anatomy, history, and philosophy, but if we’re being totally honest—you probably forgot most of that by now.

This is normal. Your first teacher training is about learning to teach. Anything else you learn is just a bonus. But now, you’re ready for more…

 

THE YOGA PRACTICE
Mornings with Michel Besnard & Team (7:30-9:30 daily)

Yoga practice is an essential part of any teacher’s life, so each day, there will be led and self-practice sessions with Michel Besnard (course director) and his teaching team.

Michel teaches traditional Ashtanga-Vinyasa style yoga informed by the alignment and precision of his formal Iyengar studies. Some students will come to the course from an Ashtanga background, but most will come from other styles of yoga such as Hot Yoga, Flow Yoga, or classic Hatha Yoga.

Whatever your background, you will find the self-practice style of yoga taught by Michel to be fun, challenging, and extremely personal.

Those students who are ready will be introduced to intermediate and advanced asanas. Those who are still learning will work within their abilities and will be given practices that are appropriate.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Sun salutations and variations
• Complete standing pose sequence
• Seated poses
• Twists & inversions
• Backends & hip openers
• Restorative sequences

The morning practice is an extremely supportive, non-competitive place. Michel will challenge you and encourage you, and classes are always safe and fun.

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 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 trainer level (highest possible). Michel brings the depth of knowledge and years of experience to class that is so often missing from modern yoga teacher trainings.

THE TEACHING MODULES: an explanation of how the course works.

The course is broken into 7 different teaching modules, each with a new teacher, and each covering a new area of study. Between each module, there is a day of rest so you can get in some “beach time” before you jump right back into your studies.

Let’s take a look at each module, and each teacher…

MODULE 1: The Wonderful World of Yoga
with Carlos Pomeda (15-19 November)

Most yoga teachers love the idea of learning yoga history and philosophy, but when it comes down to actually studying, it can be very intimidating to try to learn even basic Sanskrit, the Bhagavad Gita, or the Yoga Sutras.

But understanding where yoga came from and what it was, helps us to better understand where it’s going and what it is today—and Carlos Pomeda is one of the most sought-after teachers on the subject.

Why? First of all, Carlos is ridiculously qualified with two Master’s Degrees: one in Sanskrit, from U.C. Berkeley (where he taught) and another one, in Religious Studies, from U.C. Santa Barbara.

Secondly, Carlos is extremely passionate about the tradition of yoga, and being around him is fun and engaging, even as you diving deep into some of the more heavy classic texts.

Carlos was born in Madrid, Spain, and having traveled extensively, currently resides in Austin, Texas. He received formal, traditional training in yoga during almost 18 years as a monk (swami) of the Saraswati order, 9 of which he spent in India, at the Siddha Yoga ashram, studying and practicing under Swami Muktananda and Gurumayi Chidvilasananda.

During this time he learned the various systems of Indian Philosophy and immersed himself in the practice of yoga. He combines this traditional training with his academic background, and his teachings convey a truly exceptional depth of knowledge.

As a teacher, Carlos is known for his love of Indian yoga traditions, his insight, his humor, his deep empathy with his audiences and his ability to convey the deepest scriptural teachings in a way that is clear, meaningful and applicable.

Studying with Carlos is a truly delightful and enlightening experience.

Learn more about Carlos here

MODULE 2: Anatomy 2.0: For Yoga Teachers
with Michelle Lam (21-25 November)

Most yoga teachers know how many vertebra there are in the spine, they know about the psoas muscle and perhaps something about the sacro-iliac joint—but after that, it often gets blurry.

In a level 1 course, there simply isn’t enough time to really dive deep into yoga anatomy—at least not beyond the most basic topics—but in this course, you’re going to spend 5 hands-on days learning, not just theory, but the practical application of your anatomical knowledge.

You’ll study the following systems of the body:

• Digestive system
• Elimination system
• Vital organs
• Bones & joints
• Connective tissues
• Injuries & genetics

This anatomy course is not like the usual setup where the teacher lectures and you take notes. Michelle is extremely hands on, and she’ll constantly have students demo postures so you can SEE the hamstrings engage, so you can SEE the path of the colon. In this way, you can viscerally experience the science of yoga anatomy in real time.

This module is led by Michelle Lam, 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.

 

The Art of Teaching Yoga 5 Insightful Interviews with Absolute Yoga’s Trainers Normal Price:$14.95 It’s FREE 5 iPod-Ready Audio Files (sign up below)

 

MODULE 3: Sequencing & Hands-On Adjustments
with Michel Besnard (27-30 November)

Every yoga teacher has their own favorite practice—maybe it’s Ashtanga, Bikram, or Anusara Yoga—but when you go into the classroom, it’s not about you anymore; it’s about your students. And every teacher knows that different students have different needs.

Some classes will have students that are such beginners that you can only teach ½ of the class you had planned. Other classes are very advanced and you need to have your students work in pairs to assist each other in inversions and backbends.

Here’s the truth: advanced yoga teachers need to become chameleons who are able to adapt, adjust and modify on the fly to match the level of their students. This module is all about fostering those qualities within you.

In this module, you’ll learn:

• How to sequence a class for beginners, intermediate students, and mixed levels
• How to safely use your hands, feet, knees, and elbows in adjusting
• How to ALWAYS be safe while still challenging your students and giving them an extra push when needed
• How to sequence a 60-minute, 90-minute, or 120-minute class
• How to modify classic posses for students with disabilities or injuries
• How to quickly identify potentially dangerous students, and keep them from injuring themselves

Michel has been practicing and teaching for over 30 years, so his insight into the art of teaching is unparalleled by most trainers. You will, of course, develop your own style in class, but the best teachers always have a firmly rooted understanding of WHY and WHAT they’re doing.

• “Why do you need to include a forward bend after backbends?”
• “Why are inversions best taught toward the middle or end of class?”
• “If every pose has an inverse pose, what is the complementary, inverse pose of a shoulder stand?”

Answers to these questions (and dozens more) will be covered in detail—and more importantly, experienced first-hand—so you can teach with greater authority and confidence that your students will feel.

Learn more about Michel here

 

MODULE 4: Women’s Yoga Training
with Sara Avant Stover (2-6 December)

You already know that 70-80% of your students are women, and in some cases, it might be 90% or more…

… so regardless of whether you’re a male or female teacher, EVERY teacher needs to better understand the unique female body because female students will always represent the bulk of your classes.

NOTE: this module is specifically designed for both women and men teachers.

So what is women’s yoga? Women’s yoga is about developing the teaching skills and sensitivity to women’s needs during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause so you can serve those students appropriately instead of trying to fit them into your one-size-fits-all structured class.

If you’re a woman, you’ll gain tremendous insight into your own body and practice. If you’re a man, you’ll gain tremendous insight into the bodies and behaviors of your students. Yoga is for everyone, but not everyone should attempt the same practices all the time.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Pre/Post-natal class sequencing and structure
• Moon cycle sequences, helpful poses, tactful/appropriate ways to teach these within a group class structure
• The truth about menstruation and contraindicated poses
• Prenatal yoga safety (and when you should disallow a student from joining a public class)
• Menopause (and how older students can be aided by yoga, instead of put-off by a cookie-cutter approach)

This module will be led by Sara Avant Stover. Sara took her first yoga class at age 18 and knew immediately that she would someday devote her life to teaching. By her early 20’s, yoga was such a big part of her life, that she moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand where she lived for 9 years and served as one of the pioneer yoga teachers in that part of the word.

To date, Sara has taught some 3,000 students in over a dozen different countries. She is a prolific writer whose articles have been featured in half a dozen magazines including Yoga Journal, Yogi Time Business, Pilates Style and Fit Yoga. Sara takes yoga very seriously, but teaches with kind, gentle understanding of the human spirit.

As a student, Sara has been fortunate to study with some of the best teachers in the world including Richard Freeman, Gurmukh, Shiva Rea, John Friend, Sarah Powers, Sianna Sherman, Jill Satterfield, Susanna Nicholson, and Gary Kraftsow.

Sara continues to be inspired by master yogini, Sofia Diaz, who teaches spiritual empowerment for women and the balanced dance of the masculine and feminine. Her spiritual teacher, ShantiMayi continues to shine light on her path to full illumination and realization.

Learn more about Sara here

 

MODULE 5: Yin-Yang Balance: The Power of Stillness
with Nora Mangiamele (8-12 December)

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Whether you teach in a gym or at a dedicated studio, in the United States or in Asia, the vast majority of the yoga taught today is athletic and “yang” in nature.

This module is all about exploring the flipside of that coin, the quieter, yin-style practice of slowing down, stretching deeply, and balancing your internal energies.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Powerful, deep poses that work into your connective tissues
• Sequencing and teaching techniques for your classes
• Safe entry and exits of long-hold poses
• How to us props and breath to help students move deeper
• Incorporating “themes” into your classes so it’s less about the pose and more about the practice
• Intentionally creating outer body stress in a controlled environment so you can learn inner-body peace that spills over into life

Nora Mangiamele is a one of a kind teacher. Her love, humor and passion for yoga shine through in every class she teaches. She is a true yogi from head to toe who infuses eclectic music, strengthening yoga, and sweetness of the heart to make for a unique experience. Nora adds a subtle awareness of the chakra’s or energy centers being awakened in the mind, body and spirit. Her classes bring all levels of students to new personal edges, new possibilities.

Nora is Yoga Alliance Certified through Yoga Works in Los Angeles where she taught for many years. Her main influences are Dharma Mittra, Shiva Rea and David Williams. She currently travels and teaches throughout the year.

Learn more about Nora here

 

MODULE 6: The Business of Yoga
with Lucas Rockwood (14 & 15 December)

Most yoga teachers have a business plan that goes something like this: “Do what you love, and the money will follow!”

Unfortunately, with yoga, this almost never works.

After 3-5 years, most yoga teachers are broke, burnt-out, single, and frustrated. This is reality; and the sooner you realize it, the sooner you can take swift action to change it.

There has NEVER been a better time in history to be a yoga teacher, and while opportunity is everywhere, it’s not going to fall into your lap. You have to actively attract financial success into your life. It’s an on-going process, and it’s a lot of fun once you get started.

Taking conscious control over your financial future is what I call, “The Business of Yoga,” and in this teaching module, you’ll learn how you can earn more, work less, and stop freaking out about money all the time.

Teachers who are struggling financially will never be able to give their greatest gifts in class. To teach abundance, peace, and stability, you have to live it.

Yoga teachers deserve the basics in life, like being able to afford health insurance, to start a family, to travel, and to live in a nice house. Maybe your goals are bigger—or much smaller—but in any case, it’s all possible with a career as a teacher.

And remember this: you CANNOT teach 10+ classes per week forever. Trading hours for dollars will run you into the ground…

Physically, you will burn out and financially, you’ll get nowhere. Living simply is wonderful, but living in poverty is a waste of your talent and potential. As a yoga teacher, you have tremendous gifts to offer the world, and your students are more than happy to help fund your comfortable lifestyle…

… but it’s up to you to set yourself up for success.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to leverage your time instead of always trading hours for dollars
• How to teach less and earn more
• How to build a real business rather than just accumulating jobs and over-committing your time
• How to use the internet to effectively grow your business and share your message
• How to use online and offline marketing to grow your business quickly
• How to use social media to connect with a larger audience
• How to “own your own class,” own a studio, or simply own a steady stream of income from products or on-going events
• Why you MUST always be self employed (even if you have a boss)

This module is led by me, Lucas Rockwood. I’m a yoga teacher that went from teaching 15-20 classes per week straight into owning my own studio and restaurant, teaching, and running half a dozen events each year.

Like many yoga teachers, I figured if I wanted to increase my income, I needed to do more—teach more, work more, BE in more places at once. But that’s not how it works.

With my own studio and so many responsibilities to juggle, I nearly drown.

I had no time, no energy, and very little money despite all my efforts. But luckily, I got help. I hired coaches and found mentors, and slowly, I found my footing. I overcame my money issues and came to terms with the sobering fact that I needed to change my work life or I was going to implode.

I learned that business is just like yoga—you’ve got to study and practice, but there is a very clear path to follow.

I followed that path and it’s worked extremely well.

And for the past few years, I’ve been quietly helping great yoga teachers like you get paid well for what they do best. I myself run and co-own 3 different yoga business, I only teach when I want to, and I’m able to travel and craft my lifestyle as I wish.

I work hard, of course, but I’m in control.

The very first day of this module, I’ll teach you one simple way to generate an extra $5,000-10,000 per year; and by the end of the course, most teachers will have a realistic plan in place to multiply their current income 2-3X without working anymore hours (and often working much less).

Think for a moment of the most successful teachers you know. Are they teaching 2-3 classes per day and running from studio to studio? Are they worried about health insurance and car payments? Are they struggling to get by?

No. Successful teachers work hard and work smart, and they’ve taken the time to step back and plan a financial path of growth. This is what you’ll learn, and after this module your financial views will never be the same.

My greatest success is when I help teachers earn more in 1 month than they normally earn in an entire year—and this is my goal with you as well.

 

MODULE 7: Leadership & Public Speaking
with Macarena Aguilar (16-17 December)

Ever wonder why actors can learn to teach yoga so effortlessly?

It’s because they’ve had professional voice and speaking training.

Yoga teachers have to play many roles—the coach, the spiritual guide, the counselor—and the fundamental skill needed for ALL your roles as a yoga teacher is the ability to lead and speak with authority.

As yoga teachers, we often fall into patterns that distract students… maybe you wring your hands while you’re speaking, maybe you repeat the same words over and over, or maybe you need to work on your projection or articulation.

In this module, you’ll work with Macarena Aguilar who is a yoga teacher and professional communications trainer with 14 years of experience. Through mock classes, practice drills, and peer evaluation (don’t worry, it’s nothing to be nervous about), Macarena will help you become a more powerful teacher—almost immediately.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to use your voice to increase the energy or calm the room
• How to use your own physicality to clearly convey your message
• How to keep your speech natural, interesting, and fresh
• How to use humor and stone-cold seriousness when appropriate
• How to clean up your personal ticks and habits that might be detracting from the effectiveness of your classes

Most teachers I know have never had a professional coach help them with their speaking voice, their projection, and their leadership presence in the room—but it’s absolutely crucial to successful teaching.

During your first year as a teacher, your biggest concern is often just “getting through class,” but this module is about taking things to an entirely new level. Teachers who have control over a room, who can lead with their body and voice, those are magnetic teachers and advanced teachers… and soon you’ll be one of them!

This module will be led by, Macarena Aguilar, whose 14-year communications career began as a journalist for L’Expansion and Business Week. She quickly moved to the non-profit sector and became a communications expert for international organizations such as the International Red Cross, the HIV/AID’s Alliance, UNICEF and the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

She has also worked in the Balkans, Africa, Latin America and finally now in Asia. An integral part of her professional work involves media and communications training for all levels of staff with a range of backgrounds and experiences. Effective communication is her specialty and she’s excited to help yoga instructors improve their speaking and leadership skills.

Macarena’s yoga journey began in 2003, in Nepal, where she was introduced to Sivananda Yoga, and soon after, Ashtanga Yoga through her first teacher, Sonja Appel. In March 2009 Macarena completed her first training course with Michel Besnard, and her second with Hart Lazer in 2010. She loves yoga and is thrilled to return to Samui as part of the teaching faculty.

Currently, Macarena lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she works with the United Nations as a Communications Advisor. She continues her regular yoga practice with Isabelle Skaburski.

 

Facilities, Rooms & Food

If you’ve never been to Koh Samui in Thailand, you’re in for a treat! Absolute Sanctuary is located on a quiet hillside overlooking the sea. We have a health food restaurant called, The Love Kitchen, a DVD lecture room, a detox center, a spa, and 2 bright practice studios 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! We encourage trainees to enjoy Absolute Sanctuary’s swimming pool, steam room, and spa which are all a great way to unwind after practice.

Let me show you what I mean…

THE YOGA STUDIO

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. This studio is bright and sunny, yet it stays cool from the sea breezes.

• Brand new hardwood floor studio
• State-of-the-art heating system
• Showers, lockers, changing rooms
• Cool, breezy space
• Excellent natural light and green hillside views

 

 

THE FOOD

We serve simple, healthy meals every day in buffet style. To keep your training costs as low as possible, the food is self-serve (no waiters) and family-style. Don’t expect fine dining, but our Thai and international chefs do a great job preparing tasty, healthy meals made from scratch for you to enjoy.

• 3 group meals daily (included in tuition)
• Group menu includes : fruits, homemade breads, burritos, stir fries, rice, noodles, Italian, Thai, American, and Mexican food
• Additional food, snacks, and beverages can be purchased at any time from The Love Kitchen (discount applies)

 

 

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES

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 Gulf of Thailand, and the cool evening breezes are spectacular. Rooms are very private and comfortable—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)

What is a 500-Hour Yoga Alliance Course, Anyway?

Yoga Alliance is the largest accreditation board for yoga teacher trainings in the world, and this course is acredited at the highest level: 500 Hours.

HOW IT WORKS

The standard teaching certificate from Yoga Alliance is 200-hours (which most teachers have). The 500-hour certificate means that 200-hour teachers have done 300 hours more of study with an accredited school like ours.

So to qualify for the Yoga Alliance 500-hour certificate, you would need to have your 200-hour certification done first, and then join our course (there are some exceptions, read below).

The Application Process: Who Can Apply?

This advanced course is open to all 200-hour Yoga Alliance accredited teachers OR any other non-Yoga Alliance teacher who understands that Yoga Alliance will not recognize their 500-hour certificate until they complete a 200-hour course (or equivalent).

Q: If I just recently finished a 200-hour teacher training course, can I attend this course now?
A: Yes, this course is for yoga teachers—so that means you!

Q: If I have a certificate from Bikram Yoga or The British Wheel… does that count? I’ve been teaching for a long time…
A: Yes, if you have been certified by a non-Yoga Alliance course, you are welcome to join, but please understand that your certificate will come from Absolute Yoga not from Yoga Alliance if you are missing the 1st module.

Note: in some cases, Yoga Alliance will grant (upon request) a 200-hour certificate to experienced teachers who quality, without them having to take a level 1 course again.

PLEASE GO HERE for more info.

Q: How do we study 500-hours in just 34 days?
A: It’s a 500-hour certification which means this course is 300 hours. Your 200-hour certificate + 300 more hours = 500 hours certification.

Q: I’m very excited about this course, but I’m not sure if I’m advanced enough… will I be good enough?
A: Yoga is a lifelong path and you’ll always be learning and growing as you go. There is no right or wrong time to go deeper in your practice, but the best time to do more training is when you are most excited to do so. Your energy and passion can take you so far…

Q: How many students are you accepting?
A: The course will take a maximum of 40 students. We want to keep the student-to-teacher ratio high so you get plenty of personalized attention, and also so you can get to know your fellow trainees very well. Smaller groups, we’ve found, are more cohesive and supportive for study.

Q: Are all the students from Asia?
A: At a typical Absolute Yoga course, we have students from 15-20 countries. We literally have students from all over the world, and everyone comes together to practice and grow as a group. It’s really amazing.

Q: I’ve never been to Thailand before… is it safe?
A: Thailand is a beautiful, friendly, peaceful country that everyone loves. The food is great, the weather is warm, and it’s very inexpensive. We will drive you to-and-from the airport and take care of all the details. Thailand is one of the easiest travel destinations in the world.

Q: Why Thailand?
A: The climate and the culture of Thailand are so conducive to the study of yoga that Absolute Yoga built Absolute Sanctuary as a dedicated training center for all our courses.

The big advantage of having our dedicated training facility is that everything is designed for yoga, it’s systematized, and you don’t have to think about anything except your studies. We make the food, we have laundry service, there’s a lovely pool, and a steam room. It’s so much easier to focus when you’re well taken care of.

So How Much Does it Cost?

Investing in your education is one of the smartest things you can do, and this course will pay for itself many times over (probably within the first 12 months). Professional training of this caliber increases your earning power as a teacher, and your future salary will reflect that.

Because we’re located in Thailand, we’re able to offer very high quality accommodation, food, and resort facilities for 30-50% less than what you would pay elsewhere.

Course tuition includes all materials and certification:

4,650 USD – TUITION 500-Hour Yoga Alliance Accreditation Course
1,270 USD — ROOM shared room at the resort
1,000 USD – FOOD 3 healthy meals daily
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Total: 6,920 USD

Tax Deductable: all students will receive an official tax invoice so you can write off this “professional training” expense on your taxes (usually means you’ll get $1000 or more savings from your local tax authority).

FREE Bonus Gifts

MASTERS TELE-CLASS SERIES – the course faculty will host a series of per-course tele-classes. You can call in live, listen live on your computer, or else listen to the recordings if you are unavailable during the class day.

Audio .mp3’s of the calls will be made available in a password protected area exclusively for Advanced Teacher Trainees.

NOTE: the tele-class series will start in August of 2010 and we’ll have 2-3 class calls per month until the course start date.

These tele-classes will help you get connected with your teachers before you both arrive in Thailand. Your teachers will suggest specific reading assignments and practices to help you prepare for the course. It’s a fun and simple way to meet your fellow students too.

*FREE* YOGA MAT – traveling with a yoga mat can be such a hassle (they’re heavy!). So we’ll have a new mat waiting for you when you arrive.

*FREE* WELCOME MASSAGE – after a long flight, there’s nothing better than taking a dip in the pool and getting a massage… so we’ll give you your first massage on us! I’d suggest you use it the first day. It’s such a nice way to start your adventure.

How Do I Know if It’s Right for Me?

I’d encourage you to look inside and listen to your heart. In almost all cases, deep down, you know what you want and NEED to move your teaching career forward.

If you know you need to study more, to learn more, in order to take the next step—then don’t miss this.

There is nothing like this on offer anywhere in the world, and you can only imagine how difficult it was to get this many talented teachers together at one time (I’ve actually been trying to make this happen since 2007).

Opportunity presents itself at strange times, sometimes very inconvenient times, but my experience has been that if you see something want, you have to make it happen. Rearrange your schedule, get someone to cover your classes, sublet your apartment… do whatever it takes!

This is an all-star course, and it’ll change your life. Hope to see you in Samui!

Keep practicing,

Lucas Rockwood
Absolute Yoga

p.s. Our Absolute Yoga graduates get priority entrance into this course, so we do expect it to fill very quickly. I’d encourage you to apply early.

p.p.s. I realize this is a big decision to make, and if you’d like to have a 1-on-1 chat with me about it, please email me and I’ll give you a ring.
Email me at: lucas (at) absoluteyogasamui.com

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