Living Your Yoga

Total Number of CPD Hours on Course: 180

Name of Main Teacher:  Swami Saradananda

Dates of upcoming course: TBA

Description of the course: 10-month development training for yoga teachers and sincere yogis who wish to cultivate a day-to-day practice of yoga and meditation that enhances awareness, acceptance, focus and patience. From the stillness of meditation to the peace of deep relaxation, this course will help you to harness your inner strength and wisdom.

A yogic life is one of simple, healthy living and inspired thinking. Over the course of the year, you will build a personal yoga and meditation practice that meets your needs.

Commit yourself to creating a personal practice that can change your life in the most positive way possible.  

Each lesson is planned to last one month; it will guide you through a series of dynamic exercises and experiments, designed to take your awareness to new levels. Each lesson includes instructions for specific meditations, mudras, mantras, pranayama, kriyas, asanas and a healthy yogic diet, against the background of yoga philosophy. Find new ways of bringing spiritual ideals into your daily life.

The objectives and structure of this course emphasize a traditional relationship between teacher and student with concern for your personal needs. The goal is transformation through experiment.  

Why should you sign up for this course

  • This course has been created in a spirit of mentoring; it combines the benefits of guidance and mentoring from a highly qualified and caring  instructor with the support of an active community. Swami Saradananda is a experienced senior yoga teacher; she also holds an MA degree from SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London

  • This is a unique opportunity to expand your personal practice

  • You will be part of a community of yoga teachers who are interested in taking yoga beyond their mat and into the world

  • You will have ample opportunity to exchange ideas with your fellow yoga teachers, to find positive ways to deal with the some of the philosophical challenges present in the teaching of yoga

Course balances teacher contact hours with personal practice

  • 10 live monthly classes (3 hours each)

  • In addition, each month, you will receive:

    • an introduction to important concepts and techniques of yoga

    • practical instructions for applying these concepts to your personal practice of asana, pranayama, mantra, kriyas, mudras and meditation

    • Suggestions for a healthy diet

Requirements for participation

  • Completion of yoga teachers training or yoga therapy training - or a long-term dedicated yoga practice

  • Computer access, basic computer literacy and an email address

To register: bank transfer of non-refundable deposit of £150. The balance is due 3 weeks before the start of the course.

Classes are small, as the number of participants is limited. Please book as soon as possible.

Refunds and transfers: once payment has been made, there are no refunds. However, you may transfer to another session of the course, with a £100 transfer fee. You must complete the course within 3 years.

Attendance: students are expected to attend all classes via Zoom (with their camera on) and be absent only with good reason. If you are unable to attend because of illness or other emergency, you must inform the tutor before the start of the class.

Students are required to register 80% attendance at live sessions– the first class cannot be missed. If any live class is missed, it is the student's responsibility to make up the content by viewing the recorded sessions and submitting a detailed written summary.

Course participants who do not reach the required attendance will not receive their certificate until they have made up the time/practice and assignments and this may incur additional costs. If you miss more than two live classes, you will be expected to transfer to a subsequent session of the course, with payment of the £100 transfer fee.

Homework: students are encouraged to practise the “practice of the month” and to submit a completed practice diary weekly.

Course participants will evaluate their progress through their own reflective self-assessment and are encouraged to keep a reflective diary.

Code of conduct: students and teachers are expected to act with mutual respect and kindness. Students are expected to set up their camera in a quiet area, where they will not be distracted by other members of their household, including pets and children. It is best to wear loose comfortable clothing (no jeans).

Students are requested to not bring their phones to class (not simply put them into silent mode). No eating during class, please

Module 1

  • Analysing your personal practice

  • Intentions and beginnings

  • Where, when and how to meditate

  • Harnessing the power of your breath

  • Using a practice diary

Module 2

  • Spring cleaning; saucha; kriyas

  • Letting go of anger and negativity

  • Why meditate?

  • Nature of the mind and thoughts

Module 3

  • Overcoming obstacles to meditation

  • Introduction to mantra, japa and kirtan

  • Mental purification using mudra and mantra

  • Tapas, austerities and fasting

Module 4

  • Mantra theory and meditation

  • Clearing your vision

  • Karunā: cultivating compassion, kindness and acceptance on and off the mat

  • Establishing deep connections to the earth and finding stability in transitions

Module 5

  • Building physical strength, endurance and mental toughness

  • Prana, nadis and chakras

  • Clearing internal and external space

  • Balance and renewal

Module 6

  • Connecting movement with breath and riding the wave of energy

  • Chakras in daily life

  • Muditā: joy

  • Gratitude; appreciating the present moment

Module 7

  • Chakra meditation

  • Upekshā: maintaining physical and mental balance

  • Yoga for wellness, wisdom and world peace

  • Channel the summer’s heat to awaken your inner fire

Module 8

  • Cleanse as pitta of Summer morphs to vata of Autumn

  • Letting go of what no longer serves you

  • Celebrate how your practice is flourishing; build endurance.

Module 9

  • Devotion as an aspect of yoga

  • Turning inward as the days grow shorter

  • Stepping outside of your comfort zone

Module 10:

  • Tuning to silence; mouna

  • Be a yoga teacher, not a preacher

  • Summing it all up; integrating lessons learned

  • How to continue…