Himalayan Yoga Meditation of Hellas - Teacher Training Program

Yoga Teacher Training

The Himalayan Yoga Tradition
Teacher Training Program
Starting October 2024

"Our Teacher Training Program (TTP) is for people who wish to connect with an authentic living lineage for ongoing study and spiritual guidance. Working with all aspects of our lives, the goal of the program is spiritual growth. We train people to be not just classroom teachers, but guides of people"

Maha-Mandaleshwara Shri Swami Veda Bharati

Program Details
(200 hours Level 1)

The Himalayan Yoga Tradition combines the wisdom of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, philosophy and Tantric practices, as well as the special oral instructions and initiatory experiences transmitted by a long line of sages and Yoga Masters, whose names may or may not be known. The unique practice of Himalayan Yoga is based on ancient techniques originating in the caves of the Himalayas and focuses on balancing body and mind!

Our program is based on:

A) Four methods of gaining knowledge and skills of Yoga

1. Direct Teaching and Guided Integrated Practice in TTP workshops and through mentoring.

2. Personal Yoga Sadhana (Spiritual Preparation) and Personal Integrated Practice Practice leading to initiation and transmission through connection within the lineage.

3. Independent Study and Online Study Group. A variety of resources are used for practitioners: books, videos, and the HYT-TTP Online Library which includes all necessary manuals, articles, short books, audio lectures and lecture transcripts. The required books in English can be purchased through the HYT-TTP Online Bookstore. The books translated into Greek can be purchased from Himalayan Yoga Meditation of Hellas. During the year an HYT-TTP Online Discussion Board is created which consists of an online study group for all active practitioners, graduates, mentors and the school.

4. Practical Yoga Teaching for practitioners in a classroom setting with teacher and/or mentor supervision.

B) Three levels of deepening experience

The purpose of the curriculum is to guide practitioners so that they gradually become aware of the subtler layers of their personality (body, breath, mind and higher levels of consciousness) and then pass on this knowledge to others. The three levels of the 600-hour curriculum roughly correspond to the three levels of growth that a practitioner can experience.

Level 1 - Awareness and Self-observation: self-exploration and self-acceptance.

Level 2 - Self-regulation and Control: Awareness of thoughts and feelings.

Level 3 - Integration and Composition: deepening one's spiritual preparation (sadhana) to experience balance and harmony.

The 200-hour program is a presentation of the first level of the 600-hour program, leading the practitioner to mantra initiation and certifying them to teach equally at Himalayan Yoga Tradition (HYT) and other centers. Graduates of the 200-hour program are then qualified to begin the 500-hour program as Level 2 practitioners and are encouraged to continue their spiritual advancement to the third level of 600 hours.

The 500 Hour Program allows HYT-TTP practitioners to earn the 500 hours of their graduation certificate during their Level Withdrawal (see Required Assignments in the Appendix). This certificate will allow practitioners to teach at both HYT and non-HYT yoga centers at the same time they complete the Home Study requirements of their Level. In addition, they can earn the required 100 hours of teaching to qualify for Yoga Alliance's 500-hour RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) certificate. (Note, if a practitioner has earned a 200-hour HYT- TTP certificate, then all subsequent teaching hours can be included in the "required 100 hours of teaching" to earn the 500-hour RYT (= Registered Yoga Teacher) certificate.

Progression from one level to another higher level will be based on both objective and subjective criteria. Subjective criteria will be described as objectively as possible through the use of a Mentor Feedback Form. Practitioners will be moved from one level to a higher level through an "evaluation process". This includes completing all required tasks, receiving the recommendation of their mentor, successfully passing the faculty evaluation, and receiving the blessing of the Grand Master (Acharya), Swami Ritavan Bharati.

C) Ten areas of study

1. Basic Studies: The origin and history of the lineage and the role of the teacher in the Himalayan Tradition.

2. Sadhana [Spiritual Preparation]: The importance of regular personal practice, the sanctity of spiritual practice and spiritual fulfillment: the highest purpose of life.

3. Hatha Yoga and Integrate Practice: Asana as Meditation, Joints and Glands Exercises, Purifications, Level One Asanas and awareness of the subtle level of the body.

4. Breathing and Pranayama (Vital Energy Exercises through Breathing): The subtle levels of breathing as a link between body and mind, the gross and subtle body.

5. Relaxation, Concentration and Meditation: Systematic, progressive methods of relaxation and concentration leading to meditation.

6. Yoga Anatomy and Physiology: The anatomical, physiological and bio-mechanical aspects of the musculoskeletal, respiratory and other body systems and how they relate to the energy (pranic) constitution of the Joints and Glands Exercises and Asanas.

7. Holistic Health and Biofeedback: How to eat consciously and transition to a balanced lifestyle, using Ayurveda principles and modern scientific research, such as biofeedback, to gain information about the states of body, mind and consciousness. Awareness of habit patterns, effect of meditation on one's well-being and keeping a diary.

8. Psychology of Yoga: Eastern and Western approaches to mind and personality, purification of emotions, karma and reincarnation and Psychology of Yoga in daily life.

9. Philosophy of Yoga: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the philosophy of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga, developing a personal philosophy of life, and other aspects of Eastern and Western philosophy.

10. Teaching Methodology: Practical applications of Yoga lesson planning, preparation of the physical classroom environment, basic behaviors (e.g. Ahimsa), [non-violence] in teaching Yoga.

Who may attend:

This program is aimed at those who want to become Yoga teachers, teachers, educators and parents, and all those who are interested in their personal growth and are intent on giving and serving people, whatever their specialization is.

Start and duration of the teacher training program
(200 hours Level 1)

We would like you to know that our program starting in October 2024 will last for one year and includes:

• One three-day seminar each month at our premices.
Our training seminars will be conducted by teachers coming from abroad and from Greece, with presence and minimally online.

• A Weekly Retreat Our weekly retreat is to be organized in detail after the start of our training program.

• Meetings with the mentor to be determined in consultation between mentor and intern.

• Multimedia & Audiovisual materials with Himalayan Yoga Tradition training videos as well as parts & articles from the syllabus books.

• Teacher Training Manual.

• Written & practical exams and assessment by Acharya Swami Ritavan Bharati.

• 1 Free participation per month in Hatha Yoga classes in our premices at:

Himalayan Yoga Meditation of Hellas, 12 Thessalonikis Street, Chalandri 15234, Athens

FOR REGISTRATION please fill in the registration form and send it with a photo to us at info@himalayanyoga.gr

TRAINING COST: 1.750€
PREPAYMENT with Registration: 600€ + 150€ registration fee before 15 October 2024
SECOND PAYMENT: 500€ January 2025
THIRD PAYMENT: 500€ April 2025

If you discontinue your participation in the program for any reason, you can continue the training when you wish without any financial charge, provided that there are places available at that time.
No refund provided.

The above cost includes articles, manuals, audio & video, websites and curriculum materials provided by HIMALAYAN YOGA MEDITATION OF HELLAS.

CERTIFICATION from the Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International (AHYMSIN) with Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy (Kanpur), Dhyana Mandiram Trust & Himalayan Yoga Tradition Teacher Training Program will be given after the exam.

International Recognition by Yoga Alliance (USA).
The RYS 200 Yoga Teacher Training in Himalayan Yoga Meditation fully meets the requirements of the international certification organization Yoga Alliance (USA).

INSIGHT, SELF-REGULATION, COMPOSITION

This approach provides a method for gradually improving the personality of teacher trainees as they progress through the training levels from awareness to self-regulation and then to synthesis.

"This process of Yoga Spiritual Preparation (Yoga sadhana) is summarized most succinctly in terms of observation, control and synthesis: growth is always based on achieving some degree of detachment from attachments, allowing us to observe something about ourselves and the world to which we were previously blind. This is the expansion of awareness. As awareness grows, one inevitably discovers within oneself new definitions for oneself, a new capacity for control. What he was previously blind to and controlled by, now lies in his power to regulate. The increased capacity for observation leads to an increased capacity for control. We have seen how this principle is applied by working with the body, working with the mind, as well as working on other levels.
As the parts of ourselves that were previously operating without awareness come under conscious control, they gradually become more attuned. When they are controlled from the perspective of a consistent, unified consciousness, then, they lose their tendency to operate in opposition to each other. What previously caused conflict now comes together in a harmonious whole. The ability to control results in a new degree of synthesis. For example, when desires and impulses that were previously repressed come into conscious awareness, they are not only subject to increased control, but are synthesized into the total personality and there is no longer wasted energy in internal conflict."

From the book Yoga and Psychotherapy: The Evolution of Consciousness by Swami Rama,
Rudolph Ballentine and Swami Ajaya (1976), pp 283-284.

We wish you that your training as a Yoga Teachers is your intention to realize a dream of a life in service to human beings.

REGISTRATION FORM

Name *

Last name *

Phone No *

Email *

Previous Yoga experience, studies, practice. *

Other alternative studies/practices *

Indicate your reasons for wanting to attend the HIMALAYAN YOGA TRADITION training program *

Teachers

Swami Ritavan Bharati lives a life dedicated to serving H.H. Swami Rama of the Himalayas and Swami Veda Bharati for the past forty-six years. By way of the blessings bestowed following the maha-samadhi of Swami Veda, he now serves as the Spiritual Guide of AHYMSIN (Association of Meditation Societies International), and Ashram Pramukha and Spiritual director of Sadhaka Grama (SRSG) in Rishikesh, India.

By the grace of Swami Rama of the Himalayas, he was conferred the monastic vows of sanyasa (swami) in 2007.

Though he holds many advanced degrees and certifications, he now resides in India giving attention to spiritual life. In addition to his duties as spiritual guide of the global AHYMSIN, for the past twenty years he has taught the practices of the Lineage throughout North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Southeast Asia. He also spends much of his time in guiding the International Himalayan Yoga Teachers Association (HYT-TTP) and in training numerous yoga teachers.

Swami Ritavan is gifted in guiding and conducting Silence and Meditation retreats within the cultures of each region. A man of few words, his primary focus is on the inner life. He continues the lineage of his gurus of the Himalayan Tradition serving the Lineage with single-minded devotion.

Pandit Priyadarsan (Pierre Lefebvre)

Originally from Canada, Pierre completed a Master’s degree in classical guitar from the University of Montreal. Along with his formal music studies, he has also received training in Balinese and North Indian classical music.

His passion for yoga brought Pierre to India, where he joined the Dhyana Gurukulam at Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama in 2005. He has studied at SRSG, with Swami Veda Bharati and many other senior teachers of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition, for over twelve years. During his studies in India, he had the opportunity to deepen his knowledge and practices of the different aspects of yoga; the postures, breathing practices, relaxation, meditation, philosophy and Sanskrit.

Pierre has been serving Swami Veda’s mission, AHYMSIN and Sadhaka Grama in several ways over the years. He was the Himalayan Yoga Tradition – Teacher Training Program (HYT-TTP) director from the creation of AHYMSIN in 2007 and continues to serve HYT-TTP until today. He is currently a member of AHYMSIN’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Swami Veda granted him the title of pandit in 2014, naming him Priyadarshan.

Now teaching the various aspects of yoga in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Pandit Priyadarshan is trying to convey his passion for yoga by his very personal style of teaching acquired during his years of study in India. His approach is very warm and focused on individuals, with special attention to each person. He wishes to get as many people as possible to benefit from the many merits of yoga.

Pierre is certified as Yoga Acharya by the “Fédération Francophone de Yoga” and holds the ERYT-500 recognition by Yoga Alliance.

John Sellinger

John Sellinger has been involved in yoga since early childhood, having practiced first under the guidance of his parents. While travelling the world continuously with his family from the age of one-year, yoga meditation and philosophy became a unifying force for them. In his late teens, he began serious and regular practice of meditation, which had a great impact on his life as a student in the medical field.

From 2010 until recently, he lived in Rishikesh, India, in the ashram of his family’s spiritual guide, Swami Veda Bharati. During this time, he had the privilege of practicing under the guidance of many renowned teachers, with a focus on meditation and silence. He began teaching early on in India and continues to share practices and philosophy of the Himalayan Tradition with students in many countries.

John serves as an editor in Himalayan Yoga Publications Trust, which publishes books on yoga meditation, philosophy and silence.
He now lives with his wife and baby son and spends much time with family in both Switzerland and Australia.

Formal Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Nuclear Medicine (BMEDRAD NuclMed).
Yoga Alliance E-RYT-500; YACEP.
Yoga Alliance Australia RYT-500.

Sofia Foteina-Chatzikokoli

After her graduation from "The American College of Greece" and her studies at the Economic University of Athens, Pedagogics at the Nursery school of Athens, Rudolf Steiner in France, Maria Montessori Method in London, "Self- Awareness", "Minimal Movement" Café Ecole Method by Constantin Foteinas, and "Accompagnonage", the accompaniment for the transition at the last phase of life- also by C. Foteinas- she continues her studies, since 2010 until today, in India, Rishikesh, with Swami Rama of the Himalayas, Swami Veda Bharati and Swami Ritavan Bharati, and is certified by the "Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International" and by "Himalayan Yoga Tradition- Teacher Training Program" RYT 600. The certification is recognized by "Yoga Alliance" and "CYA International". She is authorized to give mantra initiation in Himalayan Tradition and is a member of AHYMSIN SPIRITUAL COMMITTEE.

She is specialized in "Children Yoga" and "Yoga for Pregnancy". Besides Greece, she teaches parents that gather from all parts of the world in Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram, in Rishikesh, to practice the Himalayan Yoga. She has also taught in Merano and Florence, Italy.

She co-operates in the "Meditation Project" in Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram, in Rishikesh, where decades of meditations of gradual difficulty are transcribed and translated from English to 27 different languages- as were given from Swami Veda Bharati.

In Athens, she co-ordinates the "Himalayan Yoga Meditation of Hellas" as asked by Swami Veda Bharati.

She has translated in Greek, together with Chryssanthi Foteina-Kissadjekian, Mahamandaleshwara Swami Veda Bharati’s books, "The Night Birds", "Kundalini, Stilled or Stirred", "Sadhana in applied spirituality" - published by Café Ecole Editions. She also translated Swami Veda Bharati’s book “philosophy of Hatha Yoga.