Dear yogis, the studio is physically closed but we continue the daily teachings of yoga amid the situation. Visit our virtual space to check the schedule of classes.
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING
Continue your professional education at Ashtanga Yoga Long IslandAfter finishing the “Primary Series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Complete Course” (required to apply for this program) you will have a deep understanding of this healing sequence. Take this knowledge to the next level and learn how to share this amazing practice with other people in our Apprenticeship Training.
Duration of the program: 12 to 14 months.
Cost of the program: $3,000.
Requirements:
• Familiar with Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga: Minimun 2 years of regular practice is mandatory to apply for this program.
• The Primary Series Course is the theory; the Apprenticeship is the practice: The Primary Series Course will provide the foundation and the theory; the Apprenticeship will give you the practice, experience and skills necessaries to share the Ashtanga Yoga tradition.
In order to be considered for this program, applicants must send an email to Aura (aura@ashtangayogalongisland.com) sharing the reasons you want to be part of this apprenticeship, and what are you expecting from this training.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD ASHTANGA YOGA TEACHER?
There are 2 ways to practice Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga under the guidance of a teacher:
In the western world the most famous is guided classes, commonly know as “led classes”, where the student follows the directions of the teacher, breath by breath.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga method is traditionally learned and practiced in a style of teaching called Mysore, where the student is introduced to the postures one by one and memorizes them under the guidance of the teacher.
A good Ashtanga yoga teacher must have the knowledge and the experience to feel confident either teaching a led or Mysore class.
In a Mysore room it is the responsibility of the teacher to move the student deeper into the sequence when appropriate, according to their capabilities. Traditionally there is no teacher training certification in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga method. A good Ashtanga teacher comes with personal experience and by having a long time daily dedication to this style of yoga. The compassion developed over years of daily practice is the key in identifying the capabilities of a student and to be able to guide them in the best way.
Daily Ashtanga and meditation practice is a requirement during the apprenticeship program.
This training is specifically designed to help committed Ashtanga students and teachers to develop the sensitivity required to help different students in a Mysore room.
Several hours of observation and assistance will be demanded through the duration of the training.
The Mysore room is a tranquil quiet space where most of the students go through a deep personal transformation. The way a teacher communicates with a student in a Mysore class is an essential featured to learn. Sometimes we, as a teachers, even unconsciously, by the way we communicate, could create negative feelings, patterns, and/or thoughts in the student.
During the program, the apprentice will learn how to positively communicate with a student, so they feel safe, confidence and supported at all the time.
The most powerful tool used by Ashtanga teachers is our hands and bodies. Moving different types of bodies into a specific position requires anatomy knowledge and a lot of experience. Repetition and practice are fundamental.
During the program special attention will be giving to adjustments and hands in training.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga system is 100% supported by the Ashtanga Yoga philosophy as described by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. A good Ashtanga teacher must be familiar with the Yoga Sutras and must base their teachings on this philosophy.
Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita classes and discussions will be provided during the training.
Traditionally led classes where taught to intermediate/advanced students, the classes were in Sanskrit following the specific vinyasa system.
Mainly in the western, because Mysore classes are unfamiliar, a variation of the traditional led classes have developed: an adaptation of the Primary Series according to the level of the students present in the class.
The apprentice will learn how to lead a group of students in a guided class through all the postures of the Primary Series in Sanskrit following the vinyasa counting; and will learn how to modify a led class to adapt the sequence to different levels of students.
There are 6 series of postures in the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga method, being Primary Series (also known as first series or Yoga Chikitsa) and Intermediate Series (also known as second series or Nadi Shodhana) the most important ones in the process of healing our bodies.
The apprentice will be introduced to the postures of second series and pranayama techniques.
As a teachers, we should feel honored and thankful for each and every one of the students that trust in us as guides in their personal transformation, and as a new teachers this is specially important as they are trusting in someone with little experience.
A weekly donation class will open during the program to give the opportunity for the apprentices to gain practice and experience teaching.
Last words on this apprenticeship training
For the apprentices this program is just the first step in a long trip. THIS IS NOT A TEACHER TRAINING. A good yoga teacher is an eternal student. Continued practice and education is the only way to keep ourselves humbled and grounded to be able to guide others.