Programs
Two Levels of Certification
Level 1: Ananda Yoga Instructor
With this certification you will receive a diploma from the Ananda Yoga School of Europe and become an Ananda Yoga Instructor. You will be qualified to use Ananda Yoga techniques in your classes and to give classes dedicated entirely to Ananda Yoga.
To become a certified Ananda Yoga Instructor you are required to:
- complete the Certification Program (7 weeks)
- pass a final written examination in each of the 4 areas of preparation (techniques, philosophy, anatomy and methodology)
- present asanas and pranayamas during the last week (Praticum)
- pass an oral exam
- write a short thesis
-
study the required bibliography
- The Ananda Yoga Teachers’ Manual
- The Energization Exercises study book
- The Art and Science of Raja Yoga by Swami Kriyananda
- The Hindu of Awakening by Swami Kriyananda
- The Chakras, Keys to Personal and Spiritual Growth by Savitri Simpson
- The Ananda Cookbook by Zoé Matthews
- Various handouts
- participate in 49 guided sadhanas during the seven weeks of programs (7 per week)
What does the Ananda Yoga instructor learn?
If you don’t know Ananda Yoga, please read, “Ananda Yoga for Higher Awareness” in order to better understand Ananda Yoga’s approach to the ancient science of Hatha Yoga.
As a participant in this training course, you will learn how to teach the classical asanas of Hatha Yoga, according to the Ananda Yoga tradition. At the end of the course, you will be able to teach them with safety and knowledge. Anatomy and physiology classes are of course part of the curriculum. You will learn the great physical benefits of the various postures, as Hatha yoga is one of the best systems known to man for the relief of physical distress.
You will also learn how to teach Yoga on a deeper level: how the asanas become an adventure of awareness for your students, of growth and inner understanding. You will learn how to transmit the mental benefits of each asana; how every asana transmits a specific inner quality; how they help your students to get in touch with their finest inner qualities. You will learn the art of including affirmations in the practice, to make the experience of your students even richer.
You will learn how to teach Yogananda's Energization Exercises, which help the students to control the inner flow of energy (prana). Energy awareness and control are a vitally important part of Ananda Yoga.
Last but not least you will learn how to teach the asanas in such a way that they become a precious help for meditation: how the asanas themselves become a meditative experience; how they take your students onto a path toward joy, love, and inner communion.
To be a Yoga teacher is a privilege. It is a way to spread happiness to others, in body, mind, and soul.
Everything you learn will be based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda and Swami Kriyananda. However, we will not try to “convert” you toward the Kriya Yoga tradition. The teachings you will receive are completely universal, practical, and useful for everybody.
The seven weeks of training include the following fields of learning:
- Technique: thoroughly learning the asanas and pranayamas; their physical and mental effects; their spiritual dimension; sequences
- Anatomy and Physiology: musculoskeletal structure, the cardio-vascular, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, immune, and psycho-neuro-immunobiologic systems; spiritual anatomy
- Yoga Philosophy: Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga; the four yogas; the six darshanas; Indian shastras; three main Hatha Yoga scriptures; Bhagavad Gita; the yugas; yogic elements in mystical Christianity; unity of religions; yogic lifestyle; yogic diet
- Methodology: class and routine structuring, organizing your teaching locale and course materials, advertising your classes, how to teach the affirmations, and the ethics (dharma) of teaching yoga
- Practicum: student teaching, leading classes; oral exams
Level 2: Ananda Yoga Teacher
Level 2 will be offered in the future