Ananda Raja Yoga Instructor Diploma

As an Ananda Raja Yoga Instructor you will be certified to teach the basic techniques of concentration, meditation and prana recharging, and to give courses on the basic principles of the science of Raja Yoga.

The certification curriculum includes:

• 130 hours of meditation techniques practice,
• 160 hours of instruction in Raja Yoga philosophy, teaching methods and spiritual anatomy,
• 10 hours of student teaching.

Prerequisites

In order to enroll in this training program, you need to have a regular meditation practice at home and be familiar with some of the basic concepts of Raja Yoga as taught at Ananda.

There are two ways in which you can prepare yourself:

1) By attending the following foundation courses at Ananda in Italy or at another Ananda center:

• Meditation and the Art of Living
• How to Live with More Energy
• The Science of Kriya Yoga
• Chakras—Pathway to Liberation

2) By studying the on-line Lessons in Raja Yoga, which are currently available in Spanish and will soon be available in Italian, Serbian, Croatian and Russian.

In English, the books, Lessons in Meditation, and The Art and Science of Raja Yoga, can be obtained from Ananda Europa, sangha@ananda.it, and studied in conjunction with the 14-Lesson audio companion, available in MP3.

Program Structure

The teachers’ training program for certification as an Ananda Raja Yoga Instructor consists of:

• Three seven-day intensives, 50 hours per week
• Four five-day intensives, 37.5 hours per week
• 300 hours of training

There are six areas of study recognized by the International Yoga Federations, all of which will be covered during the seven-week program:

1. Techniques Practice. The daily schedule for each intensive program includes three hours of meditation, energization and chanting, divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The Meditation Intensive includes 25-30 hours of practice during the five days.
2. Techniques Instruction. The Hong-Sau and Energization intensives are dedicated to learning all aspects of the techniques and methods for teaching them to others.
3. Philosophy. Three five-day intensives are dedicated to the basic philosophy of Raja Yoga, to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and the fundamental principles of Sanatan Dharma, including the laws of karma, magnetism and evolution.
4. Methodology. One of the seven intensives is dedicated to methodology, which includes techniques for effective teaching, for class preparation, and practical aspects of organization, communications and promotion of your classes. Included are discussions about the ethics of yoga and of representing yoga as an instructor.
5. Anatomy. The Raja Yoga III course includes the anatomy of the subtle bodies, and the Methodology course includes lessons with a medical doctor about the effects of meditation practices on the physical body, brain and consciousness.
6. Practicum. Students will have opportunities throughout the program to give oral presentations, and a final weekend is scheduled for more lengthy presentations by the students of the meditation practices.

Certification Requirements

To qualify for the Ananda Raja Yoga Instructor diploma you will need to:

1. Complete the seven-week training courses.
2. Successfully pass the written exams at the end of each course.
3. Successfully pass the final written examination.
4. Successfully pass the final oral examination.
5. Present an introductory talk about Meditation and Energization.
6. Present and discuss your written thesis.
7. Study the bibliography.
8. Have a regular daily practice of meditation of at least 60 minutes.
9. Accept and uphold the Code of Ethics for Ananda teachers.

» Curriculum and Calendar