TTC
A life transforming experience
The Teachers’ Training Course (TTC) was developed and first taught in 1969 by Swami Vishnudevananda, the first yoga master in the West. The course is now taught by his senior disciples throughout the world to more than 1,000 people a year. With over 52,000 graduates to date, the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres is the largest yoga organisation in the world.
Our course helps you to:
Becoming a Yoga Teacher
Each day you will both study and engage in practical hands-on learning as the senior teachers guide you as to how to teach asanas and pranayama. The daily in-depth practice with individual corrections includes:
Pranayama, the science of breath control, consists of a series of exercises especially intended to keep the body and mind in vibrant health. In this study you will learn in detail about proper technique, its many benefits, and advanced variations:
Responsible for building our physical body, the foods we eat also profoundly affect our mind, senses, and environment. Course topics and details include:
Meditation is both the main tool and the ultimate destination of Yoga. This course focuses on japa meditation, or mantra repetition, as well as the power of positive thinking.
Yogic cleansing exercises, known as “kriyas” assist nature in removing waste products from our bodies. This is important as the Yogi regards their bodies as a vehicle in which to evolve toward higher consciousness. Learn and practice, with guidance, yoga kriya exercises.
Yoga being mostly a system of self-experience, the purpose of this study is to improve the physical understanding of your own yoga practice, and to apply it in your teaching practice as well.
In this section you will be exploring the philosophy and aim of yoga. Look into the deeper dimensions of the mind, body, and spirit through the study of yogic philosophy and classical yoga text.
Kirtan is singing of God’s name, or the Mantra, with devotion, love and faith. Learn how it helps to calm the mind, purify the heart, and turn inward towards divine consciousness.
THE GURUKULA SYSTEM
This four-week course is styled after the ancient Gurukula system in which students live, study, and work with their teachers and fellow students in an intimate setting. This direct contact with experienced teachers transforms the students day-to-day into a learning experience. The daily schedule of this training provides a complete yoga routine:
| 8:00 am | Asanas and Pranayama |
| 10:00 am | Brunch |
| 11:00 am | Karma Yoga |
| 12:00 pm | Bhagavad Gita or Chanting Class |
| 2:00 pm | Main Lecture |
| 4:00 pm | Asanas and Pranayama |
| 6:00 pm | Dinner |
| 8:00 pm | Meditation, mantra chanting and lecture (Satsang) |
| 10:30 pm | Lights Out |
Students enjoy special programmes, festivals, concerts and symposiums that are offered during evening satsangs. There is one weekly day off.
*During the day off students are only required to attend morning and evening satsangs and to perform their Karma Yoga.
*Attendance at all activities is mandatory.
*Changes in the programme may occur.
As an integral component of this course, for one month you will immerse yourself in and study the lessons of the Four Paths of Yoga. Learning within the Gurukula system, students transform detailed Yogic theory into practical, on-the-ground understanding.
The practice of selfless service helps to reduce selfishness and egoism and keeps you fit, healthy, and joyful. Learn the Karmic principles behind the Law of Action and Reaction and the wheel of birth and death.
Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of Devotion, teaches how to open the heart and purify the mind. Discover Kirtan (chanting of classical Sanskrit mantras), Indian gods/goddesses and their energetic meaning, and other traditional Indian rituals.
Also known as Ashtanga Yoga, this is the science of mental and physical control where meditation is the chief practice. Discover the effects and experiences of meditation, how to meditate, the use of mantras, and how to cultivate concentration
Explore the Yoga of Knowledge and the concepts of Vedanta philosophy such as space, time, and causation, the difference between the physical and energetic bodies, and also the subconscious, conscious, and superconscious mind.
Signing Up for the TTC
The practice, and especially the teaching of yoga, demand a high degree of self-discipline and virtue. To ensure the success of the programme, participants are required to attend all spiritual activities, meditation sessions, lectures, and asana classes.
A basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is helpful but not essential.
To maintain a pure environment and elevating vibrations necessary for the practice of yoga and meditation meat, fish, eggs, black tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and nudity are prohibited during the course (and in the course venue). Participants who do not comply with the rules may be dismissed from the course.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to cater to all personal dietary preferences; however, we find that in providing a lacto-vegetarian and almost fully organic menu while also offering dairy-free and wheat-free main courses that people are happy, healthy and well fed. Side dishes, desserts and snacks may contain gluten and dairy.
Please see a specific course (e.g. India, France, Austria) for that location’s accommodations.
Please see a specific course (e.g. India, France, Austria) for course pricing.
During the course introduction, we provide you with the course manual, two pairs of yoga trousers and two t-shirts. Other essentials are not included in the course fee but are available in our boutique.
Required materials not included in the course fee:
Also bring:
The intensity of the TTC programme requires a high degree of discipline and commitment. It is helpful to have experience with the practice of yoga and meditation before starting the course. But there is no need to be an advanced yoga practitioner – we welcome people with different levels of practice and experience. After all, yoga is about inner growth.
Teacher Training Course Preparation Days are regularly scheduled at the centre and are an excellent way to get ready for the TTC.
Recommended reading for home study:
The Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course is certified by the worldwide Yoga Alliance for the 200-hour standard for Registered Yoga Schools (RYS).
Upon successful completion, the participant receives a certificate confirming they have sufficient knowledge/practical experience to teach Hatha Yoga (asanas, pranayama and relaxation).
In acknowledgment, participants receive the title “Yoga Siromani” from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.
On the TTC
Join a live online TTC info session:
Saturdays, 4:30 – 5:15 pm
Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:15 pm
During the info session you will find out:
There will be plenty of time for personal questions at the end – we look forward to getting to know you!
You are welcome to join the free Fire of Yoga workshop at 3 pm.
The free information talk will take place directly afterwards on the same Zoom link.
Swami Vishnudevananda
