Sivananda Teachers' Training Course
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 40,000 graduates to date, the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres is the largest yoga organisation in the world.
Our course helps you to:
- Awaken and strengthen your yoga practice
- Develop the intuition, knowledge and confidence to teach others
- Experience the yogic way of living
- Connect to an authentic tradition, spiritual lineage and senior teachers
- Become an internationally recognized 200-hour certified Yoga Instructor
Upcoming Dates
Select to Register
TTCOL (online)
TTCOL (online)
TTC - London (residential)
Course Curriculum
Becoming a Yoga Teacher
“My goal in creating this course was to allow people to develop their latent power and build a better world.” – Swami Vishnudevananda
Yoga Alliance Certified
Through hands-on learning and guidance, deepen your practice and gain the skills needed to teach yoga. Our graduates receive an internationally recognized certification through the worldwide Yoga Alliance confirming they have the practical knowledge and experience to teach Hatha Yoga (asanas, pranayama and relaxation). The Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course includes the following:
Course Topics and Details
• 12 basic Yoga postures
• 100 Asana variations, from intermediate level to advanced
• Postural alignment
• Deep relaxation with autosuggestion
• Release of blocked energy
• Relaxes the nervous system
• Balances the two hemispheres of the brain
• Purifies the nadis (subtle energy channels)
• Awakens the inner spiritual energy
• Kapalabhati (lung cleansing exercise)
• Anuloma Viloma (alternate nostril breathing)
• Introduction to advanced pranaymas
• How diet affects the mind
• Proper balance of the main nutrients
• Ayurvedic principles of nutrition
• Healing effects of fasting
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.
• The effects of asanas and pranayama on: the cardiovascular, respiration, digestion, skeletal muscular and endocrine systems
• Yoga and physical culture
Study in an Ancient Tradition
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:
The Daily Schedule
5:30am Wake Up
6:00am Meditation, Mantra chanting, Lecture, or Silent Walk (Satsang)
8:00am Asanas and Pranayama
10:00am Brunch
11:00am Karma Yoga
12:00pm Bhagavad Gita or Chanting Class
2:00pm Main Lecture
4:00pm Asanas and Pranayama
6:00pm Dinner
8:00pm Meditation, mantra chanting and lecture (Satsang)
10:30pm Lights Out
Practical Information
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.
The Four Paths of Yoga
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.
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.
Learn In An Intimate Setting
Sivananda London
Situated in a quiet residential area in Putney in South West London, the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre provides an ideal setting for the Teachers’ Training Course, with its spacious, luminous halls and beautiful peace garden. Groups are kept small and the main emphasis is on individual guidance and detailed instructions.
There are green, open riverside spaces within a short walk from the centre. The gardens of Bishop’s Park and the riverside trails along the Thames offer a variety of scenic nature walks. Central London with all its famous sights is within 30 minutes by Tube.
Registration Information
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 centre). Participants who do not comply with the centre 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.
Registration Details
Please see a specific course (London, India, France) for that locations accommodations
Please see a specific course (London, India, France) for course pricing
During the course introduction, we provide you with the course manual, two pairs of yoga trousers and two tee shirts. Other essentials are not included in the course fee but are available in our boutique.
Required materials not included by course fee:
• The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnudevananda, Three Rivers Press
• Yoga – Your Home Practice Companion by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Dorling Kindersley
• Bhagavad Gita with a commentary by Swami Sivananda, the Divine Life Trust Society
• Yoga mat
• Meditation cushion, meditation shawl (recommended)
• Kriya set (including Neti Pot)
Also bring:
• Notebook and pen
• Comfortable as well as warm clothing (covering shoulders and knees)
• Sandals or clogs for commuting between buildings
• Walking shoes
• Rain gear and umbrella
• Bath towel
• Torch (flashlight)
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:
• Sivananda Book of Meditation by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Hamlyn
• Yoga – Your Home Practice Companion by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Dorling Kindersley
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.
