Yoga Teacher Training in Germany

What are the eight limbs of Yoga? Who is Patanjali? What is the definition of Yoga?

These are only a few of the questions we are going to discuss in our Yoga philosophy classes. In this 200 hours Yoga teacher training in Germany we will take you to back to the origins of Yoga, make our way through its history and discover how it found its way to the west. We will clear up common misconceptions about Yoga and will dive deeper into Patanjali’s Yoga sutras and his eight limbs of Yoga to help you understand the ancient teachings and their relevance today

~ Etmyology and definition of Yoga
~ Aims and objectives of Yoga
~ Yoga eras
~ Paths of Yoga
~ Patanjali Yoga Sutras (Yoga Darshan)
~ Ashtanga Yoga and its relevance today

A basic understanding of the Sanskrit language – the language of Yoga - is very important to remember the different asana names, pranayama techniques, mudras and mantras. At the end of the course you will be able to recall the Sanskrit names of the different body parts, different animals and countings that help you to remember the asana names.

Hatha is the foundation of all physically based Yoga practices like shatkarma, asana, pranayama and mudras. In this module you will learn more about the four limbs of Hatha Yoga and the Saptanga Yoga. We will explain the guiding principles of the Yogic practice and the differences between Yoga and the physical culture, as there are so many misconceptions about the asana practice.

What is the difference between traditional Hatha Yoga, Hatha Flow and Vinyasa Flow?

After this 200 h Yoga course in Germany we want you to understand the differences and similarities of these three Yoga styles. We will give you more information about the history of the different styles and you will learn how to teach each of them, so that in the end you have the chance to decide which style or styles you’re your teaching best.

~ Hatha Yoga
~ Hatha Flow
~ Vinyasa Flow

Every morning we will practice asana together. Apart from traditional Hatha Yoga we teach Ashtanga Vinyasa and more the modern styles Hatha Flow, Vinyasa Flow and Yin Yoga. In these classes the main focus is your own practice. Use this training to also deepen your own Yoga practice. A regular self-practice is the foundation of all your teaching. It is your source of inspiration and energy and determines your quality as a Yoga teacher. Never give up your practice for the sake of taching.

In asana alignment classes of this residential Yoga teacher training course in Germany we will then dive deeper into the art of teaching asana. You will learn

~ How to perform more than 150 Yoga postures with modifications and variations
~ The benefits and contraindications of each asana
~ How to use props like blocks, bolsters, blankets and belts correctly
~ How to integrate conscious breathing
~ How to cue your students to get into the postures
~ How to use hands on adjustment

In our asana lab we lay the foundation for your future Yoga asana classes. With the asanas you learn during our 200 h Yoga training in Germany you will be able to create Yoga classes independently of the style you would like to teach.

How do you plan your classes? How do you decide the order of the asanas?

Planning and sequencing a balanced Yoga class are two things you learn in this module.

~How to prepare yourself for the class
~ How to open a class
~ How to demonstrate the postures
~ What is the heart of the posture and which modifications and alternatives can you offer
~ How to adjust
~ Which precautions do you have to keep in mind while teaching
~ Tone of voice
~ How to close the class
~ What to do after completing the class
~ Counter poses for each asana
~ How to design balanced classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students
~ Peak pose sequencing
~ How to design classes with a special focus
~ How to address different levels of students in the same class

In the end of course we will ask you to design three classes for beginners, three for intermediates & three for advanced students.

We cannot conduct a Yoga Teacher Training without speaking about ethics. Sadly, the Yoga field as well as so many other areas of our life, offers space for discrimination and abuse. We want to make you aware of these topics. That's why we will speak about the student – teacher relationship, equity and inclusion, inclusive word choice and cultural appropriation in this 200 hour Yoga instructor course.

You will learn the theory and practice of different breathing and pranayama techniques. Every day you have the chance to experience their physical, mental and energetically effects.

Breathing
~ Natural breathing
~ Abdominal breathing
~ Thoracic breathing
~ Clavicular breathin
~ Yogic breathing

Pranayama
~ Nadi Sodhana
~ Surya Bhedi
~ Chandra Bhedi
~ Bhramari
~ Sheetali
~ Sheetkari
~ Ujjayi
~ Kapalbhati
~ Bhastrika

The meditation module consists of theory and practice classes. Before the asana class in the morning we practice different meditation techniques. We will discuss the 12 steps of meditation, what food helps to better focus and what the ideal time and place is to practice. Apart from that we teach you the basic techniques of meditation, their benefits and mindfulness.

Every evening we will chant mantras together. You might have already experienced the power of certain mantras and how they resonate with you. You will learn the right pronunciation and we will discuss their meaning. You will have time to practice and we will repeat the mantras together regularly so that they can settle and unfold their potential.

~ OM
~ Patanjali Mantra
~ Ganesha Mantra
~ Guru Mantra
~ Anapoorna Mantra
~ Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
~ Gayatri Mantra
~ Shanti Mantra

Already thousands of years ago monks and sages in India understood how the human body works and what it needs to be healthy. They realized the importance of equilibrium and the healing powers of Yoga. In yogic anatomy we introduce you to

~ Panch Mahabhut Tattva (Five Elements)
~ Nadi’s (Astral Tubes)
~ Prana & Pancha Prana
~ Pancha Kosha
~ Chakras
~ Bandhas

Our physical body is the first entry point to the deeper layers of existence. It is our vehicle to reach the state of Yoga. It is your own little yogic research laboratory. That’s why it is so important for you to understand how it works and how asana, pranayama and meditation affect the physical body. To tech Yoga in a safe way it is crucial to understand anatomy and the wide variety of individual differences. In our Anatomy and physiology classes we tightly link modern anatomy and physiology with the different yogic practices

You will learn about
~ Structural design of the human body
~ Nervous system
~ Respiratory system
~ Cardiovascular system
~ Musculoskeletal system
~ Anatomy of the hip
~ Spine, back and core anatomy

You will learn different hand gestures that change the flow of prana in our bodies. During our pranayama and meditation practice we can use them to balance energy. They can help us to come back to a state of equilibrium. We will introduce you to the five classes of mudras and you will learn the following hand mudras

~ Anjali Mudra
~ Jnana Mudra
~ Chin Mudra
~ Dhyana Mudra
~ Prana Mudra
~ Apana Mudra
~ Vayu Mudra
~ Akasha Mudra
~ Prithivi Mudra
~ Varuna Mudra
~ Agni Mudra

In this 200 hour Yoga training training course in Germany we are going to practice three (Jala Neti, Kapalbhati and Nauli) of the six Shatkarmas that are used to purify the body and prepare it for a successful Yoga practice.

You will learn the benefits and precautions of all the cleansing techniques and how to perform them in a safe way to purify your body.

Choose food that supports your yoga practice. Nutrition plays an important role in the yogic lifestyle. The food we consume has a tremendous effect on our health and the quality of our yoga practice. The yogic diet was designed to best support the practice and life of the yogi. You will study the different qualities of food, their pranic content, the effects they have on your body and how to incorporate it in the different stages of your yogic path.

Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical system, a knowledge over 5000 years old working beyond the physical body. We would like to give you an insight in this fascinating philosophy; explaining you how the five elements are used in healing, how to find out your dosha and how you can integrate the ayurvedic teachings in your daily routine.