For additional information on the Studio and
the course, download
our letter (Right
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Link As" to save file on local
drive.) For application to our
Teacher Training Programme,
click here to download
our application.
For yoga practitioners interested in becoming
teachers, for those already teaching wishing to upgrade
their skills, and for advanced students wanting to deepen their practice and understanding, the Teacher Training Programme at Esther Myers
Yoga Studio provides practice in the poses and techniques
of yoga, with a solid grounding in the organic principles
that underlie them.
Our teaching is inspired by the work of Vanda
Scaravelli (1908-1999) and Esther Myers (1947-2004), and is
based on three principles: breathing, gravity (our connection
to the earth), and spinal elongation.
Learning to apply these principles will bring greater clarity, simplicity and depth to your practice and teaching. Our one and one half year programme gives you the time necessary to learn, practice and integrate the complex array of skills required to be a teacher of the highest standard.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Our minimum requirements for admission are as follows:
- At least two years of yoga practice
- Regular breathing/meditation practice
- Regular asana/posture practice
- Completed application form
- Attendance at 6 classes (or the equivalent in workshops/retreats) at Esther Myers Yoga Studio with Monica Voss, Tama Soble or Paola di Paolo prior to the first workshop in October. These classes provide you and the faculty with an opportunity to determine whether this course is the right fit for you. Acceptance is conditional if the mandatory 6 classes are not completed before the first weekend workshop.
- Interview in person with a member of the Teacher Training faculty
- Payment of $65 (non-refundable) application fee
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The following is an outline of our Teacher Training course requirements.
Daily Practice:
- Work up to a 15-20 minute breathing practice: 4 days/week
- Work up to a 45-60 minute posture practice: 4 days/week
On-going classes:
For all students living in the GTA: Regular classes and internship classes must be taken at the Studio with Teacher Training faculty. At Esther Myers Yoga Studio teacher trainees pay for regular and internship classes. There is a 15% discount off the total cost when signing up for 2 classes per week per term. The Studio offers a special price on unlimited classes. Please check the class schedule.
For all students living outside of the GTA: Regular classes and internship classes may be taken with a teacher near your home. However, prior to enrolling in classes with your teacher, she/he must be approved by one of our faculty members. Also, during the one and one half year course a minimum of 40 personal class hours as well as 40 internship class hours must be completed at Esther Myers Yoga Studio with one of the Teacher Training faculty. These classes are part of the required internship and regular classes (not in addition to them).
TEACHING REQUIREMENTS
- Practice teaching at the Teacher Training workshops
- Teach a minimum of 52.5 hours of yoga classes
(beginning in April 2010)
- 12.5 hours of community service – teaching yoga as a volunteer to a group in need. This can be part of your teaching requirement.
- 12 full day workshops (100% attendance required)
- 2 four day intensives during the summer
MONTHLY WORKSHOPS
The workshops and intensives include :
- Postures and breathing practice
- Experiential anatomy and spinal movement
- Basic teaching techniques
- Presentations and hands-on practice through supervised teaching
- Teaching and discussion of the history, philosophy, and psychology of yoga studied in light of contemporary issues
- Exploration of the body/mind/emotion connections and discussion of the psychology of teaching.
READING AND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS (purpose and goals)
The value of the assignments is to prepare you for the workshops and help you to practise communicating your thoughts clearly and simply. As you observe, reflect and express your thoughts, you will create a personal manual, with an assessment of your own learning and the development of your students.
For the faculty, the assignments are a window into your thought processes. They assist us in understanding your strengths and weaknesses and in planning workshops to address your needs.
A research paper on an approved topic, 10-12 pages double spaced, is also required after the assignments are complete.
MEETINGS
A minimum of one meeting per term is required with a faculty member. These meetings are set up so that we can discuss your questions and progress in the course. Informal meetings should take place on a regular basis with your internship teacher. You and/or your internship teacher may initiate a meeting.
PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT
The faculty members assess each trainee on professionalism, including attitude toward learning and teaching, demeanor during internship classes, punctuality for all classes and workshops, and general appearance.
There is a subjective component in our assessment of your abilities. Certification is not given automatically. If the faculty has questions, doubts or concerns about a trainee's competence, additional requirements may be set on a case by case basis.
PLEASE NOTE
Assignments are to be submitted prior to each workshop. Only complete assignments will be accepted. Your home practice log is part of each assignment.
There will be a progress assessment on a regular basis.
We are aware of time pressures. We want to work with you to help make the course work for you. If you have not completed the requirements as of the regular graduation date, you will have six months extra to finish the programme. All requirements must be completed by December 31 of the same year following the June graduation date or certification will not be granted.
The Teacher Training faculty reserves the right to adjust these requirements and costs at any time. Reasonable notice will be given, and accommodation will be made, should changes result in hardship.
CERTIFICATION
You will be given a certificate upon satisfactory completion of the course, signed by all three faculty members. We do not provide any type of written document for partial completion of the Teacher Training Programme.
COURSE FEES
The one and one half year Teacher Training Programme will cost approximately $6000.00 CDN. This figure covers the cost of workshops, classes, retreats (at the Studio or in Ontario), meetings, books, handouts and the review of your papers. You pay for each term of classes as it occurs. Many trainees opt to take unlimited classes at $1200.00/year. You pay for the workshops and administrative fees in four installments at the beginning of the course.
Upon acceptance, a $500.00 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place. You will also be asked to sign a contract indicating that you understand the format of the course, all course requirements, deadlines and fees.
WORKSHOP PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Acceptance into programme - $500 non-refundable deposit
September 1, 2009 - $1000 *
October 1, 2009 - $1000 **
November 1, 2009 - $750
December 1, 2009 - $550 (administration fees)***
* $50 materials fee included
** $200 is included as a deposit towards your first retreat.
*** Administration fees cover review of all academic work
Total workshop fees - $3800
Please note, there are no refunds after January 1, 2010 on the course payments.
