Program FAQ and Student Testimonials
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Ajna Yoga Center teaches a range of hatha/ flow styles. We draw on our own training in – Hatha, Anusara, Ashtanga, Flow, Power Vinyasa, Therapeutic, Pre-Natal, Vijnanya yoga – and share a blend of these teachings. You will graduate from the course with a certificate to teach yoga to beginner level in the hatha/ flow style.
How will my certification help me find work as a yoga teacher?
Ajna Yoga Center is registered at the 200-Hour level with the Yoga Alliance. The Yoga Alliance is the International overseeing body of yoga. Registering as a Yoga Alliance certified teacher means that you can work anywhere in the world teaching beginner hatha/ flow yoga. When you successfully complete the course, you will receive a certificate from Ajna Yoga Center. To register with the Yoga Alliance, you send in a copy of your certificate and the Yoga Alliance will send you your registration number.
How much yoga will I do?
There are four yoga classes a week. We begin each session with a yoga asana class. This is to help you to develop a regular yoga practice and to experience the benefits of having a regular yoga practice. The yoga classes are taught by our faculty members to give you a range of styles of styles of yoga teaching.
I do not practice very advanced yoga postures. Can I still take the course?
Yes, we require that you have experience of a regular yoga practice, but not ‘advanced postures’. We focus on developing a consistent practice for you as a yoga teacher. The curriculum covers a core number of postures that we workshop during the course. The core postures are the postures you will learn to teach your beginner students. The great gift of yoga is that we can practice it for all of our life, and continually learn new ways to move our body and new ways to experience familiar postures.
I have an injury I am recovering from. Can I still take the course?
Teachers, just like everyone else, have injuries and other challenges in their bodies. Our yoga practice helps us to identify what we can do to best serve our body’s needs in each moment. This course helps you to identify therapeutic applications of postures, breathing and meditation that will help you and your students with challenges that come up.
What is the balance between theory and hands-on practice?
Ajna Yoga Center believes in experiential learning. The principles of alignment, anatomy, yogic theory and teaching are all taught through workshop-style classes. You will have reading and writing assignments to throughout the course. The class time will be a balance of discussing the theory, experiencing the principles in your body, observing the teaching in other bodies and practice teaching.
I’m not sure I want to teach yoga after the course ends. Can I take this course anyways?
Yes, many students take the 200-Hour level course to further their own practice. The course helps you to deepen your own practice. You do not need to make a decision about whether or not you want to teach before you begin the course. Students find this to be a transformative experience, whether or not the main objective is to teach right after graduating.
I am nervous about speaking in front of a large group. Do I have to teach in front of the class?
Our focus is creating a supportive atmosphere to learn in. We gradually introduce speaking in front of the group during the course. Many very shy students find that they ‘come into themselves’ during the course, as a result of the practice teaching.
How much time is there for practice teaching?
You begin the process of practice teaching in the beginning of the course, with your peers. Then you work with one teacher, observing and assisting in their classes. As you gain confidence in teaching in front of the group and in your teaching skills, you will practice- teach longer sections. There is lots of opportunity for feedback and questions during your practice teaching sections.
What are the required books for the course?
Ajna Yoga Teacher Training Manual – readings and assignments for theRYT 200-Hour curriculum (given to you on the first day of class) The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga, by Ray Long- (to be purchased before the start of the course) Yoga Sutras (to be purchased before the start of the course). There is also a list of recommended books.
What is your approach to teaching anatomy?
Ajna Yoga Center teaches anatomy in a hands-on, practical way. We teach kinesiology (movement of the body) in relation to yoga postures and common limitations of the body, such as back pain, and other common injuries. There is a special focus on therapeutic applications for people with certain medical conditions such as arthritis and heart disease. We also look at the different systems of the body –e.g. how we breathe (respiratory system), how we relax (nervous system) and how yoga practices can help lead us to health. The curriculum also covers yogic anatomy, such as the chakras. We integrate the yogic anatomy with the western anatomy (kinesiology and systems of the body), covering different themes each week.
We are a Therapeutic Yoga Studio, as well as a Teacher Training College. This means that we understand how to apply the principles of therapeutic yoga with real clients. When you study with us, you can mentor with our teachers and see how yoga can be adapted to benefit different needs. We are a registered college with PTIB (part of the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training), which means our college meets the highest standards to ensure you are protected as a student.
What is the difference between Therapeutic Yoga and Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy is a newly regulated field by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). Yoga Therapy training is accredited by IAYT and requires 800 hours of training additional to the RYT-200 training, with learning objectives designed to specifically address how to apply yoga therapy for individual and group clients. In contrast, Therapeutic Yoga gives you the basics of how to adapt yoga for therapeutic benefits for your clients. Therapeutic Yoga is about overall wellness. The training is much shorter and does not give you the tools to assess, apply and deliver yoga therapy for clients.
What is my designation with the 300 Hour Advanced Teacher of Yoga Therapy?
You can apply to the Yoga Alliance, for a designation of RYT-500. The RYT-500 designation refers to the cumulative hours from your original 200 hour Certification plus the 300 Hour Advanced Teacher of Yoga Certification. The Yoga Alliance is the International overseeing body of yoga. Registering as a Yoga Alliance certified teacher means that you can work anywhere in the world teaching yoga. When you successfully complete the course, you will receive a certificate from Ajna Yoga Center. To register with the Yoga Alliance, you email the Yoga Alliance and we confirm that you have graduated from Ajna.
What does my $760 deposit go towards?
Your $760 deposit is directly applied to one weekend module, the 6-week Practice Teaching Module and the 10 Mentorship classes module.
Can I take any of the weekend modules?
Yes, you can choose fourteen modules from any of the 20 weekend modules. There are five mandatory modules – ‘Backcare’, ‘Sequencing for Therapeutic Applications’, ‘Wrists and Shoulders’, ‘Hips and Knees’, and ‘Trauma, Yoga and Mental Health’. Note that some workshops have additional distance learning hours. You cannot count the Distance Learning hours toward your 500 hour certification. However, if you choose to continue on with the 800 (1,000) Hour Accredited Yoga Therapy Program, the Distance Learning hours will be applied.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have 1-3 years to complete the course. Modules are offered annually.
Does Ajna accept transfer credits?
Yes, we have a course transfer policy. Please email us for details.
Do you have any accommodations to recommend when if I come from out of town for workshops?
Yes, have a few places to recommend. Please email us for an updated list.
We are a Therapeutic Yoga Studio, as well as a Yoga Therapy College. This means that we understand how to apply the principles of yoga therapy with real clients. When you study with us, you can mentor with our teachers and see how yoga therapy works in action. We are a registered college with PTIB (part of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training), which means our private college meets the highest standards to ensure you are protected as a student.
What is Yoga Therapy at Ajna Yoga?
Our students learn the essential tools for practicing yoga therapy, with guidance from a highly qualified and supportive faculty. We teach students how to apply the tools of Yoga Therapy including pranayama, applied anatomy, therapeutic asana modifications, and meditation. Ajna focuses on teaching students how certain techniques can heal their clients, so that they can in turn educate their clients about the empowering field of yoga therapy.
What is my designation with the 800 Hour Accredited Yoga Therapist?
You will be eligible for the designation C-IAYT, which refers to the rigorous standards of accreditation set out by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). Ajna was one of the first colleges to be accredited internationally with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
What does my $800 deposit go towards?
Your $800 deposit is directly applied to the Yoga Therapy Immersion.
Does Ajna accept transfer credits?
Yes, we have a transfer credit policy. Please email us for details.
Do you have any accommodations to recommend when if I come from out of town for training?
Yes, have a few places to recommend. Looks at our Student Housing page.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have 2-4 years to complete the course. Modules are offered annually.
“Everything in the (Healthy Aging and Chair Yoga) course manual was covered beautifully. Instructors clearly outlined basic etiology of common conditions and we considered them from both the allopathic and yogic perspectives. I have some excellent tools and a grasp of helpful and contraindicated poses for each. I am confident that if I have a client who discloses such conditions I can refer to the manual, digital references and recordings, and to my instructors for clear pointers.”- Jing
“I just wanted to follow up on what I said to Michelle today with regards to the work that you have both put out to make these online trainings continue.
I, and so many of us appreciate all that you’ve done with the zoom classes, organization, videos, and coordinating the teacher training with everything behind the scenes that we don’t see.
It’s not my first rodeo and I’ve had to deal with many challenges as a teacher myself. So I know some of the effort that has been involved in this transitional period.
I wanted to express my gratitude and recognition for the grace that you both hold. It takes a special connection of feminine energy to work so synergistically and with such poise as you both do. You are a remarkable team of business women.
I’m impressed but also honoured to be part of Ajna. This is a unique circumstance that we’re in and I’m thoroughly impressed how you both have ‘womaned up’, if you’ll pardon the slightly feminist expression, to offer what few could in a teacher training.
We all appreciate the time and effort that you have put into this and also behind the scenes. I can see the extra hours and commitment that has gone into these classes.
I hope that you give yourselves some time to reflect on this too. You deserve to honour yourselves for what you share with all of us.” – Dawn
“The Business of Yoga Therapy module was successful as it covered a vast number of topics related to running a small Yoga business. The information was delivered in an easily understood format and gave us the opportunity to create a business plan that can be used to create our actually practical businesses in the near future.” Tom
“Both Michelle and Gita have such an amazing knowledge of the chakras and complementary teaching styles that it was a pleasure to take this journey with them. Michelle and Gita are skilled facilitators and I appreciate both their authentic styles. They really handled challenging questions and emotional responses from the students well.” – Marilea
“The Hips and Knees module benefited my personal practice due to the nature of a past knee injury and new challenges I have to navigate along my healing journey. I thought the training was very successful and I enjoyed the hands-on kinesthetic practices we practiced together. The foot to pelvis connection is the most important connection I gained from the training. I am more aware of my personal connection with my body and what practices can support my actions to improve my inner and outer body health and cultivating more confidence within my life.” – Paige
“This (Restorative Yoga Therapy) training provided me another tool to support students or clients both physically and emotionally. I will use restorative yoga to make my yoga teaching more complete and adaptable. I am also planning to integrate this into future yoga sessions for depression. The restorative yoga can be offered to anyone, especially those who are in pain. Love both Jules and Gita. I think they have these restorative qualities in nature.” – Oliver
“Absolutely adored the Yoga Therapy Immersion training and was excited every single day. Looking at day 1 vs. day 10 was very impressive how much we covered. I learned so much about assessing people’s intakes, holding space, listening to the client and giving them a but of what they want vs. what they need. Loved all of the information and resources given – so great! So much knowledge, compassion and a very safe space.” – Isabelle.
“This (Yoga Therapy for Pain Care) training was successful because of the clear passion that Shelly had for the subject. It created a very positive learning experience for me and was super engaging. I absolutely will be using what I learned in this class with clients. Now my approach will be more holistic, focusing on all of the koshas. I will be more aware of my language when working with clients and will ensure that I create dialogue that allows for me to understand how pain is impacting more than just the physical yoga practice. “ Maija
“Before (the Meditation for Yoga Therapy module), I really had not considered meditation as a practice to offer my students. Now I consider it as an integral part of my offerings to clients. The class tied the tradition of meditation to the usefulness of dealing with modern environments and conditions. ” – Claire
“This (Sequencing for Yoga Therapy) was a very thorough module, exploring the complexities of sequencing in Yoga Therapy. Bringing all of the elements, not just the shape/pose, and needs of the client, but the layering of all of the different aspects of yoga into a beautiful class/series of healing. In the past I have always enjoyed putting together sequences, and I now look forward to taking all I have learned here into my future teachings.” – Trudy
“Kaya is a wonderful teacher. Her lessons are interesting and well laid out. I learned so much (in the yoga nidra module). I have integrated my Nidra script into a few classes already and plan to do much more.” – Tina
“The Therapeutic Inversions and Backbends module has shifted my view of many of the postures we practice regularly in classes, such as little bridge as a therapeutic shoulder stand. This has broadened my awareness of these forms and cues to bring in, as well as which students may benefit most from practicing them. I also feel that I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of the deep front line, how and why to encourage activation, and how to maintain our full body connection in any form. I will definitely be bringing in the cues and awareness around therapeutic inversions and backbends, and activating the deep front line with my students and clients. I also plan on bringing in some of the more intermediate variations in my own practice to continue to explore those benefits for myself.” – Shannon
