Certification Program FAQ
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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 the 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. Please email us for an updated list.
How long do I have to complete the course?
You have 2-4 years to complete the course. Modules are offered annually.