500 Hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course In Dharamsala

The spiritual town of Dharamsala provides a haven for practitioners of Buddhism and Hinduism. It is a peaceful area surrounded by cedar forests and features hills, picnic areas, and magnificent spiritual qualities.

As a result of the typical landscape consisting of verdant tea plantations, pine forests, and snowy peaks, this region is a beautiful collaboration between Tibetan society and Indian society and forms the ideal blend of cultures.

A sense of spirituality permeates the entire place, from the streets to the homes, and it’s even in the air.

The seclusion of the location, combined with the possibility of reaching a serene meditative vantage point on the summit of the mountain after only a few minutes of hiking, makes this an excellent location for the performance of ascetic observances. In addition to the natural splendor and tranquility that it provides, Dharamshala also provides the opportunity to cultivate relationships with the locals and engage in meaningful exchanges with them. They help you develop additional self-discipline and open your eyes to other aspects of life that are significant. Buddhist stupas and Hindu temples surround the area, and their combined prayers for world peace can be heard loud and clear.

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

You can delve into Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, to find more about Ashtanga Yoga. It was compiled sometime in 200 CE by sage Patanjali.   The 500 Hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course, can be a life-changing course for you, as it is based on traditional and authentic yoga. You will be following the eight-limbed theory, with respect to Ashtanga Yoga practice. The eight limbs of this form are Yama, Niyama, poses or asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and finally samadhi. You will go much deeper into your self or astral body, through this mode of practice. Moreover, there are two kinds of practices or sessions, under this form of yoga. One is the led class and the other is the Mysore style.

What Will You Learn In Ashtanga Yoga?

About Ashtanga Yoga

The Ashtanga Yoga course is a physically structured course, which gives the body ample support to move towards the spiritual side. It is something, that all kinds of students can go for. In this form, you will be practicing the same sequence mostly. There will be a teacher in the classroom for you. However, the incumbent will not interfere much, in your practice. It is almost like a routine. It is a routine that will set you up for transformation. In the 500 Hour Ashtanga Yoga TTC, you will learn to stop focussing all your energies on the outside. Instead, you will focus more on the inside. In the Ashtanga System, there are six series in all. Primary, intermediate and four advanced ones. Each series will be possible for any practitioner, if the incumbent manages to master the earlier series.

Pranayama In Ashtanga Yoga

It goes without saying, that Pranayama is very important for all forms of yoga.

If you go by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, it is the fourth limb. It assumes a lot of importance in Ashtanga Yoga as well. Most people think that Pranayama is about breath retention and regulation. However, it is much more than that. One of the main functions of Pranayama is clearing the nadis. If the nadis are not clear, due to the accumulation of toxins, Prana cannot flow freely. Thus, you need to do Pranayama as a part of the yogic discipline, to clear the nadis first. Pranayama also has a second aim, of that of storage of fresh prana. You will learn Pranayama practices like Nadi Shodhana, Kapalbhati, and Ujjayi as a part of the practice. The 500 hour yoga ttc in Dharamsala will show you a new direction in life.

You will learn about the primary and intermediate series asanas, as a part of 500 Hour Yoga TTC in Ashtanga yoga. The primary series in this realm, is all about yoga therapy. The series help to purify the soul and the body. The primary series mainly consists of four varieties of poses – standing, seating, a finishing pose, and the last three. The intermediate series is also called Nadi Shodhana. The main focus is on backbends. You can start practicing the intermediate series, only after you have mastered the primary series. The teachers at Shree Hari Yoga School provide unique support for all the students practicing Ashtanga Yoga. Some of the asanas, that you will practice as a part of Ashtanga yoga are Samasthiti, Surya Namaskara, Pada Hastasana, and Padangusthasana, to name a few.

Mantra

In Ashtanga Yoga classes, students and the teacher generally recite two mantras. They are the opening mantra and the closing mantra. When you are chanting the mantra, you are connecting with the Ashtanga traditions. This is one of the ways, in which you can show respect towards traditional teachings and gurus. The teachers will also help you to explore the true meaning of Ashtanga mantras. The symbolisms point towards a universal understanding. You will find two sets of mantras coming from different origins – one from the Sutras and one from Hatha Yoga texts. When you recite the mantras, you can enter a proper frame of mind. That is what, mantras are for.

The art of adjustment assumes a lot of importance in Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Dharamsala. You will develop a solid practice and also dive deeper into this transformational journey through this multi-faceted course. You will establish a stringent personal practice, so that you can form your own foundation. The teachers will help you to develop prowess in Ashtanga yoga, so that you can master it yourself and also teach others. Moreover, you will be mentored throughout the course, as the classes are small. The main focus will be on the Yoga Sutras. The approach of the school is structured and intuitive as well.

Anatomy and Physiology

The knowledge of human anatomy and physiology are both important in Ashtanga Yoga practice.  Alignments are very important in this practice. So, if you do not have the knowledge of the body, you cannot teach or for that matter, make improvements in your own body processes. There are many instances in all forms of exercises and yoga, where you should fold more than ninety degrees or you stand a chance to destroy the whole idea. If you do not know, how much you should open or how much you should fold, injuries will occur. Moreover, you should know all the body processes, as the anatomy and physiology are both interconnected.

Philosophy

Ashtanga Yoga follows the path of eight limbs, and is a part of consciousness. It is one of the spiritual practices, which is hidden beneath many layers of physical being. Pattabhi Jois and Ashtanga Yoga are intertwined with one another. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali play a very important role in shaping up the practice. Before you delve deep into the discipline, you ought to read about the sutras in complete details. Although this is the primary text, Ashtanga Yoga draws influence from several writings in history. So, you can call it a multi-faceted approach. The 500 hour ashtanga yoga teacher training will transform your thinking in totality.

Sound Healing

Sounds have immense power to transform the brain waves. So, you will often notice subtle shifts in energy throughout. When you combine sounds and Ashtanga yoga, magical happenings occur. You can utilize sound bowls and music in the practice of Ashtanga yoga. Gongs and other ancient instruments are quite noteworthy in the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. Meditation is another aspect of this discipline and the presence of sounds only alleviate the entire experience.

Shatkarma (Cleansing)

Shatkarma kriyas are another important part of the 500 Hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course in Dharamsala. It is essential to free the internal organs of all the impurities, so that the body can get ready to absorb higher energies. When you are trying to raise your ‘Prana’ through dirt, the highest objective often becomes vague. So, you need to use such cleansing and purification techniques to clear the internal pathways of the earthy body. Then only the astral body becomes more prominent in its actions.

Mudra

Mudras are also quite important in Ashtanga Yoga. Mudras are a subtler form of yoga. You can incorporate mudras and asanas, to achieve greater objectives. Soothing the nerves is primary amongst them, which is a requirement for higher strides.

Bandhas can help you to lock energies in the body and release them when required. You will also find them, channelizing the energies to the right directions. The main bandhas that you will practice in this yoga form are Mula bandha, Uddhiyana bandha, and Jalandhara bandha. The Maha bandha is also another possibility, after you have mastered the three.

Yoga Alliance Standard We Maintain For Ashtanga Yoga

The 500 hour Ashtanga Yoga teacher training India is accredited by the Yoga Alliance. All schools under it follow a universal curriculum. So, you can be sure that you are getting a comprehensive knowledge of the realm. After the completion of the course, you can also apply for RYT 500. A teacher who has this certification, is considered as one of the best teachers around. You will be able to empower yourself with wholesome and complete knowledge in Ashtanga Yoga. Your name also goes up on the global directory of yoga teachers, wherein you start to get calls for jobs.

Yoga Sequencing Classes (Practicum)For Ashtanga Yoga

In the Ashtanga class, you can practice session for 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes or more. You will notice as you proceed through the class, that there are sets or pairs of poses in this form of yoga. It is not necessary to remember all the poses. The standing order comes with Padangusthasana and Padhastasana. Then you can navigate to the seated asanas, like Janu Sirsasana where you also perform certain variations in the same set. Some of the poses are about balance, and inter-related with one another. Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana and Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana in the standing sequence are about one-legged balances, so you do not stand a chance to forget them. Once you become familiar with the poses, you start incorporating the breath and gaze into it. The breath, pose, and gaze assume a lot of importance in this form of yoga.

Schedule of Ashtanga Yoga at Shree Hari Yoga School

Like most yoga classes, the Ashtanga classes also start in the morning. Pranayama, meditation and Kriyas, helps in the commencement. You can join the Led Ashtanga, or Mysore style Ashtanga asanas. After having breakfast, you will study the theory part that comprises anatomy and philosophy. Art of teaching is also included. The teachers will guide you as you practice alignments, variations, and modifications. Moreover, you can practice meditation after you have done some practice, after lunch. The teachers will explain the sutras in great detail in this 500 hour ashtanga yoga teacher training course, so that you can develop better conviction in the same. The same will help you present the form in front of many others. The classes end at around 6.30 pm. Self-practice is encouraged, so that you understand your body and its limitations. So, you can enquire about the same from your teachers, and also rectify your mistakes. This is the normal schedule of the sessions at Shree Hari Yoga School.

After Class in Dharamsala

• Visiting ancient Hindu temples
• Short hikes to the waterfalls & scenic spots
• Mountain trekking to Triund & Snowline
• Visiting the Dalai Lama’s temple, or seeing him and receiving teachings if you’re lucky!
• Meditation at Tushita Buddhist Meditation Center
• Paragliding
• Rock climbing & scrambling
• Art & Music classes