Byron Bay Yoga Teacher Trainings: The Ishta System

Namaste!

I am passionate about Yoga and its power to transform and expand consciousness. I see Yoga as holistic and much more than just postures for health and fitness. For me Yoga is about embracing everything that makes us unique and beautiful including the very real challenges of being human.

I started Hatha Yoga when I was 19. The practice of physical yoga gave my body flexibility and strength and opened my mind to the deeper practices of pranayama, meditation and the study of Yoga Philosophy.

In my 30’s I met Alan Finger, the founder of ISHTA yoga and learned about Tantra –the yogic philosophy that acknowledges our inherent perfection; and Ayurveda – the Indian science of healing. He encouraged me to discover through both my yoga practices and life experience what balanced me most as an individual.

My search for balance and healing carried me from an in-depth experience in the practice of both Tantra and Hatha yoga to the joy and surrender of Bhakti Yoga – the yoga of devotion and love.

I have always loved to dance, paint, sing, write and share my creativity with others and am happiest when I am sharing from my heart. I see teaching as the perfect medium. 

Every Yoga Workshop, Teacher Training or Retreat I teach is not only inspired by Tantra and the traditional Hatha yoga practices of asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, mudra and yantra, Ayurveda and Bhakti Yoga, but by the wisdom and experiences of the practitioners who attend the classes. 

Each one of us has something unique and essential to offer the whole.

Enjoy the journey ….

Om Namo Narayani

In this month-long course you will learn to teach and understand:

• The technology of asana - how to teach beginners

• Exploring the breathing body - teaching pranayama

• Introduction to Ayurveda

• Anatomy for yogis

• Teaching meditation 

• Yoga philosophy

•  Bhakti Yoga

• Teaching skills

• Kirtan (devotional singing)

• The development of creativity and intuition

The program runs 5 days per week. Each day includes a strong vinyasa practice combining Iyengar-based alignment with emphasis on the breath, pranayama, mantra, mudra, meditation, talks on self knowledge and lectures in Ayurveda, Anatomy,Yoga Philosophy, Teaching practicums and more.

on some of the days your practice will be the easy sequence, which by the end of the course will enable you to teach to beginner level students. This easy sequence has an emphasis on modifications and variations.

Students must be self-motivated and able to complete homework and reading assignments throughout the training. Homework assignments and reading may be completed before the training commences, during the training or after classes finish.

Pre-requisite

The pre-requisite is at least one year of consistent asana practice in any style and a genuine desire and interest in teaching others, as well as a dedication to self discovery. A regular meditation practice is recommended but not compulsory.

On completion of this course, you will have a profound understanding of the principles of teaching yoga, however it is important to realise you may not necessarily be ready to teach. If you are already teaching or have experience in related fields this course will give you clear tools and techniques for teaching beginning students. If you are less experienced this course will help you develop the discipline for a meditation and asana practice and further your inquiry into the deeper levels of yoga. Being a yoga teacher is a vocation of the heart; your skills ripen from years of practice, persistence and inner transformation. Embarking on the journey to become a yoga teacher is an opportunity to discover more of who you are and how to share that with others.

This course is both practical and theoretical. It requires strong focus and stamina. Some days you will be doing up to five hours of asana practice. We ask that you are self-motivated, punctual and know how to take care of yourself when under pressure. Practicing and learning yoga is a lifelong journey. Immersing yourself in an intensive course can be challenging physically, mentally and emotionally. The teachers will be available to guide you and offer support, but ultimately it is up to the individual to accept the exciting changes and challenges that yoga offers. ??This training is registered as a 200 hour Yoga Alliance course. On completion of the course you will receive a certificate of completion from the ISHTA System, which you can use to apply for YTAA membership and Yoga Alliance certification.