Teacher Training ~

Introductory Letter from Matthew:

In the Yoga People RYTA 200 hour teacher training program you will learn how to teach, first to your fellow Trainees and, later, in open class situations.

All of the requirements of the Yoga Alliance’s 200 Hour certification will be met. You will be taught principles of yoga anatomy, alignment, pranayama and kriya, with an emphasis on verbal and hands-on assisting. Through The Bhagavad Gita and The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, we will explore the history and philosophy of yoga.

The Yoga People studio has no allegiance to a single method or style of Yoga, nor to a single personality or guru, and this is reflected in the Program. We will focus on the practice of Yoga more than on any dogma or ideal of Yoga, exploring aspects of the various lineages. At Yoga People the diversity of styles is always reflected (and reflects) in the various backgrounds & ages of the Trainees, and this is a great benefit to all who attend.

One of the most important aspects of the Training, is a Dialogue: as a group we will cultivate a space where Yoga itself becomes an object of thought, becomes a part of our understanding of the responsibility of being a teacher of Yoga. In-class dialogue with your fellow Trainees about the program itself, about your thoughts on various teachings, about your practice, about Yogic ‘authenticity’, about your experience of teaching and receiving teaching will also be strongly encouraged. As an element of this part of the training, readings from other disciplines may be looked at, and are encouraged to be brought in and discussed.

This Training & Certification is an initial step in becoming a Yoga Teacher who teaches from your experience and depth, and not from hearsay, dogma or rote. And you’ll witness your practice become a vehicle for your teaching, and, of course, vice-versa.

This Teacher Training is recommended for those with a minimum of two years of a regular devoted yoga practice. Physical ability in asana, or conversely, physical impediments to practice are not considered criteria for or against acceptance.

Applicants should write a leisurely essay about their relationship to Yoga practice and their desire to teach, along with the other submitted paperwork.

Looking forward to it …

Matthew Seidman
Director, Yoga People Teacher Training Program, 2008-9.

Click here to read Matthew's bio.


THE FIRST STEP:
It is recommended that you take a class with Matthew if you are interested in applying for enrollment in the Yoga People Teacher Training Program. Introduce yourself before class and let him know of your intentions to be a part of the upcoming fall session. Currently Matthew teaches Vinyasa on Mondays 6:30-8pm, Vinyasa on Wednesdays 9:30-11am, and Ashtanga on Sundays 5-6:30pm. Call the studio ahead of time to make sure that he will be teaching when you plan to take class.

WINTER SESSION 2008:
Running 13 weeks, Yoga People provides individualized, personal training certified by the 200 Hour Yoga Alliance program. Working with mentors and senior teachers, YP will offer each student small, unique classes, hands-on and methodical teaching experiences, and a wide range of yogic traditions. Join us on our journey as we lauch this exciting and profound exploration of yoga and its rich heritage.

DATES & RATES:
13 weeks: January 30th-May 10th, 2009 (three weekends a month)
Saturdays 10am-5pm & Sundays 10:30-3:30pm
Tuition: $3400 ($500 deposit due with application)
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Pay in Full by December 10th, 2008 and receive at $250 discount.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
Because Yoga People’s Teacher Training is an intense study of the physical, mental, and spiritual bodies, it is not designed for beginning students of yoga. To ensure that students are prepared for the depth of practice and inquiry that the course entails, we generally require that incoming trainees satisfy the following:

- One year of yoga practice
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- One evaluation from Matthew Seidman (see THE FIRST STEP above)
- A completed Application

Application:
Yoga People’s Teacher Training Program is designed to create an attitude of deep inquiry into the practice of yoga, and each training contains a great deal of personal exploration and individual attention. To encourage students to further their inquiry before the training begins, and because the training is designed to address your needs, abilities, and desires on an individual level, Yoga People requires prospective trainees to fill out the following application:

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Mail the requisite materials by December 20th, 2008, along with your deposit, your contact information, and a photo of yourself to:

Yoga People
Teacher Training Registration
160 Montague St. 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Tuition balance is due January, 2009. Questions about this application or the training? Check our our FAQ's below, or contact us at info@yoga-people.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do I need to be an advanced yoga student for this training?
Yoga People's teacher training is an intense course of study, requiring a substantial investment of time and energy. While no particular level of asana practice is required for the training, the curriculum is not geared for beginning students, and we require at least one year of yoga practice as a prerequisite.

Why do I need to fill out the application?
Because Yoga People's teacher training places a high premium on individual instruction, and because the curriculum is guided by the needs of individual students, understanding your background, interests, and experience is what makes the training so effective. There are no right or wrong answers—your honest responses will create the strongest application.

Does my tuition cover materials and textbooks?
Your tuition covers the cost of Yoga People's teacher training manual. A reading list for other required reading will be delivered you in advance of the program and those texts may be purchased separately at Yoga People or at any yoga bookstore or online.

How much homework is there during the training?
Homework includes weekly required reading, writing assignments, asana assignments for study outside of class, and research for planning your own class sequences.

How much yoga will we be doing?
Twelve outside classes are included for the training, there will also be classes within each training weekend. The course of study includes a variety of topics outside the physical practice, but you can expect to be practicing yoga on the mat every day of the training.

Will I teach during the training?
Yes. You will teach for fellow trainees and teachers from the start of the training. Several practice teaching sessions are scheduled during the curriculum. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to community classes as you become ready.

What if I have to miss a session?
During the training, you can miss one session as long as any homework, practice teachings, and curriculum exercises for that day are made up at a later date. We ask for advance notice of any absences outside of emergencies.

Do I need to be tested to become registered?
Yes. The certification process concludes with a take-home essay test that covers the entire curriculum, and a teaching practicum in which each trainee leads a full class session.

What is Yoga Alliance?
Yoga Alliance® registers both individual yoga teachers and yoga teacher training programs who have complied with minimum educational standards established by the organization. Many studios and gyms required Yoga Alliance registration as a way to ensure that their teachers have attained a minimum level of training. Upon completion of the Yoga People teacher training program, you will have completely satisfied the requirements to register at the 200-hour level with Yoga Alliance.

What if I would like to teach for Yoga People?
We love to have our teacher trainees teach at Yoga People! Upon completion of the training, and upon the recommendation of the training directors, you will be eligible to audition to become an instructor at Yoga People.

For more information:
Contact Wendy Chanelis at info@yoga-people.com
or 718.522.9642 (YOGA)
Or contact Matthew Seidman at yogabomber@rcn.com.

TESTIMONIALS:
The program has helped me deepen my personal practice, and it has given me the knowledge base I needed to feel confident as a teacher. Though I'll always be a yoga student first, thanks to an amazing group of teachers with diverse strengths and varied interests I'm now ready to set sail as a teacher." - E. Holt, TT 2006

The Yoga People teacher training has helped me further embrace my passion for yoga - the mix of teachers challenge me to look at my practice (and my life!) from many different angles. There's a nice blend of guidance, along with encouragement to be proactive in my studies and to listen to my inner voice and to trust that. The staff is extremely knowledgable and supportive and open to our needs throughout the course. - M. Glick, TT 2006

The raw energy and dedication of the instructors brought forth a sense of truth and safe vunerability. With their guidance I was able to find my own truth, not only as an instructor but as a whole person. I’m honored and proud to have been part of the Yoga People Teacher Training. - C. Henderson, Graduate & Teacher