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Yoga teacher training in India
International Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course (TTC) in Ranikhet, Himalayas, India
20 October – 18 November 2012
and
23 February – 24 March 2013
5 October – 2 November 2013
Dates include arrival and departure days
- Four-week theoretical and practical training in all aspects of yoga composed of 401 training units of 45 minutes’ duration
- International certificate from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre organization (ISYVC) is awarded on successful completion of the course. The diploma is entitled "Yoga Siromani" and recognised by Yoga Alliance for the 200 hours Registered Yoga School Standards
- This course was established in 1969 by Swami Vishnudevananda as the first yoga teachers’ training course taught to Western students and now has over 28,000 graduates.
- A sincere desire to learn and openness to yogic techniques is required – a basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is preferred, but not essential. Students will develop the skills to teach yoga asanas and improve their own personal practice.
Curriculum
Asanas, Pranayama, Yoga Nutrition, Kriyas, Meditation, Mantras, Vedanta Philosophy, Bhagavad Gita, The Four Yoga Paths, Anatomy and Physiology
Details of curriculum >>
Course Books
- The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnudevananda, Three Rivers Press
- Bhagavad Gita with a commentary by Swami Sivananda, the Divine Life Trust Society
- The New Book of Yoga by the Sivananda Yoga Centre (Ebury Press)
Please note: These books are not included in the course fee. You cannot find these books locally in India. They can be purchased at the Sivananda Yoga Centres or via the online shop.
Further recommended reading for at-home study
- Yoga – Your Home Practice Companion by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Dorling Kindersley; this new book is highly recommended for the course.
- Sivananda Beginner's Guide to Yoga by Sivananda Yoga Centre, Gaia Books
- Yoga Mind & Body by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Dorling Kindersley
- Meditation and Mantras by Swami Vishnudevananda, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers
Also available at the Sivananda Yoga Centres or via the online shop.
Daily schedule
Daily: two meditation sessions, two yoga classes, two lectures, one hour of service to the ashram community. Students are given one lecture-free day a week. Attendance of the entire TTC daily schedule is mandatory.
Tuition fee
Shared: 2,150 €
Double: 2,700 €
Single: 3,450 €
For enrolments in London:
Shared: £ 1,875
Double: £ 2,355
Single: £ 3,010
Rates valid until 31 March 2012
Down payment: 500 €, the outstanding balance is due at the Centre where you enrolled 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the course.
Included are the examination fee, administrative costs, teaching, room and board, two sets of yoga clothing and a teacher's manual.
Not included are ground transportation to and from Delhi, tips, kriya kit, laundry service as well as any other additional service. Please book your own flight to Delhi.
It is recommended to purchase a travel health insurance policy through your travel agency.
Application form for UK citizens (PDF) >>
ONLINE APPLICATION >>
Certificate and training units
International certificate from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre organization (ISYVC) is awarded on successful completion of the course. The diploma is entitled 'Yoga Siromani'.
The International Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses consist of three levels:
Teachers’ Training Course (TTC) | 401 units of 45 min or 301 units of 60 min |
Advanced Teachers’ Training Course (ATTC) | 437 units of 45 min or 328 units of 60 min |
Sadhana Intensive | 173 units of 45 min or 130 units of 60 min |
The Yoga Alliance recognises the TTC for the 200 hours Registered Yoga School Standards and the TTC plus ATTC for the 500 hours Registered Yoga School Standards.
Course languages
The course will be taught in English with simultaneous translation into German, French and Spanish and possibly other European languages using a modern wireless translation system and headphones (available in the yoga boutique or bring your own).
Accommodation
West View is located on 2 hectares (5 acres) of flat land on a plateau surrounded by pine and fir forests with a panoramic view ranging from the Bhagirathi peaks in the West to Nanda Kot in the East. The colonial style setting includes heritage buildings dating back to 1918.
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Spacious rooms (1–4 beds), private bathroom, electric heater, water kettle, mineral water, white linen bed sheets, one quilt with quilt cover, one blanket, one pillow, bed cover; anti-mosquito device.
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West View accommodates up to 50 students. Beyond this number, participants will be staying at 10 minutes' walking distance with equivalent accommodations. A shuttle is available free of charge for quick commuting during the course breaks.
Drinking water and teas
Mineral water and teas will be available on a self-service basis between the activities.
Meals and snacks
Daily two lightly spiced Indian/Western style yogic vegetarian meals and one snack will be served buffet-style.
Teaching locations
Meditations, lectures and some asana classes will be held in a typical Indian Shamyama festival tent with carpeted floor. Smaller asana classes can be held in various indoor locations.
Telephone and Internet
Mobile phone coverage for Airtel, Idea and Vodafone. Sim cards available at Delhi International Airport, requires copy of passport/visa and 1 photo. Wifi Internet available at specific times, free of charge.
Ayurveda massage
Available are abhyanga (oil) massage treatment, classical massage and foot reflexology massage on the premises at extra cost. Treatments are given by South Indian massage therapists.
Boutique
Yoga accessories: yoga mats, meditation pillows, asana outfits, shawls for meditation, yoga books, mantra CDs, translation headphones, woolen socks, scarves and hats (hand-knitted by the local community), and more.
Laundry service
Outside laundry service at extra charge; collection and return of laundry every evening.
Safekeeping
Valuables can be put into a safe, which will be opened once a day.
Check in/Check out
Check in at 2:00 PM
Check out at 11:00 AM
Shrine
Daily morning and evening arati (light ceremony) at the shrine with a local priest.
Outdoors
Breathing the fresh Himalayan air is a boon for health throughout your stay. The front garden is ideal for study, relaxation and basking in the morning sun. Towards the West you can enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of the Himalayan peaks. Comfortable walking trails along the fir trees take you directly to beautiful nature spots, just a few minutes away.
Visit: www.westviewhotel.com
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Excursions
Once a week is a lecture-free day. Possible excursions:
Ranikhet town >> (4 km)
Baijnath Temple >> and Valley (20 km)
Jageshwar temple >> (80 km)
Devi Bell Temple (walking distance)
Special programmes
Bhagavatacharya Sri Venugopal Goswami, Vrindavan, North India
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- Bhagavata Saptaha – seven-day journey to the goal of life, readings and discourses from the yoga scripture Srimad Bhagavatam
- The Divine Essence of Man – selected verses from the yogic scriptures
- Nada Yoga Concert – the vocal art of kirtan (mantra chanting)
All programmes accompanied by classical Indian musicians (bansuri, shanai, harmonium, vocals, various percussions)
Shanti K. Kamlesh, Ayurvedacharya, Lucknow, India
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- Lectures and PowerPoint Presentations on proper diet, daily regimen and the three body constitutions of Ayurveda
- Personal health consultations available (extra cost)
Classical temple ceremonies
Puja (worship) and homa (fire ceremony) with local pundits (priests)
Cultural programme
Himalaya hill dance and chanting by a local folk group
Course instructors
are Yoga Acharyas (spiritual teachers) and senior teachers personally trained by Swami Vishnudevananda.
Swami Durgananda
Is a Yoga Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Europe. A senior disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda, Swami Durgananda accompanied her teacher on many tours throughout India. She has been building up the European centres for over 30 years under the guidance of her teacher. tyrol(at)sivananda.net
Swami Sivadasananda
is a Yoga Acharya, director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Europe, Acharya for South America and a long-time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. He is known for his inspiring and relaxed teaching methods in asanas and pranayama. madrid(at)sivananda.net
Swami Kailasananda
Is a Yoga Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in England and France and the Pacific Rim. She is a scholar of Sanskrit and a long-time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. paris(at)sivananda.net
Swami Atmaramananda
Is a Yoga Acharya and director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Berlin and Vilnius (Lithuania). He is the Acharya for Eastern Europe and a long-time student of Swami Vishnudevananda. He is very knowledgeable about North Indian culture. berlin(at)sivananda.net
Several other swamis, senior teachers and translators will be participating in the course.
Travel information
Ranikhet is a scenic Himalayan hill resort at an altitude of 1829 meters, 350 km away from Delhi. It is a superb setting surrounded by lush green forests and a majestic panoramic view of Himalayan mountain peaks, including the second highest mountain of India, the Nanda Devi (7816 m). The area carries the spiritual thought currents of generations of spiritual seekers who practised deep meditation in these pristine natural surroundings. In more recent times Ma Ananda Mayi Ma and other saints have established hermitages and ashrams near Ranikhet.
See a video of panoramic mountain views in Ranikhet >>
Ranikhet, Uttarakhand - click link to enlarge
West View Hotel, Mall Road, Ranikhet 263 645, Uttarakhand, INDIA
Phone : +91 5966 220261, 221075
www.westviewhotel.com
Arrival time in Delhi
Suggested arrival time in Delhi, October 20 latest at 3.00 AM. A Sivananda staff member will be available at the Delhi airport arrival’s area from 1.00 to 4.00 AM).
By Yogibus
The Sivananda Yoga Centres suggest you travel from Delhi to Ranikhet by Yogibus:
Chartered 27 seater AC coach
Departs October 20 at 6:00 AM from Hotel Shanti Palace (near Delhi airport), arriving in time for dinner at West View Hotel in Ranikhet.
Return journey:
Departs November 18 at 5:00 AM from West View Hotel in Ranikhet, arrives at Delhi International Airport at approx. 10:00 PM
One way charge: 4200 INR (70€), two stops with breakfast and lunch, and mineral water on the AC coach are included.
Enrolment form for Delhi – Ranikhet (PDF) >>
Enrolment for Ranikhet–Delhi will take place in Ranikhet itself.
By train
From Old Delhi Station to Kathgodam Station, plus 3 hours' taxi drive.
Visa requirements (Important!)
For the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course (TTC), only the following types of visa are accepted by the local authorities in India:
- Student visa (STD or S Visa)
- Yoga visa (Y Visa)
- Entry visa (X Visa)
Visa applications should be submitted only after one's place has been confirmed for the course.
- Under no circumstances will anybody arriving with a tourist visa be able to participate in the course.
- The average validity for visas given by the Indian Embassies for this course is 3 months. Please be aware that visa validity starts with the date of issue.
- The required proof of enrolment will be sent to you once your enrolment and downpayment have been received.
Please note:
- Please do not accept a visa which is valid for longer than 6 months as it requires one to undergo a complicated registration process once in India.
- Once issued, check that your visa does not contain the following condition: “Registration required within 14 days after arrival in India”. If it does, do not accept the visa from the Indian Embassy.
A scanned copy of your Indian visa needs to be sent by email to ranikhet-himalayas(at)sivananda.net
Please bring
Yoga mat, meditation pillow and shawl (also available at the Sivananda Boutique in Ranikhet), sandals, sweat pants and sweat shirts, writing pad, torch, alarm clock, private toiletry items, soap, clothesline, money belt.
It is advisable to keep a copy of your visa, passport and plane ticket separately in your luggage.
Clothing
Comfortable clothing adapted to the traditional lifestyle of India is required: No figure-hugging clothes, no halter tops, shorts or short skirts.
Especially in February you need to pack warm underwear, a scarf and cap, warm socks and sweaters.
Pharmaceuticals
Please ask your pharmacy for a small kit of medicines appropriate for India. Please consult with your physician or tropical medical service about vaccinations.
Conditions for participation
Participation in the Teachers’ Training Course requires constant adaptation to local customs, as well as inner openness and sincere acceptance of the instructions given by the teachers.
Before enrolling, please meet or telephone with any of the European Acharyas or Swamis. This is to gain a better understanding of the spiritual nature of the course and to answer any further questions you may have. This personal course introduction by a Swami is essential for enrolment.
Cancellation terms
- Cancellation before the start of the course: A credit note will be issued for the course payments received. A 50 € administration fee will be deducted.
- In case of early departure: A credit note for the full amount of the course will be issued minus the days present in the course and minus a 50 € administration fee.
The TTC course manual and TTC uniform (2 trousers / 2 t-shirts) must be returned upon leaving the teaching location. Only then will the credit note be authorized. - The credit note will only be issued four weeks after the course completion date and will not be issued at the course location.
- Credit notes are non-transferable and can only be used by the individual whose name appears on the credit note. Credit notes are valid for two years and can be used in any Sivananda Yoga Centre or Ashram in Europe, except Italy. Please note: Credit notes cannot be applied to boutique purchases or Ayurveda massages. In Reith (Austria), the credit note cannot be applied to room and board fees.
Enrolment
Please contact
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre Putney
51 Felsham Road, Putney, London SW15 1AZ
Tel. +44 020 8780 0160
e-mail: londonttc(at)sivananda.net
or
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Retreat House
Bichlach 40, A-6370 Reith bei Kitzbühel, Tyrol, Austria
Contact: Swami Vidyananda, Coordinator of TTC North India
Phone: +43 5356 67 404 28 (preferably Mon–Sun, 11 AM–2 PM Central European Time)
e-mail: ranikhet-himalayas(at)sivananda.net
Booking and payment need to be made at the same centre.
Application form for UK citizens (PDF) >>





























