The goal of the programme is to produce qualified and inspiring yoga teachers who are able to draw on their own practice and personal discipline in imparting the yoga experience to others. The curriculum is based on the five points of yoga as taught by Swami Vishnudevananda, which can be understood as the practical application of the traditional four paths of yoga. The intensive daily schedule includes:

• two satsangs • two asana classes • two lectures • one hour of karma yoga

One day a week is lecture-free. 

Asanas

• The twelve basic postures in depth
• Practice of classical advanced variations
• Precise and detailed corrections
• Prolonged holding of the asanas
• Deeper understanding of hatha yoga

Pranayama

• Practice of kapalabhati
• Daily practice of anuloma viloma
• Advanced pranayamas
• Use of bandhas

Meditation

• Guide to meditation
• What is meditation?
• Why meditate?
• Concentration and thought power
• 12-step daily practice
• Effects of and experiences in meditation
• Mantras
• Mantra initiation (optional)

Yoga Anatomy and Physiology

• Introduction to the eight major body systems
• The effects of asanas and pranayama on the: cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive and skeletal and muscular systems
• Yoga and physical culture

Yoga Nutrition

• Vegetarianism for physical, mental and spiritual health
• How diet affects the mind
• Principles of nutrition
• Healing effects of fasting

Kriyas

The six classical purification exercises for the eyes, nose, air passages, oesophagus and stomach, abdominal organs and large intestine. Explanation and demonstration of the exercises and their effects. Individual instruction

• tratak • neti • kapalabhati • dhauti • nauli • basti

Teaching Practice

• How to teach the 12 basic postures and breathing exercises to beginners and intermediate students
• Setting up of a proper environment for class
• General pointers on teaching a class
• The Basic Sivananda Class
• Beginners’ course
• Advanced postures
• Yoga for children
• Yoga for older citizens
• Yoga for pregnancy
• Relaxation
• Detailed correction workshops

In the second half of the training course, participants will teach each other under the guidance of an experienced teacher. 

Bhagavad Gita

One of the greatest spiritual texts of the world, the Bhagavad Gita contains subtle and profound teachings and has a universality which embraces every aspect of human action.

•  Study of both the text and Swami Sivananda’s commentary.

Karma and Reincarnation

• The law of cause and effect
• The law of action and reaction
• The law of compensation
• The law of retribution
• Destiny and self-effort
• Samsara, the wheel of birth and death

Hatha Yoga

• Ethical and moral principles
• Body, prana and mind
• From control over the body to control over the mind and meditation

• Ashtanga: the eight limbs of yoga
• Antahkarana: functions of the mind
• Concentration and meditation
• Overview of Kundalini yoga
  

Bhakti Yoga

• A basic knowledge of yoga postures and philosophy is helpful but not essential
• A familiarisation with our teachings and teaching methods is recommended but not essential
• A high degree of self-motivation is required for all aspects of the course
• A sincere desire to learn and openness to the teachings of yoga is required
• The practice and especially the teaching of yoga demand a high degree of self-discipline and purity
• Participants are required to attend all spiritual activities, satsangs, lectures and asana classes
• Meat, fish, eggs, black tea, coffee, alcohol, tobacco and drugs are prohibited in the Ashram
• A strict dress-code is followed
• It is not possible to cater to personal dietary preferences beyond the yogic-vegetarian meals
• Participants who do not comply with the Ashram rules may be dismissed from the course

Vrindavan Ayurveda Chikitsalayam offers three simple and functional types of accommodation.

Please note: Couples are not permitted to share twin` rooms during Teachers’ Training Courses.

Ekaant Vaas Rooms: Single room (AC or non-AC option) with private bathroom (hot water), kettle and fridge

Vasu Vaas Rooms: Shared non-AC twin rooms (AC or non-AC option) with private bathroom (hot water)

Nanda Vaas Dormitory: Shared triple rooms (AC or non-AC option) with private bathroom

• Course Materials: Two sets of uniform and a TTC manual are provided as a part of the course material and are included in the course fee.
• Language: The course is taught in English.
  • An international TTC course with translation is offered in January at Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram, Kerala depending on demand. Please enquire before making any travel plans if you do not have a good command of both written and spoken English.
• Evaluation of students is on:
  • Attendance
  • Performance
  • Theory during the course
  • Final written exam
  • A minimum combined score of 50% is required to pass.
  • Unsuccessful students will have to repeat the entire course with cost to qualify for the certificate
• Supplemental Course Material:  Apart from the TTC manual, there are some recommended texts for the course. These are not included in the course fee and can be bought from the boutique:
  • Sivananda Training Manual
  • The Completed Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnudevananda
  • Bhagavad Gita – with commentary by Swami Sivananda
  • Sivananda Companion to Yoga
  • Meditation & Mantras by Swami Vishnudevananda
• To maintain the spiritual atmosphere of the ashram guests please review Do’s & Don’ts
• Things to Bring: These items can also be purchased at the ashram boutique.
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Sandals
  • Toiletries
  • Towel
  • Personal items
  • Water bottle (Reusable, we try and limit the amount of single-use plastic)
  • Torch
  • Meditation shawl (for cool evenings)
  • Yoga asana mat
  • Meditation cushion
  • Notebooks and pens
• Meals: Simple Indian vegetarian meals are provided at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. (It is not possible to cater to personal dietary preferences beyond the yogic-vegetarian meals) 

Our closest town is Chandigarh which is well connected with the Vrindavan Chikitsalayam in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh by air, rail and road. Chandigarh has domestic as well as international Airport along with Railway station and interstate Bus stand . from railway station / airport / interstate bus stand at chandigarh , prepaid taxi OLA/UBER can be hired to reach VAC which is approx 50 mins drive or we can be contacted at info@vrindavanchikitsalayam.com to book taxi for pickup

By Air
Nearest airport is Chandigarh with multiple flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Banglore and also international flights from Dubai and Sharjah.

By Rail
Nearest railway station is Chandigarh, which is well-connected to Delhi. The best interconnectivity between Chandigarh and Delhi is through Shatabadi Express and Vande Bharat Express. Tickets can be booked via irtc.co.in

By Road
Vrindavan Ayurveda Chikitsalayam is 37 Kms or a 50 min drive from Chandigarh. Taxis are available from Chandigarh, pre-paid taxis such as OLA and UBER are available from the airport and railway station.

Distances from major towns/cities:

• • 37 KM (S) from Chandigarh
  • 284 KM (S) from New Delhi
  • 40 KM(S) from Kasauli (Hill Station)
  • 90 KM (S) from Shimla (Hill Station)

For Domestic Payments from Resident Indians:

• For cancelling the registration before the start of the course, the original payment will be refunded less 6.5%.
• Once the course starts, if the student decides to leave within five days, the original payment will be refunded less 18%.

For Overseas Payments:

• As refunds will be via international bank transfer, which may take six months to process, the cancellation fee has to be higher.
• The advance payment of partial course fee, service fee and taxes paid to GetOnYoga Pvt. Ltd. are fully non-refundable.
• Once the course starts, if the student decides to leave within five days, the course fee paid will be refunded less 25%.

After five days of the course: in case of discontinuation of the course after the Friday of the first week, no refund will be issued.

Students leaving the course before completion, are required to return manual and uniforms.

Note:

• Full refund of the course fee paid will only be granted where SYVC has had to cancel the programme.
• It is advised to ensure receipt of appropriate visa is possible before registering or booking flights.

Policy revised on 4-09-2023.                                      SYVDA reserves the right to make changes without advanced notice.