
What is the yoga teacher training daily schedule?
The daily schedule of the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Course 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:
- The day starts at 6 am with silent meditation, mantra chanting, and a short reading.
- After a short break, you can enjoy a hands-on yoga class at 8 a.m. Over the course of the four weeks, you will practice basic postures and a number of variations, breathing exercises, and deep relaxation. The goal of this constant, daily practice is fitness, improved flexibility of muscles and joints, emotion regulation, ability to concentrate, and mental well-being. The breathing exercises help you achieve good lung capacity, relaxation of the nervous system, and balance of the brain hemispheres.
- At 10 am a fully organic and freshly prepared brunch awaits you. It consists of: A grain dish, legumes, vegetables, a variety of salads and dressings, herb tea, homemade bread, and butter, cheese, fruits, and homemade jam.
- In the theory unit at noon you will get to know classical yoga texts, the technique, and execution of meditation, the karma teaching, the value of mantras, and Ayurveda.
- The main lecture begins at 2 p.m., in which the different paths of yoga, the goal of yoga, and the natural unity of physiology, psychology, and philosophy of yoga are explained. These lectures open up many new perspectives.
- In the afternoon you will learn teaching techniques, for beginners and intermediate levels. In the second half of the training, the participants teach each other under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
- Dinner is at 6 pm and usually consists of soup, grains or pasta, vegetables, a variety of salads, dessert and tea.
- The evening meditation forms the end of the day. Silent meditation, chanting mantras together, and a short reading rounds off the day and lets us sleep well in a positive and relaxed manner.
- Students enjoy occasional cultural programs that are offered during evening satsangs.
- Each week there is a day free of lectures. During this day students are required to attend morning and evening satsang. During free time, students can explore the vicinity or enjoy trips to places of interest.
Here is a table for a quick overview:
5:30 am | Wake-up |
6:00 am | Meditation, mantra chanting, lecture or silent walk |
8:00 am | Asanas and pranayama – systematic deepening of one’s own yoga practice |
10:00 am | Yogic-vegetarian brunch |
11:00 am | Karma Yoga (helping out with chores) |
12 noon | Study of the Bhagavad Gita with commentary, or explanation of the Mantras and Kirtans |
2:00 pm | Main lecture on yoga philosophy or anatomy in relation to the yoga practice |
4:00 pm | Asanas and Pranayama – dynamic workshops on teaching yoga classes and courses |
6:00 pm | Yogic-vegetarian dinner |
7:30 pm | Meditation, Mantra chanting, lecture or guest speaker programme |
10:00 pm | Lights out |
The schedule is subject to change.
One day a week is lecture-free.