This is the course that sets you on the path of being a yoga teacher. It is intensive, deep, thorough and all-together a life-changing experience for most. We have no pre-requisites for this course, except good physical health, the ability to work hard and the commitment to your training. You need these three ingredients to be successful – leave the rest up to us. Our oldest student was 60 years old, and she is a brilliant teacher, delivering relevant, meditative yoga for her client. Our youngest students were 19 years old. Both are doing well, bringing a youthful and energetic energy to their classes.
We teach from our proprietary teaching material, which is highly regarded internationally, as it is created by professionals. Check out our publications on Amazon (search under author: Jacqueline Koay)
Getting Started
You must be in a fit state physically and mentally to undertake any Sun Yoga Teacher Training Programme. We are not looking for Superman/Superwoman but you must be able to run up three flights of stairs without being exhausted out by it. You must be prepared to perspire without being stressed out. If you have any special conditions, please discuss with us in confidence beforehand.
We encourage you to drop in and attend some of the classes at Sun Yoga to get a feel of the style and philosophies of our teachings, as well as for us to advise you on the physical and mental preparation needed for the TTC”. Upon making the full course fee payment, you will be given a complimentary 10-class pass which entitles you to attend any adult yoga classes at Sun Yoga. We encourage you to complete the pass before the course begin. You will also be given the course book “The Science & Philosophy of Teaching Yoga” and “Live Patanjali”. We advise you to start reading these material.
Preparing for Modules
The Sun Yoga 200hour syllabus is modular in format, with modules built around the Foundation modules , the “Anatomy & Physiology Module” and competency in the “Vyakata 108 : Asana Intensive Module” (collection of 108 postures for the beginner level teacher). Those wishing to work towards registration with USA Yoga Alliance for the Registered Yoga Teacher at 200Hours qualifications need to complete the Foundation modules and all other required modules.
This is the Foundation of your training.
You will begin by learning the principles of physical therapy, such as setting up a plumb line to assess the spine (and its deviations), limitations of the skeletal and muscular systems in yoga, and addressing muscular imbalances with yoga poses. You will also learn about the key muscles in yoga to be able to offer your students effective alternative poses and variations to progress their practice. But most importantly, you will learn how to teach responsibly, without causing muscle injury, and effectively. The Physiology part will involve understanding the systems of the body in relation to a yoga practice, and this will tie in with the Ayurveda discourse.
“Vyakata” is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning “to manifest”.
In Sun Yoga Tradition, yogasana are expressions of the Self within the physical body – it is through the practice of yogasana that we find self-realisation through our physical being, as the Light and prana (life force) within us are manifest into these beautiful timeless architectures of the body.
Because the Tradition believes that the physical body exists merely to serve a higher purpose, practitioners of Vyakata are taught to find their own expressions within a yogasana, in the belief that the Self within is the best teacher of yogasana.
The Vyakata 108 module is purely YOGASANA-based. It covers a series of 108 yogasana that participants will be practicing intensely during this 7-day program. During the guided practice, participants will learn about the Sanskrit term of a yoga posture, the yogasana’s contraindications, alignment principles, conditioning exercises or variations to achieve the final architecture. This knowledge thus becomes a vital tool for trainee teachers to instruct their class safely and confidently.
“Prana” means life force, and “Yama” means discipline or control. In Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophy, Prana is explained as ‘Qi’. Prana exists within and around you. Without prana, there is no life.
Pranayama is the fourth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. It can be described as a breathing exercise that promotes proper and healthy breathing. The practice of Pranayama is the movement of life force (or life’s energy) through conscious breathing.
The technique of Pranayama is used to measure, control and direct the breath of the yoga practitioner. The aim behind the technique is to restore and maintain the health of a person and promote evolution at the Vital Sheath (Pranamayakosha). Pranayama controls and enhances the energy within us. With the breathing technique, we increase the capacity of our lungs, bringing more oxygen supply to the body to function well. It is the science of breath control and is part of a process in Yoga for cleansing of the mind and body.
An introduction to the bandhas – interior body locks used in Yoga. Here, we study the three main bandhas – Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and Jalandara Bandha. Each bandha is a lock, meaning a closing off of part of the interior body. These locks are used in various Pranayama and Asana practices to tone, cleanse and energize the interior body and organs.
The practice of gazing steadily at a small object without blinking is called Trataka. The practice of Trataka harnesses the power of concentration (Dharana) and leads you on the path to meditation (Dhyana). On a physical level it strengthens the eyes and the surrounding muscles, purifies the vision and mind, and eradicates all diseases associated with vision.
The book of yoga is the Yoga Sutras of Sri Patanjali, which is a compilation of collective wisdom at that time, has been used as reference book for yogis, sages, spiritual seekers and those on the path of finding self-realization till these days. Your study of this ancient text begins with Shad Darshan, the six classical schools of Indian philosophy (with focus on Samkhya), an introduction into Ayurveda and detailed work on Chapters 1 and 2 of the yoga sutras.
From the esoterics perspective, you will explore more practical issues, such as ethics, living the life of a yogi in the modern world and running a business based on yogic principles to equip you with the tools and knowledge to start your journey as a teacher.