Overview

In considering advanced studies of yoga, you are embarking on a journey that will transfrom your understanding of yoga as you immerse yourself into this rich discipline whose roots date back over 2,000 years.

At Breathe Yoga, we deeply honour the traditions and philosophy of our ancestors and integrate these teachings into a curriculum that is applicalble and of relevance to today's Western yoga student.

The Breathe Yoga Teacher Training Program draws on the rich tradition of Ashtanga vinyasa yoga for its comprehensive and logical series of postures (asanas).   Inspired by the alignment and precision elements of Iyengar yoga, the Breathe program also places a strong emphasis on the structure of each yoga psoture to enable students to comprehend each posture at its root level.  

Ultimately however, our own bodies serve as our wisest teachers.  At Breathe we therefore place a strong emphasis on trainees developing a strong, disciplined yoga practice. While trainees are not expected to have highly advanced practices upon entering the program, commiting to growing your own yoga practice is an essential component. Regular attendance in class is therefore mandatory.

Combined, the study of these rich yoga traditions and a disciplined yoga practice enablesus to gain a deep insight into asana and the body, thereby providing the aspiring teacher with the tools to structure a logical, safe and flowing sequence of postures for his/her classes.

Who should apply?

Serious students of yoga who wish to advance their yoga studies for their own benefit or to become teachers are welcome to apply.  Students should be beyond a beginner level in their yoga practice by the time the teacher training program begins in January.

The Curriculum

TECHNIQUE & METHODOLOGY

• yoga postures and logical sequencing in a vinyasa style
• posture alignment principles
• learning to modify postures for students at different levels and those with injuries
• safe assisting techniques to enable students to go deeper in a pose
• proper breathing (pranayama) techniques
• meditation
• basic sanskrit names of poses
  
• observe senior teachers in live classes for technique and student response
• assist teachers in live classes by providing hands on adjustments to students
• practice teaching with feedback and assessment by faculty teachers
  
  

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

• functional anatomy and the anatomy of poses
• chakras

YOGA HISTORYAND PHILOSOPHY

• historical roots of yoga
• yamas and niyamas
• an intro to Ayurveda
• ethics and etiquette of teaching

THE BUSINESS OF YOGA

• effective ways to gain teaching experience
• the importance of specialising
• learning to market and start your own classes
• applying for work as an instructor
  
• teacher insurance

PERSONAL PRACTICE

• students are expected to attend a minimum of 4 classes per week: one mysore, one full Ashtanga primary series class and 2 classes of your choice.  Please check our schedule

What Makes the Breathe Program Unique?

At Breathe our focus is on providing the highest calibre training available through:

• Assembling a faculty of the very finest, experienced senior teachers who, combined have 40 years of teaching experience
  
  
• Value for money: Upon acceptance into the program and payment of tuition, teacher trainees are immediately given an unlimited pass for drop-in yoga classes - this means potentially months of free yoga classes!  Also once accepted,you are given a reading list and homework to do independently before the workshops begin to bring your theoretical knowledge of yoga beyond a beginner level on your own time.  This means that all trainees enter with a base knowlege, leaving time to study more complex and advanced topics during valuable workshop time with senior teachers. 

• Breathe partners each new traines up with former Breathe teacher trainees who serve to help with questions, counsel and acclimitisation to Breathe Yoga studio (for trainees new to Breathe)
  
  
• Providing an accessible program through flexibility: at Breathe we understand that trainees need to balance their yoga studies with life - we therefore offer training days only on Sundays from January - March and make accommodations for students schedules where possible throughout the program
  
  
• having a small trainee to teacher ratio as we admit a limited number of trainess into the program - all teaching faculty members therefore are able to provide effective personalised feedback and suggestions

• Breathe offers on-line assistance to trainees through regular communication and updates

Optional Continued Education Training
Teacher Trainees will have the option of adding a Specialised Training Component in a particular segment to enable them to offer classes for students with specific needs.  Options for training incude: PreNatal Yoga, Yoga for Seniors or Yoga Basicsfor Absolute Beginners (separate cost)

Applying

Applications for the 2011/12 Program are being accepted now and early application is highly recommended as Breathe admits a limited number of students into its program. A $100 non-refundable application fee must be submitted with the application.

Furthermore, students may begin attending drop-in yoga classes at Breathe on an unlimited basis as soon as their tuition is paid in full (that could mean several months of free yoga!) and may begin logging their required personal practice hours (some conditions apply)

Tuition

Tuition for the Breathe 300+ hr training program is $3400.  Upon acceptance into the program, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required with the balance of payment due before the start of the workshops beginning in January.  Other payment plans may be considered for applicants with special circumstances -- pleae ask about our payment plan.

Tax Deductible Tuition

Breathe Yoga Studio is recognised bythe Federal Government as a Private Training Institute.

Breathe is pleased to announce that it is one of few yoga studios whose Yoga Teacher Certification Program that has been recognised by the Canadian Federal Government as a
credited professional educational program providing students with the skills to enable them to work in a recognised occupation.

This means that those enrolled in the Teacher Training Program may not only have confidence in the high calibre of the program, but also claim their tuition and text books as a tax credit.

Yoga Teacher Training & Advancement Program

Committed to equipping serious students of yoga with the skills necessary to advance their yoga practice and become competent and compassionate yoga instructors.

Breathe is recognised by the Ontario Government as an official training insititute.  Breathe YogaTeacher Training Tuition fees are therefore tax deductible.

Breathe Yoga Teaching Training Faculty

Students will benefit from the teachings and close guidance of senior yoga teachers, laurie Campbell and Chistine Felstead who together have over 20 years of teaching experience. Senior Guest Teachers will also lecture in the Breathe program.

 Laurie Campbell, Program Co-Director   

 Christine Felstead, Program Co-Director

Susan Richardson, Senior Instructor

Scott Petrie, Senior Instructor

Upon Completion: What you can expect

Students completing Breathe's 300+ hour training can expect to:

• have a more advanced and disciplined personal yoga practice
• have foundational knowledge of yoga history, philosophy, anatomy and asana
• have the skills to teach a basic vinyasa yoga class
• once all hours and submissions have been completed, be awawarded with a 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification 

Ontario Yoga Network

Breathe Yoga Studio is a registered member of the Ontario Yoga Network (formerly FOYT and Ontario YogaAlliance) and exceeds their standards for a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certification.  Students completing Breathe Yoga's Teacher Training will be eligible for Yoga Network registration (application and fees apply).

Questions? 
Please feel free to call us at 416.926.9642 with any questions you may have.  Additionally, we can arrange for you to speak with a graduate of our training program to inquire about their experience.

Click here for an Application Form