COURSEWORK

Techniques & Teaching Methodology

Opening Circle

The first class get-together is a sacred sharing of one's background and intention for the teacher training course. Please come prepared to talk about where you grew up, how you came to yoga and what yoga means to you, why you are interested in the teacher training program or what you hope to accomplish by participating in the training. Please wear an article of white clothing to represent the purity of your intention (practice clothing is not necessary). Make-up Policy: There is no make-up for this class.

Training Classes

Training classes are the foundation of the training program, mandatory and required for certification. Integral to the learning process, these classes are multi-dimensional and include asana, pranayama, meditation, bandhas, mudras, kriyas, history, philosophy, and ethics. The format of the class is structured to include practice, hands-on adjustments, lecture, discussion, Q&A, and quizzes. Guest teachers may also be asked to present during these times. Make-up Policy: You are entitled to miss one class. For all remaining absences, you must attend make up sessions completing hour-for-hour each class missed. Approximately 1-2 make-up sessions will be scheduled throughout the course. At the end of the course, trainees who have a deficit of hours, without completing make up sessions, must make-up the hours the following year, as the knowledge is interrelated and cumulative.

Practice Classes

Practice Class: Daren's practice classes are an important component of the training in which trainees experience the content of each lesson in the setting of a yoga class. Make-up Policy: attend any of Daren's regularly scheduled classes throughout the year.

Weekly Classes: Trainees are required to participate in 2 group classes per week, preferably at Focus Yoga (or Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago). This requirement is in addition to your daily personal practice. A minimum of 100 practice classes is required for certification. For practice classes completed at Moksha Yoga Center, the database will keep track of your attendance. For practice classes completed elsewhere, please keep a log of your attendance.

Review/Make-up Sessions: Approximately 1-2 review/make-up classes will be scheduled throughout the course. All are encouraged to attend, whether a make-up is required or not. Please bring the topic or lesson that you missed and your questions and inquiries. The format will follow the training class structure. You may also complete make-up classes by attending another program in Chicago or the suburbs.

Teaching Methodology

Apprenticeship

Trainees choose a teacher of his/her choice to observe, adjust, and assist. Each teacher is unique in the way to engage the trainee. Some teachers have the trainee teach one pose in each class. Other teachers spend a few minutes after class to review and critique any adjustments given. Some teachers are hands-off and allow the trainee to use this component as self-study. In addition to adjusting students in poses, trainees are expected to distribute and collect props, follow the teacher's instructions, and assist in any way deemed appropriate. Registration & Attendance: Please complete 10 consecutive classes per semester.  Discuss with the teacher your proposed absences.  If you miss more than 2 consecutive classes, you will be disqualified from that semester and must repeat the entire semester's requirement of 10 classes.

Master Teacher Roundtable (MTR)

One of Moksha Yoga Center's greatest assests is our relationship with a variety of the country's most respected master teachers in various methods and styles. Our master teachers will be asked to speak in special 1-hour sessions that will be held on select weekends. The topics include the presenter's teaching background, key teaching qualities to possess, and issues related to the teacher/student relationship. A short Q&A will follow. Come prepared to ask any questions you may have related to teaching. Please read the notes from each MTR from previous year's sessions. This component is mandatory for Chicago trainees and optional for suburban trainees. Make-up Policy: This program is optional for suburban trainees.

Practicum

Video Review

One of the unique aspects of the Moksha training program is the video review series. Each trainee teaches a portion of the 1.5 hour class. This series is offered to real live students as an introduction to the basics of yoga. Each class includes asana, pranayama, meditation, and some yoga theory. These classes are videotaped, then watched and reviewed immediately following the class. Past trainees have found this experience the most essential aspect in developing confidence in one's teaching and improving all aspects of one's class presentation. Make-up Policy: you must attend all classes and each video review. If you miss any class or video review, you must attend a video review in the Chicago program.

Community Class

Once the Intro to Yoga course is completed, each trainee is required to teach 5 community classes for certification, which are basics (level 1-2) classes offered to the public at no charge. These classes are extremely popular at Moksha and regularly have 30-50 students per class. This class is a bridge between the supervised teaching experience of the Intro to Yoga course and teaching on your own. Three classes are co-taught with another trainee and 2 classes are taught individually. Class critiques: Each trainee critiques the other teacher in the 3 co-taught classes. In the individual teaching sessions, students will be given a feedback form and are encouraged to provide their comments anonymously. Trainees are responsible for signing up for the class in advance, planning, and teaching. Note: if you do not show up to the class you have agreed to teach, you will be automatically disqualified from certification and permanently banned from teaching at Moksha Yoga Center. Moksha has a zero-tolerance policy for teacher no-shows.

Philosophy, Ethics, Lifestyle

Devi 2000 Kirtan

Kirtan is an integral part of the yoga path and creates a deep heart opening necessary for internal transformation. Devi 2000 kirtans are graciously offered to all trainees at no charge and are typically held once per month on a Saturday evening, 7:30-9:30pm. Trainees are required to attend 2 sessions during the year.

Thesis Presentations

The results and a short review of your project will be presented to the training group. The presentations are held at a date following the end of the program. Your attendance is required for certification. Make-up policy: a) attend the suburban or city presentations, or b) attend the following year's thesis presentations.

Yoga Business Seminar

This course is designed to inform and educate the teacher how to plan, market and promote one's services to yoga centers, health clubs, and corporations. Payrates for classes and privates will be discussed, marketing materials and ideas are presented, and business plans and structures are reviewed. This class is optional for suburban trainees and offered only once per year. Make-up Policy: you may attend the Chicago class.

Non-Contact Hours

Thesis Project

A unique requirement of Moksha Yoga Center's program, the thesis project is one of the most interesting and fun aspects of the training. As yoga is an alive and evolving practice, you are asked to contribute to this evolution. Each student chooses a topic of his/her choice, completes research and study, and presents a thesis project in the form of a class, workshop, report, or video. Many projects from past years have become a career for some trainees.

Homework

Svadyaya or self-study is also an important part of the course. Trainees submit homework on a weekly basis by email. Any late assignments must be submitted by the end of the training classes.

Quizzes

Throughout the training, quizzes (and pop quizzes) will be given to encourage you to study and digest the material. 80% is required to pass. Make-up: you may retake the quiz (less than 80% score) or make-up the quiz at any time within 1 week.

Book Reviews

2 books reviews are required for certification. See the reading list for more information.

Karma Yoga

Teach 1 yoga class to an underserved or disadvantaged group, such as cancer patients, senior citizens, disadvantaged youth, etc. You may not receive compensation for this class. Each trainee is required to research, contact, and arrange to teach this class. Moksha Yoga Center will provide some leads and referrals throughout the year. Submit a short review by email when complete. Read a review of one trainee's experience here [link].

Yoga Journal

Each trainee keeps a weekly journal of svadhyaya (self-study), an excellent way to gain the ability to listen and attune to the present moment. Excerpts of your journal may be namelessly shared with other trainees. Submit your journal by email on a weekly basis during the course of the training classes.

Seva

Assisting in various duties at the yoga studio helps one to see the organization exists only with each individual's participation and care. Small duties such as assisting with office duties, washing mats, or keeping the space clean is valued and appreciated by everyone who is a part of the community. This component may be waived for an additional fee of $200. You will be asked to sign-up for a seva project at the beginning of the program. Your cooperation and zen-like mind is greatly appreciated.

Feedback Form

Your feedback at the end of the course is used to improve the teachings, refine and tweak the class offerings, and is very much appreciated.

Anatomy

A total of 50 hours of yoga anatomy is required for certification including "Anatomy for Yoga Teachers " with Shanna Linn (25 hours) and "Yoga Anatomy Teacher Training " with Tias Little (25 hours). Make-up Policy: You may attend either course in the following year.

Anatomy-class fees above are discounted for teacher trainees and are not included in the program tuition. Private instruction is available with Shanna Linn for $100 per hour.

Electives

Moksha Workshops with national teachers: 25 hours are required for certification. Workshops are taught by master teachers who often have 20-30+ years of teaching experience and are invited from around the U.S. and the world.

Moksha Special Events with local teachers: 15 hours required for certification. Special events are taught by senior teachers from Chicago. Note: Workshops and special events are considered electives in the MYC Teacher Training program, and are offered to all MYC teacher trainees at 20% off. From time to time, some special events are offered at no charge.

Additional Notes

Deadline for Certification: You are given an additional 4 months, beyond the year in which the program is held, to complete all certification requirements). An extension of a second additional 4 months is possible with a written request accompanied by a payment of a $150 administrative fee, both due by the end of the first year. For those trainees not completing all requirements within 4 months from the end of the program, you may reapply and retake the course at the prevailing fees, rates, and certification requirements.  No certification will be issued after the extension.

Disclaimer: The course syllabus, class plan, steps to certification and all other written documentation are intended to be a general guideline and a broad strategy as to the planned execution of the training program. These documents are not a guarantee that all coursework, classes, or programs offered will be completed as scheduled within the year. The certification requirements, topics, programs, classes, standards, number of hours, length of classes and deadlines are subject to change, addition, deletion, rescheduling, revision, or replacement at any time at the discretion of the teacher. These requirements conform and comply with the Yoga Alliance National Teacher Training Certification Standards. By attending, completing, and/or receiving certification in this program, you will not automatically be offered a teaching position at Focus Yoga Studio, Moksha Yoga Center or any other yoga center, studio, health club, community center, or the like.