Vajrayoga 300hr Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification: Module 1 Immersion

Vajra Yoga explores the philosophical and experiential interface between Hatha Yoga and Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Vajra Yoga traditions. If you are looking for a Yoga Teacher Training course that brings in yoga and the meditative sciences from both traditions, this is the course. The journey is deeply educational and spiritually transformational while giving you the practical skills to support other students on their path.

Working with Vajrayana practices and Hatha yoga, we are supporting His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 4th aim in life: to bring back the Indian Inner Sciences, “Adhyatma Vidya” and the teachings of yoga and Buddhism back to India to support human beings’ inner awakening for happiness and freedom.

This course is a deeply contemplative and embodied investigation into the yogas of Vajrayana and Hatha Yoga practices with Michele Loew in person, and online livestreams and recordings with guest teachers, including Richard Freeman, Dr. Nida Chenagtsang, Mary Taylor, John Campbell and Professor Emeritus, Padma Shri Robert “Tenzin” Thurman. Tenzin Bob has curated this course and recorded extensive teachings for our students to study. He will be making guest appearances and hosting Q&As during the course to clarify teachings.

The 300 hr course will run from October 22, 2022 – May 2023. Students can take the course entirely online, but attending the in-person course immersion events is highly recommended if your intention is to teach yoga or gather assistance in your personal practice.

OCTOBER 20- 26 IN-PERSON RETREAT/ What to Expect

• Morning Meditation
• Yoga Asana Practice: Emphasis Suryanamaskar/Standing Poses / Forward Folds/ Twists
• Tibetan NeJang Yoga Daily practice and Theory.
• Purification practices & Ngondro, prostrations and sadhana.
• Study & Contemplation of Philosophies of Yoga, Dualist and Non-Dualist. *Yoga Sutras of Patanjali & Sutrayana Teachings of the Buddha. We will study The Yoga Sutras translation by P.P. Gohkale.
• Yoga Nidra & Restorative Yogas
• Teaching Methodology & Practice.

To register for the in-person retreat, use this link!

Schedule

Saturday, October 22

• 3 – 6 pm Arrival & Check-in
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 pm Welcome & teaching with Michele Loew & Guest Tenzin Bob Thurman.

Sunday, October 23 – Tuesday, October 27

• 7 – 8 am Meditation & Nejang Practice
• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 10 am – 12:30 pm Asana Training
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:30 – 3pm- Free Time for Relaxation, Self- Study, or spa healing.
• 3 – 6 pm Teaching of Asana Technique/ Teaching Methodology & Philosophy/ Chanting.
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30-8:30pm Yoga Nidra/ Yin/ Restorative Yogas.

Friday, October 28

• 7 – 11 am Check-out of Rooms
• 9 – 10 am Breakfast
• 10 am – 12:30 pm Closing Practice
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note that the schedule is subject to change.

The 300 HR course includes study and contemplation of traditional texts and practices from Indian and Tibetan traditions, including but not limited to:

• The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali and selected Pali Suttas, such
  as the Samaññaphala. Dr. Thurman will teach from the
  excellent Yoga Sutras translation by P.P. Gokhale
  supporting the connection between Buddhism and classical
  yoga.
• The Mahasatipatthana, and the Aggañña Suttas
• The Yoga Vasishta and the Vimalakirti and Flower Ornament Sutras
• The Bhagavad Gita and the Lalitavistara Sutra
• Shankaracharya’s Yogataravali and Shantideva’s Bodhisattvas Career
• The Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Mañjushri-nama-samgiti
• The Tibetan Book of the Dead
• Various works by Jey Tsong Khapa and the Dalai Lama on Deity Yoga and on the Inner Science of the Esoteric Community and the Kalachakra

COURSE FORMAT

This Teacher Training program has over 300 hrs of teachings divided into 3 sections, combining two 7-day retreat intensives and 6 months of self-study, online material, complete with regular live-stream asana practices and live-stream Q&As with the teachers.

FALL 7 DAY INTENSIVE & LIVESTREAMS/ SELF-STUDY OCT.

13-DECEMBER 2022: Foundations in Mind and Body Yogic Practice. Sutrayana teachings of the Buddha.

• Yoga Asana: Standing Poses / Core / Forward Folds
• Tibetan NeJang Yoga
• Introducing the Philosophies of Yoga, Dualist and Non-Dualist

WINTER LIVESTREAMS & SELF-STUDY JANUARY 15- MARCH 2023:

• The Bhagavad Gita
• Mahayana teachings, compassion, Bodhicitta, Shantideva.
• Mantras
• Basic Pranayama
• Yoga Asana: Mirroring Subtle Body Fluency
• Back Bends, Hip Joint
• Introduction to Tantric Trulkhor Yogas & The Vajra Body

SPRING 7 DAY INTENSIVE, LIVESTREAMS & SELF-STUDY APRIL-MAY 2023: Expansion into the Perfect Stages

• Moving Inner Energies within the Subtle Body
• Inner Fire, Tummo introduced.
• Pranayama Practices Deepened
• Yoga Asana: Inversions, Shoulders / Head / Neck
• Kalachakra Yoga introduced.

TUITION

• Option 1: $3800 Tuition for all 3 sections of the course. Tuition including both 7-day retreats in Fall and Spring. Room and Board at Menla separate for students attending in-person modules. (Payment plan available)
• Option 2: $1400 – Students wanting to attend the in-person modules without the rest of the course may do so for $1400 tuition each.
• Option 3: $2500 – Online Pre-Recorded & Livestream course only