The 8 Limbs Summer Intensive Teacher Training was designed for students, schoolteachers, and others with a flexible schedule and/or an interest in full immersion into yoga. This training is limited to 15 participants, allowing for a more intimate and individual experience. It runs from late June to end of July every year.
“All aspects of my yoga knowledge were developed, creating a well-rounded picture of the practice and lifestyle. I also received great instruction on precise alignment of poses to facilitate variations in those who may need it as well as improvement in my own practice. Excellent cues were given for the teaching process, along with a great deal of encouragement.” – Summer 2018 Graduate
This 5-week immersion 200-hour Program includes:
Yoga Sutra 2:46: sthira-sukham asanam
“Posture (asana) [should be] stable (sthira) and comfortable (sukha)”
- Asana, Pranayama, and Restoratives (90 hours)
- Learn to practice and skillfully teach poses through greater understanding of anatomy, energetic actions and modifications
- Understand specific benefits of postures and pranayama for building a personal practice or for working with a wide range of students
- Practice modifications for injuries and/or special needs
- Adjustments and assisting to meet individual needs
- Learn contraindications for foundational poses
“If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred”.
– Walt Whitman
- Anatomy and Physiology (30 hours)
- Explore foundational concepts and terminology for the entire body
- Learn the names of common bones and muscles to support popular asanas
- Experiential classes weaving anatomical concepts and principles into poses
- Understand pathology and contraindications to keep your students safe
- Body systems – learn what the organs of the body do and how they are affected by asanas
- Energetic anatomy – nervous system to bandhas and chakras
“Teaching is not an imposition of the teacher’s will over that of the pupil, not at all. Teaching starts with freedom and ends with freedom.”
– Vanda Scaravelli
- Art of Teaching/Teaching Practice and Sequencing (20 hours)
- Dive into the 8 Limbs Teaching Template to design a diverse range of classes from Intro Series, Basics, Vinyasa Flow, to Anatomical Themed classes
- Art of Teaching classes emphasize teaching, observation and assisting principles
- Weekly practice sessions teaching in small groups or one-one-one
- Create asana sequences with Mentor feedback
- Learn inclusive language for teaching diverse groups
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self”
The Bhagavad Gita
- Philosophy, Ayurveda and Yogic Lifestyle (30 hours)
- Experience the Yoga sutras and learn how to bring them to life in your in practice, relations, and meditation practice
- Conversation on the Dharma (wisdom teachings) of the Sutras
- Introductory look at meditation and mindfulness.
- Familiarize yourself with the many traditional paths of yoga
- Learn basic Sanskrit for common poses
- How to use the chakras for personal growth and in designing asana classes
- Use the 5 Elements in Ayurveda to understand your unique constitution and create healthy routines
“True happiness is when the love that is within us finds expression in external activities.”
– Ammachi
- Tools to Thrive as a Teacher + Ethics and Diversity Training (10 hours)
- Business of yoga class to explore the many ways to make a living as a teacher and how to set up realistic goals after graduating
- How to prepare for yoga auditions and apply for teaching positions
- Participate in engaging conversations such as, Holding Inclusive Space class which explores concepts: unpacking unconscious bias, body positive and inclusive language for teachers, and making agreements for safe space
- Conversations in ethics for teachers to understand the value of boundaries, policy and personal practice
- 20 hours homework (workshop development and research paper)
- 8 Limbs Teacher Training Manual
Program Requirements
- Minimum two years yoga asana practice and 6 months personal practice at start of training
- Attendance of all training gatherings*
- Completion of required reading list and homework
- Passing grade on final exam
- Workshop Development
- Research Paper
DETAILS
The Summer Intensive will take place at our Phinney Ridge studio and involve both lecture and practice sessions. We encourage students to bring camping chairs and/or props for lectures, only limited yoga props are available at our studios for sitting. Class size is limited to 15 students for a more intimate experience.
Approximate Schedule for 2019 (includes mid-morning and lunch breaks)
- June 26 – July 31, 2019, Mondays – Fridays, 7:45am – 5:30pm*, no class July 4th
* Some days will end earlier
Instructors:
- Jonna Bracken, E-RYT 200
- Chiara Guerrieri, E-RYT 500
- Tracy Hodgeman, E-RYT 200
- Tami Hafzalla, E-RYT 500
- Douglas Ridings, E-RYT 200
- Claudette Evens, E-RYT 500
- RW Alves, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
2018 Tuition Options
Full Payment: $3,700 through May 1, $3,800 after
Installment Plan: (total $3,900)
- 1st payment of $975 due within two weeks of acceptance
- 2nd payment of $975 due June 1 *
- 3rd payment of $975 due July 1
- 4th payment of $975 due July 20
To participate in the Installment Plan you must provide a valid credit card. 8 Limbs will automatically charge your account on or near payment due dates: June 1, July 1, and July 20.
*Payments one and two will be combined should application be accepted on or after June 1. Payments will NOT be shifted ahead.
8 Limbs is committed to increasing diversity, accessibility and safety in the Pacific Northwest’s yoga community. This includes a committment to growing and nurturing a yoga teacher pool that is diverse in terms of culture, race, ethnicity, gender/sexual identification and sexual orientation. As a part of these commitments, 8 Limbs offers partial scholarships to applicants of color, people who identify as gay and/or transgender, and/or other under-represented groups. To apply for this scholarship please include a brief description of why you qualify with your application or enrollment.
Retired and active duty military personnel receive a 20% discount on Teacher Training Tuition.
Optional 8 Limbs Yoga Centers Membership for June, July & August: $200
It was a great program with fantastic instructors all the way around. I would recommend it to anyone interested in teaching or deepening their own personal practice. – Summer 2018 Graduate
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please submit two typed copies of both the following questions and your answers along with your name, address, telephone number, email, the name of the training you hope to attend (Modular or Summer Intensive) and a current photo/headshot. A $45 application fee is due with your application. Applications will be reviewed as they are received until the training is filled. All applications are strictly confidential and will be read and shared only by Teacher Training Staff Members.
- How long have you studied yoga? List styles and main teachers.
- Describe your current wellness program. Please include self-care, medical care, nutritional choices, exercise other than yoga, and therapy (optional).
- Describe your personal yoga and/or spiritual practice. Include practices of faith, rituals and traditions.
- Do you currently teach yoga? If so, how often and what level?
- Do you have experience teaching in any others field(s)? List other training or experience relevant to yoga and/or teaching.
- What motivated you to pursue studies in yoga and what keeps you motivated?
- List all injuries or illnesses and how they affect your current condition.
- List prescription medications you are taking for physical or psychological reasons.
- What do you hope to gain from this training?
Mail your application to:
8 Limbs Yoga Centers
Attention: Teacher Training
500 East Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98122
Questions? Please email teachertraining@8limbsyoga.com or call 206.325.8221.
REQUIRED READING FOR SUMMER INTENSIVE
- “Art of Sequencing – Asana Modifications, Volume 3” by Melina Meza
- “Light on Yoga” by BKS Iyengar
- “Prakriti” by Dr. Robert Svoboda
- “Teaching Yoga” by Donna Farhi
Please select one of the following Yoga Sutra translations:
- “Light on the Yoga Sutra” by BKS Iyengar (for those interested in the specific meaning of Sanskrit terms)
- “The Heart of Yoga” by TKV Desikachar (for a clear and concise translation)
- “The Path of the Yoga Sutras” by Nicolai Bachman or by “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Vivekananda (for those who want more extensive commentary)
RECOMMENDED READING FOR SUMMER INTENSIVE
- “A Physiological Handbook for Teachers of Yogasana” – Mel Robin
- “Art of Sequencing – Volume Two” by Melina Meza
- “Ayurvedic Home Remedies” by Dr. Vasant Lad
- “A Life in Balance” by Maya Tiwari
- “Atlas of Human Anatomy” by Frank Netter, MD
- “Anatomy of Movement” by Calais-Germain
- “Life is a Stretch” by Elise Browning Miller
- “The Breathing Book” by Donna Farhi
- “The Yoga Tradition” by Georg Fuerstein
- “Yoga for Wellness” by Gary Kraftsow
- “Yoga Anatomy” by Joanne Stautgaard-Jones
- “Yogabody” by Judith Lasater*
- “Yoga Body” by Mark Singleton
- “Yoga Therapy” by AG, Indra, and Ganesh Mohan
CD
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- “Relax into Greatness” by Rod Stryker
- “The Language of Yoga” by Nicolai Bachman
- “Yoga Nidra” by Richard Miller
Those accepted to the training receive a 10% discount on these books at our studios.
The 8 Limbs Mentorship Program is the next step after taking our 200-hour Training. Our newest offering gives 200-hour participants and graduates an opportunity to work with Teacher Training Instructor and experienced 8 Limbs instructors to develop confidence, fine-tune their teaching, and receive feedback.