Welcome from Goswami Kriyananda

 Sri Goswami Kriyananda

      Goswami Kriyananda was the Founder and served as Spiritual Preceptor of the Temple of Kriya Yoga for many decades until his passing in 2015. He carried the flame of the Kriya Lineage through the mystical Teachings of his Guru, Sri Shelliji, who was a direct disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda.  Sri Goswami guided seekers along the path toward enlightenment for over 65 years, and continues to do so through his teachings, many of which you will study in this course. Under his guidance, the Temple of Kriya Yoga began offering yoga teacher training in the 1970s, and was the first to offer a teacher training home study course. This recording is his original welcome to students of that course, when it was introduced in the early 2000s. Please enjoy Kriyanandaji's warmth and welcome. 

​Introduction and Orientation by Kim Schwartz

In preparation for your studies, please listen to the recording by Swami Vyaktamananda (Kim Schwartz). It presents an overview of how the program is structured, orients you to our approach to Hatha Yoga, and serves as a way for Kim to introduce himself to you.

 Swami Vyaktamananda (Kim Schwartz)

How the Program is Structured

The Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Home Study program includes six major areas of study:
1. Asana Practice
2.Theory and Philosophy of Yoga
3.Teaching Skills Yoga
4.Techniques
5.Anatomy and Physiology
6.Study Questions and Assignments
Each month these six areas are organized into 12 sections.

Asana Practice

     This section is devoted to your hatha practice. Each month you will study a section of Asana Practice, which includes a complete description of the asanas with detailed photographs so that you can study them while practicing.  Your personal practice will evolve over the course of the program. We will be asking you to integrate and focus on specific asanas during each month. In addition to the Asana Practice section you will have access to recordings to support your practice. They will be guided sessions to take you step-by-step through the new asanas you will be practicing.

Theory and Philosophy

    This section is devoted to a study of the theory and underlying philosophy of the eight limbs of the classical yoga system of Patanjali and other related topics. It will be comprised of recordings, lessons, outlines, and selected reading assignments. It will cover how Hatha Yoga relates to the complete yoga system.

Teaching Skills

    This section will be devoted to developing the skills you'll need to become a successful teacher. It includes lesson planning, communication skills, different approaches for organizing and structuring classes, how to teach students on different levels, and guidelines for addressing the needs of specific student groups such as older or weaker bodies and students with physical limitations. We will also address business and financial questions, like how to find a teaching position, and how to open and expand your own center.

Techniques

    This section will share information about how to approach practicing the other limbs of yoga in addition to asana. You will be given information on techniques and methods which are closely related to hatha, such as pranayama, and meditation. The course work in this section will include selected reading assignments, recordings, and lessons.

Anatomy and Physiology
​

    For a hatha teacher the study of anatomy and physiology is essential, especially in light of the changing student population, many of whom are drawn to yoga for therapeutic relief of discomfort or physical limitation. Anatomy is the foundation upon which you will build your understanding of the mechanics of the hatha system. This section will include selected reading assignments, recordings, outlines and diagrams.

The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga

    Kriya Yoga encompasses all eight limbs of the classical yoga system as presented by Patanjali. This illustrated text by Goswami Kriyananda contains complete sections on asana, pranayama, and meditation, with detailed explanations designed to enhance your practice. This unique book contains extensive chapters on asana which are organized according to the chakric affect of each posture, offering a rare opportunity for those who wish to practice hatha on a deeper level. Reading assignments from this text will be included in each month’s learning.

Assignments

    The assignments for each month will be divided into two types. The first type, Personal Reflection Questions, are designed to enhance your involvement in the program and will be purely experiential and personal. The second set of assignments will require written responses. 

Study Questions  

    Study questions are designed to help you review and assimilate the materials you are studying. These are not tests. They are tools which can help you to build a deeper understanding of yoga and integrate it more fully into your life.

Course Material and Assignments

Here's what you can expect as you move through the Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Home Study course, along with tips for successful study.

Recordings
Each month includes three to five audio recordings: one for asana practice, at least one on theory and philosophy of yoga, and one for either teaching skills or anatomy and physiology. You can listen to the recordings while online (on your computer or on many of your devices), and also feel free to download them if you wish.

PDF Articles
Many of the teachings for the course are in PDF format. You can read the PDFs online with your computer or other device, and also feel free to download them. At the end of the course we make the PDF teachings available in compilation form, for instance one PDF containing all of the separate chapters for "Theory and Philosophy" that you have read throughout the course.

Books and Reading
The lessons will include reading assignments from the required books:
The Breathing Book by Donna Farhi Yoga,
The Iyengar Way by Silva Mehta and Mira Mehta
Human Anatomy in Full Color by John Green
The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga by Goswami Kriyananda

Outlining
To best absorb the information discussed on the recordings, we recommend outlining. You may want to listen to a  recording all the way through before beginning outlining or note taking. It's not necessary to outline the Asana and Breath Awareness recordings unless you wish to.

Journaling
 Some assignments will require that you use a journal. Journaling is a valuable method for integrating and internalizing what you learn and experience, and storing your insights for future reference. We recommend purchasing a new journal just for your reflections and thoughts on yoga and the process of becoming a teacher.

​Exams and Grading

Quarterly Exams
The monthly study questions will help you to build toward the quarterly exams, which will cover course material from all sections of the previous quarter. We will give you recommendations for reviewing the material with each exam.

Grading
Your quarterly exams are graded and you're required to score at least 80%. There are also two required certification assignments in quarter four.  We will evaluate your teaching skills at the certification retreat. You'll be required to demonstrate mastery of yoga asana and an understanding of yoga principles and practices.

Retreats

Required Retreats
    The program includes two 4-day retreats, which are required for certification. The first required retreat lays the foundation for teaching and correcting postures. The second is the certification retreat during which you'll teach a hatha class and participate in reviewing other student teachers. The required retreats are held in a serene, beautiful retreat center located in Illinois. Please note travel expenses, room and board are not included in the course tuition.

Optional Retreats
Our program is registered with the Yoga Alliance. For students interested in registering with Yoga Alliance, five retreats will accrue the required contact hours for registry.

Tuition and Communication

Tuition
 For students who submit their tuition quarterly, tuition is due two weeks prior to the beginning of each quarter. 

Communication and Support
Our teacher training program is much more than monthly lessons and retreats. We are here to support you, answer your questions, and help in any way we can. Our support won't end after your certification. Our objective is to help you take the rewarding step from student to teacher. We will be here to assist you, if we can, in getting started as a teacher, opening your own center, and continuing your education.

Feedback
​ We want this program to be as meaningful and user friendly as possible. Please send us your feedback, observations, and suggestions. All kinds of questions may come up during your studies. Feel free to contact us if and when they do.

Getting Started With Your Studies

    As you begin your studies, you may find the following exercise helpful. Choose an area where you will be doing your practices, sit down there at a quiet moment, inturn, and mentally prepare yourself for the program. Make a commitment to yourself to practice consistently throughout the course. Ask yourself what you are trying to accomplish, and set some goals. (Write them down when you come out of your meditation). This can be followed by a very short inward visualization, affirmation or meditative prayer. Write down a study schedule that you feel will fit comfortably into your life. Place it in an area where you can see it daily. Select specific times and days for asana practice. Select specific times and days for study.

Guidelines for Study and Practice

Both study and practice are required for progress. What is the value of a book that is never read, or knowledge, if never used? Following are some recommendations. Remember that different personalities require different kinds of structure. Find the rhythm and pattern that are right for you.

Study
Feel free to study at your own pace. You can complete your practice and studies at a time that will fit into your schedule. The curriculum has been designed to be covered by devoting six to eight hours a week to your studies, over and above your asana practice, for twelve months. This includes time for review, study questions, and exams. Whatever pace you choose, find a balance. Don’t get too rigid, or fall too far behind, but set a comfortable pace. The only time restraint you have is that all the lessons and assignments must be completed before the certification retreat held at the end of the program. Establish a pattern of six to eight hours per week, or whatever time you need, to cover the course work. You may want to divide these hours over a three to five day period. Always set aside time to review your lessons. Additional study is always encouraged.

Hatha Practice
In addition to your study we are asking you to commit at least 30-45 minutes a day, four days a week to your hatha practice (however, we recommend six days). Your own practice is the key to fully embodying the system that you are studying and for becoming the best teacher you can be. We cannot stress enough how important your own practice will be in gaining the greatest benefits possible from this program.

For best results:
1. We suggest practicing 30-45 minutes each day. (15 minutes is better than not practicing at all.)
2. At the beginning of each month you may need extra time for your practice as you will be reading instructions.
3. After learning the monthly asanas, try to ease into practicing each week’s assigned set within your daily asana practice Too much too soon is not yoga. Avoid the extremes and don’t over-commit yourself.  Students often jump in too quickly, overextend themselves, and as a result
​ they wind up not practicing at all.
4. Pace yourself (not only in your practice but in your everyday activities). Go at a pace that will enable you to continue practicing comfortably week after week throughout the course (and in your daily practice after the course is over).

Certification Requirements

A Teacher’s Certificate will be awarded to students who have met the following requirements:
1. Have attended two Temple of Kriya Yoga HYTT-HS required retreats.
2. Have received a minimum score of 80% on all quarterly exams.
3. Have demonstrated their proficiency in the practice of asana.
4. Have demonstrated an understanding of the underlying principles and practices of yoga.
5. Have demonstrated their ability to apply the communication skills needed to teach yoga.
6. Have demonstrated an ability to appropriately structure a yoga class and sequence asanas.
7. Have successfully completed the certification assignments included in month twelve.
                1. To outline and audio or video record an intermediate yoga class.
                2. To compile a list of guidelines for a successful home practice. Have fulfilled all tuition commitments.