Saraswati Academy

Cultural And Spiritual Renaissance

Saraswati Academy is a registered educational society started in India in 1985 for the purpose of self development and cultural awareness, The profits from the courses goes for development in the field of health, education, sanitation and women's development for deprived tribal regions in Rajasthan.

Yoga Teacher Training Programme, India

Dec. 20th 2007 - Jan. 20th 2008, Udaipur, India . The price for the whole course is £1800. Please book early as we have limited places.

Inclusive of all except flights and insurance

This is an excellent course for people wanting to teach yoga as well as for those wanting to gain more in-depth understanding of yoga for their own personal development without wishing to be a yoga teacher.

Students come from diverse backgrounds, cultures and different yoga traditions. Students must have the ability to speak and write good English and be willing to learn and to share the knowledge they gain on the course with others as well as to continue their own life learning process.

People find our training programme a life changing experience and although the course may seem short it is extremely intense and like many things in life, which are worthwhile, you will not realize its full impact until long after the event. We help you to deepen your knowledge of yoga; from anatomy and physiology and yoga philosophy, yamas and niyamas to meditation, class sequencing and practice techniques. Over and above these, you learn to teach with confidence, awareness, clarity and sensitivity - from the heart.

If you have satisfied the examiners at the end of the course, you will receive a teaching diploma. Being affiliated with the International Association of Yoga Teachers, the certificate is recognised worldwide.

The course includes Yoga Asanas (two classes per day, one for your own personal practice and the other to learn how to teach), Meditation, Yoga Philosophy, Chanting, Anatomy and Physiology.

There is great emphasis on how to teach safely and a great amount of repetition so you fully understand the basics of teaching and to give you plenty of opportunity to ask as many questions as you need. You will also have a lot of opportunity to teach under supervision.

Teaching on the course in India are Sandeep Mehta and Jutta Mittermayer . There are renowned teachers coming as guest teachers and speakers and there will be visiting Ayurvedic doctors lecturing on anatomy and physiology, who will also be offering treatments for those who are interested. You will also learn about diet and nutrition

Click links for biographical details about teachers.

Sandeep Mehta

Jutta Mittermayer

Other teachers: Dr P Dave teaching Anatomy and Physiology, Rosaleen Bloomfield assisting and teaching personal development and guest teachers.

You will study the following on the course

  • The history of yoga
  • The eight ashtangas or limbs of yoga
  • Yoga Philosophy
  • Chakras, bandas and mudras
  • Teaching skills and techniques; class planning, sequencing, timing
  • Pranayama
  • Meditation
  • Basic Sanskrit terms and pronunciations
  • Anatomy and Physiology including common postural problems
  • Making safe and sensitive modifications and adjustments

and more...

This is an intensive course, which will give you the opportunity to live and learn yoga in a peaceful, holistic environment. There is an emphasis on being flexible and adaptable to teach the diverse range of people who come to yoga from different walks of life. The course is designed to bring about a transformation developing self confidence, self awareness and an energetic life full of awakening.

Comments from previous course participants

"yoga teacher's training with sandeep has been one of the greatest learning experiences of my life. He is an extraordinary yoga teacher, innovative, compassionate and sincere. Through sandeep i began to understand the nature and purpose of meditation and I model all my present yoga teaching after his example. Many thanks to sandeep, his family, Guruji and everyone from udaipur."
Monica Farrell ,USA

"In the most stunning place, with inspiring teachers, this course was definitely the best learning experience of my life." Jill Bannet, London

 

Programme at Tapovan Ashram, Udaipur

Tapovan Ashram: A spiritually oriented holistic health resort located in a serene, peaceful and hilly environment, in village Nayakheda, 8 miles from Udaipur. Tapovan ashram is a place of good and healthy living, uniting the trio of body, mind and spirit in a calm, pollution free environment. Here we have an ayurvedic and herbal plantation, library, room for yoga and meditation and a few basic cottages to stay. We also have a phone and, on request, massage and other ayurvedic treatments are available at very low cost. The ashram has its own cows for fresh milk and two horses for riding. There is a resident doctor of nature cure who will give free consultation on various subjects. There is easy transport to/from Udaipur

Udaipur: The city of lakes, hidden amongst the hills that encompass the great Pichola Lake -- has been called the 'Venice of the East'. Indeed, with its enchanting palaces surrounded by mirror-like lakes, undulating hills and colourful bazaars, Udaipur looks as though it has been lifted straight from the pages of an Arabian Night's fairy tale book. The hills, the lakes and the altitude give Udaipur an extremely agreeable climate. Probably no other city in Rajasthan is quite as romantic as Udaipur. A visit to Udaipur is a must for travellers who want to experience the unique and vibrant history of India.

Excursion to Mt. Abu ,staying in a luxury palace hotel, followed by a visit to Ranakpur, one of the most beautiful temple complexes, staying in a comfortable forest lodge, will make your visit supremely memorable.

Stay at Tapovan Ashram/Udaipur

  • 2 day stay in a luxury lake view hotel in Udaipur where you will do your sightseeing and shopping
  • 5 days sight seeing and yoga in world famous world heritage sights in Ranakpur( one of worlds most beautiful temple complex 90 km from Udaipur) and Kumbhalgarh fort and wild life sanctuary. Stay in a comfortable forest lodge for 2 days and practice yoga by the lake side. Three days in Mt. Abu, a beautiful hill station with ancient temples, staying in a beautiful luxurious Bikaner palace hotel.
  • Price is all inclusive of food and stay. If you want single supplement or luxury suite in excursion hotels, you pay the extras charged by the hotel.
  • Visit to our teacher, the enlightened, Guruji Mohan for healing and meditation.

How to reach Udaipur, Rajasthan: Delhi and Bombay are almost at equal distance from Udaipur. There is a direct flight from both cities to Udaipur (1 hrs flight). Please try to book local flights in advance.

There is a direct train from Delhi called the Chetak Express (not so express), which starts from Delhi, Sarai Rohilla station around 1pm and reaches Udaipur the next day at about 9 am. Go to the station a bit early and reserve a berth in the reservation compartment. Please note that they do not provide any blankets, so carry a sleeping bag with you. In the air-conditioned class, they provide blankets, but be careful with your bags and secure them to something that's immovable, with a chain and lock that you can buy at the station, when you go to sleep.

From Bombay take a train to Ahemdabad. From Ahemdabad, you can take the train or bus to Udaipur. There are many trains in the day time and the journey takes about 6-7 hours, but it is very busy. It is better to take an evening train to Udaipur around 10pm, which reaches Udaipur at 6 am. Alternatively, take a bus from Gita Mandir bus station to Udaipur. It’s 6 hours drive.

From Udaipur airport or station take a taxi to Tapovan Ashram. Call us. If possible, we will try to arrange for someone to pick you up from the train station.

What to bring:

Comfortable yoga clothes
Yoga Mat
Warm clothing as evenings and mornings are cool e.g. jumper/fleece, socks and warm jacket
sleeping bag if travelling by train.
Torch, swim wear

Make sure you obtain a valid VISA before travelling
For further information contact Sandeep by email:
sandeepinspire@yahoo.co.uk

Contact Details: For Booking in UK Contact : Rosaleen rlbloomuk@yahoo.co.uk. Phone 00 44 (0) 7768 936920/00 44 (0)20 8677 0850

Jutta Mittermayer nuad_yoga@yahoo.de

Tapovan Ashram, Village Nayakheda, Near Nai, Udaipur. Tel:0091(294) 2762248
Dr RC Mehta Managing Trustee Ph no:0091 (294) 2414738, 2410811

Sandeep Mehta, Indian residence: 0091 (294) 3209910