Clare Island, County Mayo, Ireland

200hr yoga teacher training

Finding one's true teaching voice is an ever-evolving journey. That authentic voice originates from our relationship to our practice. The more we explore our practice, both on and off the mat, with curiosity and kindness, the more confident and grounded we become. The question: 'What is it that I can teach?' becomes enticing rather than intimidating. It is in the questioning that we can harvest the fruit of our practice.

SATIYOGA TEACHER TRAINING

‘The practice of yoga is the commitment to become established

in the state of freedom’

Yoga Sutra of Patanjali 1:13

DatesThe Satiyoga Training programme is taught over a full year. It involves three 8-10 day residential modules of 27 days in total and nine online modules.For dates please see our website.

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Satiyoga is a contemporary and transformative approach to yoga that integrates mindfulness, asana, pranayama and meditation. It also involves an ethical practice derived from a secular understanding of key elements of classical yoga and early Buddhism.

Satiyoga speaks directly to the world in which we live, a world that has become ever more disconnected and imbalanced. It is an approach which, at its core is based on personal practice which is ever evolving. As such, our practice extends beyond the boundaries of our mats, providing us with the means by which we can creatively engage with both our inner and outer worlds. We learn to (re)balance, to (re)connect, to be fully present to experience with an open heart.

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THE SATIYOGA TEACHING JOURNEYThe 250 hour Satiyoga Teacher Training aims to give students a solid base from which teaching a balanced and integrated approach to yoga can develop organically. Limited to only 12 students with three teachers, the training offers highly individualised learning and practice teaching opportunities. The learning that takes place during the intensive residential modules is highly experiential with theoretical inputs through talks and presentations. The online modules will be mostly theoretical, with student participation strongly supported.

We believe that training a teacher is not only about perfecting skills and techniques. Learning how to teach and actually teaching is an ever evolving process, not a result attained after a prescribed period of time. Through the practice of mindfulness (sati), inquiry and self-study (svadhyaya), truthfulness (satya), non-harming (ahimsa) and kindness (metta) we learn to creatively engage with our practice and experience. Thus, our practice establishes the foundation of our teaching - as our practice deepens, so does our confidence in teaching.

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TEACHING PRACTICEDuring the first residential module, the emphasis will be on deepening and inquiring into personal practice. From the the second residential module, the focus will move into teaching practice as we explore teaching methods/approaches/techniques in various formats.

Teaching practice will explore:• the fundamental positions of the body (including standing, sitting,

reclining) as well as key 'families' of hatha yoga postures• the relationship of breath to asana • essential pranayama practices• instructions for finding balance and ease in meditation postures• a number of key guided meditations

As the Satiyoga approach emphasises the importance of one's practice as the foundation for further inquiry, the training programme will enable teacher trainees to find ways to empower their students to develop their own practice. We will explore ways of creating the conditions within the classroom setting which facillitate this participative approach to learning.

Additional topics to be explored will include: • the teaching voice • importance of touch• sequencing with asana, breathwork and meditation. • finding balance between practices and concepts• making the breath and breathing a focal point of our teaching• making philosophical and ethical concepts relevant to our students• applying anatomical and physiological knowledge so that we can

teach safely• modifications for asana and breath work practices• learning how to bring one's practice 'off the mat'

The training will offer opportunities for teaching practice one-to-one, in small groups and with the whole group. During the last session, therewill be opportunities for teaching to a wider student base with thevolunteers on the farm taking part. 10

ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGYFar from being a stand alone subject, the anatomy and physiology components relate directly to the various practices of Satiyoga, as well as providing important tools which will enable you to teach safely and with confidence.

Through understanding the beauty and intelligence of our body's anatomy and function we can free ourselves from limiting beliefs about how our bodies works, and in so doing, fundamentally change the way we perceive and utilise our physical body in connection with gravity.

Anatomy can sometimes be a challenging topic, however Kerry is known for her ability to communicate tough concepts with clarity and lightness. Her teaching during the residential module will be theoretical, practical and experiential in style and utilise the most current scientific anatomical and movement based research.

Over the course of the programme we will explore:

• Practical functional anatomy & physiology• Fundamental movement principles & biomechanics• How the Tensegrity Model relates to the human body• Inter-related connectedness of the fasica, muscles, bones, tendons &

ligaments• Integrating the anatomical structures you learn about into your own

practice through specific anatomy based asana classes• Physical tightness, resistance and strains, identifying the responsible

structures• Basic concepts of injury prevention/ management• Inter-relationship between each system of the body• Homeostasis and how it achieves dynamic balance within the body

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COURSE STRUCTURE

The Satiyoga Training programme is taught over a full year. It involves three residential modules of 27 days in total and nine online modules.

We aim to strike the right balance between intensity and continuity: the intensity of the residential module allows for the possibility of moving deeper into practice with a clear focus. Many students find that they make considerable progress during these periods. On the other hand, the online modules which take place between the residential modules, allow for continuity of study and cumulative understanding over the course of the programme. They allow us to focus on essential theoretical aspects of the training and provide touchstones for the student's developing self-practice.

Residential ModulesDuring the three intensive residential modules of 7-10 days, we will explore the four foundations of Satiyoga Training: ethics, posture work, breath work, meditation. The teaching will be mostly experiential, though there will also be talks, discussions and Q&A's to tease out relevant concepts and ideas.

To support your learning there will be time allotted for personal practice as well as periods of silence. Some exercises will be solitary, eg. mindfulness exercises in nature and during karma yoga periods allowing you to integrate, explore and deepen the techniques covered in class and bring them into the world. Teaching practice will take place during the second and third residential modules.

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Online modulesOnline modules will take place during the months when we aren't physically meeting at Macalla Farm. These modules allow us to explore the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of classical yoga, early Buddhist teachings, anatomy and other related topics. Regular online meetings (through video conferencing) will support your on-going practice as well as providing opportunities for questions, clarifications, observations of your own self-study. Most importantly, the online modules will allow all of us, teachers and students alike, to stay connected with each other and with the curriculum.

Online discussion topics will include:• Mindfulness• Ethics in classical yoga and early Buddhist teachings• Study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali• Anatomy• Study of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika• The Brahma Viharas with particular focus on Metta Bhavana• Ayurveda

In preparation for the online group meeting, there will be reading and written assignments. These meetings will sometimes involve a short presentation by one of the teachers followed by discussion and Q&A with the whole group.

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Course workBetween the second and third residential modules students will be asked to choose a related topic to research and explore more thoroughly. They will present this project during the last residential module.

We asks that students keep a diary to chart the evolution of their own practice and teacher training journey.

Individual MentoringDuring both the residential study modules and the periods in between, individual mentoring sessions are available to all students. You can meet with us, face-to-face or online, to discuss any topic or issue that might have arisen. The one-to-one mentoring provides an important support as you progress through the training programme.

Assessment for certificationCompletion of the programme is based on continual assessment of all course work, teaching practice and written assignments by the teachers as well as full participation in the programme.

Upon successful completion of the three residential and online modules, students can apply for certification with the Independent Yoga Network.

TYPICAL SCHEDULETYPICAL SCHEDULE

7.30 - 8.00 Meditation

8.00 - 10.30 Session 1

10.30 Brunch, followed by

karma yoga

12.00 - 14.00 Session 2

14.00 - 15.30 Free time

15.30 - 17.30 Session 3

17.30 Dinner

19.00 - 20.00 Session 4 or free time

20.00 - 20.30 Meditation13

Ciara Cullen Macalla Farm co-founder, has been practising yoga since 1995 and has been teaching since 1999. She has completed more than 1000 hours of training in yoga and has taught more than 5000 hours.

Ciara practiced ashtanga vinyasa yoga for over fifteen years studying with a number of leading international teachers. She was also influenced by the Atma Vikasa style of Acharaya Venkatesh (from Mysore, India).

Since 2005 her practice has evolved into a mindful integration of asana, breath work and meditation. She is inspired in her studies by her teacher, Rossella Baroncini, who was a long term student of Vanda Scaravelli. In turn, as her meditation practice became more embodied, she began to explore secular mindfulness. In 2014 she completed a mindfulness teacher training course with Martin Aylward and Mark Coleman of the Mindfulness Institute (UK and US). Recently Ciara has found her ‘home’ in Secular Dharma, a contemporary approach to early Buddhism with its emphasis on ethics and practice, completing a two year intensive course in 2017 with Stephen Batchelor and Bodhi College.

TEACHER BIOGRAPHIESChristophe Mouze has studied and practiced yoga since 1994. He originally trained as an Iyengar teacher (introductory certificate obtained in 1998), but his practice and teaching have since been influenced by a number of other yoga styles, particularly ashtanga vinyasa and the Atma Vikasa style of Acharaya Venkatesh (from Mysore, India), who was his main teacher for a number of years.

Pranayama has also been an important part of his practice and teaching from early on. He currently runs workshops in pranayama for the Irish Yoga Association, as part of their Teacher's Continuous Professional Development Training.

More recently, his quest for a more balanced practice led him to study the teachings and practices of Buddhism, which he found to complement and enrich his hatha yoga practice. He practices meditation daily and attends retreats in various Buddhist traditions. Christophe is co-founder of Macalla Farm (Clare Island Retreat Centre) established in 2001. He is certified by the Independent Yoga Network as a senior (1000 hours) teacher and has taught more than 5000 hours.

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Kerry Maguire is an experienced structural and cranial osteopath, and yoga teacher who has worked across the UK, Florence (Italy) and in East Clare, Ireland for the last 10 years.

Her interest in the human body and movement patterns began during her former career as a professional classical dancer. This soon lead to her full time study of yoga, bio-mechanics and osteopathy. It was working under Rossella Baroncini (student of Vanda Scaravelli) that revolutionised her perception of movement and spinal release, whilst the study of osteopathy and human dissection at King’s College London and manually working with patients has informed her understanding of body anatomy.

Currently, she manages and is the lead osteopath at The Good Health Centre, Ireland, conducts research into chronic fatigue syndrome for the NHS UK and is studying a Masters equivalent Paediatrics in Osteopathy,. She enjoys lecturing in anatomy and gives workshops across Europe to athletes, yoga teachers, pilates instructors, and dancers.

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Prerequisites: This training programme is designed for those who have a strong commitment to broaden and deepen their yoga practice. We advise that you have at least two years of involvement in yoga, and astablished, regular personal yoga practice (of any style) and meditation practice (a home practice outside of a formal class). Experience with mindfulness practice is an advantage, ie, having completed an MBSR (or equivalent) course but is not necessary. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Commitments: The training programme requires attendance on all three residential modules totalling 27 days over 13 months, participation in 9 online monthly modules as well as a commitment to a daily practice of yoga and seated meditation. Regular homework assignments in both the Buddhist and yogic traditions, which include readings, recorded dharma talks, practices, and suggestions for journaling and reflection. For home yoga practice and study time, you should “budget” 8 to 10 hours per week during the periods between residential meetings.

How to applyTo apply for the Satiyoga Teacher Training course fill out the application form on the Macalla Farm website. Upon receipt of your application form, we will arrange an interview by phone or video-conference. We will get in touch within a week of the interview to let you know if your application is accepted. If it is, a non-refundable deposit is necessary to secure your place. Please see our website for up-to-date fee information.

Please note that you are not booked on the course until payment of the deposit has been received. Travel arrangements should only be made when you have received confirmation in writing that you have a place on the course. We reserve the right to re-allocate places if no deposit has been received after two weeks of notification that the application was successful.

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Cost and payment scheduleFor costs please see our website. A limited number of discounted places are available on each course. Please contact us to discuss a payment plan that will suit your situation.

Cost includes: all teaching and mentoring over the three residential modules of 27 days and nine online sessions, all food and accommodation during residential modules, ferry to and from the island.Cost does not include: travel to and from Roonagh pier, study books and other materials required for the training.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Macalla Farm, Ballytoughey, Clare Islandnear Westport, Co Mayo,F28 TR96, Ireland

Email:ciara@macallafarm.ie

Phone:(00353)872504845 (Ciara)(00353)872621832 (Christophe)

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www.macallafarm.ie19