Mindful Sadhana and Self-Development
( Online Course )
A 100-hours ONLINE certificate course, geared for European/UK and Indian students with Nirmala Chaitanya
Learn to more deeply integrate philosophy and self-reflection in your yoga practice.
The course is divided into three separate 6-day Modules, Mondays to Saturdays where the practice and philosophy are explored at different levels.
- Module 1: Physical – Next dates : To be announced
- Module 2: Energetic – Next dates : To be announced
- Module 3: Subtle – November 8 to 13, 2021
Note:
The course modules may be attended separately without attending the previous one, however all three modules must be completed to obtain a certificate.
An intensive 3-week course inviting you to go further and to go deeper in your practise by paying more attention.
- How to understand yourself better through your practice.
- How to develop a consistent practice of yoga at home.
- How to integrate the philosophy of yoga and Vedanta into your practice and life.
- How to understand the more subtle effects of hatha yoga on the body and mind.
- 400 USD per module or 1,000 USD for all 3
- for students outside India
- 7,500 INR per module or 18,000 INR for all 3
- for Indian students, resident in India
Is my yoga practice working? Where am I in the practice?
New yoga practitioners often focus their attention on teaching yoga, before they have had a chance to fully develop their own sadhana, or spiritual practice. To practice authentically requires time, patience, and self-observation. On the other hand, self-observation does make one a better yoga teacher.
What motivates me? What are my fears?
Where am I holding back in life? What do I really want?
In this course we will focus on developing the practice, learning how to gauge the effects of the practice, to better understand the practice, and to use the practices effectively to turn the focus deeply inside. Ultimately, we will use the practices and philosophy to understand ourselves better, at the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.
The course incorporates:
- Asana: Practice of asanas & variations; study of symbolism of hatha yoga
- Pranayama: Steady progression of pranayama practice for stress relief, health and mental balance
- Meditation: Meditation instruction and guidance, talks
- Hatha & Raja Yoga Workshops: Deep understanding of the effect of the practices on the physical, energetic, and subtle bodies.
- Swadhyaya/Self-Study: Daily self-reflection through study of Vedanta philosophy, and positive thinking
- Creative Writing Exercises: Designed to make connections between the thoughts and the practices, discover the nature and quality of the thoughts, and to better understand what we want
Who is it for?
- Intermediate level students or yoga teachers wishing to deepen their understanding
Prerequisites:
- Beginners Level 1 and/or at least 6 months of regular yoga practice, OR 2-week Yoga Vacation at one of our ashrams, OR Yoga Teachers’ Training Course (TTC) in any tradition
- Sincere interest in learning and willing to commit to the entire course schedule
Schedule
| Activity | Duration (in minutes) |
Indian Time (IST) |
UK Time (BST)* |
Europe Time (CEST)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positive Thinking & Writing | 90 mins | 10.00 – 11.30 | 05.30 – 07.00 | 06.30 – 08.00 |
| Break | ||||
| Workshop / Lecture | 120 mins | 12.30 – 14.30 | 08.00 – 10.00 | 09.00 – 11.00 |
| Optional Time with teacher | 30 mins | 14.30 – 15.30 | 10.00 – 11.00 | 11.00 – 12.00 |
| Break | ||||
| Asana Practice – Variations | 60 mins | 17.30 – 18.30 | 13.00 – 14.00 | 14.00 – 15.00 |
| Pranayama | 30 mins | 18.30 – 19.00 | 14.00 – 14.30 | 15.00 – 15.30 |
| Meditation | 30 mins | 19.00 – 19.30 | 14.30 – 15.00 | 15.30 – 16.00 |
| Asana Practice – Meditative | 60 mins | 19.30 – 20.30 | 15.00 – 16.00 | 16.00 – 17.00 |
Timings given are in:
BST (British Summer Time, GMT +1)*
CEST (Central European Summer Time, GMT +2)*
IST (Indian Standard Time, GMT +5:30)
*These times change after October 31, 2021
Please note that the schedule has been developed with suitable timings for both Europe/UK and India. The classes in bold MUST be attended by all students. Additionally, each student must complete either the Asana Practice with Variations or the Meditative Asana Practice each day. Attendance will be taken in all sessions and students must be in attendance for a minimum of 100 hours over the 3-week period to qualify for a certificate.
Total = 5.5 hours daily minimum (+ .5 hours optional time with teacher, to ask questions or discuss personal practice. Optional time with teacher must be attended at least once per module to complete hours for certificate.)
Daily Components:
- Pranayama Practice .5 hours
- Meditation Instruction & Practice .5 hours
- Workshops/Lectures 2 hours
- Topics include:
- 3 Bodies: Anatomy, Chakras, Karma & Reincarnation
- Raja Yoga, Meditation, Hatha Yoga, Pranayama
- Symbolism of the Hatha Yoga Pratices
- Sanskrit & Chanting (Shanti Mantras & Guru prayers)
- Vedanta (Study of Sadhana Chatushtaya: Viveka, Vairagya, Shad Sampat, Mumukshutva)
- Topics include:
- Positive Thinking & Creative Writing 1.5 hours
- Encourage daily reflection, writing exercises, and journaling in order to understand what I want and how I feel; based around Vedanta philosophy and themes in Sadhana Chatushtaya
- Asana Practice 1 hour minimum to 2 hours maximum
- Optional Time with teacher (to discuss concerns, questions, additional coaching) .5 hours
Certificate of Completion:
- Yes, sent electronically. Attendance at a minimum of 100 hours over 3 weeks (or roughly 5.5 hours daily) is required in order to receive a certificate
Course fees
- 400 USD per module or 1,000 USD for all 3
- for students outside India
- 7,500 INR per module or 18,000 INR for all 3
- for Indian students, resident in India
Testimonials
I enrolled for this program to deepen my personal practise and more importantly to get a holistic understanding and perspective of what sadhana really is. I would say the week long module has given me just that and more! It has been a very enriching experience where I learnt about not just the physical practise but also the symbolism behind it, how to make my own practise meditative and also how to slowly approach certain asanas step by step with kindness and focus. I am looking forward to the second and third module and surely feel inspired to continue my sadhana with a renewed perspective and dedication. Thanks to Nirmala Ji and the team for putting together this wonderful program.
– Radhika, India
The creative writing is amazing. You discover so much about yourself in unexpected ways! I also enjoyed the preparation and detailed step by step instructions of difficult postures like the scorpion which I did not really dare doing on my own. I thoroughly appreciated going deeper into some theoretical aspects like the mind as well as links and references provided to complement the teaching.
The course is well balanced and the time schedule well thought of. The 3 hour break allows me to take care of what I need to do in daily life. It is great that practitioners from different time zones can practice together and exchange. – Adeline, France
This course has come exactly at the point that I needed in order to bring myself back into a fuller union. It’s so often like that, isn’t it! Always in fact 🙂 Thank you for your care in guiding us so patiently and beautifully to our own next level. – Sarada, UK
I am grateful to Sivananda Ashram & teachers for coming up with this beautiful course ” Mindful Sadhana & Self-Development”. Especially at this time when many of us are unable to visit ashram or our practice & sadhana is disturbed due to any reason, we can access the teaching while sitting home. – Smriti, India