THE GODS OF YOGA

DELVE INTO the ORIGINS OF YOGA

through History & Mythology

6 Days of Total Immersion in Yogic Culture

Deepen your yoga teachings by learning to share the authentic Hindu origins of Yoga in a way that resonates with students of all backgrounds

If you’re a yoga teacher who uses the Sanskrit names of asana, are you aware that you’re often speaking the names of the Gods?

By delving deeply into the mythology behind the asana names, we are able to feel the energetic effects intended by the poses. Knowing the “Ramayana” and the story of the monkey-faced god Hanuman, for example, allows us to embody the qualities of trust, sacrifice, and loyalty that Hanuman felt when he took a split-legged leap of faith across the ocean for his Lord. You’ll never call “hanumanasana” simply “monkey pose” again, and your students will be spellbound by your stories.

If you’ve ever felt that your knowledge of the origins of yoga is lacking–if you want to avoid cultural appropriation by better respecting and appreciating the roots of the practice–then join Yogatrotter for this incredible journey to the source of yoga.

Yoga is intended for all, regardless of religious or cultural background, and learning its roots helps us to connect with the practice in a more authentic way, no matter your belief system. During this training, we’ll visit temples, share the mythology stories, and learn the mantras of the deities for whom the poses are named. We’ll also explore Balinese culture by learning about flower offerings and practicing traditional dance with a Balinese holy woman.

For yoga teachers, this training counts for 50 continuing education hours with the Yoga Alliance.

Discover the Deities : What You’ll Learn

Bali, the “Island of the Gods,” has an inherent spiritual energy so strong that it is considered one of the most powerful places in the world to practice yoga and meditation. Drawn by this energy, thousands of yoga-searchers each year travel to the island, but very few make the connection between the living, breathing spirituality of the local Hindu religion and the roots of our yoga practice. This training bridges that gap, so that you can experience the magic of Bali and apply it to your Yoga.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE ASANA

• We’ll have daily lessons about the gods and goddesses that inspired many of the traditional hatha asana, including the trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva), their goddess counterparts (Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati) and all their many incarnations, as well as the ancient Vedic deities and the specific Balinese deities.
• We’ll visit a Balinese temple to receive blessings from a Balinese healer and see a kacek fire dance, re-enacting a classic Hindu story.
• We’ll practice yoga, pranayama, and meditation twice daily, weaving the stories of the asana into the practice so you can learn how to share the stories with your own yoga students.

THE MEANING OF MANTRA

• Our hostess, a Balinese holy woman, performs an Agni Hotra fire ceremony every single morning by chanting and making offerings to the gods. We’ll learn the meaning of the mantras, and on the final day, we’ll join her in the ceremony.
• We’ll sing kirtan with an incredibly talented Indonesian bhakti yogini.
• As we learn about the gods, we will also learn the mantras used to evoke their characteristics. The Sanskrit will feel attainable and understandable to you as a teacher when we delve more deeply into the meaning.

BALINESE CULTURE & CEREMONY

• Bali is called the Island of the Gods. Legend has it that the first settlers in Bali found the island inhospitable, because the spirit presence was so powerful here. They eventually discovered that making offerings of flowers, fire (incense), water, and grains allowed the spirits to be appeased, and the people to live in peace. These offerings are called canang sari, and we’ll learn how to make them.
• We’ll also participate in a Balinese dance and traditional music class, to better acquaint ourselves with the creative tools that the Balinese people use to connect more closely with the deities at the heart of our Yoga practice.

Arm Balances & Advanced Asana

• Many of the advanced arm balances are named after Hindu rishis, sages, or gods. During the training, we’ll learn these stories, and then have a hand-balancing workshop to build up our strength in the poses.
• We’ll be practicing yoga asana twice a day, exploring how the morals of the mythology stories can be felt within the poses. An intermediate to advanced asana practice is recommended.
• This training is intended for qualified yoga teachers, and 50 continuing education hours will be achieved. However, those with advanced practices who are not yoga teachers are also welcome to join.

Our Sacred Space : What We Provide

COURSE MATERIALS

• Before the course, you’ll receive a .pdf version of the course manual. Physical copies can also be ordered free of charge.
• We’ll also inform you of optional pre-reading that can be done to prepare you for the experience.

SACRED TEACHINGS

• Your lead teacher, Megan, has taught over 600 yoga-teacher-trainees on their journey to becoming teachers. She has lived in Bali for two and a half years.
• You will also be guided by a number of Balinese spiritual teachers, kirtan singers, and asana instructors throughout the course to fully integrate the teachings with the local culture.

HOUSING & FOOD OPTIONS

• We offer flexible options for food and accommodation to suit your needs and budget, from the all-inclusive package in luxury private room, to a shared room with one other student, still all-inclusive with 3 daily meals provided. We never want money to be a barrier to this profound experience for those who truly desire it, so if you are in need of extra assistance, please reach out via email to megan@yogatrotter.com.

SIDEMEN, Bali : The Location

About Your Host

I’m Megan, the founder of Yogatrotter and your host on this teacher training. Originally from the northeast United States, I have lived in Bali for three years, teaching at a large Yoga Teacher Training Institute, where I’ve guided more than 600 trainees on their path to becoming a yoga teacher. Before coming to Bali, I spent three years teaching yoga and studying Buddhist meditation in central Japan, and my joy comes from sharing stories from the Buddhist and Hindu traditions in my yoga classes.

ABOUT THE YOGA TRADITION

The Yoga you’ll be practicing will stay as close to the source of Yoga’s 8-limbs (as defined by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) and the hatha/vinyasa tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya as possible. This means that classes will go much deeper than just the asana poses. Our focus is on “chitta vritti nirodha,” the quieting of the mind’s fluctuations, to allow you to find deep and lasting peace within yourself.

As a 500+ RYT and YACEP in traditional hatha yoga, I’m thrilled to be able to offer this training as continuing education through the Yoga Alliance, so that more yoga teachers can go on to share the Hindu mythology behind the naming of our yoga poses. We’ll explore ways in which the tradition of meditation and the Hindu history of yoga is alive and well in Bali, reflected in the architecture of the temples and the actions of the people, and resonating from the very land itself.

PRICING OPTIONS

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