Question:
Hello there,
I am thinking of heading to SIVANANDA YOGA VEDANTA DHANWANTARI ASHRAM, NEYYAR DAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM INDIA in December for Teacher Traing Programme . Has anyone been throught this programme & how was it for you? Any tips ?
Thanks
Answer:
Something to keep in mind:
Sivananda yoga is a life-style yoga. Sivananda tries to work the 8 limbs of yoga in every aspect of life. This is one of the reasons some followers find it rewarding to go live in the Ashram for different periods of time.
I know several people who have done that (I'm near Yogaville) and done the Sivananda TT program, as well.
I'm not so certain this would be a program I would follow, but then I'm trained in a different lineage. That of Krishnamachyra, who fathered Iyengar, Ashtanga, Viniyoga, from which spawned things like Anusara, Power, and some other now-commonly found yoga styles. I prefer the way this tradition uses the body, vs. the Sivanada method that kind of says "just do it" and uses the lower back as a fulcrum point. For that reason, I don't recommend Sivananda's asana limb to beginners.
Now, if you're going to take this program for reasons other than teaching asana, I think it's always sounded very worthy and quite interesting. I think this depends upon your spiritual interest and just what you plant to do with the teaching certificate when you return.
It's a lot of money to invest in something that demands a lot more than most people are looking to learn these days. At least most westerners, I should say. What's drawing you to it?
