Practitioner Programs

Yoga Mandir understands that yoga is learned through a practice and the Institute offers students a place to learn, study and practice yoga. Practitioner students enrol by the term and move progressively through the syllabus to gain a systematic exposure to the principles and practice of Iyengar Yoga. Students of similar levels of experience are drawn together working with one teacher throughout the term to develop a reflective practice.  

Each of the Practitioner programs noted below have three components:

  1. Yogasana coursework
  2. Pranayama coursework
  3. Led practice

1. Yogasana Coursework

Yogasana coursework is characterised by instruction and application. The syllabus guides students through Yogasana, pranayama and Yoga philosophy so that Yoga can be engaged in as a reflective practice.

2. Pranayama Coursework

Pranayama is the Yogic art of breathing. Pranayama is introduced in lying position and evolves through repetition with an emphasis on the quality and texture of the breath. This approach develops a steady mind and a capacity to direct our for attention. In a fast paced ever changing world pranayama requires that we let go of characteristics associated with 'doing' and 'achieving' to enter a state of ‘being’ described as a reflective state.

3. Led Practice

Led practice moves students from a focus on instruction to an environment where they can refine observation, develop concentration and continuity of awareness. In these sessions, the Leader calls the asana names as they do the practice with the group but there is no instruction. To enrol in a Led practice students must also be enrolled in a Yogasana course.

 

Introduction to Iyengar Yoga

Students who are new to yoga attend our Introduction to Iyengar Yoga Course. This entry level course can be attended either as a 10 week term or an Intensive week of study during term breaks. New students who have prior yoga experience often enter via Foundation Practitioner courses.

Foundation practitioner

Learning to practice yoga requires a foundation in the techniques and principles of yoga. Our Foundation Practitioner program covers 4 terms to develop an understanding of what to practice and how to practice Iyengar Yoga. Teachers guide students through the syllabus to consolidate their understanding.
New students are encouraged to enrol the Introduction to Iyengar course prior to Foundation Practitioner unless they have prior yoga experience.

Developing practitioner

Developing practitioners explore an expanded repertoire of asana (from the Foundation Program) to develop their practice as a self-study (svadhyaya). Students begin to watch sensations across a spectrum from gross to subtle as well as differentiate sensations from thoughts and emotions.

Established practitioner

A student arriving within this level has learnt to watch the rise of emotions and thoughts and recognised that emotions and thoughts give rise to ideas of ‘self’. The challenge is to examine notions of ‘self’ and attempt to alter experience by adjusting or calibrating our thoughts and emotions within practice.

Maturing practitioner

Maturing Practitioner Level is for practitioners of Yoga who have developed the skills and judgement necessary to practice.
Mature practitioners apply the Iyengar Yoga methods of technique, timing, sequencing and repetition to study consciousness (citta) within practice. Practice is understood as a quest for understanding (Vidya). Practitioners mature ethically as their dedication to practice as a contemplative science evolves

Introducing Sadhana

Introducing Sadhana aims to deliver the building blocks for a self directed practice and requires a commitment to a regular practice of between 15-30 minutes per day as well as the reading and study material provided. The program is targeted at anyone who would like to gain further understanding of the time required to complete the one year Sadhaka program or would like to explore how they may start a self directed practice of yoga. The Introducing Sadhana Program is a single term enrolment.