What is the course about?

1. •This course will work with the syllabus of the British Wheel of Yoga Qualification (BWYQ) Diploma Course Level 4 (available on the BWYQ website or from the course tutor)
   

2. •The course focuses on practical teaching techniques and yoga development taught in the context of the philosophy that underpins Yoga.
   

3. •Course Aims include providing a structure to the widening of practical teaching experience and to encourage practical development for the serious student of yoga to begin to professionally share their enthusiasm and knowledge of yoga.
   

 

What level is the course?

1. •This course is a teaching qualification, to Level 4. The BWYQ Diploma Course is currently the only yoga teacher training course available at Level 4 within the National Qualification and Credit Framework. This means that the Diploma is nationally accepted in the private and public sectors and can form part of your portfolio of qualifications.
   

2. •The course is for any serious student of yoga who wishes to train to teach to high standard. The student should have attended regular classes for at the very least 2 years (ideally more) with a BWY approved teacher (or similar) and may have completed a BWY Foundation Course.
   

3. •Students should be committed enough to invest their time - approx one full Saturday (occasionally two) a month of course meetings, practicing at home, attending weekly classes and occasional seminars and workshops, and home assignments and reading, reflecting on course subject matter.
   

4. •In addition, students are expected to have an understanding of anatomy and physiology at Level 3 - this can be taken through BWY.
   

 

What will the course cover?

1. •The course is intensive. The group will meet on one full saturday and one sunday afternoon over 2.5 years. There will be 240+ contact hours plus much home study. You can expect to have completed 500 hours by the time you complete your diploma.
   

2. •Students are expected to attend their regular weekly yoga classes, mixed level or above, for the duration of the course.
   

3. •You should be teaching by the second part of the course (approx one year in) and your teaching will be assessed
   

4. •The course covers the principles of kinesiology, practical application of A&P to ensure safe teaching, sensitive and appropriate modification of postures, the business of setting up your own yoga class and encouragement to get you started, history and philosophy of yoga with reference to four key set texts, the energetic aspects of yoga - including chakras, mudras and bandhas, aspects of professional teaching including lesson planning and course planning, assessing your students, class management and the teaching of adults, the practice and teaching of pranayama and meditation. You can also expect to develop a high level of ongoing personal practice and study.
   

How is the subject matter divided up?

1. •Part 1:  Preparing to Teach Yoga
   

2. •  Unit 1: Applied anatomy and physiology and the teaching of Asana
   

3. •  Unit 2: Yoga breathing practices and relaxation
   

4. •  Unit 3: Planning for teaching and the Responsibilities of a Yoga teacher
   

5. •Part 2:  The Teaching and Philosophy of Hatha Yoga
   

6. •  Unit 4:  Planning and Delivering a Yoga Course
   

7. •  Unit 5:  Teaching Asana: observation, adjustment and protection of vulnerable areas of the body
   

8. •  Unit 6:  Hatha Yoga and Pranayama
   

9. •Part 3:  The Teaching and Philosophy of Yoga and Meditation and Progression in Yoga. 
   

10. •  Unit 7: The Teaching and Philosophy of Meditation
    

11. •  Unit 8:  Progression in Yoga
    

12. •Award: Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded a BWYQ Diploma. (80% attendance needed for each part, with active participation)
    

 

How will I be taught? How will I know I’m progressing?

1. •The theoretical parts of the course will be through lecture, discussion and student interaction. The practical elements are through tutor explanation, demonstration and student participation. Home practice and study will be expected. Set assignments will be marked. Work will be done on computer at home and submitted electronically. There will be ample opportunity for feedback, questions and discussion. Handouts etc will be provided as computer files and pdf documents.
   

2. •It is expected you will be pro-active in your learning. You will also be required to self reflect on your learning.
   

3. •Your progress will be regularly assessed and monitored by the course tutor taking into account class work and the homework where appropriate. The tutor will record your progress and provide formal and informal regular feedback throughout the course. The BWY provide assessment forms to be completed at the beginning and the end of the course units.
   

4. •The course will be monitored by an Internal Verifier.
   

 

What are the course costs?

1. •A detailed breakdown of costs is available on request.
   

2. •The course is training to a high standard. The fee is £3400 (after the initial deposit the fee can be paid in instalments). This fee includes all tuition (including guest tutors), class observation fees and hall hire.
   

3. •You will also need to join the British Wheel of Yoga as a trainee teacher (currently £60), and pay BWY and BWYQ registration fees (£150 and £175).
   

4. •You will need to buy text books from the reading list.
   

 

When and where is the course?

1. •Saturdays 9.30am to 5pm once (occasionally twice) a month for 2.8 years (no meeting in August) at Friend’s meeting House in Ealing Broadway, London W5. This is easily accessible by road (M40 and M4) or by public transport from Central London. Dates will be detailed soon. Note: Occasionally it may be necessary to alter dates - if this occurs as much notice as possible will be given.
   

2. •Dates 2013: 6/4, 18/5, 29/6, 6/7, 28/9 26/10, 2/11, 23/11 and 21/12.    2014: 25/1, 22/2, 22/3, 5/4, 10/5, 7/6, 5/7, 13/9, 4/10, 1/11, 6/12.   2015: 31/1, 7/2, 7/3, 25/4, 9/5, 6/6, 4/7. + 4 dates tbc. (Note: Dates may begin from May 2013 if not not enough applicants have registered by April.)
   

How do I apply? What happens next?

1. •If you are interested (and have 2+ years or more class experience and have completed a Foundation Course), please check you can commit; talk it through with your partner or family and ensure they are happy for you to invest this time on weekends, then complete and submit the application form: Bodhi Yoga-Application-Form.doc. Include full contact details (full name, address, contact phone numbers and email address) and return it to me (by email or post) as soon as possible.
   

2. •If you are successful with your application form, I’ll let you know by email or letter. You will then be invited to two induction days. These are to ensure you are aware of the work required for the diploma, and that you can ask any questions about the course, or discuss any learning requirements you have. There will be some paperwork to complete and a small amount of homework/preparatory work. After the induction days you will be informed whether or not you have a place on the diploma course. All this will be detailed on the correspondence, along with venue directions, reading list, payment plan and any other pre-course information you may need.