Everyone is a teacher at heart. Each of us has lived through trials and tribulations, experienced an incredible depth of emotion, had successes and losses, and has learned and grown through all of it. We all have wisdom to share, guidance to offer, and passion in our hearts.
This intensive training program is an incredible experience for students who want to dig deep into their practices, as well as for those whose journey is to become powerful teachers and leaders.
We believe teachers are people who see possibilities and potential, and who choose to courageously step forward to offer guidance, wisdom, and encouragement. Extraordinary teachers see that possibility and potential within themselves, and are constantly digging deep, doing the work to heal and grow, and are eager to share the journey with others.
A teacher training shouldn’t just be a set of information, some application of that information, and a number of hours to log; a teacher training should be a rite of passage. This is what we are passionate about, and what we strive to create for our participants.
Our format for facilitating transformation and empowering extraordinary teachers:
Intensive Format
Breakthroughs don’t happen during moments of ease, comfort and convenience; they happen when you test your limits of physical and mental focus. Our training is specifically designed to show you how strong, resilient, powerful, and capable you are. When you discover that within yourself, you begin to see it in others; when you exceed your own expectations, you are empowered to teach others to exceed theirs.
Targeted Anatomy & Hands-On Training
All anatomy and bio-mechanics taught in Odyssey training programs is focused for yogis. It is our priority to educate and empower our participants to leave the training confident teachers, and a big part of that is teach usable and relatable knowledge. We will accomplish this through yoga-specific book work, demonstrations, organic and spontaneous Q&A discussions, and extensive hands-on assisting (both giving and receiving). This format will yield immediate results to your personal practice, and will transform how you see your students.
Mentorship DURING Training
After completing the 4 Teaching Intensive Weekends in the style of their choosing, participants will begin a mentorship journey that is unique to Odyssey. We have regular community classes for our training students to teach, and training faculty members will practice with them and give valuable feedback and coaching. Participants can also request to assist training faculty members, in which they will receive coaching, feedback, and incredible teaching insight.
Weeklong Immersion – off-campus
The cornerstone of Odyssey Yoga’s teaching program is the Weeklong Immersion. This is your opportunity to join fellow teachers-in-training, who are on the same journey as you, and leave the distractions of everyday life behind to truly immerse in the process. Together we will practice powerful classes 2-3 each day; engage in philosophical discussions about lessons drawn from the Yoga Sutra; unravel the mysteries of chakras (energy centers), nadis (energy channels), and prana (life force) in our bodies; cultivate daily practice of meditation, pranayama (breath control), and bandhas (energy locks); and we will dig deep within ourselves with self-inquiry and group exercises that will empower each of us to be open, connected, and authentic.
You will not find another program like this. We have meticulously crafted Odyssey’s teacher training program to balance the importance of immersion with the practicality of busy work/life schedules. This format, when combined with our Mentorship Program and emphasis on personal development, makes Odyssey’s training truly exceptional.
The training begins with your commitment to dive into four consecutive Weekend Intensives in your preferred style of yoga. This month will be the foundation of your 200 hour Teacher Training, and during these weekends we will:
Break down the alignment of each of the postures you will learn to teach; see demonstrations and learn modifications
Learn basic anatomy and bio-mechanics as they relate to practicing and teaching yoga asana safely and effectively
Receive assists and feedback for your personal practice
Learn the science behind the sequencing of classes, and learn to create your own classes
Practice teach each posture and progressively longer sequences
Do important self-inquiry work to create confidence and help you speak with power and authenticity
Receive coaching and feedback during practice teaching, and have abundant opportunities to teach
Learn to see the people in front of you, and learn how to guide them towards their potential
Do daily yoga classes to strengthen and deepen your personal practice
During this Weekend Intensive you will first focus on important applied anatomy lessons with an esteemed guest teacher, doing book work and group exercises, and participate in discussions. You will learn how to use your knowledge of anatomy to cue and assist safely, and to be able to teach in a way that transforms your students’ practices.
Once we have a solid understanding of anatomy and bio-mechanics, we move into learning and practicing safe, effective, and empowering hands-on assists. You will watch demonstration, receive the assists to feel them in your own body, and then practice them on different body types. It is incredible how much feeling the posture move will inform how you see and teach your students.
Mentorship Program (5+ hours)The foundation of being a confident and powerful teacher and leader is EXPERIENCE. Our training program is unique in that participants lead our regularly scheduled Community Flow class during the training process. A training team member will mentor you before and after class, giving coaching, encouragement, and teaching feedback immediately following class. This will give you the tools you need to have direction, improve your technique, and will fast-track your ability to go out and start teaching in the community.
Weeklong Immersion (75 hours)Your training will culminate in an off-campus Weeklong Immersion. We take our training group to a beautiful Colorado location that is convenient to drive to, yet distinctly away from “real life”: you will practice, eat, sleep, and play with your training tribe. No distractions, just yoga. It is invaluable to dive into your practice and studies in an immersive way; and as an added benefit, you get a mini-retreat! Eat healthy meals prepared just for us, practice yoga and meditation multiple times a day, soak in mineral baths, read sacred texts that inspire the soul, and participate in self-inquiry exercises that could potentially be the catalyst for radical self-healing and growth. The Weeklong Immersion will end with a graduation ceremony to celebrate you, our group, and the incredible experience we shared!
When you are first beginning your teacher training journey, dive into the style of yoga that makes your personal practice come alive! Every yogi has a style, rhythm, and intensity that appeals to them – body, mind, and spirit. That is where you start. Teacher training will immerse you into that system, deepening your personal practice, and giving you the tools you need to not only transform yourself, but also share your passion with others.
As you continue on your teaching journey, you will be ready to expand your yoga horizons and dive deep into a different style of yoga. It is incredibly valuable to your teaching to be able to communicate in different ways, empathize with your students, be able to create unique and specialized sequences, and have the qualifications to teach multiple styles of yoga classes. Yoga studios love teachers who are adaptable and have a broad understanding and mastery of yoga – it’s like being fluent in multiple languages!
Vinyasa Flow
Learn to intelligently sequence and powerfully lead different levels of Vinyasa Flow yoga classes, from gentle all-levels to Power Yoga.
Hot Yoga
Master the core 26+ Bikram-style series, and learn to confidently lead 60 and 90 minute versions of Hot Yoga classes.
Restorative + Gentle Yoga
Learn to create gentle Hatha classes, Yin classes, and Restorative classes, and be able to effectively take a class into deep relaxation.
Vinyasa Flow Teaching Intensive
September 15 – October 8
Restorative + Gentle Yoga Teaching Intensive
October 27 – November 19
Applied Anatomy + Assisting Weekend
December 8-10
Weeklong Immersion
January 2018 (Dates TBD)
Hot Yoga Teaching Intensive
March 2 – March 25
Vinyasa Flow Teaching Intensive
April 6 – April 29
