Program Objectives:
Helen Duggan has trained and taught in the health and fitness field for over 26 years. She began her study of yoga in 1970. For the last seventeen years, she has taught Hatha Yoga to people of all ages and levels of ability. Her core belief is that yoga opens the heart, cultivates spiritual awareness, helps heal body, mind and spirit and encourages all people to connect with each other as they develop deeper levels of loving kindness. Although she works primarily in Canada, she has also taught yoga internationally with Crystal Cruises.
Inspired by a need for local yoga teachers, Helen began training yoga instructors in 1998. Her yoga teachings are based on traditional Hatha Yoga principles and she has been deeply influenced by Swamis: Sivananda Saraswati, Vishnudevananda, Sivananda, Radha, Rammurti, S. Mishra M.D., as well as Vanda Scaravelli, Richard Hittleman, and Kareen Zebroff.
Helen Duggan's Home Study Teacher Training Program has three parts: Six theory study modules with written assignments, four practicum sessions with written assignments (or attendance at four practicum sessions at the Lantzville Yoga and Fitness Studio) and a final examination.
I Six Theory Modules cover the following topics:
1. Yoga History and Philosophy
2. Hatha Yoga: Pranayama/Asanas/Savasana/selected Sanskrit terms
3. Contemporary Yoga Styles
4. Physical and Etheric Anatomy
5. Biomechanics of Movement
6. Teaching Skills
II Four Practicum sessions cover:
1. Assisting your students to develop a daily yoga practice
2. Tools for assessing student levels of fitness and capability
3. Tools for alignment of the Spine
4. Advancing your own personal yoga practice as you teach
III Review and examination:
1. A review of and commitment to the Visions Professional Code of
Ethics for Teachers and Safe Teaching Guidelines.
2. A written examination and receipt of graduation docket for successful
graduates. Docket includes a Graduation Certificate stating the student’s
name, the date of completion the course name and the number of hours the course
work represents (500 hours), a Certificate of Special Recognition, a Visions
Instructor Crest and a letter of reference, if deemed appropriate.
Students will be assessed on their assignments, regularity of submissions, completion within the course framework of one year, participation through their assignments and practicum work, and their understanding of theory and its application. Because we view our Yoga Teacher Training Programs as a partnership between students and teacher, students will assess the course so their input can be used to improve our program.
The Level I Yoga Teacher Training Program is quite intense. Teaching requires passion, care to detail and commitment to both immediate and long-term goals. Our teaching course is structured to cultivate a sound development of these skills. Each module has a written assignment and it is recommended that students be prepared to devote 10 hours weekly to their studies, a daily yoga practice and journal writing. We welcome local students to attend at least one class per week of the Visions Yoga regular yoga classes. Students farther afield are advised to attend classes in their own communities, where possible. Training logs of a student's personal practice and class attendance must be kept and submitted.
Highly recommended: James Hewitt "Complete Yoga Book. Yoga of Breath, Yoga of Posture, Yoga of Meditation Three Books in One" ISBN0905209697 Schocken Books NY (approximately $20.00 Canadian).
Hatha Yoga is a path to personal betterment and a means of improving the world, it is also offers the potential for a most rewarding career. A strong potential exists worldwide for yoga teaching as a profession. Yoga is a growth industry with a tremendously bright future. The current popularity of Hatha Yoga and the need for growing numbers of people to find gentle and effective programs of health and fitness, make yoga instruction an ideal career or second career choice. Because so many Yoga Teachers continue productive professional lives well into their 70's 80's, 90's and even 100's, yoga teaching is truly the career that lasts a lifetime!
Past graduates of our yoga teacher programs have gone on to enjoy loving and.productive lives, creating successful careers, businesses and studios as they share yoga with their students. They found our course comprehensive, educational and deeply enjoyable. You’ll find some of their comments included here.