Hello,
I’ve registered for Sivananda Yoga TTC in Madurai in October. I’d done their beginners course in Yoga a few years back and have been practicing yoga off and on for some time now.
I was wondering if there’s some prepartaion required before the course. The aim is to prepare myself so that I’m physically and mentally ready to get the best out of this experience.
Any inputs from folks who’ve attended this program in the past would be helpful.
Thanks.
Om Radha.
First of all, congratulations for signing up for the TTC in Madurai. It will be a wonderful experience, a tough course but absolutely worth it!!!
Things you can do to prepare yourself:
Eat a lacto-vegetarian diet (no meat, no fish, no eggs, no garlic, no onions). Restrict coffee and tea. This will prepare you for the diet you will be getting there.
Read the ‘Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga’ by Swami Vishnudevananda (this book is important during the course too)
other books I can recommend you take a look into before your TTC: Meditation & Mantras by Swami Vishnudevananda, The Sivananda Companion to Yoga, The Bhagavad Gita with interpretation by Swami Sivananda
get into the habit of a regular Sivananda style Yoga practice (as you have already been to some classes, you know the routine. If you are not sure, the Sivananda Companion to Yoga can help.
learn the Dhyana Slokas (aka ‘Gajananam’) and the Om Tryambakam chants as you will be chanting these at the beginning of every yoga class and lecture
Come to your TTC with an open mind - this is probably the best advice I can give!
Enjoy your TTC in Madurai.
Om shanti.
Arati
Thank you so much for the prompt reply, Arati. Appreciate it.
I’m a vegetarian so that helps. 
I currently have the ‘Complete Book of Yoga’ by Sri Ananda, do you think there’s too much of a difference between this and the ‘The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga’? Will try and get the latter too.
And thanks for sharing about the Shlokas too.