What would you do if you could take 1 or 2 years off to deepen your yoga?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi,
I am 45 years old and I am starting to think that I don’t want to spend another 20 years in the corporate world in a job that doesn’t nurture my soul. I don’t have children so I can take off for one or two years to find a new direction. I think one way would be to go somewhere where I can immerse myself completely into yoga and learn as much as possible. I am finished an RYT-200 and 500 training and some other trainings but I feel there is no way for me to get to the next level while working in my demanding job.

Some places I found that do long term residential stays are:

  • Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania
  • Yoga Vidya in German (I speak the language)
  • Bihar School in India

Does anybody have any recommendations for one of these places or any other places? My main requirement is that the instruction is of high quality and I can learn from people who really live yoga.

Thanks in advance,

Max

#2

Its good to see you that you are going for yoga. But sorry I don’t have any idea about these places. Yoga not only keeps us healthy and fit but it soothes our mind and soul.

Tom:):slight_smile:

#3

If I had the opportunity to deepen my yoga, I would become associated with Andrey Lappa. In my view, he’s the best of the best. I like his method. I feel you can get the best bang for your buck. I get the sense that all other practices just seem to fall a little short when compared to Andrey Lappa.

#4

[QUOTE=maxxxx;53203]Hi,
I am 45 years old and I am starting to think that I don’t want to spend another 20 years in the corporate world in a job that doesn’t nurture my soul. I don’t have children so I can take off for one or two years to find a new direction. I think one way would be to go somewhere where I can immerse myself completely into yoga and learn as much as possible. I am finished an RYT-200 and 500 training and some other trainings but I feel there is no way for me to get to the next level while working in my demanding job.

Some places I found that do long term residential stays are:

  • Himalayan Institute in Pennsylvania
  • Yoga Vidya in German (I speak the language)
  • Bihar School in India

Does anybody have any recommendations for one of these places or any other places? My main requirement is that the instruction is of high quality and I can learn from people who really live yoga.

Thanks in advance,

Max[/QUOTE]

Since you are through with the 200/500 hours, presumably, you do are not looking for pure asans but more of the other seven limbs - more specifically pratyhar,dharan . If this presumption is correct you may want to look at Bihar School of yoga- they have long term ashram stays. You may even want to look at the Masters/Phd programme in Yoga at SVYASA. These would involve an investment of 2-5 years but definitely give you sufficient depth of knowledge specially in spiritual path which most TTC courses do not get into. There are some Vedanta courses run by a few ashrams -but they all require a working knowledge of Sanskrit. Does this help ?

#5

Hi Maxxxxx,

Seems there are two components to your question.
So let me approach them in the following way.

What I would do is what I am doing.
I “accidentally” (if you believe in such things) found my teacher in 2003.
Oddly, he was not IN India but FROM India. He was and is headquartered in Bellevue, Wa. I have taken as many workshops and classes with him (and Savitri who teaches the Transformative Spirituality meditation) as I can, traveled with him to assist with workshops, and heeded the call to teach here at the studio he directs. I personally find the light to be very bright here.

I have had the good fortune to meet many of today’s most popular teachers. Sadly, very few teachers a) teach a complete practice and b) live a yogic life. Aadil does both. As my commitment to study has increased so too has his commitment to teach (me). I truly get out that which I put in. I completed a 2,000-hour college here through the College of Purna Yoga. The program is incredibly sound but it definitely is not for those who wish to keep deceiving themselves and remain in comfort. It is a program that brings up your gook for you to see and deal with, rather than sweep it under the carpet. How sad would it be to live another 40 years and die the same person I am today?

I cannot speak to the powers of a residential program. For me it is critical to be able to take my practice out of cloistered quarters and flex it in the world - after all, that is where I live and that is where we need to right our course. It is challenging to balance the sense of community, the quietude and serenity that may lead to enhanced focus, and the reality of contemporary yoga.

Often times the jewels we are seeking in our living are not off in a foreign land but rather quite close - in our own “back yard”.

I have no first hand experience of the three choices you list. I have however met Pandit Tigunait, and he is a very sweet man with a kind soul and I feel in my heart he is well steeped.

If you have more direct questions please feel free to PM me.

gordon

#6

Wonderul! Please keep us abreast as to your direction.

Have you considered The Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts?

A few of my teachers have studied, even lived there, and they seem so gentle, I do hope to do at least a retreat there.

#7

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;53253]

I cannot speak to the powers of a residential program. For me it is critical to be able to take my practice out of cloistered quarters and flex it in the world - after all, that is where I live and that is where we need to right our course. It is challenging to balance the sense of community, the quietude and serenity that may lead to enhanced focus, and the reality of contemporary yoga.

[/QUOTE]

I am attracted to a residential program because my regular career (computer software) is very demanding and uses up a lot of my energy. I feel if I set my mind to 100% yoga I could become a pretty good teacher or therapist but I can’t do this while in my regular job.

I have heard a lot about Aadil and hope to train with him at some point. I guess it would fit with my plan of moving to the West Coast;)

#8

[QUOTE=Yogamark;53302]Wonderul! Please keep us abreast as to your direction.

Have you considered The Kripalu Centre for Yoga and Health in Massachusetts?

A few of my teachers have studied, even lived there, and they seem so gentle, I do hope to do at least a retreat there.[/QUOTE]

I have never been there but I have heard good things. They have an internship which looks very attractive but they require a teacher training with them which I don’t have.

#9

[QUOTE=reaswaran;53217]Since you are through with the 200/500 hours, presumably, you do are not looking for pure asans but more of the other seven limbs - more specifically pratyhar,dharan . If this presumption is correct you may want to look at Bihar School of yoga- they have long term ashram stays. You may even want to look at the Masters/Phd programme in Yoga at SVYASA. These would involve an investment of 2-5 years but definitely give you sufficient depth of knowledge specially in spiritual path which most TTC courses do not get into. There are some Vedanta courses run by a few ashrams -but they all require a working knowledge of Sanskrit. Does this help ?[/QUOTE]

Have you been to Bihar or SVYASA? I would be very curious but I hear mixed things especially about the teaching methods at SVYASA

#10

[QUOTE=maxxxx;53485]Have you been to Bihar or SVYASA? I would be very curious but I hear mixed things especially about the teaching methods at SVYASA[/QUOTE]

BSY has a huge emphasis on Ashram life and community service. Teachings are based on Shivananda. It give an authentic feel of yogic life. But you need to stay for longer stays and not just the TTC. BSY has an archaic way of life and does not reply on email. All matters are dealt with on regular mail which can be pretty exasperating. They do pick up the phone though :wink:

SVYASA has a emphasis on the spiritual way of life and you may come away a bit dissatisfied with the asan practice.

I would say both give a good exposure to the spiritual part of yoga.