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Developed by John Pal in 1997, Anusara yoga offers a heartfelt, empowering practice. From the Sanskrit word for ‘streaming with grace,’ Anusara follows the tantric viewpoint of ‘intrinsic goodness.’ The goal of an Anusara instructor is to assist each student discover his or her inner light and the divine as currently present. Educators are motivated to be playful and innovative however need to undertake an intensive training.

Teacher Training Requirements

Requirements for instructor training include prior yoga experience and the completion of the 100-hour, three-part Anusara Immersion, which delves into tantric approach, anatomy, meditation and alignment principles. According to Friend, ‘The best yoga instructors make use of a full synergy of interpersonal qualities, experience and technical understanding to lead the pupil to a transformational location where a radically favorable change can occur in the body, mind and heart.’

Teacher Training Program

The actual teacher training is a 200-hour program that expands on tantric philosophy, observation skills, focusing, heart oriented themes, artful positioning instruction, coordinating breath and motion, pose demonstrations, sequencing, reflection, therapeutics and a deeper understanding of the divine qualities within everyone. Recommended reading consists of John Buddy’s Instructor Training Manual and ‘Light on Yoga’ by B.K.S. Iyengar, scriptural texts ‘Bhagavad Gita,’ ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,’ ‘Hatha Yoga Pradipika’ and ‘Shiva Sutras’, and ‘Anatomy of Motion’ by Blandine Calais Germain.

Universal Fundamentals of Alignment

The foundation of Anusara yoga consists of attitude, positioning and activity. ‘The yogi uses Action to express his Attitude with the Positioning of the body,’ says Buddy in his ‘Anusara Yoga Instructor Training Guide.’ He developed the five Universal Fundamentals of Positioning to create awareness of this alignment and discover a balance in between security and liberty in every position. Open to Grace sets your foundation and develops receptivity. Muscular Energy draws you inward to acknowledge your inner goodness. Inner and Outer Spirals open your body and stabilize your foundation. Organic Energy collects all these aspects in a full expression of your inner brightness. Friend also teaches 7 particular loops within the body– ankle, shin, thigh, pelvis, kidney, shoulders and head– for even more refined placement.

Anusara Teaching Options

After you complete your 200-hour teacher-training, you can apply to become an Anusara-inspired instructor and eventually, after meeting accreditation requirements, a qualified Anusara educator. Certification requires additional researches with John Pal, lectures with tantric scholars, teaching experience, an authorized video, passing a composed exam and a well-developed house practice.

The Basics of Anusara Yoga Teacher Training