SYJ: A PLACE WHERE GREAT YOGA TEACHERS ARE MADE
We love teaching smart, masterful yoga and this program is designed to facilitate the growth of teachers
inspired to do the same. As a graduate of this program you will be well versed in: yoga philosophy, functional
anatomy, intelligent alignment based asana, how to facilitate centerings, leading meditation, the proper and
healthy use of hands-on adjustments, and how to sequence great vinyasa classes. Throughout the training we
will focus on the importance of authenticity so that you can teach with confidence and skill while staying true to
your own voice.
DATES
May 26-28*
June 1-4
June 8-11
June 15-18
June 22-25
Training is held Monday – Thursday at our SONO studio from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM with a 1 hour break.
OUR CURRICULUM
ANATOMY - Anatomy, Kinesiology and the methodology behind the alignment we are so well versed in. In other
words, we think you should know why you are instructing students to move a certain way so that your teaching
is based on what you clearly understand rather than a script.
PHILOSOPHY - Deepening your understanding of yoga philosophy keeps you grounded and helps you connect
beautifully to the ancient practice that has inspired you to teach. Quite simply, it keeps you thinking about what
it is you're teaching and how it is you move through the world, both as a teacher and as a student of yoga.
ASANA - You will learn how to teach alignment based asana. Knowing the technical foundation of each pose and
understanding the art behind sequencing will separate you from the pack and keep your teaching fresh and
interesting.
SARASWATI’S JOI
NT | 1 NORTH WATER ST | NORWALK, CT 06854 | (203) 838.2725 | WWW.SYJYOGA.COM
THE ART OF CENTERING/MEDITATION AND PRANAYAMA - Learning how to effectively guide your students
through a thoughtful pertinent centering, in addition to learning how to facilitate students from basic to
advanced alike in the art of meditation and pranayama make your teaching dynamic and thought provoking.
THE SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES BEHIND THE ART OF TEACHING - At SYJ we don’t think teaching is a performance,
we think it is an art form grounded in your own authentic voice. To put it simply, we want you to get really
comfortable teaching in your own voice and we want you to inspire others by being yourself, while at the same
time effectively teaching healthy dynamic classes that motivate and empower others.
THE KULA/COMMUNITY - This practice is about connection, connection to yourself and your community. We
believe that being a yoga teacher holds responsibility and that how you place yourself within the community
matters. We will discuss topics that will help you understand the importance of the student teacher relationship
and the creating of a healthy supportive community.
PRACTICUM - The art of putting it all together and effectively teaching a class requires lots of practice and
experience. In this training you will learn to teach through the practice of teaching your fellow trainees and
community classes.
FACULTY
Donna Jackson, ERYT, founded SYJ 10 years ago and since then has taught
thousands of students, from beginner to advanced alike. She prides herself on
being a teacher of teachers, and has co-taught over 250 yoga teachers on skillfully
guiding their own vinyasa classes. With a master’s degree in physical therapy from
Columbia University, she will be sharing her in-depth knowledge of the body to
help trainees facilitate pain-free movement and healing in their own students.
Liz Lowe, RYT, began teaching in 2000, starting out as an ashtanga instructor fresh
from a stint in San Francisco. She has taught classes, workshops, one-on-one
therapeutic yoga, and sports specific curricula from New York City north to New
Haven, CT. At SYJ, her home studio for the past decade, she offers her no
nonsense classes as a senior teacher and mentor, and is one of the studio's most
tenured instructors. As a Licensed Massage Therapist and long time student of
anatomy and kinesiology, Liz offers a unique and educated approach to working
with the body.
SARASWATI’S JOI
NT | 1 NORTH WATER ST | NORWALK, CT 06854 | (203) 838.2725 | WWW.SYJYOGA.COM
GUEST SPEAKERS
Bernadette Birney, our guest lecturer on yoga philosophy, is a celebrated yoga
teacher in Fairfield County whose classes combine meaningful philosophy, the
legends and lore of yoga–and the occasional profanity. You’ll find Bernadette’s
contributions in Yoga Journal, Fit Yoga, Origin Magazine, Elephant Journal,
Teachasana, elephant journal and Srividyalaya Amrta. Words are her first love,
and a passion for authentic expression is a hallmark of her classes. Bernadette is
cofounder of the program CheckIN (Not Out!), and co-host and cofounder of the
PaleOm podcast. She is a Teachasana ambassador, has been a Lululemon
ambassador several times over, and is the author of a quirky, award-winning
blog.
Erin Thorkilsen, is someone who believes in listening to and following the soul’s
calling. When she was 15, she followed her own soul’s calling and asked her
mom to take her to her first yoga class in Katonah, N.Y. This was the beginning
of a 17-year path of loving, practicing, and teaching yoga. Having lived and
traveled all over the world including places such as Martha’s Vineyard, Fiji, New
Zealand, and Kenya, Erin invokes wisdom from a wide variety of experiences.
Her greatest wisdom, as she often shares in classes, comes from the young
children she teaches at school. She has been teaching fourth grade and
kindergarten for the past 10 years at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT.
Her trainings and certifications with Anusara Yoga and SYJ coupled with a
Master’s in Education lay the groundwork for her work.
SARASWATI’S JOI
NT | 1 NORTH WATER ST | NORWALK, CT 06854 | (203) 838.2725 | WWW.SYJYOGA.COM
TUITION
$2,495 College Discount before April 15th
$2,995 Regular Student before April 15th
$3,295 Regular/ College student after April 15th
$500 deposit due with application
•
Deposit will reserve your spot in the training (class size is limited to facilitate greater learning)
•
Full tuition payment due April 30th
•
Payment plans available only through written request and are need based.
•
All payments are non-refundable.
Saraswati’s Yoga Joint is a Registered Yoga School with the Yoga Alliance. Upon successful completion of our
training, students will be eligible to register as an RYT 200 and will be listed on the Yoga Alliance online directory
as Registered Yoga Teachers.
SARASWATI’S JOI
NT | 1 NORTH WATER ST | NORWALK, CT 06854 | (203) 838.2725 | WWW.SYJYOGA.COM
SARASWATI’S YOGA JOINT TEACHER TRAINING APPLICATION FORM
Name:
____________________________________________________________________________________
Address:
____________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address:
____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number:
____________________________________________________________________________________
Do you have a consistent yoga practice?
How often do you practice/for how many years?
Where do you practice?
Do you have another career?
What are some of your hobbies outside of yoga?
Do you have any other yoga training experience? If so, with whom?
What attributes about yourself do you think will make you stand out as a yoga teacher?
SARASWATI’S JOI
NT | 1 NORTH WATER ST | NORWALK, CT 06854 | (203) 838.2725 | WWW.SYJYOGA.COM
What attributes inspire you most in the yoga teachers you study and admire?
Will you be able to commit to all the scheduled weekends? If not, please explain your circumstances.
What type of setting you see yourself teaching in and to what population?
Essays (3 essays, 500 words or less each):
Why do you want to teach yoga?
Which yoga teachers have been your biggest influences?
Who influences your life outside of yoga?
Please submit completed application and a headshot to trainings@syjyoga.com. Deposits can be made
at http://syjyoga.com/offerings/workshops/ or over the phone.
SARASWATI’S JOI
NT | 1 NORTH WATER ST | NORWALK, CT 06854 | (203) 838.2725 | WWW.SYJYOGA.COM