200hr & 500hr Hatha Teacher Training In Chicago, IL, USA
Yoga Alliance: Yes
This program is a foundation for the study of the ancient art and science of yoga rooted in its classical form. We will explore fundamentals, key elements, and techniques of asana, pranayama, and teaching skills. The program is designed to give you a wide variety of topics, class settings, and experiences and includes classes taught by a variety of local and national teachers. We are committed to giving you the best learning experience possible. We hope you will enjoy the program and find your life and practice transformed.
Yoga History & Philosophy
Understanding Union, Relationships & Opposites
What is yoga? This ancient system of health and well being, reveals a path to develop and expand our fullest potential in body, mind, and spirit. We will look at sources such as Indian culture, vedic history, and ancient manuscripts such as the yoga sutras and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika which reveal the ancient classification of yoga. We will also study Patanjali’s eight-fold path known as ashtanga yoga, which forms the basis of classical yoga, known as yoga darshana.
Theory & Practice of Asana
Taking a Position of Steadiness and Comfort
The yoga sutras refer to asana as the integration of sthira (steadiness) and sukha (comfort). This important sutra will guide us as we look into the deeper aspects of asana, including alignment, adjustments, and variations. We will explore energetic techniques such as bandhas, dristi, kriyas, mudras, and chakras in order to expand our awareness and understanding of the subtle movement of prana through asana. Arranging our study of asana groups is in itself a unique sequence or vinyasa: sun salutations (surya namaskara), standing and balancing poses, abdominal strengtheners (hara), forward folds (paschimo) and backbends (purvo), twists (parivritta), inversions (viparita), and savasana.
Theory & Practice of Pranayama
Regulating The Current of Life-Force Energy
Conscious breathing requires sensitivity to properly direct life energy (prana), which makes all physical, mental, and spiritual life possible. It is the subtle thread that connects us with universal consciousness. Pranayama is a way of using the breath to receive, generate, distribute, and store this vital energy. We will explore Ujjayi (victory breath), nadi shodhanam (alternating nostril), kappalabhati (breath of fire), sitali (cooling breath), and viloma (against the grain).
Theory and Practice of Teaching
Conveying the Essence of Yoga
The art of teaching is yoga in itself, requiring sensitivity, compassion, and practice. A teacher must encourage and inspire, remaining sensitive to the needs of both the individual and the group. Students will learn:
Experiential Learning
Finding Wisdom & Understanding Within
Understanding from within requires the student to not only expand inner awareness and trust of intuition, but also to gain practical experience in the art and science of yoga in a variety of situations and venues. Students will:
Testimonial
“I can’t believe it’s almost over, it has already been an incredible journey for me. You have taught me SO much and I have gained a much deeper appreciation, love and understanding of yoga. You have somehow managed to take an incredible amount of information and made it simple to understand and easy to ‘digest’ – thank you. The decision to leave my corporate job and enroll in this training is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” Shanti ~ Katie McKenna
Sample Weekly Time Commitment for the 200 Hour Teacher Training Program
This program requires a significant time commitment of up to 15–20 hours per week, including practice classes. Please consider your availability carefully before registering. Once accepted into the program, please clear your schedule of activities, commitments, and distractions.
Sample Weekly Schedule…
Daren Friesen
E-RYT 500) is the director and founder of Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago which is the largest yoga center in the Midwest. An enthusiastic student and passionate teacher, his challenging style of vinyasa flow incorporates asana, pranayama, mudras, bandhas, and kriyas. Having studied with renowned teachers in the states and masters and gurus in India, Daren encourages students to use traditional elements and techniques to overcome the pull of opposites (duality) and to develop one-pointed attention. Through one-pointed attention, one discovers the keys to accessing true health and vitality. Daren’s classes offer provocative insights and opportunities for personal growth through his unique blend of a classical yet innovative approach to practice.
Kim Wilcox
From personal experience, Kim knows of yoga’s power to change lives. Yoga has helped Kim to make a series of transformative decisions that have propelled her along a healing life path. She is therefore truly excited about yoga’s potential to enhance the lives of her students, to help them find joy, meaning, and purpose. Kim believes that yoga is a tool to help us spread our wings and discover our Dharma—our Souls’ purpose here on Earth.
Kim teaches that yoga is much more than asana (postures), it’s a series of ancient philosophical and spiritual practices that we apply to our daily lives. Yoga is not something we do, rather it’s a state of being; a state of being in Union with ourselves, with others, and with Truth. The yogic practices help us to remember our oneness with Truth.
Lani Granum
MA, LCSW “I’m proud to say I’m the oldest teacher on Moksha’s staff, and as such I consider it my calling—my sadhana—to continue teaching myself and others how to keep yoga in our lives forever. Years of intense play: sports, dance, horseback riding, skiing, and triathlons—not to mention parenting—have kept me fit, but life itself takes its toll no matter how hard you work at defying age. My firm belief, however, is that if there is a fountain of youth, it’s yoga. I’ve taught for a decade now, and have seen how yoga is truly limitless in its ability to keep us in compassionate touch with our bodies, our selves. I did my initial training with Ana Forrest, then Daren Friesen, and many other master teachers. At this point my style is so eclectic I hesitate to label myself, but the closest would be vinyasa flow.
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