The Established practitioner program has four components which are all conducted through 10 week terms.
1. Yogasana coursework: Students who attend regularly will take between 12 – 20 terms to evolve a capacity to observe the subjective nature of perception. The asana syllabus includes advanced backbends, 3 - 5 minute timing forward bends, preliminary arm balancing and head stand variations. Proficiency in asana of different types, for example standing poses, backbends, twists, forward bends and inversions, facilitates improved function in the nervous system aiding concentration and the objectification of the mind. We recommend 1 or 2 course enrolments per term as development depends upon practice based learning. Students who enrol in two courses per term can enrol in a Led practice at no cost.
2. Pranayama coursework: After completing a minimum of 4 terms in Foundation/Developing Pranayama speak with your Pranayama teacher about the appropriate level for your next Pranayama enrolment. Even if you are an Established Yogasana coursework student, if you have yet to enrol in your first Pranayama course, you must begin in the Foundation/Developing Pranayama course for at least 4 terms.
The Established practitioner pranayama coursework focuses on seated pranayamas which are introduced when students have:
- the capacity to work in a range of asana such that the intercostals muscles move well
- the capacity to remain in asana such as standing poses for 30-45 seconds which indicates that the nervous system is being toned
- stability in Sirsasana, indicating a capacity for restraint which is essential such that the student is not forceful in their approach
- capacity to work in Sarvangasana and Halasana as these develop a quiet mind and introduce Jalandara Bandha
- completed at least 4 terms of Foundation/Developing Pranayama to gain a strong foundation the basic lying setups and basic pranayamas.
Students who are not yet established in these areas are encouraged to join or continue in the Foundation/Developing practitioner Pranayama course.
3. Led practice: For Established practitioners the class room, as the primary source of learning, is gradually replaced by personal practice. Class room experiences function to support personal practice. The supported environment of a Led practice leads students to become inspired and challenged by the changes in manomaya kosha (mental emotional body). Students who enrol in two practitioner yogasana courses per term (this does not include pranayama) can enrol in a Led practice at no cost. Credit is given via a coupon which is applied to your total bill at final check out. Simultaneous enrolment in Established Practitioner Yogasana Coursework is required.
4. Leaders program: Students who enrol in the Established practitioner program and also the Led practice are, at no cost, eligible to enrol in the Leaders program. Participation in the Leaders program provides students with a powerful opportunity to examine their intentions and motives for practice. Participation challenges a student to be of service to Yoga and in doing so to demonstrate a devotion to practice. Leaders are inducted into the program and depending on their level of experience and availability are allocated on a term by term basis to lead a Practice program. Leaders allocated to Foundation and Developing practitioner programs are given practice sequences whilst leaders allocated to the Established/Maturing Led practice program are given responsibility to develop their own sequences. Enrolment in the Leaders program, with a regular allocation to lead practice, entitles a student to book, at no cost, the practice studio, for self directed practice. Expressions of Interest for Led practice leaders are received throughout the year. Read the information about Led practice leaders by clicking on the previous hyperlink. Either submit an Expression of Interest using the webform (log in first) or send an email to Alan Goode via office@yogamandir.com.au outlining your current enrolments at Yoga Mandir, the year you started at Yoga Mandir and the reason for wanting to be a Led Practice Leader.
Pre-requisites for enrolment in the Established practitioner level:
- Yogasana coursework: Students must have completed a minimum of 6 terms in the Developing practitioner program
- Pranayama coursework: Minimum of 4 terms in Foundation/Developing Pranayama, current term enrolment in Yogasana coursework within the Established practitioner program, and Yogasana capacity as per the list noted above.
- Led practice: Current term enrolment in Yogasana coursework
Students continue within the Established practitioner program until they are able watch the interplay of the vrttis (mental fluctuations) and klesas (attachment to pleasure, aversion to pain, ego, ignorance and clinging to life) within the practice of asana in the Established practitioner syllabus.