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SYLLABUS / PROSPECTUS
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INCLUDING DATES AND MODULE INFORMATION
JAN 2025
2025 COURSE
DATES
Course Objective and Outcome
Upon completion of the course, successful students will feel confident teaching yoga classes suitable for the general population. They will understand how to create diverse and engaging sequences and how to make their classes flow seamlessly. In addition to flow-style classes, students will also be proficient in leading more static Hatha yoga sessions and adapting their teaching style for heated environments.
Above all, the course empowers students to embrace their authentic selves and teach with confidence. This training is about discovering who you truly are as a teacher, rather than molding yourself into who you think you should be.
Weekend 1
Sat 11th JAN 2025
AM - A History of Yoga
PM - Gheranda Samhita
Sunday 12th JAN 2025
AM - The 1st Yogi
PM - 84 Poses Manual
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Weekend 2
Sat 8th FEB 2025
AM - The Yoga Sutras (Philosophy)
PM - 84 Poses Manual
Sunday 9th FEB 2025
AM - The Respiratory System/Breathing
PM - 84 Poses Manual
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Weekend 3
Sat 8th MARCH 2025
AM - Class Planing & Sequencing
PM - 84 Poses Manual
Sun 9th MARCH 2025
AM - Anatomical Principles
PM - 84 Poses Manual
Weekend 4
Sat 5th APRIL 2025
AM - Creative Sequencing
PM - Teaching Practice
Sunday 6th APRIL 2025
AM - Foot, Ankle & Knee Anatomy
PM - 84 Poses Manual
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Weekend 5
Sat 10th MAY 2025
AM - The Brain & Nervous System
PM - Teaching Practice
Sunday 11th MAY 2025
AM - Hip, Pelvis Anaatomy
PM - 84 Poses Manual
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Weekend 6
Sat 7th JUNE 2025
AM - Kriyas, Bandhas Theory
PM - Teaching Practice
Sun 8th JUNE 2025
AM - Pelvis, Spine Anatomy
PM - 84 Poses Manual
Weekend 7
Sat 5th JULY 2025
AM - Meditation Theory & Practice
PM - Teaching Practice
Sunday 6th JULY 2025
AM - Upper Limb Anatomy
PM - Teaching Practice
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Weekend 8
Sat 19th JULY 2025
AM - Pranayama Theory & Practice
PM - 84 Poses CLASS
Sunday 20th JULY 2025
AM - Anatomy & Physiology Review
PM - Teaching Practice
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Weekend 9
Sat - SEPT DATE TBA
AM - The Art of Adjustments
PM - Teaching Practice
Sun - SEPT DATE TBA
AM - Practicalities of teaching Yoga
PM - Teaching Practice
Weekend 10
Sat - OCT DATE TBA
Sun - OCT DATE TBA
FINAL ASSESSMENT WEEKEND
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Evaluation Procedure and Grading Criteria (subject to change).
Essays: Two written assignments, one focusing on the history and philosophy of yoga or a practical yoga topic, and an open-book anatomy quiz.
Formal Class Plan: A detailed class plan is required for the final practical assessment.
Observational Class Assessment: Trainees will be evaluated while teaching a led class, including providing adjustments.
Continuous Assessment: Ongoing evaluation by the tutors, based on class participation and engagement.
Prerequisites -
Students don’t need to have an advanced yoga practice or be able to do handstands—these skills can always develop over time. What matters most is a willingness to learn and an open mind toward education. Students should be prepared to dedicate time to study any additional material outside of class.
Although this is primarily an in-person training, an accompanying online course will be available, and students are encouraged to engage with it simultaneously to consolidate their learning.
Manuals & pre-reading
At the start of the course, each student will receive three comprehensive manuals—a culmination of a lifetime’s work—that will guide and support their learning journey. These manuals are intricately linked to the weekly modules, so it’s crucial to bring them to each session. Digital PDF versions will also be available for download.
For pre-reading, students are encouraged to explore Zahir's blogs as extensively as possible. These writings are specifically tailored for teacher trainees and will provide a solid foundation, greatly enhancing your understanding before the course begins.
A Word from Our Owner, Zahir
Although yoga is often associated with flexibility, I want students to leave with the understanding that the poses represent only a small percentage of what yoga truly encompasses. More importantly, I don't just want to tell you what yoga is—I want you to gain an organic understanding of why it is such a transformative and magical practice. My hope is that you leave this course with the confidence to know that the most yogic thing you can ever do is simply be yourself. Embrace who you are, with all your flaws and insecurities, and have faith in your authentic self. If you walk away with this realization, we will have fulfilled our roles as teachers.
TEACHER TRAINING MODULE GUIDE
Module 1 - Yoga Philosophy
Our Philosophy module delves into the earliest oral traditions, centered around a profound dialogue between the first Yogi, Shiva, and his wife, Parvati, the original Yoga student.
From this intimate exchange, we uncover the true meaning of yoga—as both a journey and a destination. This dialogue offers us not only insights into yoga but also a deeper understanding of who we are and how we fit into this world.
Module 2 - Anatomy
A simplified approach to anatomy, where Zahir takes pride in making science and biomechanics as accessible as possible.
Each weekend, we focus on one major joint, exploring its role in various yoga poses and gradually building our confidence in understanding anatomy throughout the course.
What’s most important is not just knowing anatomy, but understanding how this knowledge helps us keep our students safe.
Module 3 - Physiology, The Brain, Nervous System & The Stress Response.
Anatomy is about movement, and physiology is the force that drives that movement.
In what many students consider their favorite module, we delve into the fundamentals of physiology and its impact on everything we do. This exploration leads to an organic understanding that each student, as they sit on their mat, is a unique reflection of their own physiology.
Module 4 - Physiology, The Science of Breathing
In this module, we apply our physiology and stress knowledge to explore the most efficient ways to breathe and how proper breathing in yoga can promote healing down to the cellular level.
We examine questions such as: What is the most efficient way to breathe during practice? And does breathing change when transitioning from sitting to standing?
Module 5 - The Philosophy 2, The Yoga Sutras
In this classic text, the sage Patanjali defines yoga as "the stillness of the mind." But what does this truly mean? How does it apply in 2024, and is it still relevant for a modern postural yogi?
This module is designed to be more conversational and interactive than many traditional philosophy courses, encouraging thoughtful dialogue and exploration.
Module 6 - Lesson Planning & Seuencing
Designed to prepare you for teaching classes confidently upon completing the course, this module guides you in creating effective class plans—whether focused on anatomy or any theme you choose. You'll learn how to sequence creatively and think outside the box, building the skills and confidence needed to design engaging and meaningful yoga classes.
Module 7 - Meditation
What is meditation? How has it evolved from ancient times, when it was seen as a destination rather than a practice?
This module includes both theoretical discussions and practical experiences as we explore various meditation techniques together.
Module 8 - Pranayama
Often misunderstood by overly enthusiastic students, we aim to explore Pranayama from its earliest roots to modern-day breathing exercises.
This module includes a practical component where we practice a variety of Pranayama techniques, deepening our understanding of breathwork.
Module 9 - The 84 Yoga Poses
Led by Laura and Paul, most afternoon sessions will focus on exploring and dissecting the fundamental 84 yoga poses outlined in your manuals.
You’ll learn how to practice these poses and receive tips from Laura and Paul on effective ways to teach them and integrate them into your classes.
Module 10 - 84 Asanas Workshop
Wrapping up our exploration of the 84 yoga poses, this invigorating afternoon workshop integrates everything we've learned. We combine breathing techniques, anatomical knowledge, and sequencing into a comprehensive 4-hour class, practicing all 84 poses.
This workshop is always a favorite among students.
Module 11 - Teaching Practice
When afternoons are not dedicated to dissecting the poses from the manual, they are spent on teaching practice.
You will break into small groups of 3-4 to practice teaching poses and learn how to incorporate them into your sequences, gaining hands-on experience.
Module 12 - Philosophy 3: Chakras, Bandhas & Kriyas Theory
A morning dedicated to the theoretical aspects of traditional yoga, focusing on non-postural elements such as chakras, bandhas, and kriyas. We discuss how to incorporate these concepts into our teachings to enrich our understanding and approach to yoga.
Module 13 - Partner Yoga
The most playful and lighthearted module of all! In this afternoon session, we pair up and enjoy some partner yoga.
Our philosophy emphasizes embracing a childlike, joyful approach to yoga and life, reminding us to laugh at ourselves.
Module 14 - The Art of Teaching
Over the course of 10 months, you will gain valuable insights into what it truly means to teach. At its core, teaching is simply about communication. By being authentic and genuinely connecting with your students, you’re already on the path to success. Remember, the key to great teaching is to be yourself and communicate openly.
Online Learning
Each module of the course can also be studied at your own pace using our comprehensive online platform. You’ll have unlimited access to all course content, including in-depth module videos, interactive quizzes, and a wide range of resources designed to help consolidate your learning and deepen your understanding of the material.
Access will be available from the very start of the course, giving you the flexibility to tailor your learning schedule to your personal needs and commitments.
One of the greatest advantages of this online course is that it’s yours to access for life. This means that whenever you need a refresher or want to revisit any content, you can easily go back to relevant modules. This lifelong access ensures that your learning journey doesn’t end when the course finishes, but continues to support your growth and development as a yoga teacher for years to come.
about us
Since 2013, we have taken immense pride in training yoga teachers. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of guiding people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, and all walks of life. Many have shared with us that completing our training was one of the best decisions they’ve ever made. And while not everyone goes on to teach, countless participants have found the experience transformative. They’ve discovered renewed faith in themselves, forged lifelong friendships, and rediscovered their unique path in life.
This course is about so much more than becoming a yoga teacher—it’s about discovering who you truly are. We are passionate about helping people on this journey of self-discovery, and that’s why we absolutely love what we do.
zahir akram
Attendance
Trainees are required to attend at least 90% of the course. If any in-person sessions are missed, it is essential to catch up on the content using the accompanying online course. Akram Yoga reserves the right to charge additional fees for any in-person catch-up sessions.
Accreditation
Our training school has met the rigorous standards set by Yoga Alliance Professionals UK, ensuring that this course is of the highest quality. Graduates will be eligible to use the title ‘Registered Yoga Teacher’ (RYT) as a mark of excellence when registering with Yoga Alliance Professionals UK.
Questions
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We understand what a significant commitment this course is, and we’re here to support you in any way we can.
We want to ensure it feels right for you, and sometimes it helps to talk through any concerns you may have. Feel free to contact us at info@akramyoga.co.uk—we’d love to hear from you.
REVIEWS
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more about the modules
We study anatomy on our teacher trainings not to become experts or to impress with our knowledge, but because, fundamentally, learning anatomy is a deeply yogic practice ⭐️
Understanding anatomy shifts our focus inward, to the remarkable inner machinery of the human body. It fosters an appreciation for the body's complex mechanisms 😯. While it certainly aids in guiding students, the true enchantment of studying anatomy lies in its ability to redirect our attention from external events to the messages our bodies convey from within.
Yoga at its core is a deeply personal practice ✨☀️🌑
Zahir Akram
partner yoga
One of my favourite modules to teach is Partner Yoga (that’s me on the top, in the picture on the right!). This module isn’t about mastering advanced poses; it’s about having fun, embracing the lighthearted side of yoga, and rediscovering that yoga should be enjoyable! Guided by myself and our partner-in-crime, Paul Allen, this session is all about building connections as we learn to work together. We learn to fall safely, laugh at ourselves, and find joy in the practice. A consistent favourite among our trainees, we love sharing yoga with a smile!"
Watch the video from our 300H training :)
Laura Akram
Over the years, as we’ve grown and evolved as yoga teachers, our teacher training has transformed along with us. It’s almost unrecognizable from the very first training we offered over a decade ago. We continually strive to improve, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see some of our trainees now among the most popular teachers in Surrey. While we don’t take all the credit, we take pride in how we encourage people to be themselves.
After all, as Rumi said, ‘Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.’ Be yourself, and people will love you for it."
Zahir Akram
