A.Y.C. Teacher Training Program 

Fall/Winter 2010 - 200 hr Certification

History & Philosophies of Yoga
Comprehensive Overview of Different Traditions & Styles
Comparative Asana Technique
Group Practice
Personal Practice
Private Instruction
Self-Study
Assisting
Teaching
Job Placement Opportunities

The AYC Teacher Training Program is designed to provide a vehicle for honing personal practice and cultivating a knowledge base from which to potentially teach breath-centered therapeutic yoga.

There are 12 scheduled workshops that take place on weekends. The rest of the components are customizable, meaning it can fit to your schedule and be completed in your own time. The idea is that you can explore a deeper interest in practicing & teaching yoga without having to suspend or disrupt your life (estimated time for completion is 4-6 months.)

The curriculum offers a foundation of philosophy, technique, and interpersonal skills but, ultimately, each participant shapes the course of the training according to their specific needs, interests and situation. Even if you don't have designs on being a yoga teacher, the AYC training has applications well beyond teaching yoga. For those who do wish to pursue yoga as a vocation, the program provides a supportive and nurturing environment for you to develop the confidence needed in taking on the role of teacher and will give you the real world know-how to make it a profession.

3 things that make the AYC Teacher Training unique:

1. The therapeutic orientation of the yoga practice we teach, which is inspired by the TKV Desikachar/Krishnamacharya one-to-one, breath-centered tradition but has also been adapted to conventional group class settings. Graduates of the program are equipped to teach group classes to typical yoga students, adapt practice for those with injuries or acute conditions, and work with specialized populations (Alumni are currently teaching at the senior center, the VA hospital and at mainstream yoga centers.)

2. The structure and curriculum of the program allows for participants to personalize their training and fit it into their lives. Unlike other programs, We have not crammed 200 hours into a series of all day weekends or an "intensive" month. The only part of the program that is scheduled is 12 workshops (2 -3 hours long) that take place on Saturdays over the course of four months, where we examine philosophy and technique (history, asana alignment, pranayama.) The other components (group practice, personal practice, observe/assist, teaching) are all customizable and completed according to the participants schedule and in their own time. There is no time limit on completion of the program. Those who step up and can put the time and energy in straight way can complete the program in four months. If life intercedes, it can take as long as it needs (average completion time is 4-6 months.) Once your in the program, you're in and are privy to the resources that the training program offers. Participants are not just paying for 200 hours of scheduled time. Ultimately, its a mentor/apprenticeship program.

3. The AYC Teacher Training program is a charter member of the IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists) Council of Schools Initiative. This entitles participants to reduced membership rates and the resources that the IAYT provides.

A.Y.C. is a charter member of the IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists) Council of Schools Initiative. Completion of the program qualifies participants to register with the IAYT and the Yoga Alliance.

No formal application is required, just email to arrange a meeting or attend J. Brown's class and talk to him directly.

"J. has managed to create a professional training program that balances the need for a knowledgeable and authoritative instructor with an open and welcoming atmosphere. Most of the class sessions felt more like discussions among friends but left me with an deeper understanding of philosophy and techniques behind this style of yoga and the ways in which to effectively impart them to a group of students. Months after my training has ended and I am actively teaching, J. remains a true friend and mentor, always available for a chat or to answer any additional questions I might have. He is genuinely and sincerely interested in the journey of each and every one of his students, for every ounce of effort you give it you are rewarded back from him tenfold. For those interested in learning to teach a safe and therapeutic practice or for those simply interested in deepening their knowledge and honing their own practice, I cannot recommend the training at Abhyasa highly enough." - Dana Bushman.

"After doing a lot of research into yoga teacher training courses offered at NYC studios and talking to former students of the larger schools, I decided that training with J at Abhyasa was the right fit for me. I was not interested in participating in a cookie-cutter program, and I needed the training to fit into my already hectic life. The training was a wonderful experience, tailor-made for each student in our (small) group. J facilitates a truly unique educational process, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to dig deeper into my own yoga practice annd start teaching." - Niki Poirier

"It is my pleasure to look back at the fall 2008 teacher training I did with J. I decided to do the training soon after we met. I had only taken one of his classes! However, I got a sense that what he was teaching would not only be good for me, but that it was already within my ability to practice. I also loved that J. left me to my self and supported me in being authentic. All of these first impressions were accurate. As I began the training, it felt so good to discuss how to lead a truly empowering class. I was free to take the training at my own pace and follow my inclinations in subject matter. Since completing the training, I have taught to a wide range of people's needs. J. has remained a sincere friend to me since we met, listening when I needed to talk and sharing from his experience. I am happy to recommend his training."- Alexandra Burbelo

"In his teaching, J Brown clearly presents an overall view of the yoga tradition. He practically applies these ancient teachings to present day life. His approach allows for individual freedom and exploration within a yoga practice. Studying with J has provided me the tools to guide myself and others through a safe practice that promotes wellness." - Leah Thomas

Jesse Zalla is a master level Pilates teacher who has studied with several of Pilates elders, including Kathy Grant, Ron Fletcher, Mary Bowen and Pat Guyton. She has been teaching since 1996 and has a background as a professional dancer and yoga instructor. Jesse cultivates the ability to identify and direct bodies with precision, subtlety and grace. She believes that Pilates is as much about self awareness as movement and exercise.