OUR REQUIREMENTS TO SEND STUDENTS ON BIKRAM YOGA TEACHER TRAINING - by Michele Pernetta

**Please note, the deadline by which you need to have discussed your desire to attend teacher training and already be working on your preparation programme with Michele and Mark by, is April 10th for FALL teacher training October 10th for SPRING teacher training. We cannot consider applicants contacting us after these dates**

CLOSING DATES FOR US TO APPROVE YOU FOR TEACHER TRAINING ARE 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE START OF TRAINING. YOU MUST NOTIFY US NO LATER THAN 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE TEACHER TRAINING YOU WISH TO ATTEND SO WE CAN WORK WITH YOU CLOSELY AND HELP PREPARE YOU, GIVE YOU CORRECTIONS AND TIPS, WORK WITH YOU ON YOUR PROBLEM AREAS, AND HELP YOU IN WAYS THAT WILL BE INVALUABLE TO YOUR TEACHING. WE CANNOT SEND YOU AFTER THAT DATE AND WILL BE UNABLE TO DO INTERNSHIPS WITH YOU IF WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS TIME WITH YOU

The Bikram teacher training is one of the most complete, rewarding and comprehensive teacher training programmes in the world, with 8 weeks of intensive study, yoga practise and over 500 hours of course work.

There are several requirements for going on to the teacher training. We are always here to talk to you, give you advice and answer your questions. These guidelines are for your interest, and to help you prepare to go on what will surely be one of the most rewarding, life changing and challenging journeys of your life.

Bikram's website says the minimum period of practise prior to attending teacher training is 6 months. Very few people are ready to go on to the training after only 6 months of practise. This is for the exceptional student only who has perhaps 10 years of yoga practise under their belts. It is a MINIMUM. This minimum will shortly be changed to a year, if it has not been changed already. However, most people need much more before they will be ready, usually about 18 months minimum. (Personally I feel it takes about 3 years to have travelled down enough of the road to be able to start passing it on!)

Only your studio owner will be able to advise you as to how long it might be in your case. Only your studio owner can approve you to go on to the training.

No one will be accepted on to the training without a recommendation from a studio owner in good standing with Bikram. The first thing to do is to tell your studio owner that you would like to start the preparation process. This way your teacher can start giving you more intense corrections, and help you move along in your practise. Tell teachers that you want help, or feedback and they will start working with you more intensely. Oct is cut off date for letting Michele know you would like to pepare for Spring Training, and April is the cut off point for letting us know for the Fall training.

The best advice we can give you is to buy a yearly unlimited and spend a year working on your practise with the help of your instructors.

You MUST have practised for 6 months 4 times a week with no gaps prior to attending the training. The last two months you need to have been doing "doubles" (2 classes a day) 3 times a week. On the training you are doing to classes a day, 6 days a week, so it is best to be used to it. If you are considering going on the training, tell your studio owner more than six months in advance! You need six months to prepare, and your studio needs to give written proof to LA of your attendance. Let us work with you during this period. It is in your interest to be prepared. This is a difficult and challenging course, and you do not want to be worrying about your aches and pains, tiredness and injuries because you were not sufficiently prepared!

Although it is difficult to say here what needs to be in place before one goes to the training, as each person is different and has different bodies, problems etc.., it is a pretty safe guideline to say that the following need to be in place:

a) The knee is locked in the balancing postures

b) From the time you begin the yoga to now, you have considerably begun the opening up process of your spine(i.e. it has changed)

c) You have the strength to really push yourself hard in class. You do not wait until the end of the pose to push.

d) You have total focus. You are not looking all around and fidgeting.

e) You take your teachers corrections and immediately try to implement them.

f) You have a solid understanding of the postures and how to work yourself in them. Your technique is perfect for your body.

g) Overweight or underweight. If you are very over or underweight, spend time balancing these things out before going on to the training. The training should not be used as a weight control programme.

h) You should be able to perform a good Standing Head to Knee posture, with both knees locked and the forehead on the knee, and a good standing bow.

i) You can breathe calmly and steadily through the nose throughout the class and can use the breath during your postures.

j) You want to teach. This is not a self-improvement holiday, or a yoga intensive. It is for those who want to learn to teach.

It is not imperative that you be the most flexible person in the world, or look the best in your postures. You need a good solid understanding of the postures, your technique should be perfect, and you should have the stamina to work yourself hard. Even older people with physical difficulties have gone on to be successful teachers. Sometimes having worked through a difficulty or an injury makes someone a better and more compassionate teacher.

There is no substitute for having a long and strong practise before going on the training, The best teachers are the ones that practised for a long time before going, because it is during your practise that your understanding of the yoga develops, not on the training.

On completion of the training you are required to undertake a years internship with a reputable Bikram affiliated studio, during which you will be tutored and helped to develop your teaching under the supervision of more experienced teachers. Certified teachers are not permitted to open their own studios, or partner another certified teacher in a studio until they have completed this internship and have a recommendation from the studio saying that they are ready to go out on their own.

So as you can see it is not a quick process. It requires real dedication, commitment, hard work and love of the yoga. If you have all these things and want to take the next step then it will reward you with a lifetime of health, happiness, healing, fascination and the ability to share this with others. You will be part of the Bikram "family" which extends throughout the world and means you are welcomed in the cities everywhere that now host the 800 Bikram studios.

We at Bikram Yoga are here to help you with this journey, support you through the process, and then help you learn how to share what you have learned with others.

Anyone wishing to attend teacher training needs to have met with Michele and/or mark at least 6 months prior to the start of the training they wish to attend

We need 6 months to work with practitioners intending to go on the training, and will not consider applicants after that time. This 6 months is invaluable in your development in preparation for the training and also in becoming a teacher.

Come to Michele’s or Mark’s class and let them know before class you would like some feedback on your practise.

All information on the training, including dates and prices, can be found at www.bikramyoga.com