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INTRODUCTION
The Yoga Association of Alberta provides a Teacher Training Program in Hatha Yoga and a Certification Program in Hatha Yoga for those who have completed equivalent training.
There are three distinct categories in the Yoga Association of Alberta – YAA Membership; YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification. For definitions of these categories, click here.
The full details of both programs are documented in YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Syllabus and Guidelines and Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification Requirements and Guidelines. Page references in the following information refer to this document. This document may be downloaded in full or by section in the Forms & Further Information section below.
These Programs are funded in part by the Government of Alberta, Community Development for the residents of Alberta.
YAA HATHA YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM (TTP)
1. Description and Required Qualifications to Apply
The YAA offers a Senior Teacher mentorship / apprenticeship based teacher training program which requires a minimum of two years of training.
The YAA-TTP is geared to mature students who will take responsibility to complete the hours required and who have the time and finances to do so. The full cost of the program depends on the overall number of classes and workshops attended for which payment is made at the time of the classes and workshops. The approximate minimum cost is $3000.00, the payment of which is spread over the time that the student is in the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program.
In order to qualify for the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program, the applicant:
- must be at least 18 years old
- must be a full member of the YAA
- must be an Alberta resident
- must provide a letter of introduction / recommendation from a yoga teacher with evidence of at least 2 years of recent formal classes in hatha yoga (see Appendix A for definition). Please note that workshops and classes taken prior to applying the YAA TTP are credited towards meeting the 2-year pre-requisite requirement and are not credited to meeting the TTP Certification requirements. The only exceptions are workshops and classes taken during the month prior to applying to the YAA Teacher Training Program, upon approval by the YAA Teacher Training and Certification Committee. A rural applicant without a full two years of recent attendance in formal hatha yoga classes must submit a letter proposing how he / she could upgrade to the 2-year requirement (e.g. weekend workshops, a week of classes in major centre / month, etc.).
- must be familiar with the Level One Asana / Pranayama Required Practices.
2. Program Summary / Overview
By the end of the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program (TTP), a student is required to have an understanding of Level One and Level Two Asana / Pranayama Required Practices and is required to be able to teach them safely, in order to be eligible to apply for certification.
The hourly requirements for this Hatha Yoga Teacher Training 300-hour Program are:
- 100 hours of weekly Hatha Yoga classes with Senior Teacher
- 100 hours of Hatha Yoga Workshops including 3 International Teachers and 3 YAA-TTP Practice Teaching Retreats
- 10 hours of Anatomy and Physiology
- 15 hours of Psychology / Philosophy
- 15 hours of Breath Awareness
- 10 hours of Meditation
- 10 hours of Special Needs
- 40 hours of Apprenticeship.
In addition, a student is required to complete 10 written assignments. Finally, a student is expected to do 10 hours of Karma Yoga (actions performed with yogic awareness and in service to others on a volunteer basis) for the YAA or for another non-profit or charitable organization.
The YAA recommends that TTP students and certified teachers take a CPR course.
The YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program may be completed in a minimum of 2 years providing the student fulfills all requirements (300 hours). If a TTP student is in the program for longer than 5 years, his / her status will be reviewed by the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Committee.
Props: In order to gain maximum benefit from classes, retreats and workshops, the following props are required: 1 sticky mat, 4 foam blocks, 1 strap, 2 blankets and 1 wood block. Bolster recommended.
3. Registration and Administration Process
To Register: Submit a YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Application Form with required supporting documentation and $125 fee payment to the Yoga Association of Alberta office. Other fees must be paid by the TTP student directly to the organizer or teacher of the classes and workshops attended.
Tel.: (780) 427-8776
Fax: (780) 427-0524
E-mail: yaa@yoga.ca
Forms & Further Information
YAA HATHA YOGA TEACHER CERTIFICATION
1. YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification Policy
The Yoga Association of Alberta only recognizes and certifies teacher training programs that provide systematic instruction first and foremost in the core body of asanas, then in the rudiments of pranayama and meditation, all supported by basic study of the textual background of hatha yoga.
The YAA recognizes that each particular tradition or school of hatha yoga approaches this training differently and prescribes only that all the requirements for certification, as outlined in the Teacher Training Program section above and as detailed in the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Syllabus and Guidelines and Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification Requirements and Guidelines, be fulfilled in order for any particular training program's students to be recognized for YAA certification. If an applicant is missing any of the requirements, the applicant must be registered in the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program while completing the missing requirements.
Please note that a prerequisite of 2 years of regular hatha yoga practice in formal classes plus 300 hours of teacher training including apprenticeship with an experienced Senior Teacher over a minimum of 2 years are two of the defining requirements for completing the program and for recognizing a teacher’s certification from a Non-YAA Teacher Training Program. An established personal practice and an apprenticeship take precedence over any short-term training.
YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification may be obtained by submitting an Initial Certification Application and required supporting documentation to the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Committee for review and recommendation, which is then approved by the YAA Executive.
Forms & Further Information
YAA HATHA YOGA TEACHER RECERTIFICATION
A YAA Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher must apply for recertification and submit a record of 300 hours of hatha yoga professional development (half of which may be hatha yoga teaching hours) every three years in order to maintain his / her certification status, as detailed in the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Syllabus and Guidelines and Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification Requirements and Guidelines.
YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Recertification may be obtained by submitting a Recertification Application and required supporting documentation to the YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Committee for review and recommendation, which is then approved by the YAA Executive.
Forms & Further Information
The TTP Committee does not endorse TTP students teaching in a formal setting before they are certified.
Insurance Information for YAA Certified Teachers
FORMS
Download the following pdf files* to print at your computer:
*Download free Adobe Reader to read pdf files. 
Full Document: YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Syllabus and Guidelines and Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification Requirements and Guidelines
Or by Section:
Syllabus and Guidelines only (No Appendices)
Appendix A: Definition of Hatha Yoga
Appendix B: Mission Statement and Code of Ethics
Appendix C: Asana & Pranayama Required Practices
Appendix D: Reading List
Appendix E: Effective Teaching Skills
Appendix F: Required Documentation for YAA TTP
Appendix G: Required Documentation for Initial Certification
YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Summary of Hours (pdf file)
or YAA Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Summary of Hours (Excel Spreadsheet)
Appendix H: Required Documentation for Recertification
Appendix I: Senior & Intermediate Teachers - Information
Appendix J: Applications for Senior & Intermediate Teacher Status
Appendix K: Required Documentation for Senior Teacher Recertification
Frequently Asked Questions *NEW!*
For Further Information on the YAA Teacher Training and Certification Programs, contact the Coordinator by e-mail at yaa.cert@telus.net
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