About The Retreat

200 hour Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, Greece

This 200 hour Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training hosted at Evia Silence retreat centre is designed for all levels of yogis who want to connect with and deepen their practice, understand vinyasa flow sequencing and experience a well-rounded curriculum that will develop them into confident teachers.

The course is led by the Alpha Yoga School who strongly believe in the importance of experiential learning through one’s own journey of self-discovery and encourage each student to discover and develop his/her unique style as a teacher.

This 200 hour ashtanga vinyasa yoga teacher training gives a strong foundation to build your self practice. As your practice deepens, sharing your personal experience in the form of teaching naturally blossoms. Through practical application and direct experience, you will develop the skills, tools and confidence to teach Vinyasa flow classes. You will connect anatomy knowledge to movement and continue your personal yogic journey.

We recommend at least six months of regular yoga practice before taking this course. You will study and practice yoga poses, breathing techniques, meditation, mindfulness, intelligent sequencing, teaching skills and hands-on adjustments.

Theory will include Indian philosophy, yogic lifestyle, moral and ethical codes of yoga (yamas and niyamas), Eastern anatomy and alignment. You will teach your fellow students, giving and receiving constructive feedback throughout the course.

You will practice primarily Ashtanga and Vinyasa with exposure to yin and restorative yoga. By the end of the course you will practice the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series by yourself, teach classes based on the Primary Sequence, and create your own Vinyasa sequences. Come as a practitioner, leave as a teacher.

You will have lots of opportunities to practice teaching. From day one, you will start teaching one-on-one and, as the course continues, you will progress to teaching larger groups. By the end of the course you will be able to teach mixed-level yoga classes confidently.

Teachers

Martin Sittek
(Czech Republic)
​Martin started practicing yoga regularly in 2008 once he realised that it brought peace, relaxation and balance to his otherwise sedentary and stressful lifestyle.

​Starting first with traditional Hatha yoga classes, he later transitioned to more dynamic styles of Vinyasa yoga. Inevitably, he developed a curiosity about other aspects of yoga. He quit his job and traveled to India in pursuit of an overall practice of yoga. He never looked back.​

After completing 200 hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training with Sampoorna Yoga India, he attended 200 hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training at Mahadevi Ashram in Guatemala. He learned the art of adjustment and alignment from Kamal Singh during 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training at Tattvaa Yoga Shala Rishikesh.

In 2018, he completed a 40 hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course with David Swenson in Italy. David is one of only a handful of Westerners to have learned the full Ashtanga system as originally taught by K. Pattabhi Jois.

Martin attended workshops with David Robson at Purple Valley in Goa, India. He continues his studies with Regina Elhers, certified by K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India.

​Martin understands the challenges of deepening a yoga practice through years of dedicated personal experience. He uses this knowledge to help his students learn. Martin has a great sense of humour. He facilitates, encourages and inspires his students with his devotion and knowledge.

​Martin has a Master’s Degree in Thermal Engineering and a diploma in International Business and Management.

Joanna Vladescu
(Greece)
Joanna started practicing yoga in a studio in Athens in 2005. Unwilling to miss a class, she knew that she had found a beautiful practice, both physically and mentally.

Since 2009 she has completed workshops and advanced studies with first generation teachers of Ashtanga Vinyasa lineage including: Manju Jois, David Swenson, Eddie Stern, Laruga Glaser, Kristina Karitinou, Rolf Naujokat, David Garrigues.

Joanna completed her teacher training in Ashtanga Yoga in San Francisco and another one in Advanced Vinyasa Yoga in Goa, India. She also did a 50 hour Teacher Tune-up course with Noah Maze. She is dedicated to her Ashtanga practice, always looking for a teacher. When she’s in India, she continues her studies with Regina Ehlers.

​Joanna practices and teaches primarily Ashtanga, Vinyasa Yoga and handstands. She likes to inspire people to adopt Ashtanga as a therapeutic method of self-transformation and self-discovery.

​In her class, she emphasises the bandhas and breath, that allow us to make our practice more than just physical exercise. She gives modifications for all body types as she believes yoga is for everyone and everyone has his/her own limitations. The yoga pose is not about how it looks, but how it feels.

She is funny, caring, inspiring and gives full attention to her students. She will take your practice to the next level with precise verbal and hands-on adjustments. Joanna has taught in more than 15 teacher trainings. Joanna is a Thai Massage Therapist and has a degree in Economics.

Laura Shanks
(USA)
Originally from New York, Laura was drawn to yoga and movement at a young age. At the advice of a dance teacher, she began a regular Bikram practice at age 14 that evolved into a personal practice of her own. Over time, and through experimentation with various styles of yoga, her practice blossomed beyond the physical, becoming an all-encompassing, spiritual discipline.

A self-proclaimed “yoga nerd,” Laura’s practice includes not only Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, but expands off the mat to traditional forms of yoga including Bhakti, Nada, Kriya, Raja, Jnana, and Karma.

She completed 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Classical Hatha Yoga and Meditation at an Ashram in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, as well as 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training and 100-hour Plus Yoga Teacher Training in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga at Kranti Yoga in Goa, India.

Having fallen in love with Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, she went on to complete Yoga Teacher Training with Kristina Karitinou-Ireland on the Full Primary Series and has practiced with several senior Ashtanga Vinyasa teachers around the world, including, John Scott, David Williams, Radha Warrell, Pierre Seghir, Jörgen Christiansson and Louise Ellis.

Currently residing in Mysore, India, Laura is a dedicated student of Saraswathi Jois at K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute where she continuously studies asana, chanting, philosophy and Sanskrit. She also studies traditional Ayurveda with Dr. Ranganathan.

A journalism major in college and former fashion publicist, Laura’s inquisitive nature gave way to a strong interest in philosophy and self-inquiry which turned into a lifelong passion. She is grateful to share this passion with others teaching Yoga Philosophy, Ayurveda, Guided Meditation, Anatomy, Myofascial Release and Yoga Asana.

Teacher training content overview

• Ashtanga Primary Series and a broad range of other yoga asanas
• alignment for the Ashtanga Primary Series yoga postures
• modifications and variations of the most common yoga asanas
• hands-on adjustments
• yoga anatomy: basic concepts of functional anatomy applied to yoga practice
• common injuries during yoga practice and how to avoid them
• pranayama and meditation techniques and benefits
• mantra chanting
• Kriya yoga
• mudras and bandhas and their benefits
• yoga philosophy
• Ayurveda science
• teaching a 45 to 90 minute class
• giving clear instructions and cues
• demonstration techniques
• jump back and jump through
• yoga career and building your own business

Certification

Since this is not a yoga retreat or holiday, you will be asked to actively participate, study, do your homework and prepare for all classes. You must meet all course requirements to graduate.

At the end of the course, you will be qualified to teach Vinyasa Flow yoga. Upon successful completion of the practical and written exam you will receive a 200-hour certification eligible to register with Yoga Alliance.

Prerequisites

This course is open for practitioners of all levels. Prior experience and knowledge of Yoga is recommended; at least six months of regular yoga practice, any style.

As the course is demanding, the applicant should be in good physical condition. What is most important is that the applicant arrives with an open mind and the eagerness to learn.

The applicant should also have a basic English language understanding as the course is conducted in English and the student will be required to speak English.

Alcohol and recreational drugs are not available and are restricted on the premises. Please do not bring them from the outside in order to experience fully the benefits of Yoga.

Teaching Methodology

You will learn essential sequencing principles in order to create your own Vinyasa Flow classes. We will look at:

• the difference between sequencing for more experienced students versus beginners
• different types of Vinyasa classes:
• well rounded class
• peak pose class
• one flow one peak
• themed class
• how to demonstrate asanas including: reasons to demonstrate, when, why, do’s and don’ts
• how to maintain group energy
• how to modify asanas
• how to work with a mixed-level class
• how to give verbal instructions
• how to use your voice
• There will be lots of practical teaching, planning, guidance and feedback on how to improve and enhance these skills.
• You will observe, teach and receive constructive feedback from your fellow students and teachers

Morning Asana’s

Our asana curriculum is split equally between Ashtanga and Vinyasa, with three Ashtanga and three Vinyasa classes per week.

Ashtanga is a set sequence of postures linked by the breath. Through the practice of breathing, postures (asanas), and gazing point (dristi), one slowly gains control of the senses and mind.

Over time, with repeated practice and devotion, it unfolds into a moving meditation, awakening a sense of subtle awareness. The mind becomes calmer, and slowly we are able to clear away the clutter. When this happens, the light of yoga begins to shine. This is the transformational beauty of the Ashtanga practice.

Vinyasa means flowing from one posture to another using breath. No two vinyasa classes are alike. We will design them to complement the theory we are covering each day.

​Alignment and hands on adjustments

​You will have many opportunities to practice hands-on adjustments with feedback from your teachers and peers. We will examine each of the main postures of the Ashtanga Yoga Primary Sequence in terms of:

• correct key alignment and aim
• common misalignments
• misconceptions and tendencies
• modifications using props
• advanced variations
• hands-on adjustments​

Every two to three days, there will be workshops where we break down complex postures like lotus, headstand, backbends, transitions, chaturanga dandasana and inversions.

You will be taught in pre-requisite steps that include preparation exercises, appropriate warm ups and requirements for the full expression of the posture. These classes will bring safety, awareness and mindfulness to your practice and teaching.

​Anatomy

You will explore functional yoga anatomy and how to safely deepen your practice through your body. You will learn about the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems through a comprehensive breakdown of the regions of the body most applicable to the practice.

Through hands-on practical application, you will investigate the different types of connective tissues, experience the movements of the joints, and connect with your fascial body. You will leave with a more profound understanding of your own body as well as your students’.

Philosophy

Yoga philosophy is interwoven throughout the course. We will explore what yoga really is; its meanings, significances, ethics and practices in the past and present. We will investigate the roots of the practice; the Vedic tradition and its culture, myths, and mantras and then continue down the evolutionary paths of both classical and modern yoga practices.

You will be introduced to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Bhagavad Gita, gaining insight on their commentaries. We will discuss how to integrate yoga philosophy into our every day life.

​Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the Vedic science of health and longevity, is intrinsically linked to the practice of yoga. These two sister sciences were developed together and traditionally are taught together. We will explore the foundations of this extraordinary holistic discipline while learning its basic principles of self-healing that can be applied both on and off the mat.

Accommodation

Evia Silence is a luxuriously tranquil wellness hotel and retreat centre nestled in the mountains of Greece’s beautiful Evia Island.

Overlooking the Porto Buffalo Bay coastline and the crystal clear European Sea, you can jump from shavasana straight into cool, sparkling waters within just a few steps. All rooms include attached bathrooms, air-conditioning, sea view balconies, flat-screen televisions, as well as kitchen and cooking essentials. Roommates will be assigned automatically for all shared rooms unless otherwise requested.

Food

Evia’s kitchen caters all meals. Their chef provides fresh, natural, vegetarian and vegan cuisine using only the finest local produce and ingredients. Specialising in traditional, healthy, Greek and international dishes, their goal is to satisfy an array of palates through balanced nutrition.

Investment

Prices are in Euros
Single €3890
Double €2990
Triple €2690

Includes

All packages are residential and include accommodation, tuition fees, manual, brunches, dinners, afternoon snacks, tea and water.

Have a question about the teacher training?

Email the team on retreats@soulseedmedia.com who would be happy to hear from you.

Booking

Fill in the booking form to make an enquiry or booking on this 200 hour Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Evia. You can also contact the team direct on retreats@soulseedmedia.com if you have any questions.

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