One of the most important thoughts behind creating Yoga Futura was establishing a space, where one can continue to practice throughout the different stages of their life. Aside offering classes that cover a wide spectrum of physical practices, we also knew that it is crucial to be able to cater to those that wish to further deepen their practice. Our foundational 200 hour certified yoga teacher training was carefully crafted to establish the next generation of yoga teachers.
Ashtanga Open
The method underlying our teacher training is Ashtanga Yoga, with variations that ‘open’ the practice for practitioners of all levels. Ashtanga Yoga is built up of set sequences, which the students master one after the other. The first of these sequences is the Primary Series, which for most practitioners is already quite a challenging practice.
In Ashtanga Open classes we focus on the framework of the Primary Series, and offer variations and additions to the sequence, with the aim of tailoring the class to the students’ level or a specific focus (e.g. backbending). When setting up an Ashtanga Open class, we draw inspiration from further series’ of Ashtanga Yoga as well as Vinyasa methodology.
In addition to creating variety, we also place great emphasis on allowing for evidence-based movement to influence the practice. Our goal is to create a sustainable and non-injurious yoga practice, that supports you and your future students.
Traditional Led (Half Primary)
Recognising the universality of being able to practice and teach an Ashtanga Yoga class anywhere in the world and knowing that the method connects us, we teach the traditional Sanskrit names and counts of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga alongside our Ashtanga Open methodology for trainees that wish to learn this content.
Our school follows the lineage of Sharath Jois, the count will therefore be based on his teaching and book.
Vinyasa Yoga
In Vinyasa yoga classes the students flow through various postures that vary from class-to-class. Although our teacher training is rooted in the Ashtanga Yoga method, we provide our trainees with the theoretical and practical knowledge to sequence and teach Vinyasa classes as well.
Given that the roots of these practices are the same, we follow the same curriculum for both learning tracks and offer the option to learn either (or both) teaching methodologies’ unique aspects via the 1:1 Apprenticeship module.
Apprenticeship
In order to guide the trainees into a real life experience of teaching a class, we have incorporated an Apprenticeship module into our training. The trainees will be assisting the lead teachers in our studio on regular classes, and will receive tasks that systematically build on one another and prepare trainees to teach independently. The trainees will have the option of deciding who to apprentice with, and which method they wish to apprentice in (Ashtanga or Vinyasa).
This 1:1 opportunity is a unique element of our training that we believe brings immense value. To organise these sessions, the trainees will be provided with an online calendar link where they can book their 20 hours with our lead teachers directly. As we systematically go through our Apprenticeship module with each trainee separately, we make sure that they gain the confidence necessary to show up before a class of students.
If necessary, we offer additional opportunities to apprentice beyond the 20 hours. We recommend to try and spread these apprentice classes out instead of trying to master them in a few weeks, to allow for proper integration of the learned techniques. We know that this might not be possible for trainees that do not live in Berlin, and we aim to find a solution for those who can only perform this module in blocks.
Curriculum
Finding your voice as a teacher and gaining confidence in front of a larger group are some of the biggest challenges all aspiring yoga teachers encounter. Our practical modules therefore centre around creating ample opportunities to practice these skills in a safe environment. As hands-on adjustments play an important role in Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga, we also place emphasis on learning how to execute these safely and practice them on one another.
When assembling our theoretical curriculum, it was important to us that our teaching is guided by the yoga historians that have studied the evolution of yoga in depth. The yoga world is filled with controversies and we believe having a clear view on the history of yoga is crucial in becoming an authentic teacher. Similarly, when teaching about the physical practice itself, we draw on the new studies of biomechanics to ensure what we teach is evidence-based.
The modules we cover follow the structure of Yoga Alliance’s core curriculum.
Techniques, training and practice (75 hours)
Anatomy and Phisiology (30 hours)
Yoga Humanities (30 hours)
Professional essentials (50 hours)
Elective hours (15 hours)
Blended Learning
In 2023/2024 we will be offering our training in a blended learning format. A large proportion of the theoretical sessions will be pre-recorded for trainees to study at their own pace leading up to our two in-person workshops. The in-person workshops will be focusing on recapping and deepening the theoretical sessions, learning how to safely execute adjustments and practicing teaching before groups.
With this format we wish to make the training accessible to those who have a busy working/studying/family schedule. To ensure that we have ample opportunities to connect, ask questions and meet, we will offer a bi-weekly catch-up session where trainees are encouraged to ask questions, and to zoom in on a specific aspect of the curriculum.
The blended format is built up of:
50+ hours of pre-recorded theory via an online learning platform
20 hours of in-class training
15 hours of bi-weekly group classes
90 hours of in-person workshops
5 hours of individual mentorship
20+ hours of apprenticing
Yoga Alliance
Our training has been approved by Yoga Alliance and meets the elevated standards of a 200 hour registered yoga teacher training. This means, that upon graduation, you will be able to register yourself as a teacher with Yoga Alliance.
Training Dates 2023/2024
1 September 2023
(in-person, Berlin)
Practice, introduction and orientation, overview of blended learning structure, homework and exam schedule and apprenticeship module. First asana lab and teaching section. For trainees outside of Berlin, the opening day can be attended via Zoom.
September-May
(online)
The topics covered include the history of yoga, yoga philosophy, teaching methodology, practicalities of being a teacher, anatomy, biomechanics, meditation and more. The self-study sessions will be accompanied by a bi-weekly Q&A and focus session (in-person and online).
11-15 October 2023
(in-person, Berlin)
History and philosophy of yoga recap, the theory of practice, understanding asanas in depth (asana labs), chanting, learning how to offer safe adjustments, understanding the mind - preparation for meditation, anatomy workshop, foundations of sequencing and practicing teaching before a group (teaching labs).
13-17 March 2024
(in-person, Berlin)
Pranayama, advanced sequencing principles, asana labs, adjustments practice, teaching labs, setting up as a freelancer and the business of yoga, ethical commitments of being a yoga teacher.
16 October-6 June
(in-person, Berlin)
Depending on whether you are based in Berlin or abroad, the apprenticeship classes can either be performed throughout the duration of the training, or closely linked to the in-person workshops. A minimum of 20 hours are required.
7 June
(in-person, Berlin)
Teaching Exam and Graduation day.
Pricing
€3200
Full tuition
The full tuition includes a €500 deposit, which is to be paid upon securing your spot. This deposit is non-refundable, with the exception of the covid clause we have included in the FAQ section below. The rest of the tuition is refundable if cancelled 3 weeks before the first day of the training.
€500 + 12*€240
Payment plan
In case of monthly instalments, the deposit is to be paid upon securing your spot. The first instalment is due 1 month prior to the training’s first day. In case of cancellation, the same rules apply as in the case of the full tuition.
€2900
Early bird
The early bird discount applies in case the full tuition is paid by 31 March 2023. In case of cancellation, the same rules apply as for the regular tuition.
Scholarships
If you would like to participate in the training, but do not have the financial means to do so, please reach out to us. Although we cannot guarantee that we will find a solutions considering our costs in offering the training, we will try our very best to find a solution that works for all.
FAQs
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We recommend having a steady and continuous practice before embarking on a teacher training, of about 2 years. Ideally you will already have some experience in Ashtanga Yoga either via our Ashtanga Open classes, or by practicing Ashtanga Yoga elsewhere. The curriculum incorporates practice into each day, you will therefore have ample opportunities to practice. However, in order to truly benefit from the depth of material we will be covering, it is good to have a solid base.
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Our teacher training is rooted in the Ashtanga Yoga methodology, and historically, Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga are also intertwined. Most of the curriculum (e.g. history and philosophy of yoga, anatomy, biomechanics, asana labs, teaching methodology, adjustments) are also the same. If you join and wish to only teach Vinyasa classes at the end of the training, you will not be required to learn the traditional Sanskrit count of Ashtanga Yoga, and you will be required to complete your full apprenticeship in Vinyasa-setting. We are currently working on registering both tracks with Yoga Allicance to ensure that your certificate will also state the same.
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The primary language of the training is English as the materials we will provide will be in English. Our entire team speaks German, we can therefore accommodate your choice of wanting to learn how to teach in German as well.
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We welcome international students and hope that our blended learning concept will allow for you to attend the in-person sections. If you have doubts, please feel free to reach out to see if we can work out a structure that works for the group and yourself.
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This training is a blended training and we will strive to keep the in-person sections that way while observing the rules on how to make it as safe as possible to all. If regulation does not permit in-person training, we will try to accommodate some of these sessions online as well. If more than 20% of the in-person training hours will need to be shifted online, you can choose to withdraw from the training and will receive a full refund (including deposit fee).
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Our commitment is to have a ratio of 1:8 to ensure that everyone receives the personalised support they need. This is particularly important for the apprenticeship module where teachers will be training the trainees 1:1.
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Attendance in the full training is required in order to be granted the certificate at the end of the training. In case you are sick or cannot attend for any other reason, you will be able to book make-up sessions at further costs.
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If you already know that one of the dates is impossible for you to organise, please reach out. We will try and accommodate another session, or will work towards tweaking the schedule so that all can be present.
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In case you are ill and cannot attend a training day, we will work with you to ensure that you can make-up for the lost sessions. If we need to schedule additional classes, there will be an additional cost for these. Our aim however is always to keep the costs low (by e.g. grouping students together that missed sessions), or offering video recordings free of charge.
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If you are participating and do not wish to receive a certificate at the end of the training, you will of course not need to attend any of the sessions you do not wish to. We will respect your choice of not wanting to take the exam and there is no pressure in doing so.
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The training will be taught by Tatiana and Julia as well as expert guests from interdisciplinary fields of yoga, medicine, dance and physiotherapy.
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If you have registered, but cannot attend the training, please make sure your withdrawal reaches us 15 days before the training starts. We will reimburse the training fees minus the deposit. For cancellations after the 15 days deadline, we will withhold an additional 500 euros from the training fee. If your withdrawal is due to a medical emergency or that of your immediate family member, please send us an official document confirming this and we will also transfer the deposit back. We reserve the right to review these documents and decide on whether to retain the deposit at our discretion.
Application
If you would like to apply to our training, please fill out the below form. Tell us about your practice, what drew you to applying, and include any questions you might have. We will be in touch with you shortly with a response and answers to any questions you had.