PLESE NOTE: As all the lectures are pre-recorded, you can apply and start this training ANYTIME.
The start date in the event is there because our website event format needs to have a date.
Overview
This online training is perfect for Yoga students who have been practising for a while and are ready to learn more but can’t afford to take the required time off to attend an in-person Yoga Teacher Training course.
The training is divided into modules which are done one by one. You will get access to the next module only upon finishing the previous one. Some modules are shorter and can be completed in a week or a weekend; some might take a month or two, depending on how much time you can allocate to your studies. All the modules will have a quiz and an essay; some will require you to record practising or teaching a sequence.
The materials are all pre-recorded so that you can create your study schedule. You will get a mentor with whom you will have a number of hours (depends on the package you choose) of one-on-one Q&A and practicum sessions, divided into one or two hour slots, whatever you and your mentor feel is best for you.
This training is divided into eight main modules:
0) Welcome to your YTT
1.) Yoga History and Tradition - 10 hours
2.) Anatomy, Physiology & Biomechanics - 30 hours
3.) Spanda Method (Intelligent sequencing) - 60 hours
4.) Beyond Asana (Pranayama, Mudra, Mantra, Meditation) - 6 hours
5.) Spanda Tattva Flow (using Ayurveda and Elements as class inspiration) - 60 hours
6.) Beginners Flow - 10 hours
7.) Restorative Flow - 5 hours
6.) Tools For Growth - the Business of Teaching Yoga - 7 hours
+ One-to-one mentoring - 6 hours
+ Homework and feedback
+ Closing ceremony
Each module has a different number of hours. Some are longer, some are shorter, some will take more of your time, but some will breeze through depending on your prior knowledge.
We require you to have at least a year of dedicated Yoga practice before you apply. Other than that, you will need a yoga mat, two blocks, yoga bolster (or a folded thicker blanket), a laptop and a good WiFi connection, and a student/friend or two to practice your skills on, if possible;). If you need to buy any of the equipment, you can get them at 15% off from our partner Yogaline Shop (code is NINA15, discount is valid for sale items as well).
What can you expect?
At the end of this training, you will acquire many skills and tools to refine your personal practice and teach different yoga classes confidently. You will learn a comprehensive sequencing structure that will help you easily and skilfully sequence different themed classes and get a deep understanding of how to align your classes with Nature's cycles and your group's needs. You will learn how to safely teach beginners and create beautiful, relaxing Restorative classes.
Even though you will learn at your own pace and time, apart from always having someone available to answer your questions, we will be there for you every step of the way. Each module will have a quiz and homework, either an essay or a practice video. In addition, after some of the modules, you will have a mentoring session with your mentor.
Modules in detail
Yoga History and Tradition
This module is a great introduction to a Yoga Teacher Training in which we cover the fascinating (and often confusing) Yoga History as well as Philosophy and Tradition. We teach in a non-dogmatic way, aligned with the latest findings and scholarly consensus. This module also covers modern Yoga history, discussing how postural Yoga has spread worldwide.
Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics
Understanding human anatomy and physiology is an important tool for Yoga Teachers who want to teach yogic techniques such as asana, pranayama, mantra and mudra with intention and understanding. In this module, we cover the skeletal system and the biomechanics of asana (joint positions), the muscular system, the nervous system, and the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system. Finally, we offer a lecture about common injuries and how to deal with them.
Spanda Method - intelligent sequencing
Spanda Method is one of our core modules covering the primary Vinyasa Flow sequencing method we teach and from which most other sequencing methods originate. This intelligent method has clearly laid out principles and an intuitive, organic structure based on anatomy and physiology, but it also has a lot of room for creativity. Our students come from different paths and have studied various ways of sequencing asana classes - some have studied set sequences, and some a more creative approach. Regardless of what you have learned thus far, we believe this will be a helpful tool for intelligent sequencing of intermediate Vinyasa-style classes.
Beyond Asana
Beyond Asana module covers other essential tools such as pranayama, meditation, mindfulness, mudra and mantra, and how to use them in your asana classes or as a separate practice.
Spanda Tattva Flow
In this module, you will learn about Ayurveda, Pancha Maha Bhutas, or the Five Great Elements, and how to use Ayurveda's principles to sequence balancing and healing classes. We look at how to use the elements and the qualities of each element to sequence: Bhumi (earth) Flow, Jala (water) Flow, Agni (fire) Flow, and Vayu (air) Flow. You will learn different Namaskars for each element as well as mudras, pranayama and mantra for each element.
Beginners Flow
In this module, we will teach you how to create level 1 and level 2 beginner sequences, how to adapt asanas and which ones to choose, how to use props, how to adjust your instructions to teaching beginners, and more.
Restorative Flow
Learn how to sequence relaxing, anti-stress classes using props and longer-held restorative asanas.
Tools for Growth - The Business of Teaching Yoga
What are the next steps now that you have your diploma? Should you apply to Yoga Alliance and how? How and when should you start teaching? How to become a great as well as successful Yoga Teacher? We know you will have all of these questions once you are close to getting your diploma, and in this final module, we attempt to answer them.
Mentoring sessions
You will get 6 hours of one-to-one Zoom mentoring included in the price, but if you need more, you can contact your mentor (and pay her/him directly). Some modules have quizzes and written assignments instead of one-to-one live mentoring. For example, you will have essay assignments for the 1st module and get written feedback for them.
One-to-one mentoring Zoom hours are as follows:
Anatomy and Physiology - 30 min (Q&A)
Spanda Method - 1.5 hours (class sequencing and feedback)
Tattva Flow - 1.5 hours (class sequencing and feedback)
Beginners Flow - 1.5 hours (class sequencing and feedback)
Restorative Flow - 1 hour (class sequencing and feedback)
Your Teachers & Mentors
Nina Vukas
E-RYT 500, RPYT, YACEP, IAYT, Somatic Psychotherapist
Spanda Institute Founder
Program Director, Lead Teacher
Nina is a founder of Spanda Institute, Program Director and a Lead Teacher for Advanced Study Programs. She has been a Yoga practitioner since 1998, started teaching full time in 2005, and has been educating yogis on their journey towards becoming Yoga Teachers, as well as educating Yoga Teachers to advance their knowledge and teaching skills since 2009. Nina is also a Yoga Therapist, Somatic Psychotherapist, Mindfulness and Meditation teacher, and forever a student. Currently, she is studying Psychology and Neuroscience.
Teresa Wohlmannstetter
E-RYT 500, Manual Therapist, PHYSIO
Anatomy and Physiology
Teresa is a physiotherapist who worked in an orthopaedic practice for many years before she became a full-time Yoga Teacher. A yogini since her teens, she attended a Yoga Teacher Training to bring more tools into her passion for supporting and healing body/mind. After completing her 200-hour training with us in Portugal and graduating with honours as one of the best in her class, Teresa joined us as an Anatomy Teacher first while continuing her Yoga education, sound healing education, as well as pursuing professional education in manual therapy. After completing her 300-hour YTT with Spanda Institute, Teresa became an essential part of our 200- and 300-hour programs team. A passionate surfer, Teresa lives in Portugal, where she offers group and private Yoga classes, sound healing sessions, massage and therapy sessions and bespoke Yoga retreats.
Marina Moric
RYT 500, RPYT Aerial Yoga Teacher, PhD Neuroscience
Nervous system
Marina has been with us for years, first as a student finishing her 200-hour TTC after which she started teaching classes in our first home base, Sangha Yoga Studio. She continued her Prenatal 300-hour studies with us as well as other renowned yoga teachers. Marina lives and works in Basel, Switzerland where she moved to pursue her PhD in Neuroscience. You’ll most likely find her upside-down or in the air; her passions include Acro Yoga, Aerial Yoga, and Paragliding. She is our resident Neuroscientist, teaching Nervous System Anatomy and Physiology, Neurobiology, and Applied Neuroscience in our 200-hour, 300-hour,r and our upcoming Yoga Therapy courses.
Gea Krajcar
E-RYT 500, RPYT, YACEP
Mentor
Gea has been, one way or another, a part of our story for years; starting as our student on the 200-hour program after which she joined our Sangha Yoga Studio teaching team of which she was an intricate part until she moved to Seattle to live, teach and learn more. Gea followed our 300-hour and Prenatal Teacher Training Program, and continued to study and learn more with different teachers worldwide. Today she lives in London where she continues to study, grow, and teach daily classes in her yoga studio SOMA in Wandsworth.
Bruno Morias
E-RYT 500, YACEP
Spanda Method, Mentor
Movement has always been essential to Bruno's life; he studied dance in Amsterdam and performed for years in theatres around Europe. During this time, he practised Yoga, mainly as a warm-up during his years as a dancer, but also because he found a more profound connection with himself on the mat, so completing a Yoga Teacher Training was a natural next step in his life. While at the crossroads of his professional life, Bruno took some time off to travel the globe, teaching Yoga everywhere he stayed longer. He also continued with his Yoga education, completing a 300-hour training with Nina Vukas and Celest Pereira, and soon joined our team, first as a mentor, followed by an assistant teacher, and later taking the lead on our 200-hour YTT courses in Portugal and Sri Lanka. Bruno is a fun and down-to-earth teacher; his students mainly describe him as humble and patient. When he is not leading one of our 200-hour YTTs, Bruno is teaching weekly classes in different Yoga studios in and around Lisbon.
Student Testimonials
“Spanda Online Teacher Training was an amazing experience in the comfort of my own house. It was a great option for me due to the uncertainty of the pandemic times, but I would still recommend it now to anyone with limited availability to travel to complete a YTT. I was provided with plenty of study materials, such as books, pre-recorded lectures and videos, which gave me a great understanding of yoga history and anatomy. Finally, following the Spanda method, I was able to put together and lead my own yoga class. All along this course, I was supported by Nina and my mentor Bruno, who kept my spirit up and were very approachable whenever I had questions. After completing this course, I feel that I have a strong foundation to begin my journey as a teacher”. - Magda (PT)
“I wanted to do Yoga Teacher Training for many years, but finding time with two kids and a job was hard. It felt like it would never happen until a friend recommended this training. I was initially reluctant about the fully online structure, but I am so happy that I decided to take a leap of faith. This training surpassed my expectations! It completely changed my practice, and I have already started to confidently teach yoga to friends and family (for now) and can adjust to everyone's needs. Nina is such a knowledgeable teacher, and the method she created is fantastic. I enjoyed learning from her and other teachers, and I really appreciated private mentoring sessions. Thank you, Spanda team!” - Claudia (ITA)
Tuition & Application
Tuition cost
Tuition price: 1300 €
Student discount: 10% (1170 €)
Other discount*: 30% (910 €)
Instalments:
Tuition price: 1600 €
6 Instalments of 267 €
Student discount: 10% (6 x 240 €)
Other discount*: 30% (6 x 187 €)
* For unemployed, or those with low income.
Please email us with your specific situation to discuss if you are eligible to apply.