YOGA TEACHER TRAINING
“This was my first Teacher Training after years of intermittent yoga at various schools. I first wondered if I was good enough to practice with a group of veteran yogis (some with decades of experience), but soon learned that I had all I needed: willingness to learn and belief in myself. I’m grateful to have found Brent, an amazing mentor who’s down to earth and devoted to his own practice. Whatever stage you’re at in your yoga journey, I believe you can find value and grow with his training.”
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Tapping the Source
Andalusia, Spain • November 9-23, 2024
Whether you aspire to teach yoga, deepen your personal practice or transform your life completely, yoga teacher training offers a uniquely powerful combination of inner and outer work that will serve as a catalyst to help you achieve your goals and discover all that you’re capable of.
As a hybrid program, this training will consist of two weeks in person at the amazing Suryalila in southern Spain, followed by a series of virtual classes and discussions to reinforce the work we do in person and help you integrate your practice into the course of your daily life.
Though we will cover a wide range of information and explore a variety of practices, the goal of this training is simple: To help you realize your potential.
Whether you already teach yoga, aspire to teach, or simply wish to deepen your personal practice, this training will equip you with the tools, knowledge and resources to help you achieve all that you’re capable of—both on and off the mat.
Beginning with the basics of yoga’s history and philosophy, we will journey together through time to explore yoga’s evolution from its earliest known origins to its current form, making stops along the way to investigate a variety of Hatha practices, including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Yin and Nidra. We will also dig into some of yoga’s most influential texts, including The Vedas, The Yoga Sutras, The Hatha Yoga Pradipika and The Bhagavad Gita. From there we’ll take all we’ve learned and cross-check it against modern science, as well as various movement and meditation practices to try to gain a clearer understanding of what it means to cultivate a functional yoga practice that serves your individual needs and benefits all aspects of your life.
This training is designed to challenge and inspire you—mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. If you’re ready to take a deeper dive into the wonders of yoga and discover how powerfully transformative a truly functional practice can be, I hope you will join me for this uniquely enriching experience of yogic exploration.
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CURRICULUM INCLUDES:
Yoga History, Philosophy & Evolution
Study & Discussion of Foundational Texts
Practice & Study of Yoga Asana
The Benefits & Limitations of Traditional Posture Practice
Practice & Study of Pranayama & Meditation
The Human Nervous System & The Science of Yoga
The Subtle Body
Functional Anatomy
Principles of Movement
Teaching Methodology & Practicum
Intelligent Sequencing
Effective Cueing & Communication
The Art of Adjustments
Injury Prevention & Management
Introduction to Yin, Restorative & Nidra
The Role of Creativity in Cultivating a Personal Practice
Yoga Ethics & Lifestyle
The Business of Yoga
Practical Applications of Practice/Yoga Off the Mat
Seva
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LOCATION
Our base for this training will be the magificent Suryalila, a literal oasis in the midst of the southern Spanish countryside. Set among rolling hills and farmlands and centered between the historic cities of Seville and Málaga, this stunning property offers easy access to several natural and cultural places of interest, including the mountains of Sierra de Grazalema, as well as the towns of Arcos de la Frontera and Ronda. And just a little further away is the famous southern coast of Spain, where we will have the option to spend one of our days off on the white sandy beaches of Cádiz.
With a variety of beautifully decorated housing options, three stunning yoga shalas, a salt water pool, an eco sauna, an in-house café, an organic farm, several lounge areas and a meditation garden, as well as a kitchen that serves fresh, homemade vegetarian cuisine, it is no exaggeration to say that when yoga teachers dream of the ideal place to lead a Teacher Training, they dream of Suryalila.
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SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE:
6:30-7am - Morning Meditation & Pranayama
7-9am - Morning Hatha Practice
9:30-10:30am - Breakfast
11a-1pm - Lectures & Discussion
1:30-3:30pm - Lunch & Free Time
3:30-5pm - Anatomy, Posture & Movement Lab
5:15-6:30pm - Evening Practice & Meditation
7-8pm - Dinner
8-10pm - Optional Evening Activities (Movies, Kirtan, Story Telling, Etc.)
Each week will include one full day off, as well as one half day off to rest and/or enjoy a variety of optional activities, including hiking in the Sierra de Grazelema Nature Park, cultural excursions to Seville, Arcos de la Frontera and/or Ronda, a visit to the beach in Cadiz, flamenco lessons, massage, horseback riding or simply enjoying the pool and/or meditation garden at Suryalila.
In addition, after the two weeks in Spain, this training also includes*:
4 Group Practices on Zoom (90 mins each)
4 Group Discussions on Zoom (60 mins each)
4 Weekly Homework Assignments (including various practices & readings)
1 Individual Culminating Zoom Session (Time TBD)
1 Final Exam
1 Final Individual Project/Homework Assignment
*Please note, the dates of the virtual sessions are TBD, but they will happen within several weeks of when we depart from Spain. In the case that you’re not able to attend any of the virtual sessions, recordings will be made available to you so that you don’t miss anything. Also, pending availability, some of these virtual sessions may be led by select guest faculty who will bring valuable perspective and years of experience to our training.
Upon completion of all elements of the training, you will receive a certificate, as well as an official Certified Yoga Teacher - Level 1 credential (CYT-1) from The Association of Yoga Professionals (AYP).
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TUITION
In addition to the coursework, the tuition for this training includes your accommodations, as well as three gourmet vegetarian meals every day. In an effort to make their offerings available to a diverse audience, Suryalila offers a variety of accommodations. Please feel free to click any of the links below to see photos and read more about each of the following options (for photos and/or info about the yurts, please send an email to blaffoon@gmail.com):
SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS
(all prices in Euros)
Dorm w/ Shared Bath (8 beds) - 3785€
Dorm w/ Shared Bath (4 beds) - 3855€
Large Yurt (Double, Triple or Family Occupancy) - 3995€
Eco Casa w/ Shared Bath - 3995€
Superior Twin or Double Room w/ Shared Bath - 4275€ (*Sold out)
Superior Twin or Double Room w/ Private Bath - 4495€ (*Only one left)
Deluxe Suite w/ Private Bath - 4695€ (*Sold out)
SOLO ACCOMODATIONS
Large Yurt or Eco Casa w/ Shared Bath - 4595€
Superior Room w/ Shared Bath - 4695€ (*Sold out)
Superior Room w/ Private Bath - 4995€ (*Only one left)
Deluxe Suite or Honeymoon Yurt w/ Private Bath - 5295€ (*Sold out)
WHAT’S INCLUDED: Accommodations, three vegetarian meals per day, all coursework and training manual.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Flights to Spain, transfers to and from Suryalila*, optional excursions, activities and spa treatments.
*Please note: The cost of your transfers are not included in your tuition. Please factor in an addition 20-160 Euros each way, depending on whether you plan to arrive by bus or private shuttle, and whether you plan to arrive from Seville, Malaga or Jerez de la Frontera. Click here for more specifics.
**EARLY BIRD PRICING**
All sign ups before December 31, 2023 will receive 500€ off the regular tuition.
In addition, financial assistance is available for those in need. Please send an email to blaffoon@gmail.com for more information.
ONLINE OPTION:
If you’re not able to join us in Spain, you have the option to join the online portion of the training (schedule TBD). As a prerequisite, you would need to complete the 30 Hour Asana Advancement Training on Inner Dimension Academy (see below).
The tuition to join the online portion of the training only is $1,850.
For more information or to register, please send an email to: blaffoon@gmail.com and write “YTT” in the subject line.
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Testimonials from Previous Trainings
“I’ve been practicing yoga for many years and I’ve had some outstanding teachers. I’ve wanted to do a yoga teacher training for a while, but I needed a teacher who would really challenge me. When I met Brent, I knew he had a lot to teach me. I took his teacher training in the fall of 2020 and it lived up to all my expectations. First of all, he did a wonderful job of creating a community among his students. You spend a lot of time with the other students in teacher training and you work together a lot. If you like them, they are a great source of happiness. Also, Brent devised a well-rounded and comprehensive curriculum. He taught anatomy in the context of yoga, in a way that was fun and made sense. He is a master of asana and sequencing and it was a privilege to learn from him. He also brought in intensely knowledgeable guest teachers, each of whom had particular expertise in one or another aspect of movement. Learning from them made my understanding of my physical practice both broader and deeper. Finally, we had wonderful didactic sessions in which we discussed the history of yoga and its essential nature as a spiritual and philosophic practice. Brent’s teacher training helped me to move towards more sophisticated levels of practice; it led me to recommit to the true goals of a yoga practice, inspired me to work harder and with more joy, and opened doors for me that I hadn’t suspected were there. I look forward to taking another training from him in the future. ”
“I am exceptionally lucky to be able to call Brent my mentor. I have taken two 200 hour teacher trainings (TT) with him over the past few years, one of which was the inaugural AYP TT. Despite being held under challenging circumstances in the midst of a global pandemic, Brent found a way to create a safe space for us to practice together in person and learn from several different teachers. If you have ever thought about become a yoga instructor or maybe want to deepen your practice in posture study or yoga philosophy, search no further! As well as being one of my favorite humans, Brent is a master in yogic philosophy and has a natural gift with yoga posture instruction. You will learn about anatomy and physiology and how to incorporate that knowledge into your posture practice and teaching. You will also undoubtedly meet some amazing new friends along the way. It will be work, don’t get me wrong, but it will mostly be so much fun and so fulfilling and I 100% guarantee you will not regret it.”
“I got so much from this training. It’s funny, I said yes when my friend asked me to do it with her without really considering the impact. I knew I was being moved to develop a healthier relationship to my body, but it was the unknowns that shifted me the most. My new obsession with breathwork came directly from seeing you demonstrate how the diaphragm functions. Your dedication to the attunement of your body and the visual experience of seeing your breath fill and then leave your body set me into discovery of what that might look like for me. Your approach and languaging provided the perfect lens for me to see meditation and breathwork in yoga as I had never known it before. I’m learning and teaching to a couple of my existing clients 3 times a week now. I love teaching and facilitating others in their own discoveries. I would like to teach meditation and breathwork more often :) I knew breath was important and life giving but had no idea how transformational it would be. This year has provided so many opportunities to let go of attachments, see the systematic cycles of our existence and face my ego in it’s beauty and most disgusting forms. You were the teacher I was meant to sit under and I am so grateful for you making what you do and how you do it so accessible.”
“I took Brent’s teacher training in the fall of 2020. I arrived intending to gain a deeper intimacy with my practice and greater health in my everyday life. I wanted to advance my asana practice, cultivate greater flexibility and strength, but also a greater sense of enduring calm, equanimity and well-being off the mat. Teacher Training exposed me to texts that were both inspirational and challenging. They, like the poses themselves, require repetition, openness and dedication to incorporate into one’s practice of yoga. TT provided my first exposure to anatomical study and the encouragement to find a more personal, intentional practice - which has proven to be an ongoing, everyday project. I came to teacher training expecting to be challenged by the physical demands of the asana practice. Allowing myself to simply abide and breath from a place of calm and focus proved to be an equal if not greater challenge. Over the course of a few weeks, a group of mostly strangers learning and practicing together became a powerful and supportive resource for making progress and connections. Brent brings to TT a keen awareness of when and how to push individuals and the group forward and when to let things sink in gradually. Each training has moments of discussion and inquiry, exploration of ideas and attitudes as well as physical, heat-building practice and quiet meditation. Taking in the weekly readings in the TT syllabus as well as completing the TT writing assignments kept me practicing yoga in a way that was brand new for me. Each week required time spent reflecting and recording not just on the postures, but the attitudes, judgments and patterns I arrived at TT with. TT provides the opportunity to perceive one’s yoga practice as an inquiry into “what brings me joy” and to do that.
Brent exposed our group to philosophical and spiritual writings that were either brand new to me or with which I had only passing, anecdotal awareness of from participating in public classes over the years. Brent’s teacher training connects the practitioner to the long, long history and many, many people who have passed the practice down over time. I’m left with a sense of gratitude to participate in that tradition as well as enthusiasm to share that tradition with others.”
“Yoga Teacher Training with Brent was an experience I will never forget. As a person who appreciates rigor and competence, the methodology of this training really worked well for me. First off, everyone is expected to understand key anatomy and physiology concepts. This is important because as Yoga teachers, we are entrusted with providing instructions that can heal the body, but we can unintentionally hurt people along the way if we aren’t well equipped! We need to be properly informed and educated about which muscle groups should be engaged for which postures. This training ensured that we have that knowledge. Second, this training was holistic. We had guest speakers who are Nutritionists (and not your fluffy ones, the ones that are getting their Doctorate/PHD in public health/nutrition). With so much misinformation out there, the wellness community as a whole needs to constantly be vigilant about which information we’re sharing and why. We also had a guest speaker who chants and we learned how to incorporate that into our Yoga practice, if that meets our needs. Lastly, Brent as a teacher is just incredible. I’ve been following Brent for years now, after I experienced his class (unexpectedly) at the Trauma Informed Yoga Workshop. His teaching style is fun and joyous! He really puts his heart and soul into designing the curriculums, especially the Wednesday night Yoga Philosophy class, which is designed to compliment the asana training we receive. I experienced deep meditative stated during the Wednesday sessions and truly looked forward to them. Reviewing and reading the Yoga Sutras is now part of my yoga practice. Brent’s abilities to connect with students is superb and it’s not a surprise he has a dedicated group of students who are always eager to receive his Yoga instructions and/or nuggets of yoga wisdom. I highly recommend this Teacher Training with Brent. I believe It’s as pure as it gets to the original intent and principles of yoga.”
“I could not have asked for a better training. Everything was spot on!”
“Teacher Training was a lot more challenging than I expected it to be, and so worth it. Physically, I surprised myself with what I could achieve with Brent’s guidance. Mentally, this training asked me to show up for myself week after week, and each time I did I was so much happier for it. I don’t think you need to want to teach to take this training. The bigger question is are you ready to challenge yourself, and get to know yourself more intimately? If you want to grow as a human being, this training is for you! ”
“I loved this training! The balance between historical/philosophical content, anatomy, physical practicing and learning how to teach was perfect. The depth of content was so comprehensive and really opened my eyes to how much more there is to know and learn about yoga and related practices. I understand now that it really is a lifelong journey. It’s clear that Brent is very knowledgeable and passionate, and that he truly cares about offering a good experience to his students. These qualities shine through brightly and makes learning from him very engaging.”
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30 Hour Asana Advancement Training
Since I began practicing yoga in 2010, I’ve had the good fortune of learning from many remarkable teachers. Between the knowledge, wisdom and experience they’ve all shared with me, as well as a number of discoveries I’ve made on my own, I’ve been able to cultivate a style of practice that has proven effective for me and a wide variety of other people all over the world.
This self-paced, online training is the culmination of thirteen years of practice, study and teaching. I created it with the intention to share as much of what I’ve learned and discovered as I could in the hopes that it will help you not only to move your body in ways you never dreamed or imagined possible, but also to move your self through life in a way that brings you as much peace, joy and good health as possible.
For more information and/or to take this training, please visit Inner Dimension Academy
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Dharma Talks
Want to learn more about the history and philosophy of yoga, but not sure you want to go through a full Teacher Training program? No problem. These Dharma Talks have you covered…
What is a Dharma Talk?
There’s a tradition in yoga whereby the teacher offers an insight… or a story… or some kernel of wisdom at the beginning of the practice. Something to focus the mind & put it into a Self-reflective state. This offering is known as a Dharma Talk, and that is the spirit with which I offer these discussions, which are essentially extended Dharma Talks whose purpose is to guide you on a journey through yoga’s history and principal philosophies. There are nine discussions in the series. Each one focuses on a different aspect of yoga’s rich history, teachings and tradition. If you would like to listen to a full recording of any of the discussions, please send an email to: Blaffoon@gmail.com
Why Listen?
As Georg Fuerstein, one of the great yoga teachers of all time, said, “Yoga is a continuum of theory and practice.” If your practice isn’t grounded in an understanding of yoga’s history and philosophical foundations, it runs the risk of growing stagnant and becoming ineffective, or even worse, doing harm. These discussions aim to introduce you to a variety of concepts and lesser-known practices intended to help invigorate and inspire you, both on the mat and off, to empower you to find your own practice and to guide you toward a greater sense of contentment and overall well-being.
The Talks
1) Yoga History & Philosophy 101
We’ll begin our journey with an overview of yogic history and philosophy, tracing the evolution of the practice from its earliest known origins to its modern form, making stops along the way to explore some of the most significant texts and teachings that for centuries have helped people from all walks of life to find peace, joy, meaning and good health in their daily lives.
2) The Building Blocks of Harmony
Our journey continues with a deep dive into Yama and Niyama, the first two limbs of yoga’s eight-limbed path and the bedrock of yogic philosophy. The concepts may be simple, but the interpretations are vast and varied. This discussion will offer a range of perspectives to help you formulate your own understanding of these time-honored ethical and personal restrains.
3) The Only Way Out Is In
As every great teacher throughout time has taught, the goal of yoga is simply to understand who and what we are, i.e. to Self-realize. In this third discussion, we’ll continue our journey through the remaining six limbs of the eight-limbed path to understand how yoga’s ancient methods work to create benefits that have been proven by modern science.
4) Understanding the Sutras, Part I
Of all the texts ever written on the subject of yoga, none has had a more profound and lasting influence than The Yoga Sutras. In addition to a brief overview of the text, our fourth discussion will focus on the first chapter, or pada, of the Sutras, emphasizing the importance of a variety of concepts including abhyasa & vairagya, the Bramahivara and the antaraya.
5) Understanding the Sutras, Part II
Our journey continues with a closer look at the second pada of the Yoga Sutras, which focuses on the elements of practice, placing particular emphasis on the concepts of purusha vs. prakriti, i.e., the nature of perception. As this discussion will help you to see, there is more to practicing yoga than meets the eye.
6) Understanding the Sutras, Part III
We continue our exploration of the second half of the second pada of the Yoga Sutras, which helps us understand how we can know if our practice is working by offering deeper insight into the first four limbs of the traditional eight-limbed path of yoga: Yama, Niyama, Asana & Pranayama.
7) The Subtle Body
There’s no shortage of mystical and mysterious elements in the world of yoga. Everything from nadis and chakras to koshas and the Guna… What are these things? What do they do? Are they even real? This discussion aims to give you a deeper understanding of some of yoga’s subtler dimensions, and how to put them into practical use.
8) The Koshas & Introduction to The Bhagavad Gita
Picking up where the last talk left off, we’ll finish our conversation about the Subtle Body with an exploration of the koshas before turning our attention to The Bhagavad Gita. Considered by many scholars to be among the most important texts in human history, The Gita is a treasure trove of yogic knowledge and philosophy. This discussion aims to help it all make sense to you in a way that you can put to use in your daily life.
9) More on The Gita: Knowledge & Devotion in Action
Our final discussion aims to give you a deeper understanding not only of what The Bhagavad Gita is, but why it’s important to the yoga tradition and how its wisdom can help us all to live more joyful and fulfilling lives.
To request the full recording of any of these Dharma Talks, please send an email to: blaffoon@gmail.com