200 Hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training

The Vital Yoga School will be delivering 200 hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Trainings fully accredited with Yoga Alliance Professionals (formerly UK Yoga Alliance) beginning October 2022. The Vital Yoga School is committed to providing excellent Yoga Teacher Training going far beyond the typical 200 hour Teacher Trainings that are available. Whether you want to take a Teacher Training to become a Yoga Teacher or to simply deepen your own practice and connection to Self, it is our mission to provide you with the very best learning experience possible, empowering you to become the very best version of you. At Vital Yoga, we keep our class sizes small so that the teachers can cultivate a personal relationship with you, honouring the traditional way Yoga has been taught for centuries.

TEACHING

All courses will be led by Jonathan Francis Thompson (Senior 500 hour E-RYT US Yoga Alliance Accredited Teacher) Director of Vital Yoga, supported by a small team of excellent teachers specialising in Anatomy, Philosophy and Asana teaching. Throughout the course you will receive individual and group feedback and have a 1-2-1 session with the Course Director. There will also be several student support sessions to ensure you are getting the most out of your training. The course will be a combination of practical classes, lectures, teaching practice, small group work, practice and self-study. You will also have written homework.

During the training you will deepen and develop your personal practice; we believe the best teaching comes from experience. You will be encouraged to explore a variety of styles to enable you to find your unique voice.

COURSE OVERVIEW

The training will include the following topics:

  • Asana Analysis

  • Teaching Methodology

  • Teaching Practice

  • Developing a self-led (Mysore) practice

  • Pranayama (Breathwork)

  • Mudras & Bandhas

  • Meditation

  • Subtle Energetic Anatomy

  • Physiology & Anatomy

  • Chakras

  • Philosophy & History of Yoga

  • Chanting & Mantra Recitation

  • Vinyasa Krama (Sequencing)

  • The Business of Teaching Yoga

  • Ethics and Code of Conduct for Teachers

WHAT WILL I BE ABLE TO TEACH?

Upon completion of the Teacher Training, you will be proficient in the foundation of Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama and be able to deliver set-yoga sequences (Krama) as well as sequence your own yoga classes (Vinyasa). You will be able to teach:

  • Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama Primary series

  • Hatha Yoga

  • Vinyasa Yoga

  • Power Yoga

  • Restorative Yoga

  • Hot Yoga

The course will follow the Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama methodology, which was popularised by Sri K Pattabhi Jois in the 20th Century. Ashtanga Vinyasa follows a set sequence of postures (Asanas) linked together by Vinyasa (a flow of movement). It is a dynamic practice which builds strength, flexibility and concentration. There are six series (sequences) with the most popular being the the first series, called the Primary Series. It is traditionally practiced in the “Mysore Method” - Mysore being the town in India where Pattabhi Jois lived and taught - whereby students practice the sequence at their own pace under the supervision of their teacher. Vinyasa Yoga, arguably the most popular style of Yoga today, originates from the Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama method.

CLASS SIZE

Unlike most other Teacher Trainings, Vital Yoga aims to keep class sizes under 16 students per course. This allows for more one to one time with teachers, more personal feedback in regards to your own practice and teaching, and creates a much more supportive and intimate atmosphere with your fellow students. We do not believe in cramming in as many students as possible to make money; we want every student to feel valued and nurtured - Yoga Teacher Trainings are life-transforming experiences and we wish to support you every step of the way.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The first four months of training will be online over zoom so you can learn in the comfort of your own home. Online training has proven to be very effective for the learning of theory including Anatomy, Philosophy and Meditation. The final two months of the course will be held in person at a central London studio. The final weekends of training include the bulk of teaching practice, practising hands-on adjustments, the practical exam and graduation.

Example Daily Schedule:

  • 8:00am-9:45am: Pranayama, Mantra, Asana Practice, Meditation

  • 9:45am-10:00am: Break

  • 10:00am-12:00pm: Asana Analysis

  • 12:00pm-1:00pm: Lunch

  • 1:00pm-3:00pm: Lecture based study (Anatomy/History/Philosophy)

  • 3:00pm-3:15pm: Break

  • 3:15pm-4:15pm: Teaching Practice

  • 4:15pm-5:30pm: Teaching Methodology

ASSESSMENT

Two written exams, one on Yoga Philosophy & Teaching Methodology, one on Anatomy and Physiology. Both will be ‘open-book’. There will be a final Practical Exam where you will teach a one hour Yoga Class that you have prepared during the course.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance for all lectures on all course dates is mandatory. However, if you are unable to attend (with good reason) it is possible to arrange catch up sessions (for an additional expense).

WHY VITAL YOGA?

  • Nearly a decade of experience leading over 1,000 students through their Teacher Training

  • Smaller class sizes than other Teacher Trainings

  • A dedicated faculty of excellent teachers

  • The School Director teaches 70% of the course ensuring you get the best, most consistent experience

  • Drawing on the physical practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama and the Philosophical System of Sivananda, you have a complete physical and spiritual practice based on the two longest and most traditional lineages of Yoga

  • One to one student support

  • You will learn to plan, sequence and deliver classes

  • You will find your own authentic voice

  • You will develop a consistent, committed practise

TRAINING DATES

The October six month course will run two weekends per month October 2022 - March 2023. October-January sessions will be held online, Febrauary-March will be in-person at a beautiful Central London Yoga Studio in Canada Water: https://www.thelodge.space

2022

Online:

8-9 Oct (Sat-Sun)

22-23 Oct (Sat-Sun)

5-6 Nov (Sat-Sun)

19/20 Nov (Sat-Sun)

3-4 Dec (Sat-Sun)

17-18 Dec (Sat-Sun)

2023

Online:

7-8 Jan (Sat-Sun)

21-22 Jan (Sat-Sun)

In-person:

11-12 Feb (Sat-Sun)

25-26 Feb (Sat-Sun)

4-5 Mar (Sat-Sun)

18-19 Mar (Sat-Sun)

A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR TEACHER



Jonathan Francis Thompson has been leading Yoga Teacher Trainings for over 9 years, and taught more than 1,000 people to be Yoga Teachers. He is a Senior 500 hour E-RYT US Yoga Alliance Accredited Teacher. He did his original 200 hour Teacher Training with Sivananda, a very traditional and spiritual lineage of yoga, staying at their Ashram in the Bahamas. His physical practice is Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama.

After completing his 200 hour Teacher Training, he returned to London and began teaching full time. During this time he came to the attention of Conrad Paul, the founder of Yoga Professionals, a Yoga Teacher Training school. He persuaded Jonathan (who felt very unprepared!) into training with him. After a year, Conrad passed the reins of Lead Trainer to Jonathan whilst he set off for pastures new. Yoga Professionals had become so successful that shortly before he joined Conrad, the school started working in partnership with the YMCA. With Conrad taking a sabbatical, Jonathan led the Level 3 Diploma in Yoga nationally for the YMCA for several years, leading trainings all over the country. 

In early 2017 Jonathan was approached by YogaLondon and invited to join the faculty as a Senior Teacher. At the time, YogaLondon was one of the biggest Yoga Schools in Europe. He successfully led hundreds of students through their 200 hour teacher trainings until December 2021, when the school closed. 

APPLICATION

To apply for the training an application to Jonathan Francis Thompson must be made. The application will involve a written statement detailing your Yoga experience and must include: how long you have practised, styles of Yoga classes attended, why you wish to take a Teacher Training and any other relevant information you want to be considered. Once your written application has been reviewed you will be invited to a 30 minute interview with Jonathan. (Interviews will be conducted online at a mutually convenient time). Upon a successful interview, you will be offered one of the limited student places and we will require a £500 non-refundable deposit to secure your place.

COST

The cost of the training will be £3,250. The £500 non-refundable deposit will be deducted from the total amount leaving £2750 to pay. If paying in full, you will receive a £200 discount and have £2550 to pay. Instalment plans are available and should you wish to pay in instalments, in addition to the deposit, a further payment of £500 must be received before the beginning of the course, leaving £2250 to pay over five months at £450 per month.

CONTACT

If you want to apply or get any further information, please email: Jonathan@jonathanfthompson.com