Flexible Format
Since 1999, Downward Dog has been offering comprehensive training and support programs for aspiring and existing teachers. Our program consists of three modules, each 100 hours in duration. Modules I and II together form our 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification program. Module III offers more advanced training for students wishing to further their studies.

We offer Module I and Module II in both Weekends and Intensive formats throughout the year. Our flexible format means that you can choose any combination of Modules I and II to complete your 200 hour certification. For example, you may attend Module I in Toronto and join us for Module II in Mexico. Or, start your Teacher Training program in Mexico and then attend Module II here in Toronto. If you are looking to get away for the month, please join us for Modules I, II & III in Mexico!

These are just a few of the options available to you. Check your calendar and work out a program that suits your schedule. If you have any questions contact Joy, our program advisor, at tel. 416.703.3558 or admin@downwarddog.com.


•Module I (100 hours)
•Module II (100 hours)
•Module III (100 hours)
•Continuing Education Programs (20 hours each)
•Frequently Asked Questions
•Application & Registration
•Recommended Reading
•Yoga Alliance Certification
•Faculty


Teacher Training and Personal Development Program,
Module I (100 hours)


List of sessions

Module I: Summer 2009 - Full!
Intensive Format
June 15 - 27, 2009
Click here for program details

Module I: Autumn 2009
Weekends Format
October 9 - December 13, 2009
Click here for program details

Module I: Mexico 2010
Intensive Format
February 15 - 27, 2010

Module I Curriculum
• Personal posture assessment
• Personal practice: in depth study of sun salutations, symmetrical standing postures, forward bends, hip openers for beginners, beginner backbends
• Teaching skills
• Psychology of teaching
• Pranayama, meditation
• Sanskrit names of poses
• Philosophy: the origins of Yoga and Patanjali's Sutras
• Functional anatomy
• Restorative yoga (practice and theory)
• Ayurveda (Intro to basic principles)

Application forms are available for download here.

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Teacher Training and Personal Development Program,
Module II (100 hours)


List of sessions

Module II: Summer 2009
Intensive Format
June 29 - July 11, 2009
Click here for program details

Module II: Winter 2010
Weekends Format
January 8 - February 21, 2010
Click here for program details

Module II: Mexico 2010
Intensive Format
March 1 - 13, 2010

Module II Curriculum
• Personal practice: asymmetrical standing postures, more hip openers working towards padmasana (lotus pose), deeper backbends, arm balances, inversions and finishing postures
• Principles of sequencing
• Breath, Bandhas and Vinyasa
• Ethics and psychology of teaching yoga
• Teaching skills (focus on verbal and visual cues)
• Reading bodies and learning to deal with common injuries
• Hands-on adjustments
• Philosophy: cont.
• Functional anatomy: cont.
• Restorative yoga: cont.
• Ayurveda: cont.

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Teacher Training and Personal Development Program,
Module III (100 hours)


Module III is a comprehensive program for existing teachers (with a 200-hour certification from the Downward Dog Yoga Centre) wishing to enhance their teaching and practice skills. Principle instructors for the program are Ron Reid and Diane Bruni.

Module III: Fall 2009
Weekends Format
September 18 - November 8, 2009

Module III: Mexico 2010
Intensive Format
March 15 - 27, 2010

Highlights of the program include:
  • the art of asana and asana sequencing (vinyasa krama)
  • Yoga as a therapy (yoga chikitsa), including working with injuries, limitations, and hands-on applications
  • Sanskrit, the language of yoga, and yoga practice in a philosophical context
  • Learning how to assist another with intelligence and sensitivity
  • Learning how to recognize weaknesses in practice before they become injuries
  • Learning how to deal with specific injuries
  • Learning how to assist absolute beginners
  • Yoga for people with scoliosis
  • Yoga for people with joint replacements (hip and knee)
  • Workshops in Functional Anatomy, and Ayurveda
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Continuing Education Programs
(20 hours each)


The following programs have been designed for students who are interested in developing their knowledge and understanding in specific areas of yoga training and practice. You do not have to be a yoga teacher to attend our continuing education programs, they are suitable to for students at all levels. If you are a graduate of the Downward Dog teacher training program, these specialty programs can be used towards a 500hr Teacher Training certificate.

Teaching Yoga to Kids with Livia Berius
September 18 - 20 & September 25 - 27
Click here for program details

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Immersion: A Path to Personal Development
with David Gellineau

October 30 - November 1 & November 13 - 15
Click here for program details

Restorative Yoga with Andrea Peloso
November 20 - 22 & November 27 - 29
Details TBA

Transformation through Restoration; The Inner Practice of Yoga
with Marla Joy of Swaha

January 29 - 31 & February 5 - 7
Click here for program details


Teacher Training Application

Please complete the following and include a $50 non-refundable application fee and a recent photo with your application. Completed applications should either be mailed or delivered in person to the Downward Dog Yoga Centre. You may also email your applications to Joy Dorsey at admin@downwarddog.com. Download a printable version of our Teacher Training Application in PDF format here.

Name:

Address:

Phone: (Home, Work, Cell)

E-mail Address:

Occupation:

Gender:

Date of Birth:

*Please specify which Module and session you are applying to*.

1. How many years have you been practicing yoga? Please describe previous yoga experience by style, teachers, and length of time with each. List any other teacher training programs that you have taken.
2. Describe your educational and professional background outside of yoga, including any other training that would be relevant for this program (i.e. chiropractic, massage, osteopathic, etc.).
3. Describe your yoga practice, including the strengths and limitations that you perceive in your practice. What have been the benefits of yoga in your life?
4. Describe your physical health; injuries, medical conditions or concerns.
5. What are your reasons for applying? Please list your objectives and expectations for the program.


Registration:

For the Fall 2009 session all applications must be submitted by August 31, 2009. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance no later than September 4, 2009. You may be required to attend an interview with Joy, our program advisor. Space will be limited to only 20 students. A deposit will be due upon registration and this fee is non-refundable. The balance payment is due one week prior to the first day of classes.


Yoga Alliance Certification

We are now a Yoga Alliance Registered school for our 200-hour Teacher Training Program. Once you have completed the program you may apply for your Yoga Alliance certificate. You can download the application in PDF format here. All details on how to apply are on the application form. All past graduates of our Teacher Training program qualify for this registration.
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Faculty

Ron Reid has been practicing yoga for 25 years and teaching since 1989. In 1996 after practicing Ashtanga yoga for two years he traveled to India to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Ron seeks to make the practice of yoga interesting and enjoyable and sees it as being integral to a state of well-being, approaching teaching in an inspired, informed and non-dogmatic way. He places the needs of the students ahead of the demands of the practice. Ron teaches in a variety of settings (workshops, teacher training, improv and other exploratory classes), as well as pranayama, and yoga lab workshops across Canada, the U.S. The UK and Europe.

Diane Bruni first discovered yoga in 1979. Over the years she has studied several styles of yoga, including Ashtanga which she currently practices and teaches. In 1983 Diane graduated from the Kikkawa Shiatsu College. Having worked full time as a hands-on healer, her knowledge of the human body and its many interconnected layers adds an interesting dimension to her teaching. In 2000 Diane hosted sixty-five 30-minute yoga sessions for Breathing Space Yoga, which continues to air in the U.S. and New Zealand. Diane opened the Downward Dog Yoga Centre with Ron Reid in 1997.

Marla Meenakshi Joy traveled to India in 1988 to study meditation and the Philosophy of the Vedas with many learned masters in the Himalayas. She is a certified meditation and Yoga philosophy teacher from the International Meditation Institute in India. Marla currently teaches Meditation, Yoga philosophy, Sanskrit, Chanting, Restorative and Ashtanga yoga, and has been teaching in teacher training programs since 2000, in Canada, The UK and Europe. She also leads Kirtan with her partner Ron Reid and their band SWAHA.

David Gellineau began counseling and teaching adults over 15 years ago while working in the Social Services field. During that time he began practicing different styles of yoga until he discovered Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. After practicing for 5 years he traveled to Mysore, India in 2002 to deepen his understanding of the Ashtanga Vinyasa system and initiate his studies with his teacher Sharath Ragaswamy grandson of Sri K Pattabhi Jois and Director of the K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. Since then he has made regular trips back to Mysore. He has been blessed and Authorized by the K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute to teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. David is the Co-owner and Co Director of Downward Dog in the Beach, in Toronto, Canada.

Riki Richter began studying Pilates in 1992 and in 1995 trained to become a teacher at Pilates Downtown. She has been studying Ashtanga at Downward Dog since 1997 where she completed her Ashtanga training. Riki is co-owner of Mind the Body studio. Other related interests include the study of both anatomy and CranioSacral Therapy.

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