About the Doron Yoga & Zen Center

 Both versions of the program will include time spent at The Doron Yoga & Zen Center. A home away from home for many of our students, you will be able to enjoy a stunning natural setting as the backdrop to your yoga explorations. Life here moves in accordance to the principles that Doron describes in The Yoga Lifestyle. We eat three beautiful vegetarian meals a day (included in your tuition price), and try to uphold a harmonious relationship with both nature and the surrounding community. Built in 2016 in accordance with both ecologically conscious construction principles and high-standards of quality, it is a hidden gem nestled in the mountain valley town of Tzununa.

In addition to daily instruction in meditation, pranayama, yoga, and philosophy, you will be able to enjoy playful activities at the center and around the surrounding lake. At the center we offer fire nights, massages, Temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremonies, and weekly Zen Dances. On your free-days, immerse yourself in local Maya culture, try your hand at stand-up-paddle boarding, or wake up early to hike a volcano!

Asana Technique & Teaching Methods: We will cover all major poses taught in yoga classes, their alignment principles, correct breathing, drshti and transitioning, as well as, modifications, adjustments, physical risks, emotional and energetic effects, counter poses, and assists. We will cover the warm ups, sun salutations, standing poses, balancing poses, core strengthening, arm balancing, hip openers, back bends, forward folds, inversions, twists and savasana.

Practical Yoga History & Philosophy: Learn the first 2 chapters of the yoga sutras of Patanjali in-depth. We will cover the spiritual psychology as well as the layers of samadhi. We will look at the different types of yoga that the Bhagavad Gita teaches us, as well as how to use them in classes and life. We will look at the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, touch on Jnana yoga, practice bhakti yoga, and look at the 4 noble truths of Buddhism. We will discuss and practice Zen and how to bring it into out practice and life.

Practical Yoga Anatomy: Learn the correct and safe alignment for the all the main poses. Understand the spine movements in a variety of poses, the importance of the hips and how they affect the rest of the body, the functioning of the entire core area and the relationship between the different body parts. Understand improved alignment for a sustainable practice.

Advanced Class Planning & Sequencing: Learn to sequence for different level classes, from beginners to advanced. Learn to create classes according to the season, the environment, the audience and the intention. Refine time management.

Pranayama, Practice & Teaching: Dive deeper into the practice of pranayama. Learn the basics of the breathing practices for yourself as well as how to teach it to others. Learn to create full pranayama practices and how to sequence them for different levels.

Subtle Energy & Anatomy: Understand the chakras and their practical implementations as tool for assessing our body and mind. Go deeper into the subtleties of our body, and how it relates to outer energies. Understand the koshas, chakras, nadis, vayus and gunas.

Meditation Practices: Learn advanced meditation practices, and investigate how to create quicker results. Explore solutions for the citta vrttis. Learn how to deal with resistance. Zen vs yoga vs Tibetan, what to choose?

Ayurveda & The Yoga Lifestyle: Yoga beyond the mat. Learn how to set practical systems in order to keep the practice alive. Learn about tongue scraping and oil pulling, about the use of neti pot. Refine your knowledge of yourself, your body and mind, using the Ayurvedic health system. Learn how to use this system to work with other friends and family. Create systems for them, and understand how to offer them diet and lifestyle improvements.

Ethics & Relating to Students: Yoga ethics goes beyond sexual conduct. There are implications to how we speak to students, how we sell our classes, and how we use language and touch. Establishing of priorities and boundaries. Understand your dharma and set new standards for you as a teacher.

Observation & Critical Thinking: Observe classes as well as other teachers in the program, and learn to understand both the students as well as the teachers. Learn observation techniques in order to read bodies and know how to adjust and modify accordingly.

Demonstration and Proper Language: Learn how to demonstrate correctly, how to explain and teach poses while demonstrating, and how to choose the right language to make it crystal clear to the student how to achieve what you are explaining. Learn how to incorporate humor in class, and do it in a non-offensive way. It is an art to explain poses in a way that the student actually gets it, and this may be one of the greatest secrets (after sequencing, humor and hands on) why students will follow you.

Hands on Assists & Verbal Cues: Learn precise hand on assists, when to use them and how. Learn a variety of verbal cues, how and when to use them, and how to combine them with Hands on assists.

Teaching Practice: Share your experience teaching, and get direct mentoring to understand the little differences that make or break a class. Get insight on how to improve your classes, use better language or demonstration.

The Business of Yoga: You are a teacher and you need to make a living. Learn how to teach privates, how to plan and lead a retreat or a workshop, how to get classes and how to manage online media, from web to YouTube.

“I found the Doron Yoga Teacher Training to be a great holistic education for my body, mind and spirit as well as a transformative life experience. It gave me the tools and support to practice more self-care, and supported the development of my own home practice, which helped me to build more strength and confidence. This, in turn, helped me become more willing to challenge my self limiting beliefs and break down some barriers that I place on myself”

– Annetta McCarty Redwood City, CA. USA

Optional Topics for Your Thesis

Philosophy & History: Buddhist philosophy, koans, meditations and practices, The Bhagavad Gita, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Tantra philosophy as it was in the east and west. Hatha yoga origins and development.

Advanced Anatomy & Physiology: Anatomy of the spine and shoulder girdle, anatomy of the pelvic girdle. Anatomy and physiology of respiration. Subtle anatomy (koshas, prana, nadis, chakras), and how they apply to a yoga class. Pranayama the practice and teaching.

Specialized Teaching: Pre- and postnatal teachings, teaching seniors, privates, and understanding how to approach special needs of students. Teaching yoga to reduce anxiety, stress and depression.

The art of Sequencing: Traditional energetics of sequencing, including: koshas, nadis, chakras, doshas, seasons. Specific sequencing: for peak asanas, workshops, themes, and specific groups of students, privates and different energetic effects. Sequencing for your dosha and yin yoga classes.

Chanting, mantra, meditation & other traditional yoga techniques: Bhakti yoga, tradition and today. Meditation practices in specific traditions, techniques and solutions for specific issues. Kriyas and other hatha yoga practices.

Pre-Requisites

• 200-Hour yoga teacher certification from a credible source
• Minimum of 2 years of practice
• Read The Yoga Lifestyle by Doron Hanoch
• Have an open mind and heart

If you’re interested in completing a 200-hour Teacher Training with us prior to this advanced training, Click Here for more information on our 200-hour program. This program is open to both graduates of Doron’s trainings, and those who did their certification elsewhere.

3 Paths for The 300hr Doron Yoga™ TTC

 Doron Yoga & Zen Center will be offering two special versions of the program. The first is a six-month long mentorship program at our gorgeous retreat center on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. The second will be a 3-week intensive program offered just once a year. You can find the details of each of these individual programs below.

 Three-Week Intensive Course Information

 Once a year, we will be offering a three-week intensive course that will include information on all of the topics above. 200 hours of this course will be conducted at the center, under Doron’s direct guidance in all topics from yoga to philosophy. In addition to 90-minutes of pranayama, yoga, and meditation practice in the mornings, you will have additional sessions covering the curriculum above. You’ll be given the opportunity to practice hands-on adjustments with Doron Yoga students, and given plenty of space to bring up your own questions about both practice and philosophy. Sundays are free days, where you’ll have time to study or enjoy the lake.

 Your final 100 hours are to be completed as a self-study. This will allow you to connect with other teachers, and reflect on your personal relationship to teaching and your practice. The breakdown of the final 100 hours is as follows:

• Practice hours (20 classes – 30-40 hours)
• Mentored Teaching: You are required to be teaching your own classes. In doing so, you will be mentored through monthly exchanges with Doron and faculty, via in-person conversations, Skype or email exchanges regarding any questions or issues that may come up in your teaching. 
• Apprenticing: Observing and assisting classes, Doron or other approved teachers. Includes review with the teacher.
• Thesis – In Depth Study: The +300/500-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Guatemala program offers you an opportunity to go deeper are really master an area of yoga that is especially interesting for you as a teacher. You will choose a topic for research, in-depth study, and thesis. Doron and faculty will help you design a format that will work for you. This may include readings, elective workshops, self-study, study groups and writing.

In addition to daily instruction in meditation, pranayama, yoga, and philosophy, you will be able to enjoy playful activities at the center when offered, such as fire nights, massages, Temazcal (sweat lodge) ceremonies, and Zen Dance. On your free-days, immerse yourself in local Maya culture, try your hand at stand-up-paddle boarding, or wake up early to hike a volcano!

Cost:

• $4697 – shared dorm accommodation
• 3 delicious vegetarian (vegan option) meals daily
• Study, certification, some extra activities at the Center

 Three Months Apprenticeship Program

 This program is intended for those that want to get an experience of living in a yoga /Zen center, have daily practice, study, work, and life in the community.

 You will Observe / assist and possible teach in one of the 200hr TTC. Since the Doron yoga 200hr is in depth and intense, you get a second chance to digest, ask question, observe the ways of teaching and assist the students under Doron’s guidance.

You have 2 more months to practice teaching, write a thesis, and participate in the programs of the DYZC, including our fire circle, dharma talks, Kirtan in Temazcal, hikes and other inspiring activities. You will have time to check in with Doron about questions you may have, and get many formal and informal teaching times. There is a weekly private check in with Doron to discuss your personal growth.

You can start the program any time.

The program includes work practice of 3.5 hours a day. We try to help you grow even within the work environment, seeking karmic work such as editing / writing / marketing – depending on needs and skills. However, we cannot guarantee what you will be doing. Some Garden work is sometimes available too. This program includes a thesis – a deepening of a subject of choice related to yoga / Buddhism.

Cost:

• $5997 – shared dorm accommodation
• 3 delicious vegetarian (vegan option) meals daily
• study, certification, extra activities at the Center    

“Doron is a teacher I can easily approach and ask anything about yoga, Buddhism, meditation, pranayama and much more (even “silly” questions are taken “seriously”). His deep respect and long practice in Ashtanga yoga and zen tradition is transmitted to his students. Doron helped me to find lightness and smile in my practice, as well as feeling of compassion towards myself, my practice and people around me.

–Annie Rainio, Finland