In 2012, the Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course (HTTC) will be held at the Agama and Hridaya Yoga - Mexico Center in Mazunte, Oaxaca. 

Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course, HTTC is a systematic and comprehensive approach to meditation.

The HTTC provides:

- over 600 hours of accredited Meditation and Hatha Yoga teacher training (the HTTC is registered with US-based Yoga Alliance, following standards for their 500-hour level teacher training programs and International Yoga Federation .)

- all the Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course content summing more than 900 pages presented in 3 monthly booklets. The HTTC attendees will receive before each month the booklet containing the course papers of that month

- the Anatomy and Physiology booklet

- an HTTC kit at the end of HTTC containing an additional booklet with advice and recommendations for Hridaya teachers, some inspiring books of Ramana Maharshi, audio files of the HTTC lectures,

- the Power Point presentations used during the lectures and other useful materials.

Hopeful attendees can expect their training to include the following subjects:

• A survey of the main meditation traditions throughout history - Theravada Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Zen, Christianity - Isihast tradition, Sufism, Hasidism etc


• The Abc of meditation: proper postures for meditation, mudras for meditation, favorable moments for meditation, the importance of stretching and relaxation for meditation, benefits of meditation, etc


• Pranayama for calming the mind: the rhythmic breathing theory in pranayama, nadhi shodhana for meditation, etc.


• Extensive presentation and practical guidance in some forms of meditation: Atma-vichara (Self-


• Inquiry Method of Ramana Maharshi), Mahamudra, Walking meditation according to Theravada Buddhism


• Practical guidelines for meditators: how to overcome the hindrances during meditation, advice for meditators according to their dominant dosha (one of three bodily humors that make up one's constitution according to Ayurveda Medicine.), what are the phases during a meditation retreat etc


• The stages of deep meditation (the 8 jhanas) according to the Buddhist tradition


• The spiritual benefits of the dark retreat - kaya kalpa, from the advaita vedanta perspective


• A series of lectures on Advaita Vedanta: Metaphors and stories in Vedanta, Description of


• Self-realization according Shankaracharya , The ineffable of Sat-chit-ananda, etc.
   
• Extensive explanations on Ramana Maharshi's teachings:
  
  
  • Self-enquiry (Atma-vichara),
  
  
  • The Spiritual Heart,
  
  
  • bringing the I-feeling back into its source,
  
  
  • the Sphurana ,etc.
  
  
• Hridaya yoga - metaphysical principles and basic concepts :
  
  
  • Hridaya Hatha Yoga,
  
  
  • Spiritual Heart significances,
  
  
  • Mastering the 4 fundamental attitudes of Hridaya meditation,
  
  
  • Surrender - a fundamental key on Self-revelation path,
  
  
  • Spanda - a Kashmir Shaivism concept used in Hridaya meditation,
  
  
  • The gaps between thoughts,
  
  
  • Open Concepts,
  
  
  • Open Attention, etc.
  
  
• Yoga sutra of Patanjali - About Samadhi (states of Cosmic Consciousness). Criteria for identifying different states of samadhi and proper attitudes for experiencing them


• The study of the effects of the physical and subtle light (phosphenes) upon the mind. The study of Advaya Taraka Upanishad . The relationship between Light and Consciousness


• The connection between Brainwaves and States of Consciousness (The lecture is followed by experiments with Brain Machine)


• Reflexive consciousness - Studies on awareness during sleep


• The 4 states of consciousness according to Yoga


• Voluntary hibernation - A way of breathing that reduces the metabolism


• Cultivating the proper attitudes for a sahridaya life (a life full of enthusiasm and joy) - transforming the life into a proper tool for Self-revelation


• Methods for developing concentration: trataka, the metronome technique etc


• Methods for developing awareness: capturing the uncaught mind, micro-practices, the technique of ultra-slowing of physical and mental activities, etc.


• Methods for awakening the Heart: Blowing upon the ember of the heart, Tonglen, etc.


• Methods for developing creativity and intuition.

Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course includes also:

• Anatomy and physiology classes


• Hridaya teacher methodology: how to teach Hridaya concepts, how to teach Hridaya Hatha Yoga etc.


• Practicum training - 2 sessions of practicum for each HTTC attendee


• Hridaya retreats training - 2 Hridaya retreats of 10-day led by Sahajananda


• Individual evaluation and coaching from Sahajananda


• Groups coaching from Hridaya teachers


• The experience of 36 hours of Kaya kalpa, meditation in complete darkness.

Successful completion of this 500-hour course grants a participant permission to teach Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Workshops anywhere, with support materials and guidance provided.

This course is open to 34 participants; a number of spaces will be reserved for Agama Yoga teachers.

Teachers who apply to join the HTTC once these spaces have been filled may need to join a waiting list (regardless of total enrollment in the same course). One month prior to the closing of enrollment, if spaces in the course remain open, hopeful participants on the waiting list will be notified that they may join the HTTC.

The Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course fee is €2100.

There is no longer a €100 discount for prior full attendance of the Agama Yoga First Level Intensive Course, because this course is now a prerequisite and will not be repeated during the HTTC.

Agama Yoga teachers enjoy discounted course fees totalling €1800 (no additional discounts apply).

We are excited about the opportunity to both build up the Hridaya community in a new sort of second headquarters for both Agama and Hridaya (effectively, an expansion of both) and experience these teachings on a new continent.
The HTTC will again be held six days per week, approximately 8.5 class hours per day.

See further 2012 administrative details below:

In Mazunte the HTTC will be partially residential.
 

A vegetarian food plan will be arranged - all participants are encouraged to join, but this is optional.

The fees will be modest: approximately 150 Pesos daily for all meals (about €9).

There may be some new accommodation rentals on-site by the time the course begins and additionally participants may consult the website tomzap.com for accommodation options in Mazunte and San Augustinillo.

Food fees will be due alongside tuition, one month prior to the course start.

In 2012, participants will have the option to pay in Euros, US Dollars, or Mexican Pesos. Payment details will be sent to accepted participants closer to the course starting date (by November, 2011).

We would like to address a few points surrounding the HTTC applications process:

• Sahajananda (Claudiu) recommends attendance of at least one Hridaya Retreat or Workshop, held either internationally or in Mazunte, Mexico, prior to applying for this course.


• Each year will involve an open applications period until 15 August. By 15 September annually, the next year's participants will be chosen by Sahajananda (Claudiu) in a selections process and notified by email individually.


• Waiting list applicants will also be notified by 15 September. However, approval to join one year's waiting list does not confer any automatic acceptance to a future course should the participant not ultimately have the opportunity to enroll in the course desired. In such a case, the participant is welcome to reapply for a future course.

Contact info@hridaya-yoga.com with any questions or for more information.