Absolute Hot Yoga Teacher Training program is accredited by Yoga Alliance, the governing board for yoga teacher training programs in the United States and abroad.

Yoga Alliance yoga teacher training schools must meet rigorous academic and training guidelines for curriculum, training hours, course materials, and teaching staff experience.

Absolute Hot Yoga Teacher Training is accredited at the 200-hour level which is the standard certification level for 90% of teachers worldwide.

For more information about the Yoga Alliance, visit them online: www.YogaAlliance.com

TEACH HOT YOGA, INSPIRE STUDENTS, CHANGE LIVES!
Asia's only Yoga Alliance accredited Hot Yoga Teacher Training is now accepting applications for October 2008!

Next Course:
3-31 October, 2008

This course will be held at
Absolute Yoga Sanctuary,
our amazing new resort &
training facility.

Date:

From: Lucas Rockwood
(Registered Yoga Teacher,
E-RYT 200)

Dear Hot Yoga Student,

Let me guess... you're a Hot Yoga junkie?

You practice yoga everyday, you hang out in the yoga section at the bookstore, and at work, you spend most of your time surfing yoga Web sites... sound familiar?

Don't worry, we've all been there!

Five years ago, I used to leave the office early just to catch my favorite teacher's yoga class; but eventually, I realized that life as I knew it was changing, and there was no point in fighting it any longer!

Yoga was the most important thing in my life, so I quit my job and became a Yoga Alliance certified teacher!

I was so nervous! When I enrolled in my first yoga teacher training, I'd only been practicing for a short time, my body was so stiff, and I didn't know if I was going to make it. But you know what? Training to become at teacher actually made me a much better student!

I didn't think it was possible, but after 1 month of studying and living yoga so intensely, I felt stronger and healthier than ever. I was 100% prepared to teach, and that's exactly what I've been doing ever since!

WHY BECOME A YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED
HOT YOGA TEACHER?:

• Inspire Students & Change Lives – There are very few jobs that provide you with the opportunity to impact the lives of so many people on a daily basis. Every time you get up in front of a class of yoga students, you'll have the opportunity to truly inspire people. What an amazing gift, and what a great job!
• Deepen Your Practice – You'll be amazed how much you learn from teaching yoga. Students come to class looking for guidance, but they also give back an incredible amount of energy and insight.
• Enjoy a Flexible Schedule – I used to work in an office from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday to Friday. I wore khaki pants and a collared shirt... ah! What a bore! Most yoga teachers I know only work for 3 or 4 hours per day, and the rest of the time is yours to do as you please.
  
  If you're like me, you have tons of other interests that you LOVE but haven't had time to pursue because you've been working at a fulltime job that doesn't fulfill you. After I started teaching yoga, I finally had time to do freelance writing for magazines, learn to play guitar, and I even wrote a novel!
• Live & Breathe Yoga – Let's face it: living a healthy lifestyle is not easy. When I started down the path of yoga, all my friends (and me!) were very toxic; but when I became a yoga teacher, that all changed! My new friends and co-workers loved yoga (just like me) and were committed to healthy living. How refreshing!
• Earn a Good Salary – Years ago, most yoga teachers hardly earned enough to get by; but today, Yoga Alliance certified yoga teachers are high-specialized and highly-valued employees who are paid very well for their work.
• Live/Work Anywhere – I never imagined that I'd teach yoga in four different countries and then own my own studio on a tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand—but that's exactly what happened (in just 4 short years)!
  
  The world is a big place, but the yoga community is very small. As a yoga teacher, you'll meet people from all over the world, and you'll discover that there are opportunities to teach yoga everywhere!

Which Course Do I Choose?

Let me be totally honest: there are some really great teacher training courses out there, but there are some really awful courses too! If you're not sure what to look for, I have a free report that explains the major factors you must consider before selecting a teacher training course.

What You're Going to Learn

You're not going to believe this: most teacher training courses don't actually teach you how to teach. Sound crazy? We think so too!

Most yoga teacher training course are more like "yoga camps" where you practice and study yoga, but spend very little time learning how to teach. These "yoga camps" are lots of fun, but the problems arise when graduates from these programs can't find jobs because they're simply not prepared to teach.

So what happens to all these graduates?

Sadly, many of them end up enrolling in 1 or 2 more training courses before they are confident and skilled enough to find their first teaching job.

Our Teacher Training Is Different!

Absolute's Hot Yoga Teacher Training Course is designed specifically to turn yoga students into yoga teachers, and we accomplish this through a fun, yet-structured program that starts with a firm foundation in yoga history, philosophy, and anatomy.

Next, the teaching team will show you how to speak up, lead a class, and inspire students. You'll discover how to use body language, how to adjust students, and how to create a space where people feel comfortable to be open and grow in yoga.

The process is very challenging, but the rewards are huge!

Here's a sample of the skills you'll walk away with as an Absolute Hot Yoga Teacher Training graduate:

• ABSOLUTE HOT YOGA SERIES
  Let's get sweaty! Absolute Hot Yoga is a high-energy series of 50 classic yoga poses in a specific sequence that promotes balance, strength, flexibility, and overall wellness. The heat allows you to stretch deeply, cleanse the body, and calm the mind.
• VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS & VOCAL SKILLS
  Are you shy? Afraid to speak in front of people? Don't worry... you're going to become a pro at public speaking!
  
  
  Our teaching team has spent 3 years developing a foolproof system that turns anyone into a great teacher in a matter of days! It doesn't matter if you've never taught anyone anything in your whole life. With our system, anyone can learn!
  
  Get this! Most students are ready to lead a full, 90-minute class (confidently) by week 2 of the course... now that's incredible!

• ADJUST, ADAPT, MODIFY
  Thinking on your feet is a huge part of being a yoga teacher. Sometimes you'll need to use your voice to keep control of the class, and other times you may need to physically assist a student in and out of a posture. During the training, you'll learn who and when to help, and how and when to adapt or modify what you're teaching so everyone has a safe and uplifting experience. This is the real "art of teaching."
• KRIYAS, PRANAYAMA, MEDITATION
  There's more to learn than just yoga poses! Throughout the training, we'll practice powerful yogic techniques for cleansing and purifying the body (kriyas) along with breathing exercises (pranayama) that will soothe your nerves and focus the mind. At our evening meditation, we'll sit together as a group and practice stillness, the most challenging yoga practice of all.

• YOGA HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY
  Find out where yoga came from, and what's it's REALLY all about. The yoga we all know and love today is very different than the spiritual practices of India, but as a yoga teacher, it is important to know the history and belief system that started this powerful practice.
• ANATOMY OF YOGA
  Head, shoulders, knees, and toes! When we practice yoga, we become hyper-aware of our bodies, our imbalances, and our strengths and weaknesses. The study of anatomy, specifically as it relates to yoga, will help you gain a deeper understanding of what's happening beneath the skin, making it easier to avoid injury, modify poses safely, and teach with confidence.
• THE BUSINESS OF YOGA
  So now that you're ready to teach, what's next? During the last week of the training, you'll learn how to apply for jobs, how to write a yoga resume, and where to look for work.

Let's Meet The Teachers!

When you're looking for the best possible course, the teacher training team should be your number one priority. Most training courses are led by just one instructor, but at Absolute's Hot Yoga Teacher Training, there are 5 extremely talented instructors, each bringing with them thousands of hours of teaching experience and dozens of different skills.

JOHN ANDERSON (Head Trainer, USA)
Marathon runner and athlete, John Anderson, began practicing Hot Yoga as therapy for his injured knees and became a teacher so he could share the powerful healing benefits of yoga with others.

John has taught in dozens of studios in three different countries and has studied with some of today's top trainers including Bikram Choudhury and Mary Jarvis.

Currently, John is one of the most sought-after teachers in Bangkok where he has taught for the past 5 years. A teacher's teacher, John shares his wealth of personal experience with his students, and is best-known for his consistently strong and uplifting classes.

"What I love about practicing yoga is that it heals my body and calms my competitive mind. What I love about teaching is that I'm able to witness students' personal transformations that occur so naturally when they commit to a regular practice."

Click "play" to listen:

HARRESON MARTELL
(Head Trainer, Canada)
Thailand's premier Hot Yoga instructor and teacher trainer, Harreson, graduated top of his class at Bikram Yoga College of India and was one the first to bring Hot Yoga to Asia. A former professional tri-athlete champion and coach, Harreson always had an interest in Bhakti Yoga.

When Harreson's personal mentor suggested he begin a regular practice, little did he know that he was about to embark on a completely new chapter in his life as a yoga student, teacher, and now as a teacher trainer. Harreson has taught over 60,000 students from all walks of life, and has trained over 65 teachers, many of whom now work side-by-side with him in Bangkok.

PIMRAT "Pim" SWATEWACHARKUL
(Assistant Teacher, Thailand)
Khru Pim was introduced to Hot Yoga by a friend, and she fell in love with it straight away! Yoga soon became an integral part of her life, and after years of practice, Pim's dedication paid off.

As one of Absolute Yoga's most loyal and advanced students, Pim was invited to join Absolute Yoga's exclusive in-house training program. On a leap of faith, Pim accepted the offer, quit her job, and after a rigorous training course, she began an extremely-rewarding career as a yoga instructor. Pim's classes are fun, fast-paced, and challenging. She teaches in both Thai and English.

JEANNE CHUNG (Yoga Anatomy, History, Philosophy, USA)
While working as an investment banker, Jeanne took her first Bikram Hot Yoga class and immediately became addicted! She has since practiced and studied yoga in the United States and throughout Asia with some of today's most prominent teachers including Bikram Choudhury, David Life & Sharon Gannon, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea and Erich Schiffman.

Jeanne is certified to teach by both Bikram Yoga College of India and Jivamukti Yoga in New York City. Currently, Jeanne is the director of Absolute Yoga Singapore, and her classes are high-energy, playful, and uplifting.

LUCAS ROCKWOOD (Meditation, Pranayam, Kriyas, USA)
Lucas has studied with such esteemed teachers as Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharath Rangaswamy, Alex Medin, Paul Dallaghan, and Eddie Stern. Prior to living on Koh Samui, Lucas taught yoga in Bangkok and Hong Kong. In class, Lucas encourages students to achieve their full potential through sequences that are challenging, fun, and athletic.

Lucas is also a vegetarian chef and writer.

Our New Training Facility is Amazing!

After a long day practicing and learning, nothing feels better than a healthy meal, and a dip in the pool!

Most yoga teacher trainings don't put much thought into food and accommodation, but we know first hand that if you eat and sleep well—you'll learn more and enjoy yourself!

In fact, we think it's so important that we've built our own training resort just to make sure everything is perfect!

Absolute Sanctuary, on the north end of Koh Samui, has a 40-room hotel, swimming pool, spa, and yoga studio all nestled into the side of a small mountain that overlooks the sea!

About Absolute Sanctuary Resort:

• 40-room, Moroccan-style, boutique hotel
• Infinity swimming pool
• Indoor & outdoor yoga studio
• Spa & treatment center
• State of the art heating system (hot yoga studio)
• Aircon & hot water in all rooms
• Private & shared rooms available

Now, let's talk about food, shall we?

The food from Absolute Sanctuary's restaurant, The Love Kitchen, is one of the training highlights. Just to give you and idea... we bake fresh bread daily, serve creamy soups, homemade hummus, tropical fruit salads, vegetarian lasagna, roasted mushrooms, black bean burritos, and banana-sesame smoothies.

Here is a sample daily menu:

Breakfast – homemade muesli, banana porridge, fresh muffins, toast with local jam, fresh apple juice, coconut yogurt, and papaya slices.
Lunch – coconut curry, brown rice, roasted vegetables, balsamic salad, hummus, and chapattis.
Dinner – mushroom lasagna with cashew cheese, stir fried sesame-shoyu cabbage, Greek salad, cream of carrot soap, and garlic bread.

Not sure if you're ready to teach?

"The best time to take a yoga teacher training course is when you're most excited to learn!"

I always tell students that becoming a teacher is not about being able to do advanced postures or knowing how to pronounce every pose name in Sanskrit. What you really need to become a teacher is a willingness to learn and burning desire to share the gift of yoga with others!

So why is teaching yoga so great?

Well, let's put it this way: if you spend all day sharing what you love with others, it's pretty hard not to be happy! Forget the 9-5 grind! Teaching yoga gives you the freedom to grow and expand your own yoga practice while working in a positive, healthy environment.

To date, I've taught over 1,000 classes in four different countries, and I now have my own yoga studio on a beautiful island! What an amazing ride it's been since I took the plunge and became a yoga teacher!

What about you? Are you ready for the next chapter of your life?

A day in the life of a Hot Yoga trainee...

If you're like me, you want to know EXACTLY what's going to happen during the course. So let me walk you through a typical day!

You'll start each morning at 07:00 a.m. with breathing exercises and yogic cleansing practices (kriyas). We'll begin the day at our outdoor practice shala. The sun is just coming up, and the view is spectacular!

At 07:30, you'll have your first Hot Yoga class... the perfect way to welcome in the day!

After class, you'll have about 1 ½ hours to shower and eat a delicious breakfast at our scenic restaurant. Fresh toast, ginger tea, papaya smoothies anyone?

The first workshop begins at 10:30 a.m. and the focus is on fundamentals. You'll need to get grounded in the basics before we dive deep into hands-on teaching skills. Topics covered include: yoga history and anatomy, philosophy and methodology.

Once you understand the big picture of yoga, then we can focus in specifically on Hot Yoga, the style of yoga in which you're going to become an expert!

Lunch is at 13:00, and it's buffet style. The menu changes daily, but common selections include homemade soups and breads, fresh salads (locally grown greens), stir fries, and pasta. We always have fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds along with juice and tea as well.

At 2:30 p.m., the second workshop of the day starts with a focus on teaching skills. Your voice is your greatest teaching tool in Hot Yoga, so that's where we put the most emphasis.

"Stand up, tell us your name and where you're from!"

That's the first assignment on day one. Sound easy? Well, for some people, yes, for others it's a big challenge—but every journey begins with a first step!

Imagine this: by day 16, most students are fully prepared to stand up and lead an entire 90-minute class all by themselves. Our vocal skills training method works, and this afternoon session is all about practice, practice, practice.

At 5:00 p.m., you're second Hot Yoga class of the day begins. That's right, there are two classes per day! During the afternoon session, teachers will often move slower, stop class to explain specifics in postures, and sometimes even allow questions.

Why two classes per day?

As they say, repetition is the mother of skill, and the more you do it, the more you'll know it inside and out! This is a yoga teacher training course, not "yoga camp." We're going to transform you from a student of yoga into a teacher, and that requires some discipline.

But I'll let you in on a little secret: after day 3, practicing twice daily starts to be really fun! I'm not joking!

Dinner is at 7:00 p.m., and at 8:00 we usually have an evening gathering. Some nights, we'll practice meditation, other evenings, we'll watch yoga films together as a group. This session is a great time to review the day's learning and to come together socially and collectively to support each other and prepare for the next day.

And then what?

Well, you go to sleep, wake up, and do it all over again! You'll have one day off per week, and that's when students usually go on boat tours, explore the island, go snorkeling, or just relax and watch a movie! The schedule is full, but it's full of fun and learning.

To spend an entire month living yoga is such a great gift!

Take the next step!

Joining a yoga teacher training course is a big decision, I know, but let's just review the facts:

1. If you join this course, you'll spend one full month on the tropical island of Koh Samui with an incredible group of yoga students from all over the world.
   
   Ok, that's pretty good. What else?
   
   
2. You'll feast on healthy food every day, practice yoga, swim in the sea, and gain an internationally recognized, Yoga Alliance accredited Hot Yoga teaching certificate.
   
   Ok, that's even better. Anything else?

The truth is, yoga is a lifelong journey. It starts with your first class, and unfolds from there. Along the way, there are very few opportunities like this where you'll get to spend an entire month practicing and studying... for me, this is what makes our teacher training course so valuable.

I'm a completely different person now!

I can hardly believe how much my life has changed since I became a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher, and I know that the same can happen for you. Yoga is a lifelong practice, but life is short... so don't wait!

We're expecting this course to fill very early, so enter your name below, and I'll send you an application form right away.

Congratulations on your decision to become a yoga teacher, and I really hope we have a chance to practice and study together on Koh Samui!

Keep practicing,

Lucas Rockwood
lucas@absoluteyogasamui.com
Absolute Yoga Samui

p.s. Save 10% off tuition! If you apply and are accepted before 15 July, 2008 you’ll be given 10% off your tuition fees (that a savings of 11,500 THB!).

p.s. Apply early and get real-life teaching experience! Early applicants (before 15 July 2008) will be given the opportunity to assist two of Absolute Yoga’s regularly scheduled, public classes. This is real-world teaching experience that you can put on your resume! We have limited space though, so only early applicants are eligible (sorry, no extensions).

p.p.s. Get a FREE Yoga Mat We know what a hassle it is to travel with your mat, so we’ll give you a free one if you apply before 15 July 2008!

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