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!

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 five different countries and then own my own studio on a tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand—but that’s exactly what happened!The world is a big place, but the yoga community is very small. As a yoga teacher, you’ll meet people from all everywhere!

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!

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 the opportunities and lifestyle I’ve enjoyed ever since are truly incredible.

Here’s what I’ve learned: the best time to train to teach is when you are most excited about yoga. Passion and enthusiasm are the most important ingredient, your practice and experience will always be growing; but if you’re excited now, then train to teach now!

Training to become a teacher is a life-changing experience in so many ways. It helps you understand your own practice and difficulties, as well as those of other students.

You’ll learn that we’re all unique with different bodies and life theories, but yoga unites us together

Is this The Right Course for You?

The Absolute Yoga teacher training program was originally developed to train teachers to work at our own studios. The course was originally offered by invite-only, and its sole purpose was to turn passionate students into fulltime working teachers (70% of Absolute Yoga’s teaching team have been through our training programs even to this day).

The result? Instead of creating a really long yoga holiday experience (like most courses), The Absolute Yoga Teacher Training consists of a strategically planned curriculum that turns yoga students into professionally-qualified yoga teachers in just 4 weeks’ time.

Our graduates are incredibly successful. They leave the course ready to teach, to open studios, to work in gyms, spa’s and yoga centers all over the world. To date, we have over 500 graduates in 48 countries.

With dozens of teacher training courses available, I know it’s very difficult to know which one is right for you. The truth is that the majority of yoga courses on offer are probably a lot of fun—but the big drawback is you won’t actually learn to teach—and that’s the whole reason you’d go to a teacher training in the first place, right?

The Absolute Yoga training experience is professionallyoriented, highly supportive no matter what your level or background—and we manage to have a great time too!

You’ll know that this course is for you if you really want to learn to teach; if you have professional teaching ambitions; if you dream of opening a studio; and if you understand the lifetime value of an internationally-recognized certification that you can be proud of, and a peer group of teachers who you’re honored to call friends.

What Kind of People Join this Course?

Absolute Yoga prides itself on being inclusive, not exclusive. Our entire community is friendly, non-dogmatic, and always welcome to people from all over the world. From the teaching team, to the students, to the staff, Absolute Yoga has always been very international.

At an average teacher training course, the teachers come from 4 different countries, students come from at least 12 different countries, and at meal times, you’ll hear at least 3 or 4 different languages being spoken. We’ve had graduates ranging in age from 19-63, and it’s all about lifting each other up and supporting each other’s growth.

So what kind of person joins Absolute Yoga’s Teacher Training? All kinds of people, but for sure most of students tend to be passionate about yoga, often are in the middle of some big changes in career or lifestyle, and they’re looking for “what’s next” with yoga being the guiding light on their journey.

Here’s What You’ll Learn…

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.

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.

Meet the Teachers!

When you’re training to teach, the 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 4core teachers throughout the entire course and 3 guest teachers, each bringing with them thousands of hours of teaching experience and dozens of different skills.

IMPORTANT NOTE: most yoga teacher training courses have 20 students (or more) for every 1 teacher, and some have as many as 100 students per teacher. All Absolute Yoga Courses have a MAXIMUM of 10 students per teacher (often less) so you get more personal attention and you just learn more—faster.

JEANNE CHUNG (Training Director, USA) – While working as an investment banker, Jeanne took her first Bikrm 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 BikramChoudhury, David Life & Sharon Gannon, Baron Baptiste, Shiva Rea and Erich Schiffman.

Jeanne is certified to teach by Bikram Yoga College of India,Jivamukti Yoga, and Baron Baptiste. Currently, Jeanne is the owner and managing director of Absolute Yoga Singapore, and her classes are always playful and uplifting.

HARRESON MARTELLL (Teacher Trainer, Canada) – As Thailand’s first 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 300 teachers, many of whom now work side-by-side with him in Bangkok.

TOMASZ GOETEL (Teacher Trainer, Thailand) – is the owner and director of Hot Yoga Evolution studio in Phuket. As the former assistant to Jimmy Barkan, one of the most respected Hot Yoga teachers in the world, Tomasz fine-tuned his yoga teaching skills through extensive practice and years of leading public classes.

Tomasz is best-known for his passion for Hot Yoga, his high energy, his positive attitude, and his playfulness in class. Tomasz joined the Absolut Yoga Group in 2008 to create a series of successful Hot Yoga Immersion retreats, and he is a very welcome addition to the large and diverse teaching team of the Absolute Hot Yoga Teacher Trainin

PIMRAT “Pim” SWATEWACHARKUL (Teacher Trainer, Thailand) – KhruPim 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 original, 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.

JULIE SCEENY (Teacher Trainer, UK) – Julie was first introduced to yoga by the Golf Professional at her local golf club, he said that she was not very flexible and that she should try yoga and like most yogis Julie was hooked after the first 10 minutes of that first class she attended. Soon after, Julie took her first yoga teaching qualification which was followed 2 years later by taking a hot yoga teaching qualification with Absolute Yoga. Julie is able to bring a number of yoga styles to her classes, teaching principally Hot yoga and Vinyasa Flow including meditation and pranayama techniques.

Julie also teaches Seasonal Flow yoga classes, which are based on the five elements of nature, balancing the body with the natural cycle of life. As a keen golfer, she has been able to include specialist classes for sports professionals, using yoga to exercise both the body and the mind. As for her own golf, since practicing yoga, it has improved immensely.

LUCAS ROCKWOOD(Teacher Trainer, USA) – Lucas has studied with such esteemed teachers as Sri K. PattabhiJois, SharathRangaswamy, Alex Medin, Paul Dallaghan, and Eddie Stern. Lucas co-founded Absolute Yoga KohSamui, taught yoga in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Europe. In class, Lucas encourages students to achieve their full potential through sequences that are challenging, fun, and athletic.

RACHEL TSAI (Teacher Trainer, Taiwan) – Rachel has been studying the great tradition of yoga for over a decade both in and outside India. She currently teaches courses and workshops in yoga philosophy, Ayurveda and Sanskrit. She is an Ayurvedic clinical practitioner, with qualification in both Ayurveda and Yoga (Therapy). She has an ongoing advanced study in Sanskrit as well as in Vedic and Western astrology. With gratitude and faith, Rachel draws inspiration form the practice of AshtangaVinyasa Yoga system as taught by the late great teacher Sri K PattabhiJois in Mysore, India. She is YogaAlliance 500 hr qualified.

MICHELLE LAM (Teacher Trainer, Hong Kong) – Michel is a physiotherapist specializing in sports injuries and prevention. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1998; and now, after working in the sports rehabilitation for nearly 10 years, Michelle has developed a unique way of incorporating physiotherapy with exercise training and performance enhancement. Michelle is also a Personal Trainer, Group X instructor, and a part-time lecturer in the Chinese University Adult Learning Center in Hong Kong.

The Training Facility

Absolute Sanctuary was built specifically to meet the growing demands of our teacher training courses. While many courses are conducted in hotel conference rooms or outdoor platforms, we quickly learned that that training environment is an extremely important aspect of the course.

The resort is nestled into a hill overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, so it’s quiet and peaceful with wonderful sea breezes at night and complete silence while you sleep.

After a long day practicing and learning, nothing feels better than a healthy meal, and a dip in the pool! We learned a long time ago that if you eat well, sleep well and are well taken care of, you have a better time—and you learn more too.

THE ROOMS at Absolute Sanctuary are simple and lovely. Most students share a room (very economical option) and a limited number of private rooms are available as well. All rooms have:

• Air conditioners
• Hot water
• Flat-screen televisions
• Mini-refrigerator
• Private bathroom
• Small terrace
• Telephone
• Free wifi (throughout resort)

A Day in the Life of a 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 07:30 a.m. for your first yoga class (we practice before breakfast as that’s much better for Hot Yoga).

We’ll begin the day at the Jungle Yoga Studio (called this because you can see the sea). The sun is just coming up, and the view is spectacular. The morning class is the most structured class of the day, this is very much “by the books” and is designed to help you learn by experiencing the series and practice as a student.

After class, you’ll have an hour and half for breakfast break. Meals are served buffet-style, and there’s always fresh fruit, toast, yogurt, coffee, teas, and cereals.

The first workshop begins at 11:00 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 1:00 p.m,and the menu changes daily, but common selections include homemade soups and breads, fresh salads (locally grown greens), stir fries, local fish and chicken, Thai favorites, and wraps. There are always selections for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

At 2:00 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 4:30 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!

Dinner is at 7:00 p.m., between 8:00-9:30 p.m Evening Gathering (most nights). 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.

Tuition Investment

One of the big advantages of a course like this being held in Thailand is that we’re able to offer a premier training experience for a fraction of what you’d pay elsewhere. While other course of this caliber might cost $8,000-12,000, we’re able to offer small class sized, personalized instruction, a top-notch training facility, and an international certification for just as fraction of that price.

How Much Does it Cost? One of the most important things to look at when you’re investing in your yoga education is (a) is it worth it? (b) how long will it take me to get back my investment? Sadly, most teacher training courses are just long yoga holidays. Students have a great time, but at the end, they are not ready to teach so their investment disappears never to return. Absolute Yoga graduates can earn back their investment in as little as 3-4 months, and many even open studios and start making an excellent living very quickly.

Tuition Investment:124,950 THB
Room/Board: 69,950 THB (standard shared room – limited privates available)
Includes: all course fees, materials, mats, towels, 3 meals daily, airport transfer to/from hotel. No surprise fees or extra expenses aside from pocket money you’d bring.

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Total Investment:194,900 THB
Early Discount! Save 20,000 THB
If you are accepted and pay your tuition in full before 15 March 2012 for the June 2012 course, we get a discounted rate from the resort (for early book) that we are happy to pass along to you.

NEED EXCHANGE RATES? Change THB to Your Currency Here

Take The Next Step!

If you join this course, you’ll spend one full month on the tropical island of KohSamui with an incredible group of yoga students from all over the world.

You’ll eat healthy food every day, practice yoga, swim in the sea, and gain an internationally recognized, Yoga Alliance accredited Hot Yoga teaching certificate.

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.

You enter as a student, you leave as a teacher.

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

Keep practicing,

Lucas Rockwood
Absolute Yoga Samui

p.s. We only hold this course 2x per year, so it fills up quickly—often with a waiting list. With that in mind, even if you’re just thinking “maybe,” I’d encourage you to fill out an application so you can start the process.

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