Hot Yoga Apprenticeship Program
A Rare Opportunity for New Teachers to Get Real-Life, Practical
Experience in Working at Absolute Yoga

Hot Yoga Teachers Wanted… Join a 1-week teaching intensive program where you’ll teach, practice, and observe REAL classes every day, learning directly from the experienced Absolute Yoga teaching team in Bangkok. This is real-world experience that you can use on your resume to give you the personal confidence that opens more doors than you can imagine…

To: Absolute Hot Yoga Graduates (or soon-to-be graduates)
From: Lucas Rockwood (E-RYT 200 & Course Manager)

Dear Hot Yoga Teacher Trainee,

If you’re an Absolute Yoga graduate (or soon-to-be), then I’d like to introduce you to a very exciting opportunity for 5 serious students who are looking to teach yoga as a career, as soon as possible…

… it’s called the Hot Yoga Apprenticeship Program, and it’s a total immersion into the real-world life of a yoga teacher.

Here’s what this is about:

Our Absolute Hot Yoga Teacher Training course is incredibly successful each year, and a HUGE number of graduates go on to work professionally, start their own yoga programs—and even open their own studios.

BUT… each year, at the end of the course, there are always a handful of overachievers who want to get some real-life teaching experience under their belt as-soon-as-possible, so when the go out to look for paid teaching work, they’ll have the confidence and experience needed to become a great asset to their employer right away!

I think this is a GREAT idea, and that’s what The Yoga Apprenticeship Program is all about.

Why Apprenticeship Makes Sense

• Real Life Teaching Experience – the very first thing that any studio owner will ask you when you apply for a job is: “Have you ever taught a public class before?” For Apprentices, the answer will be a resounding “yes!” because during the Apprenticeship Program, you’ll teach public classes every single day.

  And with both your teaching training certificate AND this new apprenticeship program on your resume, you will stand out as an exceptional new hire right away.

• The Power of Modeling – the best teachers in the world are the best students. This doesn’t mean they have perfect poses or ultra-advanced practices—far from it! The best teachers have someone they can look up to whose skills and talent they can “model” and use in their own classes.

  New teachers quickly find their own style and voice, and observing and then modeling your mentors is THE most effective way to grow quickly.

  In the Apprenticeship Program, you will observe your mentor each day in public classes, filled with all types of students—and this experience alone will completely change the way you teach for the better. Observing classes is a powerful learning experience, one that very few teachers ever get the opportunity to do.

• Learn from a Mastermind Group – both the students and mentors that are attracted to this type of program are special people. They tend to be ambitious and enthusiastic, positive and passionate.

  To spend an intensive week with a group like that is not just fun—it’s exhilarating. There’s nothing more enjoyable then spending time with supportive, non-competitive, growth-oriented people just like you.

  You’ll have so much fun.

• Open Doors & Welcome Opportunities – this Apprenticeship program is only available to 5 people, and those 5 people will be the decision makers, the action-takers, and the “doers” who get things done. These are the people on the “Most-Likely to Succeed” list; and as an Apprentice, you’ll be one of them.

  Some Apprentices will open their own studios, some will start traveling and teaching, and some will find successful careers at large studios that you might want to work for someday. Your connections with this group, and the benefits that will bring, can last for years.

  Opportunity is not about luck, it’s about knocking on the doors that you want to open—and believe me, people in this program will find there are lots of doors available and a lot of options that will open up.

Here’s the Schedule

• 31 October – Arrive in Bangkok, check in to your hotel (group accommodation will be arranged at a nice, affordable hotel near the studio in Bangkok). There will be an optional dinner at a near-by restaurant, but more than anything, this is a day to get settled.
  
  
• 1 Nov – Orientation, the first group meeting is at 17:00, and you’ll be introduced to your teaching mentor. You and your mentor will spend the next week working together, so this is a great opportunity to plan and schedule for the days ahead.

  During the orientation, the course director, Harreson Martell, will also give you a tour of the facilities, show you the schedules, maps of the area, and help you with any questions you might have. There will be a group yoga practice that evening and an optional dinner.

  NOTE: during the entire course, you will NEVER be left alone (unless you want to be). There will always be other Apprentices, mentors, and the course director to help you and support you. You’ll be part of the yoga team.

• 2 – 6 Nov – The Apprenticeship, the program consists of a very full schedule as follows: (1) you will teach a public class each day, (2) you will observe one of your mentor’s classes each day, and (3) you will practice as a student, taking class with one of your fellow Apprentices.

  NOTE: this is a total immersion, and there is no better way to learn. The team is incredibly positive and supportive, and there is NO pressure and NO need for nervousness or stress.

  It will be fun and challenging—and immediately beneficial.

• 7 Nov, Employment Secrets, the program finishes on the last morning with a group practice, a closing ceremony, and a guest lecture by Absolute Yoga founder, Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul (founder of all 10 Absolute studios along with the Samui training facility).

  Benjaporn will share with you what she looks for when hiring teachers so you understand exactly how to be an asset to the studios you will soon work for. Ben will also take question and give answers to your specific questions about anything related to yoga teaching careers.

• BONUS SESSIONS – All Apprentices will be given an unlimited pass to any/all Absolute Yoga classes during their stay. You can try new styles of yoga, experience new teachers, and have fun experimenting.

  All Apprentices will also be invited to the weekly “teacher’s only” practice where you’ll see how on-going training, collaboration, and learning is such a crucial part of long-term success as a teacher (this class is a LOT of fun too).

  There will be optional dinners, city tours, and excursions for the group in the evenings that will be great for relaxing and enjoying the wonderful cultural activities available in Bangkok (not required… if you’re too tired, you can sleep too:)

  ARRIVAL: all students should arrive any time on the 31^st of Oct
  
  DEPARTURE: all students should plan to depart after lunch on the 7^th of Nov

The Teaching Mentor Team

The teaching mentor team consists of Absolute Yoga’s most senior teaching staff, all of whom speak and teach in English (some also teach in a 2nd or 3rd language as well). Each Apprentice will be paired up with a mentor for the duration of the course.

HARRESON MARTELL (director) – Harreson was the first Hot Yoga teacher in Thailand, and one of the first in Asia. He has taught over 4,000 classes and trained hundreds of teachers to date. Harreson graduated top of his class at Bikram Yoga College of India, and with was a professional tri-athlete champion and coach.

Harreson’s yogic journey has led him from personal growth workshop assistant to coaching peak performance seminars for an organic health food company, but it was his interest in Bhakti (devotional yoga) that brought him full circle when his mentor introduced him to the life changing and healing benefits of Hot Yoga.

PIM SWATEWACHARKUL (mentor) – Pim was one of the earliest graduates of the Absolute Yoga Teacher Training many years ago, and has since gone on to teach thousands of classes and is an integral part of the teacher training faculty as well. She is very down-to-earth and extremely knowledgable about the entire world of yoga.

BIG JAKRANUWAD (mentor) – Big started her yoga teaching journey as an apprentice, studying with Harreson, and she has now trained and taught extensively as an integral part of the teaching team in Bangkok. Big discovered her passion for the first time with yoga as an Apprentice herself, and is now excited to share that with others.

CANDY JOTIKASTHIRA (mentor) – Candy says, “As a teacher, I am no more than a hard-working student. I bring to my class everything I experienced in my practice. If you decide to come and take the class with me, we will flow through a series of sun salutations, standing poses, challenging strengths, balance and building as much internal heat as we can. We will breathe deeply, work on our focus and awareness and quiet our busy minds as we flow together.”

PETER PHOTIKOE (mentor) – Peter says, “The more that I practice yoga, the more that I feel better about myself and the world around me. Although it has been years since my first class, I continue to enjoy learning as much as teaching. I teach because I know that yoga is a gift for everyone, no matter who you are. Getting a better body is a common (and achievable) goal with regular practice. However, if your goal is to go somewhere deeper and perhaps resolve some issues that you have with yourself, then that is available, too.”

Got Questions?

Q: My practice is not that advanced… is it ok?
A: You’ll quickly learn that having an advanced practice has NOTHING to do with your ability to teach. Some of the most-famous teachers in the world have average yoga practices. Our bodies are all different. For some people, the poses come quickly, for others it takes time. This is normal and not something to worry about.

Q: I’m very nervous about teaching so can I be an Apprentice?
A: Everyone is nervous to teach. Even experienced teachers sometimes get nervous if it’s a big class or a new class.

This nervousness it natural and normal, and certainly should not dissuade you. You’ll learn quickly to overcome your nervousness by teaching from your heart, from your personal experience, at that in itself is one of the most profound lessons you can learn.

Q: How much does the accommodation cost?
A: In Bangkok, we have arranged a group of private and shared rooms at a very affordable hotel right near the studio. The price will vary depending on if you want a private or shared room, but expect to pay between 1000-2000 THB/night.

Q: If food included?
A: There are so many options for food in Bangkok that we’ll leave that up to you. Within walking distance of your hotel, there are at least 100 restaurants. It’s extremely affordable to eat out in Bangkok and it’s one of the most popular activities. Food is a big part of life in Thailand, and you’ll never be far from fresh fruit, spicy Thai foods, Starbucks, pizza or whatever else you’re craving. It’s all right there.

Q: I’ve never been to Bangkok before – is it crazy?
A: Bangkok is an amazing city. Most tourists only see a very small portion of the city—usually the old city. Absolute Yoga is located right in the heart of the modern part of the city which is fun and very exciting. There are dozens of movie theaters, great restaurants, clean public transportation, and so many things to do. It’s a great place and you’ll love it.

Q: What if I make a mistake while I’m teaching?
A: I can almost guarantee that you WILL make a mistake—but so what! All teachers make mistakes all the time. It’s not a big deal, it’s just part of the process. We learn from our successes, but even more from our mistakes. You might forget a posture or teach too fast or too slow… don’t worry, it happens. And that’s what this program is all about! We’re here to help you get through the initial bumps of teaching quickly so you can move forward with confidence.

Q: Can I work for Absolute Yoga after the Apprenticeship?
A: Absolute Yoga has over 40 teachers, and it’s not uncommon for us to hire new teachers from our graduating classes… but, that’s not what this Apprenticeship about. We may or may not be hiring during the Apprenticeship period, and I don’t want to give you an idea that this is a competition for employment—because it’s not. This program is designed to make you a better teacher no matter where you end up teaching.

How Do I Know if It’s Right for Me?

Everyone comes to yoga with different intentions and goals, but if your goal is to earn a living as a teacher, I would highly suggest you do anything and everything you can to be one of the 5 students admitted into this course. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only program of its kind, and I would have jumped on this opportunity myself had it been available when I was first starting out.

Take Action Now!

If this Apprenticeship program sounds exciting and challenging to you, and you’d like to join us, please apply as quickly as possible because we can only accept 5 people and we will be accepting both past and future graduates, so there is not nearly enough places to meet the demand. Apprenticeships will be awarded on a first-come basis, and I expect we’ll fill very quickly.

I’m excited to see where this teaching journey takes you, and I’m VERY excited to for this Apprenticeship Program. I hope you can join us…

Keep practicing,

Lucas Rockwood (E-RYT 200)
Course Manager/Absolute Yoga

p.s. If you have any questions about this or would like to chat about this opportunity, please contact me HERE, and we can arrange a time to talk.

APPLY NOW
Absolute Yoga Apprenticeship Program