Russell completed his yoga teacher training with the Mandala yoga ashram in West Wales.
The 500 hour training was comprehensive, covering all aspects of yoga teaching and was a professional level course. The course helps students develop their own sadhana (personal yoga practice) in a guided and systematic way.
The following indented text is taken from the ashrams website, see web address further down.
“The course aims to provide a high standard of practical and professional Yoga teacher training whilst also integrating the profound Spiritual practices and development that lie at the heart of Yoga. The emphasis will be on awakening the faculties of each student, thus developing the capacity to transmit Yoga to others on a profound level.”
“Professional Training: The course is accredited by the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY). This means that graduates will be recognised by both the Ashram and the BWY, and be able to teach Yoga throughout the UK and many European countries.”
”
- In-depth tuition and practice in Hatha Yoga – including Asana (postures), Pranayama practices, Mudras, Bandhas and Shat Karmas (cleansing practices).
- A comprehensive training in Meditation.
- Explanation and practice of core Mantras.
- Instruction in the path of Gyana Yoga, including the study of classical yogic texts, such as Patanjali Yoga Sutra, the Bhagavad Gita and key Upanishads.
- Experience of daily Ashram life including the practices of Karma Yoga, periods of silence, morning chanting and satsang (questions & answers).
- Introduction to Bhakti Yoga through lectures, shared interaction and devotional singing.
- Comprehensive professional teaching skills, such as class planning and preparation, student safety and business skills.
”
“Students will not be encouraged to study anything on just an academic or intellectual level – the teachings will come alive in the direct personal experience of each individual, and also within the shared Ashram environment. The practice of Satsang, which is the sharing of practical wisdom based on inner experience, is fundamental to the course. This wisdom, when it is practiced within the crucible of our daily lives, helps to catalyse the inner spiritual transformation, which is at the heart of this course.”
[taken from; http://mandalayoga.net/index-yttc-en-formation.html at 16:39 on 6th December 2009]
Note: Quoted sections are from the ashram website, and some of the phrasing on this page may be similar to the ashrams website. This page is intended to give an accurate representation of the course undertaken so that in future if the ashrams website changes, I retain the essence of the course description.