SAT NAAM! Are you a Level One Kundalini Yoga teacher who would like to train further to teach for pregnancy? Are you currently undertaking the journey of becoming a Kundalini Yoga teacher and would like to add this specialty? Are you a practitioner of Kundalini Yoga who would like to deepen their personal experience and understanding of the teachings and practices of Kundalini Yoga for pregnancy, though not intending to teach?
WELCOME TO SMALL BLESSINGS YOGA 50 HOUR PREGNANCY YOGA TEACHER TRAINING.
This training will give you all the knowledge and know-how of the teachings and practices for this precious passage of life from the rich tradition of Kundalini Yoga.
The teachings of Kundalini Yoga are incredibly rich in elevating philosophical perspectives, helpful lifestyle practices and nourishing know-how for the journey of pregnancy, birth and beyond. From the individual level, one woman, baby and family at a time, to the community level through circles of support to the universal level – the magic of every single new life that comes to Earth.
These teachings provide a model of healthy, soul-friendly, nourished living that could become our future.
Knowing and passing on these teachings could be seen as important well beyond the context of teaching yoga. The lap of the mother is the cradle of civilisation, so what happens in the womb, in the lap and in the arms of the mother and family has far reaching ripples for all of us.
DEDICATION
This training, centred on Kundalini Yoga teachings and technology, enriched and given further dimension by understandings from other wisdom sources, is intended as a contribution to greater compassion, sovereignty, dignity and peace on earth.
YOU WILL LEARN
- essential teachings and timeless principles and how they apply to each woman’s personal journey
- how, why and when to teach what
- what happens in birth and how to assist women in preparing for it
- about the magical and personally, communally and globally vital teachings of the 40 Day Blessing following birth
And…
The journey of learning to teach, whether or not you do teach pregnancy yoga and birth preparation following this course, is a process of integration and mastery. Ultimately it is a journey of mastering being YOU and the teacher that you naturally are – in your home, at work, in your job, in your life – just by virtue of being you.
TRAINERS
Jai Ram Kaur Hergo is the facilitator of the training. A Kundalini pregnancy and postnatal yoga teacher since 2006 and trainer with the Aquarian Trainers Academy, Jai Ram has 3 now teenaged children of her own. Read more about Jai Ram here.
Also on the training team is Feona West, local birth doula and wise woman. Feona is a well loved and highly esteemed birth worker with an abundance of knowledge and wisdom in the field of birth.
PRE-REQUISITES
As this is a 50 hour specialty training, not a full teacher training, it is open to all those who have already completed a Level One Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training course. It is also open to those registered for or currently undertaking the Level One training. It is open to those who have a strong and sincere commitment to undertake this training in the future. If you are a Kundalini Yoga student who is personally established in your practice and you wish to deepen your involvement in the teachings through learning more about Kundalini Yoga for pregnancy and birth but you do not intend to teach, you may also apply.
For others who are interested but who do need meet any of the above criteria, you may consider registering your interest for the Yoga Alliance registered 200 hour Small Blessings Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Training, which is planned to begin in 2022. Contact Jai Ram.
MENTORING
Once you have completed the 6 day training, you may feel you would like some more support to step in to the field of teaching pregnancy yoga and birth preparation. Mentoring with Jai Ram is offered to assist you with this. The two levels offered are:
one hour individual coaching/supervision session and 2 supervised classes with feedback - $400
one hour individual coaching sessions and 3 supervised classes with feedback - $600
Talk to Jai Ram about these options.
Jai Ram is a certified Karam Kriya Consultant and NLP practitioner with skills in counselling and coaching as well as almost 15 years of experience working in the field.
DATES& VENUE
The training takes place 27th June to 2nd July 2021. Day One begins at 9.30am and ends at 6pm. All other days begin 6am and end 6pm. The venue is a peaceful home studio in Winthrop, Perth - address will be given upon registration.
FEES
The fee for the full 6 day training (includes all teaching fees, manual and daily vegetarian breakfast and lunch) - $1500 (a non refundable deposit of $500 and a further $1000 payment). Payment plans are available if required.
Special discount fee for those undertaking Level One Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training: $1250 ($500 non refundable deposit and a payment of $750). This fee is available to those training with Jai Ram and the Karam Kriya School in Perth and also other schools.
DAILY SCHEDULE
With the exception of Day One, each day we begin at 6am with morning practice (Sadhana). This will consist of Japji (song of the soul), a class led by one of the trainees (practicum teaching) and then mantra chanting.
Breakfast at 8am
Class begins at 9.30am
Lunch at 1pm
Afternoon session starts 2.30pm
4.30pm Practicum teaching and feedback
6pm Home time
PRACTICUM TEACHING
As part of the training, you are required to teach at least 1 x 60 minute pregnancy yoga class and receive feedback. Depending on numbers in the course, there may be opportunities to teach more than once. Opportunities for practicum teaching are at the morning Sadhana and the afternoon class session
SEVA
Seva, or selfless service, is an important element of the teachings and practice of Kundalini Yoga. We serve each other by helping take care of the space, preparing meals and cleaning up together. You will be asked to take on small jobs like this during the training, to contribute to keeping the space clean and everyone nourished.
CERTIFICATION
Certification is based on attendance at all teaching sessions, full payment of fees, a satisfactory practicum class and an overall evaluation by the tutor of your engagement in the course.
The training will be registered as a Continuing Education course with Yoga Alliance. You will receive a certificate for the course. You will then be able to obtain insurance which you will need to teach in any public space.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply by filling in the application form above and returning it, along with a copy of your Level One KY TT certificate or evidence of your enrolment in a Level One training course. Also write a letter describing your experience with Kundalini Yoga, your motivations for wanting to do this course and sharing anything about yourself that you wish to share.
Upon payment of a non refundable deposit of $500, your place in the course is secured. The remaining fee is then to be paid latest 1st June 2021.
Any questions at all, contact Jai Ram.
OUTLINE OF TOPICS
(may change somewhat as the days unfold)
DAY ONE
MODULE 1
Brief history (herstory) and anthropological overview of changing attitudes to the journey of motherhood, including birth, over time across the globe – what patterns do we see, where are we now, what can we learn and where do we want to go in the future?
MODULE 2
Meeting the essential teachings of Kundalini Yoga on womanhood, motherhood, birth and beyond. Philosophical underpinnings. Reference for the journey. Lifestyle teachings.
Class – Learn by experience
A Pregnancy Yoga class with Jai Ram as means of introducing the elements of a Pregnancy Yoga class.
Followed by reflections and questions.
DAY TWO
Practicum class & group feedback
MODULE 3
A soul arrives in the womb. Changes and changing needs through pregnancy – physiological, emotional and spiritual.
Identifying your calling – you are the medicine for the ailment you see.
MODULE 4
Pregnancy as a unique time with unique features and needs and what this means for the yoga class. Identifying Kriyas, Asanas and Pranayamas to leave out in pregnancy and which to definitely include.
Yogic technology and breath as sophisticated medicine. Breathing for two.
Issues that can arise in pregnancy and ways to address them. When to give modifications and to whom.
Putting together a class. What are the basic ingredients and where does creativity come in?
Practicum class & group feedback
DAY THREE
Practicum class & group feedback
MODULE 5
Meditation in pregnancy – essential practice for cleansing the subconscious mind. Meditating for two.
Which meditations are especially suited to pregnancy and why.
The mind in pregnancy.
MODULE 6
Personal sharing circle
Everyday miracle of birth: Physiology, the dance of hormones, “evolutionary regression” and transcendent states, needs of a woman in labour, role of the caregiver, medical paradigm and procedure, alternatives.
Practicum class & group feedback
DAY FOUR
Practicum class & group feedback
MODULE 7
Personal sharing circle
Birth as a rite of passage.
Narrative of birth, inner and outer work of birth preparation, birth as modern day hero(ine)’s journey and eternal rite of passage .. and more
Encounters with the system, self-empowerment, autonomy.
Birth Preparation in the yoga class – how you can offer training and support
Pelvic Floor as “psychological foundation” – understanding this sophisticated network of muscles, connection with jaw, Ina May Gaskin’s “Sphincter Law” and well being and sovereignty through awareness.
Practicum class & group feedback
DAY FIVE
Practicum class & group feedback
MODULE 8
Personal sharing circle
Birth – inner and outer work
Attachment theory and its impact on birth, the new baby, the mother-child bond and the style of parenting.
Psychology of needing and asking for help.
Fear and faith. How Kundalini yoga and meditation can help with these themes.
Grief and loss. Family Constellation Work insights and ritual to help move through towards integration and peace.
Practicum class & group feedback
DAY SIX
Practicum class & group feedback
MODULE 9
40 Day Blessing
Kundalini Yoga teachings and practices for the fourth trimester or 40 days after birth – echoed by many cultures around the world. Information to know, share with others and use to be of great help to families in this tender, precious time.
Role of the sevadar.
MODULE 10
Teaching from the heart and the art of conscious language.
Creativity and ritual – marking important passages in life and the therapeutic and spiritual boon of doing so for the individual and the community.
Closing circle