Asheville, NC
Subtle Yoga Teacher Training and Personal Transformation Program
a 250-hour certification

Early Bird Discount for the Subtle Yoga Training and Personal Transformation Program has been extended through March 1 – You can receive a $150 discount on an amazing experience. So take advantage, there are just a few spots left in both trainings.

“This program is a journey that opens the heart and empowers the spirit, appealing to our highest good. My understanding of myself has deepened and my sensibilities of what it means to be human on this planet at this time in history have taken on new perspectives. I have felt so inspired by the joy, wisdom, love and integrity Kaoverii has brought to this program, and my hope is to share yoga’s many benefits with others in the same compassionate, wise, fearless manner.” -Kirsten Walz, Asheville, NC

The next program begins in March 2010 in Asheville, NC and in Cornelius, NC. See below for dates and details.

Attention: Early Bird Discount extended Through March 1, 2010, save $150!

The Subtle Yoga Training and Personal Transformation Program

The Subtle Yoga Training and Personal Transformation Program is a unique opportunity for sustained immersion in the ancient art-science of yoga which will lead you to a deeper awareness of yourself and the world. Whether you are an experienced or aspiring yoga teacher, a health professional, therapist or educator looking to integrate yoga into your work, or a practitioner who wants to know more about the yoga tradition, the Subtle Yoga approach to training will provide you with a unique structure in which to experience the vast benefits of yoga.

Beyond the Pretzel

Yoga is for everyone and anyone can benefit from it. You do not need to be an athlete or a dancer to do, teach or enjoy yoga. Yoga is a complete human potential technology integrating therapeutic yoga postures and meditation with lifestyle modifications and practices for emotional healing and spiritual expansion. Because it is a preventative practice which integrates spirituality and health, yoga practice and yoga therapy has become widely practiced and utilized – the need for qualified instructors is expanding rapidly.

Traditionally, revered yoga instructors were those who taught by example, their lives were an embodiment of the principles of yoga: wisdom, clarity, intuition, serenity, courage and a commitment to service. They did not necessarily even teach yoga classes, often working individually with students. They came from all walks of life and careers. The Subtle Yoga Training and Personal Transformation Program offers you the opportunity to become this kind of teacher, formally or informally – to exemplify and to learn to share yoga with others from the deepest part of your being, as it was originally intended.

In this time of uncertainty, it has become increasingly clear that the world needs yoga and other spiritual teachers who possess a deep self-knowledge and radiate a commitment to service. During this program you will unveil the depths of your spirit in order to authentically hold and transmit this ancient wisdom tradition.

In an effort to create a safe, supportive environment and to facilitate a successful group process, a maximum of 15 students are accepted into the program. Therefore you are advised to register as early as possible.

The Subtle Yoga Teacher Training and Personal Transformation Program is registered with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga School(RYS) and upon completion you will be eligible to register with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher(RYT) 200hr certification.

What is Subtle Yoga?

Subtle Yoga is a yoga of personal transformation and expanding consciousness. The process of increasing our subtle awareness of ourselves, our lives and our place on this planet is one of continually transforming our negative habits and thought patterns into energy for our spiritual growth and expansion. Therefore the cultivation of self-awareness in yoga practice is as important as any techniques which are learned.

Subtle Yoga helps you connect not only to the physical body but also to the deeper layers of self, exploring the breath, the organs and glands, the flows of prana, the chakras, and the mental/emotional layers of self. In classes, various yoga philosophy themes are introduced and students are invited to explore the application of this ancient wisdom in their own lives.

Subtle Yoga is not the same thing as Gentle Yoga. Subtle Yoga is about going beyond instinctual and intellectual ways of knowing about yoga in order to understand and practice from a deeper part of the self and open to greater awareness. The experience of yoga broadens when one taps into more subtle capacities of mind, such as intuition and surrender. Subtle Yoga is about approaching the deepest part of yourself and allowing that inner wisdom and knowing to overflow from your practice into your daily life.

Application To ensure a space in the program, please apply as soon as possible, space is limited (application includes payment plan contract).

About the Director

Curriculum

In this course you will immerse yourself in the traditional practices of yoga over a period of 10 months (11 in the Cornelius program). The class meets one weekend a month. You will learn how to teach asanas safely and effectively and you will gain a thorough understanding of the anatomy and alignment of each pose.

Your journey will be taken in the spirit of pariprashna – the practice of refining the questions. In addition to exploring the ancient wisdom of yoga and its relevance to your life, you will learn the skills necessary to teach effective, transformative yoga classes.

Weekend 1: Yoga Epistemology (ways of knowing)

• Introduction to the program.
• Introduction to the process of deepening self-awareness.
• How do we understand what life is about and how does this relate to becoming a good yoga teacher?
• Tada’sana alignment.

Weekend 2: Yoga Cosmology

• The manifestation of consciousness.
• The cycle of creation and the evolution of consciousness.
• The human potential.
• Yoga class outlines.

Weekend 3: Yoga Psychology/Subtle Anatomy

• The human being as a microcosm or a hologram of the universe.
• The anatomy of the chakra system as it mirrors universal evolution and reveals the psyche.
• Other subtle components of the human structure and their relevance to the practice.
• Chakra asanas – poses to balance the chakra system and their structural, physiologic and energetic effects.

Weekend 4: Asana Energetics and Self-Care

• The mind creates the body.
• How do asanas affect the body on an energetic as well as physical level?
• Forward folds, back bends and twists and their structural, physiologic and energetic effects.
• Healing Self-Massage and acupoints – the benefits of self-massage after asana practice.

Weekend 5: Yoga Ethics

• Yoga ethics as the foundation for all yoga practices.
• The Yoga Sutra.
• Surya Namaskars and Inversions and their structural, physiologic and energetic effects.

Weekend 6: Yoga Lifestyle and Yoga Therapy

• Some of the lesser known supportive practices of yoga including diet, moon fasting, cleansing practices, breathing practices and more.
• How the yogi constantly prepares him/herself for meditation and lives harmoniously in the world.
• Yoga Cikitsa (an introduction to yoga therapy).

Weekend 7: The Subtle Art of Teaching and the Business of Yoga

• In as much as there are subtle ways of understanding authentic yoga, there are also subtle ways to teach it. How does a teacher conduct his/ her business with equanimity in the spirit of seva?
• Putting together the poses, meditation, pranayama and other practices to build a great yoga class.

Weekend 8: The Beauty of Seva

• Seva (service) is as important as the quest for self-realization.
• What are the different kinds of seva and how do they affect the process of self-realization?
• More yoga therapy.

Weekend 9: Surrender and Connectedness

• The realm of experience that takes one beyond awareness of the small self leads to a sense of surrender and devotion to all that is.
• The Bhagavad Gita.
• Learning to lead chanting.

Weekend 10: Self-Reflection

• Self and group reflection on this learning experience and plans for continuing.
• Practicum and Review.

Weekend 11: Maintaining the Flow

*please note that this weekend is offered only in the Cornelius, NC program

• Strategies for maintaining your practice beyond the program.
• Reviewing asanas, meditation and other techniques.

Asanas and More

Each day of training includes chanting and meditation. You will learn essential theory and practice of traditional yoga including yoga asanas, mudras, meditation, yoga psychology, yoga therapy, yoga to balance the chakras, breath work, visualizations, energy flows and self-massage. The asanas you will learn will emerge as the vehicles for processing and embodying the weekend’s information.

There is a Required Reading List

and reasonable homework will be assigned between each session. You are required to keep a journal. (please email us if you would like to receive a copy of the reading list, you can also find it at the end of the application.)

Seva

A Seva (service) project wil be undertaken as part of the training. On several of our weekend meetings, we will spend 1.5-2 hours engaged in a social service project for a local organization.

Service is a direct and ancient yoga practice (karma yoga – the yoga of taking the right action in the world) that is directly applicable to your personal development. It is an essential part of your personal training and of the group process. We submitted our application to Yoga Alliance to include Karma Yoga hours as contact hours, but because Yoga Alliance had never even heard of a teacher training program that incorporated Karma Yoga into the contact hours, we had to petition several members of the organization in order for them to recognize Karma Yoga as an essential part of yoga teacher training. The Subtle Yoga Training and Personal Transformation Program has set the precedent for other teacher training programs to use this invaluable practice as an essential aspect of their trainings.

Practice

You will be required to meditate twice a day for the program. You must start with at least 10 minutes, twice a day, and you will be encouraged to increase the amount as we proceed. You will also be required to practice asanas every day.

Requirements (please see the application for more details)

• Attendance at each weekend
• Fulfilling reading and writing requirements
• Attending 3 yoga classes between weekend modules (classes with Kaoverii strongly encouraged)
• Student teaching at least 5 classes.
• Observing at least 3 classes.
• Assisting at least 3 classes.
• Research paper or equivalent research project.
• Teaching a class to the group at the end of the course.

Locations
Asheville: One Center Yoga, 120 Coxe Ave., Ste. 3A, Asheville, NC

Cornelius: (See Cornelius/Charlotte Yoga Teacher Training page)

Tuition

Early Bird Discount has been extended through March 1. You can receive a $150 discount on an amazing experience. So take advantage, there are just a few spots left in both trainings!

Tuition for this program is $1750 in Asheville and $1895 in Cornelius. $300 is due upon registration and the balance is due one week before the first weekend that we meet. A $150 discount will be given if you pay in full by February 15, 2010. There is also another $100 discount possible for those who refer a friend. Please inquire. Payment plans are available, please see the application form. Note that we are very flexible with payment plan options and, if you are right for this program, we are willing to work with you to make the program work for you.

Scholarships
One partial scholarship is available for the 2010 program in both the Asheville and the Cornelius trainings. This scholarship will cover $1000 of the tuition fee. Applicants will be responsible for paying $750 (Asheville) or $895 (Cornelius) themselves. There will be no discounts given in this case. This scholarship is specifically for those who are interested in teaching yoga to people 55 years and older. Applicants must write a 3-page essay as to why they want to take the training, why there is a need for them to receive financial aid, and what they will do with their knowledge once they have completed the training. Please mail the essay along with your application. A decision about the scholarship will be made, and all applicants will be notified, by January 31, 2010.

Schedule
Dates:

Asheville, NC Training
March 12-14
April 9-11
May 14-16
June 11-13
July 9-11
Aug. 6-8
Sept. 10-12
Oct. 1-3
Nov. 5-7
Dec. 3-5

Cornelius (Charlotte), NC Training:
(See Cornelius/Charlotte Yoga Teacher Training page)

Times
Asheville:
Friday, 6-8:30 pm
Satuday, 8-12; 1-6 (lunch break from 12-1)
Sunday, 8-12; 1-3:30  (lunch break from 12-1)

Cornelius:
(See Cornelius/Charlotte Yoga Teacher Training page)

Attendance at all weekends is required. However, if you have a conflict with one or two of the weekends, you will be able to make up the work for an extra fee. A few hours missed on the occasional weekend will be able to be made up in a group class at the end of the program, there will be a fee for making up these hours depending on how many hours you’ve missed.

For out of town students
Many students coming from out of town ask about food and lodging. Both Asheville and Cornelius are beautiful locations with great restaurants and lively downtown scenes.

Asheville Food and Accommodations
The French Broad Food Coop is close to One Center Yoga. Greenlife Grocery is also close by. There are many fantastic restaurants in downtown Asheville.
There are also many hotels close by – The Renaissance, right downtown, and then several chain hotels a short drive, or a long walk down Biltmore Avenue near the Biltmore Estate. The Asheville Hostel is very friendly, and just a short walk from the studio.

You may also contact Kaoverii if you’d like to stay at the residence of a local yogi. Often, after the group gels a bit, students end up staying with classmates who live locally.

Cornelius Food and Accommodations
(See Cornelius/Charlotte Yoga Teacher Training page)

Registration for 2010 Program
Registration is now open. Please submit your application via email or snail mail along with your deposit to hold your spot. You will be contacted for a phone interview. For more specific information or questions about payment, please contact Brett Sculthorp at (828) 778-5105.

Application To ensure a space in the program, please apply as soon as possible, space is limited (application includes payment plan contract).

Click here to pay using PayPal. You will access the Subtle Yoga account under the email: info@subtleyoga.com

What Students Have to Say

“The Teacher Training with Kaoverii has had the most profound impact on my life and my practice. The transformative ways of her teaching and her receptivity to all walks of life make her a truly well rounded and heartfelt teacher. She brings a depth of knowledge as a Scholar and a wellspring of wisdom as a dedicated yogini. She walks a true path and it shows in everything she embarks upon. I have experienced such transformation and I am infinitely grateful to have had this experience.” – Delphine Davidson, Asheville, NC

“This has been the most influential journey of my life.  For the past 8 years I have been searching for my teacher to help me navigate through the confusion of religion. My love for the Bhagavad Gita is what lead me down a yogic path.  When I met Kaoverii, I knew that she was special.  I knew that she was a true teacher.  When I began attending her classes I began my healing and learning.  Now that I have completed the Training Program, I am forever changed. Somehow though I wouldn’t say changed as much as healed.  My soul or my subtle body was injured.  I realize now that my practice will heal me not only here on this earth within my skin, but also within my soul.  My perception of reality has been forever altered.  I now know that I am pure bliss. “ -Melissa Blazen, Asheville, NC

Subtle Yoga training has helped me to learn, practice, live and teach Yoga traditionally and authentically in a safe and nurturing environment. Kaoverii is a true yogin.” – Donna Marcialis, Asheville, NC

This program met and surpassed all of my expectations. It is definitely challenging for body, mind and spirit on all levels and it brought renewed consciousness into all aspects of my life: work, family and social. Goodness – never a dull moment! The classes have a sweet flow from Kirtan to Meditation to Asanas to Science and Seva. The guest teachers are just precious, Kaoverii knows how to pick the great ones. I feel inspired, connected and in awe to be consciously a part of this lifelong process of learning, evolving and sharing.Namaskar!          - Krysa Kobryner, Patagonia, AZ

“Kaoverii’s teachings have brought a much deeper meaning to my knowledge of yoga philosophy and her style of teaching has tremendously improved the alignment in my asana practice. I feel much safer practicing yoga than ever before. Kaoverii integrates the ancient chakra system into every class touching upon all facets of my being. I feel more mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually balanced at the end of each of her classes. I truly appreciate all that she has to offer Asheville’s yoga community. Thank you Kaoverii!” – Beth Bluth, Asheville, NC

“I very much value Kaoverii’s approach to yoga – it is truly holistic, involving mind body and spirit in a very tangible and applicable way. As an exceptional and balanced teacher, Kaoverii is a wonderful role model. She provides and encourages in her students, honesty, integrity, and humility while at the same time brings a refreshing delight and humor to her classes. Subtle Yoga teacher training has enriched every area of my life and has given me the tools and inspiration to share the benefits of yoga with others.”           - Cindy Graham, Asheville, NC

This story is a little longer – but well worth the read:

My Journey through Yoga Teacher Training

“When I decided to take this training, in many ways it was on a whim.  By that I mean, that it was not a thoroughly thought out process.  I didn’t think about whether I would actually teach or even if I had a basic grasp of yoga.  I felt in my body that this was the next step for me on my journey through life.  And, indeed, it has been a powerful step.  Much has shifted with a regular meditation practice.  Mostly I notice how the internal voices of fear and criticism have lost much of their glue. I can make mistakes without experiencing an immediate internal backlash of “you idiot, why didn’t you Blah Blah Blah.”  Or, you know, now you’ll never be invited again.  Or, you really hurt this person’s feelings, how calloused, you should consider what you’re saying before you speak.”

“Now, I act, receive a reaction, sometimes it’s positive and sometimes it’s negative and I can feel the voices of recrimination and distrust like a tidal wave, but there’s this invisible protective wall and by the time the voices come through they sometimes seem downright silly.  Now, this isn’t to say that life is all perfect and all good and I never experience anxiety, fear, extreme self-doubt or confusion.  But, something has been lessened, softened, and made more internally gentle.  Much like the choice to sign up for this training, I had no idea of the benefits of meditation, I only Knew, knew deep in my body that I needed it in order to live in this world.

“My second cause for signing up for this process was to deepen my Thai Yoga Massage practice.  This reason has felt fraught with ego.  Why?  Because, my desire to learn yoga for this reason came from a place of not believing I was enough or that what I have to offer is enough.  It came from the thought that I don’t know enough.  It came from an ideal that only a master should teach.  In short, it came from yet another should.  And, all the while, this egoic desire disguised itself as wanting to be in greater integrity.  I realize this could be argued.  Believe me, I’ve argued it plenty in my own mind.  But, I believe that only we in our heart know whether we’re being honest with ourselves.  And on this point I don’t feel that I was being totally honest with myself.  And, yet, here’s the grace in it.  Even though this came from an egoic desire, the training has indeed deepened my practice.  I feel more confident as a practitioner and I do have a better understanding of the asanas and how to use them to the benefit of clients.  Also, I’ve become gentler in my approach to massage in general, which has definitely been kinder to my body and me.  And, I believe that my clients have benefited as well.

The First Months of Yoga Teacher Training

In the first couple months I had some incredible meditation experiences.  One that I still remember vividly was coming out of meditation and absolutely without any doubts Knowing that we are all one.  Knowing it, feeling it and living it for about 24 hours.  Again, the grace, the mystery of life gave a wonderful gift, without asking or intending or using my powerful manifestation skills.  All I did was sit for five minutes and the thought passed through,  wow, there are others sitting in meditation right now and we’re all connected by this act.  And, somehow magically a portal was opened.  I have to say in some ways it’s like having the best sex of your life. It’s bitter sweet, because regular old sitting seems sort of dull in comparison.  However, I’ve continued to sit and I’ve found a gentle sweetness like mature love from sitting.  My head feels clearer, my body feels lighter, and gently and kindly my addiction to drama seems to by lessened each time I become willing to stop and sit.  In fact, and this amazes my old self.  What I most want for Christmas this year is a meditation chair I saw in the Gaiam magazine.  Truly, if you would have asked me last year at this time to predict what I would most want to receive for Christmas, I can tell you that I would never have guessed a $300.00 meditation chair.

The Middle Months of Yoga Teacher Training

You know how months 4 through 6 of a pregnancy can seem a bit like you’re sailing along.  It’s getting easier to be pregnant, the belly is showing but it’s not gigantic yet, the nausea has passed and the reality of a baby coming out of that small orifice is still a few months away.  Well, that was my general experience.  Something was growing and ripening.  A stillness was quickening.  And, yet, it was still so fragile.  During this time I was working out so much about relationship.  What it meant to be in one, to have one.  But, most importantly to be in one with myself.

When I look back on those months I feel a tremendous amount of compassion for myself.  Something was growing.  Something wanted to birth itself.  Something wanted to assert itself in my life.  And, yet, it was all so new.  I could barely trust this new process.  I know this may all sound sort of vague, but that’s how it felt.  Again like the middle months of pregnancy when you don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. You don’t know if it’s healthy, ill, or mentally challenged. You don’t know if it’ll live or die.  You just don’t know.  Technology tries to help, but even technology doesn’t know.  And, that was how my yoga and meditation practice was.  Some days I felt like I was really getting it and other days I was ready to bag it, but I couldn’t bag it anymore than a woman can bag 6 months in to a pregnancy.  I knew I was in for the long haul, but I had a lot of dread, fear, and misgivings.

It was also during this time in my personal life that a few relationships ended.  One of the most significant was with my business partner of four years.  I wished so much that I could express to her what was happening inside of me and that it would be embraced and accepted.  And, maybe if I had tried it would have been. But, I feared or maybe sensed that sharing this process would somehow taint it.  I had become as superstitious as the pregnant couple that fearing a miscarriage tells no one until the baby is born, alive, and healthy.  So, much of this process I journaled in our yoga journals, where it would be safe from the minds of the outside world.  Essentially, I felt that I couldn’t grow up while in relationship with her, my business partner.  And, that my soul’s journey needed, no required, that I leave.

The last months of our training
Again, another shift, from student to teacher.  When and how the shift occurred I can’t say.  And, again, it would amaze my old self.  My old self would never have believed that I would teach yoga.  My old perceptions or rather judgments of me were that I was not feminine enough, not slender enough, not flexible enough, not talented enough, and not spiritual enough.  My old perceptions were that teaching yoga was for people who had a totally different childhood than mine.  A childhood where there was spirituality and enlightened parenting.  A childhood where being in one’s body was praised and encouraged.  A childhood with two parents, a loving home, and lots of praise and encouragement.  Basically, my old self thought that I was damaged goods, too messed up to teach it, but certainly I could take a class now and then.

And, miraculously, another grace is bestowed.  I call to find out about a social work position and instead am offered to teach a yoga class for pay and to a large group. Wow!  This, of course, had my old self reeling.  Fortunately, the meditation practice and the invisible wall of protection was intact, so that the spurting and spitting of old judgments and ways of seeing the world crashed against this glass wall while I sat inside safe on my cushion secure in the remembrance that we are all one and so I said yes to something that I could have sabotaged in a sort of knee jerk reaction.

The last month of training and new frontiers

So, here I am in the last weeks of this experience.  I still feel shaky like I don’t yet have my land legs after the stormy internal seas of personal growth.  I fear losing my meditation practice to my daily to do lists and other seemingly pressing concerns.  I fear money and survival needs taking precedence over practice, discipline and service.  I’m not totally sure that teaching yoga is where my joy lies. Although, I do experience some joy while teaching.  I feel ready for a long vacation before I make any big or important decisions.  I’m concerned about the physical limitations of my body and question whether I should even pursue teaching Thai yoga massage with how much my knees have been aching when I’m kneeling on the floor.  I question if massage is still where my joy is.  In fact, I’ve begun to wonder what real joy is.  I think I’ve spent much of my life mistaking mania or addiction for joy.

And, I feel bushels of gratitude. Gratitude to Kaoverii for organizing and leading this profound experience.  And, gratitude to myself for paying for it, showing up for it, and creating a situation where I could actually have a meditation practice.  A practice! Not a fantasy about a practice or another harsh voice telling me I should have a practice.  I feel a lot of pride that I now have an actual real practice.  And, I feel so thankful for the solid, grounded sense of connection I feel to the divine.  There’s been a lessening of my addiction to the big sparkles and lights kind of spiritual experiences.  And, a deepening of satisfaction with life just as it is.  The hungry wanting machine has had the volume turned down considerably and my hope is for more of that and in small ways or big ways every day to share that with the world.

-Grace Scarbrough, Asheville, NC