Teacher Training & Intensives
EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS 31st JANUARY
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EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS 31st JANUARY *
Embark on a transformative journey
Join our 200hr Yoga Intensive/Teacher Training
Applications are open for 2025
SPACES ARE FILLING - DON’T MISS OUT - CONTACT ME TODAY
Module One - 29th March to 6th April 2025
Module Two - 10th May to 18th May 2025
If you are looking for a way to develop your own practice or to complete a teacher training programme, this training is for you.
Based in Waipu, in the Northland region of New Zealand, with unspoilt beaches and stunning views, this immersion is an opportunity to retreat from your normal world, deepen your knowledge, develop your self-practice, be inspired and open up to the potential inside you.
You will join a small group of no more than 6 like-minded people, we will come together as a community to learn, practice, create and share life-changing experiences in a safe, supported learning environment.
You will leave with a solid foundation of knowledge in all aspects of Hatha Yoga - Vinyasa, Alignment based yoga, Restorative and Yin.
You will be equipped with the techniques and skills to guide both yourself and others as you continue your yoga journey whether that be teaching others or supporting your own journey of wellbeing.
The style of yoga is based on the Knoff Yoga system which combines the anatomical alignment and intelligence of Iyengar Yoga, with the energetic principles of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, resulting in the 5 Pillars of Practice.
Asana - the physical postures
Vinyasa - connecting flow between postures
Bandha - muscular locks to transform internal energy
Pranayama - breathwork
Drishti - using focal points to direct the eyes and compose the mind
Knoff Yoga is a principle-based program that has evolved from over 60 years of deep experience from its founders Nicky Knoff and James Bryan. Knoff Yoga is grounded in tradition and incorporates modern science-based practices. It takes the vast, complex topic of yoga and distils it into a teaching method that is clear and easy to understand.
On this 200 hour training we will cover:
Asana - how to achieve correct anatomical alignment and modifying for differing bodies
Pranayama – breath-work for teaching and self-practice
Meditation – traditional methods and how to bring the benefits into your life
Teaching Methodology – practice real-time teaching in a supportive environment
The business of yoga – how to set out on your teaching journey
History of yoga – it’s traditional Eastern roots and transition to the West
Philosophy & Ethics – drawing on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads and Buddhist philosophy
Sanskrit pronunciation – asana names and common yoga terms
Applied Anatomy – for safe practice, teaching and injury prevention
Knoff Yoga unique
Principles of Demonstration
Principles of Adjusting
Principles of Observation
Principles of Practice
Principles of Sequencing
Principles of Teaching and cueing
A typical day
7.00am to 11am – Asana, Relaxation, Pranayama, Meditation Practice
11am to 12pm – Brunch
12 pm to 2pm - Lectures & discussions - alternate days on History, Philosophy & Ethics, Sanskrit, Applied Anatomy
2pm – Tea break
2.15pm to 3.15 pm – Lectures & discussion on Principles of Practice, Observation, Adjusting & Sequencing
3.15pm to 5.15pm - Teaching methodology & practice
5.15pm to 5.30pm – Closing meditation
6.30pm - Dinner
Food
Sharing a meal of great food is part of the experience when you book a training or come on retreat with us.
We will be serving tasty, wholesome vegetarian food for brunch every day and dinner on 7 days of the 9-day modules. This is your time to relax between yoga sessions, enjoy the food and get to know your fellow students, building connections, making new friends.
Dates:
29th March to 6th April 2025
10th to 18th May 2025
Module 1 - 9 days (75hrs)
Module 2 – 9 days (75hrs)
Self-study on Philosophy & Ethics covering 8 lessons (16 hrs)
Pre-reading (20 hrs). A recommended reading list will be provided
Online group discussions with your cohort, using MS Teams - over 10 weeks (10hrs)
Yoga business plan preparation (2hrs)
Planning for a sustainable self-practice (2hrs)
Graduation
To graduate you must attend all sessions and demonstrate that you have fully participated in the self-study and pre-reading. There will be written tests throughout the course, these will be a combination of multi-choice and short written answers.
Included
All tuition
Level 1 DISCOVERY Series Practice manual
Level 2 FOUNDATION Series Practice manual
TEACHER TRAINING handbook (including 24 Principles of Practice - unique to Knoff Yoga)
Certificate of Training of the full 200hr Teacher Training
Asana Syllabus for teaching beginners (Discovery level)
Asana syllabus for teaching beyond beginners (Foundation level)
Brunch provided every day
Dinner provided on 7 nights
Complimentary Sauna and Spa night
Not included
Transport costs to and from or around Waipu
Costs do not include accommodation.
Local accommodation options will be provided on booking
Investment
Investment: NZ $4,485 to be paid in full by 28th February 2025
Early Bird Discount: Save $300 and pay only NZ$4,185 if paid in full by 31st January 2025
Enrolment will be confirmed on payment of a non-refundable deposit of $500
(Please pay by online bank transfer)
We have a no-refund policy therefore we advise all applicants to take out travel insurance
Pre-requisites
You need to have been attending regular yoga classes for a minimum of 1 year so that you are moderately yoga-fit.
What others say
“Our workshop was an oasis of calm and learning in a relaxed, totally non-intimidating and fun environment. Rachel’s calm, gentle and encouraging style, coupled with her decades of yoga study and experience, meant we could totally go with it all knowing we were in the very safest of hands. A truly amazing experience and time seriously well spent” Rebecca
“The workshop was such an intimate and supportive experience, Rachel made it fun and informative and her encouragement and support made for a very special time. Rachel’s extensive knowledge was so very apparent and made us feel very safe in her care” Stephanie
“Rachel’s facilitation was relaxed, confident and supportive, allowing us to mirror the same feelings, trust in the experience and immerse ourselves in it. With her knowledge and experience she guided us to explore and try new things and grow our own knowledge and practice in new ways” Rowan
“I feel so incredibly blessed to have this experience in my life and I truly enjoyed sharing it with the unique bunch of people I met. Something changed in me and it is to the better ” Vera
Why you can trust me…
I began my yoga journey in the UK and after moving to New Zealand in the ‘90’s, completed my own teacher training in Wellington in a one year apprenticeship style training.
Since then I have continued to study and practice with some amazing teachers across the globe.
Here’s more about my background
* 25 years teaching experience
* 40+ years yoga student
* 1,800+ hours of teacher training completed
* Practiced and studied with internationally recognised teachers - Nicky Knoff, Leslie Kaminoff, Jason Crandell, Norman Blair, Donna Farhi, Judith Lasater, David Swenson, Silvia Prescott
* My teachers have trained directly with some of the best & world-renowned teachers – B.K.S Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois, T.K.V Desikachar, Sarah Powers, Bernie Clark, Paul Grilley
More importantly, my aim is to create a safe, welcoming space where you are supported and educated in a comprehensive way.
I aim to pass on the wisdom of my teachers to inspire you on your own yoga journey and give you the confidence to pass on your knowledge and experience to inspire and benefit your own students.
Still got questions?
Is it worthwhile doing this training if I’m not interested in teaching?
Yes! This programme will benefit anyone who wants to learn more about yoga and deepen their practice.
What type of yoga will I be able to teach?
You will leave with a solid foundation of knowledge in all aspects of Hatha Yoga - this includes Vinyasa, Alignment based yoga, Pranayama, Meditation, Restorative yoga and Yin.
How can I be confident that this is a comprehensive course?
Curated by Nicky Knoff, who brings extensive experience and has taught yoga teachers worldwide for over 60 years, this teacher training programme is truly one-of-a-kind. For the first time in this format, this highly-regarded programme, is being offered in New Zealand.
What is unique about this programme?
Unique to this system and covered in depth on this training are the 24 Principles of Practice which not only informs personal practice but also provides a helpful framework for explaining the nuances of yoga in a teaching environment.
Will there be any real teaching practice?
Yes! Every day we will spend time time practicing teaching each other and there will also be opportunities to teach at live public classes. Of course, this part is not mandatory if you don’t feel confident enough! But it is a great opportunity to practice teaching in a safe, supported environment.
Am I fit/strong/flexible enough to do this programme?
As long as you have had a regular yoga practice for the last year and are reasonably yoga-fit, you will be fine. One of our key principles is to ensure this practice is accessible to everyone, there are always ways to modify and adapt for differing bodies.
What are the accommodation options?
There are plenty of Airbnb options in Waipu and the Waipu Cove Campground has cabins on their beachside campground. The campground is a 3 minute drive from our studio or a 20 minute walk.