Programme

Syllabus​

During this course the participants will learn:

• fundamental principles of 5-element holistic lifestyle
• active cleanses
• bodywork manipulation
• seated movement therapy
• technique of emotional catharsis
• self psycho-analysis therapy
• concentration techniques
• relaxation and sound therapy

Schedule

Preliminary

Participants must have taken bath, studied the theories in the manual and reviewed the series before entering the śālā. Nobody is allowed to enter the śālā without having taken bath.

7:30 – 8:30
8:30 – 8:45

Getting ready

Students enter the śālā silently:

• on an empty stomach, clean body and composed mind
• keeping complete silence
• shall set the mat and props
• then sit for mindful breathing until commencement of the class

No food is allowed in the śālā.

Practice

By 9:00 the śālā door is closed and thereafter nobody will be allowed to enter the studio. Class starts with Teacher’s introduction to the series, followed by series practice.

9:00 – 10:45
10:45 – 11:00

Break

Quick refresh, change of clothes and tea break.

Lecture

Series: Sequencing / De-construction / Conditioning

11:00 – 12:30
12:30 – 13:00

Break

Light nourishing lunch

Workshop

Lecture: Methodology, Sanskrit & Exam Papers

13:00 – 15:00
15:00 – 15:15

Break

Herbal infusion

Workshop

Saṃyama Sequencing, De-construction & Teaching skills

15:15 – 17:00
17:00 – 18:00

Break

Light nourishing dinner

Workshop

Massage sequencing

18:00 – 20:30

Certification

Upon completion of the course you will receive Sākalya Tantra Certificate of graduation. Only graduates holding Sākalya Tantra Certificate are authorised to teach this curriculum.

Language

Conducted in English. If you need interpreter send a request →

Exclusive setting

In order to maintain the highest quality training, facilitate learning and easy interaction between faculty and students, the number of participants will be limited to 12.

Post training follow-up

After the training you can follow up with Dario on how to incorporate Sākalya Tantra curriculum in your studio.

The location

Yakushima (屋久島) is one of the Ōsumi Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Yakushima is a unique remnant of warm temperate ancient forest and natural World Heritage site since 1993.

Yakushima has been settled since at least the Jōmon period (BCE 縄文時代, Jōmon jidai 14,000–300 BCE). Yakushima contains one of the largest tracts of existing Nansei Islands subtropical evergreen forests, an endangered habitat ecoregion. The only large animals indigenous to the island are red-bottomed macaques (Yakushima macaque) and a variety of sika deer (yakushika). The Japanese raccoon dog is also a common animal, but is not native to the island. Japanese weasels (Mustela itatsi) may also be seen from time to time. The island is a spawning ground for migratory loggerhead turtles, and dolphins are to be found offshore. It has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because they support populations of Japanese wood pigeons, Ryukyu green pigeons and Ryukyu robins.
Yakushima is famous for its lush vegetation and yakusugi (屋久杉) millenarian cedar tree. The best known single example of which is named the Jōmon Sugi (縄文杉), as its age is estimated to date to at least 2300 years ago. In addition, the island lists over 50 varieties of endemic flower, notably rhododendrons, and hundreds of rare endemic Bryophyta, as well as a number of endemic trees. In 1980, an area of 18,958 ha (46,850 acres) was designated a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve. In 1993, 10 hectares (25 acres) of wetland at Nagata-hama was designated a Ramsar Site. It is the largest nesting ground for the endangered loggerhead sea turtle in the North Pacific.

Venue

Guesthouse

Yakushima is a rural area. Participants will need to be open-minded and adjust to the simplistic lifestyle, frequent changing weather conditions and environment. You will be staying in a traditional Japanese guesthouse located at the very south of Yakushima. The guesthouse is adjacent to Navakaraṇa Āśrama. You will clean your room and wash your own clothes at the coin-washing machine available in the guesthouse.

Weather
The weather on the island is unpredictable. It can be super hot and sunny for 7 days straight, we can get heavy rain, storms and windy for 7 days. It can also be sunny, rainy, windy, cloudy and clear sky with rainbows on the same day! Participants need to be able to adjust.

Accommodation
The accommodation is simple and spartan. There are six small rooms that can be shared between a maximum of two people. The rooms are of two types:

• tatami room with futon
• bedroom with bunk beds

Room allocation is on a “first come first served” basis.

Environment

There is amazing nature on this special island, ocean, mountain hikes, hot-springs, waterfalls, forest moss and much more which we would not want to miss. We will arrange excursions according to weather conditions for you to have the best experience.

Navakaraṇa Kyorei

A hermitage for self-transformation and experimental ground for organic holistic eco-living is just next your guesthouse across the river.

Organic Lifestyle

Our Food

All meals are plant-based without the use of garlic and onions served by Navakaraṇa Kitchen.

We use organic, seasonal and locally grown ingredients supporting local farmers and the environment.

Our talented Japanese culinary team will prepare a light breakfast, lunch and dinner with love each day. Please inform us in advance if you have any food allergies or intolerance and mention the type of allergy or intolerance on the registration form when you confirm your payment.

Meals times, menus and dinning arrangements are designed thoughtfully and intentionally for an optimal holistic lifestyle and inspire you to develop healthy eating habits after the programme.

How to get there

Access to Yakushima

You can reach Yakushima by airplane or by ferry. There are direct flights to Yakushima from Kagoshima (Kagoshima Airport), Fukuoka (Hakata Airport) and Osaka (Itami Airport).

An alternative option is to take the High Speed Ship Jetfoil operated by “Toppy” and “Rocket” from Kagoshima Port. Some jetfoil stops first at Tanegashima then Yakushima, another reaches directly Yakushima. Please be reminded to not get off at Tanegashima but at Yakushima. You can book jetfoil online or locally (if any empty seats are available). There are also ferries operating the same route but they take longer. The Hibiscus ferry for instance operates overnight and arrives at Yakushima in the morning. This could be an option if you prefer to skip staying a night at Kagoshima. No reservations are required for the ferry. These are purchased locally.

What could be an economical option can turn into a more expensive one as if the weather is not optimal the ferry will be cancelled and you may end up paying a extra night in a hotel.

Weather condition is unpredictable on our rainforest island, flights and ferries may be cancelled. Consider extra time when you plan the itinerary. You need to arrive at Yakushima a day prior to the programme.

Our advice 

The best route for reaching Yakushima from overseas is:

• Fly to Kagoshima International Airport then take a walk of 3 minutes to the Kagoshima Domestic Airport, then fly directly to Yakushima Airport

Alternatively:

• Fly to Osaka, Kansai International Airport; then take a bus transfer to Osaka Itami Domestic Airport (takes 50 minutes and costs about ¥2000) then fly directly to Yakushima Airport.

Class requirements

• Black/blue and red pens
• Pencils and eraser
• Three (or more) notebooks
• Laptop
• Manual(s) (provided by the Teacher on the first day)
• Personal mat
• Wool blanket
• Two exercise blocks
• One exercise towel
• One face towel
• Sufficient a change of clothes (2 set per day)

Recommended:

• Water bottle or thermo
• Five-toes socks

Storage:

You can leave only inexpensive and unimportant items in the śālā (such exercise blocks, mat etc.) at your own risk and responsibility.

As per our Terms & Conditions the Teacher, Company, Host and/or staff appointed are not responsible for any damage or loss of your personal belongings. You must not leave your manual(s) in the śālā. Please also note that in case participants lose the manual, no other copy will be given.

Training and Lifestyle Regulations

Regulations will be applied without exception:

• You must take a quick shower every morning before entering the śālā.
• You must change clothes after practice.
• You must bring your own wool blanket/mat, personal towel and exercise towel.
• you must bring a laptop or tablet (if you do not have one you cannot participate in the training).
• You must be punctual with training and break schedule.
• Nobody is allowed to chat in the śālā besides the conversation led in the class.
• All in silence and light off in all the rooms from 22:00 to 6:00 (including mobile and reading lights).
• Consumption of alcohol and smoking are not allowed inside our premises.
• You are requested to keep your room clean and keep silence in your room after 22:00.
• No food is allowed inside the śālā.
• The śalā is a silent room.
• Participants are requested to avoid staying in the śālā (gathering, chatting) between 21:00 and 8:00.
• By 8:30 you should be in the śāla ready for the training.
• You may wash your clothes at the coin laundry in the guesthouse.

Terms and Conditions

By registering to our programme you confirm to read, understand, acknowledge and agree on the Terms & Conditions. and have read, understood, acknowledged and agreed to  our Global Privacy Policy worldwide.

Frequently asked questions

Am I eligible to register to the training?

Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa graduates who have completed Module 1 and Module 2 can register to this course.

Is it possible to teach the Navakaraṇa Sākalya Tantra syllabus immediately after the training?

Yes, it is and we strongly recommend start teaching Navakaraṇa Sākalya Tantra immediately after completing the training otherwise you may forget many of the things you have learned in the training. Learning Navakaraṇa required several skills which can be developed only with practical teaching experience. You will be guided on how to expand your offering to a more diverse customer base and how to best implement the curriculum into your studio schedule.

Due to some conditions, I can’t practice but I am interested in teaching and improving my teaching skills. Can I focus on hands-on adjustment and other teaching skills during the practice hours?

It might be possible, but you should request a permission from the faculty providing detailed explanation.

Can I join this training if I am pregnant or if have other health conditions?

You should check with your doctor and follow his/her advice. If your doctor considers you fit to join the training programme, you can register. In this case you have to inform us at the time of registration.

How many Navakaraṇa teacher training courses are there and what are their differences?

At the present we offer the following Teacher Training Courses:

• Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa Hṛdayam
• Navakaraṇa Sākalya Tantra
• Navakaraṇa Śikṣā Paddhati

In the Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa Hṛdayam Teacher Training Course you learn a collection of multilevel sequences (to maintaining fitness and improve wellbeing).

In the Navakaraṇa Sākalya Tantra Teacher Training Course you learn techniques  for self-transformation through holistic lifestyle and the Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa Bheṣaja Krama Mālā  (collection of restorative sequences and holistic therapies).

In Navakaraṇa Śikṣā Paddhati you learn teaching skills and choreography in full details.

There are curriculums which will be open in the future such as Prakṛṣṭa (advanced) and Mārgaṇa (creating one’s path).

What language is the courses taught in?

Master Teacher Training Courses are international programmes and are taught in English to make them accessible to students from different countries. If you are not familiar with English language you can request a translator. Please check with us before you register to the course.

Why Master Teacher Trainings and the manuals are in English?

Navakaraṇa Master Teacher Training Courses are international. We have participants from all over the world attending Navakaraṇa trainings. English remains the most spoken language across the world.

Does the Teacher Training Course include Yoga Philosophy?

If you ask this question is probably because you are confused with the newage  idea of Yoga and you are relating Yoga to “body-mind training”.

Navakaraṇa Vinyāsa Teacher Training Courses do not cover the study Yoga Darśana, Trika, Upaniṣad or similar topics. We have separate courses on Philosophy if you are interested.

I would love to teach but I feel blocked. How should I overcome this fear?

Do not force it. Let it happen naturally. With the successful conclusion of the training we certify that you have completed the course. This means that you have been a good student during the course and that you have gathered all the necessary information, knowledge and tools to become a Navakaraṇa teacher. Graduation does not mean that you are a teacher. To become a teacher requires plenty of experience. Start teaching to your family members and friends. From there if you put in the effort, dedication, time and consistency, you will find yourself in a small studio, then doing workshops in the leading studios across the world and then into international conferences or media. It may take some time, enjoy the journey of sharing with others all way through!

Will I be able to teach and/or practise Navakaraṇa series after completing the programme?

The objective of the Teacher Training is to pass on to you all the necessary information to master the practice and teaching of all the series you have learnt during the courses. If you are committed, you should be able to practise and teach all the Navakaraṇa Series in full form or personalised way. However, it depends on your efforts, receptiveness and commitment.

Can I graduate if I miss one day, or one session, or one hour?

No! Students undergoing this programme must be fully committed and understand that 100% attendance is required. They must also be willing to leave other personal or professional commitments throughout the duration of the programme. Students can graduate with certification only with 100% attendance.

I have a flight on the evening of the last day of the Teacher Training Course. Can I leave the training earlier?

We do not force anyone to stay at the training so you can leave anytime, but if you want to graduate you must complete all 108 hours without exception.

So if you wish to graduate make sure you arrange your flight according to the schedule of our programme and go to the airport without rush. You may also want to consider that on the last day we usually have graduation dinner together. It is a beautiful and magical moment you do not want to miss. We advise that you book your flight on the next day after the training.

Will I receive a certificate after the programme?

Students who have followed the code of conduct, study diligently and graduate successfully from the training will receive ATC Certificate on the closing day. Only teachers holding ATC Certificate (Authorised Training Course) are allowed to teach Navakaraṇa.

Can I ask for refund if the course is postponed or canceled?

As mentioned in the Terms and Conditions if the event is postponed you hold the right to join the training on the rescheduled date or future trainings. In case the event is cancelled by The Teacher or The Company your deposit will be refunded subject to a 10% processing fee that will be deducted from your refund.

What is included in the price I paid for the course?

The price of this TTC includes only:

• course tuition
• manual(s)
• full-board accommodation
• excursions
• airport transfer

Tuition excludes all other costs including but not limited to travel, any inoculation and/or vaccination costs, visa applications and any insurance, including but not limited to travel and medical insurance, unless otherwise stated.

What is the registration and payment procedure?

Before registering, please visit the official Teacher Training Course page, read the programme details and verify if the programme you want to join still has space available.

Payments towards programme(s) where the registration are closed are not refundable, but you hold the right to use the payment as credit towards future trainings.

All payments are made by credit card (ensuring you have sufficient funds in your account and you do not exceed your monthly credit limits. Please check with your bank for the details).

For enquiries on other methods of payments contact us.