DAILY DROP-IN

For those of you who want to just come for a class or two here and there while you enjoy the wonderful Mazunte beach life, AGAMA YOGA has since its inception in Rishikesh, India, offered a free class or free full day program to first time participants. We recommend that you come on an empty stomach (2 hours after a full meal) or with just some light fruit in the belly. Blankets as mats are provided and course papers available. Those who join us for a second time pay 100 pesos for a single class or 190 pesos for the full day program.

Classes are held Monday to Friday at 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM and are followed by an evening talk on practical aspects of the Yoga Path.

FIRST MONTH INTENSIVE CERTIFICATE COURSE (150 HOURS)

26 April-27 May 2010
For the month of June we are offering only drop-in classes at 4pm, Monday through Friday
5 July -- 5 August 2010
9 August -- 9 September 2010
13 September -- 14 October 2010
18 October -- 18 November 2010
22 November -- 23 December 2010

The most popular draw over the years at Agama Yoga schools has been the First Month Intensive Course which offers an excellent introduction to Hatha, Kundalini and Kriya Yoga in this freshly unique blend and presentaion. Agama Yoga is primarily a Tantric school with a Tantric approach in the meaning that the Yoga paths which are especially technical are ones which come originally from a metaphysical movement loosely known as Tantra. The Yogis who practice in such a way claim that by using the body, the emotions, the mind, sounds, colors, shapes, certain energy structures such as the Chakras  etc. one can attune to certain states and energies. Thus, The First Month Intensive Certificate Course, from the beginning creates a clear distinction in using Yoga to make the body more fit and relaxed  and using Yoga to affect one´s consciousness. Day by day the course develops and leaves the student at the end with a strong confidence and aspiration to continue practicing this surprisingly powerful and meditative system.  Many who study with Agama for the first time, even newcomers to Yoga comment how surprised they are how deep and balancing the practice is.

After the first 4 introductory days which move between shorter practices and 11 detailed and insightful talks, the course quickly begins to move into a more practice oriented direction with a minimum of 3.5 hours a day on the yoga mat. The days starts with an introduction of the technique of the day and ends with an evening talk on a variety of topics from healing through natural methods, diet in Yoga, Karma Yoga (the Yoga of consecrated action) purification and cleansing techniques, yin/yang balancing, Ayurveda, mastery and transmutation of the sexual energy, physiology and psychology in Yoga, the use of music in Yoga, Eastern philosophy, mental concentration and meditation, Nidra Yoga (the Yoga of Lucid Sleep), etc.

A free, comprehensive set of printed materials that contain information about the techniques of the day and various other topics accompanies each class. These form an inspiring and profound 150-page Yoga textbook which can also be received in Spanish.

The introductory First Month Intensive Course is especially designed to accommodate newcomers but is by no means limited to introductory level practionners. It is also not necessary to attend for a whole month or start from day 1 although many of the students coming, fly in from abroad specifically for the course. Still, if you are not in that category, you should know that the course runs in a cycle, so that you may begin and continue at any time. In general we recommend if you are coming to catch a few days of the course, keep your plans open as many people get hooked and stay much longer than they had expected.

Students may also, if they wish, treat the course simply as a Yoga retreat by staying nearby, even sleeping/camping  on site and attending the extra events like movies, bhajan singing and morning meditations. We offer approximately 5.5 to 6 hours of instruction daily. Our experience tells us people love the course, the teaching staff and the Yoga which is so inspiring and transformative.

The month ends with a beautiful graduation ceremony, passing out of certificates and a chance for the students to share their experience either verbally or through a performance of some kind.

Daily Program

Mondays through Fridays (Sat-Sun no class) -- a total of 24 days in five weeks.
08:30-10:30 Introductory talk and asana practice
16:00-18:00 Afternoon sun salutations and asana practice
18:15-19:30/20:00 Lecture, questions and answers

Cost of the First Month Yoga Course

The daily charge which includes both morning & afternoon sessions as well as the evening lectures will be USD14 per day or 190 pesos per day.  Students enrolling for the entire 24 days of instruction, will be given approximately 10% discount making the total cost of the Yoga course USD300 (4,100 pesos). Students are allowed to join mid-course and are given the option depending upon their schedules to catch the missed days the following month. Students who miss only a few days but complete the course nonetheless may be given the option to continue with the level two course simultaneously depending upon the head teacher´s discretion.

Students serious about attending but with insufficient funds may be considered for a partial work trade.

Watch an introduction of the First Month Intensive Certificate Course:

Here you can find more info about the Teaching methodology and the First Month Intensive Certificate Course.

Three Month Intensives will begin again in October, 2010.