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 find that most age groups and people handle and enjoy the class which although is up to 2 hours, has an extended lying down relaxation, short morning theoretical talks, and in general is deep but meditative. 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)

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:

3 MONTH CURRICULUM

One of the reasons for Agama Yoga´s success in Thailand is that it has built up its teaching curriculum in a way that people can comfortably and affordably spend several months studying consecutively each year.  In Mexico we are now moving into a phase and infrastructure where we can offer a similar opportunity.  Specifically, from the Fall of 2009, we will be offering consecutively the first 3 months and core of the Agama Yoga system. Also, at this time, unique to Mexico, students in the 3 month curiculum will be able to join in 2 or more 10 day meditation retreats scheduled purposefully in a way not to coincide with the regular teachings.

If the First Month Intensive Certificate Course was the essential core and it is taken as is for the 3 month curiculum group, then the following months continue to build on what was learned. Specifically, pranayama, which works with the breath and the subtle energy known as prana, is introduced step by step from its theoretical application to its actual practice. Three versions in total are presented along with two additional techniques which use the breath but fall into different categories than ‘pranayama’. In addition, the lower and upper yoga of the Eyes is presented, the art of Blessing, additional kriyas or cleansing techniques, asanas (postures), information on working with the subconscious, an extended lecture on the philisophical basis of Yoga and the polarity and play of consciousness and energy (Shiva and Shakti), along with other teachings are introduced. Classes will be held 3 to 4 times a week (12 per month) with a 10 day pause in the middle to join in a meditation retreat thus keeping the intensity of working directly in a classroom environment. The classes themselves are generally longer than first month classes and the poses held longer allowing one to go deeper and feeling the specific state that each technique can attune one to. In addition, the students will begin working alone without a class or teacher to gain the momentum and confidence of creating a self-practice.

The costs for the 3 month curiculum  includes all month 1,2, 3 teachings, 1, 2 (or 3) ten day meditation retreats and free admission to any class or course that student has already previously taken during the period and ending 30 days after the 3 month curriculum ends (so if you want for example, you can stay an extra month, review the teachings and remain with the community for essentially free).  It does not include the 5.5 day retreats which are periodically offered for the first month group. There will also be an examination (the red sash), a second certificate for those who pass this optional exam, and with a passing score, a choice to take further Agama teachings which presently are offered in Koh Phan Gan, Thailand but may be offered in 2011 in Mexico.

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