What is a typical Insight Yoga class like?
Each class is anywhere between 2-4 hours and often begins with a short talk about awareness. From there we begin by taking a few moments to acknowledge our current state of being (how we actually feel, body, heart and mind) and to formally commit to our practice for our own and others benefit. The practice then includes a slow alignment based flow as well as floor poses held for longer periods. Cultivation of the subtle body through visualization and Pranayama often follows Savasana, with 20-30 minutes devoted to meditation. In some workshops and retreat settings, the practices listed above are followed by contemplative dialogues on specific dharma themes. Some workshops are more in depth about physical or subtle anatomy, meditation and the obstacles to awareness, chanting sutras, etc. Insight Yoga retreats emphasize meditative awareness and the power of silence to direct us toward deeper truths.
What is the history of the Insight Yoga Institute?
In 2010, the first 700 hour Yoga Alliance recognized program will begin in Marin California with yoga teachers Sarah Powers, Paul and Suzee Grilley, Richard Freeman and Patricia Sullivan , Scott Blossom and Chandra Easton. The program includes teachings by esteemed Buddhist teachers Thanissara, Kittisaro, Norman Fischer, Tsultrim Allione, Gregory Kramer, and Stephen and Martine Batchelor. The spiritual psychology teachers are John and Jennifer Welwood.
Are the courses residential and where are they being held?
The majority of the courses will be held at Deer Run Zendo in Marin CA. and are non-residential. Visitors to the area should rent a car and can stay either at Green Gultch Zen Center, The Corte Madera Inn, Marin Suites Hotel, Travelodge Mill Valley, Courtyard Marriott, or to walk from the hotel to Deer Run (10 minutes); America’s Best Value Inn. This hotel is virtually on the freeway and noisy, but offers the cheapest accommodation.
Jennifer Welwood’s courses are residential and take place in Santa Cruz, CA. at The Land of Medicine Buddha. Some of Sarah Powers level I courses and silent retreats will be held at Kripalu Center in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. The summer and winter silent retreats will be residential. Some retreat locations have not been determined.
Here is a list of the residential retreats:
2010
February 23-28 Laurel Springs, Santa Barbara, CA.
Winter Silent Retreat with Sarah & Ty Powers
March 23-28 Land Of Medicine Buddha, Santa Cruz, CA.
Jennifer Welwood Psycho-spiritual Inquiry Retreat Level I
Sarah Powers Insight Yoga
August 15-20 Kripalu Center, western Massachusetts.
Sarah Powers Insight Yoga Training Level I
2011
February 15-20 (Laurel Springs Ranch)
Silent Winter Retreat with Sarah & Ty Powers
March 22-27 Land Of Medicine Buddha, Santa Cruz, CA.
Jennifer Welwood Psycho-spiritual Inquiry Retreat Level II
Sarah Powers Insight Yoga
July 11-16 France (Moulin de Chaves)
Summer Silent Retreat with Sarah & Ty Powers
Is there Yoga Alliance Certification?
We will offer a beginners level certification for those who complete our 350 hour level I courses, recognized by Yoga Alliance for 200 hours. Another 350 experienced level II teacher certification will be offered for those who have completed all the course work, reading and writing. Teachers will be considered for the Insight Yoga 700 hour certification (500 hour Yoga Alliance hours) after they have submitted a video taped 2 hour class and been approved. Students will have the option of taking from two to six years to complete all the level I and level II courses. Those committed to the whole program will be required to stay in monthly communication with a personal mentor.
If I already have a 200 hour certification with Yoga Alliance can I receive an additional 300 hours from the Institute in order to complete my 500 hour certification with Yoga Alliance?
Yoga Alliance requires that your additional 300 hours be acquired from a Level II program, and we require everyone to complete our Level I courses before taking the Level II programs we offer, which means no, but, if you have already acquired Yoga Alliance hours with any of our yoga teachers, please let us know on the application and you will receive credit. If you are coming to our program with Yoga Alliance hours from other teachers and schools, think of this additional 700+ hours as your commitment to continual study and development.
What does Insight Yoga Institute’s mentorship entail?
If you are enrolling in the full program (all level I and Level II courses for certification), you will be assigned a mentor (Sarah, Ty or Patricia) and you will be in email contact with them about your reading and writing. You will also have a monthly hour long phone call with your mentor to discuss whatever is arising in your practice and/or teaching life as you integrate what you are learning in the program. Each phone session will cost $100 (this cost is not included in any of the programs), with payment sent directly to the mentor.
On the website the level one courses are listed separately by date. Do these courses need to be taken in order?
No, they do not need to be taken in order. The only mandatory order is Level I before Level II, and one must financially commit* to Level I and Level II, unless you have permission from the instructor to skip to Level II.
*Financially committing to a Level II course requires a $200 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit for the corresponding Level II course when you sign up for it’s Level I.
If I could not take all of level I courses in 2010, would I have to wait until 2012 to finish up my level I courses or could I begin level II courses in 2011?
No you would not have to wait. Level I and II from the same instructor must be taken in tandem, but not all Level I and II courses need to be taken, unless you are applying for the full Insight Yoga Institute certification.
What is the total cost of the entire program?
Approx $15,000. You can finish the full program in 2 years but may take up to 6 years to complete.
(The retreats have not been priced yet, but this $15,000 figure is based on $1200 double occupancy for the retreats with Sarah and Ty Powers, and $1500 for the retreats with Jennifer Welwood and Sarah and Ty Powers.
I am about to fill out the application for this training. I will need to spread the courses out over 4 to 6 years. Do you recommend an order to take the courses in or can I choose what works best for my schedule?
You can choose what works best for your schedule but we would prefer for you to attend Paul and Suzee Grilley’s and Sarah Powers’ courses first, unless you have already done one of their 10 day courses.
Can I pay by course?
Yes.
Are there any scholarships, partial scholarships or work study positions available?
Unfortunately not at this time. We hope to offer them in the future.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Once a Deposit or the Balance has been paid, cancellations must be made in writing to The Insight Yoga Institute. If you cancel up to 6 weeks before the workshop, we charge a $200 cancellation fee per person. No refunds for cancellations within 6 weeks of your workshop (unless we can fill your space). No refunds will be made for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat. No transfers. All refunds will be processed within 2 weeks following a program. The Institute’s cancellation policy is firm.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: The Insight Yoga Institute cannot be responsible or liable for any injury, loss or damage of property, or disruption of any program due to circumstances beyond the control of The Insight Yoga Institute.
