200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training with Banyan Gallagher, E-RYT 500
“If you want to learn something, read about it. If you want to understand something, write about it. If you want to master something, teach it.”
– Yogi Bhajan
Banyan’s Yoga Teacher Trainings at Anamaya are 3-week intensive programs. By the end, each participant will be certified and inspired to teach yoga as recognized by Yoga Alliance. The focus of our work together will be the art of teaching, or the manner in which we share what we learn about ourselves with others. We will emphasize learning to safely lead a successful, intelligent, and inspiring vinyasa class. To get there, we will immerse ourselves in three weeks of powerful practice and study, deepening our connection to yoga and transforming our lives. We’ll build a strong foundation in breathwork, energy locks, mantra, and yoga philosophy to support us on this journey.
One year of previous yoga experience is preferred.
Program Director Banyan Gallagher
Banyan Gallagher is a teacher’s teacher. With over twenty years experience as an international athlete, circus performer, and yoga teacher, he is an expert at unraveling the beauty—and barriers—hidden within the body.
A passionate teacher and dedicated student, Banyan is the Founder and Director of Warrior 1 Yoga and leads retreats, workshops, and teacher trainings worldwide. With integrity and trust, he challenges his students on levels physical, mental, and energetic. This rigorous approach is well balanced by a caring and jovial attitude that demonstrates his love of life and commitment to his students. Never afraid to have a laugh, Banyan is a warm, playful soul whose presence offers genuine calm to all those around him.
From the very start, Banyan has had the pleasure of working with some of the world’s most renowned teachers, from Tias Little to Andrey Lappa, Shiva Rea to Ana Forrest, Eddie Modestini to Nicki Doane, Jim Bennitt to Rod Stryker and T.K.V. Desikachar. To continually deepen his practice and breadth of knowledge, Banyan intensely studies everything from Sufi mystical poetry to human dissection and anatomy. He has spent the bulk of the last ten years traveling the world and learning from a variety of masters both East and West.
Banyan passes the tradition of T. Krishnamacharya forward, prescribing different yogas for different individuals. His multidisciplinary and global studies have facilitated this process well. In his classes, he blends traditional teachings with modern analogies in the interest of giving the Western practitioner direction, stillness, and balance—and maybe a laugh here and there!
Program Goals
This training will prepare and certify students to:
- Teach an inspiring group vinyasa (breath-connected) yoga class in the yoga studio, gym, or corporate environment, with intelligent sequencing, precise adjustments, and clear focus.
- Teach yoga privately and professionally, prescribing appropriate exercises to each individual.
- Field the most common questions and issues from beginner students, including (but not limited to) back or knee injuries, blood pressure, pregnancy, and stress. Understand how to safely work with these conditions in a nurturing, therapeutic manner.
- Have a firm grasp of, and an excitement to go deeper into, the use of anatomy and physiology in yoga.
- Study the breath in all its beauty, fluctuations, and variations and prescribe different breathing techniques for different effects.
- Understand the art and value of contemplation (meditation) and be able to lead others in the same from direct experience.
- Grasp the foundations and supporting energies of yoga, with emphasis on Tantra, the Yoga Sutras, Ayurveda, ethics, and the business of yoga.
Yoga Teacher Training Program Curriculum
The process of learning to teach also encompasses diving deep into your own practice and your own hopes and fears, perhaps deeper than you’ve ever gone before. For this ritual to work, it is important that you use your time and energy wisely. During the breaks and days off, you will be encouraged to study, practice teach, and spend time in silence to help you digest the work we do as a group. We have a lot of material to cover in just 21 days, so coming rested, prepared, and committed will be essential to completing the course. You’ll be asked to keep a journal privately during the course and will need to complete assignments and miss no more than one day of the whole training. Get started on your reading and journal today in preparation! Reading and practice assignments, as well as a teaching demo (reviewed) and final evaluation will round out the program. In addition, karma (service) hours will be required for completion during or after the training.
Remember, yoga is a journey of self-discovery and building our sensitivity to the world around us. We will be discovering and releasing attachments to that which is familiar and constricting in order to build our light to shine brighter than ever. In order not to disrupt each other’s process, we will, as a group, abstain from drinking alcohol, smoking, or using drugs for the duration of the course. This training is not a time to vacation and party; think of it more as an intensive or cleanse dedicated to honest self-reflection, purification, and clarity. On the evenings and days off, you are welcome to do what you wish as long as it does not disrupt the group’s energy. After the last day of class, we will have a celebration party (with maybe a special performance!) and prepare for reintegration into the “real” world.
By the end of this training, you will probably be in the best shape of your life. Expect to leave more relaxed, physically stronger, invigorated, and with more mental clarity on how to live life to the fullest.
How a 3 Week YTT Schedule Works
We used to offer a 4-week program with more rest time but found that more people would like to do it faster, since it’s easier for people to get the time off, and it’s less expensive.
Yoga Alliance requires 180 “contact hours” to earn a 200hr certificate, as well as 20 hours of non-contact work(reading, assignments, etc.) Your time with us at Anamaya will be short, intense, and powerful! We will only take two days off in the entire training and you will probably spend it on assignments or resting in a hammock.
By the time you graduate, you will have fulfilled all of the requirements as follows:
- 105 hrs Techniques / Practice
- 33 hrs Teaching Methods
- 10 hrs Anatomy and Physiology
- 24 hrs Ethics and Philosophy
- 10 hrs Practicum
Prerequisites
- One year of yoga experience
- Minimum 40 hours of yoga classes under a certified teacher***
- A desire for challenge, change and growth
- An open mind
***You will need to “prove” that you’ve done this, in order to demonstrate your experience and enter the program. There are several methods:
Hand written list of dates and classes, with the studio location/teacher’s name(s).
Photocopy of your records from your yoga studio.
Note signed by your teacher, detailing your class history and total hours.
Printout from MindBodyOnline studio software.
This should be easy. If you’re confused, talk to us and we’ll explain.
What You DON’T Need
#1. A flexible, injury-free body. Injuries, tight muscles or weaknesses are not obstacles to success in this program. In fact, we encourage yogis with all body types and physical challenges to consider this training. Each “limitation” is an opportunity for you to grow, to gently and methodically heal yourself, and perhaps to help others be better prepared to work with injuries or special conditions.
#2. A sponsorship from Lululemon and a social media following in the thousands. Yoga is an internal practice, and while this training will develop the skills to share your passion effectively, the biggest change you’ll experience during a YTT is personal. Many of our students come specifically for this reason, for a period of uninterrupted self-observation and personal growth.
Sample Schedule
Each day’s sessions will begin at 7:00 am and end at 8:30 pm. We will hold sessions for five days and then take the sixth day off. Depending on the needs of the group, this schedule may change.
6:30 – 9:30am: Meditation and morning practice (with a short break for fruit)
9:30 – 11:00am: Breakfast break
11:00 -1:00pm: Practice Teaching, Adjustments, and Anatomy
1:00 – 4:00pm: Lunch break
4:00 – 7:00pm: Yoga philosophy, breath-work, mantra, and cooling practice
Required Books
Prepare for the course now by reading the following books. Please bring Ray Long’s anatomy book to the training.
- Scientific Keys Volume Two: Key Poses of Yoga, Ray Long, MD (bring to training)
- The Heart of Yoga by T. K. V. Desikachar
- Perfect Health by Deepak Chopra
- The Art of Skillful Teaching Manual: by Banyan Gallagher and Friends (actual cost will vary depending on local printing cost, bring $50)
Recommended Books
To read before, during, or after training:
- The Gift by Hafiz, renderings by Daniel Ladinski
- Kundalini Tantra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
- Light on Yoga by B. K. S. Iyengar
- Autobiography of a Yogi by Parahamsa Yogananda
- Tantric Quest by Daniel Odier
Testimonials
Anyone who has spent time in the tutelage of this athlete–mustache competitor–performance artist–yogi–firedancer–
“After this training with Banyan I feel the desire to project not only my voice but also my character.” Joy Taylor, TT Graduate, Gumberry, North Carolina
“Banyan has wonderful and precious knowledge to share; he swings seamlessly from the detailed, anatomic, and structural asana breakdown to a full submersion in yoga’s spiritual roots. From years of yoga practice and deep studies, and a humble, eloquent, and playful personality, he can distill workshops full of ease, thought provoking debates, and lots of smiles.” – Andrea, Studio Owner, Costa Rica
“I learned to respect my body for what it is and where it’s at, and learned to believe in myself enough to show others the way.” – TT Graduate
“Wow, where to start? J Banyan is an old soul that resides in the fountain of youth. His class is a perfect balance of playfulness and tradition, innovative modern practice and ancient knowledge. Somehow he manages to balance on a revolving atlas, whilst juggling firesticks and reciting potent mantras. His energy and enthusiasm constantly brings you higher, and makes you realize everything is possible with consistency, dedication and focus…and everything is worthwhile when it is punctuated with laughter, humility, kindness, and an open heart. Banyan is a wonderful teacher –a deep source of knowledge, life experience and a truly open loving spirt. Thank you for this gift! ” – Carly Jack, TT Graduate, Capetown, South Africa
“I had some of the deepest experiences in classes taught by Banyan. He has such a clear and deep understanding of tantric philosophy and presents it in very inspiring and authentic ways, so everybody gets it. I left the retreat feeling inspired as a yoga teacher, and I can’t wait to study with him again. He is a person with integrity and honesty who manages to keep lecture and class light and full of joy.” – Dagmar, Studio Owner, Germany
Register Today!
Banyan’s training style is all about making sure each participant receives the individual attention needed to maximize his or her results. Also, optimal group dynamics and energy require a limited group size. For these reasons, space is limited and sessions often fill up quickly.