HOURS + TOPICS
Asana is a typical starting point in yoga, and what you will primarily teach.
The course covers traditional Hatha yoga asanas found in classical texts and expanded upon in modern times. Alignment, breath, inner focus, benefits, common mistakes, and variations are covered for each pose. You will learn from doing the pose and adjusting students in it, both in group and in private instruction.
The course will alternate between exploring detailed alignment, dynamic vinyasa and gentle restorative approaches. The asana teaching will also emphasize and encourage the exploration and growth of your individual practice.
The training in this course is grounded in the classical teaching of Sw. Kuvalayananda and his primary student, Sri O.P. Tiwari (Kaivalyadhama, India), one of the few authorities on Pranayama. You will learn and practice the preparations for Pranayama together with six of the classical techniques. You will be guided daily and observed carefully as you build a personal practice. Upon completion, you will understand the nature of the inhale, exhale, and retention; the correct performance of each Pranayama; and how to guide someone in basic breathing. You will also study the breath and its mechanisms.
You will take a detailed, thorough approach to anatomy and physiology. During the course you will methodically go through the anatomy of the human body as it relates to asanas, vinyasas, and pranayamas. In addition, we will explore at length the nervous system, the musculo-skeletal system, knee and hip joints, the pelvis, the spine, the circulatory system, and other topics.
This is a practical course, in which you will learn chiefly by doing. The first two weeks you will work with your fellow trainees on teaching assignments. The effort of explaining and showing something to someone else serves to embed it into your consciousness. From the third week onward, there will be other (non-trainee) students in the morning asana class. You will progress from observation to assisting to adjusting to private instruction to group instruction.
Awareness and understanding of the vital layer of the body can greatly advance your practice. You will study it and then integrate it in to your practice. The identification of energy lines in practice receives a lot of attention, along with chakras, nadis, vayus, koshas, to be learnt and understood in the light of the process of yoga.
In the Vedic system virtually all activities commence and conclude with a chant. In addition, one can increase the feeling of devotion (bhakti) through chanting sessions known as kirtans. Beginning with the simple but powerful Om, chants permeate the practice. There are some classic chants you will learn, some standard slokas you will become familiar with, and also a few bhajans you could enjoy during any lively kirtans.
When it comes to food, much confusion surrounds what, when, and how much. Food is one of the biggest influences on our practice. Eating well is not just a matter of good health; it affects and nurtures the nervous system and mind. With a new understanding of food and its effects, you may be inspired to make positive changes in the way you eat. The food is healthy, nutritious, and tasty.
These are the sixth and seventh limbs of Ashtanga. Building concentration of mind should be developed in all practices. You will learn how to harness the mind while practicing asana and pranayama. It then will become a direct practice when you sit for meditation. You will learn meditation techniques, external to internal, which will engage the mind through concentration.
Not everyone falls under the category of average health. Different approaches, as well as compassion and patience, are needed for children, people with disabilities and overweight cases. Simple approaches will be taught and where possible even practiced. Some cases will also be simulated.
The language of yoga is Sanskrit. It is the oldest language still in use today, and it is the basis of many other languages. All language is simply vibration, and Sanskrit possesses the highest vibration and the best organized. You will learn the alphabet, numbers, pronunciation, and the chanting of all pose names, kriyas and pranayamas, and sutras-all taught in a light and enjoyable way.
Translates as the yoga of action but typically taken to mean selfless service. You will typically have a program to work on for each course under the work of Centered Foundation. In the past students have worked as a group on some of the local schools for young children here that do not receive enough care or financial support. It is a great task for the group and causes a lot of positive change in these young kids lives. On occasion you also get out and help Mother Nature by cleaning the beach.
Graduates earn a Centered Yoga 200-hour certificate Yoga Alliance Accredited. This certification enables you to teach globally.
Great emphasis is placed on the importance of food at the retreat. It serves a dual purpose of healthily nourishing the body and mind while also delighting the senses through great taste and variation.
The food philosophy is based on the principle of “Sattva”, a Sanskrit term that means pure and light with a focus on easy digestion.
Paul Dallaghan
Owner and Senior Teacher
Paul is a senior teacher of pranayama, asana and the meditative art and science of yoga. He has been a dedicated student since the late 1990s of both Sri O.P. Tiwari and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Both of these great teachers have personally certified Paul in these practices, a unique position as the only one to receive this double honor.
Paul continues with mantra practice from the yoga lineage and meditative approaches, influenced by the Thai forest tradition. Paul continues his studies in health, philosophy, anatomy, and physiology. One of his main gifts is to be able to relate the teachings in a very down-to-earth way for the modern seeker. He does not take life or yoga too seriously and as a result the discussions and philosophical sessions are lively and humorous, helping to explain the meaning behind the practices and philosophy.
Arielle Nash-Degagne
Yoga Teacher
Arielle has spent nearly 20 years studying the human body, its performance and factors that contribute to wellness. Her passion and knowledge led her to a decade long career training athletes and educating fitness professionals. Arielle has been teaching yoga since 2004 and she holds a degree in Kinesiology, along with certifications in Mysofascial Compression Techniques:©, Strength & Conditioning, and Nutrition & Wellness. After graduating from Centered Yoga’s Teacher Training in 2005 with Paul, she returned to Koh Samui every year to deepen her practice and study.
Her primary teachers are Paul Dallaghan and Sharath R. Jois. As Wellness Director, Arielle is grateful for the opportunity to positively impact and guide guests toward optimal wellness.
Arielle is also teaching anatomy for continuing education courses and teacher trainings. Arielle takes yoga off the mat at home as a proud mother of twin toddlers.
Daniel Stringer
Teacher
Daniel began practicing Ashtanga Yoga in 2003 which led him to meet Pattabhi Jois in 2006 and experienced Guruji’s intense hands-on teachings. From Mysore he was led to Koh Samui where he found his primary teacher Paul Dallaghan, an inspiring man with whom Daniel felt a deeper connection. Through these journeys, he has discovered how a dedicated and sincere yoga practice can be the single most transformative experience in anyone’s life. Since the birth of his son, he has focused on self-study of anatomy, philosophy and contemporary Integral spirituality. Daniel takes a balanced approach with his teaching – building inner awareness through breath, creating steadiness and strength through effective practical alignment, and allowing students to express their full potential. He takes a long-term interest in his students, helping to support inner and outer growth and development. After teaching yoga in Hong Kong for ten years at Myoga and Pure Yoga Daniel moved to Samui with his family in 2018.
Gill Breetzke
Teacher
Gill was born in South Africa, and has lived abroad in the UK, Ireland and Asia. She began her international teaching career, working in Inner city London schools, supporting children from challenging backgrounds, then on to Dublin and Yangon. Koh Samui is now her home where she combines her love of yoga and music in this unique transformational place. She began her daily practice of yoga in 2004, training with Paul Dallaghan and Richard Freeman, and is Yoga Alliance (500RYT) and 1100 hour Centered Yoga Certified teacher.
Sarah Pierroz
Teacher
Sarah born in Canada, studying Art, Sciences, and Arts Education, and has travelled Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean Basin and Asia for over a decade. Making Egypt and then Italy her home, she was able to learn different approaches to relating to our environment and ourselves, how to promote non-violence and foster different forms of creative expression. Sarah most recently taught art, photography, and environmental science at a United World College near Venice, which focuses on promoting peace, intercultural understanding and sustainable development.
She completed a Centered Yoga Teacher training in 2011 and has continued her studies in pranayama, yoga and buddhist philosophy, and practical meditation techniques in more depth, under the main guidance of Paul Dallaghan and Sri. O.P. Tiwari. Sarah has over 1100 Centered Yoga Teacher hours, is a certified as a TRX Personal Trainer and Schwin Spin Instructor.
Shared Room
The 50 square metered shared room is split-level, with a loft. Good for two people or the solo traveller looking for like-minded yogis, each bedroom has its own private space. There is a fully equipped bathroom shared by both bedrooms. Some of these rooms are equipped with an outdoor rain shower. Each bedroom has a Queen-size bed with individual reading lamps and a personal built-in shelf space at the headboard. Also included is a large writing desk, bookshelves, storage cabinet that can be locked and can accommodate even large laptops, hot-water kettle, medium-size refrigerator, two wardrobes with sufficient space for luggage, two ceiling fans, and air conditioning.
Private Room
The Private Rooms offer approximately 35 square meters of personal space, which includes a private balcony. Suitable for singles or couples, the room has a Queen-size bed with individual reading lamps and personal built-in shelf space at the headboard. Also included is a large writing desk, bookshelves, storage cabinet, hot-water kettle, medium-size fridge, built-in wardrobe with sufficient space for luggage, ceiling fans and air conditioning. Fully equipped bathroom with large shower area and room for clothes hanging and drying.
All rooms are set back from the main retreat, perfect for quiet contemplation and relaxation. The eco-friendly buildings make use of cross ventilation, natural lighting, rainwater harvesting and solar power. The yoga shala, restaurant and lounge, swimming pool and beach are only one minute away.
Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, a small tropical oasis with secluded beaches and a pace all of its own. For years now the island has been a central part of the travelling yogi trail.
With yoga centers, health cafes and a large community of teachers and health practitioners, there is a real sense of being amongst tribe.
The weather is great year round although if you don't enjoy the rain then avoid October until the New Year when the monsoon comes through.
There are daily flights operating to Koh Samui Airport from Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and also many flights every day from Bangkok. You can also reach Koh Samui via ferry from the mainland at Surat Thani if you travel to the south by train. The ferry will take around 90 minutes.