Yoga Teacher Training

Program overview

Knoff Yoga delivers 9 Levels of yoga teacher training from Discovery to Master and includes Yoga Therapy, Pregnancy Yoga and Chair Yoga.

Teaching using the Knoff Yoga System deepens my understanding of yoga and enhances my own practice, and my practice informs my teaching. (Martha, Knoff Yoga Teacher, Cairns).

Our courses are  Yoga Alliance accredited at both 200hr & 500hr  level.

Our unique yoga teacher training system is designed so that you will be properly prepared, trained, certified and internationally accredited  to teach the yoga course level for which you’ve been certified.

Currently our intensive teacher training programs are taught by Nicky Knoff and James Bryan.

As the popularity of Knoff Yoga grows our teacher training program is receiving an increased number of interstate and international students.

To successfully meet this demand in the future, Nicky Knoff & James Bryan will be mentoring Knoff Yoga Certified teachers with a minimum of five years teaching (specifically the Knoff Yoga system) to become a part of our teacher training team.

We guarantee that our teacher training programmes will only be taught by fully qualified, experienced and mature Knoff Yoga  teachers.

At Advanced & Master Level your teacher training course will be taught directly by Master teachers Nicky Knoff & / or James Bryan.

It is this integrity in our teaching programme which makes us stand out from other yoga teacher training courses.

"You learn more quickly under the guidance of experienced teachers. You waste a lot of time going down blind alleys if you have no one to lead you." W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965)

For a description of all our nine yoga course levels please visit Knoff Yoga courses & levels of training.

All our Yoga teacher training courses cover a comprehensive syllabus including:

• Asana
• Pranayama
• Meditation
• Teaching Methodology
• Philosophy, Ethics & Yogic Lifestyle
• Anatomy & Physiology

Please visit our Knoff Yoga training system page on this site to learn more about Knoff Yoga.

You can also contact James Bryan to discuss any aspects of our unique yoga teacher training program in greater detail.

Depending on which level you are studying the teacher training courses are taught in 2 day, 5 day, 3 week and 1-month intensives which are designed to minimise the impact of taking time out of your busy lives. Please see the course you are interested in for specific course details and duration.

The yoga courses held at Knoff Yoga HQ in Cairns are grouped together so that students may link them together for an extended stay.

We provide flexible learning options with students able to undertake one week at a time or link them together.  Currently the Level 1 Discovery one week options are available around Australia (sometimes also overseas) and can viewed at our Calender & Booking form.

A member of our Cairns team will provide you with a list of local accommodation options for yoga teacher training conducted at the Knoff Yoga headquarters.

Choosing Knoff Yoga

Currently our master teachers & Knoff Yoga founders Nicky Knoff and James Bryan, teach all our yoga teacher training, yoga courses, workshops, intensives and retreats – you will not be lumbered with junior teachers or recent graduates of our yoga teacher training programme.

We believe that this honours the integrity of the Knoff Yoga  system by ensuring that our yoga teacher training courses  are not diluted in any way.

Knoff Yoga offers 9 levels of continuing yoga education with yoga teacher training conducted at our headquarters in Cairns, Queensland; throughout Australia and overseas.

With over 20 years of yoga teacher training experience we have requested feedback from our numerous graduates, yoga students and peers and are able to provide you with a comprehensive list as to why you will benefit from choosing Knoff Yoga teacher training;

• The yoga courses are designed so that you will be properly prepared, trained and certificated to teach the yoga Course levels you have studied – providing you do the work and pass the tests
• We do not mix yoga styles. Our aim is to simplify and clarify and this does not mean dumbing down. It is impossible to learn, much less understand, more than one style of yoga in a single yoga teacher training course
• Upon graduation, you will receive Knoff Yoga certification and international recognition when you complete the 200hr and 500hr requirements. You can automatically apply with the Yoga Alliance® for the appropriate level registration:
  • YOGA ALLIANCE – 200 Hour (combined Discovery & Foundation Level courses)
  • YOGA ALLIANCE – 500 Hour (combined Discovery, Foundation, Chair, Pregnancy, Yoga Therapy A & B and Intermediate courses)
• You have the option to have your  name, certificate level and contact details  listed on the Knoff Yoga websiteunder ‘Certificated Yoga Teachers’
• The Knoff Yoga Association offers teacher graduates access to two separate memberships;  Insurance Option (Plan A) and also to become an authorized Knoff Yoga teacher (Plan B)

Plan A Insurance - Graduates with under 200hr certification (Discovery & Chair yoga courses)  have access to discounted Combined Public/Products Liability & Professional Indemnity Insurance through the Knoff Yoga Association Inc. and OAMPS for those teaching in Australia.

Knoff Yoga Certificated Teachers with 200 hour certification (Discovery & Foundation Levels combined) or higher, can access group discounted insurance through OAMPS Insurance Brokers direct.

Plan B – Authorised Knoff Yoga Teacher.  This membership offers you a business package to get you up and running  to teacher the Knoff Yoga level for which you are certified.

For less than $A2 per week you have access to a Secure Member Login area which provides you with Knoff Yoga updates, weekly philosphy themes, forms, templates, student/teacher feedback and the unique Knoff Yoga training system.

• We do not believe in gurus! Excellent teachers and helpful guides, yes. But if you wish to grow in yoga (as in life) you have to think for yourself. There is nothing in Knoff Yoga that will interfere with or contravene common-sense. We actively encourage questions
• All Intensive Courses are led by Master Teachers, Nicky Knoff and/or James Bryan. You will not be lumbered with junior teachers. Nicky and James teach all aspects of the Courses including: asana, pranayama, meditation, teaching methodology, anatomy and physiology and yoga philosophy
• You have continuing support with Knoff Yoga. We keep in regular contact with Facebook (like Knoff Yoga & become a friend of James Bryan) and our  Knoff Yoga e-Newsletter.  You are also welcome to participate in future courses part-time, that is, if you would like a boost to your practice/teaching you can join a course for 1 day or many days - your choice
• Knoff Yoga offers nine levels of Teacher Training for on-going professional development: Discovery, Chair Yoga, Foundation, Pregnancy Yoga, Yoga Therapy A, Yoga Therapy B, Intermediate, Advanced and Master Levels. No other yoga organization offers this extensive range of continuing yoga education
• The yoga teacher training courses are taught in intensive courses designed to minimize the impact of taking time out of busy lives.  You can do this incrementally, so for example 1 week one year and 3 weeks the following year
• The Yoga Philosophy/Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers section of the Courses are designed by the distinguished yoga scholar, Dr. Georg Feuerstein
• The Anatomy & Physiology section of the Courses are based on the books of Dr. Ray Long
• All yoga training is based on Knoff Yoga’s ‘24 Principles of Practice’. These principles greatly simplify the understanding of the multifaceted science of yoga, to make both yoga practice and teaching straightforward
• Knoff Yoga is unique and has been carefully designed to help you implement the course information into your yoga practice and teaching, for example, 5 class components (meditation, pranayama, asana, relaxation, philosophy) and a 5 week rotational theme - emphasising specific elements of the Principle of Sequencing for deeper understanding
• Knoff Yoga offers the only 100% Money Back Guarantee in the yoga industry. This is conditional on successfully graduating from the course.  Upon graduation, if you think you have not benefited, then we will cheerfully refund 100% of your money but you must return your certificate and all manuals supplied
• In Cairns, Queensland, Australia we provide an Accommodation List of local people with rooms to rent within bicycling or walking distance of the Knoff Yoga School

Knoff Yoga levels of training, fees & pre-requisites

The yoga teacher training courses are held at Knoff Yoga HQ  in Cairns, Queensland; throughout Australia and overseas.

We’ve provided an outline here but if you would like to know more please contact us.

2013 Course Dates & Locations

Please note we offer  an early bird discount of 10% on all our courses – the early bird deadline is six weeks prior  to course commencement.  To avoid disappointment please ensure you check deadlines for your particular course.

MELBOURNE ONLY -  LEVEL 1 DISCOVERY & LEVEL 3 FOUNDATION COMBINED

A comprehensive instruction program of both the Discovery and Foundation Levels.  The course is structured over 16 weeks part time, comprising of morning practices and weekend workshops, and is then followed by a 2 week full time intensive with Nicky Knoff.

With these certificates you may apply for the 200 Hour registration and use the letters R.Y.T. 200 after your name. Please see individual levels below or see here for more information.

Pre-requisite: A regular yoga practice (any style of yoga) for a minimum of 2 years.

Fee: $3,980

LEVEL 1 - DISCOVERY (5 days)

The Level 1 - Discovery yoga course is the first of our 9 levels.

This yoga teacher training course is specifically designed to get you up and running as a yoga teacher with comprehensive yoga tuition, a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 1 - Discovery Manual and your Teaching Certificate for this level.

In 5 days you will learn how to teach yoga correctly, safely and engage fully with your students; with 26 asanas, 2 pranayamas, and 3 meditation techniques, as well as yoga philosophy, anatomy & physiology and teaching methodology.

People who do not wish to teach yoga may also attend part, or all, of the yoga Course to intensively deepen their practice.

Pre-requisite:  Regular yoga practice (any style of yoga) for a minimum of 12 months.

Fee: $990

LEVEL 2 - CHAIR YOGA  (2 days)

Chair Yoga is a modified form of Hatha Yoga, based on the Knoff Yoga  system,  which allows people with disabilities, lack of mobility, balance problems, joint challenges, recovering from illness, accidents and operations, or other physical issues, to participate in and enjoy the benefits of a yoga practice.

You will learn two levels of Chair yoga.  The first is designed for students who need the full support of a chair and the second is for designed for students who are more mobile.

With the 'Baby Boomers' now entering retirement en mass, this is a great time to learn special skills to teach yoga to an aging population.
The need for Chair Yoga Teachers will be huge and is just starting now.

Pre-requisite: Regular yoga practice (any style of yoga) for a minimum of 12 months.

Fee: $390

LEVEL 3 – FOUNDATION (3 weeks)

A comprehensive yoga teacher training course with everything you need to teach yoga with confidence, clarity and credibility.

Level 3 builds on the yoga skills and knowledge gained in Level 1, but has its own syllabus.

You receive yoga training in 39 asanas, 9 pranayamas, 3 meditation techniques, yoga philosophy, anatomy & physiology and teaching methodology. You will receive a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 3 - Foundation Manual and your Teaching Certificate.

This yoga course combined with Level 1 - Discovery, is registered with the international Yoga Alliance® (www.yogaalliance.org).
With these certificates you may apply for the 200 Hour registration and use the letters R.Y.T. 200 after your name.

Pre-requisite: Level 1 - Discovery, or a regular yoga practice (any style of yoga) for a minimum of 2 years.

Fee: $2,990

LEVEL 4 - PREGNANCY YOGA (5 days)

When offering yoga classes to the public, you will inevitably have pregnant students wanting to attend and it is essential to know what you are doing and have the skills to help them access the many health benefits that practicing yoga will bring to both them and their baby.

This Pregnancy yoga teacher training course will give you the knowledge and experience so you can confidently teach pregnant women, either including them in your Discovery or Foundation classes, or in a separate specialized Pregnancy Yoga class.

On four days during the Pregnancy Yoga Course, we will have volunteer pregnant women from the public in a Pregnancy Yoga class, where you observe, take notes and photographs.

During the asana section you will practice these yoga poses to directly experience them, and during Teaching Methodology you will learn how to teach these yoga poses.

You will receive a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 4 - Pregnancy Yoga Manual and your Teaching Certificate.

Pre-requisite: Level 1 - Discovery and Level 2 - Foundation.

Fee: $990

LEVEL 5 - YOGA THERAPY A (5 days)

The Yoga therapy teacher training course covers the holistic approach to physical and mental well-being that treats acute or chronic ailments, injuries or misalignments by bringing the whole body into symmetry and balance through yoga:

• Postures
• Breathing
• Meditation
• Relaxation
• Philosophy

Yoga techniques are adapted to meet the needs and capabilities of the student in personalized one-on-one programmes designed specifically for each person in their situation.

We take photographs of our students doing these poses so they can continue to practice at home.

Yoga therapy is distinct from other forms of conventional therapy in that it works to alleviate localised symptoms as well as addressing the causal and peripheral imbalances that would otherwise allow the problems to re-occur.

Yoga therapy recognises that the body and mind are interconnected through the agency of the breath and that there is a direct connection between mental and physical states and the condition of the breath.  Long slow, steady yoga breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which creates a feeling of peace and calm (Relaxation Response) and allows the body to heal quickly.

The goal of yoga therapy is for the student to take control of his or her health, not only to alleviate short term discomfort, but also to stay healthy in the long run.

In Yoga Therapy A, you will learn how to work with people suffering mainly from structural misalignments, e.g. back pain, bad posture, herniated discs, knee pain, neck pain, sacroiliac pain, sciatica, scoliosis, weak joints, etc.

There will be Yoga Therapy classes with volunteer students from the public, so you get to experience working with real people with real problem.  You will practice these postures and techniques upon yourself and work with the other Teacher Trainees to improve your knowledge and understanding.

You will receive a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 5 - Yoga Therapy Manual and your Teaching Certificate.

Pre-requisite:  Level 1 - Discovery and Level 3 - Foundation.

Fee: $990

LEVEL 6 - YOGA THERAPY B  (5 days)

The Yoga Therapy B teacher training course is based on Yoga Therapy A and continues to deepen your knowledge and training.

Now we work with more complicated health issues, as well as structural misalignments and organic problems, e.g. Anxiety, arthritis, asthma, blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, constipation, depression, general fatigue, glandular problems, headaches, heart problems, muscle stiffness, post-traumatic stress, respiratory discomfort, etc.

As we rely on public volunteers and their particular health problems, it will depend on who attends as to what exactly is covered in these Yoga Therapy Courses.  We make every effort to ensure we observe a range of different health issues.

It is a testament to our uniqueness that no two Yoga Therapy Courses (A or B) will be exactly the same, as our volunteers will be different each time.  You can continue to attend these Courses and keep on learning more.

You will receive a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 6 - Yoga Therapy Manual and your Teaching Certificate.

Pre-requisite: Level 1 - Discovery, Level 3 - Foundation and Yoga Therapy A.

FEE: $990

LEVEL 7 - INTERMEDIATE  (4 weeks)

This yoga teacher training course follows on from Level 3 - Foundation and follows the same format, but with a new yoga syllabus:  47 asanas, 9 pranayamas, 3 meditation techniques, yoga philosophy, anatomy & physiology and teaching methodology.

It is important to continue learning in yoga (as in life), especially once you are actively teaching and caught up in the world of yoga business - trying to make a living out of what we love doing.  The levels in the Knoff Yoga System are designed for busy people and professional yoga teachers.  Studying intensively is the most efficient way to utilise your limited and precious time.

By deepening your understanding of the Knoff Yoga System and learning how to teach the Level 7 - Intermediate, you have the opportunity to impact upon a larger group of students, to take them to the next level and to grow your business.  The knowledge you gain will sustain you, your practice and your yoga business for many years to come.

This Course combined with Level 1 - Discovery, Level 2 - Chair Yoga, Level 3 - Foundation, Level 4 - Pregnancy Yoga, Level 5 - Yoga Therapy A and Level 6 - Yoga Therapy B, is registered with the international Yoga Alliance® (www.yogaalliance.org).  With this certificate you may apply to the Yoga Alliance for the 500 hour registration and use the letters R.Y.T. 500 after your name.

You will receive a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 7 - Intermediate Manual and your Teaching Certificate.

Pre-requisite:  Level 1 - Discovery and Level 3 - Foundation

Fee: $3, 490

Level 8 - Advanced and Level 9 - Master, are not registered with any governing body (Yoga Alliance or Yoga Australia) simply because there is not a high enough standard to recognise it.  Details below.

LEVEL 8 - ADVANCED  (4 weeks)

This yoga teacher training course follows on from Level 7 - Intermediate, with the same format, but with a new syllabus: 78 asanas, extensive pranayama, 3 meditation techniques, yoga philosophy, anatomy & physiology and teaching methodology.

This level of practice and study requires a teacher of great experience in order for you to learn the intricacies and subtleties of  higher practice.  If your car wheels are out of alignment - at slow speed you merely wear out your tyres faster, but at higher speeds it can be life threatening.  You need to know what you are doing, and in this Course you will gain both practice and teaching knowledge, in a safe environment.

The principle teacher works with actual people with health issues. There is time to practice with each other and all questions which arise are answered.  The Intermediate and Advanced Levels combined are accredited for the Yoga Alliance® 500 Hour registration (R.Y.T. 500).

You will receive a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 8 - Advanced Manual and your Teaching Certificate.

Prerequisite: Level 1 - Discovery, Level 3 - Foundation and Level 7 - Intermediate.

Fee: $3, 490

LEVEL 9 - MASTER  (4 weeks)

On a physical level, the goal of yoga is mastery of principle and technique. On a spiritual level, the goal is cultivating a profound sense of belonging in the universe, of oneness with the life-force.   Being a master is someone who never stops learning, who never stops experimenting, and who never feels that they know everything and has stopped learning.

Being a master is someone who constantly applies what he or she has learned in yoga to their daily life, to continue improving his/her own life experience. You will gain an extensive overview of the multi-faceted components of this ancient science and learn how to see the simplicity in the complexity.

This Course follows on from Level 8 - Advanced, with the same format, but with a new syllabus: 73 asanas, extensive pranayama, 3 meditation techniques, yoga philosophy, anatomy & physiology and teaching methodology.

Due to the advanced and specialised nature of this course it is not registered with any governing body though you are only able to partake in this course if you have already successfully reached your Yoga Alliance 500hr registrations.

You will receive a Teacher Training Handbook, Level 9 - Master Manual and your Teaching Certificate.

Pre-requisite: Level 1 - Discovery, Level 3 - Foundation, Level 7 - Intermediate and Level 8 - Advanced. 500hr Yoga Alliance registration.

Fee: $3, 490

Recommended Reading

A Knoff Yoga Teacher Training Handbook and individual Asana Manual for each level is published for each level our of yoga teacher training courses.

• Level 1 - Discovery
  • Light On Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
  • Volume 1 – The Key Muscles of Yoga by Ray Long
  • Yoga Philosophy & History by Georg Feuerstein
  • Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Workbook & CD by Vyaas Houston
  • The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar
• Level 2 - Chair Yoga
  • No books required
• Level 3 - Foundation
  • as per Level 1
• Level 4 - Pregnancy Yoga
  • Yoga and Pregnancy by Sophy Hoare
  • The Female Pelvis by Blandine Calais-Germain
  • The Woman's Book of Yoga & Health by Linda Sparrowe AS
• Level 5 - Yoga Therapy A*
  • A Physiological Handbook for Teachers of Yogasana – Mel Robin ISBN 1587360330
  • Yoga – The Path to Holistic Health – B.K.S. Iyengar ISBN 0751321672
  • Light on Yoga – B.K.S. Iyengar ISBN 0805210318
  • The Woman’s Book of Yoga & Health – Linda Sparrowe ISBN 1570624704
  • A Matter Of Health – Dr. Krishna Raman ISBN 8186852107
  • Back Care Basics – Mary Pullig Schatz, M.D ISBN 0962713821
  • Health Through Yoga–Mira Mehta (may be out of print) ISBN 9780007116 01
  • Yoga: A Gem for Women - Geeta Iyengar ISBN 9780931454981
  • Please note:
    • You need to read these books before attending the Courses
    • If a book is out of print, then we will not use it
    • You may be tested on any aspect of these books
    • You need to bring A Physiological Handbook for Teachers of Yogasana with you to the Course
    • You do not need to bring the other books, but need to study them in relation to each therapy student
• Level 6 - Yoga Therapy B
  • as per Level 5
    
• Level 7 - Intermediate
  • as per Level 1
  • plus Yoga Morality by Georg Feuerstein
• Level 8 – Advanced & Level 9 - Master
  • Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
  • Tree of Yoga by B. K. S. Iyengar
  • Body the Shrine, Yoga thy Light by B.K.S. Iyengar
  • Volume II – The Key Poses of Yoga by Ray Long
  • Yoga Morality by Georg Feuerstein

Access our Yoga Teacher Training  Book Order Form.