Frequently Asked Questions

Contemporary Yoga is an invitation to explore Yoga with the spirit of curiosity and openness. It is our intention to co-create a space which explores the essence and heart of Yoga. A space for diving deep into practice, and for us to share with you not only our passion for the Yoga tradition, but also our passion for authentic teaching and the teaching path.

We do not teach a particular style, like Ashtanga, Iyengar and so on. We teach an approach to Yoga and movement which may be applied to any Yoga style or method.

Together we embark on a journey into the body, to sense and feel how our body moves organically, to uncover the possibilities of our own movement, posture and state of being.

The movement patterns and principles we share on this training and in our classes may be applied to any style because the approach is interested in creating healthy, easeful and functional movement which has a resonance far beyond Yoga asana – it can directly affect how we live and relate to ourselves, to our community and our environment.

Along the way, we may learn to truly rest, rediscover natural patterns for easeful breathing and principles to support a life-long and nourishing Yoga practice.

We consider Contemporary Yoga not to be a Yoga style, but more an approach to Yoga.

In this sense, Contemporary Yoga may be seen as Post-Lineage Yoga. Its place within Yoga does not belong to a lineage or come from any one teacher. Though still with its roots deep within the Yoga tradition itself, Contemporary Yoga has many influences from many teachers and teachings.

One of the first people to use the term post-lineage was Yoga teacher Theodora Wildcroft as part of a Phd on Yoga Teaching In The Mainstream. She writes:

“Post-lineage, as its name suggests, is a change not in the content of Yoga, but in how it is shared. What it does not mean is anti-lineage, or non-lineage, and it certainly doesn’t mean anti-tradition. Briefly put, post-lineage Yoga is a description of the authority processes that govern the teaching of Yoga – how you decide what you’re sharing with others is authentic and safe, and how it relates to the teaching of Yoga in the past, and the teaching of Yoga around the world.

Post-lineage Yoga describes a shift that many Yoga teachers and practitioners go through – they might start out only learning from one teacher, and never questioning their authority. But at some point, many look beyond the lineage teachings to expand their understanding of how Yoga works in practice.

They might or might not maintain a strong respect for their original teachers, but they might read books from other lineages, or be fascinated by the latest neuroscience research, or share a practice with peers or go to workshops with other teachers.”

You can read more about Post-Lineage Yoga here:

https://www.theluminescent.org/2019/09/post-lineage-yoga-dandelions.html

You can read Theodora Wildcroft’s thesis here:

http://oro.open.ac.uk/59125/1/thesis_TRW19.pdf

Post-Lineage Yoga includes:

• A horizontal communication model between teachers and students – we aim to create easeful non-hierarchical relationships, where there is an exchange happening between teacher and student rather than a top-down approach.
• We invite continual learning and self-enquiry for both students and teachers and welcome our learning to come from multiple sources. As teachers, we ask how we can truly meet our students exactly where and how they are, and from there ask what is there to refine, what is there to learn from here?
• Post-lineage Yoga recognises that there is of course not only one way to practice and learn Yoga, but many valuable paths and teachings to learn from.
• Students are offered greater agency where the process of learning is just as much driven by students as by teachers – the teachers are more facilitators / sharers.

Post-Lineage Yoga creates a significantly safe space in which Yoga may be shared, taught and explored, along with the possibility of a widening field for growing knowledge and our personal understanding (we do not have to be restricted to one style etc).

While the curriculum of the 200-hour programme is varied and wide in its approach, it is designed for students to inquire, discuss, challenge, investigate, experience and try all learnings themselves in a safe environment, supported by their tutors and peers.

It also meets and exceeds all Yoga Alliance and Yoga New Zealand standards, so you can rest assured that once you are certified with Contemporary Yoga you will be able to teach anywhere in the world.

The curriculum includes:

• Developing a full and authentic approach to yoga, asana and meditation.
• Fully explore how movement patterns grow into naturally-aligned asana.
• Discuss ground-breaking research into human anatomy & physiology and its relevance to Yoga.
• Get hands-on with bones and muscles and how they work together in asana.
• Investigate yoga biomechanics with a focus on containment and stability.
• Understand postural analysis, using Yoga to restore natural balance and easeful range of motion.
• Learn the fundamentals of Restorative Yoga and how to guide yourself and your students into deep, restful relaxation.
• Discover how the Yoga tradition is about meeting each moment with presence and openness.
• Experience how Yoga philosophy has the power to reshape your daily life.
• Gain confidence in your teaching skills and teaching practice.

You will learn valuable techniques to enhance your own Yoga practice and gain the skills to teach Contemporary Yoga principles in a safe and relaxed environment:

• Experience and investigate functional yoga.
• Spinal awareness and practices for spinal and joint health.
• The ins and outs and easeful breathing. Pranayama techniques for everyone.
• Discover an embodied, fluid support.
• Breath and Vinyasa flow from the inside out.
• Get creative with teaching and practicing Sun Salutations.
• Finding your ground and foundations in all the standing postures – yielding, gravity and breath in theory and in practice.
• Understanding trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed Yoga.
• Understanding the inherit vulnerabilities which come with being a teacher, and developing skills to support you as a teacher
• Exploring stability, balance and neutrality in natural and easeful movement and Yoga asana.
• Discover a breathing, supportive and balanced core.
• Learn to give sensitive and intuitive adjustments that empower your students.
• Learn effective and empowering cueing which speaks to each individual in your class.
• There will be plenty of time to practice teaching and receive valuable feedback from your peers and from the senior faculty.
• and much much more!

We send prayers to all beings who are impacted by the global storm of Covid–19, whether they be in Aotearoa New Zealand, or anywhere in our world. This is still a time for kind and responsible action for the well-being of you, your family, friends and community. May you be well, be safe and kind and look after each other.

We want to let you know how Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training is meeting these challenging times, and about our policies around upcoming teacher trainings.

Please note that these policies and strategies are subject to change at short notice due to the nature of Covid and the changing situation in New Zealand.

Online Developments
As with many trainings worldwide, we are in the process of pivoting a significant part of training to be offered online, with pre-recorded videos, assignments and reflections, as well as live-streamed lessons over Zoom.

We are re-configuring our courses to be more modular in approach, which will offer students not only greater flexibility in how they complete their training but also a deeper and richer environment in which to learn. Students will have access to an increasing number of online resources, and they will be able to learn at their own pace and schedule, with our ongoing encouragement, support and mentoring.

Eventually, students will be able to complete a full Yoga Teacher Training online, if they wish.

In-person and Hybrid Trainings
In-person trainings will remain our main form of delivery and will continue to be offered where possible.

Where circumstances dictate, we will offer hybrid trainings.

YogaNZ and Yoga Alliance
All our 200 hour teacher training, whether in-person, online or hybrid, will retain registration with both Yoga New Zealand and Yoga Alliance.

Wellbeing and Safety on Training
It is, of course, our top priority that we maintain a safe space for you to learn when we gather for our in-person trainings. This has always been the case. We will follow all the recommended guidelines that our venue has in place.

Feeling unwell on training: If you feel unwell on training, we ask that you stay home, rest and get tested. If you miss any part of the in-person training, we will do our utmost best to help you complete your training, whether it be online or via future trainings. It has always been our policy that students may re-take any part of the training they wish, at no extra cost (a few conditions do apply).

Flourishing Communities and Healthy Debate
For many in our Yoga community in Aotearoa New Zealand, and also abroad, there have been a great many challenges as we meet the Covid epidemic. One of the challenges involves differences of opinions.

Within Contemporary Yoga, we too have had robust discussions amongst faculty. One thing which seems deeply important is that a difference of opinion does not have to lead to conflict and separation. We can listen to each person’s view, share what we understand, and be willing to shift our points of view. The scientist Einstein said that a measure of intelligence is our ability to change. And as one colleague suggested, there can be diversity and unity.

We can hopefully all agree that Yoga teaches us that Ahimsa (non-harming) is paramount, and offering a safe space will always be how we will proceed with all of our courses and trainings.

If you have any questions about these issues, please do reach out and email us on info@yogateachertraining.nz, or phone Neal on 021 180 7867, or Karla Brodie on 021 964 252.

Mā te Ngākau Aroha Koe e Ārahi
Let a loving heart guide your decisions.

Yes! We welcome all our students and trainees to remain in contact with us, and to keep studying with us. You may mentor individually with any of the senior faculty members.

We also offer ongoing study groups via Zoom which may include sessions on anatomy and physiology, group discussion mentoring, or a movement class with a breakdown on how the class was created and sequenced.

There are further Yoga training modules such as Restorative Yoga, Pregnancy Yoga, The Business of Yoga, Yoga Vocals, and more - all of which many of our 200-hour students like to participate in to continue their study.

We also have a private Facebook group for all past and current participants of our teacher trainings, where people can connect with each other in a like-minded community. Members share ideas, posts, ask for advice, promote events and more.

Once you are teaching classes and workshops, you are also welcome to join our teacher directory on our website - we are often asked about where our trainees teach and where can people go take a class with them. Although a relatively new feature, you can see the directory here:

https://yogateachertraining.nz/teacher-directory/

You can read a few of our glowing testimonials here:

https://yogateachertraining.nz/testimonials/

The amount of knowledge and understanding, experience and love that has gone into the teacher training is truly epic and has enabled such a deep and rich learning experience.
Caroline Bindon, 2020

There is a richness and depth to this content with its real life (on and off the mat) applicability. I have been moved by the sincerity and support of the teachers.

I am so excited to share these teachings in a way that is accessible and empowering for students and wider community members.
Amy Massey

I strongly recommend this training. It’s a life changing experience. The way I see things, smell, feel and my energy have completely changed throughout the course consistently.

Beyond expectation. Absolutely worth the investment after many long years I’ve finally met myself! Simply, divine! Organic! Full of love!
Monica Yoon

This course opened my eyes to the world of Yoga, deepening my understanding and personal practice. It has set me up so well to teach, and to continue my journey. Everything I needed and more!
Jess Howse

I was amazed by the depth and breadth of yoga on the human mind and body that the teachers of this course have.

I am a physiotherapist and as well as gaining vital skills to teach yoga I have also gained insight and knowledge that I will apply in my physiotherapy career.
Sarah Diskin

Many more testimonials >>

We have a huge range of people join us for our Yoga teacher training in Auckland. From late teens to late sixties and everyone in between. From all over New Zealand, and from around the globe.

A vital aspect of our approach is to consciously make Yoga as accessible as possible, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, body type, personal appearance, physical or mental ability, socioeconomic status, marital status, political activities, or affiliation or any other basis.

One thing we wish to be clear on is that it is not in any way necessary to be bendy or flexible to do this course, or to teach Yoga. It does not matter how large or small your range of motion is or what your body type is.

We are much more interested in movement as a process. In natural, organic movement and posture. And how the beautiful tradition of Yoga may be practiced and applied in a way which meets our modern lifestyle.

Yes. We provide a detailed and comprehensive manual - currently around 350 pages. It is like a book in itself! The manual is regularly updated and new versions are made available to all past students as a pdf (for their own personal use only).

In addition to the manual we ask that students obtain a copy of the widely respected book, Yoga Mind Body and Spirit, by Donna Farhi. This book may be seen as an extension of the training manual.

Yes it is. Once you complete your certification with us, you are able to be registered with Yoga Alliance. This enables you to teach Yoga anywhere in the world and be recognised as a trained Yoga teacher.

In addition, once you are certified with us and been actively studying with us for a year (with ongoing study groups, additional learning modules, and mentoring), you may register with Yoga New Zealand.

Yoga New Zealand is an association dedicated to the development, nurturing, and support of the yoga profession in Aotearoa. Registering with Yoga New Zealand also offers the benefit of great value work insurance and many other benefits too.

yoganewzealand.org.nz >>

yogaalliance.org >>

As a prerequisite to the training you should have at least one year’s consistent Yoga practice.

We do highly recommend that you attend a number of classes or a workshop with one or more of the core faculty - Karla, Neal, Haidee or Sam. This is so you have a clearer idea as to how we teach, our approach, the teaching principles and so on.

You can view their profiles and schedules here:

Neal | Karla | Sam| Haidee

Any further questions, please do email us on info@yogateachertraining.nz, or phone Karla on 021 964 252.

You will receive an information letter a few weeks prior to the course starting. This will detail what to bring and how to prepare. Each course will differ but generally you are asked to bring clothes that you are comfortable moving in, a mat, water bottle, pen and paper.

Please also see this page for further information on how to prepare for the 200-hour teacher training course:

https://yogateachertraining.nz/preparation/

We strongly suggest that you do some preliminary study before the start of your course. On this page are listed some books that you are required reading for the course. Whilst you can read these during the course, reading beforehand will help you prepare well for the training.

Required reading for the 200-hour course:

• Yoga Mind Body and Spirit by Donna Farhi
• Teaching Yoga by Donna Farhi

You can buy these from The Book Depository here >>

There is a further list of highly recommended books here:

https://yogateachertraining.nz/preparation/

As with all learning, the more time you devote to this training, the more you will get out of it.

We encourage and support all students to be as active as possible in their Yoga learning.

We also acknowledge that this 200-hour Yoga teacher training covers the foundations of learning to teach Yoga. The study of Yoga and the learning to be the best teacher that you can be is a life-long activity.

In terms of certification with us, students must attend all parts of the training. The 200-hour course is a complete, integrated course and students are asked to commit to attend ALL parts of the training.

For full details on attendance and all student responsibilities, please see this page:

https://yogateachertraining.nz/students-rights-and-responsibilities/

Up to 30 hours of our training may be taught online. Currently this includes our History and Philosophy of Yoga course. This is a comprehensive course developed by Contemporary Yoga faculty specifically for our teacher trainings.

Aspects of Yoga philosophy will be woven throughout the face-to-face course as well.

An example of our daily schedule:

7:45-9.00am Asana class with a key focus for the day

9:00-9:30am Breakfast

9:30-11:30am Yoga philosophy and applied Yoga

11:30-1:30pm Asana and movement principles and practice

1:30-2:30pm Lunch

2:30-4:30pm Anatomy & physiology for Yoga

4:30-6:30pm Teaching skills and practice

Plus regular breaks and opportunities for tea and discussion with your teachers and fellow students. Some days we finish earlier and on certain trainings we have break days scheduled for home study.

It is understandable that life happens and maybe you will need to miss a morning or a day or more of the training.

However, for certification, (and to comply with Yoga Alliance and Yoga New Zealand accreditation), we do require students to attend all parts of the training - even if this means that you need to complete the training over a year or two.  The 200 hour course is a complete, integrated course and students are asked to commit to attend ALL parts of the training.

We acknowledge that a circumstance (eg illness, bereavement) may arise where a student misses some part of a course. If this occurs, our expectation is that the student will make-up these hours by either …

… arrangement with CY Teacher Training to “make-up” session(s) missed by attending relevant session(s) at a future training. This is at the discretion of CY Teacher Training and if space allows in that training.

and / or

by private arrangement with one of the CY teachers. This is at the discretion of CY Teacher Training and the arrangement must be agreed to by the CY directors. This option incurs additional costs to the student.

Please note:
There are some sessions that cannot be made up in another training due to the sensitive and/or group nature of the learning, for example, trauma-sensitive sessions and practicum. Missing these sessions will mean that a private arrangement with one of the CY teachers will be needed incurring additional cost to the student.

If any part day or session during the last four days of a 200 hour course are missed, all four days will need to be undertaken in a subsequent training in order to be eligible to receive CY certification. This requirement is due to the nature and dynamic of the last days of training which include a number of final teaching practicums.

If you have any questions regarding attendance please do email us on info@yogateachertraining.nz or phone Karla on 021 964 252.

Yes. A beautifully designed PDF Contemporary Yoga Certificate of Completion is provided each student who successfully completes our 200 hour course.

To complete our 200-hour course, participants must be have 100% attendance (or caught up with sessions they have missed), paid all fees owing, completed all assessment tasks and completed the course to the satisfaction of the directors of Contemporary Yoga.

For all other trainings, courses and workshops, Certificates of Completion may not be offered - it depends on the course. Please enquire upon registration.

You will receive your 200 hour teaching certificate after successfully completing the 200 hour Contemporary Yoga teacher training. This occurs after completion of the training once all course and assessment criteria have been met to the satisfaction of the Contemporary Yoga faculty.

Your beautiful certificate will arrive as a PDF attachment in your email along with recommendations for printing should you wish to obtain a printed version of your certificate.

We have been running three 200-hour courses a year since 2013, which means we have successfully completed over 25 trainings. This is alongside many other courses (Restorative Yoga, Pregnancy Yoga etc), workshops and retreats.

Hundreds of students have gone on to successful Yoga careers, full-time, part-time, or have deepened their Yoga practice tremendously.

Having completed so many trainings means that we bring a huge amount of experience and have had ample time to refine the course content and how we deliver the training in the safest, accessible and most effective way.

Before 2013, the core-faculty teachers have been involved as faculty teachers on Donna Farhi’s Advanced Teacher Training, and on other teacher trainings in New Zealand and in Australia.

Currently, all our 200-hour trainings take place at the St Heliers Community Centre. There is more information here:

https://yogateachertraining.nz/locations/

The St Heliers Community Centre
100 St Heliers Bay Road,
St Heliers,
Auckland 1071
map here >>

While we aim to give students as much notice as possible, we reserve the right to change the location, dates and times of all our trainings, workshops and courses.

Due to the complex nature of each person’s circumstances and preferences, along with the additional cost this would bring, we do not provide food or accommodation.

The wonderful, modern facilities at the St Heliers Centre include a kitchen area and fridge so students can bring their breakfasts and lunches with them.

There is also a wonderful range of cafés and shops just 5 minutes walk away, down the road to St Heliers main area.

We do provide a wide selection of teas and other hot beverages.

If you are arriving from out of Auckland and need accommodation, we recommend you find a place nearby the St Heliers Centre.

We list some accommodation options here:

https://yogateachertraining.nz/locations/

Yes there are. There are a number of assignments and assessments required for certification.

For example:

• We ask you to create some class plans which we review for you
• Reflections on the training and what you have learnt
• Create your own teacher profile and bio

and so on. You will be informed about what is fully required at the beginning of your course.

The minimum number for any 200-hour course is 8 participants. For other courses it may be more, depending on the course.

On the rare occasion that there are not enough registrations for a course to run, you may transfer to another course, or we offer a full refund.

We will let all students know 2 weeks beforehand if a course will not go ahead.

If you require a transfer from a training course on which you have a confirmed booking, please make a request in writing via email to info@yogateachertraining.nz.

While we do our best to make things work for all students, transfer options depend on space available on each course, and whether the course runs. Whilst the vast majority of students complete the training within the course they start, some students, due to personal circumstances need to transfer to a future training. From the start of your training with us you have up to two years to complete the course.

Please remember that to be certified with us you need to complete all the required training hours and  commit to attend all parts of the training.

Yes, payment plans are possible. Each person tends to have their own individual financial circumstances, and, with clear agreements in place, we do our best to make it possible for people to attend our Yoga training.

Please contact us on info@yogateachertraining.nz if you would like to talk with us about arranging a payment plan for your course.

​Deposits and fees for Yoga Teacher Training which are paid up until 30 days prior to commencement date are refundable, minus a $250 administration fee.

Full payment is due 14 days before the teacher training courses start. Unless by prior arrangement, students agree to pay any outstanding balance no later than this date.

If you need to withdraw from a Training course, the following refunds apply:

a) if 30 days or more prior to course commencement the student will receive a refund of all monies paid, minus an administration fee of $250.

b) if less than 30 days prior to course commencement there is no refund, but application to transfer to another course can be made. If this happens, then students must complete their training within 2 years of their first day of training.

Our teachers are well-connected within the New Zealand Yoga community and have helped place students with studios and other organisations.

The Contemporary Yoga Centre, based in Remuera and run by Karla Brodie, one of our course directors and a core faculty teacher, has also been a space where students have found teaching experience and been supported and mentored in their development as a Yoga teacher.

See their website for more details:

https://contemporaryyoga.nz

In addition, we have sessions built within our core curriculum (The Business of Yoga), which supports how you proceed beyond the training - to continue to deepen your personal practice, to create your own teacher profile, to learn how to build and market your Yoga, and much more.

We sincerely hope that you have a pleasurable and invigorating experience with all our trainings. All the Contemporary Yoga faculty and team are here to support you on this journey and are dedicated to making your training a life-enhancing experience.

If you do have any concerns, or are struggling during a class, workshop or course, please let us know by reaching out to us either directly during the course, or by emailing us at info@yogateachertraining.nz.

The sooner you talk and communicate with us, the easier and more swiftly we can support you and address any issues. We are always open to feedback from you, and our teachers are well-trained to listen and support you in your training.