SYLLABUS
MODULE FOCUS:
Part 1 – Asana Foundations: Refining your personal practice, asana alignment, correct breathing, meditation, pranayama, intelligent sequencing, how to be a good student, yoga philosophy, yogic lifestyle, history of Ashtanga Yoga.
Part 2 – Practice Teaching: Adjustments, classroom dynamics, the voice of the teacher, functional anatomy, ayurveda basics, intro to sanskrit, injury prevention, eternal lessons of the Bhagavad Gita.
Asana
- Ashtanga Yoga in the tradition of the Jois family of Mysore, South India as well as simple restorative postures and mudras
- Daily morning practice of Ashtanga Mysore-style and Led classes with meditation and simple breathwork
- Study of Vinyasa; Correct breathing coupled with conscious movement, dristhi (looking place) and the internal energy locks, bandhas
- Proper technique & alignment for stability, safety and ease
Teaching
- Finding Your Teaching Voice – verbal cues, authenticity and non-violent communication
- Classroom Dynamics – responding appropriately to what arises in the classroom, seeing the big picture
- Injury Prevention – learn how to instruct students in a safe manner and stay injury-free as a practitioner & teacher
- Adjustments – how, why, when and for whom? Become comfortable and confident with basic and verbal adjustments
- Prenatal Yoga – how to guide mums-to-be in a safe and supportive manner
- Sanskrit – learn basic counting and asana names of the Ashtanga Primary Series
Anatomy & Physiology
- Functional Anatomy – understand the relationship of muscles, bones, connective tissue and fascia
- Subtle Anatomy – the internal exploration of Chakras, Vayus, Koshas, and Nadis
Philosophy
- Explore the key teachings of the Patanjalim Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and other ancient texts
- History of Yoga – Yoga’s ancient history and the evolution of yoga into modern times
- Tantra, Vedanta, Buddhism, Ecology, and their relation to yoga
- The Tree of Yoga – Lineages, Gurus, and styles of yoga
Yoga Lifestyle
- How to be a good student
- Ethics – the moral foundation of the practice, Yamas and Niyamas, and non-violent communication
- Bhakti Yoga – Kirtan, devotional chanting, and mantra
- Business of Yoga – how to orient oneself and gracefully navigate the seas of today’s yoga biz, social media and online teaching
- Yogic Diet – Nutrition for the mind, body, and soul
- Ayurveda – an introduction to India’s ancient Science of Life
SCHEDULE
Part 1: Asana Foundations
5-17 December 2026
Part 2: Practice Teaching
9-21 January 2027
Weekday Schedule:
6:45 AM – 9:00 AM: Mysore (open to Cardholder bookings)
9:30 AM – 5:15 PM: Study (including breaks)
Weekend & Public Holiday Schedule:
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Mysore
11:00 AM – 5:15 PM: Study (including breaks)
All hours can be counted towards Yoga Alliance registration.
REQUIREMENTS
Students must be familiar with and be able to practise the first half of the Ashtanga Primary Series. Clayton can suggest online classes for you to take if you are not able to come to his classes in person to prepare for the course. Students who are interested in participating should bear in mind that this will be a physically and emotionally demanding programme. It will require a strong commitment and personal sacrifice as well as the support of the student’s primary support network. We emphasise that this programme may not be for everyone.
Interested students must:
• Have a deep desire to learn and personally explore the deeper dimensions of yoga
• Have a minimum 12 months of regular yoga practice
• Be free of major injuries going into the programme
• Have a coachable attitude
• Be fully committed and understand that 100% full attendance is required
• Be willing to forgo most other personal or professional commitments for the duration of the programme
• Commit to being drug- and alcohol-free during the training period
• Notify PURE if undergoing any medication for any physical or psychological conditions before registering for the course
TUITION
Full Training
Super Early-Bird Price: HKD 30,800 (ends 10 Aug)
Early-bird Price: HKD 33,300 (ends 10 Oct)
Regular Price: HKD 39,176
Any One Part Training
Early-bird Price: HKD 18,500 (ends 31 Oct)
Regular Price: HKD 20,556
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be able to teach right after I graduate from this programme?
Yes. All the course materials taught in this course prepare students with all the foundational knowledge and skills needed to become yoga teachers. Some students take it to deepen their own personal practice or kick-start a life transformational experience, while others do it to immediately start a teaching career. Others who do not want to proceed into teaching right away would immerse into further trainings. More than half the students from our graduate programmes begin teaching friends, family, moving into part-time teaching in studios and then full-time teaching.
Will I be able to teach at PURE Yoga after graduating from this programme?
PURE Yoga is always open to applications and supports graduates from our programmes. We do currently have many teachers at PURE Yoga that are previous graduates. While we encourage graduates to apply with us, there is never a guarantee of job placement due to availability of openings or space within our studios. However, all applicants are kept in our database and advised if there are openings available.
Will PURE Yoga help with my Yoga Alliance application?
Upon successful graduation of our teacher training programmes, PURE Yoga will send the students a link to where they can apply for the Yoga Alliance certification. Our programmes and our school is Yoga Alliance accredited, meaning that students graduating from our programmes will automatically be approved when they apply to Yoga Alliance. From there, students will take their own steps in applying for Yoga Alliance – whether you are applying for 200-hour certification, 500-hour, and so forth.
If I miss one day, will I be able to make up for it?
Students undergoing this programme must be fully committed and understand that 100% full attendance is required. They must also be willing to forgo most other personal or professional commitments for the duration of the programme – only with 100% attendance and completion of the course will students receive a certificate, and no make-up work will be given. Should there be any issue with this, students must speak with the faculty prior to the course and only under very special circumstances will it be considered.
Will I receive a certificate after the programme?
Upon successful completion, 100% attendance, and following the code of conduct – students will receive a Certificate of Completion from PURE Yoga for this teacher training programme.