yoga@synergy-yoga.com


 

The Synergy Yoga Center offers yoga teacher training certification in Synergy Yoga. The standards for our teachers are very high and exceed the Yoga Alliance’s standards. Since 1992, founder Peri Ness DeFay has certified hundreds of Synergy Yoga teachers creating a global network of Synergy Yoga. Three levels of certifications are offered.

Synergy Yoga is a holistic system of Hatha Yoga based on scientific and medical research. It exercises the entire body and facilitates mental and physical healing through conscious awareness and release of blocked energy and emotion. Synergy Yoga strengthens the internal energy currents and prepares the body and mind for higher aspects of yoga. Click here to learn more about Synergy Yoga.

“Ten-Day Intensive”

The renowned Ten-Day Intensive provides Hatha yoga instruction in a supportive, spiritual, and loving atmosphere conducive to in-depth learning and understanding. This intensive course is suitable for yoga students of all levels. In addition to training teachers, the program is designed to greatly strengthen and deepen your personal yoga practice. The Ten-Day long program includes lots of yoga, posture clinics with hands-on adjustments and foundation classes. It also includes lectures from well-known professionals on anatomy, nutrition, history of yoga, astrology, Ayurveda, organs and emotions, and much more. We also have time for some fun in the outdoors. You will also experience the emotional release processes, movement, and Synergy Yoga Therapy designed to deepen awareness and connection with one’s true self. There will be time for journaling, meditation, and walking in nature to encourage relaxation, integration, and spiritual renewal.

COVERED IN THE TRAINING

- Practice and Techniques of Meditation
- Origins of Yoga
- Yoga Philosophy
- Purpose of Yoga
- Purpose of each Asana
- Benefit of each Asana
- Asana Practice
- Hands-on Corrections
- Jyotish Astrology as it relates to Yoga
- Science of Ayurveda as it relates to Yoga
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Nutrition
- Emotional Processing through Asana
- Relaxation
- Teaching Methodology

Certification requires completion of the Ten-Day Intensive and six-month Practicum. A yoga teaching certificate will be awarded following completion of Practicum program and final evaluation by Peri or a senior teacher. Ongoing education required to maintain certificate.

The Six-Month Practicum is designed for students to build a deep, strong foundation for becoming a powerful yoga teacher. Completion of this training provides students the ability to teach Synergy Yoga with confidence and love.

The training starts with the Ten-Day Intensive and is then followed by a 6 month Practicum. A structured set of six monthly home assignments will help deepen your understanding of the material received in the Ten-Day. There is a Five-Day Midterm and a Five-Day Final at the Synergy Yoga Center designed to help deepen your teaching and receive feedback. During the home study portion, you will develop a stronger connection to the posture flow through regular practice, learn the philosophy of yoga, and start to build teaching skills. You will receive feedback on each monthly assignment from a senior/mentor teacher at the Synergy Yoga Center.

The Six-Month Practicum includes:
- Monthly readings
- Homework assignments with feedback given from a Synergy Yoga Mentor Teacher
- Regular practice of yoga and meditation
- Learning and teaching both the Original Synergy Yoga and Gentle posture flows
- Teaching and feedback from a Synergy Yoga Mentor Teacher
- Attendance of a Five-day Midterm and a Five-day Final at the Synergy Yoga Center with founder, Peri Ness DeFay
- Mentor nights

The Five-Day Midterm/Finals are held at the Synergy Yoga Center several times per year. These workshops are designed to improve your teaching skills. The workshops include:
Practice teaching
Constructive feedback from founder Peri Ness DeFay and other Synergy Yoga Mentor Teachers
Learning to give and receive hands-on corrections
Posture clinics
Teaching the Synergy Flow to elderly or disabled students in a chair
Teaching the Synergy Flow to pregnant students
Lectures on how to open your own business

Finally, the Practicum program also includes a final evaluation from founder, Peri Ness DeFay. During the practicum, you are welcome (upon request and approval) to teach a community class at the Synergy Yoga Center held Wednesday evenings. It is a great way to practice and receive feedback.

After graduation teachers are encouraged to come back to the Synergy Yoga Center to participate in any Ten-Day Intensive, Practicum Midterm/Final or Posture Clinic to receive further ongoing education certificates. Our on ongoing education program helps ensure you remain among the best trained yoga teachers anywhere. The Synergy Yoga Center is committed to supporting its Practicum Students and Certified Teachers by answering questions via email or phone. Furthermore, they will receive a monthly newsletter for Synergy Yoga teachers worldwide.

Mentor nights

The Synergy Yoga Center offers mentor night every Monday night where apprentice and practicum students come together to practice teaching. Students receive feedback in a loving and supportive environment from a Synergy Yoga Mentor Teacher. This is great way to practice your teaching, dialog, and ability to give verbal and hands-on corrections. It also gives you an opportunity to meet and share with other students. Mentor nights help develop your teaching skills and prepare you for your final evaluation with founder, Peri Ness DeFay. Non-local students are encouraged to join Mentor nights when they are in town. Frequently they setup their schedule to allow them to come to mentor nights before or after Midterm/Finals when they are in town.
 

One-on-One class with a Mentor Teacher

Synergy Yoga Mentor Teachers are available (extra fee applies) for one-on-one classes. These sessions can be used to deepen your personal practice or your teaching. These classes can allow you to receive individualized feedback on your:
- Dialogue
- Verbal and hands-on corrections
- Timing
- Overall readiness as a teacher and to pass final evaluation
 

Level 1 — Standard

Hours: 500
Ten-Day Intensive
Six-Month Practicum
Pass Final Evaluation
Highly Recommended: Posture Clinic, Synergy Yoga Retreat
 

Level 2 — Apprenticeship

Hours: 1000 (500 additional hours to Level 1)
Completion of Level 1 : Standard
Intern Apprenticeship Program at the Synergy Yoga Center
Pass Final Evaluation
Available to non-local and international students by special permission and arrangement
 

Level 3 — Advanced

Hours: 3000
Completion of Level 2 : Intermediate
Internship Program at the Synergy Yoga Center
Pass Final Evaluation
Thesis
 

How Synergy Yoga Differs From Other Styles

Synergy Yoga is a systematic approach to Hatha Yoga suitable for all levels of ability from beginning to advanced. The Synergy Yoga Original flow is a series of 39 standing and floor asanas, taught in a heated room for approximately one-hour-and-thirty-minutes. The Synergy Yoga Gentle flow is designed for beginners and those with injuries. It is approximately one-hour-and-fifteen-minutes, and is taught in a non-heated room. Click here for more info on Synergy Yoga classes.

Founder Peri Ness DeFay carries on the tradition of Hatha Yoga as it was taught by Bishnu Ghosh at his renowned Ranchi school in India. Bishnu Ghosh is the brother of Paramahansa Yogananda (author of the most popular book on yoga, The Autobiography of a Yogi, and founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship).

Peri has maintained the authenticity of the flow as it was taught to her. While other Yoga systems have been westernized to focus largely on the physical body and the ego, Synergy Yoga is taught as Yoga is meant to be taught; connecting body, mind and soul in a single integrated practice. It is like no other yoga system on the planet.

Open Your Own Yoga Studio / Teaching At An Existing Studio

The Synergy Yoga Teacher Training program is designed to produce the world’s best Yoga teachers, preparing you to open your own Yoga studio or teach at an existing studio. The Five-Day Midterm/Final (part of the Practicum) includes lectures on the business of Yoga.

The Synergy Yoga Center staff and Mentor Teachers are available to answer your question after certification, including questions on the flow, how to support students with special injuries or advice on financial models for your own business.

The Synergy Yoga Center also has a line of products to support you including video and audio tapes, charts and books. These are sold to certified teachers at a discount so that you may resale them to your students.

Why Synergy Yoga Teachers are the Best Trained Teachers

The Teacher Training program at the Synergy Yoga Center develops highly qualified teachers. Here’s why:

Through the Teacher Training program you will have an opportunity to learn under Peri Ness DeFay, founder of Synergy Yoga. Peri started her study of yoga at the age of two and spent 10 years studying under Mani Finger and others who were direct disciples of Bishnu Ghosh (brother of Paramahansa Yogananda). Yogananda directly initiated Mani Finger into Kriya Yoga.

Founder Peri Ness DeFay has refined the Ten-Day Intensive and Practicum Program over the past 14 years. Peri creates a loving environment of respect and understanding, the foundation on which the teaching skills are learned.

The six-month home study program with the Ten-Day Intensive and Five-Day Midterm and Finals are an ideal balance of individual time to develop your practice and teaching with group time to get in-depth feedback from Peri and senior teachers.

You learn how to give proper hands-on corrections in every asana in the flow. This is not a part of most teacher training programs. Learning to give hands-on corrections with confidence allows you to safely assist your students in deepening their practice and providing a deeper connection between teacher and student.

The program is designed to holistically prepare you on all levels: intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, to teach yoga.

Founder Peri Ness DeFay has remained loyal and true to the source of the Synergy Yoga flow. This means you are teaching a system that has been scientifically developed and tested through the generations. As Synergy Yoga teachers, you will be expected to uphold the traditions embodied in Synergy Yoga.