About the Yoga Centre in DHARAMSALA:

Where exactly is the Yoga Centre in Dharamsala located?

The Centre is located in Village Dharamkot, just above McLeod Ganj (also known as 'Upper Dharamsala'). It is possible to take a bus directly to McLeod Ganj from several major cities in Northern India. When you arrive in Dharamsala, take a bus (8 Rupees) or shared jeep (10 Rupees) up to McLeod Ganj. From there, you can walk (20 minutes) or take a rickshaw to Dharamkot and ask the driver to take down the trail to the Yoga Centre just a short distance before the rickshaw stand in Dharamkot. Look for the Centre's bright yellow-orange signs just above the trail. You can also take a rickshaw to Village Bhagsunag (~30 Rupees) and walk up the trail to the Centre (10 minutes). The Centre consists of two large semi circular buildings and a yellow house, andis situated near the footpath between Dharamkot and Bhagsunag. 'Dev Cottages' is a good landmark to use, if coming by rickshaw or taxi.

How do I get to the Centre in Dharamsala?
There are two main ways of getting to Dharamsala, or more specifically, McLeod Ganj. The first way is to take a direct government or private bus directly to Dharamsala and/or McLeod Ganj from many major cities in Northern India such as Kulu, Mandi, Dheradun, Rishikesh, Agra or Delhi. Another way to travel to McLeod Ganj is to take a night train from Delhi to Pathankot and then take a bus from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj. Train reservations can easily be made at the Foreigners Reservation Office at the railway stations in Mumbai, Madras, Calcutta and Delhi. Payments can be made in English Pounds or U.S. Dollars. If you are paying in Indian Rupees, you may be required to show an encashment certificate.

When is the Centre open?
The Centre operates during the Spring, Summer and Autumn Seasons, from early April until the end of October. We move to the Arambol Centre in North Goa for the Winter Season, from the beginning of November until the end of March.

Is there accommodation available?
There are 2 to 3 rooms available at the Centre, let out on a weekly basis. Kitchen facilities are available for residents. There are plenty of guesthouses located near the Centre as well. The average price of a room in the vicinity is INR 150 onwards, depending on the facilities provided.

Is food available at the Centre?
At present, no facility for food is available. To reduce the amount of plastic bottles in the area, which are extremely harmful to the local environment, we provide safe filtered drinking water free to all Yoga students at the Dharamsala Centre.

What are the weather conditions?
During March and the beginning of April, it can be quite cold so warm winter clothing and footwear are essential. Although guest houses usually provide extra blankets, a sleeping bag is useful. In May and June, the nights are often cold and the days are usually hot. A waterproof jacket and umbrella are also necessary during this time. You can purchase Western-, Tibetan- and Indian-style clothing and footwear for all weather conditions at reasonable rates in the surrounding local markets.

About the Yoga Centre in ARAMBOL, NORTH GOA:

How to get to the Centre in Arambol?
From Delhi and Mumbai several trains go to Goa. The destination station is either Pernem (from which there is a direct bus connection to Arambol) or Madgaon. From Madgaon or other places in Goa there are government and private buses to Panjim or Mapusa. From Panjim or Mapusa you can take a taxi or bus to Arambol. From Goa Airport the easiest is a taxi, which should charge no more than Rs. 1,000. The centre is located in Madhlo Vaddo about 10 minutes walk from the Church in Arambol, then left and after 1 minute walk again left. It is right next to Piya’s guest house and Panda's Tai Chi Garden. You can see the Centre's yoga banners both from the beach and from the road.

When is the Goa Centre open?
The Centre in Goa operates during the Winter Season, from early November until the end of March.

Is accommodation and food available at the Centre?
We offer basic, comfortable huts with common toilets and showers at the rates of 250 INR (single occupancy) and 300 INR (double occupancy). Lockers in the huts are provided for valuables. The minimum occupancy is one week, from Thursday to Tuesday. It is advisable to secure huts by paying a 50% deposit by Western Union to Pawan Kumar, and to send an email confirming the booking, with transaction number, name of the sender, and from where it was sent. At present, no facility for food is available, but there are a variety of dining options just outside the Centre..

What is the weather like in Arambol from November to March?
The weather is very pleasant during these months. Light summer clothing and beach wear are essential during the days. However, the evenings can become quite cool.

About our COURSES:

Five-day Courses

Can I register for a Five-day Course on the internet or via email?
No, it is not possible to register for any HIYC course on the internet or via email.

Then how do I register for the Five-day Yoga Courses, and what is the cost?
At the Dharamsala Centre, there is an introductory talk about the Centre and the offered courses every Monday at 1:30pm. After the meeting, you can register for a Five-day Course, which begins every Thursday at 9.00 am. The introductory meeting offers a chance to personally discuss medical issues and conditions with Sharat, so that your ability to complete the Yoga course and any special practice you may require can be assessed.

The Five-day Course begins every Friday at 8.00 am. You can come an hour earlier before the Course starts, to submit Course fees.

If you are unable to book your participation in the Course beforehand, please come to our Centre 1 hour prior to the start of the Course to check for space and register. Classes are generally full; therefore, we cannot guarantee a place until the registration form and full payment are submitted. The fee for the Five-day Course is 2500 INR and it decreases after the second week by 200-300 Rupees. The class duration is between 2.5 and 3 hours per day.

I have practiced Iyengar Yoga for the last ten years and am a qualified Yoga teacher. Do I still have to do the Five-day Course for Beginners?
Everyone - and this really means everyone - who comes to the Centre for the first time must start with the Five-day Course for Beginners, regardless of how much Yoga experience they have or how advanced their practice is. This applies even if you are a qualified Iyengar Yoga teacher. This Course is also a pre-requisite for many of the other Courses offered at HIYC.

During the Course, we work on the foundations of Yoga in a unique way - which has been, and continues to be, personally researched and designed by Sharat. These foundations are often overlooked in other types of Yoga. After successfully completing the Beginners Course, students are able to continue the Continuing Students Course, which is taught early in the morning.

Can you tell me a few details about the Five-day Course for Beginners?
These Courses are designed to introduce the Iyengar method of Yoga to the beginner student and to provide a working knowledge of how to continue one's daily practice after the course is completed. Bu they are taught in such a way that experienced Yoga students will also benefit. Corrective, rejuvenating/energizing and relaxing/meditative postures are the focus. Those with health conditions are given specific therapeutic attention and guidelines. This course provides a fundamental framework and inspires one to explore deeper within.

Students who continue beyond the first Five-day course are taught additional postures and guided by Sharat, according to the pace at which they develop.

Will I be able to learn Pranayama during the Five-day Yoga Courses?
No, Pranayama is not taught during the Five-day Yoga Courses. It is only taught during the Intensive, Special and Teachers Training Courses.

Intensive, Special and Teachers Training Courses (TTC)

What is the schedule for the TTC, Special Courses and Intensive Courses over the next year?
On the 'Schedule' page, you will find the descriptios and the schedule and exact dates of the courses offered throughout the coming year.

How can I apply for a place in one of these courses?
There are special requirements for these courses. The requirements are as follows:

• For the Intensive Courses, you must have completed 3 rounds of Five-day Courses;
• For the Special Courses, you must also have completed 3 rounds of Five-day Courses;
• For the Teachers Training Course, you must have completed one Intensive Course in previous years or just before the start of the TTC.

In addition to the above requirements, there is an interview with Sharat.

Once again, it is not possible to book placement in any courses by e-mail. If you decide to do one of the Intensive, Special or Teachers Training Courses, payment of an advanced deposit is required to secure a place. Participation in these Courses is only allowed once the above requirements are met and approval from Sharat is obtained. Otherwise, your deposit will be returned.

Can you tell me a little more about the Intensive Yoga Course?
The Intensive Course - spanning two to three weeks, six days per week - is designed for those students who have taken a strong interest in furthering their Yoga practice and who wish to undertake an extensive exploration of this science. A requirement of 3 Five-day Courses is an essential prerequisite. The daily program includes one hour of Pranayama, four hours of Asanas, two and a half hours of self-practice of inversions, relaxation and meditation, as well as one hour of Karma Yoga. Two healthy vegetarian meals, along with afternoon tea, are provided daily to all course participants. In addition to these Yoga practices, the Course also features one lecture by Sharat and one to two taped lectures/ talks on ayurveda per week.

The Intensive Courses should be considered a retreat, where a student can devote oneself entirely to self-exploration, change and transformation. The courses are rigorous and the daily program very thorough - beginning in the early morning and continuing until sunset - leaving very little or no time for other activities. We, therefore, advise participants to come prepared with all their personal needs prior to the commencement of the Course. All aspects of Yoga are learned on an experiential level, and dramatic changes are often felt by students.

Can you tell me a little more about the Special Yoga Course?
Our Special Courses usually last for 10 days and focus on a specific topic within Yoga practice.

Can you tell me a little more about the TTC?
The Teacher's Training Course offered at the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre is a five-week long, rigorous course (including three weeks of the Intensive Course, focusing on a specific theme). It is designed for motivated practitioners who wish to make the spiritual path of Yoga a way of life and who eventually want to teach others how to walk the same path.

Students participating in the Teachers Training Course will be provided with two healthy vegetarian meals, along with afternoon tea on a daily basis. The daily schedule, course structure and retreat atmosphere is the same as the Intensive Courses. It is expected that self practice is completed each day, before the morning class begins. The first three weeks consists of a regular Intensive Course, which is a prerequisite to the Teachers Training Course. The Intensive Course informs our own practice, whereas the following two weeks focus on the pedagogical aspects of Yoga, including: teaching/instruction, motivating, correcting, as well as diagnosing and treating ailments ("Yoga therapy"). During this time, we work with a group of Beginner Students to demonstrate and practice how to make corrections. Trainees learn how to assess the students' individual needs in order to provide them with a helpful practice. The details of each pose are thoroughly explored, making them work for each of our students. Every Trainee has the chance to teach the positions and gain confidence in their instruction and understanding.

Completion of the Teachers Training Course (TTC) does not certify one to teach Yoga - it is only the beginning of a longer program to obtain teaching qualifications.

How do I obtain a teaching certification from the Centre?
Once the initial TTC has been completed, the Teachers Training Program takes three years to finish. This period involves keeping in regular contact with Sharat, doing at least four Five-day Courses, and assisting in an additional four Five-day Courses per year. It is strongly recommended that Teacher Trainees complete the assisting requirements for the first year, immediately following completion of the TTC.

During the third and final year, one must complete a second TTC. In addition to the practical training classes, the Teacher Trainee is required to complete creative research papers on each of the following subjects, in consultation with Sharat:

• Anatomy and physiology;
• Patanjali's Yoga Sutras;
• Hatha Pradipaka;
• Comparison of two religions; &
• Ayurvedic medicine

OTHER Questions and Answers:

While I am studying at HIYC, I wish to become more involved with the Centre. Is there any way I may contribute?
Yes! "Helping out" or the path of Karma Yoga, is an essential aspect of the life and culture at the Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre. Any contribution is much appreciated and much needed. When you arrive at the Centre, please let us know if you are interested in volunteering and mention any special talents you possess. In addition to the help needed to maintain the Centre, we have ongoing community and environmental projects that need your help.