Welcome to the VBY
Tantric Meditation Teacher Training
~Level I~
Module 1 | Learning How to Practice
This module will provide an overview of meditation and give you the foundation for an enriching & sustainable personal practice. Please complete all of the lectures, practices, assignments, and your Module 1 quiz before moving onto Module 2. If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a private mentoring session, please reach out to us at: admin@virabhavayoga.com
This training is the intellectual property of Vira Bhava Yoga and shall not be reproduced or shared without permission from Vira Bhava Yoga. Thank you for honoring our hard work!
SECTION 1: Introduction to the Online Tantric Meditation Teacher Training (Level I)
Welcome to the VBY 40hr Online Tantric Meditation Teacher Training! We are so excited to share this course with you. This program will provide you with a series of recorded lectures, practices, supplemental materials, and assignments. To get the most out of this training, we recommend moving through the modules in order, & completing all of the work in each module (including each sadhana, or personal practice assignment) before moving onto the next. In order to receive your graduation certificate and qualify for CEUs with Yoga Alliance, you must complete all assignments & pass the quiz at the end of each module. If you have any questions, or if you run into any trouble with your course, please reach out to us at: admin@virabhavayoga.com
Course Materials:
Digital Workbook: Download and/or print your Student Workbook prior to diving in. This manual provides lecture guides, written instructions for each of the practices you will learn, and plenty of space to reflect on your experience as you go.
A Vira Bhava Yoga Welcome
Before diving into our meditation-specific content, we should introduce ourselves. Watch this video to get to know who we are, how we teach, and a little bit about what you can expect from this course.
Creating a Sacred Space
Watch this short video where Kelly explains the importance of creating & dedicating space for your practice & exploration throughout the course of your training. Using what you learn here & the information on page 5 of your Student Workbook, take some time to set up your space before moving on.
SECTION 2: What is Meditation?
Let’s start with the basics. Before watching the following short lectures, take a moment to answer these questions based on your current understanding: What is meditation? What are some approaches to meditation that you are familiar with? (This is just for you, so don’t worry about “getting it wrong”)
Intro to Meditation
Before diving into the nuances of Tantric meditation, let’s build a foundation of understanding around meditation more generally. Watch this lecture & answer the questions on page 6 of your Student Workbook.
SECTION 3: How We Practice
In this section, you’ll learn the how to sit for meditation, and be guided through your first practice!
Finding Your Seat
Follow along with VBY’s primary asana teacher & learn how to find a truly comfortable seat. Take some time to find what works for you, and answer the questions on page 7 of your Student Workbook before moving on to the practice below.
Practice: Antahkarana Meditation
Before completing your first practice in this course, please use page 8 in your Student Workbook to make some observations about how you’re feeling. Then, find a comfortable seat and practice along with the recording. Step-by-step instructions and space for reflection can be found on pages 8-10.
Watch this short video to learn more about the Antahkarana practice & why we teach it. Make any relevant notes in your Student Workbook on page 11 and answer the questions posed in the video.
SECTION 4: Sadhana Assignment #1
At Vira Bhava Yoga, we believe that personal practice (sadhana) is paramount. Before moving on to Module 2, please complete a 10-day sadhana with the above Antahkarana practice. As you progress through 10 consecutive days of practice, use pages 12-13 in your Student Workbook or keep a journal and make notes about your experience- both how you feel in the meditation, and anything you notice about your experience throughout each of the 10 days.
MODULE 1 QUIZ: Before moving on, please complete your Module 1 quiz. Completion of each of the module quizzes is required in order to receive your graduation certificate & be eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
Tantric Meditation Teacher Training
~Level I~
Module 2 | The Pathway to Knowing
This module will provide a more in-depth exploration of Tantra and Tantric meditation specifically. We will explore what Tantric meditation is, how it’s different from other styles of meditation, and lay out the facets of meditation that make it Tantric. Please complete all of the lectures, writing prompts, practices, sadhana assignment, and your Module 2 quiz before moving onto Module 3. If you have questions or would like to schedule a private mentor call, reach out to us at: admin@virabhavayoga.com
SECTION 1: What is Tantric Meditation?
Now that we’ve laid a foundation of meditation more generally, let’s talk about Tantric meditation, and how it diverges from other approaches.
Intro to Tantra
Before we dive into Tantric meditation, it’s helpful to have an understanding of Tantra and Tantric philosophy more generally. Watch this live-recorded lecture and follow along by answering the questions on page 15 of your Student Workbook.
Intro to Tantric Meditation
So, what is Tantric meditation, and how do we practice it? In this live-recorded video lecture, we will explore the purpose of Tantric meditation, and lay out the primary facets of practice. Follow along, and answer the questions on page 16 of your Student Workbook.
SECTION 2: The Facets of Tantric Meditation
Introduction to Prana
Tantric meditation is unique in that it works at the level of prana, or energy, as opposed to the mind. Watch this short video to get a basic understanding of prana, and follow along by answering the questions on page 17 of your Student Workbook.
Practice: Pure Breathing
Before doing this practice, use page 18 to make some observations about how you’re feeling. Then, find a comfortable seat and enjoy this subtle pranic practice. Step-by-step instructions and space for reflection can be found on pages 19-20 of your Student Workbook.
Sankalpa
Learn about Sankalpa in this short video, and reflect on page 21 in your Student Workbook.
Mantra
Mantra is one of the primary facets of any Tantric meditation. Read pages 22-27 in your Student Workbook to get an understanding of mantra itself, and a few of the mantras that are considered to be “unlocked”- in other words, available to anyone, without the initiation of a teacher. Use the adjacent buttons in this section to access audio recordings of the Gayatri and Maha Mrityunjaya Mantras (explanations on p 26 & 27).
SECTION 3: Sadhana as a Pillar of Tantric Meditation
Sadhana
In this short video, Kelly speaks to the importance of Sadhana in Tantric Meditation. Use the space on page 28 to take notes as you watch.
The Primary Practice: Prana Dharana
A component of many Tantric meditations, Prana Dharana is a simple practice of following, harnessing, and concentrating prana. Before doing the practice, use page 29 to make some observations about how you’re feeling. Then, find a comfortable seat and practice along with the recording. Step-by-step instructions and space for reflection can be found on pages 30-31 of your Student Workbook.
SECTION 4: Sadhana Assignment #2
Before moving on to Module 3, please complete a 10-day (or longer if you wish!) sadhana with the above Prana Dharana practice. As you progress through 10 consecutive days of practice, use the space on pages 32-33 of your Student Workbook (and/or keep a journal) to make notes about your experience- both how you feel in the meditation, and anything you notice about your experience throughout each of the 10 days.
MODULE 2 QUIZ: Before moving on, please complete your Module 2 quiz. Completion of each of the module quizzes is required in order to receive your graduation certificate & be eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
Tantric Meditation Teacher Training
~Level I~
Module 3 | Transition From Student to Teacher
In this module, you will begin to build your skillset as a meditation facilitator. This module includes lectures, practices, and writing assignments. Take your time, and be sure to complete both your 3rd sadhana assignment and Module 3 quiz before moving on to your final module. As always, if you have questions or desire a one-on-one mentor meeting, reach out to reach out to us at: admin@virabhavayoga.com
SECTION 1: Holding Space as a Teacher
Stepping into the role of a teacher requires disciplined personal practice, but that’s not all it takes. In this section, we’ll explore some of the skill sets necessary to hold sacred space for others, and to maintain integrity in the process.
Pause & Reflect
Before watching your first lecture, take a moment to reflect on your relationship with boundaries. How do you set them in your daily life? How do you hold them? If you’re already a teacher or facilitator, what are your boundaries with students? Use the space on page 35 of your Student Workbook to answer these questions.
Boundary Building
In this lecture, Kelly explains the importance of setting & holding boundaries as a teacher & facilitator. Follow along and answer the questions on page 36 of your Student Workbook.
SECTION 2: Facilitating Exploration in Community
Part of our role as teachers is to facilitate not only the practices themselves, but the processing & exploration of those practices in a community of practitioners, also known as satsang.
Leading Groups
In this lecture, Kelly offers some suggestions for leading groups in satsang & Tantric meditation. Follow along & answer the questions on page 37 of your Student Workbook.
Writing Assignment: Preparing to Lead
Follow the instructions on page 38 of your Student Workbook to create a brief introduction to one of the practices from your first two modules. Consider how this practice was meaningful to you, and how you might convey that to your students. You will be asked to submit this assignment as a part of your Module 3 Quiz.
SECTION 3: Practices for Steadiness
Each of the following practices are great for both the seasoned practitioner & general population, and can be used to cultivate steadiness amidst feelings of overwhelm.
Practice: Sama Vritti
Before doing the practice, use page 39 to make some observations about how you’re feeling. Then, find a comfortable seat for meditation & practice along with this simple yet powerful practice. Step-by-step instructions and space for reflection can be found on pages 40-41 of your Student Workbook.
Practice: Om Kriya
Before doing the practice, use page 42 to make some observations about how you’re feeling. Then, find a comfortable seat and practice along with the recording. Step-by-step instructions and space for reflection can be found on page 43-44 of your Student Workbook.
Learn More: Om Kriya
Watch this short video to learn more about the Om Kriya practice & why we teach it. Make any relevant notes on page 45 in your Student Workbook.
SECTION 4: Sadhana Assignment #3
Before moving on to your final module, please complete a 20-day (or longer if you wish!) sadhana with one of the two practices offered in this module (Sama Vritti or Om Kriya). As you progress through 20 consecutive days of practice, use pages 46-47 (and/or keep a journal) to make notes about your experience- both how you feel in the meditation, and anything you notice about your experience throughout each of the 20 days. You might also start to consider how you would describe this meditation to someone who’s never experienced it. What is the felt-sense of this practice, for you?
MODULE 3 QUIZ: Before moving on, please complete your Module 3 quiz. Completion of each of the module quizzes is required in order to receive your graduation certificate & be eligible for CEUs with Yoga Alliance.
Tantric Meditation Teacher Training
~Level I~
Module 4 | Cultivating Your Voice as a Teacher
At Vira Bhava Yoga, we believe that your teaching will only be as impactful for your students as it is meaningful for you. In your final module, we will be lecturing you less, and asking you to practice, reflect, and integrate the teachings a whole lot more. As always, if you have questions or desire a one-on-one mentor meeting, reach out to us at: admin@virabhavayoga.com
SECTION 1: What Makes an Authentic Teacher?
Finding Your Voice
In this short video, Kelly offers insight and tools to help you begin to translate the practices of Tantric Meditation into your own unique voice so that you may share them meaningfully & authentically with others. Watch the video and then spend some time reflecting on the questions posed on pages 49-50 of your Student Workbook.
SECTION 2: Practices for Building Capacity
In order to hold space for others in practice, we must be able to grow our capacity to engage with life- to stay open to experiencing more- and to digest, integrate, and assimilate our experiences so that they may be made meaningful for us and for those we hope to teach. The practices below serve to build capacity by using the power of prana to digest life’s experiences (Ocean Fire) and harness the energy of unconditional love, abundance, and support (Ocean of Enough).
Practice: Ocean Fire
Before doing this practice, use page 51 to make some observations about how you’re feeling. Then, find a comfortable seat and practice along with the recording. Step-by-step instructions and space for reflection can be found on pages 52-53 of your Student Workbook.
Learn More: Ocean Fire
Watch this short video to learn more about the Ocean Fire practice & why we teach it. Make any relevant notes in your Student Workbook on page 54.
Practice: Ocean of Enough
Before doing this practice, use page 55 to make some observations about how you’re feeling. Then, find a comfortable seat and practice along with the recording. Step-by-step instructions and space for reflection can be found on pages 56-57 of your Student Workbook.
Learn More: Ocean of Enough
Watch this short video to learn more about the Ocean of Enough practice & why we teach it. Make any relevant notes in your Student Workbook on page 58.
SECTION 3: 40-Day Sadhana
Before moving on to your final project, you will complete a final sadhana of 40 consecutive days with a practice of your choosing, from those you’ve learned in this course:
Work with the prompts on page 59 of your Student Workbook to help you determine which practice would be of the greatest benefit to you at this time.
Once you’ve chosen your practice, you may begin your final sadhana at any time. Look to page 60 in your Student Workbook for more information about this assignment. You must complete 40 consecutive days in order to receive your graduation certificate.
Upon completion of 40 consecutive days of practice, please write a brief (no longer than 1-2 pages) reflection on your experience. Include the name of the practice you chose & why you chose it, and use the questions on page 60 of your Student Workbook to guide your reflection.
You will submit your reflection along with your Final Project assignment (below) via email to kelsey@virabhavayoga.com.
SECTION 4: Sharing Your Voice (Final Project)
Welcome to the culminating project for your Level 1 Tantric Meditation Teacher Training! By now, you've completed several independent sadhanas, and had direct experience with at least 4 distinct Tantric meditations for 10 or more consecutive days of practice. Now, it's your turn to share!
Your final project assignment is to script & record (via audio or video) yourself teaching one of the meditations you've had at least 10 consecutive days of practice with. Use the steps below (or on p. 61 of your Student Workbook) to guide your process.
Of the meditations you've practiced for at least 10 days, consider which has had the greatest positive impact on your life. Use the notes you made throughout each of your sadhanas, as well as any insight that's arisen thereafter to make this determination.
For the meditation you've chosen, write step-by-step instructions in your own voice. Consider how each of the directions landed or manifested in you as you practiced. How would you describe it differently? What words would you use? What imagery speaks to you?
Pulling from your direct experience with the meditation, prepare a brief introduction to the practice. What would you want your students to know about the practice they're about to do?
Teach it! Via video or audio, record yourself introducing AND teaching this practice, using the introduction & script you created in your own voice. You do not have to teach an actual group of students for this assignment, however you absolutely can!
Submit your final project recording along with your 1 page sadhana reflection via email to kelsey@virabhavayoga.com