NEW!

Yoga and Sports Intensive Program

Swami Sitaramananda, Ricky Williams (Rudra), Regis Chapman (Durgadas), Don Oyao

February 20 – 26

Course Details

The "Yoga and Sports Intensive Program" is a unique program bringing practical yogic knowledge and techniques to the world of competitive sports and athletics. This program will teach participants how to apply Swami Vishnudevananda's 5 points of Yoga to the everyday life of athletes, sportsmen, and sportswomen.

Today, yoga is becoming an integral component in contemporary athletic and sports training. Yoga is a holistic system teaching skills which many athletes seek, such as control over the mind, control over the body, good breathing habits, relaxation under pressure , highly developed concentration skills, and the ability to focus on the present. The importance of focus in sports is particularly obvious. The greatest athletes are legendary for their powers of concentration.

In competition, athletes at all ability levels tend to have a fear of losing, of other competitors, or of developing mental deterrents to excellent performance. Meditation is invaluable in overcoming these problems. One of the great benefits of yoga practice is to unite the forces of body and mind so that they are not at odds with one another. This is also of great benefit to athletes, sportsmen and sportswomen. Asanas and pranayama help to develop greater body awareness, and to build up vitality and concentration.

Yoga trains us to be our best every single moment, to hold ourselves to our highest standard and to go beyond our preconceived limitations. Yoga is helpful for all athletes to improve performance, reduce stress, prevent injury and to find balance on and off the field. Yoga can also be a stepping stone to the "zone" experience for athletes and sportspeople. 

The program includes performance testing and experiential workshops.  There will be workshops on Self Healing and Yoga for sportsmen and sportswomen, and teachings on the relationship between Yoga, Sports and Spirituality.

Curriculum

• Deep relaxation, asana and pranayama for Sports and Athletics
• Improving concentration and focus with yogic practices
• 5 Points of Yoga for Sports and Athletics
• 4 Paths of Yoga for Sports and Athletics
• Positive Thinking for Sports and Athletics
• Stress Management
• Body Alignment
• Body Balance
• Competition vs. Cooperation
• Self Healing and Yoga
• Experiential Testing (for example, muscles, lung capacity)

Daily Schedule

06:00 – 07:45am            Satsang (meditation, chanting and lecture/concert)

08:00 – 10:00am            Sivananda Yoga Class

10:00 – 11:00am            Brunch

11:00 – 12:00noon         Karma Yoga

12noon- 1:00pm             Workshop I

1:00 – 2:00pm               Break

2:00 – 4:00pm               Workshop II/experiential testing

4:00 – 6:00pm               Special Yoga for Sports asana class

6:00 – 7:00pm               Dinner

7:00 – 8:00pm               Free time

8:00 – 9:45pm               Satsang (meditation, chanting and lecture/concert)

Presenters

Swami Sitaramananda is the director of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California and a direct disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda. She has many years of experience teaching meditation techniques to students all over the world.

Ricky Williams (Rudra) is a professional NFL (National Football League) player and winner of the Heisman Trophy. He is also a Sivananda Yoga teacher with experience in teaching hatha yoga in Sivananda Ashrams around the world. 

Regis Chapman (Durgadas) is a professional coach of cyclists and endurance athletes who is also a Yogi and a yoga teacher. He will give teachings on the 5 points and 4 paths of Yoga and Sports, and will carry out testing and experiential workshops. 

Don Oyao is a Doctor of Chiropractic and Sports Scientist (specializing in sports injury) who has worked with athletes at the Olympic level. He will give workshops on Self Healing and Yoga.

Prerequisite

This program is open to all and may be especially beneficial to athletes and those who want to teach yoga to athletes.

Certification

Graduates of this course earn a certificate from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center.

Yoga Alliance Credit

Participants of this program who are registered yoga teachers may receive credit toward RYT500 with the Yoga Alliance.

Cost

Tuition fee is US$450 plus 8 nights’ accommodation. For accommodation rates, please see rates.

Special Offers

• 5% discount for simultaneous enrolment for two or more certification courses.
• 5% discount for two people enrolling for the course at the same time. 
(Discount offers cannot be combined)

For information on what to bring with you for your stay at the Yoga Retreat please see What To Bring.
 

Due to the popularity of our special programs and limited space we recommend that you reserve your accommodation with us in advance. For accommodation rates please see Rates.

Please register on line  or print the registration form, fill it in and fax it to the Yoga Retreat at Fax Number: 1-242-363-3783. Then call us to give a credit card deposit and to confirm your reservation at 1-866-446-5934, 1-800-441-2096 or 1-242-363-2902.

A non-refundable deposit of US$150 is required for reserving your accommodation. The balance is due on arrival at the Yoga Retreat. Please note that there will be no refund in case of cancellation. A credit note will be given.