SYLLABUS
Ananda Spiritual Counseling® Training

We are not currently accepting new students in the Ananda Yoga Therapy Training

Course Contact Hours: Total 24 (Residential)

Prerequisite

Students must complete Meditation Teacher Training Level 1 if their goal is to receive a Meditation Teacher Training level 2 certification. This training can also be taken by people who have not taken MTT level 1, who are not looking for a level 2 certification, in which there is no prerequisite.

Teaching Format

This is a 5-day residential course which includes a combination of lecture, discussion, experiential, practice teaching, and student teaching and practicum.

Course Description

This one-week program includes specialized exercises, introspection, practice counseling, and faculty feedback. Part of the training is focused on learning about oneself-- strengths and weaknesses, and one’s reactions to different situations. When students counsel others, they can remain even-minded and neutral because of the self-introspection they gave to their own lives.
Students deepen their knowledge and understanding of how to counsel others effectively and to help bring out their students’ divine nature. The aspect of faith and trust in a higher power is also being presented and discussed, to help the students re-evaluate their own belief system and clarify their own relationship with the divine. All the awareness and skills developed during this course will enable the yoga therapist to function more effectively and sensitively.

Faculty: Ananda Ministers

Nayaswami Diksha McCord, BSc, BA, Level 2 Ananda Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Nayaswami Mangala Loper-Powers, RN, MN, NP, E-RYT 500, Ananda Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT

Required Texts/Reading Materials

Students must also read the Spiritual Counseling Training Manual, which is included in the course.

Reading Assignments

• Spiritual Counseling Training Manual Table of Contents

  Part 1. Intuition
  Part 2. Principles of Spiritual Counseling
  Part 3. Listening and Asking Questions
  Part 4. Level of Consciousness
  Part 5. Dealing with Illness and Death
  Part 6. Building a Spiritual Foundation

• After the training, we will send you a link to a 2-hour DVD, “The Art of Spiritual Counseling” with Swami Kriyananda, which you need to watch to complete your requirements.
• Recommended reading: Walters, J. Donald., and Devi Novak. Intuition for Starters: How to Know and Trust Your Inner Guidance. Nevada City, CA: Crystal Clarity, 2002. Print. It is not required, but is often referenced.

Learning Objectives

Spiritual counseling is an art, and yet there are tools that can be learned and techniques one can practice. Students will learn how to develop their own intuitive abilities so that they can listen to others in the right way. What are their underlying feelings? What questions can you ask to help lead them to their own solutions?

During this course, students will learn how to:

• Cultivate and recognize true intuition
• Listen to, and assess, one’s intuitive feelings
• Listen to someone’s higher self from their own higher self
• Avoid the temptation to try and “fix” people
• Look for solutions, instead of being overwhelmed by the problem
• Recognize subconscious, conscious, and superconscious thinking in themselves and others.
• Learn how to ask the questions that will open doorways for the
  other person.
• Evaluate one’s own belief system and your relationship with the divine. Watch for your biases and prejudiced ways of thinking
• Find solutions for one’s own challenges, through attuning to higher consciousness, and through meditation.

Subject Matter/IAYTCompetencies Covered

Section 1. Yoga Foundations

Category 1.1. Yoga Teachings and Philosophy
1.1.1 Familiarity with the evolution of the teachings and philosophy of the yoga tradition and its relevance and application to yoga therapy, including teachings from Vedic and post-Vedic periods, Samkhya, Yoga, Tantra, and Ayurveda. Examples of concepts and models from the above teachings and philosophy relevant to yoga therapy, include but are not limited to,
a. tanmatra/bhuta/indriya (subtle element/gross elements/senses);
b. purusha/prakrti (consciousness/material world);
c. pancamaya kosha (dimensions of the human system);
e. duhkha (suffering/discomfort).

Category 1.2. Yoga and the Mind
1.2.1 Knowledge of yoga perspectives on the structure, states, functioning, and conditions of the mind, including, but not limited to,
1.2.1.1 drashtr (seer), drshya (seen);
1.2.1.2 antahkarana citta (consciousness), buddhi (intellect), ahamkara (ego), manas (mind);
1.2.1.3 citta vrtti (activities of the mind), citta parinama (structural changes in the mind), vyutthana/nirodha (mind's potential for distraction and focus);
1.2.1.4 artha (cognition), bhava (mood), svabhava (inborn nature), vasana (residue of experience), samskara (conditioned pattern of thinking and behavior); and
1.2.1.5 states of mind: mudha (stupefied/dull), kshipta (disturbed), vikshipta (alternating between distraction and focus), ekagrata (one-pointed), nirodha (focus enveloped/held/ restrained), vaishvanara (waking), taijasa (dream), prajña (deep sleep), turiya (beyond).

Section 2. Biomedical and Psychological Foundations

Category 2.1. Anatomy and Physiology
2.1.1 Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, including all major systems of the body and their interrelationships, as relevant to the work of a yoga therapist.

Category 2.3. Psychology and Mental Health
2.3.2 Basic knowledge of psychological concepts and terminology, including mood, cognition, behavior, and personality, as relevant to the work of a yoga therapist.

Category 2.4. Additional Knowledge
2.4.1 Familiarity with models of human development, including developmental stages, lifecycles, and personality, and their importance to medical and psychological health and well-being.
2.4.2 Familiarity with the influence of familial, social, cultural, and religious conditioning on mental and medical perspectives of health and healing.

Category 2.5. Body and Mind Integration
2.5.1 Knowledge of the interaction of the body, breath, mind, intellect, and emotions in health and well-being.

Section 3. Yoga Therapy Tools and Therapeutic Skills

Category 3.1. Yoga Therapy Tools
3.1.2 In-depth knowledge of the range of yoga practices and their potential therapeutic effects for common conditions Practices may include, but are not limited to,
3.1.2.1 asana (postures);
3.1.2.2 pranayama (regulated breathing);
3.1.2.3 meditation and relaxation techniques such as bhavana (visualization), mantra (recitation),

Category 3.2. Basic Principles of the Therapeutic Relationship
3.2.1. In-depth knowledge of, and observed capacity for, well-developed communication skills: listening, presence, directive and non-directive dialogue.
3.2.2. Demonstrated ability to recognize, adjust, and adapt to specific client/student needs in the evolving therapeutic/professional relationship.
3.2.3. Demonstrated ability to recognize and manage the subtle dynamics inherent in the therapist/client relationship.
3.2.4. In-depth Knowledge of the scope of practice of yoga therapy and how to assess the need for referral to other professional services.

Category 3.3. Principles and Skills for Educating Clients/Students
3.3.1. In-depth knowledge of and demonstrated ability to implement effective teaching methods, adapt to unique styles of learning, provide supportive and effective feedback, acknowledge the client's/student's progress, and cope with unique difficulties/successes.
3.3.2. In-depth knowledge of and demonstrated ability to transmit the value of self-awareness and self- responsibility throughout the therapeutic process.
3.3.3. In-depth knowledge of and demonstrated ability to develop and adjust appropriate practice strategies to the client/student.

Section 5. Professional Practice

Category 5.1. Ethical Principles
5.1.1 In-depth knowledge of yoga practices and methods for self-inquiry related to establishing, practicing, and maintaining ethical principles.
5.1.3 Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of generally accepted ethical principles and related concepts from the yoga tradition to professional interactions and relationships.
5.1.5 Knowledge of the extent of one's own individual training, skills, and evolving experience in yoga therapy, and knowledge of the importance of practicing within such parameters.

Category 5.4. Personal and Professional Development and Continuing Education
5.4.1 Knowledge of the fundamental value of ongoing personal practice, long-term mentorship, and skills maintenance/development through continuing education.
5.4.2 Knowledge of when and how to seek advice and support for case consultation, educational advancement, and personal practice.

Course Completion Requirements

Students have demonstrated understanding of course learning objectives by their supervised practicum, attendance at all lectures, participation in practice teaching sessions, and all workshops. In addition, the completion of reading the Spiritual Counseling manual and completing the homework assignment (Introspection Exercise—done during the course) is required.