Meditation & Pranayama Teacher Training

Established 2026

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Anahata Yoga Retreat

Program Instances

Hybrid

Dates: TBD

300 hours • TBD

Led by

Karma Karuna Saraswati

CYT-L3

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Purpose

A professional development course for yoga teachers, health and education professionals and those interested in guiding meditative techniques. Explore tools to support physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

What to expect

In-person 16-day residential at Anahata Yoga Retreat, Golden Bay, followed by an 8-week home study & practice period. A 150hr Teacher Training covering theory, applications & learning to instruct classical meditation and pranayama techniques.

Style/Lineage

Classical meditation and pranayama techniques will be explored from practical, scientific, psychological and lifestyle perspectives. Learn teaching tools to effectively share a range of meditative practices for differing client needs, including therapeutic applications.

Additional Information

Core competencies

By the end of this program, graduates will be able to…

Teaching Skills	Design a fully developed sequential course outline for a Meditation and Pranayama program that addresses diverse learner needs and reflects Level 2 teaching standards. Design and deliver a fully guided Meditation class that demonstrates confident instruction across all stages of a chosen technique, adapted for a specific student group. Create a Pranayama teaching practicum plan that progresses through multiple techniques, incorporates safety protocols, and adapts instruction to meet diverse student needs.
Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Apply knowledge of respiratory anatomy to guide students through Pranayama practices safely, including adaptations for students with respiratory or physical limitations. Design a lesson that bridges yogic philosophy of the mind with modern brain science, making both accessible and relevant for students at various levels of experience. Identify the Pancha Pranas, Nadis, and subtle body structures relevant to Pranayama and Meditation practice.
Practice Skills	Design a Kaya Sthairyam session that serves as a safe and effective gateway into a longer meditation class, adapted for students with varying physical needs. Create a complete Antar Mouna class plan tailored to a specific group, incorporating appropriate stage selection, contraindications, and teaching adaptations. Apply Ajapa Japa instruction techniques during a teaching practice session, guiding students through the stages with appropriate voice, language, and sensitivity. Apply Mantra Meditation techniques during guided practice, including Likhit Japa and spoken or silent repetition, using appropriate instruction and cultural respect. Design a progressive Pranayama curriculum that introduces techniques in a safe sequence, integrates yogic physiology, and adapts to diverse student populations. Apply Mudras and Bandhas safely in both personal practice and guided instruction, demonstrating awareness of contraindications and appropriate sequencing.
Yoga History & Theory	Apply knowledge of yogic philosophy to explain how Meditation and Pranayama fit within a balanced yogic lifestyle and class structure. Apply the principles of the Eight-Limbed Path to guide students from physical preparation through breath awareness into meditative absorption. Identify the Pancha Koshas, the major Chakras, and the Pancha Pranas, and recognize their relevance to Meditation and Pranayama practice. Identify key yogic concepts related to the mind, including Ahamkara, Chitta, the Indriyas, Antahkarana, and the Maha Bhutas. Identify the three Gunas—Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva—and recognize the key principles of Karma and Karma Yoga as taught in yogic philosophy.
Lifestyle & Ethics	Apply ethical guidelines in simulated client scenarios, demonstrating appropriate responses to emotional arising, student disclosures, and professional boundary situations. Describe the role of Bhakti Yoga, mantra, and Havan in the yogic tradition and explain how these practices support a balanced meditative lifestyle. Create a structured personal home practice plan that integrates Meditation, Pranayama, and preparatory practices into a sustainable and progressively deepening routine.
Business Skills	Identify the professional credentials, insurance requirements, and organizational memberships relevant to establishing a Meditation and Pranayama teaching practice. Design a Meditation and Pranayama program for a specific community context that integrates research findings, safety protocols, and culturally responsive teaching principles. Identify the key elements of a Meditation and Pranayama teacher's professional profile, including credentials, specialty areas, and target student populations.

AYC allows each school to state and evaluate the competencies each student acquires. Students rate how well the program delivered them.

Program Emphasis

Evaluation methods

Program evaluations

Students will be expected to to submit solo and group projects, complete oral.written exams, submissions, and demonstrate skills.

AYC Evaluations

AYC also requires the following experience for Level 2 Yoga Teacher badges:

4+ years teaching experience
sessions taught per year

More about AYC levels

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Program Faculty

Featured Faculty

Karma Karuna Saraswati

Sw. Karma Karuna is a IAYT Yoga Therapist, Somatic Trauma Therapist and writer trained in the Bihar School of Yoga lineage with 30 plus years of experience, specialising in Yoga Nidra, Nervous System Balance, Women's Health, Yoga Psychology and daily life applications.

anahata-retreat.org.nz

Clifton, Tasman Region, NZ