Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Program

Please note that the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Program is held on a regular basis, and the conditions below apply to all training programs. A list of future program dates can be found at BikramYoga.com

This How-to guide is divided into the following 5 sections:

REQUIREMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT
DURATION, LOCATION, AND IMPORTANT DATES
CLASS INFO (SIZE, SUBJECTS, TEACHERS, TOTAL COST, AND WEEKLY SCHEDULE)
HOW TO APPLY (PAYING, SCHOLARSHIP, AND BOTH)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

All dates are presented as month/day.

1. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENROLLMENT

Applicants from every country and nationality are welcome. The next training program is scheduled for fall 2013 and is open to both paying and scholarship-supported applicants (more info about the scholarship is available at the end of this section and under section 4). All applicants must have the following:

Age of 21 years or over
Skill to perform all 26 Bikram Yoga postures with no limitations
At least 6 months of continuous Bikram Yoga practice taught by a certified BY teacher at an affiliated studio
(NOTE: If you don’t live near a Bikram Yoga studio but have extensively practiced BY at home, your application will be considered if you would please contact Sharon@bikramyoga.com first.)
A written recommendation from your Bikram Yoga teacher
Ability to complete 2 Bikram Yoga classes daily; to memorize the Bikram Yoga dialogue; and to attend posture clinics, lectures, and anatomy classes

If you have a chronic disease and take medicine, kindly contact Sharon@bikramyoga.com before you apply. If you have any medical or physical conditions that may prevent you from fully doing any postures, please send photos that show your posture limitation(s) to the same e-mail addres.

This training program also offers a scholarship to every eligible applicant, who must have the following:

Yearly income of less than $30,000
W-2 form or copy of tax return from 2012

2. DURATION, LOCATION, AND IMPORTANT DATES

Duration. Fall 2013 from 9/15 to 11/17 (9 weeks). Location:

The Radisson Hotel (All of its first floor is set aside for BY training.)
Los Angeles Airport
6225 W Century Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
United States

Important Dates:

5/1 – 8/15 Application period for Bikram Yoga teacher training program
5/1 – 7/15 Scholarship application period (winners will be announced by 8/1)
9/15 (Sunday) Student check-in at the hotel begins at 1pm, and orientation starts at 3pm.
9/16 First BY class starts in the afternoon.
11/16 (Saturday) Graduation begins at 3pm.
11/17 All students must check out of hotel rooms by 11am.
(To schedule hotel stays before and after training, please email accommodations@bikramyoga.com.)

3. CLASS INFO (SIZE, SUBJECTS, TEACHERS, TOTAL COST, AND WEEKLY SCHEDULE)

Size = Almost 700 students

Subjects:

26 BY postures
Asana
Anatomy
Bikram’s Posture Clinic
BY dialogue
Health benefits of yoga
Nutrition
Philosophy of yoga
Therapeutic applications

Teachers:

Bikram and Rajashree Choudhury
Staff of senior teachers

Total Cost (includes mandatory hotel stay):

Tuition + 1 Student in 1 Room = $15,500 US dollars
Tuition + 2 Students in 1 Room = $11,400 US dollars per student
The total costs include classes, all lectures, hotel accommodation (excluding food), towels, and other materials needed to complete the training.

Weekly Schedule:

Monday – Friday
8:30am – 10am Basic BY Class
10am – 12:15pm Lunch Break
12:15pm – 4pm Posture Clinic/Lectures
5pm – 6:30pm Basic BY Class
6:30pm – 9pm Dinner Break
9pm – 12am or later Posture Clinic/Lecture
Saturday
8am – 9:30am Basic BY Class
Sunday Rest Day

4. HOW TO APPLY (PAYING, SCHOLARSHIP, AND BOTH)

Paying applicants, kindly prepare everything listed under “Both” and “Paying.” Applicants who seek a scholarship, please prepare everything under “Both” and “Scholarship.” All required documents are available as online forms or as downloadable PDF files.

Medical Consent and Waiver. Download here. Let a licensed physician read and complete this form, and ensure that her/his writing is legible.
Recommendation Letter. Download here. The certified Bikram Yoga teacher with whom you’ve practiced 6 months or more must read and sign this form. Can’t get a recommendation letter? You may send a description of your situation for consideration to Sharon@bikramyoga.com.
2 clear copies of your passport or of your driver’s license
2 passport-size photos (2×2 and no copies please)
3 photos of you doing the following postures: Standing head to knee; Backward bending; Triangle

Paying.

Application. Fill out here and print this form.
Teacher Training Agreement. Download here. Leave page 1 blank for step 8, fully read pages 2-13, agree to all terms and conditions, initial bottom of every page, fill out page 12, and save a copy for your records.
Payment. Please pay in full:

Tuition + Room for 1 = $15,500
Tuition + Room for 2 = $11,400 per student
Checks: Payable to Bikram Choudhury
Credit Card: Fill out the payment and credit card section on page 1 of the Teacher Training Agreement.
Wire Transfer: Prepare an extra $30 for bank fees and contact Sharon@bikramyoga.com (any additional bank fees will be charged to you).

Mail everything to the following address:

Teacher Training Registration
Bikram’s Yoga College of India
11500 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 150
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Need more info? Call 310-854-5800 or fax 310-405-7310.

Scholarship:

Scholarship Application. Download here.
Teacher Training Agreement. Download here. Leave page 1 blank, fully read pages 2-13, agree to all terms and conditions, initial bottom of pages 2-13, fill out page 12, and save a copy for your records.
Letter to Bikram (200 words max of why you deserve a scholarship)

Mail everything to the following address:

Teacher Training Registration
C/O Balwan Singh
Bikram’s Yoga College of India
11500 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 150
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Need more info? Email Balwan at Balwan@bikramyoga.com or call 310-854-5800.

All items must be postmarked by 7/15. If you’re ineligible, you’ll have 2 weeks to prepare payment and to come as a paying student if you meet the enrollment requirements.

The teacher training staff will evaluate all applications and inform those who are accepted.

5. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What clothes will I need?

4-5 yoga costumes
Cover-up clothes because the hotel disallows people in yoga costumes from walking outside of class
Casual and comfortable clothes that will keep you warm
NO green on any clothes
NO headbands

Where’s a list of affiliated studios?
You can find it here.

How can I secure my training enrollment?
By sending in your application and payment ASAP (deadline = 8/15)

Will I become a certified Bikram Yoga teacher by completing the training?
Yes, if you meet certification standards by proficiently doing every required activity and by passing all tests; otherwise, your certification is not guaranteed.

Do you recommend a yoga mat?
Yes, you can bring your own or buy 1 at the hotel.

How will I get my dialogue?
By mail after you’ve paid. Also, a laminated copy is available for purchase at the hotel in the Bikram Boutique.