FAQ

Question: What differentiates Pushkar Meditation Temple’s Yoga teacher training RYT200 from that of several other yoga schools?

Answer:The first difference is the style of yoga. Pushkar Meditation Temple is one institute that teaches pure Raja/Ashtanga Yoga as prescribed by Patanjali in Yoga Sutra, the source scripture of yoga, all kinds of yoga. There is no dilution or distortion. Trainees learn all the eight limbs (Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi with equal emphasis both as theory and practice. The outcome is each trainee goes out a complete teacher ready to teach. The 2-Hour integrated session with walk-ins gives trainees enough exposure to handle different groups. The second difference is the way the course is designed. It is a complete package with meditation walk, integrated yoga + meditation session, in-depth theory, chanting and sharing. Post course Roadmap session is an important part of the curriculum. The third difference is size of the batch. Pushkar Meditation Temple admits maximum six students in a batch. This ensures that each student gets individual attention and access to Swamiji. The forth is the location. Pushkar is the holiest of all places of pilgrimage in India that is visited by nearly 4 million pilgrims every year. Obviously, it is full of spiritual energy. Sarovar, the sacred lake in Pushkar is one of the five holiest lakes in India with its water and vapor having healing properties. The lake has a very powerful aura. No wonder, parikrama (going around the lake) is the main ritual in Pushkar. The fifth difference is Swamiji for whom sharing his yoga knowledge is a passion and mission. There are several other differences. For instance, all the trainees eat home-made satvic food together, share the same roof and chores just as disciples did in an ashram. Pushakar Mediation Temple offers opportunity of internship and logistic support to start a yoga studio or help in placement as yoga teacher/trainer.

Question: What is the benefit of doing the Therapeutic Application of Yoga (TAY) Immersion?

Answer:The main benefit of Immersion is to get rid of all our suffering, physical or mental. It is a healing therapy.
This Immersion is primarily for those who have completed Yoga Teacher Training or are fairly adept in Outer Yoga (Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama) and want to deepen their practice of Inner Yoga (Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi) which is also called Samyam to get a taste of bliss the yogis constantly savor.
In yogic term the Immersion helps develop the state Pratyahara (sense withdrawal). Senses get disinterested in the material world. Only when senses withdraw from the material world or turn inwards Dharana (concentration) is possible. And once we are able to concentrate our senses (indriyas) on one point/object then mind (mann) also becomes ekagra (single pointed). At this stage, of the three objects – meditator, medium and object of meditation which are there in Dharana, the medium disappears leaving only the meditator and the object. This is called the state of Dhyana (meditation). Lengthening or deepening this state for a reasonable duration so that the sense of medtator’s self merges or is absorbed in the object is called Samadhi.
Immersion if done with all seriousness prepares trainees to be able to taste the joy of these higher states of inner yoga, meditation being the middle state.
Immersion provides deeper understanding of Yamas (moral codes) and Niyamas (self discipline) prepares the trainees for a yogic life with no/low violation of Yamas and constant observance of Niyamas. Added by long and constant practice of few Asanas and couple of Pranayams effort is made to reach the state of Pratyahara leading to inner yoga or meditation. This is the state when we realize our true Self and suffering ends. Soham meditation, mudras, bandhas and chants are applied as a short cut to Pratyahara.

Question: How do I register for these courses?

Answer:Registration is pretty simple. Go to the Contact Us page of this website. You can find the Course Registration on the drop down menu. Fill in the details name, nationality, email, date etc and submit. Once we confirm the availability of spot for that period we will send you the formal registration form that outlines the payment procedure. Once we receive the full payment your registration is complete. Alternatively you can send us a message/email requesting the registration form giving all the particulars.

Question: What all the fee + expenses include?

Answer:1,050 € / 1200$ for TTC includes course fee Rs 60,000, stay and food (3 times a day) for 22 days Rs 20,000. 350 € / 400$ for TAY includes 7Day (56 hours) Immersion fee plus stay and food (3 times a day for 8 days.

Question:Do I need to bring my own yoga mat?

Answer: Temple provides individual yoga mats for the period of training.

Question:What are the things I need to bring with me?

Answer: Toiletries, towels and other personal belongings including a pair of white yoga clothes. (You can also buy in Pushkar). Swamiji prefers that all trainees wear white during the training.

Question:When do I check in/checkout at yoga home?

Answer: You check in on the previous evening of the day of the commencement of the course and check out the following morning of day the course gets over.

Question:What if I do not eat/am allergic to certain foods?

Answer:Please mension it on the Registration form and also at the time of check in.

Question: How hectic is the daily routine?

Answer: It is pretty hectic. Here is a glimpse: We get up at 5 am. After the morning chores do a particular morning meditation. At 6:30 we leave for morning mediation walk around the Sarovar (lake) in silence and mentally chanting Soham mantra 7:30 to 8:00 meditate on the rising sun with Gayatri mantra 8:00 to 10:00 Morning Integrated session along with walk ins. 10:15 to 11:00 breakfast 11:00 to 13:00 Theory class 13:00 to 14:00 Lunch 14:00 to 16:00 Break/Rest 16:00 to 18:00 Evening Integrated Session only with trainees 18:00 to 19:00 Satsang/Chanting 19:00 to 20:00 Dinner 20:00 to 21:00 Sharing (on alternate days) 10:00 pm lights off For RYT200 trainess Saturdays are normally off days. However, first Saturday in the morning we do Shatkarma (yogic detox) and last Saturday we go on excursion to nearby temple/cave/hill.

Question: What is PMT Global? What support does it provide?

Answer:PMT Global is the name Swamiji has given to the alumni association of Pushkar Meditation Temple which was launch in the Himalayas this summer. The idea is that Association with a Core committee of volunteering members prepares material based on Swamiji’s teachings and make it accessible to all members. PMT Global also provides studio startup and placement support to members. It is a membership fee supported organization with initial funding from the Temple. The membership fee is Rs.1000 per annum or Rs.10,000 for life.

Question: Can you explain the system of yoga that is taught by Swamiji?

Answer: Swamiji views Yoga purely as a spiritual discipline as prescribed in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra. It incorporates practices derived from ancient and traditional sources. It uses practices in a traditional way, For instance, Yama and Niyama are practiced and taught as the foundation of yogic life. Asana (postures) to transcend gross body to get to subtle body, Pranayama (breathing practices) to transcend subtle body to get to causal body, Dharana and Dhyana (Meditation) to get to samadhi.
In this ancient system of yoga taught by Swamiji Non-violation of Yamas (moral code) is essential for constant peace of mind and observance of Niyamas (self discipline) is required for self-esteem and motivation. Asanas work on the annamya kosha (physical body), Pranayamas work on the pranamay kosha (energy body) pratyahara works on manomay kosha (mind body) Dharana works on vijnyanmay kosha (psychic body) and Dhyana on the anandmay kosha (bliss body), Swamiji takes a broader view by teaching and encouraging yogic lifestyles, not only for those on the path of renunciation but also for householders and lay practitioners.
To this end Swamiji combines Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge), Bhakti Yoga (the path of heart and emotion), Karma Yoga (the path of service) with Raja Yoga. Other practices – Tantra, Mantra/Laya, Kundalini are applied as supplementary disciplines that help the practitioner to calm and focus the mind and overtime get detached from the material world (Pratyahara) and grow spiritually. The daily routine is such that helps shape all aspects of personality in a way which is conducive to spiritual growth.
The Swamiji approach incorporates the whole person, not only the body or mind. There is constant emphasis on awareness and observing breath. Ancient Soham mediation technique is central to the whole teaching. Practitioners are taught and encouraged to align all aspects of their lives with Yoga. The goal is total transformation from material to spiritual, a process that takes place naturally as a consequence of regular practice with full awareness, rather than by forcing the mind and body to the limit and beyond.