Viniyoga Foundations Program
An immersion in the Viniyoga tradition.
AVI’s® Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy is an immersion in the Viniyoga tradition with an emphasis on personal practice and a comprehensive study of āsana, prāṇāyāma, chanting, meditation, tantra, teaching methodology and yoga philosophy.
The Viniyoga Foundations Program is the first part of the Viniyoga Therapist certification, as well as a comprehensive yoga teacher training program.
Whether you are a serious yoga practitioner, aspiring/current yoga teacher or Yoga Therapist, or a health professional interested in Viniyoga, we offer options to advance your studies in the Viniyoga methodology for personal development, teaching, or to enter the AVI® Viniyoga Therapist Training.
VFP will begin again in February 2025!
Questions? Email the AVI Student Advisor.
Program Content
- Introduction to Yoga Philosophy
- In-depth study of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra text
- Breath-centric Āsana
- The Art & Science of Sequencing
- Principles of Adaptation
- Guided Relaxation
- Human Energy System
- Prāṇāyāma: Threshold, Directional Flow of Breath, Breath Adaptation in Āsana, Ratio, Technique
- Chanting and Mantra
- Meditation: Dhāraṇa, Dhyānam, Samādhi
- Tantra and Inner Transformation
- Development of an integrated personal practice: weaving together all elements of practice
- Teaching Methodology and Ethics: group, private & specific class demographics
- Teaching & communications skills
- Application of yoga methods in different teaching contexts
MAJOR CONTENT AREAS BY SESSION
Session 1: Viniyoga and Breath-Centric Āsana
Session 2: Prāṇāyāma and Chanting
Session 3: Meditation and Sound
Session 4: Tantra and the Cakra Model
PROGRAM FORMAT
Mentoring and consultation are important aspects of the development of the Viniyoga Foundations Program. Each student develops an ongoing relationship with an experienced faculty mentor to guide their development in personal practice and Viniyoga skills. Mentoring includes homework review and consultation between each program session. More extensive individual mentoring is available over the course of the program and on an ongoing basis after certification. Additional fees will apply.
200 HOUR PROGRAM
Yoga Alliance RYT-200 eligible
- Attend Sessions 1 and 2 of the Viniyoga Foundations Program and complete any assigned home study
- Complete a final project (develop, teach, and evaluate a Viniyoga class series)
- Complete 20 hours of study in human anatomy (hours from 200 or 500 hour prior trainings are acceptable)
300 HOUR PROGRAM
Yoga Alliance RYT-300 eligible
- Attend Sessions 1, 2, and 3 of the Viniyoga Foundations Program and complete any assigned home study
- Complete a final project (develop, teach, and evaluate a Viniyoga class series)
- Complete 20 hours of study in human anatomy (hours from 200 or 500 hour prior trainings are acceptable)
- If you enter the program with a prior 200 YA certification, you may be eligible to apply to YA for 500 hour certification when you complete the AVI 300 hour training.
500 HOUR PROGRAM
Yoga Alliance RYT-500 eligible
- Attend Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Viniyoga Foundations Program and complete any assigned home study
- Complete a final project (develop, teach, and evaluate a Viniyoga class series)
- Complete 20 additional hours of study in human anatomy (hours from 200 or 500 hour prior trainings are acceptable)
- Upon completion of the 500 hour program you are eligible to enter Viniyoga Clinical Applications Program to complete your Viniyoga Therapist certification.
ANATOMY REQUIREMENT
Twenty (20) hours of study in human anatomy must be completed which could be an applied anatomy course through a local college, a yoga anatomy workshop or one-on-one mentoring. Prior training in anatomy may fulfill this requirement. This can be completed at any time over the course of the training. You will be asked to provide evidence of completion of 20 hours of study in human anatomy.
VINIYOGA ELECTIVES & TEXTS
Viniyoga electives and sangha participation are highly recommended and include: Viniyoga workshops, online classes, retreats, or privates with Gary Kraftsow, AVI Faculty, and Viniyoga Teachers and Viniyoga Therapists.
Gary Kraftsow’s two books, Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation, are among the texts required for the training and you may enjoy becoming familiar with them if you are considering entering the Viniyoga Foundations Program. They are available in print and electronically from Amazon or your favorite bookstore
Typical Training Schedule
Each session will begin with an online orientation weekend followed by a week in-person at the Ancient Yoga Center as long as it is safe for all to travel and be together. Each training day includes lectures, practice, and small group experiences. A typical day begins with an early morning practice followed by breakfast, a three-hour morning session, a lunch break and a three-hour afternoon session and some evening sessions. The in-person session is followed by monthly online meetings lectures and clinics.
Dates and Pricing
2023-24
The Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy (VFP) will be in person for one week per session at the Ancient Yoga Center in Austin, Texas (depending upon world safety conditions). Each session will open with an online weekend, followed by a week at the Ancient Yoga Center, and will include recorded lectures and live online monthly clinics to follow.
Online Opening Weekend for Session #1: February 10-12, 2023.
In-person Session Dates:
- Session #1: March 15 – 22, 2023
Arrive Wednesday, March 15, 2023 by 4pmCT. Depart Wednesday, March 22, 2023 after breakfast. - Session #2: November 1 – 8, 2023
Arrive Wednesday, November 1, 2023 by 4pmCT. Depart Wednesday, November 8, 2023 after breakfast. - Session #3: May 15 – 22, 2024
Arrive Wednesday, May 15, 2024 by 4:00 pmCT. Depart Wednesday, May 22, 2024 after breakfast. - Session #4: December 4 – 11, 2024
Arrive Wednesday, December 4, 2024 by 4:00 pmCT. Graduation is completed by 9p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Depart Wednesday, December 11, 2024 after breakfast.
TUITION
Tuition is $3250 per session and is due one month in advance of the start of the session. Tuition paid at least three months in advance of a training will be discounted to $2999. Lodging is booked directly with AVI. The cost of lodging depends upon the choice of room. Payment plans are available.
CANCELLATION POLICY (for tuition with AVI)
The tuition payment is returned minus a $250 administration fee if cancelled up to one month prior to the first day of the session. No refunds after that date.
LODGING AT ANCIENT YOGA CENTER
Lodging includes three vegetarian meals per day and fees vary based upon room selection: $635-$1010. Commuter fees and meals: $410.
Learn more about Ancient Yoga Center.
Complete an Application Online
Viniyoga Foundations Program Faculty
Gary Kraftsow
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Gary is the Founder, Director, and Senior Teacher of the American Viniyoga Institute.
Kathy Jamison
TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY
Kathy is Senior Faculty and the VFP Training Coordinator.
Juris Zinbergs
TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY
Juris serves as Senior Faculty in AVI’s Viniyoga Foundations Program (VFP).