Training with Johann Kotze
I believe mastery is a combination of training, formal and/or informal instruction in skills that are easily shared, with confidence, in the form of simple, accessible, and effective techniques. And that there is no substitute for experience, executed with knowhow and passion. A lifelong interest in yoga and the healing arts, and art of teaching, and all things human on Planet Earth, in a Way of Life that may help elevate practical knowledge to wisdom is what I aspire to, and aspire to share. For more background about me, see my biography.
For the type and style of yoga presented, please see my yoga therapy link and yoga sound healing link.
Training options
Small groups and a personal 1-1 tuition/mentorship tradition is my priority.
Programs are client customised, content and timelines of learning periods are individually oriented.
Training is online, in person or as hybrid of the two.
● 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Details below for this lineage training from a certified teacher (non Yoga Alliance) format of 4 modules and content
● Short courses and mentorship for therapeutic yoga training, yoga healing, yoga sound therapy
A single module may be selected from the 200 hour course, or a combination may be requested
Yoga for Self-realisation
Learn about self, and Self-realisation, in Yoga. I developed this modular course that allows learners to dip into any one module, or string the modules together, in any order, to add up to a comprehensive 200 hour course.
The Yoga of Union is a holistic style of yoga that develops experience of self awareness, of (higher) Self, and All That Is. It is a Way of Being that is therapeutic, comprise of healing lifestyle exercise and meditation practices, and is moderate (not severe), and sustainable. The yogi learns about, and becomes conscious of Being Human, and Universal Being. Yoga is a comprehensive system. based in thousands of years of philosophical wisdom, with physical practices, and is reputed to deliver tangible, practical benefits to any practitioner, in every sphere of life.
To fulfil True Human Potential requires Surrender to Divine Will – or acknowledgement of the “higher power” of a greater world, which is how Yoga activates the peace and prosperity of the Divine Spark, innate to human beings.
● There are 4 x 50 hour modules, ideally completed over a 1 – 2 year period. This is not an intensive, 30 day course.
● Individual, personal attention mentorship allows for personal healing and self development adjusted to the unique being each person is.
● The system also allows student to begin a module at any time.
● The style of teaching is equally functional online or in person, or in hybrid form of both. Where possible students can meet in person, or online, for group interaction.
●We learn Hatha Yoga in context of the Vedic and holistic wisdom of the ancient traditions, in the spirit of Swami Sivananda and his Divine Life Society. As reference see the Cape Town Ashram where I studied.
● This comprehensiveYoga Teacher Training is presented in a traditional oral lineage style, and is not RYT certified, although it necessarily includes much of the standard content of most 200 hour programs.
● All modules are available on a 1-1 or small group tutor basis, in my studio in Cape Town, online (Zoom, Skype), or combinations.
● To manage course feasibility, for me, and the students, requires a flexible, disciplined and innovative attitude to project management 🙂
● You are welcome to contact me for more information.
I use the phrase “yoga training” because the modules are suitable for anyone, with or without teacher aspirations or plans, to deepen their yoga practice, for personal or professional pleasure or measure.
4 X 50 Hour Modules
The 200 Hour Course has four modules, each a free-standing entity. All the modules reinforce another, for example the Self-realisation philosophy of Module 1 is applied to all the modules, while the anatomy and healing yoga is experienced in the practice of asana and meditation. There is a sustained integration of cross referencing modules, and practical application teaching skills for all the knowledge.
Students who choose to teach only what they learned in each module are enabled to do so. Other advantages of modular learning includes time for ingestion and digestion of the learning. A few hours training spread over a long time line does not require students to dedicate a month, in once chunk, while they can get on with their lives.
A timeless system, for our time: The essentials of a simple, holistic yoga will forever remain a bedrock of all spiritual BodyMind traditions and modern human potential self-development. There is no dogma or system to buy into: all learning is based in direct perception of practices, from mudra to mantra, to understanding chakras and duality, and the non-duality of Self-realisation – Bliss.
● Module 1. Turn on your Bliss with the Yoga of Union
A seven topic, one day per topi, module of “basics of advanced yoga”. It establishes appreciation of how yoga training could be about deeper self-knowledge, not about doing more impressive asana. To”realise self” we explore the asana (and other practices), and the reason why we “do yoga”, on a metaphysical level. To keep the knowledge real and practical is as important as to acknowledge the wisdom of the Universal Mind of All That Is. Deep understanding of this (advanced) greater goal of yoga is self-realisation, its bottom-line. How to rewire the bodymind to Overself, Higher Self or Soul (i.e. self to Self), and operate as Universal Being of Bliss, naturally involves a process, a path of personal growth. This module plants the seeds, and provide the means to practice and surrender in Yoga, or surrender and practice, to Yoga. More details.
● Module 2. The Practice of Yoga & The Art of Teaching Yoga
Develop a deep and solid asana and pranayama practice as foundation for meditation. We learn how knowledge of beginner, intermediate and advanced asana practices, in appreciation of a full Hatha Yoga, serve to bring a committed practitice of yoga in line with its goal of self-realisation. To this aim we strengthen our understanding of yogic philosophy, of healing and bliss, in reference to other modules. We learn that all teaching and self practice should come from self-knowledge. The Art of Teaching is understood in self observation and observation of others. Actual teaching skills are workshopped, and the sharing and application of the Yoga Way is motivated and encouraged. More details.
● Module 3. Yogic Anatomy & Physiology
Our yoga practice happens in the body; we live in a constant physicality. To achieve yoga requires a deep understanding of our physiology based lives. Therefore our yoga training sets out to understand yogic physiology as a means to develop the BodyMind as “a device of consciousness”.
All yoga practice relates to the mind and anatomy, in the sense that all yoga, for it to “truly be Yoga”, is a practice that is also philosophical, with asana as a means to develop meditation, and exercise as a way of being, and so on,
● Module 4. Healing Yoga
A consolidation of the other 3 modules, from a therapeutic yoga perspective. We cover all Hatha Yoga practices in terms of expanding our potential, as well as remedial or healing yoga as cure or coping mechanism in case of injury, illness and other traumas and abuses. Healing means “to make whole” or complete, and holistic application of all aspects of energetic healing or therapy to physical existence lets us incorporate modalities such as Reiki and Craniosacral therapy as aspects of “energy healing” and physiotherapy. We also look at meditation and spirituality, standalone, as well as in context of physiology, and community, or welfare of society.
Please contact me with your enquiries.
Is this course for me? Considerations your interest and certification
This course is not of the run-of-the-mill mainstream yoga variety, although by no means anti-commercial.
We gain understanding of why and how we practice yoga asana, pranayama, meditation and other practices through experience, informed by theoretical knowledge and philosophical understanding of Being Human, in context of Yoga of Union or self-realisation.
Participants of receive a certificate of attendance. Read more about the certification and value of certification here.
Cost
Module fee for groups:
R 5 950 or R 23 800 in total.
A minimum of 10 classes has to be attended during the study period. Classes are charged at the Zoom Online Fee of R 500 Unlimited Month. Please contact me with your enquiries or special requests re. payments.
Module fee mentorship:
R 10 000 per module or 50 hours.
Minimum of 25 hours 1-1 teaching (online or in person).
Mentorship fee per hour:
R 500.
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Updated 10 August 2023.
Testimonial
Dear Johann: You have been my favourite yoga teacher/Swami and spiritual teacher, and your life choices and work ethic is inspiring. Your yoga classes have been the basis for my deepening spiritual understanding and growth as a Yogi, but also as a woman with many aspects… it has given me a space to look at what I really want in my life, while healing my body and mind. This is incredible part of my Yoga journey! Wow!! For any Yogi’s or Lovers of Yoga in Cape Town or travelling to Cape Town, make sure you attend classes with Johann. For anyone looking into Yoga teacher training, you definitely want to contact Johann for more info on his incredible, authentic, spiritual and true Yoga courses! The level of understanding, self realisation and gratitude that comes from this space is beyond what words could describe. Even if you are not wanting to teach Yoga but balance your lifestyle, reduce stress and anxiety, improve your physical body, gain a body-mind connect etc etc. I am humbled and honoured to have been able to complete this course and I will continue to grow, share and expand for myself and my clients.
Candace Kentridge-Britton, teacher, certified with me in 2018.
She has been teaching full-time in U.S. since March 2019.
Here is her Facebook Page.
PS. Candace started in 2020 to co-present the training course with me!
Testimonial
Module 2 – The Art of Teaching helped me focus and create a complete Hatha Yoga sequence and style. Thank you Johann and Candace for taking the time and giving me the space to learn the many aspects of Hatha Yoga and to develop a practice of teaching that is unique to me. I believe this will work well for many in my community when the time comes. As we discussed on course; when the teacher is ready the student will appear, and when the student is ready the teacher will appear. Whether you are looking to become a Hatha teacher or just wanting to dive deeper into the practice of Hatha Yoga, you will not be disappointed. Namaste!
Martin Goldberg works in the fire fighting unit at Tahoe, U.S.
He is a qualified Ashtanga teacher and completed module two in January 2021 to broaden his practice.
