Our Location
Denver, Colorado lies alongside the front range of the Colorado Rockies; the smaller community of Boulder nestles in the foothills. A variety of greenbelt preserves and mountain parks ensure that the natureÕs peace and beauty is always within a few minutes drive or walk; Rocky Mountain National Park is a short drive of one hour from Boulder. Several major universities, among them the University of Colorado (with Boulder and Denver campuses), Denver University, Regis College, the Naropa Institute, and Metropolitan State College offer a wide range of opportunities for research and study; Boulder as a community is particularly receptive to spiritual studies and complementary medicine. RMIYA classes are offered at our Boulder Center; retreats are often held in the mountains nearby.

Classes Policy
Our classes are open to the public, and are often attended by health professionals, certification students, longtime Yoga students, and those for whom our classes may be taken either on a credit or noncredit basis; there is no additional cost for credit status. To receive credit, the student must successfully complete all assigned work , including adequate attendance, with a passing grade. Transcripts are kept for all courses taken for credit and are are available upon request. RMIYA is not an accredited university; however academic credit for our classes can be arranged through Hindu University of America and Metropolitan State University.

Retreats and Intensives
Retreats are a wonderful opportunity to get away from the pressures of daily life and deepen one's spiritual life through immersion in a weekend of study and practice in a setting of great natural beauty. Examples retreat-format classes include Ritual and Devotional Practices, Pranayama and Meditation, Jnana Yoga, and Vedic Yoga.

Clinical and Student Teaching Experience
RMIYA offers a nine-month internship or supervised teacher training for our second-year students. Students in the Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda program can intern with Sarasvati Buhrman in Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy or with Patricia Hansen in Yoga Asana Therapy. Students in the shorter postpartum care program can intern with Laurel Rew or Martha Oakes; those in pancha karma intern with Rebecca Maloney. Students in the Practicing and Teaching of Yoga complete their supervised teacher training under the direction of Hansa.

Scheduling
RMIYA classes are organised on a semester system, and our semester schedule of classes, including course descriptions and registration materials, can be ordered by telephoning (303) 499-2910. Sumer-fall semester begins in mid-August and runs through mid-December. Winter-Spring semester is longer, beginning in mid-January and continuing through mid-July. Almost all of RMIYA's classes are offered in a weekend intensive format; the remainder are offered on consecutive days or in evenings.

Registration and Cancellation
You may enroll in RMIYA classes by returning the registration form in the RMIYA schedule of classes along with the specified registration fee. Registration fees in general support the costs of publicity, keeping of records and transcripts, and teacher salaries, and are nonrefundable, except where RMIYA cancels a class. Fees, can, however, be transferred to other courses within a two-year period. A $25 penalty is deducted from the amount transferrable if notification of cancellation is less than one week prior to the course.

Certification Programs at RMIYA
People often ask why our Yoga Teacher Training is so extensive and takes several years, rather than several weeks, to complete. It is because our teachers and students alike share the intention for serious, practical, and expert training in a field of study and practice which is perhaps 5,000 years old and immense in its body of knowledge. It is a great honor to carry the teachings of a tradition which is so venerable, and we do not wish to pass it on in a piecemeal fashion. It should be understood that training in Yoga and Ayurveda is not merely a matter of learning correct techniques, although these are essential. Both experiential knowledge and theoretical understanding are also essential, and they cannot be rushed. Immersion in these teachings requires time, love, patience, and dedication.

RMIYA offers five certification programs:
1) The Practice and Teaching of Yoga (525 hours at RMIYA, + 150 hours of of classroom asana instruction with any certified or registered teacher)

2) Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda (750 hours at RMIYA, + 150 hours of of classroom asana instruction with any certified or registered teacher)

3) Level I Yoga Therapy (200 hours; open only to Yoga teachers, health care professionals experienced in yoga, or students of RMIYA's 500 hr. yoga teacher training or RMIYA's 750 hr. yoga therapy and ayurveda training programs.

4) Ayurvedic Pancha Karma Technician (150 hours)

5) Ayurvedic Postpartum Care Practitioner (150 hours)

Admission and Certification
RMIYA does not exclude or discriminate against any individual based on gender, class, ethnic or racial origin, religion, or sexual preference. Application to one of RMIYA's programs requires a $100 nonrefundable fee and essay as to one's goals, motivations, and qualifications for training, to be submitted in the student's second semester of classes, as well a sense by the instructors and the student that the student and the program are mutually suited to each other. Copies of previous academic transcripts should be submitted at the time of application, as well as documentation of any previous yoga asana instruction. Satisfactory documentation consists of transcripts showing yoga training or a signed note from any certified or registered yoga teacher indicating the number of classroom asana hours the student has completed. Once admitted, the student must maintain satisfactory progress in the program, which is defined as follows: 1) Gaining experiential knowledge of Yoga and meditation through a commitment to practice a minimum of one hour per day (asana, pranayama, and meditation) to support the effort to become firmly established in Yoga practice. 2) Commitment to vegetarian diet, a traditional requirement in Yoga, and to cultivation of the ethical principles of Yoga (yama and niyama) in one's personaland professional life, including including abstaining from sexual or romantic relationships with one's students and clients. 3) Continuous enrollment in the program for a minimum of four semesters; with enrollment in a minimum of 5 credits per semester; and a minimum of 75 classroom asana practice hours per semester until the 150- hour asana practice requirement is completed. 4)Passing a comprehensive examination at the end of the last semester with a score of at least 80% 5) Keeping certification current after graduation by continued commitment to the yogic principles of yama and niyama and by taking a minimum of 45 hours (3 credits) of continuing education courses with any certified or registered yoga teacher, recognised spiritual master, or ayurvedic physician, and notifying RMIYA of your enrollment in these courses.

Program in The Practice and Teaching of Yoga
RMIYA's program in the Practice and Teaching of Yoga is intended for those students who wish to acquire depth of knowledge and experience in Yoga sadhana and in the philosophy, psychology, and theory of Yoga and traditional Tantra. It is oriented towards training those who wish to teach or who are already teaching, and as such provides both depth of instruction in personal practice and a wide exposure to the major methods, schools, philosophies, and scriptures of the Yogic and Tantric traditions . RMIYA is also a campus of the International Yoga Studies program, and graduates of the RMIYA Practice and Teaching of Yoga Program also receive the IYS certificate. Our teacher training program also meets the standards set by the Yoga Alliance for their 500- hour registry. Thirty-five credits taken through RMIYA are required for certification, plus 150 hours of current or previous asana class time or training program with any certified teacher. The student teaching requirememt may be waived for those with prior asana teaching certification and practicum teaching experience. Students who have studied with a recognised spiritual master in a Yogic tradition may also qualify for 1-2 independent study credits towards certification.

Asana requirements
It is expected that asana competency of entering students will vary over a fairly wide range. A total of 150 hours classroom practice time must be accumulated on a drop- in basis during the first year of the RMIYA training, if the student has not already done so prior to their admission into RMIYA. We prefer this asana training to include some classical asana, where the emphasis is on achieving proper flow of vital energy in the physical and subtle body, and balancing the endocrine system, as well as some Iyengar and/ or Structural Yoga training, which emphasises anatomical strength and alignment. The additional asana training at RMIYA includes not only classical asana theory but also asana and anatomy, the application of asana theraputically, teaching methods, student teaching, and a variety of specialised courses listed below.

Philosophy
Introduction to the scriptures and philosophy of the different Yogas is distributed as follows: Hatha Yoga theory (Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, Siva Samhita ) in Pranayama and Meditation I, in classical Yoga asana, and in Hatha Yoga texts; Bhavagadgita in Karma Yoga:the Yoga of Action and Service; Upanishads and Yoga Vashistha in Jnana Yoga ; Tantra (kundalini and subtle body theory and meditation practice) in Pranayama and Meditation II, Bhakti Yoga in Pranayama and Meditation II and in Mantra, Ritual, and Devotional Practices). The Vedas, as the historical basis for yoga theory and practice, and the fire sacrifice are introduced in Vedic Yoga. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are taught in depth in Yoga Psychology and in Pranayama and Meditation I and III. Sanskrit pronunciation of philosophical terms and common Vedic prayers in English transliteration are introduced in several courses, and students without prior Sanskrit training are required to take the level I weekend of the American Sanskrit Institute training program.

Sadhana Practice
The traditional pranayama and meditation methods taught at RMIYA come from the disciplines of Hatha Yoga, Raja (Ashtanga) Yoga, and Tantra. They taught in an integrated series of three semesters which represent beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of practice. Students are expected to select and regularly practice pranayama and meditation techniques appropriate to their level and constitution from among those taught at each level of competency, as well as daily asana practice and chanting of selected Sanskrit prayers.

Teaching Methodology and Student Teaching Internship
Asana teaching methodology is covered in The Art of Teaching Yoga Asanas, offered twice a year by our regular or internationally-respected guest faculty; in the Art of Sequencing Poses class; in the pranayama ana meditation series; and in the supervised student teacher training program directed by Hansa Knox and Patricia Hansen. Instruction in teaching methodology for pranayama and meditation is presented in three levels of that class with particular emphasis in Level III, and practicum experience is provided.

Program in The Practice and Teaching of Yoga :: Required Program Courses (35 credits required)
Pranayama and Meditation I (2) Pranayama and Meditation II(2) Pranayama and Meditation III (2) Asana and Anatomy (1) Classical Yoga Asana (2) The Importance of Alignment in Asana Practice (1) Sequencing Poses and Creating Vinyasas (1) Asana, the Endocrine System, and Stages of Life (1) Asana and Ayurveda (1) Restorative Yoga (1) Deep relaxation Methods for Shavasana (1) The Art of Teaching Yoga Asanas (2) Ayurvedic Medicine I (2) Shat Karma (Kriyas) and Pancha Karma (2) WomenÕs Health Care through Yoga and Ayurveda (2) Yoga Psychology (2) Yoga Therapy or Yoga seminar electives (2) Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action and Service (2) Mantra, Ritual, and the Devotional Practices of Yoga (1) Vedic Yoga (1) Jnana Yoga (1) Sanskrit (1) Student Teaching (3)

Program in Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda
RMIYA's Program in Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda is designed to assist students who wish to apply the principles and practices of Yoga and Ayurveda for healing purposes. Students are able to have hands-on clinical experience in Ayurveda and Yoga therapy, under supervision of a qualified faculty member who is also a practicing professional. In addition, the school's expertise is complemented by top Ayurveda and Yoga Therapy experts brought in as guest faculty. It is expected that students entering this program will have taken an introductory university- level biology course, and we strongly suggest at least one course in biochemistry and one in physiology. A total of 50 credits taken through RMIYA are required for certification, plus an additional 150 hours of current or previous yoga asana classroom practice time with any certified teacher. Ayurveda credits will also be accepted for classes taught by Dr. Vasant Lad at the Ayurvedic Institute or Dr. Sarita Shrestha at Mount Madonna Center's summer program. To receive credit towards RMIYA certification for previously acquired asana training, a letter from the student's previous certified asana teacher(s) should be submitted at the time of application to the program. Students who have not yet earned a B.A. degree are encouraged to apply their RMIYA credits to a self-designed B.A. program in the Department of Health professions at Metro State College in Denver.

Internships
Internships involve apprenticing with the faculty member of one's choice, depending on whether one's interest lies mainly with Ayurveda, or Yoga therapy, or both. The student first sits in on private theraputic sessions with the practitioner's clients to observe and ask questions, and slowly takes an increasingly active role, eventually doing a preliminary workup on his/ her own clients and then meeting with client and supervisor for assessment and suggestion. Interns meet together monthly with the instructor to discuss cases.

Program in Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda :: Required Program Courses
Ayurvedic Medicine I (2) Ayurvedic Medicine II (2) Special Diagnostic Methods in Ayurveda (1) Pranayama and Meditation I (2) Pranayama and Meditation II(2) WomenÕs Health Care through Yoga and Ayurveda (2) Pancha Karma/ Shat Karma Training (5) Ayurvedic Nutrition/ Ayurvedic Cooking (2) Collection and Preparation of Ayurvedic Medicines (2) Asana and Anatomy (1) Classical Yoga Asana (2) The Importance of Alignment in Asana Practice (1) Asana, the Endocrine System, and Stages of Life (1) Asana and Ayurveda (1) Deep relaxation Methods for Shavasana (1) Reading and Adjusting the Body in Yoga Therapy (2) Restorative Yoga (1) Yoga Therapy for Accidents and Injuries (1) Yoga Psychology and Ayurvedic Psychiatry (2) Yoga Therapy for Asthma (1) Yoga Therapy for Cancer Patients (1) Addictions Recovery Yoga (1) Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Action and Service (2) Sanskrit (1) Western Medicine for Holistic Health Practitioners (2) Special Seminars in Ayurveda (5) Ayurveda/ Yoga Therapy Internship (4)

Program in Yoga Therapy
Although this certification program is shorter than the two above programs, it requires greater expertise of entering students, and is open only to Yoga teachers, or to students already in a 500-hour program, or those applying yoga in a theraputic setting. A total of 200 hours is accumulated through completion of RMIYAÕs 21 day Yoga Therapy Intensive plus Nischala Devi's Yoga of the Heart Cardiac Yoga Training Program.

Pancha Karma Practitioners Certification
This program is for those who wish to be trained in the theraputic use of marma points, Ayurvedic massage and other purva karma techniques, and Pancha Karma and Shat Karma (the cleansing practices of Ayurveda and Yoga, respectively) methods. This 10-credit (150 hour) program requires successful completion of Ayurveda I, Ayurveda II, Pancha Karma and Shat Karma training, and five hours of massage internship and can be completed in one semester.

Ayurvedic Postpartum Care Practitioners Certificate
For those wishing to learn the gentle arts of caring for the new mother and her newborn infant, this 10-credit (150 hr) program can be completed in two semesters. Fall semester, students should enroll in Ayurveda I, WomenÕs Health Care through Yoga and Ayurveda, and Ayurvedic Nutrition and Cooking. The remaining 4 credits of in-class training in postpartum mother and infant massage, special diet and herbs, protocols, etc. is offered in intensive format in the spring semester, and the additional 15 hours of supervised internship can be completed afterward.