AN INITIATIVE TO BRING YOGA TO THE MOST UNDEREPRESENTED GROUPS

An excerpt of an article I originally wrote for OM Yoga Magazine published March 07719 876528

‘We are dedicated to the mission of building a more diverse yoga community, a little at a time, one that is more reflective of the society we populate. All the while, facilitating the healing process for those that have seen darkness in their lives, but are now slowly moving towards the light.’

The Samasthala Initiative

Bringing yoga to those that need it the most. By Richard-Hubert Clarke (Hubert Clarke, Jnr.)

It was a beautiful spring afternoon, sunlight dispersing through the park trees. There was a natural warmth, penetrating the large open windows of the modern yoga studio.

I was repeating the actions of Visvamistrasana, a little more slowly, after the first demonstration, which was at a full pace. I tried to emphasize each point, breaking down the posture for the crowded room of advanced practitioners and teachers.

During this workshop, in that moment, I found a deep sense of Svadhyaya ‘self-reflection’. Raised in Aston and Perry Barr as a kid, I would have levelled my future self with a second glance, after viewing what I now do for a living.

I guess as a yoga teacher that is both male and a person of colour. I’m still probably considered a little of an anomaly.

So, how did I get here?

The year was 2013. My body lay broken, following years of mercury poising (amalgam fillings) and pushing myself to the limits, through the practice of an intense martial art, Southern Mantis Kung Fu.

I lay close to bedridden and was in considerable pain. Yoga was my guide out of the darkness and into the light.

A dear friend introduced me to yoga in 2008. Though not all are fortunate to be in a position of having the funds, self-confidence and access to this wonderful practice.

My past experiences have instilled a deep sense of dharma ‘duty’. It led me to ask. What can be done, in bestowing the gift of yoga to those who probably need it the most, but don’t have access?

Through the exploration of this question, the Samasthala Initiative was born. One of our goals, is to build positive connections within various parts of the UK community in which yoga would be crucial to their well-being. This is driven through free yoga classes, for marginalized groups such as refugee shelters, homeless centres, victims of domestic abuse, and mental health charities.

It is also our aim to offer the resources and career opportunities for a small number of enthusiastic Yoga practitioners from low economic backgrounds and underrepresented groups, through a scholarship plan. They in turn, will teach at one of the required locations (homeless shelter, refugee camp, etc.) for free, for six months once they have graduated from our teacher-training program.

We are dedicated to the mission of building a more diverse yoga community, a little at a time. One that is more reflective of the society we populate. Whilst facilitating the healing process for those that have seen darkness in their lives, but are now slowly moving towards the light.

The Samasthala® Initiative will begin trials in Birmingham, UK region this summer. It is limited to two scholarship places per teacher training course. Our intention, is to broaden our scope, as we expand our main teacher-training program.

Read the full article including questions and answers here: Richard-Hubert Clarke - Man on A mission - OM Magazine Article

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200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING IN BALI - PRICE COMPARISON

by Samasthala Yoga • 23 February 2023

Here at Samasthala Yoga, we take pride in the fact that we are one of the most affordable 200-hour yoga teacher trainings in Bali. Samasthala Yoga conducted some research to see how we compare with other reputable Yoga Alliance acredited schools in the Bali Region. SAMASTHALA YOGA All-Inclusive 'full 19 days' basic shared accommodation (early bird) $3,050 or ‘outdoor super budget accommodation’ single (early bird) from $2,800 https://www.samasthalayoga.com EAST+WEST YOGA All-Inclusive Shared Room: (early bird) $4,450 or $5,450 (All-Inclusive Private Room) https://yogaeastwest.com INTUITIVE FLOW All-Inclusive $4,500 http://www.intuitiveflow.com ZUNA YOGA All-Inclusive Shared Room (early bird) $4,650 All-Inclusive Private Room $5,950 https://www.zunayoga.com SCHOOL OF SACRED ARTS Teacher training (no acommodation or food) $3,650 + accommodation and food approx. £1,300 = $4,950 http://www.schoolofsacredarts.ne t SHADES OF YOGA All-Inclusive (twin shared) £4,520 All-Inclusive Private Room £4,850 https://shadesofyoga.com BLOOMING LOTUS YOGA All-Inclusive (shared room) £4,150 All-Inclusive Private Deluxe £4,955 https://www.blooming-lotus-yoga.com POWER OF OASIS YOGA All-Inslusive shared room (early bird) $3,350 All-Inclusive Private £3,600 https://powerofnowoasis.com/yoga-teacher-training-bali/ ALL YOGA TEACHER TRAINING - BALI Teacher Training $3,650 (no food or accommodation) + room and food approx. $1,000 = $4,650 https://www.allyogatraining.com/

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 200-HOUR AND 300-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING?

by Samasthala Yoga • 30 January 2023

You sit, peering intently at your laptop or technological device, scanning yoga teacher trainings websites. The thought that gestated several weeks ago, has fully manifested into action. You are going to answer that call for adventure, and book yourself onto a yoga teacher training course. Though, after appraising several homepages that showcase beaming Yogis dressed in graduational whites, proudly holding their well-earned accreditation. You are struck with a question. What is the difference between 200-Hour and a 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training? 200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING Once you have completed a 200-Hour Yoga Alliance Yoga Teacher Training. You will be provided international accreditation. You will have immediate entitlement to use the word RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) and hold a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher certification. You then have the option to become a Yoga Alliance® member. They have certified RYTs in 130 countries and territories, around the world. A 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, is learning dispersed over a 200-hour period. It may be that you choose an intensive all-inclusive yoga teacher training course ranging anywhere between two weeks to one month. Or something that covers many weekends over the period of several months to a year. This is all dependent upon your Modis operandi. Though the curriculum between schools can vary; a solid foundational 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training course should endow you with the skills, and knowledge to teach with a certain amount of assurance and confidence. Be aware that not all 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training courses are created equal. It is important to look at the curriculum and research if the training suits your needs and expectations. Samasthala Yoga has developed an all-inclusive 200-Hour Teacher Training programme that goes well beyond the reach of the basic 200-hour YTT. 300-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING This course is taken, upon succession of your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training. It is classified as a secondary level of your education, and can be referred to as ‘Advanced Yoga Teacher Training’. A good 300-Hour Yoga Training programme should aim to deepen your understanding of all that is yoga. This will include fundamental asana, philosophy, ayurveda, meditation, and anatomy. It is generally required, that you complete your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (and acquire some teaching experience) before attending a 300-Hour YTT. Upon completion of both, you can register as an RYT-500. This advanced teaching certificate indicates that you are prepared to teach yoga with a deeper set of knowledge and skills, developed through more extensive studies. The Samasthala Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training is condensed into a 200-hour format, but holds the depth of something more akin to a 300-hour accreditation. Through careful planning, and some TLC, we have outlined a detailed curriculum . This it to ensure you have the edge as a yoga practitioner and teacher, upon graduation. You are welcome to view the video below to discover how this exciting venture was formed, and why.