Getting ParaYoga Certified: The Details

Welcome to the ParaYoga Certification Information Guide

Overview

Certification in ParaYoga requires mastery of the teachings. Rod Stryker has developed a curriculum that gives students the opportunity to grow leaps and bounds in their own lives and the ability to pass that knowledge along to others. Candidates who demonstrate excellence integrating the lessons and the ability to teach them can apply to become ParaYoga Faculty.

We are here to help guide you along the way. Once the requirements have been met, and you have completed all 10 ParaYoga Master Trainings, you may apply for the ParaYoga Certification Exam.

Requirements for ParaYoga Certification take a minimum of 2 years to complete.

The ParaYoga certification process has been developed to ensure that certified teachers have accomplished and/or met the following qualifications:

• Proficiency in teaching ParaYoga to all levels of students
• Skill in designing a variety of classes, as well as an ability to tailor them to the specific needs of individual students or groups
• Excellence and refinement of his or her own personal practice in the lineage of the ParaYoga
• Ability to prescribe personal practices for individuals using the techniques of Pranayama, Asana, and specific meditation practices.

The ParaYoga® Master Trainings (PYMT)

1.  VINYASA KRAMA: The Energetics of Sequencing
2.  TANTRA SHAKTI: The Power and Radiant Soul of Yoga
3.  SECRETS OF THE SUTRAS: Light on Self Mastery
4.  PRANA SHAKTI: The Power and Path of Yoga
5.  PARAYOGA MARMA: Principles of Enlightened Practice
6.  THE FOUR DESIRES: Yoga of Fulfillment, 3-day

7.   PARAYOGA NIDRA: The Sleep of Awakening
8.   KOSHA, KRIYA, YOGA: Unleashing the Science of Soul
9.   EMPOWER THE HEART: The Abode of Sacred Joy, Healing and Power
10. GURU PARAMPARA: Empowering the Teacher

While we prefer that you take the trainings in order to get the most out of your learning experience, we realize this isn’t always realistic. Guru Parampara has firm prerequisites.

Note: all of the ParaYoga online trainings count fully towards ParaYoga certification through the ParaYoga Master Training (PYMT) program and also count toward prerequisite requirements for other ParaYoga trainings.

Support along the way
The ParaYoga Certification Facilitator is Senior ParaYoga Faculty Member Tricia Fiske. Tricia will aid you in your process and evaluate your exams. She will interface with you directly and mentor you in your evolution toward becoming certified. Tricia is dedicated and compassionate about supporting you in this tradition.

ParaYoga Certified Teacher Benefits
Certified Teachers are entitled to:
• Hold the legal license to promote themselves as ParaYoga Certified teachers
• Market classes as ParaYoga classes and workshops
• Use the ParaYoga logo to promote their classes
• A listing on the ParaYoga website Teacher Directory page
• Receive a 50% discount on tuition fees when repeating a PYMT (not accommodations and/or meals)
• Receive a 25% Discount on Para Yoga hosted workshops.
• Receive a 10% Discount on any of the ParaYoga Continuing Education Trainings (Sri Vidya and Gheranda Samhita)

Steps to Certification Summary:

Requirements for ParaYoga Certification:

• Complete all 10 PYMTs
• Submit required book reports within 6 weeks of each PYMT (see Resources Page for book report form)
• Have a private session with Rod or another senior ParaYoga teacher
• 2 years minimum practicing Para Yoga (trainings, classes and workshops)
• 2 years regular ParaYoga home practice
• 2 years regular ParaYoga home meditation
• 1 year teaching ParaYoga influenced classes (see Resources Page for teaching history form)
• 125,000 repetitions Gayatri, MMM or Guru mantras
• Memorize and be able to recite ParaYoga Invocation, Gayatri, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra. Prana Pratishta, Invocation to Patanjali and Vishve Deva mantras
• 30-day consecutive practice of Cave of the Heart, Bhuta Shuddhi, Manas Pujas, Color Purification, and Tattwa Shuddhi kriyas

Certification Exam:
• Send in application for Certification
• Pay the $350 exam fee
• Request exam (30 days to complete it)
• Within 2-4 weeks receive notification from the exam facilitator and schedule interview

• Complete one case study to be turned in with the exam.
• Receive an email with instructions for submission of your teaching video (6 months to complete)
• If you do not pass the first time – receive a PYCAP (ParaYoga Certification Action Plan) from the facilitator and submit a $125 retake fee
• Submit video
• If pass – You will be sent the ParaYoga Licensing Agreement to sign and return
• Submit a $150 licensing fee (may be pro-rated depending on the time of year you certify)
• Submit bio, headshot, and contact information for ParaYoga Website Teacher Directory
• Submit a signed copy of the ParaYoga Code of Ethics, Code of Ethics

Requirements for Maintaining Accredited Status for Certified Teachers
• Complete a minimum 12 hours of continuing education every two years with Rod Stryker (this can also include assisting at Rod Stryker-led ParaYoga events).
• Submit annual dues of $75. This fee covers licensing fees and website listing of classes and workshops.
• Follow all ethical guidelines outlined in the ParaYoga® Code of Ethics

The following activities are not acceptable and may result in losing your status as a ParaYoga Certified Teacher:
• Any involvement in romantic and/or sexual relations with current students. It should be understood that this is strictly prohibited.
• Using and distributing printed teaching material included in ParaYoga Master Teacher manuals without permission.
• Not following the ParaYoga Class Blueprint for Vinyasa Krama (i.e. shoulder stand at the end of class).
• Publicly disputing or dishonoring the validity of any other style, teacher or practice of Yoga.

Standards and Requirements for all Classes Titled ParaYoga
In order to uphold the highest standards, intention, and consistency, all classes designated as ParaYoga® must adhere to the following guidelines and principles:

• The ParaYoga Class Blueprint––this framework for sequencing is one of the most critical elements that defines a ParaYoga class and is outlined in Vinyasa Krama.
• Each class must include the principles of Vinyasa Krama, Tejas and Smarana.
• Each class must include an appropriate time for Savasana.
• Each class must include meditation and pranayama.
• Each class honors the tradition and source of the teachings.

*Yoga Alliance RYT status through ParaYoga

300 RYT Eligibility:
• Upon completion of any 8 PYMTs, when added to an already existing 200-hour YTT certification, you will have the credentials you need to be registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 500 hour level.
• All book quizzes must have been completed on time.
• Request the ParaYoga 300-hour, Yoga Alliance Certificate of Completion from the ParaYoga office.

Note: When submitting your paperwork to the Yoga Alliance for 300hr Certification, you will need to obtain a 300 hr Certificate of Completion from ParaYoga as proof of having completed the requirements through us. The 5-day ParaYoga Certificates of completion that one obtains at the end of a particular training will not be sufficient to submit to them.

*Please Note:  ParaYoga courses are not set up to diagnose, treat, or cure health conditions. Rather, our focus is on improving general health and well-being, avoiding injury to those with health conditions, and empowering our students to thrive.

Required Reading Google Quizzes: for certification in Para Yoga®, candidates must read and submit required reading google form quizzes; a link to the quiz sent out by the PY office prior to live trainings; quizz links are also available on the Resources Page and right here: https://www.parayoga.com/required-reading/.  Please submit quiz within 6 weeks of completing the related training.

Teaching History Documentation
Documentation is required for ParaYoga® Accredited teacher status:

  • A minimum of 150 teaching hours for ParaYoga Certified Teacher status (must be ParaYoga-style classes).

Asana practice requirements: Two years of documented asana practice are required for ParaYoga Certification. Your home practice needs to consist of at least one half-hour, three times per week.  You are encouraged to keep a journal to document your practice.  This journal should be used exclusively for the purpose of recording your practices, not to submit to the ParaYoga office.

Once you begin the process of journaling, fill in each day including those days you do not practice. If you do not practice on a given day, simply enter the date and leave the rest blank. Describe what you did along with a brief reflection on your experience doing it. You might focus on a particular insight, the general quality of the practice itself, or anything that seems relevant about your experience on that given day. Don’t force your reflections: they don’t have to be groundbreaking, profound, or even different each time. You are encouraged to be honest, straightforward, and practical.

Meditation practice requirements: A minimum of two years regular meditation practice in the ParaYoga tradition is required for Level certification.

Ok, so you’ve decided you want to get certified. Great news! Here is the breakdown of the certification process, already mentioned above, with even greater detail.

Requirements for Certification:

1. Practice ParaYoga – You must have at least two years of practicing ParaYoga. This includes classes, workshops, PYMT’s and retreats taught by Rod Stryker and/or a ParaYoga Faculty.

3. Meditate – You must complete a minimum of two years of regular, ParaYoga based meditation practice of at least 15 minutes per day, six days per week.

4. Practice japa – Each student must complete 125,000 repetitions of either the Gayatri, Maha Mrityunjaya, or Guru Mantra (given at initiation).

5. Practice at home – It is required that you have a minimum of two years of regular home asana practice. Documentation must be provided at the time of your application showing a practice of at least 30 minutes per day, 3 days per week.  We highly suggest you record your practices in a journal on an ongoing basis to track your daily practice.

6. Teach ParaYoga – Students must teach ParaYoga influenced classes for a minimum of one year (That is 75 hours of teaching or one 1.5 hour class for 50 weeks). Documentation of teaching history should be submitted with your Level I application. Please use the Teaching History Form found on the Resources Page.

7. Complete all PYMTs

8. Turn in your book quizzes – There are reading assignments for each PYMT; please submit each within 6 weeks of completing the training.

9. Meet with a teacher – An essential part of your ParaYoga journey is your own personal practice. ParaYoga Faculty can direct you to an asana and meditation practice, specifically designed for you. You can use the teacher directory on the ParaYoga website to help you find the right teacher. You may contact them directly, or if you are not sure who to choose you can call the office and we will help you. Private session fees differ from teacher to teacher. Be sure to ask upfront how you can meet (in person or by Zoom) and how to handle payment for your session.

10. Learn the mantras and invocations – All students must be able to recite the following mantras and invocations found in your manual: The ParaYoga Invocation, The Gayatri Mantra, Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (MMM), Prana Pratishta, Invocation to Patanjali, and Vishve Deva mantra.

11. 30-Day Kriya Practices –You will need a minimum 30-day practice (consecutive) of Bhuta Shuddhi, Cave of the Heart, Manas Puja, Tibetan Color Purification, and Tattwa Shuddhi (Dark Man of Sin).These kriyas are given in the trainings.

Application and Instructions for ParaYoga Certification

1. Apply – Upon completion of all requirements, you may submit the following to the ParaYoga office:
•Certification Application
•A signed copy of the ParaYoga Code of Ethics
•Certification Fee of $350
•Teaching Logs

2. Request the exam – After submitting all the necessary documentation and fees to the ParaYoga office, you may request the exam. You will have 30 days to complete it. This test demonstrates your understanding of and ability to apply the fundamental principles of ParaYoga, with particular emphasis on sequencing, correct application and adaptation of Asana, Pranayama, and meditation as well as their energetic effects (i.e. Prana Vayus, Gunas, and Doshas. You will then be contacted within 30 days by your PYCT reviewer, to discuss the results of your written test. Please note: if the results of your written test are less than satisfactory, you will be guided as to how to prepare to retake the exam. A $125 fee will be charged for retakes.

3. Film your video – After passing the written exam, you must submit a video of your teaching for review. The video, in digital format, should demonstrate your proficiency in teaching a ParaYoga class. You will receive documents that provide detailed instructions regarding the requirements of your teaching video. Please be certain you have read and feel prepared to implement these requirements before you start filming. You will have 6 months to submit your video (via Dropbox to the PY office) after passing your written exam and receiving the guideline documents.  After your video has been reviewed you will be contacted within 30 days to discuss it. If the video is not approved, you will receive detailed feedback and guidance as to what aspects of your teaching need improvement and a ParaYoga Certification Action Plan (PYCAP) from your evaluator. A second video can be submitted no less than six months from the review and requires an additional processing fee of $125.

4. Get Licensed – After passing your video exam, you will be sent the ParaYoga Licensing Agreement, which you must sign and email back, along with your $150 Licensing Fee (to be pro-rated, depending on the time of year you certify).

5. Get Listed – After receiving your signed agreement and fees, you will then be listed on the ParaYoga Teacher Directory on the ParaYoga website; please email the ParaYoga office your bio, headshot and contact information

6. Complete one case study – You will be required to work privately with one individuals and document your results. Candidates need to show proficiency in working with individual client needs. Case studies must be submitted using the Case Study Form, which will be sent with your written exam.

7. Congratulations! You will be sent your ParaYoga Certificate of Completion.