Welcome to the Heart of Yoga Teacher Training
Bula Fiji!
Welcome to the Heart of Yoga Teacher Training
Congratulations on taking a step into authentic Yoga practice, as it has come through from the Great Tradition.
Yoga is participation in that which is great: the power of this cosmos unfolding as radiance, the power that brought you here in the first place and currently sustains you.
The heart of Yoga is intimacy with body, breath, and relationship, and in this matter nothing can replace sincere enquiry and dialogue between two actual people in friendship and respect.
As you prepare to attend the training, please take the time to study the recommended texts and, if you don’t already, begin a simple personal practice, as can be found on the iPromise and Yoga Promise apps.
Questions will inevitably arise in engagement with the texts and the practice: bring this active enquiry with you to the training to get the most out of our time together.
Please have a look at the info below in preparation for our time together in the beautiful, nurturing environment of Taveuni Island.
I look forward to connecting in person.
See you soon.
Much Love,
Mark and the Heart of Yoga Team
FINAL PAYMENT INFORMATION
After your registration has been accepted, we will send you an invoice with the final payment amount. Please contact programs@heartofyoga.com if you have any questions.
GETTING THERE
Our training is on the island of Taveuni, the third largest island in Fiji, so you will need to arrange to get there from the main island, Viti Levu, where international flights arrive into Nadi or Suva.
FLYING
You can fly internationally into Nadi airport on the west of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji, or into Suva on the east. Fiji Airways often has affordable international flights, including bookings all the way through to Taveuni (transfer in Nadi or Suva).
From Nadi you can fly to Taveuni’s airport, Matei, with Fiji Airways, or you can fly from Suva with Fiji Airways or Northern Air (who are much cheaper, but have an irregular flight schedule, check here: https://ars.northernair.com.fj/Booking/FlightSchedules/).
It’s possible to catch an affordable (approx. FJ$15) 4-hour bus from Nadi to Suva in order to fly from there on the cheaper airline if you’re keeping costs down.
FERRY
If you're feeling more time-rich and adventurous, you can also arrive in Taveuni via ferry from Suva. It takes approx 12-16 hours and is definitely not luxurious! Goundar Shipping Ltd. offers a daily schedule to Taveuni as well as other nearby islands. To check out their schedule and rates please consult their website at Goundar Shipping Ltd. There is also a new ferry service, Miller Shipping, going from Suva to Taveuni and back. It leaves at 4 am at either end. Fare is $71 FJD one way. More info under 'ferries' in the link below.
More info: http://www.pure-taveuni.com/gettinghere.html
We will pick you up from your flight or ferry.
If you’re confused about travel contact Rosalind and she can help you figure it out.
PRE-REQUISITE READING
"The Heart of Yoga, Developing A Personal Practice" – T.K.V. Desikachar - CLICK HERE TO ORDER
"Yoga of Heart, The Healing Power of Intimate Connection" – Mark Whitwell - CLICK HERE TO ORDER
"The Promise of Love, Sex and Intimacy" – Mark Whitwell - CLICK HERE TO ORDER
OR "The Promise: You can have what you really want" – Mark Whitwell - CLICK HERE TO ORDER (n.b. these are two editions of the same book, this one is quite a bit shorter).
Heart of Yoga Training Manual – This will be emailed. Please print, read, and bring with you. You will complete the assignments in the manual during the course. A printed copy is good to have during the daily classes for reference and note taking.
TIMETABLE
Monday 30th September: 9am Welcome Circle
Approximate Daily Schedule (please note this is a rough idea: our actual timetable will be discussed and worked out collectively around daylight hours, optimal swim times, meals, etc.)
Morning self-practice, swim, etc.
8am Breakfast
9am Gather, morning session
12.30pm–2.30pm Lunch and exploration/swim/free time
2.30pm–5.30pm Afternoon session
6pm Dinner together
7pm Evening self-practice time / free time
Note that our different areas of study (sequencing, mantra, the Yoga Sutras, subtle anatomy, poses and counterposes, yantra, meditation, practicum, etc.) are woven seamlessly together throughout the training, arising naturally in the engaged flow of two-directional, experiential education, rather than in rigid units of info dump.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
When you arrive in Fiji, you will receive a Declaration form that you will need to present at Customs. If your arrival and departure dates mean you are in Fiji for more than 14 days, it is very important that you choose LEISURE PURPOSES, as they will not grant you a permit for educational purposes for more than two weeks. Be aware that when asked "what will you be doing," if you say "Yoga teacher training," this will be classed as education and you may face problems at customs. Better to say "holiday" or "relaxing break doing yoga," both of which will be true! As a holiday visitor you will receive a four-month visa.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months longer than your stay!
CUSTOMS
You can click here for more information about what you are/are not allowed to bring into Fiji: https://www.frcs.org.fj/our-services/customs/visiting-fiji/arriving-in-fiji/
RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend bringing the following items with you:
Printed copy of the Heart of Yoga Training Manual (will be emailed)
Your yoga mat
Insect repellent
Sunscreen
Flashlight / solar light
A beach towel (although the resort has them also)
A light sweater and light rain jacket may be a good idea as rain may come and goes periodically
If you like snorkelling, bring your gear
Power outlets are 240 Volts AC50Hz with three power points like NZ and Australia. Solar chargers and adaptors are recommended!
If you enjoy nuts, trail mix, granola bars, particular teas, or any other non-perishable foods, you can usually bring them unopened through Fiji Customs at the airport without any issues (see the above link to check the Customs website). Keep in mind we will be on a small island with a simple agricultural way of life, so if you thrive on particular snacks, bring them with you! We will always keep you well-fed on delicious local food but you may like to bring your customary favourites.
CURRENCY
The local currency is Fijian dollars. There are currency exchanges at the airports in Nadi and Suva. Bring Fijian cash if you want to buy anything from the local craftswomen, the local market and/or any additional taxi services you may desire. There is a grocery store 15 minutes drive away that accepts credit cards, and an ATM in the town. These are both a 15-20 minute drive from the ashram and dive resort.
INTERNET
For those wanting Internet access, please bear in mind it's slow!
Fiji time :)
If you must be on your computer (not recommended), then you can buy a data stick or pocket wifi. These can range anywhere from about FDJ$70 to FJD$300 without a data plan, which starts at an additional FJD$35.
There are two brands, Digicell and Vodafone. Digicell will give you better coverage in the place we are.
If you have an un-locked smart phone, you can purchase a Data SIM card for as low as FJD$35 for 500MB (valid for one week). If you are coming from the USA, you can “unlock” your phone by simply calling your service provider and telling them you are going overseas and need to use your phone. It can take a few days to process, but is free and easy to unlock it.
There are Digicel and Vodafone stores at Nadi airport where you can work out the best current plan for your needs.
Taveuni Dive Resort (a 5-10 minute walk from the ashram) have high-speed wifi available to their guests.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Bouma Falls
Full day outing
Tavoro Waterfalls is part of Bouma Heritage Park and is at the top of the list of things to do on Taveuni. The entire experience will take about six hours and be offered midway through the training. To get to the falls, we will take a one-hour shuttle to the opposite side of the island, and stop in at the Tavoro Visitor Center.
The trail begins from there and starts out with an easy 10-minute walk to the first and most famous waterfall of Fiji, Bouma Falls. Then the trail continues up a series of switchbacks (this is the hard part but only takes 20 mins!) past great views of outlying islands Qamea, Matagi and Laucala to the second falls. The third falls is an adventurous further hike for the fit and enthusiastic. Along the way, we will see many of the birds and life of the Fiji forest, some of which can be found nowhere else in Fiji, and can cool off by swimming in any of the incredibly clear volcanic pools beneath the falls at each level, and enjoying a picnic lunch together.
Water Slide
Short lunchtime activity
This natural water slide is a local secret! It’s only a very short drive and then walk from the ashram, and is a fun post-lunch trip that will be scheduled when the weather is nice and the river is at its best level. You must be adventurous to go down the water slide! But all can enjoy a dip in the cool, pristine river water and watch the “sliders” from the bottom. The experience will take about one to two hours and be offered during a lunch break.
Taveuni Women’s Empowerment Support Group:
Free to browse — cash needed if you'd like to buy of the crafts on offer.
This is a local group of woman artisans who sell their crafts to an international market with the support of non-profit groups. They are currently focusing on hand-woven yoga mats, reusable shopping bags, yoga mat bags, jewellery and traditional crafts, as well honey, sauces and jams.
We are proud to support our local community and have been honoured to see this group grow over the years to become a viable resource for the women of Taveuni.
The group will set up their items in the yoga shala and be open to browse during a lunch break.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Taveuni Dive Resort: http://www.taveunidiveresort.com/
Rosalind (coordinator): +64-27-715-9538
Wani (our dear friend and fabulous shuttle driver who will be picking you up at the Taveuni airport): +679-948-1149