Welcome!
Thank you so much for stopping by to learn more about Lulu Bandha's Yoga School. We are here for you and look forward to meeting.
We offer both a 200-hour YA Certified Teacher Training Program as well as a 300-hour Advanced Education Program. (This training is currently under review for YA Certification).
- Let us know that you are interested. If you are currently practicing at the studio, tell us live. Or send us a note.
- Fill out the Application for the 200-Hour Program.
- If you are interested in the 300-Hour Advanced Education Program, please let us know so we can outline it for you.
- Jump in. The primary module is "Teaching Yoga, Side A," but you can start taking certain workshops now. Take a look at the schedule.
- Join the Garden and start a Yoga Blog. Observe your teachers. Begin recording the sequences you do in class. Write about your yoga practice, your insights, your struggles, your questions. Become mindful about your relationship with the practice.
- Start making an effort towards a personal practice if you don't already have one.
- Start teaching now. Teach a friend a few of the things you already know. A simple hip stretch, an easy hamstring stretch, a breathing technique or guided relaxation. Start to give birth to your voice. A tiny little bit of teaching effort will help create the soil for the lessons to take root.
 Dive In
This year's faculty includes Kira Ryder, Ravi Ravindra, Lisa West, Uma Goswami, Casey Murphy, Patricia Sullivan, Betsy Stix, Melina Meza, Sherry Sidoti, Robert Sidoti, and Kari Sims Anthon. Additionally, at the Crib, you will be able to receive credit from studying with Erich Schiffmann, Saul David Raye, Dana Flynn and others.
We believe in having a mentor within the Lulu Bandha's family as you deepen your study. Someone with whom you have a connection and who can help point you towards your own discoveries. After completion of 'Side A', you will be paired up as appropriate.
The Practicum allows you to observe and assist with Lulu Bandha's teachers. Then, you will have the opportunity to teach classes in a safe supportive environment and receive feedback.
The Practicum accounts for at least 15 hours in your 200 hour program and is individually scheduled with teachers at Lulu Bandha's. If you are traveling to study at Lulu Bandha's arrangements can be made to study under a teacher closer to home.
Applicants must have completed at least 150 hours before beginning.
The Practicum Section of the 300 hour training is about 40 hours and will mostly be on your own with scheudled check in times with teachers of Lulu Bandha's.
Lulu Bandha's is Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance. This means that if you complete our 200 Hour Teacher Training, you will be eligible to become a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance.
Our 300-Hour Advanced Education Program is currently under review with the YA. You can begin to accrue hours now. Please, if you are interested in the 300-hour Program, let us know so we can outline it for you.
We have struggled with the notion of "Certification". Because while we have particular requirements for becoming a teacher at Lulu Bandha's, we and no one else is the authority of your qualification to teach.
We also recognize that chaos loves order, so we are doing our best to comply and help establish some organization to the endless play of learning.
Lulu Bandha's is located in the heart of downtown Ojai in the magnificent Ojai Valley. Ojai has long been understood as a place to connect to the Divine within. Overflowing with spirtual centers, nestled in the arms ofthe Los Padres National Forest and full of some of the nicest people you'll ever meet, Ojai will become your yoga home.
We have school peeps come in from all over. There are many hotels, rooms in homes, and campsites.
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About Our School
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Established in March 2002, Lulu Bandha's is a community of blossoming yogis tuning into our own alignment. We are not committed to one particular style, rather we are interested in offering techniques that might help you relax into yourself. Lately we are more and more interested in the internal landscape and practices that allow us access to this magical realm.
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We believe that the best way to learn how to teach yoga is to start teaching yoga. The authentic inspiration to share and connect with others will naturally guide you.
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We have designed and are continually developing the school to offer the necessary tools and information to start or enhance your teaching. Yet the real source of your teaching comes from your diligent attentive practice and surrender. Through this, your teaching will blossom.
The Tradition of Yoga is a Living Breathing Tradition that lives inside of you. It is our job to assist in awakening you to this understanding.
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Our intention is to offer just enough information and tools to encourage the internal exploration while at the same time preparing you to share and express your personal experience and communicate the teachings. We want to hear your voice, your Yoga.
Our program encourages you to drop in slowly and take your time. Allow yourself to take the courses that you are drawn to and create the space for the information and experience to sink in. If you are looking for a quick 200 hour certification package, we are not the school for you. Completion will take at least a year. The 500 hour certification will take over 2 years.
Please note that while our 200-hour Teacher Training is currently certified with the Yoga Alliance, our 300-hour Advanced Education Program hour training is in the process of receiving approval. Connect in with any questions.
2013 School Calender
As we so far know it....
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
- Septemeber 13 - 15: Teaching Yoga to Addicts: A Path to Freedom with Winifred Wilson. Part 2
- September 19 - 20: Teaching Yoga to Guys with Robert Sidoti. Details TBA.
- September 27 - 19: Connecting with the Connective Tissue with Lisa West. Details TBA.
October
November
- November 29 - Dec 1: Intuitive Ayurveda with Melina Meza, Part 2
December
- Dec 13 - 15: Jam Sessions, vol. 10
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Winter Jam Sessions, vol. 8 and 9
Ojai, Calif.
December 14- 16, 2012 and January 11 - 13, 2013
Now that you are teaching yoga, you have a lot more questions. We will commune to explore these, play with new techniques and reconnect with our sangha. Learn More. |
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Architecture of a Strong Practice
with Casey Murphy
Ojai, Calif.
January 18 - 20
In this three day workshop, we will look at the large muscle groups used in specific poses and learn how to strengthen them in order to support our practice. Learn More. |
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Anatomy of Self Love
with Kira Ryder
Ojai, Calif.
January 23 - 27
This training is designed to develop or enhance our understanding of the physiological practicality of Self Love and offer techniques and practices that might enrich the soil for your Heart to bloom. Learn More. |
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Intimacy with the Internal Landscape: Looking with Tender Innocence
with Kira Ryder
Ojai, Calif.
February 1 - 3
This weekend is designed to find a tender and innocent gaze with which we may begin to look inward. Learn More. |
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Intimacy with the Internal Landscape: Looking with Tender Innocence
with Kira Ryder
Temple Road Yoga, Fort Worth, TX
February 21 - 24
This weekend is designed to find a tender and innocent gaze with which we may begin to look inward. Learn More. |
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Pointing Towards the Joy: Teaching Subtle Anatomy
with Kira Ryder
Ojai, Calif.
February 27 thru March 3
We'll become more intimate with subtle currents, logging time and establishing a relationship with the interior realm. We will then explore methods of teaching and sharing. Learn More. |
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Quiet as Snow
Winter Play for Yoginis with Kira Ryder and Kari Sims
Sisters, Oregon
March 13 - 17
Kira is our guide for the exquisite interior wilderness. Kari is our outdoor guide with plans to lead us deep into the spectacular forests around Sisters, Oregon on snowshoes and other technologies. Learn more. |
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With Krishna in the Battle of Life: Life Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita
with Ravi Ravindra
Krotona in Ojai
March 26-29, April 2-5, 9-11
We cannot wait to immerse ourselves again in the teachings with our beloved Ravi Ravindra. Learn More. |
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Just Checking the Conditions
with Patricia Sullivan
March 28 - 30
Our most favorite Patricia Sullivan is dipping in to share her latest discoveries with us late March for the Easter Season. Learn More. |
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With Krishna in the Battle of Life: Life Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita
with Ravi Ravindra
Krotona in Ojai
March 26 - 29, April 2 - 5, 9 - 11
We cannot wait to immerse ourselves again in the teachings with our beloved Ravi Ravindra. Learn More. |
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Spring Bhakti-fication Retreat with Dana Flynn, Mary Dana and Kate
April 12 - 14
East West Laughing Lotus Mash Up Retreat. Learn More. |
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Indian Mystics: Psychological and Yogic Perspectives
with Uma K Goswami
Krotona in Ojai
April 16 thru 19
Focus on Indian yogis and mystics who practiced universal brotherhood and were able to transcend the sorrows of duality. Learn More. |
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The Subtle Universe
with Amit Goswami
Krotona in Ojai
April 23 thru 26
There is a paradigm shift going on in science, and the worldview is changing from the primacy of matter to the primacy of consciousness. Learn More. |
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Teaching Yoga to Addicts: A Path to Recovery. Part 1.
with Winifred Wilson
Ojai, CA
May 3 - 5.
Breaking the bonds of addiction is a massive task and "without help it is too much for us”. Learn More. |
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Intimacy with the Internal Landscape: Looking with Tender Innocence
with Kira Ryder
Yoga Tree, Tokyo, Japan
May 1 - 5
This weekend is designed to find a tender and innocent gaze with which we may begin to look inward. Learn More. |
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Original Alignments of the Heart: Self Care and Care for Others
Two Part Workshop with Kira Ryder
Ojai, Calif
May 17 - 19 & June 21 - 23
We will uncover this inherent wisdom within. Learn More. |
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Intimacy with the Internal Landscape: Looking with Tender Innocence
with Kira Ryder
Arlington, VA
May 31 - June 2
This weekend is designed to find a tender and innocent gaze with which we may begin to look inward. Details to be posted. |
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Intimacy with the Internal Landscape: Looking with Tender Innocence
with Kira Ryder
Sun and Moon, Arlington, VA
May 31 - June 2
This weekend is designed to find a tender and innocent gaze with which we may begin to look inward. Details to be posted.
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Teaching Kids Yoga
Ojai, Calif
with Betsy Stix
June 14 - 16
Love Yoga? Love Kids? This workshop is for you! Come and explore yoga through the eyes of a child. Yoga and kids are a natural combination, and in this workshop you will learn how to introduce yoga to kids and make it fun. Learn More. |
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Original Alignments of the Heart: Self Care and Care for Others
Two Part Workshop with Kira Ryder
Ojai, Calif
May 17 - 19 & June 21- 23
We will uncover this inherent wisdom within. Learn More. |
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Intuitive Ayurveda
Two Part Workshop with Melina Meza
Ojai, Calif
June 28 - 30 & Nov 29 - Dec 1
Playing with the maps of Ayurveda, we will meet them with our intuition to understand the wisdom from within. Details TBA.
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Teaching Yoga, A Side
Ojai, Calif.
July 11 - 20
This 60-hour course is the heart of the Lulu Bandha's Yoga School. Designed to deepen your understanding of the experiential, philosophical and practical application of yoga, this training will provide you with the skill set to begin or enhance your teaching path. Learn More. |
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Surrender to the Subtle: Sacred Texts, Sacred Movement
with Kira Ryder and Ravi Ravindra
July 27 - August 2
According to the sages, subtler realms exist all around and within us. Can we become curious and receptive enough to perceive these forces? How do we find the courage and strength to surrender and participate with their guidance? Learn More. |
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Teaching Yoga, B Side
Ojai, Calif
August 16 - 18 & 23 - 25
In A Side, we dove in, now how do we express what we are finding? How do we allow our sharing of yoga to sound like us? Read More. |
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Teaching Yoga to Addicts: A Path to Recovery. Part 2
with Winifred Wilson
Ojai, CA
September 13 - 15
Breaking the bonds of addiction is a massive task and "without help it is too much for us”. Learn More. |
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International Ojai Yoga Crib
Ojai, Calif.
October 24 - 27, 2012
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Intuitive Ayurveda
Two Part Workshop with Melina Meza
Ojai, Calif
June 28 - 30 & Nov 29 - Dec 1
Playing with the maps of Ayurveda, we will meet them with our intuition to understand the wisdom from within. Details TBA.
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Graduation and Certification
For 200-hour certification from Lulu Bandha's Yoga School, we ask that you complete the following 2012 courses or equivalent through Lulu Bandha's in 3 years. The courses and offerings will change year to year so if you are drawn to a particular teacher or course, we encourage you take the opportunity to dive in when it's available.
Required Courses
- Anatomy of Self Love, 20 hours
- Ravi Ravindra, 8.5 to 30.5 hours
- Lisa West, 9 hours
- Uma Goswami, 8 hours
- Teaching Yoga, Side A, 60 hours
- Teaching Yoga, B Side, 20 hours
- Practicum, 10 to 15 hours
- The International Ojai Yoga Crib, 15 to 22 hours
- Jam Session, vol. 10, 9 hours
Electives
The Following Courses are 'Electives' and designed to help you develop your communication skills and focus your yoga teaching towards the population you are most drawn to serve. Not all of these are happening in 2013.:
The electives change from year to year depending on teachers' availability.
If you are interested in being formally certified with the Yoga Alliance, we require that you fill out this application and submit a Certification Fee of $25 so that we can track your hours and assist you in completing all the requirements.
Depending on the Courses you choose, your total cost for the 200-Hour Lulu Teacher Training Program will be around $3200. You pay as you go along and we offer a range of payment plans within all the courses.
Yes. We offer a 300-Hour Advanced Education Program. We are formalizing this program with Yoga Alliance now to become a continuing education school. We are calling it Rishi School. Please, if you are interested, let us know as you can begin to acrue hours as we wait for certification.
Meet Some of the Graduates
All the current teachers at Lulu Bandha's have completed the training as well as studied elsewhere allowing for a diverse mix of approaches within a shared understanding of aligning from within. Meet Us.
Meet peeps who have completed or almost completed our program.
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