Faq

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Which airport do I fly into?

A: You will fly into Kahalui, Maui airport (OGG) which is a 15 minute drive from the North Shore and the historical Plantation Town of Paia where the Maui Yoga Shala is located. Rental car options are available at the airport. Taxi service is about $20 from the airport to Paia. Please email your flight details in advance.

Q: Do I need to rent a car?

A: There are many car rental companies based at the airport. Renting a car will make life fun on Maui as after class you can visit the local beaches, go for walks and in the evenings enjoy some of the excellent local restaurants and then take longer adventures on your day off (Sunday afternoon). You can easily rent from companies such as Enterprise, Avis, Aloha, Kimos (it is best to do a google search to find what deals work for you)

Q: How do I get to and from the Maui Yoga Shala?

A: Our trainee house is located within walking distance (about 15 min) to the studio and Paia town. Biking and carpooling is also an option. There is no bus service along this route. For more information on Paia visit www.paiamaui.com

Q: What are the trainee accommodations?

A: The tuition + lodging option includes accommodations in our trainee house with shared bedrooms (private room option available). The house is self catering. Supplies can be bought in Paia Town or if you have a car you can go into the town of Kahului to shop. Paia town is where you will find an a great organic food store, cafes & restaurants, and retail shops. The house is furnished with a full kitchen, beds with linen as well as a washing machine and small yard out back. Tuition covers the night before training begins with checkout being on the last Monday. If you’d like to arrive earlier or stay beyond the training lodging is only $60/night shared!

Q: What about food?

A: Typically, you’ll be bringing your prepared meals & snacks for the day with you in the morning. We have a fridge to place your food items. There is a wonderful, organic grocery store called Mana right in Paia town. Our lovely, open-air Island Fresh Cafe is located in our Shala. Our cafe offers a nice selection of locally sourced, organic meals and menu items. Vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options available.

Q: What do I need to bring with me?

A: STATIONARY – 2 inched 3 ring binder (for manual/handouts), pens, pencils, colouring in pencils, highlighters, blank notebook and your ipad/laptop (you will have research assignments each day!). All the houses & studio offer free internet connection. Also, bring your water bottle (the studio provides drinking water) BOOKS – A comprehensive teacher training manual will be presented on the first day of training. REQUIRED READING FOR COURSE: — Prior to course – Health, Healing and Beyond: Yoga and the Living Tradition of T. Krishnamacharya – T. K. V. Desikachar (200/300 hr) — During course – The Language of Yoga –Nicolai Bachman (200/300 hr) — Prior to and during the course – The Yogi’s Roadmap: Patanjali Yoga Sutra as a Journey to Self Realization by Bhavani Silvia Maki (300 hr) SUGGESTED READING BEFORE COURSE: — Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff (200/300HR)

CLOTHING – Most of the day will be spent at the Studio in class so please make sure you have clothes to practice (and perhaps a change of clothes for the day if need be) as well as your yoga mat (though the studio does have spare ones if you prefer not to bring your own). Our days are warm (usually a steady 68-70F during the day but nights can be a bit cooler). Rain can occur during our winter months so factor in an umbrella and correct shoes if you are walking. On Hawaii people typically wear “slippas” or flip-flop sandals. It is the custom in Hawaii to leave your shoes at the door.

OPTIONAL – bring a small medical kit if you want (bandages, disinfectant, topical antibiotics). The closest pharmacy is in the main town of Kahului. (Doctors – Paia has a dentist, massage therapists, chiropractor, but no doctor. The closest doctors / hospitals are in the town of Kahului. Please ensure you have medical insurance when you come out. You will be asked to sign an activities waiver for the time you are with us and will be fully responsible for your own actions during your time off.)

Q: Are there breaks throughout the day?

A: Our day is busy from start to finish and there will not be sufficient time to walk into Paia to shop. We suggest you stay at the Shala and rather bring food and drinks with you for the day. There are two small fridges at the shala to store your food and we have a lovely outside area in the back where you can sit and enjoy some sunshine while you eat. We also have our Café right next door where you can buy coffee, delicious smoothies and fruit/veg juices, sandwiches, breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Q: Do I have any responsibilities or need to help out during the training?

A: You will be asked to help with simple tasks around the Shala as part of your SEVA. This will include helping keep the studio clean and tidy as well as your living space. Light administration duties may be included as well so that you get to sample what it takes to run a Yoga Studio!

Q: Will I teach during my training?

A: The first two weeks you will be focusing on developing your own practice. In the final week you may be asked to do simple adjustments on students and during the practicum hours you will now put into place all you have learnt in the previous two weeks!. Working in small groups of 2-4 (depending on the size of your training group), you will formulate and then teach a full 1.5hr class to your fellow students. Senior teachers from the training will assess you on quality of sequencing, verbal instruction/delivery, use of variations and props, gentle adjustments, and overall presentation (incl the use of themes / mantras / philosophy / music). There will be a group feedback session after each practicum for fellow student comments as well.

Q: Do I have homework?

A: Although your classroom hours end at 4pm you will stay have work to do in the evening. This will include: reading your anatomy notes, writing out your teaching scripts, your chakra assignment as well as some smaller assignments for your philosophy classes. We recommend putting aside at least 1.5hrs in the evening for this.

Q: Will I have time off to enjoy the island?

A: Your course is going to be busy and full and you are going to be learning a lot! You will need to make sure you factor in time in the evenings for homework and study and ensure you get proper rest at night BUT….Maui is a magical place and we definitely would like you to enjoy as much of the island as possible.Your day ends at 4pm and the sun sets around 7:00pm so you will have time in the afternoon to head to the local beaches for a walk and swim. Remember to bring your beach gear! (items can also can be purchased in Kahului if needed) You will have Sunday’s off (morning practice optional) to enjoy longer trips around the island. You will need to hire a car for this. You can head South Side (Kihei, Wailea, Makena) which takes approximately 30-60 minutes or head West side (Lahaina, Kaanapali etc) which take approximately 1-1.5 hrs depending on traffic. A trip up the volcano is a must – either sunrise or sunset. There are also some easy hikes with waterfalls to enjoy. We can give you some suggestions when you arrive. A day off whale watching is a great adventure as is a SUP (Stand-Up Paddle) session on the South Side. We have some lovely restaurants on the North Shore and Upcountry if you wish to enjoy a night out. Remember that nights can be a little cooler – bring long light pants, sweater, and closed shoes in case it rains.

Q: What am I certified to teach after graduating?

A: You will have obtained your 200-hr certification in Hatha Vinyasa Yoga. You will receive your certificate on Graduation Day. From here, you will be able to register with Yoga Alliance as a RYT 200 (Registered Yoga Teacher). Visit www.yogaalliance.org. Under the tab of Credentialing you will see how to register and what you registration and annual fees are. Yoga Alliance members have also have access to a number of Perks to support their work and daily lives. Maui Yoga Shala is a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance, which designates this teacher training program as one which follows Yoga Alliance’s standards.

We look forward to having you join our Maui Yoga Ohana!!