Durga's Tiger School is proud to be the first YA and YAI certified yoga teacher training school in Ecuador!
The vision of Durga's Tiger School
The ever smiling Durga Devi has the weapons to fight the demon in all possible forms. So Durga gives us, as followers on the Yoga path, the tools to fight our own inner demons in a gentle manner. The tiger in Indian iconography stands for God’s grace and in the shamanic cosmovision of the Amazon it stands for relaxed power in action and for patience – like a tiger sometimes you have to wait, until the right moment occurs. So for us the tiger is a bridge between Indigenous and Vedic wisdom. Iris Disse and David Höner created the vision for a school, where people could learn different skills to develop awareness, spirituality, creativity and the power to integrate their true self into society. We hope, that this helps to create a more peaceful world where people develop their lives in creativity and in harmony with the sacred law.
The teacher training
We offer RYT 200, 300 and 500hr yoga teacher training certification in tantra yoga. Our 200hr teacher training takes place in the form of a four-week retreat at Casa Kiliku an ecological retreat centre and ashram in the Andean region of Ecuador, very close to Quito. Students also have the option of completing the 200hr training in two months, attending on half days and without living at the ashram. Tuition is in both spanish and english.
The 300hrs course takes 6 weeks of stay in the Ashram and the 500hrs course takes 9 weeks.
For people who decide to come for the 500hrs course, we always have a very special week of classes toghether with special activities related with arts and Tantra Philosophy .
Each teacher training group consists of a maximum of 20 students facilitated by a competent and engaging, international teaching team.
Living in the ashram enables students to focus intensively on their training, fully immersing themselves in a process of learning and self-discovery. Students discover the joy of deeply engaging in yogic practice and lifestyle without their usual responsibilities and away from busyness of daily life. A close and energetic group environment is created to enable students to share their experience and learning process.
Yoga
Course content is focused on Kaula Tantra Yoga
Techniques of pranayama are taught in Tantra Yoga and Kundalini Yoga practices
Morning meditations
Kaula Tantra Partner Yoga
Chakra work through the kundalini, tantra yoga and meditation practice
theoretical Psicology of Chakras classes
Other practices
Heyoca – the shamanic clown
Expressive Arts of the Being
Shamanism and Cosmovision
Tantric and Shamanistic Rituals
Durga’s Tiger Dance
Applied Tantra Philosophy
Mantra Chanting
Extras & Weekend Offers
Yoga exploration laboratories where students discover other yoga techniques
Work with a shaman and power plants of the jungle, or the Andes
Day trips
About tantra yoga
Kaula Tantra Yoga is rooted in Uttara Shaivism, or Kashmiri Shaivism, one of six Śiva traditions. Tantra Yoga Ãsanas, derived from the Vedas, are designed to enable the practitioner to balance her or his intrinsic energy system (Prana) and to root herself or himself in infinite consciousness. Tantra yoga is a form of deep yoga meditation. It is practiced in a slow and flowing manner, building patience and awareness. The periods of relaxation between postures enable the body to restructure at a cellular level: the body learns that the ‘not doing’ is the base of the action. The technique is completed by the practice of bandhas, pranayama, mantra chanting, Samadhi, sitting meditation and kundalini kriyas. Sincere practice enables students to release deep-seated tension and fears, and to express their true Selfhood from a place of love and freedom. Ultimately, students experience a shift in identity and learn to view themselves and the other as a divine being. Tantra yoga naturally increases strength and flexibility and can help you to reduce the impact of everyday stress, increasing both your mental and physical well-being, however physical health is not the primary focus.
Through the tantra teachings students also learn about the energetic exchange between Shiva and Shakti, the two polarities, and how to integrate sexual energy into their yogic practice.
Living in the ashram
The teacher training takes place at Casa Kiliku, an ecological retreat centre and ashram at the edge of a natural reserve on the volcano Ilalo. Casa Kiliku is a place created by artists and every space is unique. Students live in fully furnished rooms/studios complete with kitchen and bathroom, sharing between two or three.
Casa Kiliku was built with ecological local materials: the fully furnished studios and apartments are built by materials from our volcano, with bricks or adobe and wood. Surrounded by lush gardens and trees, with large common areas and spectacular views, it is the perfect place to retreat from everyday life and fully immerse in yoga training.
Casa Kiliku is close to the centre of Quito, 25 minutes by car. The taxi from Quito city centre costs 15 dollars, and the little village bus, which takes a little longer, stops in front of our door. The new airport, too, you can reach in 25-45 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Teacher training retreats are fully catered. All meals are delicious, home cooked and vegetarian.