200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
UPCOMING DATES:
February 1 - February 25 2024
This 24 day in-person immersive training with Grant Ifflander is meant to be a "jump-off" point for people looking to initiate themselves into the fundamental teachings of traditional Tantric Hatha Yoga.
The Keeper's of the Earth YTT was created out of necessity: to deliver to the people the real teachings of our ancient sages and wisdom carriers of old and to help them embody these teachings in the modern world.
An ancient science with modern results.
The world doesn't need more asana teachers. It needs more people determined to stoke the fires of sacred wisdom burning in their hearts through commitment, devotion & direct experience.
24 days....
A life-long path of self-mastery.
What you will Master...
The true goal of Yoga
Understanding what the sages meant by "Self-Realization"... What the practical steps and methods are for us as modern practitioners to achieve this... and how this level of spirituality fits into our daily lives.
Tantra and Hatha yoga
Radically change how you view Yoga by learning the history and worldview of our ancient ancestors; develop your own methods of interacting with and experiencing the great cosmos in order to contribute to the evolution of All.
ritual & Ceremony
You will learn the subtleties and nuances of ritual, ceremony and mantra and how these elements fit into Yoga, as well as how to create and facilitate these facets of the spiritual journey.
spiritual
science
Understanding the inner mechanics of human spiritual transformation. Understand the value and importance of creating a systematic, methodological sadhana for true and lasting changing and spiritual attainment.
Summary
Tantra means to expand, to weave, to tie together.
Ha-tha means Sun & Moon.
Through Tantric Hatha Yoga, we weave together and expand our mind, body & energies until we experience our oneness with everything.
According to the Tantric worldview, everything is divine; All is One. They say that everything we see emerges out of our own perception, and we have the capacity to change our perception at will. According to the Hatha Yogis, it is possible to affect our perception by developing a psycho-physiology that has been adapted to actually perceive the divinity of Reality; not to pretend, but to literally become One. There are direct methods -- asana, pranayama, kriya, mantra, etc. -- available to us for this Realization to take place; it's just up to us to set the stage and apply the appropriate tools. However, we must know why and what we are doing....
Due to the focus on physical and material achievement in our modern world, yoga communities around the globe have unfortunately been infiltrated with that same mind-set. An over-emphasis of asana and physical posture development has stripped Yoga of its true purpose. Yoga offers far, far more than what we originally might think when peering at it from the outside. Once a person dives into the mystical, magical -- and yet deeply scientific and practical -- realm of this great tradition, understands the roots from which Yoga comes, and commits themselves to learn, practice and become an embodiment of the teachings, their life becomes a living expression of the divine.
This is what is meant through the path of Tantric Hatha Yoga. This is not about intellectualizing God/Goddess. This is about creating the conditions to BECOME and experience, for ourselves, the highest expression of Reality. In doing so, everything we "do" in our life is done from this vibration. The yogis would say that this is the ultimate goal of human experience... and as we start to walk in this way, everything around and within our life changes. Because everything is an expression of us. True healing is made possible. True transformation. Evolution. Self-actualization. Wholeness.
We can only find out for ourselves whether or not this is true.
This training is designed to provide an opportunity for the aspirant to experience for themselves true self-discovery, self-mastery, and self-actualization.
Who's this for?
the Keepers of the Earth YTT is for you if...
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You've done a YTT before but were unsatisfied with the depth of the training
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You've NOT done a YTT but are looking to do one that feels completely authentic
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You want to learn how to lead with embodiment and heart
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You are committed to learn, understand and embody sacred traditions
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You are interested in re-writing the script and transmitting the Yoga within yourself and with your community in a new way
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You want to learn how to hold & facilitate ceremonial space with mantra, sacred music, and sound
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You have been a practitioner for years but are ready to dive in further
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You want to feel authentic, grounded & actualized in your craft and work
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You are already a space-holder and want to deepen your embodiment + sharpen your abilities & competencies as a facilitator
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You want to be a part of a community of people devoted to Truth and service
This is not just a YTT. It is an initiation to ignite the fire of sacred wisdom within an authentic seeker.
What's included?
Sadhana, Satsang, & Sangha
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24-day immersive retreat at a beautiful, yogi-friendly retreat location in the valleys of Costa Rica, completely held and surrounded by Nature
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Organic vegetarian meals
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Daily sadhana (practice) including asana, pranayama, mantra, and yogic meditation
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Daily study of sacred texts and journaling for integration
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Daily refreshing river/waterfall dips
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Daily workshops on Yogic and Tantric philosophy and the inner mechanics of spiritual transformation
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Daily Kirtan and group chanting
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A YTT manual with all necessary terms and learnings
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Weekly pujas, rituals & ceremonies and discussion about the mechanics of ritual/ceremony + how to lead them
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Energetic and spiritual anatomy discussions from traditional Hatha Yoga
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Satsang with story-telling, scriptural analysis, and discourse
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Vedic astrology & cosmology
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Tantric mythology
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Ayurveda and the "science of life"
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Dharma talks from Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana
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"The Yoga of the Voice" vocal activation work and introduction to classical Indian music and Vedic chanting
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Fire ritual (yagna & dhuni)
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Introduction to cacao as a ceremonial plant medicine
24 days
a life-long path of self-mastery
The Requirement?
A burning desire to embody the sacred teachings, to self-initiate, and to enter an entirely new phase of life.
What people are saying...
Barbara, Women's Empowerment Coach & Bhakti Yogi
Grant's powerful teachings of Hatha Yoga and breath work supported me to reclaim my empowerment and connect with what is true to me. His Authenticity shines through and his retreats and online courses gave me the inspiration to recommit to my daily sadhana (self practice) and choose liberation over anything else. The way Grant weaves in deep esoteric wisdom and philosophy with the modern world is uplifting and makes it accessible to every student. I would recommend any of his courses, retreats or classes as he operates from the heart and is sure to put our growth and expansion as his top priority.
Alastair, IT Solutions Expert
The level of practical knowledge that Grant's courses impart is incredible, direct learning of key fundamentals that can be applied to deepen and improve your practices the same day!
Shared with an easy-going, caring wisdom that only comes from a deep respect and curiosity of the very material Grant is himself working with, these courses are so easy, so light and yet so profound in their nature that I have no hesitation in recommending Grant's courses to anyone looking to make progress with both their daily practice and with themselves.
Joanna, Digital Nomad
No matter how I experienced Grant, whether thru his online courses or music, he shares deeply rooted wisdom that lands right in my heart. I love his casual and responsive approach while diving deep and delivering teachings that expand my life. I’ve learned a lot and added mantras to my daily practices, now with more awareness, freeing my voice in the process, which has been my intention for the year. Grant, thank you for being such a great teacher and brother who inspires me greatly!
About your instructor
meet Grant Ifflander....
a practitioner of the ancient arts, Grant found yoga in his efforts to heal from injuries (both physical and spiritual). After a series of incredible synchronicities, Grant met his Hatha Yoga teacher in India in 2016, who introduced him to the advanced internal practices of lineage-based Kriya Yoga. Over the years Grant has dedicated his life to a full-time effort of studying, researching, and applying the methods of spiritual transformation that his teacher and others introduced him to. He believes in keeping the sacred fires of wisdom alive through dedicated self practice, and a constant commitment to learning and being a student. Grant founded the Bridge the Gap Yoga school in his Arizona home back in 2017 which is still in operation today, although he has his home-base in Costa Rica where he leads retreats, immersions and deeper training initiations for sincere aspirants.
The mind is the king of the senses but the breath is the king of the mind
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika
FAQs
Is this program accredited through Yoga Alliance?
Short answer : YES.
OUR Yoga School, Keepers of the Earth, is internationally accredited and officially recognized by the standardizing professional body of Yoga Alliance.
However, it must be said that the real "accreditation" of completing a program such as KotE YTT is a sense of deep personal affirmation that arises due to legitimate and authentic spiritual attainment.
You may understand how it is not possible that this can hang on the wall or be certified with a piece of paper. Our goal is to un-do the culture of "quick fixes", weekend certification, and other false senses of achievement and re-ignite the humility of dedicated life-long practice.
If you want accolades, trophies and followers then this training is not for you. If you want to be a part of re-writing the story of Yoga, this training is for you.
I've been practicing yoga for years but...
Unfortunately, most yoga that is practiced today is done so in a very un-systematic fashion. This leads to us missing out on the depth that is possible when we approach the Hatha Yoga system the way it was designed - methodically, scientifically, and progressively. The promises of the path remain lofty goals and spiritual ideals but never actually become embodied to their fullest. Our potential remains untapped and our greatness hidden. We may discover that until we have a systematic daily practice, our neuroses, habits and conditions continue to draw our life-energy in different directions. Developing one-pointed concentration through yogic methods and becoming a master of one's life-force energies is a possibility for us all, and it doesn't come through "flowing". First we must understand and then master the flow, before we can truly "flow".... fulfilling one's destiny comes as a result of these efforts. Yoga is both the means AND the goal, but we must approach it with intentionality, sincerity, curiosity, and commitment to the path itself.
I am already trained as a breathwork coach, facilitator, 1000 hour yoga teacher, space-holder extraordinaire, shaman, quantum physicist, etc... why should I train with you?
Look, chances are if you've landed here, and you are reading this, you are still looking for something. I'm on that search with you. Yoga has given me tools to help me discover what it is we are searching for, and what is driving the search. By grace, I've managed to set my life up in such a way that I can commit myself full-time to studying, researching and practicing yoga and I have done exactly that since I quit my "day job" in 2015. I've invested thousands of my own hours in the practice lab, time with my teachers, on personal retreats, in silence, with shamans, etc. I am putting everything I've ever learned into this training in the most effective format possible for you. This is literally my life's work. I am not interested in churning out multiple yoga teachers to go teach vinyasa flow classes. I want to offer, from my heart to yours, genuine and authentic tools of spiritual transformation. I want to honor my teachers and the lineages from which I have my roots and I want to pass that torch to you, should you wish to carry it.
Yoga almost died out numerous times over the centuries. This is true for many of our sacred wisdom traditions. My mission is to create a culture & community of humans who truly care about keeping the fire of yoga alive. This will be hard work, but it will be real and it will be genuine, and I think that is worth it. If you are in, then I am with you.
Invest into yourself:
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 is required to secure your spot, payable via Venmo, PayPal, or bank transfer. This is payable upon acceptance into the program.
Register by October 15th, 2023 and pay...
$4750 Early Bird Special (eco-luxury option)
$5250 Early Bird Special (private house option***)
***Only two private rooms available
Your investment includes tuition, food, accommodation, and any extras that will be present during the training. NOT included are plane tickets to Costa Rica or transportation costs to/from the retreat center.
REFUND POLICY & PAYMENT INFO can be accessed here
