Certification track: You need to have established a regular meditation practice. And for a professional-level online training like this, you need to be organized and a self-starter, because it requires at least 7–8 hours of coursework every week (part of that is 2–3 hours of guided practice). You’re expected to participate online multiple times per week, at times convenient for you. Finally, you need to be comfortable with computers or mobile devices, because although that’s not difficult, it is part of the course.

Non-certification track: Anyone can choose this option, which has many coursework opportunities (but no requirements), and fewer structured opportunities for interaction with faculty and classmates in the discussions and regular “meditation experiments.” It also involves no practice teaching or other special assignments.

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Certification track: Everyone moves through the course together, week by week, with assignments due each week. That’s the only way to have extensive, quality interactions with classmates and build a dynamic learning community.

Non-certification track: You can participate at any pace or level that you prefer. Each discussion forum, however, is active only during the week in which it opens.

No, all coursework can be done at times that are convenient for you. It’s ideal to attend the “live” webinars (10–11:30 AM Pacific time) on the following dates in 2024:

Jan 27  •  Feb 3, 10, 24  •  Mar 9, 23  •  Apr 6

However, webinars are recorded for the benefit of those who cannot attend.

You are free to do your coursework at whatever times of day suit your schedule. We expect those in the certification track to log in and do some coursework (often for just 15 minutes) on multiple days each week. Also, during several weeks of the course, they will need enough flexibility to find mutually agreeable times to meet with classmates for practice teaching via Zoom; this is usually quite doable.

Certification track: Yes, lots of interaction! In fact, many assignments require it: discussion forums, Q&A forums, journal activities, “live” one-to-one practice teaching fellow trainees via Zoom, and a final team project. Plentiful interaction is a best practice in online learning, and this course is structured entirely around best practices. You’ll love being part of the supportive learning community that forms.

Non-certification track: Yes, there are opportunities for interaction, although fewer than for those in the certification track.

Yes, and we recommend it! We open the course web page about 2 weeks prior to the scheduled start date of the course, and we send a notice to all enrolled students at that time.

Yes. This course takes place within the tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda, so naturally, that is our focus. Those who seek certification should be interested in teaching his approach to meditation. Those who come from a different tradition—or no tradition at all—should register early so as to get familiar with Yogananda’s techniques before the course begins. In any case, we do not ask that you discontinue your current meditation practices if they are different; we simply ask that you do the practices that are part of this program.

Many “tech-challenged” people have received certification. The course web page is easy to use and intuitive, and it offers many “how to” instructions to help you. We also offer personal tech help for those who need it; the first hour is free. Those who seek certification and think they will need help making videos and uploading them to the web, should practice that before the course begins, and/or get help early in the course, whether through Ananda or a friend.

Those who seek certification are required to video-record their Zoom-based teaching assignments, for which a computer and a free Zoom Basic account are enough. Those with only a mobile device can record only to the Zoom cloud, which requires a paid Zoom account ($7/month for a Basic Plus account) for two months of the course.

Yes, those in the certification track can pay for the course in installments. Continuation in the course depends upon receipt of timely payments. Certification is available only after receipt of payment in full. Please contact us for details.

Yes, certification earns credit toward Level 2 Ananda Meditation® Teacher certification and Level 2 Ananda Yoga® Teacher certification.

Certification track: Yoga Alliance RYTs and California nurses earn 50 hours of continuing education, provided they earn certification. CE hours for other nurses depend on your state board’s policies.

CE hours are not available for those in the non-certification track.

Absolutely. Our faculty are always available, plus you’ll have lifetime access to all course materials. Those who receive certification can become part of the online Network of Ananda Meditation Teachers, which offers continuing resources, inspiration, and community.