To consider teaching, you need already 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 you’ll need to have time for 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 it’s not difficult, it is part of the course.

Yes. Click here for a pdf.

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

All coursework can be done at times that are convenient for you. It’s ideal to attend the ten “live” webinars (on weekend mornings, Pacific time), but they are recorded for those who cannot attend.

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

Yes, you’ll have lots of interaction! In fact, many of your assignments require it: discussion forums, Q&A forums, “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.

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 enrolled students at that time.

Yes. This course takes place within the tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda, so participants 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 required for this program.

Many “tech-challenged” people have done very well in this course. 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. If you think you will need help making videos and uploading them to the web, we recommend that you get help early in the course, whether through Ananda or a friend.

Not if you use a computer. You’re required to video-record your Zoom-based teaching assignments, which you can do with a computer and a free Zoom Basic account. With a mobile device, you can record only to the Zoom cloud, which requires a paid Zoom account ($15/month) for two months of the course.

Yes, you 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, it offers credit toward Level 2 Ananda Meditation® Teacher certification and Level 2 Ananda Yoga® Teacher certification.

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

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