Agama Yoga is a growing and expanding spiritual organization, offering
its students greater opportunities for authentic Yoga studies, immersion workshops and retreats, and Teacher Training Courses. To organize ourselves more efficiently for the
largest course attendance figures in our history thus far and larger student body generally, we
have implemented new administrative policies at various points over the last several
years.
Posted below is a transparent and current summary of these policies. They were updated and
revised by the management team during spring of 2009, amended further and approved by the Agama
Yoga Foundation members acting as the Agama Board of Directors, and subjected to peer review by
the Student Council. We feel confident that proper respect was given to divergent viewpoints on
topics that were more complex or far-reaching, and that by listening earnestly, the policies
that emerged are fair, representational, and progressive. These guidelines are posted here so
that you may be generally and well informed of the administrative parameters of school
operations prior to your arrival on Koh Phangan, and so that you may better coordinate your
needs with regard to your studies. Please read carefully these announcements!
Last revised May, 2009, and posted 11 June, 2009
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Agama Yoga School (AYS) is an independent, self-supporting and self regulating
not-for-profit organization. Its aim is to provide a complete, long-term Yoga teaching
program. It will engage the services of the Trustees of the Agama Yoga Foundation, the
Departmental Managers, various paid staff positions, and visiting workshop lecturers
and workshop presenters at rates and on terms agreed upon by the Board of Directors. As
a not-for-profit entity, it will publish and make copies available of its annual
financial statement of income and expenditures.
The Agama Yoga Foundation is a private Foundation with Swami Vivekananda, Mihaiela
Pentiuc, and Claudiu Trandafir as the sole Trustees. The primary objective of the
Foundation is to support Agama Yoga School by providing guidance in all spiritual
matters. The Foundation will also guide the selection of teaching materials, teachers,
and the leaders of workshops and retreats.
Other objectives of the Foundation are to create books and other media materials
relevant to the aims and the mission of the Foundation, to establish Agama Yoga Schools
and Yoga Centers around the world, and to develop a comprehensive center of health and
healing.
Any profit from the publishing of books and other media materials will be a source of
financial support for the Foundation members.
The production of media materials and the initial management of international branches
will be contracted to Agama Yoga School in return for suitable fees.
The Agama Yoga Board of Directors consists of the Agama Yoga Foundation Trustees and
the General Manager of Agama Yoga School. The Board will provide the overall direction
to the AYS, but will not be involved with the day-to-day operations. The Board will
meet twice per year. Special meetings may be held to discuss specific, urgent matters.
Decisions made by the Board of Directors are subject to a democratic vote. Non-present
members are encouraged to vote on all issues in absentia, but may elect to abstain.
The General Manager (GM) is appointed by the Agama Yoga Board of Directors and is
responsible for the organization of the Agama Yoga School and the management of its
operations including all of its staff, resources and facilities. The General Manager
meets with Swami Vivekananda to report progress and to receive spiritual guidance and
insight.
Within two months before the end of the financial year, the General Manager will
present the Annual Plan and the Annual Operating Budget for the ensuing year to the
Board of Directors. The Annual Plan will outline all proposed activities of AYS
including classes and workshops, retreats and other events, and the acquisition of new
facilities and equipment, specifying the resources needed including people, space and
materials. The Annual Operating Budget will detail the revenue and expenses associated
with activities, maintenance and renewal costs.
The General Manager will meet monthly with the Agama community in an open assembly to
present new initiatives, to present modifications to the activities and policies, and
to hold general Question & Answer sessions with the aim of a transparent and
interactive management style.
The Agama Yoga Board of Directors hires and dismisses Department Managers on
consideration of recommendations made by the General Manager. The Department Managers
recommend personnel for all other staff and volunteer position to the General Manager,
who approves personnel for these positions. The Department Managers manage the
day-to-day operations outlined in their individual job descriptions within the
guidelines of the Administrative Policies and within their departmental budgets.
As of 1 January, 2010, Department Managers are to be contracted on an annual basis with
written terms of agreement that specify financial compensation and expectations of
service. Application for positions must be made in writing directly to the General
Manager.
Volunteerism is in keeping with the spiritual aims of Agama Yoga School, and all
students are encouraged to volunteer their time and skills to the operation of AYS in a
selfless manner. In addition to supporting an environment for all to learn and to grow,
service helps to keep costs down, and subsequently, school fees.
The day-to-day operations of Agama Yoga School are guided by comprehensive
Administrative Policies.
The Administrative Policies will be reviewed annually. The process shall begin in April
and be completed by 15 June.
Initially the General Manager will review the current Administrative Policies with the
Departmental Managers. Based on recommendations of the Departmental Managers, the GM
will decide on all new policy issues and on any changes to the current Administrative
Policies statement. The updated Administrative Policies will then be presented to the
Board of Directors for approval. Once approved, the updated Administrative Policies
will be presented to the Agama community for review and comment at least one month
prior to a discussion of its contents in an open meeting with all community members and
management. The General Manager will take advice from the community into consideration,
discussing again with the Department Managers, and, if changes are made, a new draft of
the Administrative Policies will be written and presented to the Board of Directors for
final approval.
Issues arising that are not addressed within the Administrative Policies are resolved
at the sole discretion of the General Manager.
The General Manager has the sole right to grant exceptions to any aspect of the
Administrative Policies. In his absence, he transfers this authority to the Internal
Operations Department Manager.
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The teaching program consists of four-week cycles divided into the following
categories:
- Red consisting of the First Level Intensive, Level 2, and Level 3
- Orange consisting of Level 4 through Level 8
- Yellow consisting of the Level 9 through Level 14
- Green consisting of Level 15 through Level 24 (Kundalini Program)
- Blue consisting of Chakra Tapas Levels
- Violet consisting of Kashmir Shaivism Levels
In order to progress to the next category of the teaching program, a student must
successfully pass an exam signified by the bestowing of a sash. Specifically, beginning
in January of 2010, to enter the Orange Category that begins with Level 4, the Red Sash
Exam must be passed. To enter the Yellow Category that begins with Level 9, the Orange
Sash Exam must be passed, etc. A grace period will be extended until January of 2010 in
which the Red Sash Exam will be required to enter Level 9, the Orange Sash Exam will be
required to enter Level 15, and the Yellow Sash Exam will be required to enter the
Chakra Tapas Levels.
Sash exams must be taken sequentially and in full. Students may not skip testing
levels.
Exams will be offered within three days prior to every course level for which they
serve as prerequisite. They will also be offered the weekend following every course
level which ends a segment of teaching. For example, the Red Sash Exam will be offered
prior to each Level 4 as well as following each Level 3 course.
Exceptional exams will not be arranged. Students who do not pass will need to retake
the exam at its next scheduled opportunity.
Teachers must prepare and challenge their classes to meet testing criteria.
Courses offered during the following calendar year will be posted on the notice board
and on the Agama Yoga School website by 15 January of the current year.
Once a posting is made that a class is to be offered, that posting has to be honored
without any exceptions. There will be no late additions of courses to the schedule once
posted.
Specific class times and venues have to be posted on the notice boards at least one
week in advance.
Each student’s education consists of up to seven course levels of the teaching
program per year. During the remainder of the calendar year, students may further their
education by attending workshops and retreats, and they may repeat, without fees, any
level which they have already studied. In very rare exceptions, an eighth course level
may be arranged through written application to the Teaching Department at least one
month in advance.
A minimum of 75 percent attendance (nine of twelve classes for Levels 2 and 3, six of
eight classes for Level 4 through Level 23) is required in order to progress to the
next level. As an exception, First Level Intensive students may begin Level 2 having
completed only 13 of 24 days of the course, but they must continue their First Level
Intensive studies in conjunction with Level 2 classes. To officially complete the First
Level Intensive and receive a certificate of achievement, a student must have attended
at least 18 of 24 days in full.
An exemption is granted for Agama retreat participants who are extended a 65 percent
attendance standard (eight of twelve classes for Levels 2 and 3, five of eight classes
for Level 4 and up) so they may participate in Agama retreats without sacrificing their
standing in the curriculum.
As a result of the attendance standard, students wishing to join Level 4 and up may not
join courses after the first class of week 2 has begun.
Attendance is defined as participation in the video teachings or lecture segments,
presence for initiations, and full Hatha Yoga practice with the class. Exceptions to
participation in, or presence during, the Hatha Yoga practice for medical conditions
can be made by the teachers at their discretion.
Students must recover missed course teachings and initiations.
No special classes or initiations will be held for individual students within the
scheduled curriculum.
If a student misses a class during the level for which he is currently registered, the
teacher will demonstrate the missed asana or technique to the student. However, the
video teachings will only be shown, and initiations only held, during class hours under
a teacher’s supervision at their appointed times. No lecture CDs will be loaned out.
It is the responsibility of the pupil to observe the course program and to know when
the lecture is being shown again.
Pending available staffing, private teachings may be offered for Levels 4 and up at a
rate of 1,500 Baht per individual class.
Hatha Yoga sessions are mandatory, along with the lecture or video, in order to verify
that asanas and techniques are being practiced and assimilated properly.
Permission for private teachings is granted by the Teaching Department Manager
according to an overview of involved criteria including the availability of appropriate
level teaching staff and hall availability.
Course papers are included in the course fees. For Orange Category and up, booklets
will be provided which contain all of the course papers for that level.
As Red Category classes may be paid for on an individual basis, course papers are not
to be given for classes that have not been attended. An exception may be granted for
First Level Intensive students who missed part of the month and would like to buy two
sets of papers for each instructional week during which they were present in the
course.
The fee for one extra set of course papers is 50 Baht. The fee for one extra course
booklet is 100 Baht. Students must have attended the corresponding class or level in
order to purchase the course papers or booklets, with the exception of the First Level
Intensive as noted.
Students are expected to honor the teachings in the course papers and are not allowed
to share them with others or to disseminate them in any way unless they have specific
permission from AYS.
Students may not skip course levels or take multiple new course levels simultaneously.
This applies to private teachings as well as to regularly scheduled classes. The only
exception to this rule applies to First Level Intensive students who have attended a
minimum of 13 days. They may study Level 2, but must concurrently complete the First
Level Intensive.
Audio or other recordings of most course teachings, evening lectures, Q&A sessions,
and workshop presentations are not permitted. First Level Intensive lectures (with the
exception of the Laya Yoga lecture and the Brachmacharya lecture) and inspirational
talks from retreats may be recorded.
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First Level Intensive, Level 2, and Level 3 students may register for classes daily, on
a weekly basis, or monthly by presenting to the Registration Desk at Ananda Resort
during its regularly scheduled operating hours of 08:10 – 08:45 and 15:40 – 16:15,
or on our website at agamayoga.com. Level 2 and Level 3 students are encouraged to sign
up on a monthly basis either online or during Registration Day, the last Friday of the
course cycle.
A student’s first day of instruction in the First Level Intensive Course is free.
The fee is 300 Baht per day for the First Level Intensive, Level 2, and Level 3
courses.
For those First Level Intensive Course students who pay for at least 6 days of teaching
in advance, a 10% discount is granted.
Registration for Level 4 and up is available on the website at agamayoga.com.
Alternatively, attendance is required on Registration Day, which takes place on the
last Friday of each course cycle for the following course cycle at Ananda Resort from
11:00-13:00.
Late registration occurs at the Registration Desk at Ananda Hall during its regularly
scheduled operating hours of 08:10 – 08:45 and 15:40 – 16:15 on Mondays -
Saturdays. A late fee of 300 Baht will be charged for all late registrations. The
student will be issued a receipt of late payment that must be submitted to the teacher
prior to class attendance.
A student may only attend one class without a receipt. At the extreme, for late
arrivals that miss the first two classes of the level but attend the third in its
entirety without payment, they must have proof of payment for their course fees plus
late fees in full by the beginning of the fourth class.
The fee for Level 4 through Level 23 is 4,000 Baht, paid in full on a monthly basis.
The fee for Level 24 is 1,500 Baht. There is no partial registration.
Teachers do not handle payment for their classes.
Registration for the Chakra Tapas Category and above may be made on the website at
agamayoga.com or by attending Registration Day, which takes place on the last Friday of
each course cycle for the following course cycle at Ananda Resort from 11:00-13:00.
Beginning in January of 2010, the fee for the chakra tapas program is 7,000 Baht. The
fee must be paid in full prior to commencement.
Active teachers must pay the fee as no teaching is allowed while participating in the
tapas program.
Registration for the Teacher Training Course (TTC) takes place by online application
biannually.
The fee, including a € 200 deposit, is € 2,100. The deposit will be returned if an
applicant is not accepted to the program. If accepted, the applicant will need to pay
the remainder of the tuition by two weeks prior to the start of the course date.
Previous completion of the First Level Intensive Course entitles a TTC participant to a
€ 100 discount.
The fee includes complementary participation in the five-day Tantra 1 Workshop that
immediately follows each TTC. A student who does not choose to join the workshop that
follows his or her TTC has forfeited this opportunity. This offer is not exchangeable
with any other workshop or course program, and may not be rescheduled for a later date.
A student who has been accepted to the Agama Yoga TTC may withdraw by email
notification. If the notification of the intention to withdraw is received at least two
months prior to the first day of the TTC, half of the deposit will be returned.
Students withdrawing after this deadline will not receive any refund of their deposit.
An evaluation of each student will be made at the end of the first 30 days of the TTC.
If Agama Yoga School decides after the first month that a student is not fit to become
a teacher in its tradition, AYS will refund two-thirds of the tuition fees (for a total
of € 1,400). No other refunds will be given.
If students do not pass the final exam, they may retake the test, and, in the case of a
second failure, may participate in a future TTC at a reduced cost of 50 percent of the
course fee. (Therefore, at a rate of € 1,050).
Students who have not participated in the TTC may not become Agama Yoga School teachers
unless specifically invited.
Children 11 years old and younger may attend Yoga classes free of charge as long as
they do not disrupt the class. Children 12 years old and up must pay full price.
Students under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
For those under the age of 12, permission to attend each course level beyond the First
Level Intensive Course must be granted by Swami Vivekananda on an individual basis.
For those under the age of 12, attendance of workshops and retreats requires advance
approval by Swami Vivekananda on an individual basis, as well as co-attendance by a
parent or guardian.
Registration for Agama Yoga workshops is available online at our website at
agamayoga.com. Alternatively, a local two-hour registration period will be set at least
two weeks in advance and posted at least one week in advance. A one-hour late
registration will take place just prior to the beginning of the workshop.
There is a fee of 300 Baht for all late registrations on the first day of the workshop.
All fees must be paid in full by the end of the first day.
The fee for workshops is 7,000 Baht.
For re-attendance of a workshop, the fee is 50 percent of the currently advertised
price, regardless of where in the world the participant first attended the Agama Yoga
workshop, and whether or not the course was held for a shorter duration at that time.
The attendance and re-attendance fees include full participation, although a
participant may elect to attend only selected parts of the workshop. No partial or
daily fees will be accepted.
A student attending multiple Agama Yoga workshops within one calendar year is entitled
to a discount of 20% off the price of the second workshop, 30% off the price of the
third workshop, and 40% off the price of the fourth workshop. This discount does not
apply to independent workshops.
Re-attending students do not receive the normal multiple-workshop discounts extended to
those paying full course fees.
Any person who wishes to hold an independent workshop in a Yoga hall or elsewhere on
AYS property must first submit a written proposal to the General Manager for approval.
Proposals may be submitted by email.
Proposals must include
- name of the person sponsoring the workshop
- name of the workshop
- purpose of the workshop and what it intends to promote
- fees requested from participants
- date and preferred location of the workshop
Proposals must be submitted to the General Manager at least six weeks prior to the
workshop.
If approved, the person sponsoring the workshop will be required to sign a statement
agreeing to appropriate rules of behavior such as no nudity or sexual contact in the
Yoga halls, no physically dangerous activities, and considerate closing times.
In addition, a contract must be signed by both the sponsor and the
Internal Operations Manager detailing a mutual understanding of an agreed upon date,
time, and place for the workshop, as well as the attendance fee.
Registration for independent workshops is available online at our
website at agamayoga.com. Alternatively, a local two-hour registration period will be set
at least two weeks in advance and posted at least one week in advance. A one-hour late
registration will take place just prior to the beginning of the workshop.
There is a fee of 300 Baht for all late registrations on the first
day of the workshop.
All fees must be paid in full by the end of the first day.
The fee for workshops is to be determined with the workshop presenter and will be
shared equally between the presenter and AYS.
The attendance fees include full participation, although a participant may elect to
attend only selected parts of the workshop. No partial or daily fees will be accepted.
Registration for retreats is available in advance online at our website at
agamayoga.com.
All attendees must be present at a registration and introductory session held on the
17th of each month at Green Hall at 16:00. Rules and regulations for attendance will be
introduced at that time.
The fee is 3,000 Baht. It should be paid in full prior to the beginning of the retreat.
No partial payments or partial attendance will be accepted unless granted on an
individual basis by the retreat leader.
A discount of 500 Baht will be granted to those participants who have attended any
other Agama Yoga School retreat within the current calendar year. For those who have
attended two retreats within the current calendar year, a 1,000 Baht discount will be
granted.
Fees for courses, lectures, and workshops are set by the General Manager, within
guidelines approved by the Agama Yoga Board of Directors.
Fees are subject to an annual adjustment for inflationary pressure.
Fee adjustments will only be made during the annual policy review.
No refunds of fees will be given for Level 4 and up courses, workshops, or retreats
once the first session has begun.
For First Level Intensive Course, Level 2, and Level 3 students, individual classes
paid for in advance may be refunded.
Students who have registered for a course, but who failed to pass the sash exam which
serves as a prerequisite for that course, will have their registration fees refunded.
Fees for courses, workshops, and retreats may not be taken on any credit or debit note
system. All fees must be paid in full by the close of registration.
No fees from one course, workshop, or retreat may be applied as credit from one course
or workshop to another.
Agama Yoga School does not turn away the financially destitute who are dedicated to
spiritual evolution. The Foundation may grant free admission to any course, workshop,
or retreat after written application followed by a personal interview. Email
applications are permissible.
Classes, workshops and retreats are free for all those who have a Thai passport.
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All activities held on AYS property must have prior approval by the General Manager.
Any current Agama Yoga School student who has completed at least the First Level Intensive
Course and who wishes to hold an event in a Yoga hall or elsewhere on AYS property must
first submit a written proposal to the General Manager for approval. Proposals may be
submitted by email.
Proposals must include
- name of the person sponsoring the event
- name of the event
- purpose of the event and what it intends to promote
- fees requested from participants
- date and preferred location of the event
- whether single or multiple sessions are requested and, if multiple, how many and
how often
Proposals must be submitted to the General Manager at least 14 days prior to the event.
If approved, the person sponsoring the event will be required to sign a statement
agreeing to appropriate rules of behavior such as no nudity or sexual contact in the
Yoga halls, no physically dangerous activities, and considerate closing times. Sponsors
must agree to clean up after their activities and to care for AYS property while
hosting their events.
In addition, a contract must be signed by both the sponsor and the Internal Operations
Manager detailing a mutual understanding of an agreed upon date, time, and place for
the event, as well as the stated rental fee. The fee must be paid in advance at the
time of the signing of the contract. No changes to venue or fee may be made by AYS once
the contract is signed, and once signed, no refund will be granted to the sponsor of
the event should they reconsider their proposal.
For scheduling, the Internal Operations Manager must be contacted at least 10 days
prior to the requested date for the event, and the contract must be signed at least
seven days in advance of the event to allow for posting. Priority will be given in the
order received.
Sponsors are responsible for posting notices of their events at least 7 days in advance
The fee for Yoga hall rental for each extracurricular event is 350 Baht per day
regardless of whether or not fees or donations are collected by the sponsors. The fee
remains at 350 Baht per day without consideration for the length of time allotted for
the event.
No vending or verbal promotion of products by individuals is allowed inside the Yoga
halls.
Collectively, non-food items may be sold in cooperative agreement within the Agama Yogi
Shop.
A Primary Food and Beverage Vendor Contract will be awarded annually to one applicant
from a pool of written submitted applications to the General Manager. The Primary
Vendor has the sole right to sell food and beverages on Agama Yoga School property,
exclusive of inside the Yoga halls and at Ananda Resort. The daily fee for vending is
200 Baht inclusive of electricity but exclusive of the use of office and hall space.
In exchange for an exclusive contract, the Primary Food and Beverage Vendor agrees to
arrange umbrella food and beverage vending for others. Alternatively, the Primary Food
and Beverage Vendor may buy the products of other vendors for resell.
All products for sale under the Primary Food and Beverage Vending Contract must first
be approved by the General Manager.
All activities on AYS property, particularly the playing of loud music, must be
completed by 21:45 at Ananda Resort and by 23:45 at Bovy Resort. The only exception at
Ananda Resort is granted to live lectures by Swami Vivekananda.
When the red light on the exterior of the Yoga hall is turned on, no one will be
allowed to enter the hall unless they are a member of the present class. Department
Managers may enter if absolutely necessary, but they are to use their best discretion.
No nudity or sexual activity is allowed on Agama Yoga School property.
No cigarettes, alcohol, or recreational drugs are allowed on Agama Yoga School
property.
No food is allowed inside the Yoga halls. One exception, given time restraints for
attendees, is granted to workshop participants who may eat inside the halls, but only
behind the taped line. At Ananda Resort, consumption of food must occur at a
specifically designated space outside of the Yoga hall.
Students are not allowed to occupy the steps of the bungalows at Ananda Resort.
Mobile phones must be switched off or on silent when inside the Yoga halls.
Agama Yoga School reserves the right to refuse entry or attendance of any person to
classes, retreats, workshops, and other events.
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Information regarding events and activities will be posted on the notice boards at
least seven days in advance.
Barring exceptional circumstances, no event time or venue will be changed without at
least seven days’ notice to the community by posting on the notice boards.
No student shall be asked to divulge confidential medical information. Should a student
elect to share private health information, the information will remain strictly
confidential and will not be shared with others in any way.
A medical liability waiver must be signed by all who attend classes, workshops, and
retreats on Agama Yoga School property.
Health information, particularly in regards to sexually transmitted diseases, is
available at the Agama Healing Center.
Appointments of students with Foundation members shall be scheduled by a Foundation
member’s personal assistant. No more than one appointment may be scheduled within a
two month period.
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