Ananda Meditation® Teacher Training

Ananda Meditation® Teacher Training

Online: next offering January 2025

Give the Gift of Meditation

Join Nayaswami Gyandev and Nayaswami Diksha—and trainees from around the world—in this uplifting, professional, highly experiential training. You’ll be part of a dynamic and diverse learning community, where you’ll discover new dimensions of your own practice as you learn how to help others build theirs.

Ananda is known for its expertise in meditation, and we’re eager to share its power with you, so you can share it with others. It’s classical meditation at its finest, in the tradition of the great master, Paramhansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi.

Most people take this course in order to become a certified Ananda Meditation teacher. Some, however, want only to study the course materials and participate in webinars and occasional journal activities, but not do the additional coursework required for certification. It’s your choice. See the FAQs below for more about the differences between the certification and non-certification tracks.

10-Week Certification Course

Non-Certification Tuition: $799 (early bird) $899 (regular)

Certification Tuition: $1075 (early bird) $1195 (regular)

Non-Certification Tuition: $799 (early bird) $899 (regular)

Certification Tuition: $1075 (early bird) $1195 (regular)

 

Free Zoom Info Session

Recorded Saturday Jan 6, 2024

 

Join us for this introductory session to meet the teaching staff and learn more about the training.

“The right method of meditation is the only way to all-round freedom and lasting success.”

“The right method of meditation is the only way to all-round freedom and lasting success.”

— Paramhansa Yogananda

— Paramhansa Yogananda

AY

You Will Learn How To:

What You'll Receive

Learn, apply and teach a broad spectrum of techniques and insights:

Paramhansa Yogananda in meditation pose
Yoga teacher Vahini practicing pranayama (breathing exercise)

“The relaxation required in meditation is a relaxation upward, toward superconsciousness,
not downward, toward subconsciousness.”

“The relaxation required in meditation is a relaxation upward, toward superconsciousness,
not downward,
toward subconsciousness.”

— Swami Kriyananda

— Swami Kriyananda

Swami Seated Pronam

Learn from the Experts

At Ananda, we have been offering top-quality certification trainings for decades. In this course, Gyandev and Diksha combine that expertise with best practices in online teaching. You will enjoy a user-friendly online environment that offers plentiful interaction within a highly engaged learning community, including:

Course Curriculum

For more information, view the course syllabus.

Headshot of Paramhansa Yogananda

“Meditate more and more deeply, until calmness and joy become second nature to you.”

“Meditate more and more deeply, until calmness and joy become second nature to you.”

— Paramhansa Yogananda

— Paramhansa Yogananda

Meet Your Instructors

Nayaswami Gyandev, PhD, E-RYT 500, COI

A dedicated meditator since 1974, Gyandev is known for his clarity of presentation, deep insights, high energy, kindness, and humor. He has been teaching meditation for more than 35 years to people from all walks of life.

Gyandev is a Certified Online Instructor, and director and a senior faculty member of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation in Northern California. He is also co-director of the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training programs. From his base at The Expanding Light Retreat, he also teaches across the U.S., and in India and Europe.

Teacher Nayaswami Gyandev

Gyandev is director of Ananda Yoga worldwide, a Kriyacharya (teacher of Kriya Yoga), co-founder of Yoga Alliance, and an E-RYT 500. He is the author of five books (including Spiritual Yoga: Awakening to Higher Awareness) and numerous audio and video products.

Nayaswami Diksha, E-RYT 500

Diksha is a senior faculty member of the Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation in Northern California. She directs Ananda Spiritual Counseling Training and co-directs Ananda Meditation Teacher Training.

Diksha has been meditating for more than 30 years, and training meditation teachers for more than 18 years. A powerful and dynamic woman of great warmth and humor, she is gifted in both intelligence and intuition. She has shared yogic teachings across the U.S., and in Canada and Europe.

A native Israeli who moved to the U.S. in 1990, Diksha brings a broad background to her teaching—from physical wellness to Ayurveda to profound spiritual understanding. Above all, she awakens in her students their own inner wisdom and the will to make positive changes in their lives.

Headshot of teaching Nayaswami Diksha

“Meditation is the way to expand your consciousness from the body to the Infinite.”

“Meditation is the way to expand your consciousness from the body to the Infinite.”

— Paramhansa Yogananda

— Paramhansa Yogananda

Photo-Of-Paramahansa-Yogananda

FAQs

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 “meditation experiments.” It also involves no practice teaching or other special assignments.

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 Saturdays 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.

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 (including Zoom videos in Gallery view) and uploading them to YouTube, 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 sufficient. 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 nursing 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 access to resources, inspiration, and community.

“The secret of meditation is radiating blessings outward from your heart to all the world.”

“The secret of meditation is radiating blessings outward from your heart to all the world.”

— Swami Kriyananda

— Swami Kriyananda

Swami-Kriyananda-one-of-the-best-photos-of-him (1)

Course Testimonials

Connie Hernandez
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You can hardly help but transform your individual meditation practice when you take part in this profoundly enriching Meditation Teacher Training with Gyandev and Diksha. They are Master Teachers. Through creative interchange, readings, research, affirmations, visualizations, meditations , quizzes, journaling activities and even a cross word puzzle, you will learn the science and art of meditation. In being taught to teach others, you will be given precise instruction. You will experience the art of meditation in the deeply inspiring guided sadhana practices. You will find yourself wanting to dive ever more deeply into these teachings.
Manozi
Manozi
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An excellent, informative course, with wise, caring instructors. I am happy that I made the effort to complete the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training – I feel it will be an invaluable asset in my further life and work.
Gayatri Regester
Gayatri Regester
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Gyandev and Diksha are very knowledgeable and experienced practitioners and teachers of meditation. They have created a well organized online course, with great anticipation of the student’s needs. I feel more confident now to share meditation with others, while also deepening and refining my own understanding of these teachings. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to become a meditation teacher or to go deeper in their own personal practice. I have a lot of gratitude to Gyandev, Diksha and all the others behind the scenes that have made this course available. Thank you :)
Minh Tran
Minh Tran
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This Meditation Teacher Training is beyond my expectation. The course structure was great, and very effective. It takes me from a beginner to a confidence meditation teacher in such a short period of time. I really like the discussion forum, where I learned from others perspectives and how they approach challenges. EOTO sessions helped me practiced with others and be confidence in my approach and also sharpen my teaching skill. Thank you, Gyandev, Diksha and all others staffs behind the scene for making this program available.
Simon Bedwell
Simon Bedwell
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The online meditation teacher training course brings online training to a new level. It’s the perfect balance between readings, viewings and interactions. The course amazingly dissolves time zones, allowing great personal and group interactions. With a wealth of knowledge and experience Gyandev and Diksha guide you through the course bringing boundless energy and joy into the class. This course sets you up perfectly for Yoga meditation teaching, but even more importantly the course embraces and embodies the true essence of Yoga. I am truly grateful for Nayaswami Diksha and Gyandev and the Ananda community.
Karen Saunders
Karen Saunders
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This course was engaging and inspiring. It helped to deepen my understanding of meditation and has added depth to my daily practice. I found the teachers to be wise and supportive, and it was cool to connect and learn online with people from all around the world. Before I started this course, I felt unsure of my ability to teach others. By the end of the course I felt confident in my ability to help others discover the benefits of meditation.
Lynn Rappich
Lynn Rappich
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Thank you for sharing with us your heartfelt energy and the teaching of Hong Sau. The course was great and 100 % perfect. I am grateful for this journey and all the experience I gained for my own practice and my teaching. Also, I met wonderful people from all over the world and in terms of online courses, I doubt there is a better one out there. The material will be useful to have for the rest of my life and I sure will keep up practicing with the recordings.
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Upgrade Your Life—and Help Others Upgrade Theirs

Ananda Meditation® Teacher Training

10-Week Online Certification Course

Apply now for the 2024 offering to recharge your own practice, help your students fall in love with meditation, and change lives—theirs and yours.

 

 

Dates: Enrollment for 2024 is closed. The next offering is in January 2025

Non-Certification Tuition: $799 (early bird) $899 (regular)

Certification Tuition: $1075 (early bird) $1195 (regular)

 

Womand and man meditating cross-legged

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