Teacher training program (2024)
The tradition of chanting sacred texts has been passed down through Śruti Parampara over millennia in India. To this day it continues to be a profound practice of expressing devotion, learning and imbibing the teachings of ancient scriptures and an integral part of ritual, meditation and contemplation.
Together with INDICA YOGA, we are very happy to bring you this teacher training certification to skill future teachers through a rigourous selection, training and preparation process which covers both mantras from the Veda as well as the Hindu daily prayer tradition.
Course objectives
At the end of this program, students will:
Be skilled to teach chanting practices, both from the Veda & from the daily prayer tradition in a South Indian lineage. Be grounded in theory – nomenclature of the Veda, Vedic texts and Indic knowledge systems. Understand all the chanting rules as presented in the treatises of Śīkṣā, with particular emphasis on Taittirīya Prātiśākhyā. Learn how to guide and lead chanting practices for groups & individuals honouring the Hindu tradition. Understand common mistakes made by students and practice identifying them and giving feedback in your study group. Understand and differentiate between Mantra, Sūktam, Praśnaḥ, Upaniṣat, Stotram, Śloka, Nāmāvali, Sūtra, Stuti etc.
Course Curriculum
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Exchange emails, social media etc etc
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Zoom link for all live classes
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Dates & curriculum
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Introductions – meet & greet
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Replay of TT information session
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Chanting in a lineage – an introduction
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Dress code
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Book recommendations
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Orientation session (Jan 06) replay
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Workbook – Invocation & closing prayers
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Workbook – Śraddhā Sūktam
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Invocation with Guruji Sreenivasan
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Saha nāvavatu with Guruji & Shreeraksha
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Class 1 – (Jan 08) Qualities of a teacher & student
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Class 2 – (Jan 10) Invocation mantras practice
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Class 3 – (Jan 15) Gāyatrī upāsana background
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Class 4 – (Jan 17) Teacher qualities + Gāyatrī continued
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Class 5 – (Jan 20) Finishing Gāyatrī, starting Śraddhā
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Class 6 – (Jan 22) Śraddhā Sūktam
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Class 7 – (Jan 24) Finishing Śraddhā practice
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Guest Lecture – Dr. Robert Svoboda
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Download your workbooks (Feb)
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Class 8 – (Feb 05) Śraddhā revision
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Class 9 – (Feb 07) Agni Sūktam
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Class 10 – (Feb 12) Agni Sūktam
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Class 11 – (Feb 14) Starting Medhā
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Class 12 – (Feb 17) IKS overview
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Class 13 – (Feb 19) Medhā Sūktam intensive
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Class 14 – (Feb 21) Medhā Sūktam
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Download your workbooks (March)
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Class 15 – (March 04) Durgā Sūktam
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Class 16 – (March 06) Durgā Sūktam
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Class 17 – (March 09) Śīkṣā & Prātiśākhyā
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Class 18 – (March 11) Conjuncts, conjuncts, conjuncts
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Class 19 (March 13) – Devī Sūktam
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Class 20 (March 18) – Devī Sūktam
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Class 21 (March 20) – Devī Sūktam (and Śraddhā correction)
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Class 22 (May 06) – Gaṇapati Atharva (and revision)
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Class 23 (May 08) – Gaṇapati Atharva 4 & 5
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Class 24 (May 13) – Gaṇapati Atharva 6 & 7
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Class 25 (May 15) – Gaṇapati Atharva 8,9,10
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Class 26 (May 18) – Nomenclature of Veda
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Class 27 (May 22) – Gaṇapati Atharva intensive
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Class 28 (May 27) – Gaṇapati Atharva meaning
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Class 29 (June 03) – Śānti Mantra – 1
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Class 30 (June 05) – Śānti Mantra – 2
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Class 31 (June 10) – Śānti Mantra – 3
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Class 32 (June 12) – Śānti Mantra – 4
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Class 33 (June 15) – Overview of Upaniṣads
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Class 34 (June 17) – Practice + additional peace mantras
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Class 35 (June 19) – Final class additional mantras
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Additional Śānti mantras – text
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Practising the closing mantra (ābirgīrbhiḥ)
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Asato mā
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Yaścchandasām
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Sarve bhavantu
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Sarve bhavantu – reference for source
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Daśaśāntayaḥ
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Guest lecture – Dr. Anuradha Choudry
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Vedic chanting & sustained memory
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Treasure hunt – post your research here!
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Class 36 – Nitya Prārthanā 1-7
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Class 37 – Nitya Prārthanā 8-13
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Class 38 – Nitya Prārthanā – Theory
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Class 39 – Nitya Prārthanā – 14-23
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Class 40 – Nitya Prārthanā – 24-35
Your Course Includes
108 hours of live classes + 14 hours additional
108 hours of live online teaching and in addition, 16 hours of student presentations & guest lectures are included in this program.
2 guest lectures
Live guest lectures from scholars in related fields.
Collaboration with INDICA
I am very grateful to offer this in collaboration with INDICA Yoga who bring the experience and expertise in the preservation and dissemination of Indic knowledge systems through authentic, immersive and transformative learning experiences.
Frequently asked Questions
Who can join this course?
The program is intensive, and it is recommended that you be studying this program exclusively to benefit from it fully. Applicants who already have an established chanting practice are invited to apply.
Applicants should have completed the Foundation course in Vedic chanting. Proficiency in any two Sūktams as taught by Shantala. Svara competency – a high standard in maintaining svara will be an expectation. (Audio recording of any sūktam to be sent along with application) Mahāprāṇa sound proficiency. Knowledge of Veda chanting rules. Sanskrit basics – varṇamāla & basic sandhi.The Challakere Brothers’ lineage of teaching invites practitioners to reflect upon one’s lifestyle for those who wish to seriously dedicate themselves to learning, teaching, and preserving the Veda. A vegetarian and alcohol-free lifestyle is therefore encouraged.
Can I take this course as a self-paced option?
No, this can only be studied live after following the application process and if accepted into the program. Please sign up to our newsletter to be informed of dates and details.
If I have not studied the Foundation course, will an exception be considered?
The only exception that may be considered is if you have studied in the lineage of The Challakere Brothers and can demonstrate svara competency and knowledge of rules as taught by them.
Does this course have any certificates?
Yes, those who successfully complete this course will be awarded a certificate to teach chanting. Certificate jointly awarded by INDICA YOGA & Veda Studies.