A programme for Shadow Yoga teachers and experienced practitioners who feel drawn to guide others upon the path of Shadanga Yoga, which is the gift of the Nāth Sampradaya.
The forces of commerce and social media dominate all areas of modern life including Yoga and the inner arts.
Of a similar period of commercialisation in Japanese history the great swordsman Miyamoto Musashi wrote:
“In this world we see the arts of cultivation are now for sale. Men use equipment to sell their own selves. As if, in horticulture, fruit has become less than the flower. In this distortion of the path both those teaching and those learning are concerned only with appearance and showing off their technique as they strive to hasten the bloom of the flower. They speak of ‘this school and ‘that school’. They are looking for profit. Someone once said ‘immaturity on the path is the cause of grief’. That was a true saying.”
The ability to guide comes from maturity on the path and that maturity naturally draws those who genuinely seek guidance. Maturity here means understanding the process of change one is going through by means of steady and uncoloured observation. Then one is able to make the right choices about what one does and how and when one does it.
In the internal arts, observation means seeing with the inner eye and feeling with the inner sense of touch. This sensitivity comes from the access to the adharas gained through the yogini-nyasa-vidim. This is the core skill on one’s own path and also the key in guiding others.
Observing the aspirant in this manner and responding appropriately without agendas and investment is the required mindset of the guide. The path set out in Shadow Yoga from the preliminary work of the vyayamas to the khechari sadhana gives the guide a complete set of tools for the journey. However one must first be clear about when a student is ready to learn a subject and when one is ready to teach it to be able to safely and effectively use these tools.
Mentorship Program
From this year (2026) you will be required to attend:
- Two courses: at least one of which must be an Individual Sadhana course (those of you who attended the Guiding Others Part 1 need only attend one Individual course this year).
- Two Q&A zoom calls: to answer any queries relating to your sadhana – payment will be ‘offering-based’ depending on what is affordable for you.
Concurrently you will need to enter into a ‘mentorship’ with an approved Shadow Yoga teacher.
For those of you who already work with a Shadow Yoga teacher and feel connected to them, it is best to maintain a ‘mentorship’ with them and attend one or two programs per year with Emma and Sundernath (one of which must be Individual Sadhana).
Those of you who work mainly with Emma & Sundernath, they will offer to ‘mentor’ you.
As part of this program you will be given the opportunity to ‘observe and absorb’ our in-person courses.
After 3 years of commitment to study, we will conclude with a retreat in early 2029 for those of you who are part of this Mentorship Programme.
If this interests you and resonates with you please email us here.
Please let us know with which teacher you are already working and for those who work mainly with Emma and Sundernath, once you register your interest, we will suggest which of them will mentor you.
For experienced Shadow Yoga teachers
Those who have completed previous three-year programs and are currently teaching:
- We will offer to meet you annually on a seven-day retreat.
- Sundernath and Emma will conduct a Q&A community class via zoom twice a year (all SY teachers welcome) – payment will be ‘offering-based’ depending on what is affordable for you.
If you have further questions, please let us know by emailing us here.
