Dominica’s First Certified Yoga Teacher Training Programme is being conducted this week from September 2nd to 7th, 2024 at The Anchorage located in Castle Comfort, Dominica. From thirty-seven (37) applicants, twenty (20) registered practitioners are currently participating in this programme.
This groundbreaking initiative is being sponsored by the High Commission of India in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago through its Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation (MGICC). This initiative was conceived and being held in collaboration with Ayahora Communities of Excellence (ACE) Foundation Inc, the Local Coordinating Agency/Partner focused on holistic Indigenous education for sustainable development. This training is endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, International Transport and Maritime Initiatives, with support from the Dominica Health & Wellness Association (DHWA), sponsored locally by Anchorage Ltd. and is being led by Dr. Ajay Rathi, an accomplished Yoga Master. Dr Rathi has over 27 years of work experience in Yoga and has a PhD, MPhil in Tourism Management, a MA in Yoga, and Diplomas in several alternative therapies inclusive of Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Aromatherapy, Acupuncture, Diet and Nutrition, and Fitness, etc.
Yoga is an ancient science and art form with its origins in India, which promotes conscious, healthy living, with focus on bringing harmony between body and mind. In Sanskrit, the Geeta definition of Yoga is “samatvam yog uchhyate” meaning “balance in life without any form of extreme practice is the highest transformation stage of the mind which leads to ultimate peace.”
The concepts of peace and happiness are central to the themes of Regenerative and Wellness Tourism, themes which Dominica has embraced as one of the central pillars in its Tourism Development. According to a November 2023 Forbes article, the value of this global industry has surpassed USD 814 billion. The goals of the programme are to promote Indian culture through the teaching of Yoga Philosophy and Practice, to offer alternative holistic natural health and wellness modalities to our communities, and enhance the holistic health and wellness tourism offerings in our beautiful Nature Island. This is the first step in this Yoga Teacher training programme, and it is anticipated that each year additional cohorts will be trained, as well as at higher levels of certification.
The programme comprises daily Yoga asanas/practical exercises from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, followed by theoretical lectures from 11:00 AM to 1:30 PM. This weeklong initial Preliminary level training serves as the Orientation phase of the MGICC Yoga Teacher Training programme, which continues over 6-8 months of online training followed by another intensive in-person weeklong training, then assessment, which leads to the Yoga Volunteer certification level from the YOGA CERTIFICATION BOARD Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
This initiative marks a pivotal step in the development of Wellness Tourism as an offering in Dominica’s Tourism sector. Yvonne Armour, Sustainable Tourism Consultant/Educator, Lead of the Local Coordinating Agency for the MGICC Yoga Teacher Training Programme, and Chair of Ayahora ACE Foundation, expressed the importance of this initiative, stating: “We are indeed very grateful to the High Commission of India, MGICC and Dr. Rathi for this training which offers an invaluable opportunity for personal growth and Yoga Teacher certification, and also contributes to the broader goal of establishing Dominica as a premier destination for Wellness Tourism. We feel blessed for this privilege to contribute to building awareness around the holistic health benefits of a Yogic lifestyle and to develop a pool of certified Yoga teachers who can nurture the harmonious, calming Yoga energy in their respective communities, and provide services to both tourists and locals seeking wellness experiences on our Nature Island.” Currently, there are no Dominican-born certified Yoga teachers on the island, and this programme is a golden opportunity for Dominican residents seeking personal development and interested in pursuing a path to Yoga certification. We encourage all media outlets to assist in promoting this landmark event.
