This program is very thorough, comprehensive and covers many different aspects and approaches to Hatha Yoga. It is a general yoga training program and we cover many different styles of yoga practiced today in the US (such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa, etc). Trainees will be exposed to these various styles and will come away with the program with a more diverse understanding of Hatha Yoga (rather than focus on one particular style and way of teaching). It is designed to help you become an effective and well-balanced teacher and to deepen your personal practice.

Our multiple sessions are spaced over 10 months; we offer a close teacher-student relationship with highly experienced teacher trainers, a supervised and ongoing study into all aspects of yoga including ethical, personal, physical, psychological and spiritual realms. This is one of the most affordable yoga teacher trainings in the Bay Area.

Our program is designed for people with busy schedules; we meet once a month and you determine when and where you would like to fulfill the requirements for practice and practicum. There is no deadline when these requirements must be completed; we ask and hope, however, that it be completed within a year of graduation. We offer 48 free yoga classes during the training period and additional classes during this time will be offered at a 50% discount.

Most of the material covered in any teacher training is new information-information not received in a typical yoga class or as in-depth. Our pacing is set that there is enough time between each session in order for you to digest, process and incorporate the material into your practice before the next session. The training is also progressive, what you learn in the current month will be more relevant in the following month and onwards.

Any Yoga Alliance approved program has the same requirements; 75 contact hours for Techniques, 15 contact hours for Teaching Methodology, 10 contact hours for Anatomy, 20 contact hours for Philosophy and 5 contact hours for Practicum. (Contact hours are training hours given by and in the presence of an experienced yoga teacher). The remaining 55 contact hours are distributed among the educational categories according to the school’s emphasis. We have placed more emphasis on Techniques and Teaching Methodology and additional hours in Anatomy and Practicum in order to best prepare one to become a yoga teacher.

With successful completion, a graduate will possess all the skills to become an efficient and effective teacher.  He/She will have confidence in the ability to:
• know the different styles of Hatha Yoga, both on an intellectual level and through personal experience of practicing various styles 
• have a strong understanding of asana/yoga postures: their functions, benefits, contraindications, modifications and purpose 
• be familiar with different meditation and pranayama (breathing) techniques 
• sequence a class for several styles/types of Yoga classes 
• cue a class with thorough and clear verbal instruction 
• modify a class for pregnancy, prior injuries and limitations 
• know how to read bodies 
• be proficient in applying hands-on and verbal adjustments of varying degrees of intensity and intention 
• have a foundation in yoga philosophy and how to integrate it with a physical practice.

Yoga is learned by patient practice, dedication and experience. Knowledge is imparted directly from teacher to student. Large classes, high-profile seminars, yoga conferences, workshops with celebrity teachers, webinars and distance learning are less than ideal formats for teacher training.

Beware of trainings that provide limited access to the trainers, those that condense many hours into a short time frame, ones that have heavy homework, online classes with less face-to-face instruction and those that offer less than 200 contact training hours.

If you have been studying yoga with a teacher for at least two years, we encourage you to apply. If you have less than 2 years of experience, contact Lynn (Director of Teacher Training) to discuss your eligibility. Keep in mind that your sincere desire to learn and explore is the most important factor.

Absolutely! This training will give you a depth of skill and knowledge without parallel. Many of these topics are not addressed in a typical yoga class or with as much detail. The training will give you a much better understanding about Yoga as a complete practice and this information will help grow your personal practice. Though you will practice and learn some teaching techniques during the course, yoga teaching need not be your ultimate goal in order for you to take full advantage of the training.

If your objective is to obtain a certificate of completion, you must complete all the assignments, pass the written final, take 48 Hatha Yoga classes at any facility of your choice and spend at least 10 hours outside of the monthly training sessions to work on the practicum part of the program. This is where a trainee mentors with an experienced teacher and observes and assists in his/her classes. In addition, the trainee must teach 5 hours where the mentor will observe and provide feedback.

If you are taking this program for your personal practice, you do not have to complete the requirements listed above (although it is highly suggested that you complete the assignments as it deepens your understanding and experience of the teachings).

Proficiency in these postures does not correlate to being an effective yoga instructor and is not important for teaching yoga.

Unfortunately, if you are unable to attend a training session, we do not offer a make up class, but will work with you individually to find a suitable way to ensure you receive and understand the information that was covered. If possible, we can change the dates of training if all participants agree on the revised date.

While the amount seems large when you look at it as one payment, it actually is quite reasonable and is one of the most affordable yoga teacher trainings in the Bay Area. If it is broken down to an hourly rate, the teacher training program actually costs less per hour than a drop-in class rate. As mentioned, the teacher training program offers much more than you would receive in a typical yoga class.

We offer a discounted rate (early bird) for those who pay in full and register early. For those who can not pay the tuition rate upfront, we offer a payment schedule of three $800 payments. If that payment schedule does not work for you, please contact us. We are happy to work out a payment schedule for you.

Being curious and enthusiastic about yoga is the first prerequisite. Qualities such as empathy, clarity, integrity, reliability, open-minded, determination and playfulness are hallmarks of a great teacher.

Our program is paced so you learn gradually in order to integrate the various practices and information. During our training sessions, we will break down and practice the elements of effective yoga teaching. By the time you complete the training, you will have the skills to teach a basic level yoga class.

Yoga Alliance is the only nationally recognized organization that registers both individual yoga teachers and yoga teacher training programs who have complied with minimum educational standards established by the organization. Its mission is to lead the yoga community, set standards, foster integrity, provide resources, and uphold the teachings of yoga. By completing this teacher training, one is eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). An RYT® designation enhances your credibility as a yoga professional. Yoga Alliance RYT® designations are trusted symbols of knowledge, training and experience for employers and students.