250 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Foundation Program “Evolving Spirit ~ Deepen your Practice and Learn to Guide”
Join Director Cynthia Funk, Senior Faculty members Karen Cove and Shehla Khan along with guest faculty Kai Reicken.
Evolving Spirit 250hr Teacher Training Program since 2001
Our graduates enjoy the benefits of this training for a lifetime. Some are teaching around the world, many here in our local community. We have created a comprehensive, well-rounded, balanced program that will become the foundation of your yoga career and take your personal practice into new insightful places.
This unique program focuses on providing the highest caliber training from our experienced, passionate and compassionate faculty. Successful graduates will feel confident to teach classes in Ashtanga, Hatha and Vinyasa lineage. We admit a limited number of trainees into the program, all teaching faculty members are therefore able to provide effective personalized feedback.Yoga Sanctuary Academy offers assistance to trainees through regular communication and updates both in studio and online.
Course Requirements
• Attend 16 weekends at 11 hours each weekend
• Participate in 25 Faculty led classes 75- 90 min each
• Complete 8 Observation Classes 75-90 min each
• Submit all assignments in a timely manner for review by Yoga Sanctuary teachers
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Secondary School Diploma or Equivalent
Class size is limited. Please apply and register early to secure your spot!
Course Overview
Asana, Assisting and Teaching Methodologies
• Learn the poses of the Primary Series of Ashtanga yoga as taught by Shri K Patthabi Jois
• Understand how to sequence a Vinyasa yoga class, a vigorous flowing style of asana practice
• Learn and sequence poses classically taught in a Hatha yoga class
• Develop class planning techniques using well thought out sequential development of poses for various levels of classes and different lengths of classes
• Understanding the methodologies for teaching yoga for different sized public classes as well as private and semi-private classes
• Developing strong and clear communication skills appropriate for different teaching rooms and size of class
• Learn various Pranayama (breathing) techniques and how to apply them for different classes
• Develop a personal meditation practice
• Learn meditation techniques, including different methods of guided meditation
• Introduction to chanting in the ancient language of Sanskrit
Yoga History, Philosophy, Ethics and Lifestyle
• General overview of Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras an ancient teaching considered by many to be the “Heart of Yoga” including group discussions of the most important concepts presented in the Sutras
• Origins of Yoga and the application of these ancient teachings for modern living
• Introduction to the classical teachings and texts of yoga, including the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Yoga Anatomy, Physiology and Subtle Energy Systems
• Fundamentals of the muscular and skeletal systems
• Experiential and functional Anatomy as it relates to the practice and teaching of yoga
• Introduction to Subtle Yogic Anatomy, Physiology and Energy Systems (the Chakra system)
• Understanding the proper role and ethics in Teacher-Student relationship
Homework and Integrated Yoga Practice
• Faculty led yoga classes
• Observation classes which may include Karma classes and New Grad classes (exceptions are pre-registered courses, workshops and open practice classes)
• Supervised practice teaching sessions with constructive feedback
• Self Study/Homework includes reading texts, written assignments and oral presentations