200 & 300 Hour Yoga Alliance Registered Certifications and Specialized Trainings
Those completing the 300 hour Certification will be registered by Yoga Alliance as an RYT500. All trainings are registered with Yoga Alliance so can be used for Continuing Education.
Weekly sessions and monthly weekend intensives are currently being held both IN PERSON & LIVE STREAM/ONLINE and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection! See the link at the top of this page for a full schedule. See our retreats page for a list of international learning opportunities.
Shanti Yoga Teacher Training is now both in person and Online!
I. 200 Hour Certification
The 200 hour program is the heart of Shanti Yoga School. Rather than having specific start dates, we offer rolling admission and continuing, year-round instruction so that you may begin when it’s convenient for you. The curriculum includes six essential modules 1) Yoga Humanities, 2) Anatomy (Functional and Energetic), 3) Asana, 4) Pranayama, 5) Meditation, and 6) Teaching Yoga Essentials. Each of these topics are covered in three ways each month.
The first is the reading and (optional) journaling activities assigned in each course in the online learning platform. You will also have access via our online platform to videos associated with your reading, and the required quizzes for each course where you’ll get immediate feedback.
The second is our weekly live stream meetings (typically Wednesday and Sundays) as well as in person opportunities. Students also have access to recorded material that follows this format.
Thirdly, we offer monthly intensives which are both in person, live streamed and archived. We have six workshops repeated every six months. Over the course of your one year program you’ll have the opportunity to do each twice if you want. You can also complete the program in less time by completing the Course curriculum in other ways (via our online platform). Most students do finish in one year, but you can get an extension if needed. We feel by offering students the opportunity to review the material by these three means and repeat the topics if desired, a deeper level of knowledge is attained than if presented in only one way. Variety comes from the diversity in our staff and from the evolving perspective of the student. What you don’t “see” the first time you study a topic might become really clear the next time.
II. 300 Hour Certification
Advance your teaching. Deepen your practice. We believe that yoga is both an art and a science. As yoga grows in popularity, so do the varying levels of practitioners. More students and studios require teachers to have the training and skills to teach to more diverse populations, including those with unique limitations and special needs. Taught by Deb Murphy & Kimberly Azzarito (both ERYT500), our Advanced Teacher Training program provides students with an opportunity to build upon the material introduced in a 200-Hour Teacher Training. Students will integrate what they’ve learned through practical application, and the course will support the development of students’ individual voice and style. Through classes & workshops, group meetings, apprenticeship and a special project, students refine their teaching skills, identify areas of expertise, and become part of a supportive forum for advanced inquiry. Similar to a graduate school model, students are encouraged to study a great reservoir of teachings, and then electively specialize in an emphasis area which will culminate in the development of a “thesis” or special project. Much as a dissertation supervisor would, we facilitate this process, helping you create a project that is as enlightening & educational to prepare as it is for those to whom it is presented. By first imitating, then integrating and finally innovating, our objective is to help each student create their own “brushstroke” on the constantly evolving art & science of yoga.
300 Hour/Advanced Training Overview
May we find the courage to let go of who we think we’re supposed to be so that we can fully embrace our authentic selves —the imperfect, the creative, the vulnerable, the powerful, the broken, and the beautiful.
May we show ourselves and others the compassion that comes from knowing that we are all made of strength and struggle.
May we create a just and equitable world where privilege isn’t a prerequisite for self-expression and authenticity, where everyone feels invited and safe to express their power and their vulnerability.
And last, may we experience the strength of connection, the love of belonging, and the grace of pure joy.
Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection
Our Mission
We believe that yoga is both an art and a science. In our Advanced Teacher Training Program, we provide students with an opportunity to build upon the material introduced in a 200 hr Teacher Training, integrate what they’ve learned through practical application and support the development of students’ individual voice and style. Through classes, workshops, group meetings, apprenticeship and a special project, students refine their teaching skills, identify areas of expertise and become part of a supportive forum for advanced inquiry.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your own yoga practice or advance your teaching skills, the 300/500-Hour Shanti Yoga Teacher Training will help you distinguish yourself as a unique and inspired teacher by building your confidence in advanced elements of yoga, enhancing your skills and knowledge, and cultivating your authentic teaching style.
As yoga grows in popularity, students and studios expect teachers to have in-depth training and the ability to teach to wider varieties of students, beginners, advanced practitioners, those with unique limitations or special needs. This training is designed for yoga teachers already certified at the 200-hour level, you will graduate as a certified 300/500-hour Shanti Yoga teacher prepared to take your teaching to the next level and discover new realms of your personal practice.
Our Faculty
We are very proud of our advanced training faculty. All hold ERYT500 and YACEP registration with Yoga Alliance with whom Shanti Yoga Teacher Training has been registered with since 2008. Lead teacher, Debbi Murphy, holds a doctorate in Exercise Science and a masters in Counseling. She has over 30 years of teaching experience and continues her education with advanced trainings. Other 300 hour facultyre also ERYT500 and hold advanced training in specific areas: Kimberly Azzarito, Holly Lammer and Don Silva.
Our Program
Similar to a graduate school model, students are encouraged to study a great reservoir of teachings, specialize in a particular area which will culminate in the development of a “thesis” or special project. Our job is to facilitate this process, much as a dissertation supervisor would, helping students create a project that is as enlightening and educational to prepare as it is for those to whom it is presented. By first imitating, then integrating and finally innovating, our objective is to help each student create their own “brushstroke” on the constantly evolving art and science of yoga. In this training, you will
• Deepen your knowledge of teaching postures in more advanced ways
• Experience various transformational teaching methodologies, class designs, and
approaches to sequencing
• Build on your understanding of experiential anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology to
maximize benefits and create safety for all students
• Explore applied yogic philosophy
• Yoga Therapy: Develop skills for working with special populations
• Gain extensive practice one-on-one with your students
• Learn advanced pranayama, meditation and asanas.
Format
Apprenticing – Advanced students can work with any of the Shanti Yoga School faculty as assistants if approved. Terms of how this will work vary with each teacher.
Book Discussions – 300 hour participants will have the opportunity to discuss a question related to the books from the reading lists. These book discussion sessions are both live stream and via the Community Forum. To prepare be able to answer: General Who is the author? What is their background? (Nationality, political persuasion, training, intellectual interests, personal history, and historical context may provide crucial details about how a work takes shape. A brief summary of the content & overall theme (or purpose). Critical assessment of the content. This involves your reactions to the work under review: what strikes you as noteworthy, whether or not it was effective or persuasive, and how it enhanced your understanding of the issues at hand. You should answer: Does the author successfully state & support their thesis? How has this book helped you understand the subject? Would you recommend the book to others? Pick out quotes that support your assessment or that you find to be important.
Special Project/Thesis – 300 hr students will select an area of interest to become their specialization and a topic for their project. This project can take the form of an audio, written or visual discussion of the topic.
Practicum – Tools for Transformational Teaching
Refine your own teaching style with Practicums that include the opportunity to
receive feedback on word choice and tone of voice, integration of anatomical study as well as sutras, poetry, koans and key teachings from the yoga tradition in a way that is not pedantic or “preachy”. Learn various transformational teaching methodologies, class designs, and experiment with various sequencing techniques including how to present workshops and themed series. These hours will be a mix between (1) analytical training in how to teach and practice the techniques, and (2) guided practice of the techniques themselves. Each of the lessons will offer opportunities in this category.
Curriculum Attributes
Open to 200-hour-certified teachers from any tradition, the 300-Hour Shanti Yoga Teacher Training consists of 300 hours of Yoga Alliance-approved content that, when combined with your 200-hour training, delivers a comprehensive and advanced 300-hour certification. The curriculum is offered in Courses, which can be taken in any order as well as Practicum work. 300 hr students who received their Yoga Alliance Certification from other schools will need to complete the quizzes from the Shanti Yoga School 200 hour program. All students will need to accrue a total of 300 training hours on top of their 200 hour program hours. Each of the following Courses provides training hours and is designed to advance your practice, teaching skills, and repertoire.
Lesson 1 Yoga Humanities: Application of Ancient Teachings to Modern Life
Focus is on the the Jnana Path through study of the ancient doctrines of Yoga as well as svadhyaya (self-study). Through discussion, asana and other practices, we’ll dive deep into the history and philosophy of yoga and meditation, drawing from ancient texts; the Upanishads, Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika as well as Sanskrit and Ayurveda. We will also examine research in contemplative neuroscience.
Book discussions will be chosen from:
Yoga & Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization by David Frawley
Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Postural Practice by Singleton
Hatha Yoga Pradipika (your choice, e.g. Stephen Mitchell & Eknath Eswaren)
Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson and Richard Mendius
The Yoga Sutras (your choice, there’s a version in Desikachar’s Heart of Yoga)
Path to God by Ram Dass
Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Postural Practice by Singleton
Lesson 2: Yoga Anatomy, Physiology & Biomechanics: How Yoga Heals
Study includes both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.). We will focus especially on the application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc). Designed to empower teachers with a deeper understanding of the healing power of yoga for mind, body and spirit, we’ll explore:
• Facilitating the process for individual participants and/or unique populations
• Creating safe, empowering group experiences
• Developing and Maintaining Healthy Therapeutic Relationships
• Teaching Specific Special Needs Groups (Seniors, Restorative, Pre & Postnatal)
• Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Book discussions will be chosen from:
Yoga for Wellness by Gary Kraftsow
Yoga as Medicine, Timothy McCall
Lesson 3 The Quiet Practices: Restorative, Yin, Yoga Nidra & Meditation
Explore advanced techniques with a deeper study of the physiology from both Western & Eastern perspectives as well as explore the therapeutic applications.
Designed to empower teachers with a deeper understanding of the healing power of yoga for mind, body and spirit, we’ll explore:
• Facilitating the process/practice for individual participants and/or unique populations
• Creating safe, empowering group experiences
• Developing and Maintaining Healthy Therapeutic Relationships
• Teaching Specific Special Needs Groups (Seniors, Restorative, Pre & Postnatal, etc)
• Yoga for Emotional Wellness
Book discussions will be chosen from::
Relax and Renew, Judith Lasater
Yoga Nidra: A Meditative Practice for Deep Relaxation & Healing, Richard Miller
Yin Yoga, Bernie Clark
Lesson 4: Professional Essentials
Trauma Sensitive Teaching
Props and Assists
