Learn to Teach, Teach to Learn

.Commonly Asked Questions

1. When can I begin? We have no set start dates, rather we have chosen to make our program as flexible and convenient as possible. Each month we focus on one of our 6 Yoga Alliance-approved Courses, so over the course of a year we cover each Course twice during our live sessions. For example, you might begin with the Meditation Course because that’s a convenient time for you to begin, and catch the Asana section afterwards. Some students choose to complete the program in three months, in which case their studies are largely independent from the Courses we’re focusing on during our live sessions as they work through the online learning platform and archived video material. In addition to our live weekly and monthly sessions on these subjects, the 6 Courses are covered in material presented in our online learning platform with lessons consisting of pdfs readings, videos, and quizzes. These Courses are: Yoga Humanities, Yoga Anatomy, Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, and Teaching Yoga.

2. How proficient in yoga do you have to be to do the program? We are looking for students who want to learn more about yoga or who have a desire to teach. While it will be to your benefit to have a background in yoga, we acknowledge the most important attribute is this desire to learn. We look for practitioners who come to the mat with a level of maturity, a willingness to learn and an understanding of the limits of their own body. Keep in mind this program is not only for aspiring teachers, but people who want to deepen their practice.

3. Do I need to have any other qualifications to be accepted into the program? To qualify for our Teacher Training Program, you must complete an application and pay the deposit.

4. How much time should I expect to spend on homework? This depends upon how long you choose to spend in the program. Those wishing to complete it in the shortest time frame of 3 months might need to spend up to 20 hours per week on the online learning platform and discussion groups and classes. Those who want to stretch the program out over the full year, might not need to do this. The homework is designed to support the material covered in class and help you integrate what is presented into your own practice and teaching. If you are not planning on teaching after this course, you may choose not to complete all of the homework assignments and take the course for non-credit. However, if you wish to receive your Certificate of Completion, you must accrue the necessary hours and complete all the homework assignments.

5. What is Yoga Alliance? Yoga Alliance is an organization that was started in 1999 as a way to create nationally recognized standards for yoga teachers and yoga teacher trainings. More and more yoga studios across the country are requiring their teachers to register with the Yoga Alliance, either at the 200 or 500 hour level. Yoga Alliance registration, however, is not a legal requirement for teaching yoga. Currently there are no legal certification requirements to be a yoga teacher. Students that complete both 200 & 300 programs are eligible to register through the Yoga Alliance as a 500 hour registered yoga teacher.

6. Will I be qualified to teach yoga once I complete the 200 Hour Teacher Training Program? Yes! With the successful completion of all the requirements of the program, including contact hours, homework, portfolio, videotaped community class and final exam, you will receive your Certificate of Completion evidencing your training. You may also register with the Yoga Alliance (http://www.yogaalliance.org).

7. What is the yoga style of the school? Our school touts an “interdisciplinary” philosophy believing that yoga is an art, as well as a science….and that it stands upon the shoulders of it’s early sages, but allows for individual evolving innovations. That being said, our school definitely orients towards a breath-aware, biomechanically-conscious vinyasa. My particular style is an evolution of what I learned from my teachers, Erich Schiffmann, Shiva Rea, Seane Corn & many others who I’ve studied with at Exhale & YogaWorks in Los Angeles. I have also chosen to study with alignment-oriented teachers such as John Friend (Anusara) and Rodney Yee & Judith Lasater (Iyengar) because I believe sound biomechanics is essential (my background is in Exercise Science). Many call this style “Slow Flow”…a breath-oriented vinyasa with very conscious awareness of alignment, especially in the transitions. Recently, I was able to study with the wonderful Annie Carpenter who calls this form “Smart Flow.” All of the teachers at Shanti have been certified by Yoga Alliance and follow this balance of breath-inspired, flow-inducing, krama-specific vinyasa that is primary to the Shanti School program. We all believe that yoga is a tool that allows us to learn more about ourself and come closer to finding peace within. For more information on our Shanti Teachers credentials and achievements click here.

8. Testimonials from past students

Here are a few from the past 15 years. You can also go to https://www.yogaalliance.org/SchoolReviews) and we post the reviews of each graduate in our newsletters.

Shanti Teaches Safe Yoga:

Working with the knowledgeable faculty members of Shanti Yoga School saved my body! Even with a background in functional training and corrective exercise, I was practicing many asanas inappropriately and causing injury in the process. Shanti Yoga School taught me how to fit my body to the pose. -Susie Orme, 200 Graduate

Build Confidence and Find Your Voice:

The learning experience for me was amazing. There’s so much information that just motivates you to delve deeper. All the teachers and workshops were always very productive. I think when looking back to my first teaching module, for me being able to get into groups and teach is always good. It’s really the practice that builds confidence in teaching.
-Caroline Rea, 200 Hr Graduate

Share Your Yoga:

I started this journey wanting to better my own practice, which I have accomplished; although, there is always room for continued education and growth. At first, I wasn’t sure if teaching was something I wanted to do but now I do want to teach and share my knowledge with my community.
-Kim Meza, 200 Hr Graduate

Beyond the Mat:

I believe I got more out of the training that I expected. However, what I came away with is not what I thought my original goals were when I got involved in the program. But, I believe that is what yoga does, stretches and expands the mind in all directions, not just the socially acceptable or perceived goals/training.
-Stephanie Florence, 200 & 300 Hr Graduate

Passionate Teachers:

Every teacher in every class gave so much of themselves in sharing their knowledge and expertise on the topics we were studying. It’s evident that yoga is a part of who they are and they are generous in sharing that expertise and dedication with others on their journey. I am confident that I could contact them with questions and they would be willing to share their thoughts.
-Caroline Brokaw, 200 Hr Graduate

Community:

Shanti Teacher training has been an absolute joy in my life. It has opened me up, taught me so much about who I am, where I want to be, it has held me up in times of despair and grief. I am so grateful for this program and the people it has brought into my life.
-Cari Harbaugh, 200 & 300 Hour Graduate

This program has been such a wonderful experience and I feel like with completion of the 200 hour program, I’ve only just dipped in and I want to go deeper!

-Ingrid Peterson, 200 Hr graduate

I don’t know if you’d like a testimonial for Viniyoga 1 – 3, but I can honestly say that it has changed my outlook and I have a better grasp on emotional healing due to Jeanne Dillion’s kind and thorough teaching of Therapeutic Yoga and iRest.  I NEVER thought I was one for Yoga Nidra, I always came out of it irritated and angry, but with her iRest Yoga Nidra, the imagery used was soothing and restful and I truly felt like I had a good nap, event though I never fell asleep.  I didn’t think I would enjoy therapeutic yoga, coming from a powerful and athletic Ashtanga background, but I’ve been able to connect my movements with my breath better now than I was able to with 20 years of “Power” Yoga.  What seemed like a forced movement meditation is now second nature and has a beautiful flow.  I now use many of the techniques I learned in Viniyoga discussions when I have the opportunity to teach Vinyasa Flow classes and the students have been touched enough to comment positively on how they can understand and feel the breath better than before.  I plan to continue to work with Jeanne even after graduating.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to learn different styles and modalities of yoga!  

Best,

Jill Singer 300 hr graduate

Danielle B. “I just want to thank you so much for everything you do. I came into yoga thinking I knew a good portion (about yoga & myself). Turns out I hadn’t even scratched the surface. This experience has changed the way I communicate not only with others but with myself . I have an endless amount of gratitude for you as a teacher and as a human being. And endless amount of thinks and love to give to you.” (200 hr graduate)

Dear Debi,

Thank you so much for reading carefully and reflecting graciously, learnedly, and also encouraging me in your comments. I learned so much from them and always looked forward to your thoughtful responses. I learned a lot from them-areas where I didnt quite get the crux of an idea or concept. I felt like you were teaching just to me, which you were. I have been able to re-read some areas and add new concepts thus broadening me and my ability to serve others by your suggestions, instruction and comments. I cant tell you how much you are appreciated. Thank you so much for your time and energy. I so appreciate the gifts you have and continue to give. I just want you to know how grateful I am to you and to Shanti and Yoga Tree.

Warmly and most sincerely,

Christie, 200 Hr Graduate

Hi Debbie I wanted to take a moment to tell you how absolutely amazing the Children’s Specialty was. I can’t speak highly enough of Chelsea in everything she did over the course! Her manual was so thorough, modern & enjoyable.  She supported us in so many ways and I feel is a gifted catalyst for each of us. If you need any testimonial for the specialty I would love to help in any way. What an absolute blessing🙏! 
 I am so excited about teaching Children’s Yoga and I would love to reach out to Jennifer at Yoga Tree or any other suggestions you might have. I want to spread the message of love that you and all in Shanti have so wonderfully shared with me. I consider myself blessed to stay in any Shanti circle & help cultivate this space you have created especially with children!

Kaela Pothier, 200 & Children’s Program graduate

“Jeanne has a thoughtful approach to yoga for wellness which is steeped in the tradition of Desikachar and Gary Kraftsow. When you learn from her or take a class from her, you feel deeply understood–biomechanically and spiritually.  Jeanne’s handouts and instructions are a valuable tool to me as a student and as a teacher of yoga.”

Laurie McElroy, 500 Hr Graduate 

“The course opened my mind to other methods of Yoga practice.”  Jeanne has a depth of knowledge and experience that shows in her teachings.”

Natalie Bartley, 200 Hr Graduate 

“I just want to thank you so much for everything you do. 
I came into yoga thinking I knew a good portion (about yoga & myself). Turns 
out I hadn’t even scratched the surface. This experience has changed the way 
I communicate not only with others but with myself . I have an endless 
amount of gratitude for you as a teacher and as a human being. And endless 
amount of thinks and love to give to you.”

Danielle B, 200 Hr Graduate

Shanti Yoga Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Testimonial

I just wanted to write a quick review of the RPYT training I did  with Mindy Goodman and Holly Lammer. 

The training was excellent and well rounded for both current yoga teachers and non-yoga teachers. I felt that it was the perfect balance of anatomical and medical information related to pregnancy and labor and delivery (Mindy’s teachings) and the importance of the energetic, emotional and subtle body of the mother and child during these same stages (Holly’s teachings). 

I loved learning so much about chakras and fascia in relation to pregnancy and being encouraged to tap into my own creative and energetic wisdom in order to sequence yoga classes. 

We had a small class, which created ample time for constructive and relative conversations and allowed us to discuss everything in intimate detail. 

I enjoyed creating sequences, and the slight pressure of teaching new material in new ways to classmates. THANK YOU!, Margaret, 200, 300, Prenatal Graduate

“I am a graduate of the Shanti Yoga 200- and 300-hour teacher training programs. During the 200-hour training I gained an understanding of yoga beyond what I had imagined possible in an introductory level program. Although I had practiced yoga most of my adult life, I had not studied or been exposed to the breadth of topics covered in the 200- hour modules including: Ethics, History & Philosophy, Anatomy & Physiology, Asana, Pranayama, Meditation and Teaching Yoga. My depth of knowledge and understanding continued to develop as I entered the 300-hour program. Similar to the metaphor of an iceberg often used to describe the relative proportion of asana to the world of yoga, I found the knowledge I gained in the 200-hour program just the tip of the iceberg. In the 300-hour program I was able to deepen my understanding and pursue interest in areas of yoga that I previously did not know existed. Completing both of these programs has enriched not only my ability to teach yoga but also my personal growth and development. I am eternally grateful to the teachers and staff of the Shanti Teacher Training program for their sincere and genuine interest in providing a yoga teacher training program that meets the highest of standards.”

Sharon Hammer, 200 & 300 Hr Graduate

Yay!  I’m so grateful for my Shanti education.  I couldn’t be happier with my decision to complete my teacher training program with you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  I’m so excited to share. –jenna calhoun, 200 & 300 Hr Graduate