200 Hour Teacher Training 

Join TT faculty to deepen your understanding of the yoga tradition, expand and deepen your personal practice, and discover your full potential as a yoga teacher. Drawing from ancient yoga philosophy and modern knowledge of the body, mind, and spirit we will cover the whole of yoga practices: yamas and niyamas (lifestyle guidelines), asanas (postures), pranayama (breath training), pratyahara (sense withdrawl), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (self realization).


200 hour Course Overview
Teacher Training is taught progressively. We move through the 8 limbs of yoga with a more physical emphasis at the program’s beginning, and a more inward meditative emphasis at the end of the program.

How to practice and teach asana
  • Principles of structural and energetic alignment
  • Anatomy and physiology for yoga teachers
  • Cueing and pose structure
  • Sequencing classes
  • Yoga model of the subtle (pranic) body
  • Practice teaching

How to practice and teach pranayama, pratyahara, and meditation
  • Systematic breath training
  • Anatomy of breath
  • Pranayama practice and teaching
  • Relaxation techniques and teaching
  • Theory and practice of meditation

Understanding and applying yoga philosophy
  • Study of the Yoga Sutra
  • Study of the Bhagavad Gita
  • The basics of Vedic, Upanishad and Sankya philosophy
  • Introduction to Sanskrit pronunciation
  • Introduction to Ayurveda
  • The Business and Ethics of Yoga



Exams and Assignments
  • Weekly practice journal
  • Two-month meditation journal
  • Teaching experience with self-evaluation
  • Practicum including: observing, assisting, and teaching time
  • Open book hatha, relaxation/meditation, and anatomy exams
Photos by Tom Topinka www.topinkaphotography.com
​The Tradition
Teacher training is taught in the Himalayan Tradition. The tradition of the Himalayan sages is an unbroken chain that extends for thousands of years, a living tradition that still exists today. Rooted in the wisdom shared in the Vedas Upanishads, Tantra, and Yoga, the Himalayan Tradition is dedicated to sharing the experience of that truth which is eternal and universal. Our Director of Teacher Training Andrea Bleck-Smith was initiated into this tradition in 2001.  Through Teacher Training you learn the basics of yoga asana, breath work, pranayama, sense withdraw, meditation, and philosophy. The Himalayan tradition is a firm foundation for whatever style of yoga you choose to teach.  
PictureTom Topinka www.topinkaphotography.com
Andrea and I met almost 20 years ago while practicing yoga together.  At the time, we both were considering becoming yoga instructors.  Andrea continued with the pursuit and has been teaching yoga ever since.  I, on the other hand, continued to practice yoga, but chose other career paths.  We continued to stay in touch, off and on, through the years and shared in some very special life experiences together.  Now, many years later, I have returned to the path of becoming a yoga instructor and with the magnificent bonus of having my true friend, Andrea, be my yoga teacher instructor! 

Andrea has a unique teaching style in that she is very approachable and welcoming, yet manages to guide students through yoga classes smoothly and purposefully. Her wealth of knowledge pours out during her instruction powered by her obvious love of teaching and desire to share all that she learns.  She is very tuned in to each individual student’s needs and addresses them skillfully, yet unobtrusively.  I find Andrea truly inspirational in my journey. 

Most of all, I love just being in Andrea’s classes as her joy seems to bubble over, out of her and often, into her students. 

Cathy


The Heart of Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training program, under the leadership of very professional and experienced teacher Andrea Bleck Smith, provides a solid foundation on which to build both a strong teaching practice and a meaningful personal practice. Andrea is supported in the teacher training program by a group of teachers and mentors with in depth experience in practicing and teaching yoga, anatomy, and ayurveda. The training accommodates budding teachers ranging from those desiring to teach a "yoga for athletes"-type course to those focusing on gentle and restorative hatha yoga. Andrea and the three studio owners offer a smart and realistic overview of the business of teaching and owning a yoga studio. Most of all, the Heart of Yoga program provides ample opportunities for students to teach in the studio, with supervision, encouragement and constructive criticism, so that they are prepared to teach safe and comprehensive yoga classes at the completion of their RYT-200 training.    

​ Beth