yoga teacher training
Deepen your yoga practice while learning to help others...
Next Teacher Training: February - November 2009!
frequently asked questions
What is involved in yoga teacher training?There are many teacher training programs out there, and as of yet there are no required standards. Some programs claim to "certify" you in a weekend. More and more, however, students and yoga studios are requiring instructors to be certified through the Yoga Alliance, which has become the "gold standard" for certification in the US. Whole Life Yoga's program is certified at the 200 hour level through Yoga Alliance.
Whole Life Yoga's program has a multifaceted approach that includes a combination of classes, clinics, observation, private instruction, and independent study. It also includes practice teaching both to fellow teacher training students and out in the community.
What are the benefits of teacher training?
First and foremost, upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be qualified to teach yoga privately and in multiple group venues, including health clubs and yoga centers.
The benefits of completing an intensive yoga study are not limited to teaching, however. Many students who take teacher training programs never intend to teach. Participants find that in-depth programs deepen their own yoga practice significantly. Since each workshop builds on the one before it, the potential for growth is orders of magnitude larger than the growth that can be attained in a normal group class setting.
Additionally, attending a long term training program gives you the opportunity to connect with and build a community of peers and friends who share your love of yoga. Many people find they stay in close contact with their teacher training classmates for many years to come.
Is Whole Life Yoga's training right for me?
Whole Life Yoga's teacher training is appropriate for individuals who would like to deepen their own yoga practice and those who would like to teach using the viniyoga methodology. Specifically, we recommend this training for any of the following:
- Individuals who would like to deepen their yoga practice and learn to design their own personal practice.
- Students interested in exploring broader aspects of yoga, including philosophy, lifestyle, pranayama (breath work), and meditation.
- Individuals who would like to coach friends, coworkers, or others in 1:1 yoga practices.
- Health care practitioners interested in integrating aspects of yoga and yoga therapy into their practice.
- Anyone who wants to teach group classes at yoga studios, health clubs, community centers, or other venues.
- Experienced yoga teachers who want to learn the viniyoga methodology of customizing yoga to the needs of individual students and who want to explore tools beyond asana to help students' physical and emotional growth.
Where and when does the training take place?
Weekly classes occur Thursdays, 6:30 - 9:30 pm from February 5, 2009 through November 19, 2009. Special clinics and workshops
take place 12:30 - 5:30 pm on the second Sunday of every month, the first being on February 8th. We will take 3 weeks
off in August & September to celebrate summer. Graduation day is Thursday November 19th, 2009.
Thursday
sessions will be at the Phinney Neighborhood Center at N 67th St & Phinney Ave N. Sunday workshops will be held at
Whole Life Yoga on the corner of N 87th St and Greenwood Ave N.
What does it cost?
We offer several payment plans, and we accept Visa and MasterCard. Total cost
of the training depends on the payment plan chosen, as we discount for payment
in full. All first payments are due by January 1, 2009. A non-refundable deposit
of $250 holds your space until then.
- 1 single payment of $3000 ($150 discount if paid in full by December 1, 2008)
- 4 equal payments of $850
- 10 equal payments of $400
All payments are non-refundable unless the training is cancelled by Whole Life Yoga.
Training cost includes the following:- A minimum of 39 weekly 3 hour training sessions
- Ten monthly special topic clinics
- Ten group classes at Whole Life Yoga
- Observation of 10 group classes
- Two private or small group meetings with teacher training staff
We offer a well rounded program that covers the core principles of yoga practice and philosophy, including:
- Personal practice and class design, including asana (movement and postures), pranayama (breath work) and meditation
- Anatomy and physiology of yoga
- Yoga philosophy (yoga sutras)
- Teaching methodology and practice
Call Tracy Weber, the program director, at 206-784-2882, or e-mail tracy@wholelifeyoga.com. She will arrange a time to meet with you and discuss your goals, tell you more about the program as a whole, and help you assess if this program is right for you.
About viniyoga
The viniyoga approach is an ancient methodology for customizing yoga practices
to individual student needs. This approach has been handed down for centuries
in India. In the past 100 years, it has been sustained in India and expanded
to Europe and the United States by Krishnamacharya and his son, TKV Desikachar.
It has been effectively customized to US audiences through the work of Gary
Kraftsow and others in the past 20 years.
As described in the April 23, 2001 edition of Time magazine:
"viniyoga...is the most highly customized form of yoga. Viniyoga teachers cater stretching positions to individual student needs and abilities. Function is stressed over form, with an emphasis on integrating the flow of movement of the breath with the movement of the spine."
Viniyoga is a highly adaptable, meditative style of yoga that coordinates movement with the breath. It is a uniquely healing form of yoga and can be used by people of all levels and physical abilities, including those with limited mobility.
About Whole Life Yoga
Whole Life Yoga is a community-focused yoga studio located near Seattle's Phinney Ridge, Greenwood, Ballard and Green Lake neighborhoods. Our goal is to make yoga available and accessible to all people who could benefit from it, not just those with a high level of fitness or flexibility. We focus on yoga as a way to serve an individual's unique physical condition and lifestyle, not as a means of achieving the "perfect" body or posture. At Whole Life Yoga, you'll find a place to unwind, an opportunity to develop your mind and body, and a community of support for healing and growth.
About the program director
Tracy Weber is both a certified yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist through the American Viniyoga Institute. Her primary teacher has been Gary Kraftsow, author of the books "Yoga for Wellness" and "Yoga for Transformation". She has also taken intensive workshops with other well known teachers, including Margaret Pierce, TKV Desikachar, and Joan Borysenko.
In addition to being an practiced yoga teacher and fitness instructor, Tracy
is also an experienced personal coach and counselor. She has led career development
and leadership workshops internationally, and has worked with organizations
and individuals from all walks of life. She uses adult learning models to
make all of her workshops and trainings interactive and fun.
Tracy teaches yoga using the viniyoga methodology. The word "viniyoga"
literally translated means "adaptation and proper application". Tracy's
teaching philosophy is that yoga postures should be adapted for each
individual practitioner. She infuses her trainings with attitudes of
caring and student acceptance, and uses yoga tools to help facilitate
growth in all areas of life.
Quotes from past students...
"Discovering Whole Life has opened up a new world for me. I'm learning
all about yoga and all about me. I've got two small children and was exploring
ways to be more centered and present…."
"After I signed up for the teacher training, I was struck with the fear
that it might be too daunting. For me, nothing is further from the truth.
It's an intensive, vigorous course, but each week we're discovering the richness
of the viniyoga style. Tracy's style of unconditional support gives us the
freedom to learn, make mistakes and literally fall down trying. There's no
sense of unrealistic expectations, competitiveness or intimidation -- we are
all there learning everything we can to become the most knowledgeable and
compassionate teachers we can be." Ruth Ann
"This training has met all of my expectations. A joyous, fun and comprehensive
way of learning the ancient art." Rene
"Yoga Training has been life changing. What was to be health and physically focused
has grown to be something so much bigger that affects how I approach each
and every day." Suzette
"Your presentation of all aspects of viniyoga has been both fun and very
interesting. I look forward to class every week." Barbara
"I had been searching for a style of Yoga to suit my needs after deciding
to get certified as a teacher. I wanted a style that would be geared towards
a therapeutic approach to meld into my Massage practice. After searching what
was available in Seattle and workshops throughout the nation, "Whole
Life Yoga" kept being brought to my attention by various sources. I took
the hint and cannot be happier. The program is comprehensive, well thought
out, balanced with the anatomy, observation principles, benefit and risk assessment
of postures, and the more esoteric Sutra and chanting studies. Tracy
is a fabulous teacher, sharing her knowledge selflessly. Her approach is both
grounded while letting each student reach for what they need." Joan
"Both Tracy and the viniyoga approach are so accessible that I can’t
imagine anyone NOT benefiting from this training. Krishnamacharya [one of
the original founders of this approach] would be pleased." Jill
"This has been the best experience for me. I love not only learning
about Viniyoga, but it has definitely opened new doors in other aspects of
my life. I am beginning to explore things about myself as a person, not only
physically, but mentally." Alexa
past teacher training graduation photos
class #1, graduated september 2004
class #2, graduated september 2005
class #3, graduated may 2006
class #4, graduated october 2006
class #5, graduated october 2007