300 Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training ONLINE
Create Therapeutic Transformation for Yourself and Others
REGISTER with Yoga Alliance as an RYT-500 upon successful completion.
Upcoming Cohort Start Date: September 2024
Take your teaching to the next level and THRIVE as a yoga professional.
The curriculum includes therapeutics, multidimensional sequencing, holistic alignment concepts, instructing level 2 poses, yoga and the private client, philosophy, meditation, pranayama, Ayurveda and much more. The program is open to yoga teachers from all disciplines who have completed a 200 hour program or by permission.
Therapeutic Approach
Explore a therapeutic approach to teach aging bodies, injured students, raw beginners and special populations
Deepen your knowledge of musculoskeletal, fascial and organ systems of the body
Explore bio-mechanically safe and healthy alignment framework
Uncover the power of Prana and dive deep into exploration of the Chakras and Vayus as tools for increasing wellbeing
Teaching for Transformation and Change
Craft potent sequences to level 2 poses woven with yogic inspiration and skillful alignment
Incorporate more philosophy, pranayama, meditation practices into your offerings to expertly serve your students
Dive deeper into the principles of Ayurveda including doshas, gunas, vayus, lifestyle modification, elements, and adaptive practices to bring balance to the individual
Learn to facilitate individual private yoga sessions, including session structure and client intake
Build your Knowledge. Teach with Confidence
Step confidently into the role of the teacher to share this powerful practice and help others
Lead with presence, compassion, and wisdom
Discover your unique strengths as a yoga teacher and develop a specialty in the field
Improve your employment options as an RYT-500
"My expectations were blown away"
Kristina Hoover, 300 Hour YTT Graduate
Program Structure = One Weekend Per Month Plus 6 Modules
One weekend per month via Zoom includes 5 hours on Saturday and 5 hours on Sunday for nine months.
Plus
Six 25 hour modules that include approximately 15 hours of pre-recorded content to complete at your own pace and four 1.5 hour live zoom Q and A sessions related to the content. You may complete these modules in your own time or join with the group for the live Zoom sessions.
Begin by February 13, 2023, OR Feb 25, 2023. Complete by Dec 31, 2023.
Weekend Program Dates
Weekends 2024/2025: TBD
Times: 8:00am-1:00pm Pacific | 11:00am-4:00pm New York | 4:00pm - 9:00pm London
Sample Schedule
8:00-9:00am Anatomy and Alignment (Saturdays) Philosophy Theory or Dharma Talk (Sundays)
9:00-11:00am Yoga Movement Practice, Meditation and Pranayama
11:00am Break
11:30am-1:00pm Group Discussions, Practice Teach and Application of Concepts
Choose Six Module to Complete
Please note that modules can be completed in your own time in a self paced manner. Modules consist of prerecorded, self-paced content, and assignments.
Choose Six Modules to Complete
Self-Paced Module: Teaching Progressive Chair Yoga with Sundari Lucey
In this 4-week course, we will view the broad spectrum of variations with the chair. Students with health challenges, limited mobility, or special needs will benefit. Adaptations for age-related chronic health conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and cardio-respiratory, and musculoskeletal issues will be explored.
Self-Paced Module: Somatic Movement Training for Yoga Teachers with Liz Heffernan, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist
Learn to teach somatics. Help your students relieve pain patterns in their bodies, calm deregulated nervous systems, build neuroplasticity, and increase their interoceptive awareness.
Self-Paced Module: Mindfulness & G.R.A.C.E.: Leading with presence, compassion and wisdom with Samantha Akers
An Exploration in ethics, social justice, communication and freedom from suffering.
Self-Paced Module: Yoga for the Private Client with Peggy Profant
With a deeper understanding of Ayurveda, the Pancha Maya Koshas, the Subtle Body and the Prana Vayus we can address the unique needs of private clients and adapt our group classes to include therapeutic intentions.
Self-Paced Module: Yoga Nidra for Healing and Transformation with Liz Heffernan
Learn to write and guide Yoga Nidra and understand the theory, science and therapeutic benefits behind this practice.
Self Paced Module: The Pelvic Floor and Five Diaphragms with Samantha Akers
Anatomy of the pelvic floor, common conditions, relationship between the diaphragms and the bandhas, along with yoga for health, balance and restoration.
Self-Paced Module: Memory Maintenance Yoga Teacher Training with Liz Heffernan and David Webster.
Get certified to teach Memory Maintenance Yoga and help your aging community thrive. Self-paced with as-needed mentoring with Liz.
Self -Paced Module: Prana & Pranayama; Chakra & Vayu with and Peggy Profant
Take an experiential deep dive into the energy body (pranamayakosha) through the lens of pranayama, chakras, vayus and mudras. Explore through lecture, discussion, experiential exercises, and self-study a wide variety of techniques to enhance the flow of prana, expand breath capacity, increase energy and decrease stress. This includes learning and practicing the classical forms of pranayama as well as techniques of pranavidya, while also learning to teach these to others. Explore kumbhaka (breath retention), psychic pranayama, the effect of mudra (gestures) on the breath and ways to increase awareness in the prana vayus. Learn adaptive techniques to meet the needs of the individual.
"I have gained more knowledge in this 300 hour program than I thought I ever could. Our teachers are all very knowledgeable. I love how Liz weaves together prana and alignment in practice so we feel totally blissed out while increasing our heartbeat in a therapeutic, multidimensional sequence. I love how much I now understand the human body and how it functions anatomically and energetically. Additionally, my own yoga practice has grown extensively. I now teach and live my life with so much more confidence! I know now that I am the teacher I was wanting to become from through this program."
Cindy Shapiro, 300 Hour program graducate
What You Will Learn
Applied Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Structural Yoga Therapeutics
- Utilize experiential anatomy techniques to deepen your knowledge of the human form
- Explore bio-mechanically safe and healthy ways of moving
- Understand how to address common musculoskeletal issues in the body, work with an injured student, and offer guidance to prevent yoga injuries
- Learn to modify and apply yoga asana and movements to create health and safety in the group class setting as well as in a therapeutic context.
The Therapeutic Application of Yoga
- Understand the yoga practices and philosophy as it applies to health and wellness for the whole person
- Study the principles of Ayurveda including doshas, gunas, vayus, lifestyle modification, diet, elements, diet considerations and how to apply appropriate yoga practices to bring balance to the individual.
- Learn to facilitate individual private yoga sessions, including session structure and client intake.
- Working with Trauma, Anxiety and Depression
Deep Rest and Rejuvenation- Guiding Yoga Nidra and the Restorative Practices
- Learn to write your own and guide others in deep relaxation and yoga nidra techniques to unlock stuck mental patterns, release stress at its root, and create an environment for healing to occur.
- Explore the use of props, language, breath awareness, body scans, sankalpas (intentions), delivery, voice quality, rotation of consciousness, pairs of opposites and timing for guiding restorative yoga and Yoga Nidra.
Fundamentals of Asana - Beyond the Basics
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Explore asana through progressive step-by-step sequencing offered through the lens of anatomy and biomechanics.
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Poses in all categories will be explored: standing twists and binds, balancing on hands or feet, hip openers and forward bends, backbends, core, supine, prone and variations of inversions.
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Understand how to make level 2 poses accessible in an all levels / multi-level class, become proficient in teaching with integrity, alignment, and safety as the priority, and refine your ability to see and verbally assist common misalignments.
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Learn to assess the outer form, the foundation, the movement of energy, and the facial expressions as a window into the manomayakosha (layer of the mind and the emotions) and select an appropriate assist that will help their students find a greater sense of ease and joy in their pose.
The Alchemy of Yoga - Instructing for Positive Transformation and Change
Increase crease your efficacy in offering a yoga experience that invites your students into a space of positive personal evolution. Part of this process will begin by infusing your home practice with tapas and intention, guidance will be provided. Students will have a chance to practice teach as well as give and receive feedback to others. Additionally, expect to explore:
- A multi-dimensional approach to sequencing
- Crafting and delivering effective themes
- Power of language
- Developing your authentic voice in the seat of the teacher
- Principles of demonstration
- Adapting yoga for ALL bodies
Meditation, Philosophy and Self Study
- Learn to access the ancient wisdom of yoga and apply its liberating techniques to your daily life.
- Be empowered to fulfill your potential, cultivate clarity of vision, transcend self-imposed limitations, and access your true nature.
- Read, digest, discuss and reflect on key concepts in the Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Texts, and Non-Dual Tantric Philosophies.
- Learn to offer life-changing concepts of yoga philosophy in a way that is meaningful and readily received by the students in your classes.
- Deepen your experience of meditation and explore techniques that help you open into your natural state of freedom, fullness and love.
Pranayama Level 2
Along with level one pranayamas, trainees will explore both the practice and teaching strategies for kumbhaka (breath retention), psychic pranayama, the effect of mudra (gestures) on the breath and ways to increase awareness in the prana vayus. Trainees will explore a variety of breath assessments to use with individual clients. Trainees will study the heating and cooling qualities of various counting and retention breath patterns and learn to change and adjust techniques to meet the needs of the individual.
Current Research
We unite the findings from NEW evidence-based research with the ancient wisdom of yoga. Get educated on the true benefits of yoga. Make a real impact in your community and offer classes that help improve health for a lifetime of wellbeing. Stand out as an informed instructor and help your clients motivate to improve their wellbeing.
Business of Yoga
From your big vision to the tiny details, we will impart the inspiration and essential skills to bring your yoga vision from dream to reality. In this course you will gain invaluable tools, insights, and strategies to specialize in your yoga career, helping you to establish yourself as a compassionate leader and knowledgable expert.
Mind-Body Health & Healing
Soma Yoga Institute training is a comprehensive and holistic journey into yoga for mind-body health and healing. Our world-class faculty is comprised of master level Yoga teachers, Certified C-IAYT Yoga Therapists and those who have been teaching for over 20 years. We have trained hundreds of yoga teachers who are well respected professionals in their communities and are recognized for their safe, adaptive, informed approach to teaching yoga.
5.0 Star Ratings and Reviews on Facebook
Study with World's Leading C-IAYT Yoga Therapists and Senior Teachers
Soma Yoga Institute has a word class faculty team steeped in the traditions of Yoga. Their excellence has been cultivated through decades of enduring dedication to their own practice and in-depth study, often in a variety of lineages. Many of our faculty members are C-IAYT certified Yoga Therapists and recognized as “senior teachers”, having over twenty years of solid teaching experience combined with their long-term adhikara (studentship). Each faculty holds a role in their home community as an innovator and influencer, inspiring radical change through Yoga and playing a profound role in the holistic wellness movement. As a collective vision, we offer you an unparalleled opportunity to deepen your own practice, connect into your innermost divine nature, develop your professional credentials and teach from a place of authenticity.
Faculty Members for the 300 Hour YTT online include:
- Liz Heffernan, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
- Peggy Profant, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
- Samantha Akers, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500
- Sundari Lucey, E-RYT 500
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the only requirement for attendance is a deep desire to study and practice as well as completion of a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program.
We have a new cohort of students Fall of 2024. Please join us. Email [email protected] if you have more questions.
This program is designed to be completed in 1 year. If you keep pace with the modules you will be able to graduate in 9-10 months.
We encourage attendance in all of the live calls. All calls are recorded and if you cannot make the call time. 90 hours of live zoom calls is requried for Yoga Alliance registration.
Saturday and Sunday Times (Nine Weekends for a total of 90 Hours Contact Time): 8:00am-1:00pm Pacific | 11:00am-4:00pm New York | 4:00pm - 9:00pm London
Weekend Dates 2024/2025 coming soon.
MODULES:
In addition to the weekends there are six modules. Each module has pre-recorded content that you can move through at your own pace.
Yes, definitely. Skeptical? We were too. However, the Soma Yoga Institute teaching team has been leading teacher trainings for over a decade. Our curriculum is well-developed, time tested, and established. We have taken our live program online as the content is of incredible high value and will bring great benefit to those who wish to deepen their own practice, and/or teach others as well as those who already teach who wish to refine and enhance their offerings to better serve their students. Our anatomy informed adaptive approach is not easily found in other programs. Our teaching skill section is designed that if you practice, and practice, and practice some more we are certain you will be ready, confident and equally skilled as those who take the in person trainings.
A recent graduate of the online course wrote to us and said:
My life is forever changed. Prior to this training, I believed I was disciplined and had my life on lock down. It took about 5 mins to realize I hadn’t come to this training to teach, I had come to learn how to stop hurting myself. I lived my entire life up until this training, bringing so much needless suffering to myself and others. I learned what sacred devotion to myself, my life and my growth actually looks like. I also learned what it really meant to keep my ball of awareness on my partner and my friends. I learned to slow down and get curious about EVERYTHING in my own personal practice. When I started this program, I was the 60 mins, sweaty vinyasa-kill yourself or you’re not accomplishing anything person. Now my practice is whatever my mind and body need that day. Just that is so powerful; to ask myself what I need right now, and have the tools and awareness to follow the answer.
As far as my confidence as a teacher; I feel 100% confident that I can keep students aligned, safe and breathing to the best of their ability.
The level of instruction and mentoring I received is unparalleled. I told the group today in the Tapas class, that if any of them had checked in with me mid-july after my meniscus tear (from a sports accident), they would’ve probably all bet on me not completing this training. It’s a testament to you as instructors and your curriculum, that I was able to utilize the information in the course to heal my body in an extremely short amount of time. No pills, no surgery. In addition to my own personal experience, I have spoken with so many yoga instructors who went through other certifications and came out on the other end feeling as if they had no foundation in anatomy or alignment, or various other pieces of knowledge. I feel walking away from this course that I have a solid foundation to keep people safe, help them feel successful and help them breathe. What more could I ask for? :)
I would love to add that as a student, I was so moved with appreciation that all of the teachers were so actively "in it" with us. They came up with additional things to support us on the fly after receiving feedback. And those ideas obviously added hours on to their day as the facilitators. I never felt like I was on my own to figure it out, and I never felt like any teachers were put out by us needing additional help.
Thank you for supporting me throughout this journey. I am forever grateful to you and eternally changed by the past few months. I feel like I just woke up, or someone turned my switch on. It’s a whole new view, a completely new way of living and being. Thank you for the work you do. I can’t imagine my life without the knowledge and tools I am walking away from this experience with.
-Rondi Spurling
We do have empowerment reviews (quizzes), written reflections, relevant assignments, and practice teach elements woven into the curriculum. These are established for you to process the information, improve your practical teaching skills, and for us to help clarify any material that seems confusing. We understand that everyone has a different learning style and our curriculum is offered in a compassionate way. To receive authorization with Yoga Alliance as RYT-500, quizzes are a required part of your curriculum. You will find quizzes sprinkled throughout each section to empower your learning. Retakes on quizzes are allowed. Please do not let the Yoga Alliance policy of "testing" stand in your way. We will prep you well (our promise to you), and you will all do just fine (trust in yourself). Your final assignment is a specialization into one area of Yoga that is of particular interest to you. You will research and teach a short workshop on the topic of your choice. We are here to support your success.
You will receive an Advanced Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from Soma Yoga Institute that shows that you have completed 300 hours of training. If you are currently registered with Yoga Alliance as an RYT 200 after successful completion of this 300 hour program you will be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT-500. Please note in addition to completing the 300 hour program, to register as an RYT 500, Yoga Alliance requires that you have instructed 100 hours. These hours can be completed before, during, or after you complete the 300-hour program.
Our 300 Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training tuition is $3300 USD. We also have payment plans and a scholarship program. To learn more about the different scholarship options and payment plans please email yoga@somayogainstitute.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE 300 HOUR PROGRAM
Yes. We have two scholarship programs for our 300 hour Online Yoga Teacher Training Course: “Partial Support Scholarship Program” and “Diversity Scholarship Program”.
Partial Support Scholarship Program
Soma Yoga Institute invites all those with significant financial need to request a partial support scholarship. Scholarships in varying amounts will be granted up to 50% of full tuition costs for all of our online programs including our continuing education programs and 200 Hour and 300 Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training.
To apply please send an email to [email protected]. In this email please make it known that this is an official request for a scholarship and include your answers to the questions below. Please submit your application as soon as possible and at least 5 days prior to the cohort start date. Our scholarship committee will review your request and reply as soon as possible. Funds are limited and allocated to those with documented and significant financial need.
- Name, Pronouns (optional), Address, Phone, Email, Ethnicity (optional), and the Program You are Interested in Attending
- Please tell us more about your story/ life experience and interest in yoga.
- Please let us know the specific amount of scholarship support you are requesting. Please describe your financial situation and include details that explain your scholarship request. Payment plans are also available, if you are interested in requesting a payment plan please include a specific monthly amount that would work in your budget. Funds are limited and allocated to those with documented and significant financial need.
- What in particular attracted you to the Soma Yoga Institute programs specifically and what would you like to receive from this opportunity?
- Do you feel committed to your personal and spiritual growth at this time and how do you express this?
- What else would you like us to know about you?
Diversity Scholarship Program - 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Soma Yoga Institute is dedicated to celebrating diversity across cultures, race, ethnicities, belief systems, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and body types. We acknowledge a lack of diverse representation in yoga classes in the West and commit to doing what we can to increase access to yoga’s healing potential in communities of need. As a training institution, the best way we can commit to increasing diversity in yoga spaces, is helping to grow a teaching community that is represented by people of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. We aim to foster more diverse representation in our student body and ultimately, in our program staff.
Additionally, we are dedicated to training teachers who promote inclusivity, accessibility, and value racial equity.
Funds are currently available for yoga students who wish to train as teachers from historically marginalized populations including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), Latinx, and LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, or Ally).
A limited number of Yoga Teacher Training Scholarships are now available for the 300 Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training Program.
RYT 200 students who complete the course by December 31, 2023 will be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT-500.
Applications are due one month prior to each cohort start date (September 16 for the October 16 cohort start date). A limited number of scholarships will be awarded for each cohort. Applications will be reviewed by committee and applicants will be responded to two weeks prior to their respective cohort start date.
We offer:
Full Support Scholarship. 100% Tuition and Fees ($3300) is covered for the online programs only. Students are responsible for purchasing their own books/supplies. Please note that these awards are limited to one per cohort and typically there are many applicants.
85% Tuition Reduction ($3300-$2805 USD plus payment plan. Students are responsible for $495 of their tuition and fees. Students are responsible for purchasing their own books/supplies. A payment plan of $55 per month for 9 months is available upon request.)
80% Tuition Reduction ($3300-$2640 USD plus payment plan. Students are responsible for $660 of their tuition and fees. Students are responsible for purchasing their own books/supplies. A payment plan of $74 per month for 9 months is available upon request.)
70% Tuition Reduction. ($3300-$2310 USD plus payment plan. Students are responsible for $990 of their tuition and fees. Students are responsible for purchasing their own books/supplies. A payment plan of $110 per month for 9 months is available upon request.)
To apply please send an email to [email protected]. In this email, please make it known that this is an official request for a scholarship and include your answers to the questions below.
- Name, Pronouns (optional), Address, Phone, Email, Ethnicity (optional)
- Please tell us more about your story/ life experience and interest in yoga.
- What level of scholarship would you consider accepting: Full Support, Substantial Support (85%, 80%, 70%), Partial Support. (Please list all that apply)
- Please describe your financial situation and include details that explain your scholarship request.
- How will you use this training to make a difference in your community?
- What in particular attracted you to the Soma Yoga Institute 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training specifically and what would you like to receive from this opportunity?
- Do you feel committed to your personal and spiritual growth at this time and how do you express this?
- What else would you like us to know about you?
We are so certain that you will love this training that we are offering you a two-week risk-free guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the material after the first two weeks of the course, we will refund 100% of your money - just email us by 14 days after the start of the program and complete an exit interview so we can learn how to improve our educational programs for the future. After this 14-day window no refunds are granted.
Spaces are limited. To reserve your place, please submit a $300 deposit HERE. We will invoice you for the remaining tuition payment which is due on or before the first day of the program.
If you would like to pay in full, full tuition is $3300 USD.Click HERE.
We also offer a 10 month payment plan. You can register for this plan HERE.
Once we receive your registration, we will send you a welcome letter with everything you need to prepare. We can’t wait to meet you!
We would love to connect to you. Please feel free to email us at [email protected], text us at 808-333-9591 to set up a phone appointment, make an appointment by clicking here https://calendly.com/somayogainstitute/yoga-teacher-training-let-s-chat or join one of our live Q & A calls via zoom. Just email us for the schedule of the next live zoom chats.
