Info Session
Learn more about our teacher training program in a free info session. Hear from our teacher trainers and/or previous teacher trainees.
Next info session: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 5:30 PM
General Inquiries
To inquire about an upcoming Yoga Teacher Training, or for general Teacher Training questions, please email our head of Teacher Training, Karen Parucha: [email protected]
Since opening our doors in 1997, our focus has been to inspire and encourage students toward a lifelong practice that is sustainable, enjoyable, and representative of a holistic yoga experience. Our inclusive 200-hour Fundamentals of Vinyasa Yoga allows you to deepen your practice and take the first steps in becoming a yoga instructor.
- Learn how to cultivate and sustain a holistic practice, which includes: meditation, philosophy, pranayama, anatomy, and asana.
- Understand the key components of asana, including the benefits and effects of the postures, anatomy and subtle anatomy, and how to find the poses in various bodies.
- Begin the process of reading bodies and the practical skills to teach a one-hour flow class.
- Study and discuss yogic philosophy and the ethical considerations of the practice.
- Study yoga history, philosophy, and tradition and understand how to apply them.
- Apply ethical practices to promote equity in yoga and access for all bodies.
- Develop an understanding of functional and gross anatomy and how it integrates with movement.
- Develop a basic understanding of restorative yoga and meditation.
- Practice teach to your group; give and receive constructive feedback.
Fundamentals of Vinyasa Yoga Program Components:
Techniques, Training and Practice
- Focus on classical yoga asanas and sun salutations to develop a relationship to both the form and the function of the poses.
- Experience alignment, effects, and common foundations of poses in your own body.
- Begin to teach, sequence and combine asanas to develop a well-balanced Vinyasa flow class.
- Practice providing asana variations for different bodies.
- Develop a discerning eye for injuries, benefits of poses, contraindications, and healthy movement patterns.
Anatomy and Physiology
- Develop a foundational understanding of physical anatomy and how it applies to movement.
- Understand the skeletal body, including bones, the types of joints, and the major muscles involved in asana.
- Explore subtle anatomy of the different energy systems in the body, such as cakras, nadis, koshas, etc.
- Understand the body’s mechanisms and how they relate to asanas
- Understand the nervous system, stress responses, and the overall mind-body connection.
Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics for Yoga Teachers
- Study the foundational philosophy texts: Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
- Approach yoga as a lifestyle, incorporating Ayurveda and the principles of yama and niyama off the mat.
- Study chants & mantras and their place in a yoga practice.
- Understand yoga history and tradition, including key teachings and figures.
- Develop a framework for boundaries and implement trauma-sensitivity in teacher-student relationships.
- Apply ethical practices to promote equity in yoga.
- Study the various identities and social factors that can influence how a person experiences a movement practice.
- Learn how to create diversity and inclusion in wellness spaces and your personal practice or classes.
Professional Skills
- Understand the business of yoga, including: insurance, accreditation, fair pay rates, taxes and expenses, and self-advocacy.
- Understand community-building and self-promotion as a teacher.
- Develop a toolkit to teach online and in-person classes.
- Present and plan a workshop applying your knowledge and exploring your personal interests or niche (see Homework and Assignments).
Restorative Yoga, Meditation and Pranayama
- Develop an understanding of restorative yoga practice and how it relates to the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Learn to use props to ease practitioners into restful, restorative poses.
- Understand multiple breath techniques and their applications.
- Understand key meditation techniques and lineage.
- Integrate meditation, pranayama, and restorative practices into your daily life.
Practice Teaching
- Practice teaching with peers, in pairs and groups.
- Give & receive constructive feedback.
- Structure classes based on themes and benefits.
- Learn accessibility cues, sequencing, and pacing.
- Understand the purpose of props (blocks, straps, chairs, and blankets) in vinyasa flow classes and how to instruct their use.
- Learn to address the specific needs of individuals and special populations to the degree possible in a group setting.
Personal Practice + Observation
- Attend a minimum of 40 classes in order to receive certification.
- Observe and assist a minimum of 10 classes in order to receive certification.
- Receive support from faculty to build a sustainable life-long practice.
Homework + Assignments
- Prepare to teach a one-hour flow class to graduate.
- Complete a group project including a written report of an assigned philosophy topic.
- Develop a workshop and present the workshop idea to your peers.
- Complete online anatomy training to receive certification.
- Submit a four-week pranayama journal and observations.
- Complete mini exams with a passing mark.
- Complete the final take-home exam with a passing mark.
2024 Schedule
Our program is held three times a year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. See confirmed dates below.
Summer 2024
The August Intensive format is Monday – Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Starting Tuesday August 6th to Friday August 30th
Fall 2024
The fall cohort follows a weekend format:
Wednesdays 6 – 9 PM virtual
Fridays 6 – 9 PM in person (Workshop clinic. Choose a total of four workshops)
Saturdays 2 – 7 PM in person
Sundays 2 – 7 PM in person
Module One: Classroom Sessions
Sat Oct 19 | Sun Oct 20
Wed Oct 23 | Fri Oct 25 (optional) | Sat Oct 26 | Sun Oct 26
Wed Oct 30 | Fri Nov 1 (optional) | Sat Nov 2 | Sun Nov 3
Wed Nov 6 | Friday Nov 8 (optional) | Sat Nov 9 | Sun Nov 10
Wed Nov 13 | Fri Nov 15 (optional) | Sat Nov 16 | Sun Nov 17
Wed Nov 20 | Fri Nov 22 (optional | Sat Nov 23 | Sun Nov 24
Wed Nov 27 | Fri Nov 29 (optional) | Sat Nov 30 | Sun Dec 1
Wed Dec 4 | Fri Dec 6 (optional) | Sat Dec 7 | Sun Dec 8
Wed Dec 11 | Fri Dec 13 (optional) | Sat Dec 14 | Sun Dec 15
Wed Dec 18 | Fri Dec 20 (optional) | Sat Dec 21 | Sun Dec 22
Module Two: Practical + Self-Paced Learning
Class Observations: 10 hours
Personal Practice Hours: 40 hours
Practice Teaching: 5 hours
Anatomy: 20 hours
In-Person Final Exam, Review and Presentations
Wed Jan 15 | Sat Jan 18 | Sun Jan 19
Wed Jan 22 | Sat Jan 25 | Sun Jan 26
Spring 2025
Sat Feb 22 | Sun Feb 23
Wed Feb 25 | Sat Mar 1 | Sun Mar 2
Wed Mar 5 | Sat Mar 8 | sun Mar 9
Wed Mar 12
Wed Mar 19 | Sat Mar 22 | Sun Mar 23
Wed Mar 26 | Sat Mar 29 | Sun Mar 30
Wed Apr 2 | Sat Apr 5 | Sun Apr 6
Wed Apr 9
Wed Apr 16 | Sat Apr 19 | Sun Apr 20
Wed Apr 23 | Sat Apr 26 | Sun Apr 27
Wed Apr 30 | Sat May 3 | Sun May 4
Wed May 7 | Sat May 10 | Sun May 11
Tuition + Payment Plans
Tuition for the 200-hour program is $3,800 + HST or $3,500 + HST if paid in full at least one month prior to the start of the program.
A non-refundable deposit of $500 + HST is required to reserve your spot into the program.
The balance payment of $3,300 + HST can be broken into monthly payment plans with an admin fee per month.
*We offer a 20% discount to people who have taken a previous yoga teacher training program or who have completed training in another modality such as Pilates.
Yoga Teacher Training Scholarships
Downward Dog Yoga Centre recognizes and acknowledges there are communities that have been historically oppressed in our society. As such, these communities are underrepresented and have limited access to various institutions including the yoga and wellness industry.
We offer a fixed number of scholarships to members of these marginalized groups. If you identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, 2SLGBTQ+IA, a senior and/or differently-abled, you may qualify for a 25 – 75% discount on our upcoming programs.
Our scholarships strive to promote representation in the yoga industry through equitable access to yoga teacher training. If you do not identify with one of these marginalized communities but could benefit from compassionate pricing, please also reach out.
To apply for a scholarship, please fill out this form: