Are books and materials included in the price of the training?
Your student manual is included in the price of the training. Your textbooks are not, however they may be available to purchase at a discounted rate through your local studio. Please contact us for a reading list specific to your program.
When will I find out if I have been accepted into the program?
After you submit your completed Teacher Training Application, you will be contacted via email within 2 weeks with an official
acceptance letter. Your payment will be processed upon acceptance. If you are not accepted into the program, your teacher
training coordinator will present a pathway that will help you prepare for a future teacher training.
How proficient in yoga do you have to be to do the program?
The Yoga Works Teacher Training programs include a vigorous two-hour asana practice. We strongly recommend that
applicants have one year of consistent asana practice and are relatively comfortable practicing urdhva dhanurasana. If you are
new to yoga, this would not be an appropriate program to participate in. You will not benefit from learning yoga basics while
simultaneously learning how to teach. That being said, you If you have a regular yoga practice, you may be more ready than
you think. We are looking for our trainees with a solid foundation in the basic and fundamental yoga postures. To be accepted
into the majority of our training programs, you will need to get a signature of approval from an approved teacher. This teacher
will observe your practice and watch to see that you understand the basics and have the ability to hear and respond to
instructions. An advanced practitioner is not a person who can move deep into advanced postures. An advanced practitioner is
someone who comes 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.
Are some teacher trainers better than others?
We highly recommend ALL of our teacher trainers. Yoga Works teacher trainers are some of the most experienced teachers at
Yoga Works. They have also gone through a training themselves to become eligible to teach aspiring teachers. The line up we
have for the 2006 and 2007 seasons are among our best instructors currently at Yoga Works with each combination or trainers
thought out specifically to complement one another and the material.
How many students are enrolled in each Teacher Training at one time? What is the typical age range of the participants?
We typically have 25-35 individuals in our trainings. Students generally range in age from 25-65 years of age.
Do I need to have any other qualifications to be accepted into the program?
To qualify for one of our Teacher Training Programs, you must complete an application. Depending on the location and training
you are applying for, the application will include either a signature of approval and or letter of recommendation form.
What if I’m applying from abroad to participate in the training? Do I need to obtain a Signature of Approval?
Students who are unable to obtain a Signature of Approval from an approved Yoga Works instructor may instead complete our
Recommendation Form. Please refer to our application for instructions. Please visit our website for a list of 200-Hour Teacher
Training locations and directions to apply.
What if I miss a class?
To obtain a diploma and letter of completion you must attend 100% of the classes to comply with Yoga Alliance
requirements. However, we understand that you may not be able to foresee every conflict, so we have devised the
following procedures if you must miss a class.
Conflict Policy: Intensive Format
To get the most out of your Teacher Training Program, it is critically important that you attend the first four
days of the Intensive Program.
If you miss 1-2 days: You may still complete the program with your class provided that you schedule a
private session (or group session) with an Assistant Trainer at some point during the four weeks of the
program. A two-hour private session equates to one day in the intensive. The cost of a private session is
$100 per hour. Please contact the Assistant Trainer to schedule the make-up session. The maximum
number of private make-up sessions is two.
If you miss 3-4 days: You will not be able to complete the program with your class, and you will need to
make up the classes in a subsequent training. You may choose to make up the first two days you miss with
a private session during your training, but the additional days you will need to take in a subsequent training.
The fee for retaking up to 4 days in a subsequent Intensive training is $100/day.
If you miss 5+ days: You will need to retake the program, at a discounted price, subject to space availability.
Conflict Policy: 12-Weekend Format
To get the most out of your Teacher Training Program, it is critically important that you attend the first four weekends of the 12-Weekend Program.
If you miss 1-2 weekends: You may still complete the program with your class provided that you schedule a
private session (or group session) with an Assistant Trainer at some point during the 12 weeks of the
program. A two hour private session equates to one weekend. The cost of a private session is $100 per
hour. The maximum number of private make-up sessions is two.
If you miss 3 weekends: You will not be able to complete the program with your class, and you will need to
make up the classes in a subsequent training. You may choose to make up the first weekends you miss
with a private session during your training, but for the additional weekend you will need to take it in a
subsequent training. The fee for retaking up to 3 weekends in a subsequent Weekend training is
$150/weekend.
If you miss 4+ weekends: You will need to retake the program, at a discounted price, subject to space
availability.
What are the differences between the various program formats (i.e. Intensives versus Weekends, etc.)?
In an attempt to meet the scheduling needs of more of our students, we have created three different formats. The
“4-week Intensive” is scheduled Monday-Friday for eight hours a day (typically 8:00 am-5:00 pm) over the span of 4
weeks. The “weekend” format spans over 12 weeks and is scheduled Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday
afternoons and one extra night during the week. In some cases we also offer an “Extended” format which meets
once a month for three to four days in a row over a period of approximately 6 months. The same “core” content is
covered in all of our 200-Hour Programs regardless of scheduled format, however, there are slight variances in our
specialty discussions (Philosophy, Anatomy, Pregnancy, Ayurveda, etc.) to accommodate the schedules of our
guest experts. It is important to note that all of our 200-Hour formats meet the required Yoga Alliance standards as
specified on their website, www.yogaalliance.org.
Do you offer scholarships or work-exchange programs?
Yoga Works offers a limited number of partial scholarships each year to prospective students with exceptional
circumstances. For a partial scholarship, Yoga Works offers up to 50% discount off the full tuition in exchange for
100 hours of a work-exchange position. Positions range from being an In-Training Assistant (ITA) to marketing and
retail assistance. To apply for a scholarship, please contact the teacher training department for an application.
Spaces are limited & not guaranteed to be available for every session.
How much time should I expect to spend on homework?
Expect to spend between 8 to 12 hours per week on written assignments and class observations. 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 Diploma and Letter
of Completion for the course, you must attend all the sessions and complete all the homework assignments.
Do you help organize accommodations?
We do not offer any accommodations for our programs, but Craig's list (www.craigslist.com) is a great source for
finding short-term housing. Simply select the state and region, and it provides some wonderful links for housing
rentals.
What is the 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.
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,
and exam, you will receive your Letter of Completion and Diploma evidencing your training at the 200-Hour Level.
You may also register with the Yoga Alliance (www.yogaalliance.org) at the RYT-200 level (Registered Yoga
Teacher 200). Graduates of the 200-hour program usually begin teaching in small studios, gyms, with private
clientele (friends and family), etc. Many new teachers decide to continue their Teacher Training education and
participate in our 300-Hour Professional Program as a way to further solidify their skills, knowledge and style as a
yoga instructor. The Yoga Works Professional Program offers a curriculum that builds on the material presented in
Yoga Works initial 200 hour training as well as a six-month apprenticeship with a senior teacher whom trainees
assist weekly, and meet with monthly to gain valuable in-class experience and one-on-one attention. This training
is a thorough, professional training for becoming a highly skilled yoga teacher. It rounds out and solidifies a
teacher’s complete education. Once a trainee has successfully completed 500 hours, they are eligible to apply for
Yoga Works Certification. Although it is a highly recommended path, you do not need to be Yoga Works certified in
order to teach yoga.
What if I want to teach at Yoga Works?
Yoga Works seeks a diverse, committed, well-trained faculty, who uphold our high standard of quality for safe,
effective, accessible teaching in the field of yoga. The 300-hour Professional Program is the main gateway onto
the Yoga Works schedule. It is in this program where you will work directly with a mentor teacher assisting in their
classes for 6 months as well as taking a comprehensive advanced workshop series. If and when your mentor
teacher feels you are ready, they will recommend that you be given a graduate teacher class on the schedule. At
this time you can also gain approval be placed on the Yoga Works substitution list.
What is Yoga Works Certification?
In the absence of federally regulated standards, Yoga Works has created a pathway for teachers to achieve this
benchmark that represents the highest level of education and skill: the Yoga Works Certification process. Yoga
Works grants certification on those teachers who are recognized by a panel of experienced instructors, as
knowledgeable and mature, creative, thorough and compassionate. These are teachers who can hold a room, see
students’ bodies, offer appropriate modifications and adjustments, and create a well-organized and intelligent
sequence of poses. These teachers, to whom Yoga Works lends its name, also have an understanding of yoga
philosophy and its depth as well as technical skill with asana and pranayama. Yoga Works Certification is an
emblem of this comprehensive knowledge: Our gold standard for teaching yoga.
Step One: The Diploma
Upon successful completion of the Yoga Works 200-Hour Teacher Training, trainees will receive a Yoga
Works diploma as an acknowledgement of the successful completion of the course. Receipt of a Yoga
Works diploma is the first step toward Yoga Works certification as well as a doorway into teaching. With
this diploma new teachers can begin the process of refining their skills as a yoga teacher at many local
gyms and small yoga studios, as well as with private clients and Yoga Works exchange programs in
emerging markets.
Trainees will also receive their Yoga Alliance 200-Hour Certification (RYT200) as soon as they apply for it
and pay a registration fee. Yoga Alliance 200 Hour Certification offers the added benefit of a listing on their
website and the recognition of a national certifying body. Yoga Alliance certification is also a requirement
for employment at many gyms and yoga studios.
Step Two: Yoga Works 300-Hour Professional Program
Trainees who are interested in continuing with their education through Yoga Works 300-Hour Program may
apply for admission and, if accepted, receive an additional 300 hours through successful completion of this
course. These 300 hours can then be applied towards the 500-Hour Yoga Alliance Certification (RYT500)
as well as eventual Yoga Works certification.
The Yoga Works Professional Program offers a curriculum that builds on the material presented in Yoga
Works initial 200 hour training as well as a six-month apprenticeship with a senior teacher whom trainees
assist weekly, and meet with monthly to gain valuable in-class experience and one-on-one attention. This
training is a thorough, professional training for becoming a highly skilled yoga teacher. It rounds out and
solidifies a teacher’s complete education.
Once a trainee has successfully completed 500 hours, they are eligible to apply for Yoga Works
Certification.
Step Three: Yoga Works Certification
Yoga Works Certification Assessment is offered twice a year in Los Angeles and once a year in New York
and consists of a written exam on all aspects of yoga: philosophy, anatomy, sequencing, as well as a
practical exam to assess teaching skills in which applicants are asked to teach a half hour sequence of
asana in front of a panel of senior teachers. Applicants who this panel deems representative of Yoga Works
standards receive a certificate and are considered “Yoga Works Certified”. Yoga Works Certification is an
important achievement in the evolution of a teacher as it represents a vote of confidence from the best
respected yoga teacher training program in the country. It also opens the door to many new career
opportunities including the possibility of one day leading Yoga Works Teacher Trainings.