What?

A Hatha Yoga teacher training program for Yoga Alliance certification as a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200-hour level. Our curriculum features a variety of different schools of yoga to celebrate their similarity and diversity. Teachers specializing in different yoga traditions (vinyasa flow, iyengar, restorative, sivananda, power) and teachers bringing yoga to various communities (homeless, trauma survivors, corporate settings, studio settings, private settings, etc.) are invited to lecture and lead practice. The program embraces a holistic approach to yoga teaching, philosophy, and lifestyle.

Who?
Yoga District's teacher training program is led by senior instructor Michelle Mae Orr (E-RYT) who has taught yoga since 2001and was trained directly for years by James Brown, a leader of the Yoga Works and Yoga Poser nationally acclaimed teacher training programs. Experienced teaching faculty at Yoga District, as well as other special guest experts, also provide lectures varying by topic. To learn more about Michelle and our other staff, please see our staff bio site.

Where?
Teacher training sessions will be held primarily at our U Street Corridor Studio at 1910 14th Street, 2nd Floor. The studio is accessible on bus lines, as well as the Green Line's U St Cardozo Metro Station (2.5 blocks from the studio).

When?
Trainees will meet for lectures on the dates specified above. Trainees will also schedule and attend at least one private consultation with a teaching faculty member.  Before graduating, trainees must attend at least 18 Yoga District yoga classes led by teaching faculty, successfully complete written and practice assignments and exams, assist/adjust students as least 5 classes at Yoga District led by teaching faculty, and teach at least 4 community classes before graduation. Please note that all dates, times and requirements are subject to change. Graduation will be considered once all assignments are complete, rather than date of last lecture.

Why?
Because you love yoga and want to share its gifts.

How?
Applications (see below) must be submitted with two recommendation letters related to your dedication to the practice of yoga and/or your dedication and ability to commit in general.  Applications must be submitted  with a $200 deposit, to be applied toward the total program fee (see above for fee info). Total program fee does not include the cost of books (generally under $200 depending on source of your books).  Full payment must be received at least one week in advance of the first lecture date unless you receive approval for a payment plan (requires financial references, bank, employer, credit card, and basis of need information and documentation). To pay your application deposit, please click here and once you create / log into your account, select the "teacher training" item from the menu.

Application for Participation in Yoga District’s Teacher Training Program

Please provide answers the following questions and mail this application with one to two letters of recommendation and a $200 check deposit to Yoga District, 2429 Ontario Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20009. We will also accept e-mailed applications at info@yogadistrict.com, as well as emails of scanned letters of recommendation (.pdf file format) or letters of recommendation emailed directly from the reference. Although payment by check or cash is preferred, you can pay the deposit and/or tuition online through our online store.

The purpose of this application and our request for reference letters is to confirm that you are dedicated to yoga and this teacher training, and that you will be able to sufficiently dedicate your time to the teacher training program for successful graduation and subsequent teaching opportunities. 

1. How long and how often have you physically practiced yoga? Please mention and explain any gaps in your practice, e.g., if you practiced for one year then stopped then started again.

 

2. With studios, places, teachers, or mentors have you practiced?

 

3. What types of yoga have you practiced? 

 

4. Which yoga tradition do you prefer, if any?

 

5. Which yoga teachers/classes/experiences have been most important/ influential to you and why?

 

6. Do you have a home practice? If so, please describe.

 

7. If you have not had a committed yoga practice of 2 years or more, please explain how you feel you may have gained comparable experience during the course of your practice.

8. Have you ever taught another person any yoga postures or anything about yoga, whether formally or informally?

 

9. Please describe how your lifestyle reflects philosophical teachings of yoga, or how you might like your lifestyle to do so in the future.

 

10. Have you discussed becoming a yoga teacher with a member of our staff?

 

11. Aside from Yoga Alliance certification to teach yoga at the 200-hour level, what do you hope to gain from the teacher training program at Yoga District, and what would you after being certified as a RYT-200?

 

12. What would you like to see included or focused on during the course of the teacher training at Yoga District?

 

13. Please describe any volunteer work you do, describing the communities you work with.

 

14. Optional: How did you learn of the teacher training at Yoga District?

Required Books:

·       Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchitananda (Sutras)

·       Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff  (Anatomy)

·       Yoga Posture Adjustments and Assisting by Stephanie Pappas (Adjustments)

·       Bhagavad Gita by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher Isherwood (Gita)

·       Integrative Yoga Therapy Teachers' Toolbox (Toolbox – available at 14^th Street studio for $44 payable by check only. Online is much more.)

·       Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Saraswati (APMB)

Additional optional reading:

·       Yoga: The Iyengar Way - Silva Mehta           

·       Anatomy of Hatha Yoga: A Manual for Students, Teachers, and Practitioners - H. David Coulter

·       Chakra Yoga: Balancing Energy for Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Well-Being - Alan Finger

·       Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga... - B. K. S. Iyengar

·       Scientific Keys Volume I: The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga - Ray Long

·       Anatomy of Movement - Blandine Calais-Germain           

·       Teaching Yoga – Donna Farhi

·       The Language Of Yoga: Complete A to Y guide to Asana Names, Sanskrit Terms, and Chants - Nicolai Bachman