Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Course

Your "Inner Teacher" will gradually unfold through a combination of intensive group practice and guidance, discussion, and teaching experiences.

Together, we will create a safe environment for you to explore answers and receive guidance and support in voice, touch, body alignment, learning hands-on adjustments, sequencing, and staying present.

ANATOMY: We will study human anatomy as it relates to the practice of yogasana and pranayama. Students will use the Anatomy Coloring Book and their bodies as visual and kinesthetic learning aides. We will also discuss ways to avoid injury, and contradictions of certain asanas. Students will gain knowledge of why certain alignment guidelines are important.

SUBTLE ENERGY: The chakras, vital junction points between body and consciousness, will be explored as well as the major nadis, or subtle channels, on the level of theory and experience. You will understand the role of each chakra, its effect on life, and its relation to other chakras, and the use of the chakras as doorways to integration of life. With this understanding we will identify specific asanas, pranayama (breathing techniques), and bandhas (energy locks), as well as partner work, and guided imagery for awakening, strengthening, and harmonizing the flow of shakti (energy, or life force) and awareness in and through the chakras.

You will also be introduced to a one-on-one "therapy" modality that combines knowledge of asana, pranayama, and the chakras with the gift of being deeply present in a way that supports your client in gaining inner and outer fulfillment.

YOGA PHILOSOPHY: The sheer amount of information on Yoga Philosophy is enormous. We can't teach it all in this course. But we can provide the knowledge that can facilitate the natural unfolding of your being.

There is a verse from the Mundaka Upanishad that reads, "Know That, by knowing which, all things are known." About 2,000 years ago, the sage Patanjali wrote in the Yoga Sutra that when the mind settles into stillness, we learn our true nature, which is unbounded. We will dive into that unboundedness. It is from that source what we gain true knowledge.

Becoming a Yoga Teacher is a commitment you make to yourself, a commitment to integration of life - mind, body, the nervous system, humanity and nature. It is a commitment to an ever-deepening communion with the underlying Basis of all creation.

Throughout the training, you will receive personal guidance and support, and have regular personal dialogue with course leaders, as well as peer support.

This 200-hour certification program qualifies students to become a registered Yoga Teacher with the national Yoga Alliance. Our program was the first in the southeastern U.S. to meet the necessary standards of approval established by the national Yoga Alliance. We are proud to be a part of this development that safeguards the future of yoga in America.

Training will be held at Peachtree Yoga Center, located in North Atlanta in Sandy Springs, 1/2 mile north of I-285, one block west of Roswell Road. There are several hotels and restaurants within a few blocks of the center if you are traveling from out of town.

Training activities will be in full groups, mentor groups, and practicum dyads and triads. Training consists of ten non-consecutive weekends spread from March 31 to August 4.

Spring 2012 Course Meeting Dates

Course date are all Saturday from 7:30 am - 7:30 pm and Sunday from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm:

• March 31, April 1
• April 28, 29
• May 12, 13 & 19, 20
• June 2, 3 & 16, 17 & 23, 24 
• July 14, 15 & 28, 29
• August 4 (graduation)

You will also be attending a minimum of one yoga class between each of our group meetings over the duration of the course. Those living in the Greater Atlanta area will attend Peachtree Yoga Center for classes at your convenience. You may take one class per week at no charge. Those living out of town can attend at any approved yoga center. If you do not live within 30 miles of an approved yoga class, it may be possible for you to fulfill much of this requirement using yoga videos.

Registration is a two-step process to assure you and Peachtree Yoga Center/Atlanta Yoga Fellowship that the Training is appropriate for you. You do not need to be an advanced yoga student to take the training. We are more interested in motivation, commitment and vision. Step One is to respond in writing to the application questions. Step Two consists of a brief personal interview to be scheduled once your application has been received.

The cost, including tuition and training manual, is $2600. If full payment is received by March 1, the discounted rate will be $2350. A Payment Plan is also available, with 3 installments paid over the duration of the course, totaling $2700. A deposit of $250, payable to "Peachtree Yoga Center", will reserve your space. This deposit is refundable if we determine that the training is not appropriate for you at this time. Otherwise, it is non-refundable. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are acceptable for payment, as well as personal checks.

• Practicum - hands-on learning by doing, throughout the course.
• Binder - manual of postures, alignment guidance, benefits, contraindications, and more.
• Contact Hours, 200 hours of high-energy learning, fellowship and fun. The Course leader and Mentors will provide a very high teacher to student ratio.
• Leadership Development - safe place to grow.
• Reproductive Handouts - pages you can use in your teaching and presentation.
• Dyads & Triads - for personal sharing and teamwork.
• Transformation - your personal growth.

Graham Fowler, (Course Leader), founder of Peachtree Yoga Center, brings a rare opportunity to explore the deep, subtle, and life-altering potential that Yoga practices offer. His teaching arises from the depth and breadth of 39 years of study and practice of the yogic arts. His exploration of yoga began with meditation in 1973 and continued under the guidance of many Indian and Western hatha, tantra, and meditation masters. Graham loves to help people discover the wonders of their deepest selves through the mirror of asana, meditation, and conscious community.

Seth Adams (E-RYT500) received both his 200- and 500-hour yoga training by Spring 2008 at Peachtree Yoga.  He has since served as Course Mentor and Posture Focus Leader over eight 200-hr courses.  Seth ceaselessly gives gratitude to the ancient teachings of yoga, paying respect to the teachers before him and to the teachers to come for giving new life to this practice.

Betsy Blount (E-RYT500) also completed her 200- and 500-hour training by Spring 2008 at Peachtree Yoga.  She has served as Course Mentor for seven 200-hr courses.  Betsy often uses partner work as yoga therapy. Through giving the gift of presence to others, Betsy believes that we can be an instrument of healing if we offer our loving support, especially in yoga asanas.

Daniela Simina (E-RYT200) received her 200-hour training in Spring 2008 and is currently pursuing her 500-hr certification also at Peachtree.  Daniela believes in the importance of enhancing prana, or life force.  She loves to teach that yoga should be lived fully both on and off the mat - - on the mat in the form of correct alignment through study of human anatomy, and off the mat through proper diet and nutrition.

Course Mentors:  in addition to a small Faculty-Student ratio, each student is assigned a Mentor (Certified Yoga Teacher) who will take a personal interest in supporting your success and fulfillment during this course, and help facilitate the teaching, as well. All of the senior mentors have advanced certification.

For an application, please visit the application page. We look forward to continuing the conversation with you!