I am proud to announce that YogaByCandace LLC will be leading a 200hr Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training program in July, 2018. I created this program drawing upon my experience as a yoga teacher, my Master's Degree in Education, and my experience in curriculum design. The Namaslay® 200hr Yoga Teacher Training Program is a robust, comprehensive program that will graduate highly skilled, knowledgeable, and empowered yoga teachers who will go out there and better the world.

What makes this yoga teacher training unique?

I've found that many yoga teacher training programs are lacking in a few key areas.

Strength Training For Yoga: One major component I've noticed that's left out of so many yoga teacher trainings is foundational basics for strength training. Based on what I see in classes I both teach and attend, I see so many students relying on their mobility (and often, their hyper-mobility - yikes!), to get them through powerful vinyasa classes. The danger is that over time, relying on that hyper-mobility may lead to joint damage and potential injury. A great way to balance out hyper-mobility is building strength. Not only will the strength building personally impact our trainees in their overall health, but it will give their yoga practice that extra boost it may need to take it to the next level. In addition, the vital strength training information they learn in the Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training program will ensure they'll have solutions for their students with hyper-mobility. We'll be bringing in a CrossFit® certified instructor to teach the foundational basics for strength building as it applies to yoga.

Entrepreneurial Class for Yoga Teachers: I can't tell you how many newly minted yoga teachers have written to me and said, "Ok, I graduated my teacher training, but I don't feel comfortable enough to teach and I feel like I can't make any money!" The Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training includes classes on how to market yourself as a yoga teacher, how to build a strong social media presence, how to design workshops and retreats, and will answer all your questions about how to create a viable business as a yoga instructor. Not that yoga is about money, but we all have bills to pay! In addition, trainees of our program will get teaching experience daily, from day one. Yes, you read that right. It is our mission to ensure our graduates feel comfortable and confident to teach immediately after our training.

Yoga for All: One thing that's always stuck out to me is the lack of training to accommodate all bodies at yoga class. Many of us teachers were taught a script that really only works for one type of person - the slender, bendy person. It doesn't take into account the fact that many people have bigger bodies. People carrying around extra weight cannot do, for example, a comfortable downward dog with the traditional cue of "feet hip distance" due to their bellies because bigger bellies create a different center-point of gravity than the slender, bendy person has. Cueing needs to reflect this so that you can welcome bigger students in your class safely and ensure they get something out of the practice. The Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training includes education on how to safely teach yoga for bigger bodies, as well as the elderly, and people with PTSD and anxiety.

Namaslay® Yoga Classes: Lastly, one of the most frequent questions I get from yoga teachers is how to stay inspired, and create fun, innovative classes for their students. That's why I've created Namaslay® Yoga. This is a themed vinyasa style yoga class that incorporates fast twist muscle movements for a well-rounded, cohesive practice unlike your standard yoga class. Upon graduating our teacher training program, you will be able to register as a 200hr yoga teacher who is able to teach vinyasa and yin yoga, and you may also offer Namaslay® yoga classes as studio or workshop offerings. You can use the Namaslay® Yoga classes as something you fall back on when you're lacking inspiration or you can teach an ongoing Namaslay® Yoga class at your local studio. Consider it one more tool you have in your toolbox.

Additional supplementary teachings: At YBC®, we understand yoga to be so much more than a standard script of postures, breath-work and meditation on the mat. We understand yoga to be a way of life. We live our yoga on and off the mat. We bring the lessons of yoga to everything we do from eating to socializing to working out, which is why the Namaslay® Teacher Training also incorporates lectures on gut health, stress and the human body, communication for yoga teachers, and growth mindset.

In addition, the curriculum goes above and beyond what is required by the Yoga Alliance and provides all the vital, foundational tools you need as a yoga teacher. We live our lives by the Namaslay® message, which marries old world yogic principles to modern life, and we are confident that through this training, you will emerge a competent, capable, exceptional yoga teacher, eager to help others learn to live their best lives.

The Curriculum

The Namaslay® 200hr Yoga Teacher Training program is accredited by Yoga Alliance, which means that it meets stringent standards for yoga education, and upon successful completion of our training, you will be able to register as a 200hr yoga teacher. Our program covers:

Yogic Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics

Introduction to Yogic Texts
Introduction to Yamas and Niyamas
Introduction to Conscious Eating
Introduction to Sanskrit
Introduction to Sacred Sound
Aromatherapy for yoga
The Entrepreneurial Yogi: social media, marketing, and how to create revenue streams as a yoga teacher

Teaching Methodology

Applying Yogic Ethics to Modern Business as a Yoga Teacher
The Greatness Within: Realizing your true potential
Namaslay®, Vinyasa and Yin Yoga Class Design and Sequencing
Dynamic Yoga Workshop Design and Sequencing
Communication Skills for Yoga Teachers
How to Teach Special Groups- An emphasis on people with PTSD, people who are overweight, and the elderly

Anatomy and Physiology

Intro to the Knee, Shin, Calf and Foot
Intro to Glutes and Hips
Intro to Arms and Trunk
Intro to Shoulders and Chest
Intro to Jaw, Head, Neck and Upper Back
Intro to Chakras
Intro to Bandhas
Stress, the Human Body and Gut Health
Basic Movement Foundations
Strength Building Fitness for Yoga

Techniques, Training and Practice

Meditations and Mudras
Pranayama Techniques and Practices
Teaching Sun Salutes A & B
Intro to Teaching Seated Postures
Intro to Teaching Standing Postures
Intro to Teaching Supine Postures
Intro to Arm Balances and Advanced Poses
Intro to Teaching Yin Yoga
In Focus: Hip Opening
In Focus: Back Bending
Principles of Demos, Assists and Corrections

Practicum

Teaching Sun Salutes A and B
Teaching a Dynamic Yoga Workshop
Teaching a Restorative Yin Yoga Class
Teaching Guided Meditation
Teaching a Namaslay® Yoga Class
Assisting a Yoga Class
Observing a Yoga Class
Written exam

The Teachers

We will have a small team of highly skilled instructors for this program. I will be the lead instructor, the one responsible for teaching the majority of the classes. In my own studies, my main focus was Ashtanga Vinyasa, and the majority of my studies have been under Mark Ansari, a direct student of Patthabi Jois. I take frequent master classes with renowned teachers, and consider myself a student first, always. You will also have Dan Tavino, YBC®'s strength and conditioning trainer who is L1 certified through CrossFit® and we will have two rotational guest teachers to lead you through morning practice - all who are highly skilled, certified yoga instructors.

intensive 200hr yoga teacher training program

Your Certification

Upon successfully passing our 200hr program, you will be certified to teach yoga anywhere in the world. Through our training, you will be able to teach vinyasa, power, yin and Namaslay® yoga classes. You'll be able to register with the Yoga Alliance, if you wish, as a 200hr Registered Yoga Teacher.

Note that we do not sell certifications, and that your participation in the training does not guarantee you a certification. Certifications will be granted only upon successfully passing our written exam and practicum. The graduation ceremony will take place on the last day of the training.

Who is this training for?

This training is intensive. It is no joke. This is not a relaxing, care-free retreat, but rather an introspective, rigorous program that will be physically and mentally demanding. This is a time for deep, intensive study that will not only better your own life, but brighten the lives of those you reach through your teaching. This training is for people who aren't 100% satisfied with where they're at. It's for people who are ready to make a change, but who might be a little apprehensive about taking the first step. This training is for people who want more out of their lives, who feel that deep down, they possess a profound inherent strength and gift, and are looking for a training to help them bring it to life.

This yoga teacher training is best suited for people who want to be yoga teachers. While we are open to accepting people who are looking to deepen their own personal practice yet do not have a desire to teach, please note that this training has a strong emphasis on developing qualified, exceptional teachers, and there will be a tremendous amount of practice teaching throughout the program in which all trainees are expected to participate.

This training is not suited for pregnant women due to the acrobatic nature of the training.

Please note that this training is very physically and mentally demanding. In Thailand, it is very hot, and we will be outside the majority of the time for lectures and physical practice, and it's important that you be in good health to successfully complete the program. Please note that you do not need to know or be able to do every single yoga pose. You're coming to us to learn, so you don't need to know everything right off the bat. However, you should have a strong personal yoga practice (at least three classes per week - one of which is hot yoga) so that the training won't be a total shock to your system.

Dates and Scheduling

This training will take place July 7, 2018 - July 28, 2018. This is an intensive yoga teacher training program, which means the days are tightly scheduled. While the days are tightly scheduled, there are frequent short breaks. We encourage self-care, and trainees who are feeling physically tired are welcome to observe asana classes if they need a break from actually practicing. In addition, we also include three Thai massages for each trainee for added self-care. A typical day will look like this:

5:45-7am - Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga

7:00-8:30am - Silent Conscious Eating Breakfast and break

8:30am -10am - Anatomy and Physiology

10am-12pm - Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics Lecture

12-1 - Lunch

1-3pm - Teaching Methodology Lecture

3-3:30pm - Break

3:30pm - 5:30pm Techniques, Training and Practice

5:30pm - 7:30pm - Anatomy and Physiology

7:30pm - Dinner

8:30pm - 10pm - Studying/Prep Reading for the next day's lectures

Location, Accommodation and Logistics

The teacher training will take place at Kaomai Lanna Resort in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chiang Mai is in Northern Thailand, a beautiful, serene and safe place for us to learn and grow and thrive. Chiang Mai is easy to get to (it's a short flight away from Bangkok). The weather is hot and tropical, and the people are warm and kind. You may arrive anytime after 3pm on July 7th, 2018. The first class for the training begins on July 8 at 5:45am, and you may leave any time on the 28th. If you can, we recommend buying a ticket home a few days after the training ends so you can travel with your fellow trainees down to Phuket or other Thai islands for a mini celebration!

Each trainee may choose either a double occupancy shared room with another student, or a private room. We'll practice and learn in a gorgeous yoga platform treehouse. This venue was chosen for its location, comfort, yoga venue, and excellent food.

American citizens holding a valid tourist passport and an onward or return ticket and who are only in Thailand for less than 30 days do not need a visa to enter Thailand. The passport must have at least six months validity to be allowed entry. For all other citizens, google "(Your Nationality) need visa for Thailand?" and you will find your answer.

According to the CDC, there is no recommendation for any vaccination or precautionary medicine to travel within Chiang Mai, although you may certainly want to speak with your health care professional for their opinion. Yellow Fever documentation will be needed if you're coming from a Yellow Fever country like somewhere in West Africa.

Investment

Below is the cost. This pricing includes: Namaslay® 200hr Yoga Teacher Training tuition, accommodation from July 7 - 28, 2018 in the room of your choice, daily maid service, all breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, airport transfer upon arrival and departure for Chiang Mai airport, yoga shala space, yoga props (excluding mats - you're welcome to bring your own or rent one for $2/day at the resort), three Thai massages, and wifi.

We currently have a double available: $4455

This pricing does not include: airfare, travel insurance, tips for staff. Required reading lists will be emailed to you upon sign up. You do not need to bring those texts. You simply need to read them prior to the training. The only book you need to bring for the actual training is Namaslay. We recommend bringing the hard copy, not the e-book version, as the e-book version is tough to flip through and we have heard that the pose breakdowns don't always line up.

Eligibility and Application Process

We live our lives by the Namaslay® philosophy - lead with love, kindness, gratitude and an unwavering belief in one's intrinsic capabilities. We believe in being gentle, determined, and strong. We believe in doing no harm and taking no shit. We are accepting applicants filled with kindness, determination and grit. We are accepting applicants with open minds, open hearts, and a willingness to be lovingly and gently pushed so they can emerge the best versions of themselves. We are accepting applicants who want to grow and lift others up through the Namaslay® teachings of this program. Note that no where on our program does it say that you must be able to do all the yoga poses, or the perfect forward fold or handstand. We don't care about that stuff because you're coming to us to learn. We'd much prefer someone with an open mind who can't do x, y or z pose, than someone who is closed minded but has the perfect handstand. We're not here for the handstands. We are here for the growth that comes from the teachings. We are here to build confident, compassionate, loving, knowledgeable teachers. So don't worry about what you can or cannot do right now, because that's not important. Rather, ask yourself if you have the love and determination to get through what is sure to be a demanding yet empowering three week training.

To apply:

click here, which will take you to our application page.
Once you pay the application fee, the application form will pop up. Fill it out and submit. If you are accepted, your application fee will be credited towards your final payment, which is due within 3 days of acceptance.
If you opt for the payment plan, you will be required to pay a non-refundable $300 deposit due within 1 day to hold your spot, and then the remaining balance will broken down to monthly payments, with the balance due 90 days before the start of the training. If, for whatever reason, you decide by April 7, 2018 not to attend after being accepted, your payments will be refunded, less the application fee and deposit. If you decide after April 7, 2018 not to attend, no refund will be granted.
If you are not accepted, your application payment will be fully reimbursed. You will receive notification via email regarding your acceptance within 7 business days upon submission of your application.

Final Thoughts

I am so inspired by the YBC Community, and am so proud of the curriculum we've developed. I know that this is going to be an unforgettable, life changing experience for those who attend, and I am honored and humbled to share the adventure with you.