Whether you are setting the intention to share yoga as a teacher or to build a strong foundation for your self-practice, Choose Joy’s Yoga & Wholistic Arts 200-hour Teacher Training Program will leave you feeling activated, inspired and ready to share the gift of yoga in your own way!
We believe that yoga is the embodiment of union with yourself and with All living beings. In honor of this, we have structured our 200-hour program with three core values in mind.
1. Connection - Intentionally gather with like-minded community over the span of 7 months as we explore practices that will awaken and nurture your whole self - body, mind and spirit.
2. Integration - We recognize the amount of information you will be taking in each weekend intensive, so we have chosen to meet once a month to allow for enough integration time.
3. Collaboration - There is strength in numbers, power in perspective, and value in learning from multiple teachers. Our team features 11 passionate, knowledgeable and experienced teachers.
What to Expect
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Our curriculum offers a colorful palate of modules specializing in yoga while exposing you to an abundance of wholistic practices that will enhance your yoga practice and teachings. Our Weekend Intensives meet for a total of 180 contact hours. Your remaining 20 non-contact hours will be earned from an accumulation of hours spent on homework, online quizzes, practice teaching, book reports, apprenticing and working on your thesis project.
Weekend Intensive Topics & Teachers
Gain a solid foundation on how to teach intuitively and explore all aspects of yoga (postures, breathwork, meditation, etc.), connect with the koshas, the eightfold path, vibration, sound, and so much more with yoga teacher, vibrational sound therapist and reiki master, Cassandra Justine.
Study the evolution of yoga through ancient times until these present moments and delve into sacred texts and sanskrit with transformational coach and consciousness mentor and yoga teacher, Bhairavi Shera, M.S.Ed.
Discuss all aspects of the food experience - exploring topics such as food as medicine and food relationship with holistic health practitioner and nutritionist, Carly Feldmeier.
Immerse yourself in the teachings of Yin with yoga teacher and continuing education provider, Melissa Christensen.
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Explore the relationship between yoga and Ayurveda as you establish a connection to the elements with Ayurvedic Therapist and Panchakarma Technician, Monica Casanova.
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Tap into the wisdom of Thai Bodywork techniques with massage therapist and yoga teacher, Ally Thompson.
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Dabble into the art of aromatherapy with yoga teacher, massage therapist and essential oil enthusiast, Anna Ross.
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Relax into the teachings of restorative yoga and learn the basics of prenatal yoga with studio owner, yoga teacher and PYT, Beth McClelland.
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Step into the teachings of the planets and the strategy of your aura with Yoga Teacher, Craniosacral Therapist and Reiki Practitioner Abbey Road.
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Non-Contact Hours
Thesis Project:
Choose a yoga-related topic you are passionate about and create a presentation to be shared at our last weekend intensive on Friday, May 15th. The intention of this project is to help you find your niche and become highly educated in a specific area of interest. You will have the entire teacher training to work on your Thesis Project.
Apprenticeship(s):
Observe a minimum of 5 classes with one or more teachers who you wish to study more deeply with. Apprenticeship(s) must be completed by Friday, May 15th.
Practice Teaching:
Polish your teaching skills by guiding friends & family through a yoga class. You are required to teach 5 one-hour classes &/or private lessons (free or for donation) to friends/family, etc. This will help you find your own voice in the way you share yoga with others.
Book Debriefing:
Journal your takeaways after reading You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay, Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss, and The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchidananda. Finish reading and journaling by Friday, April 24th to prepare for a guided discussion that will take place that day.
Homework & Quizzes:
Take-home quizzes and homework will be given to support you in retaining the information you will learn during our weekend Intensives. Workload will be very light so as to provide you with optimal time to integrate information in your own way.
Program Details
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Our Team of Teachers: Cassandra Justine, Catherine Heberling-Marentez, Melissa Christensen, Beth McClelland, Ally Thompson, Melissa Tigerlily, Carly Feldmeier, Bhairavi Shera, Abbey Road, Monica Casanova and Anna Ross
Where: 565 Cameron Way #103 North Liberty, IA 52317
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Max Capacity: In order to uphold the quality of our program, we accept a maximum of 20 applicants. This allows us to give participants the attention and care they need to thrive.
When: Weekend Intensive Dates for our 2019 - 2020 program:
November 1-3: Laying the Foundation
November 8-10 : Yin & Restorative Yoga
December 6-8 : The Physical Body
January 10-12 : The Energy Body
February 28-March 1 : Flow, Flight & Heart
March 27-29 : Twists, Hips, Binds & Ayurveda
April 24-26 : Intuitive Teaching & Dream Building
May 15-17 : Sound School & The Business of Yoga
Sample Schedule of a Weekend Intensive:
Fridays, 2:00 - 9:00pm
2:00-2:30pm: Opening Circle
2:30-4:00pm: Opening Practice
4:00-5:30pm: Module/s
5:30-6:30pm: Dinner
weekly class occupying studio from 5:30-7:30pm, training in foyer 6:30-8:00pm
6:30-8:00pm: Module/s
8:00-9:00pm: Closing Practice
Saturdays, 11:00am - 8:30pm
11:00-12:30pm: Opening Practice
12:30-2:00pm: Module
2:00-3:00pm: Lunch
3:00-8:00pm: Module/s
8:00-8:30pm: Closing Practice
Sundays, 6:00am - 3:00pm
6:00-7:30am: Opening Practice
weekly class occupying studio from 7:30-9:30am, training in foyer 7:30-9:30am
7:30-10:30am: Module/s
10:30-11:30am: Brunch
11:30-2:30pm: Module/s
2:30-3:00pm: Closing Circle
Your Investment
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Tuition: $3250 which INCLUDES your Yoga & Wholistic Arts 200-hour Teacher Training experience, all manuals, all Weekend Intensives, Level I Reiki Attunement, 15-hour Yin Yoga certification, mentorship to map your dreams into reality, FREE UNLIMITED YOGA at Heat Yoga Studios spanning from 10/18/19-05/17/20 and your $500 non-refundable deposit.
Early Bird Special: $3000 on or before September 10
Deposit: $500 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration
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Payment Plan:
We are offering an 8-month payment plan for a tuition rate of $3250.
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We allow a payment plan with an online credit card. *Credit/debit cards must be used online and not in house.
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8-month Plan - Payments of $375 starting October 1st. (contact Beth to set up payment plan Beth@heatyogacr.com)
Scholarship Program​
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We wish to create a teacher training that is accessible to people of all income levels and backgrounds. With this intention in mind, we chose to create a scholarship application. Please apply only if you have sincere financial need.
We are offering a scholarship valued at $650 to cut tuition cost of $3250 down to $2600.
Tuition may be paid in full or via a payment plan by May 1, 2020. Scholarship may not be used toward deposit. A deposit of $500 must be paid in full for registration and any travel and lodging expenses incurred by your participation in the program will be your responsibility.
Applications must be submitted by September 10th. Please reach out to us with any questions.
Required Reading
In addition to your included manuals, we request that you purchase the books listed below.
Book List:
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Mudra: The Sacred Secret by Indu Arora
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Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchidananda
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The Language of Yoga by Nicolai Bachman
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You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
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Anatomy of the Spirit by Caroline Myss
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Bernie Clark's book - The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga OR Sarah Powers book - Insight Yoga