200-hour teacher training
ENROLLING NOW FOR FEBRUARY, 2019
Yoga is a journey. It’s a path you follow, learning from the people and experiences along the way. And at some point those insights become part of who you are, until you radiate that understanding from within. Then it’s time to share.
Learning to teach yoga will not only deepen your personal practice, it will allow you to share that knowledge with others as they set out on their own journey.
The Yoga Garden 200-hr. Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training program will give you the tools, techniques and knowledge to safely and dynamically guide students toward their own understanding. Taught by veteran teachers Nikki Robinson, Mark Nelson and Luke Ketterhagen, as well as contributing specialists, it’s a comprehensive course that teaches you the philosophy and physics of this life-changing art.
- Asana, alignment and modifications
- Physical anatomy and assists
- Sequencing for dynamic and safe classes
- Teaching to specialized populations
- Yoga philosophy
- Meditation, Pranayama and Subtle Body
- Sanskrit and chanting
- Ayurveda and nutrition
- Finding your voice as a teacher
- Teaching yoga as a career
- Attend all training modules
- Attend at least 35 Yoga Garden classes during the course of the training
- Write three responses to the required readings
- Submit essays and summaries of training modules
- Observe and report on public Yoga Garden classes
- Assist and adjust students in public Yoga Garden classes
- Teach a final practice class
- Successfully complete a final written exam
2019 Schedule:
Our next 200-hr. training takes place over 12 weekends from February through June, 2019
We meet Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30-6:30pm.
Most of our weekends meet at our Narberth location, with a handful of meetings taking place in our Philly studio.
Feb. 2 & 3
Feb. 9 & 10
Feb. 23 & 24
Mar. 2 & 3
Mar. 16 & 17
Mar. 23 & 24
Apr. 27 & 28
May 4 & 5
May 18 & 19
Jun. 1 & 2
Jun. 8 & 9
Jun. 22 & 23
Free Info Sessions:
Fri, Sept. 28, 6:00pm - Philly
Sun, Oct. 4, 3:30pm - Narberth
Sat, Oct. 13, 12:30pm - Philly
Fri, Nov. 16, 6:30pm - Narberth
Sat, Nov. 17, 12:30pm - Philly
Sat, Dec. 8, 12:30pm - Philly
Sun, Dec. 16, 12:30pm - Narberth
Sat, Jan. 5, 12:30pm - Philly
Sun, Jan. 6, 12:30pm - Narberth
Certification and Benefits:
All participants may attend unlimited yoga classes at both Yoga Garden locations for the duration of the program. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, teacher training graduates will receive their 200-hour Yoga Alliance recognized certificate of completion.
Reading List:
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, translated by Edwin F. Bryant
Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran
The Key Muscles of Yoga, Ray Long
In Praise of the Goddess: The Devimahatmya, Devadatta Kali
Pricing:
$2,850 (if paid in full by Feb. 2, 2019)
A payment plan option is also available. $1,000 to be paid by Feb. 1, 2019, $1,000 by April 1, 2019, and $1,000 by June 1, 2019.
Required Experience:
Two years’ regular practice in yoga asana. Attend at least one class at the Yoga Garden with Mark or Nikki.
Look into our Immersion series as well. They're a great way to cover the foundations of our teacher training curriculum prior to enrolling!
Application Form and Deposit:
A $250 non-refundable deposit is required for enrollment, along with your application and will be deducted from your tuition upon acceptance. Deposits will be returned if you are not accepted into the training.
Click here to download the Yoga Garden Teacher Training Application
meet your teacher training instructors:
Mark Nelson • E-RYT 500
Mark was first drawn to yoga as a way of bringing balance to a busy career as a creative director. He quickly fell in love with the openness and clarity that come from a regular practice, and he soon discovered that it was transforming his mind as well as his body.
That combination of mindfulness and movement drew Mark deeper into the practice, studying Ashtanga Yoga with David Swenson and Annie Pace; Yin Yoga with Paulie Zink and Sally Miller; and Vinyasa Yoga with Corina Benner and Jill Manning. Mark completed his 200-hr. Teacher Training at Wake Up Yoga and his 500-hr. training through the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, PA. Today he continues his studies under the guidance of Greg Walsh, Luke Ketterhagen, Leslie Kaminoff and Nikki Robinson.
As a life-long artist, Mark hopes to spark the creative process within his students. His classes unite breath with movement in a dynamic blend of physical challenge, inner focus and real-life philosophy. Mark has directed the Yoga Garden since 2010 and has shared the direction of the studio with Nikki Robinson since 2016. Mark enjoys spending time with his family who continue to be his most inspiring and loving yoga teachers.
Nikki began her love affair with yoga as a respite from a high intensity job on a trading floor in New York City. She was immediately attracted to the combination of restoration that yoga provides the heart and mind and the invigorating and empowering effect on the body the physical practice provides.
Nikki completed her 200-hr. Anusara Teacher Training with Sue Elkind and Naime Jezzeny. She has also completed her Pre- and Post Natal training with Sue Elkind and Levels 1 & 2 Restorative Yoga Teacher Training with Jillian Pransky. She has supplemented her teacher training with extensive philosophy training with Susanna Harwood-Rubin. Nikki is currently pursuing studies in Anatomy at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and at Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine, where she serves as Instructor and Lecturer of Gross Anatomy.
Nikki uses precise alignment in every class she teaches to empower and encourage students of all levels in the most supportive, safe and loving environment. While she seeks to physically challenge her students during class, her classes are designed to be playful, bright and light-hearted so as to foster the very best in each student. Nikki serves as Program Director at the Yoga Garden, and has shared the direction of the studio with Mark Nelson since 2016. Nikki enjoys spending time with her family who continue to be her most inspiring and loving yoga teachers.
Luke Ketterhagen • E-RYT 500
For over 18 years Luke Ketterhagen has shared the gifts that yoga and meditation have given him. Yoga is based on a simple yet profound message. To learn about yoga is to learn that you are responsible for yourself. You are responsible for your own happiness. And you can achieve that happiness through the systematic methods of this ancient tradition and the company of fellow seekers. Through study and practice you will see who you really are, as you are; outside of any pre-existing circumstances or roles. Without fail you then begin the journey to accepting yourself — and loving yourself in the process.
Luke believes in the goodness and joy in the human spirit. He believes in the ability of people to impose their own personal will and discipline on themselves to make change. He believes that happiness is possible when the faith in one’s inner joy is skillfully wed with human effort. We all have incredible capacity. Through the practices of yoga we can realize it.
Luke is a frequent contributor to the Yoga Garden’s Teacher Training programs. He offers workshops on Pranayama, Subtle Energetics and Asana. His practice radiates from the inside out, and the lessons that come from that are truly a gift. Click here for more about Luke.
Luke is registered with Yoga Alliance as E-RYT500.
Please contact Mark directly for more information:
610.909-7300 or email mark@yogagardenphilly.com
