About

Mindful Restoration's 200 Hour Yoga Certification has been carefully curated over the past 18 years as more than just an entry level teacher training program. This is a classic yoga teacher training built on a decades long lineage in which students gain in-depth instruction in asana, pranayama, anatomy & physiology, strong alignment methodology, and traditional philosophy , providing a solid foundation to teach yoga to beginners as well as deepen your own personal practice.

By the end of this training you will be empowered with the skills in the technical, inspirational and business side of yoga to become an exceptional yoga teacher and prepare you to confidently begin teaching right away.

A Unique Approach

Gain the knowledge and confidence to lead others from personal exploration and development.

Hybrid training format: work through our online course modules at your own pace, as well as live class instruction via Zoom one weekend and one weeknight per month. Discover your own personal teaching style with mentorship and community support.

Training Includes

  • Comprehensive training manual in pdf format to download and print

  • Exceptional yoga training methodology, with personal development as a foundation

  • Collaborative, relevant and contemporary practices -creating a career enhancing, life time benefit

  • Community development, mentoring, Q & A, and personalized fine-tuning of alignment and understanding

  • Upon graduation, the ability to register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT-200 (Registered Yoga Teacher)

Live Online Schedule

Wednesday & Friday evenings: 6:00pm-8:00pm :: Saturday 8:00am-11:30am & 1:30pm-5:00pm :: Sunday self-directed study (suggested)

  • August 12-14, 2022 and Wednesday August 31

  • September 16-18 and Wednesday September 28

  • October 14-16 and Wednesday October 26

  • November 11-13 and Wednesday November 30

  • December 16-18 and Wednesday January 4

  • January 13-15, 2023 and Wednesday, January 25

Methodology

The 200 Hour Curriculum includes the components required by Yoga Alliance for certification. In our unique training, we go above and beyond these requirements. We utilize classic yoga lifestyle practices and not just dynamic postures. Your life is a posture! Therefor, we offer experiential practices, reflection and challenges creating an in-depth personal development. 

Yoga Lifestyle

Communication and contemplation are the foundational practices to cultivate authentic relationships with our students and ourselves. This module also encompasses self-inquiry, leadership, ethics, spiritual maturity and guidelines for deepening personal practice.

Yoga Philosophy

This module includes an introduction to the history of yoga, philosophy, Patanjali's Eight Fold Path of Ashtanga Yoga, Chakras, Sanskrit, Mantra, Mudra, the Yoga Sutras and meditation. 

Yoga Asana

Students will learn to incorporate and teach a methodology of structural and supportive core alignment principles. These key elements lay the groundwork for a practice and knowledge base that is rich with integrity, skill and accuracy for everyone, and especially those individual with chronic injury/illness.

Posture Study

Learn 28 foundation level postures in-depth, including benefits and contraindications; posture modifications and variations; how to assist (in person and online) honouring an individuals boundaries; creative sequencing; a full range of warm-ups and adaptations to support a variety of yoga students. As well, to understand how to introduce simple movements, and awareness in the body, for those who are compromised or marginalized.

Pranayama

Students will learn four foundational breathing practices and how to apply them to a yoga practice and class. We will also explore how the energy body relates to the breath, and why you would develop a deepening pranayama practice. Breath is a key resource for changing the stress response in the body, and we will clearly assess our own breath and in turn be able to assess and support others.

Anatomy & Physiology

This module covers traditional human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and applied biomechanics. We will also look at the cardiovascular system, nervous system, digestion and elimination. In this section, we have an opportunity to solidify the reference information and sources of current research and science. In addition we will explore the energy body, and how its non-physical components influence our physical body and well being. 

Teaching Methodology

The teaching methodology includes leading stage 1 postures, centering and meditation techniques, cultivating spiritual maturity as a yoga teacher, class planning and sequencing, principles of delivery, developing body awareness, how to assist and the philosophy of touch, variations and adaptations as well as a fully designed Beginners Series.

Course curriculum

    1. Before We Begin

    2. Training Schedule

    3. Zoom Link

    4. Yoga Teacher Training Manual

    5. Yoga Teacher Training Manual Cover Only

    6. Module 1 & 2 Learning Schedules

    7. Module 3 & 4 Learning Schedules

    8. Module 5 & 6 Learning Schedules

    9. Certification Process

    10. Workshop Feedback Form

    1. Gentle Freeback - With Jeff

    2. Beginner Flow with Sonya - 30 Minutes with Yoga Nidra

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Strong Beginner Flow with Sonya - 45 Minutes

    4. Gentle - 90 Minutes with Jeff Focus on Neutral and back Strength - Audio only

    5. Intermediate Flow with Sonya - 60 Minutes

    1. Yoga Nidra for Sleep with Sonya - 10 Minutes

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Guided Meditation with Sonya - 10 Minutes

    3. Yoga Nidra with Jeff - 22 Minutes

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Yoga Nidra with Jeff - 30 Minutes

    5. Yoga Nidra: Rest and Rejuvenation with Sonya - 30 Minutes

    1. Meditation Video Introduction

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. So Hum mantra

    3. Om Namah Shivaya mantra

    4. Sat Nam mantra

    5. Om Namo chant

    6. Walking meditation

    7. Stillness meditation

    8. I am chant

    9. Third eye meditation

    10. Vedic affirmations

    11. Metta meditation

    12. Raja meditation

    13. Gayatri Mantra chant

    14. Bija mantra

    15. AUM chant

    16. Intro to Vipassana

    17. Tratak meditation

    18. Kripalu meditation

    19. Stairway to Heaven

    20. Take a Breath Chakra Journey

    21. Blackboard meditation

    1. Practice Teach #1

    2. Practice Teach #2 Schedule

    1. Module 1: Macro of the Course

    2. Module 1: Understand the Container

    3. Module 1: The Container - Energy Loss & Gain

    4. Module 1: Reading - Co-Listening & Conscious Communication

    5. Module 2: Learning Styles

    6. Module 2: In Danger of Growing

    7. Module 4: Joseph Campbell discusses the experiences of Life

    8. Module 4: Alan Watts

    9. Module 4: Calling yourself Home

    10. Module 5: Death or Deep Meditation

    11. Module 5: Year to Live

    12. Module 6: Ethics Form

    13. Module 6: Finding Joe!

    14. Module 6: Swami Kripalu: Path of Love

Pricing options

Take advantage of Early Bird savings until July 15, 2022

Graduation Requirements

To successfully graduate from this training and be eligible to apply for Registered Yoga Teacher Accreditation, students must complete the following:

  • Completion of all online video modules with a brief synopsis of each major category of study
  • At least 90% completion of online weekend instruction/live or via recording
  • Practicum: 3 practicum/practice teach sessions of 25, 45 and 60 minutes. These are required sessions for graduation and will be scheduled online with course appointed teaching mentors (graduates of this training!)
  • Knowledge Quiz: There are 2 knowledge quizzes delivered in the middle and end of the training. 
  • Training must be paid in full.

Instructor(s)

Certified Yoga Therapist Sonya Thomlinson

A well-respected teacher, Sonya lived, studied and taught at the acclaimed Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Western Massachusettes from 1998-2003, before co-founding 2 yoga studios in British Columbia and a U.S. non-profit, designed to bring breath and meditation practices into schools. As a teacher trainer for over 18 years, Sonya guides students into an authentic listening and honoring of the body's innate wisdom.

Certified Yoga Therapist Jeff Thomlinson

Jeff began as an RMT in the US in 1995, a graduate of the acclaimed Alexander School of Natural Therapeutics for Massage. He is also a Reiki Master and polarity therapist. Jeff was on the Healing Arts staff at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health for over 6 years. Jeff's training and work experience began a passionate inquiry into mentoring and coaching as an additional tool to support clients and yoga student development.

FAQ

  • How exactly does the hybrid model work?

    Each month of the 6 month training, you will work through a series of videos on our online platform. We will meet live and online one weeknight and one weekend per month (Sunday is for self-study), to not only focus on the unique methodology we teach, but also for questions, mentoring and more.

  • Are there prerequisites for this training?

    There are no formal prerequisites, however, we do suggest students have approximately 3-6 months experience participating in classes, or online, with a certified yoga instructor.

  • Who is this training for?

    This training is designed with all levels and abilities in mind. This is a foundational 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training which will equip you with the skills and tools you need to teach yoga to beginners.

  • I want to learn more about yoga/myself but not necessarily teach. Should I do this training?

    As an integrated practice on and off the mat, this program becomes a catalyst for physical healing, psychological growth and spiritual awakening. Many students take this training for their own personal development with no intention to teach others. Some of those students have gone on to teach anyway as they awoke a passion to share the transformational potential they received!

  • What style of yoga is this training based on?

    Our roots are in the Kripalu Yoga tradition. Both Jeff and Sonya lived, studied and worked at the acclaimed Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in western Massachusetts in the late 1990's. Kripalu Yoga is named after Swami Shri Kripalvanandaji, one of the greatest Shaktipat Kundalini Yoga masters of the past century. Kripalu means compassion. This style of yoga teaches us to direct our focus within and access the body's wisdom.

  • What is the refund/cancellation policy?

    Refunds may be issued if a student needs to withdraw from the training program by providing notice to Mindful Restoration at least 7 days before the course begins.

  • I have more questions, how can I reach you?

    We love questions! Email us at [email protected] we are happy to chat via email, phone call or Zoom.

Payments may also be made by etransfer to [email protected] paying in full or six equal payments of $400.00 (payment must be completed by the end of the training).