Yoga Studies:
200-Hour Foundation
Recognized and Certified by Yoga Alliance International
Who is this program for?
Whether you wish to cultivate the skills to transmit the teachings to others, or simply looking to explore yogic studies to deepen your own understanding and personal practice, we welcome all curious students of yoga and life to study and learn with us.
Our 200 hour teacher training program is designed to assist in personal development as well as providing all the prerequisites to becoming a certified and qualified yoga teacher. You will leave this training with a deeper understanding of yourself and your personal practice; and prepared to share these teachings with clarity, authenticity, and confidence.
What will you learn / explore?
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The ethical guidelines for teaching and living yoga
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The fundamental idea behind yoga philosophy: the deep connection with the Self
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The fundamental principles of teaching asana and pranayama; how to see and understand the human body, the principles of alignment, and the use of props
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The subtle body and the Ayurvedic constitutions to better understand yourself and others
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How to liberate your voice through chanting and reciting mantras (naada yoga); as well as pronouncing, reading and writing basic sanskrit words to keep the tradition alive.
Module 1
Āsana, Practice & The Art Of Teaching
with Josephine Vittoria
The students will study asana (postures) with emphasis on postural alignment. They will learn the fundamental principles of teaching: how to practice and teach yoga asana (postures) including demonstration, observation, assisting and correcting. The students will learn modifications of the asanas and how to use yoga props. The benefits and the contraindications of the poses will also be explored thoroughly. The following postural groups will be taught individually throughout the training for a thorough understanding of each of their benefits: Standing Poses, Forward Bends, Backbends, Rotations, Inversions, Restorative Poses. An introduction to the practice of Dhyana (meditation), a basic spiritual practice for quieting the mind and getting in touch with our deeper Self will also be explored throughout this course.
The students will practice teaching, assisting and correcting others. They will observe others teaching, and learn to give and receive feedback. The student will also document and record one on one sessions with students of their choice. The teacher will provide written feedback on all recorded and documented sessions.
The students will learn communication skills such as group dynamics, time management, use of language and voice, and the establishment of priorities and boundaries. They will learn how to address the specific needs of individuals to the degree possible in a group setting. The students will also learn about class structures and sequencing.
Module 2
Functional Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Fascia
with Tania Cucciniello & Josephine Vittoria
This course will introduce the basic anatomical and physiological principles essential for understanding the human body. Studying human anatomy may seem intimidating, however this module proposes an interactive and fun approach to delve into this complex material, focusing on relevant information to enrich your understanding of your yoga practice. Understanding our structures and how our joints work is essential in order to respect our limitations in our bodies, and ensure a safe practice for all students. Learning the muscular chains enhances the possibility of visualizing the body during asana practice, and develops our understanding of practice; taking it to another level.
Part 1-3:
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The Skeletal System (our structure)
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The Nervous System (what stems from our structure)
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The Muscular System (what muscles attaches to our structure and the nerves that innervate them)
This module will also introduce the wonderful world of fascia! Fascia can be described as a mobile connective tissue that envelops the entire body, from the top of the head to the tips of the toes without interruption. This will be a practical module focused on demonstrating the role of fascia in the body, plus its relation to anatomy through movement. It will also demonstrate ways to identify compensations and imbalances throughout the body, along with ways to correct them. By the end of this class, your proprioception and interoception will be enhanced, and you should feel confident on how to teach others how to do the same through movement.
Part 4:
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Fascia & Kinesis (what surrounds all these structures and how to keep our structural integrity!)
Module 3
Prānāyāma and Nāda Yoga
with François Raoult
Pranayama is one of the most efficient ways to silence the mind and open the doors of perception. Breath becomes a steady guide towards deeper states of meditation. Pranayama is also the energy behind the voice and mantra, which enhances the resonance for healing. This module will explore the connections between Ayurveda and pranayama, the therapeutic aspects of pranayama, as well as chanting and music.
This module will also explore:
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The Bandhas and their health benefits (e.g., prevention of incontinence, enhance metabolic function, etc.)
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Anatomy of Breath (what is the normal/natural breath function) Ujjayi, Viloma, Bhastrika, Kapalabhati and Nadi Shodhana
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Pranayama for pacification of each dosha and sattvic direction for optimal breathing function
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Active and Restorative asana to enhance breath and prepare the pranic field
Breath will also be explored as a mantra (e.g., various ways of chanting Om (Aum) including basic over toning). The students will also learn pranayama and its counter-indications in specific ailments.
This module is online only.
Module 4
Energetic Anatomy
with Amrita Choudhury
This course blends ancient wisdom with practical application to deepen your practice and teaching. Explore the subtle body and unlock the energetic foundations of yoga through four transformative areas.
Mudra Vigyan
The science of healing through Mudras (symbolic therapeutic hand positions). Each finger represents Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Ether. Touching upon the hundreds of nerve endings which influence the whole body at a cellular and atomic(energetic) level; this practice affects the body, mind & spirit of one's being, aids in healing, and can be an important aspect of yoga asanas. This segment goes into the in-depth wisdom of ancient Yoga Mudras, Ritualistic, Therapeutic & Sacred dance mudras, and their therapeutic & healing usages.The teacher will guide you through various hand mudras in combination with eye, breath, & visualization techniques which aid in various physical, emotional & spiritual healing. Theory, technique, breathwork, practice, movement, all are incorporated in this class series. Special attention is given to how mudras can be incorporated in yoga practices & teachings.
Chakras and Nadis
A comprehensive introduction to each of the seven chakras residing in the subtle body. This segment highlights the physical, biological, emotional, & energetic significance of each chakra. Participants will learn how to incorporate this ancient wisdom into some of their asanas & teaching practice. Both Sanskrit & English terminology will be used to offer a complete view of the energetic chakra system from the ancient Indian Yogic perspective. Participants will also learn about how the flow of the Kundalini energy through each chakra affects the energetic and emotional body.
The human body is also known to have 72,000 nadis that help carry prana (energy) to each cell. Various asanas in combination with breathwork activates certain nadis. We will be exploring the main 3 Nadis : Ida, Pingala, and Sushmana, and how the cosmic force(Shakti) is able to travel through the spinal column through the nadis and unite with the Siva located in the crown chakra. This union at the energetic level, represents the grand union with one’s higher self.
The Five Vayus and Five Koshas
In Sanskrit “Vayu” means “wind”. The ancient yogis considered Prana (one’s life force energy) to have five different vayus or “flowing winds”. Each Vayu has special energetic qualities and functions. We will be exploring the 5 main Vayus (Pancha Prana), that yoga practitioners can incorporate into their yoga practices and teachings. The five Koshas (sheaths) will also be covered.
The Three Gunas
In Ayurveda, the sister science of Yoga, Gunas or strands of life, weave us together to achieve a higher objective in this universe we reside in. Knowledge of the Sattva, Rajas, & Tamas Gunas, are particularly important for yoga practitioners to understand how they are able to shift their focus inward for each asana. Understanding these attributes,helps build the path that leads to Sattva – a state of serenity, balance, & contentment. This wisdom helps the practitioner incorporate this aspect within each asana.
Module 5
Humanities: Yoga History & Philosophy, Ethics, Sanskrit
with Amrita Choudhury, Josephine Vittoria, Mirabai Mosca
Yoga: A Way of Life and Philosophy in Motion with Amrita Choudhury
Yoga is not merely a physical practice; it is a way of life, a profound philosophy that invites us to live with greater awareness, presence, and alignment. The true essence of yoga lies in embodying its timeless wisdom, allowing the philosophy to guide and inform both our personal lives and our asana/teaching practice.
While āsana (physical postures) are often the most visible part of yoga in the West, they represent only a small aspect of this vast and ancient science. Primarily, they work with the Annamaya Kosha, the outermost layer of our being, the physical body. But the journey of yoga leads us inward, beyond the body, to the core of who we are. It is a spiritual path that nourishes every layer of our existence.
By honoring the thousands-of-years-old tradition of yoga, we deepen our understanding of how each practice, whether āsana (postures, pranayama (breath-work), or dhyana (meditation), arises from and is infused with the wisdom of ancient lineages. Our modern expression of yoga is fueled by the foundational teachings of the great schools of yoga, each offering unique insights into the nature of self and existence.
In this module, students will explore the origins and roots of yoga. They will be introduced to the four main paths of yoga:
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Jnana Yoga – the path of knowledge and self-inquiry
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Raja Yoga – the path of meditation and mental mastery
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Karma Yoga – the path of selfless service
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Bhakti Yoga – the path of devotion and love
Aside from Vedantic philosophy, central to this study is The Bhagavad Gita, a timeless spiritual text that brings together these paths and philosophies, offering practical wisdom for living a life of purpose, alignment, and inner peace.
Through study, reflection, and lived experience, students will begin to integrate yogic philosophy into their own lives, bringing harmony between thought, action, and being.
Yoga Ethics and Lifestyle with Josephine Vittoria (This course from this module is online only)
Integral to this study is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Students will learn, study, and contemplate the eight-limbed path of yoga as outlined by the sage Patanjali. The yogic code of conduct—the moral and ethical guidelines governing social and individual behaviour—known as the Yamas and the Niyamas, is taught in depth.
Introduction to Sanskrit with Mirabai Mosca
In this module, the students will explore the pronunciation and meaning of relevant Sanskrit words in yoga : names of postures, mantras, and theoretic terms and concepts. The students will also learn the Devanagari alphabet and simple grammar rules to be able to recognize and pronounce Sanskrit words.
Module 6
Introduction to Ayurveda
with Yogesh Van Acker
Explore the concepts of Ayurvedic thinking and practicing yoga as a part of your life. This course teaches enthusiastic students of yoga to understand the subtle anatomy of Ayurveda and its compliment to healing with Yoga. This will deepen and personalize your yoga practice.
This module is online only.
Leading Faculty
Tuition
Early Bird Tuition before June 1, 2026
$3200.00 + taxes
Regular Tuition after June 1, 2026
$3350.00 + taxes
Additional fees
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Certification fee $150.00 + taxes due at the end of the training (only applicable to students who wish to receive a teaching certification)
Included:
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Access to video recordings of all modules for a limited time, course material (pdf, documents),
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Access to additional practice hours at Institut Yoga Essentiel, and further discounts on classes
Excluded:
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Required books and props
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Registration to Yoga Alliance International (optional)
Accreditation
