200-Hour Teacher Training Program
Comprehensive Curriculum with World Renowned Faculty
Desert Song 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program
Desert Song has been training yoga instructors in the art and science of the practice for eighteen years. Our curriculum continues to evolve as we strive and succeed in providing the best instructors and the best instruction to our students. Our seven-month program is offered every other year, starting again in January of 2012. Click here for our School Catalog.
Since 1983, our vision has been to provide a Center that encourages growth and an ongoing healthy state of mind, body, emotion and spirit, through yoga, massage and the healing arts. For over 20 years our Teacher Training Program has reflected the dedications and growth of this mission and is one of the most repected teacher training programs in Arizona. Desert Song Yoga's nationally-certified and state-licensed Teacher Training Program combines the expertise of accomplished instructors for a comprehensive study of all 8 branches of yoga, including asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy, physical and energy anatomy, and principles of health and yoga ethics.
Application available here.
The Desert Song 200-Hour Curriculum includes:
Desert Song Yoga's 200-hour Teacher Training is an in-depth study of Hatha Yoga influenced by Anusara traditions of yoga founded by John Friend. Philosophical, anatomical and physiological fundamentals of the 8 branches of yoga are discussed, with emphasis on Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and Tantric yoga principles.
- Asana (Postures): Teaching methodologies and practice, principles of alignment, benefits, contraindications, posture sequencing, use of props.
- Anatomy and Physiology: Structural anatomy, systems of the body, physical and medical benefits and contraindications, subtle energy anatomy including the chakra system, koshas and nadis.
- Philosophy, Ethics and Lifestyle: Ashtanga Yoga: History of yoga, paths of yoga, 8 branches of yoga, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit terminology as related to asanas and philosophical principles.
- Pranayama (Breath): Teaching methodologies and practice, psycho-physiological effects and containdications.
- Dhyana (Meditation): Teaching methodologies and practice,
psycho-physiological effects and contraindications.
- Yogic Principles of Health: Introduction to Ayurveda, nutrition and lifestyle practices.
- Yoga for Specialized Groups: Prenatal and post-natal women, yoga for seniors, yoga therapeutics.
Certification
Desert Song Yoga Teacher Training Course is registered with the National Yoga Alliance registry for its 200-hour program. Students receive a certification of completion from Desert Song Yoga and are eligible for national certification upon completion of the course. Desert Song also holds mandatory licensure with the Arizona State Board of Private Post-Secondary Education.
Desert Song Yoga’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course Educational Categories (with Yoga Alliance required hours): Yoga Alliance® is the national education and support organization for yoga in the United States. They work in the public interest to ensure that there is a thorough understanding of the benefits of yoga, that the teachers of yoga value its history and traditions and that the public can be confident of the quality and consistency of instruction.
Techniques Training/Practice (100 hours):
Asana, pranayama, kriyas, chanting, mantra, meditation and other traditional yoga techniques. Hours will be a mix between (1) analytical training in how to teach and practice the techniques, and (2) guided practice of the techniques themselves.
Teaching Methodology (25 hours):
Principles of demonstration, observation, assisting and aligning, instruction, teaching styles, qualities of a teacher, the student’s process of learning and business aspects of teaching yoga.
Anatomy and Physiology (20 hours):
Both human physical anatomy and physiology (bodily systems, organs, etc.) and energy anatomy and physiology (chakras, nadis, etc.). Includes both the study of the subject and application of its principles to yoga practice (benefits, contraindications, healthy movement patterns, etc.).
Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle & Ethics for Yoga Teachers (30 hours):
The study of yoga philosophies, yoga lifestyle and ethics for yoga teachers.
Practicum (10 hours):
Practice teaching, receiving feedback, observing others teaching and hearing and giving feedback. Also includes assisting students while someone else is teaching.
Electives (15 hours):
Elective hours to be distributed among educational categories according to the school’s chosen emphasis (may be contact or non-contact hours).
Primary Faculty:
Mary Beth Markus, CYI, E-RYT 500, LMT
Program Director, began her studies in 1979 in the Iyengar method and in 1983 graduated from Ananda School of Kriya Yoga second-level yoga teacher training. She primarily studied and taught Hatha yoga in the Iyengar method; then, within the last 15 years she met John Friend and has been strongly influenced by the Anusara method of yoga. She has been training teachers since 1990 and was a founding board member for the American Yoga College. She has been a licensed massage therapist for 30 years and Director of Desert Song Yoga & Massage Center for 28 years, teaching both locally and abroad.
Heidi Lichte, CYI, RYT
received her certification from Desert Song Yoga in 1999. Heidi teaches yoga full-time and as of 2011, she has over 7,500 hours of teaching experience. From her own past experience of living the “pain for gain” model, she has a passion for now finding strength and transformation from a philosophy of ease. Her classes focus on creating a safe environment for healing, longevity, and the space for each student to practice self-mastery. She has a love for anatomy, physiology, breath work, therapeutics, psychology, meditation, and spirituality. Her eclectic style is rooted deeply in alignment-based teachings from the Anusara tradition, Doug Keller’s work and the philosophy of Erich Schiffmann. Heidi is a Master Reiki practitioner.
Deb Kayatt, CYI, RYT, IYT
Debbie began practicing yoga in 1999 and completed the 200-hour teacher-training program at Desert Song in 2003. Debbie went on to earn both her 500 and 1000-hour certifications through the Integrative Yoga Therapy Program in 2007. She also has a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, which has been a great compliment to her certification as an Integrative Yoga Therapist because this work is about looking at a student in a holistic way. She has also studied with Doug Keller, John Friend and Todd Norian.
Barbara Holt, CYI, RYT
received her certification from Desert Song Yoga based on the Iyengar method in 1999. Her teaching is based on sharing her love of the history, literature and philosophy of yoga, to enable her students to enjoy the bliss of the body-mind-spirit experience of the yoga practice. Barbara has practiced Zen and Vipassana meditation for over 20 years.
Guest Faculty:
Doug Keller
E-RYT 500, Yoga Therapeutics
Doug Keller came to teach hatha yoga by way of the yoga of meditation and years of academic study of philosophy, both eastern and western, at the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown and graduate work at Fordham University. As he completed his coursework for his PhD and taught at several colleges, he met the meditation master Swami Muktananda. He halted his academic career just short of writing his thesis, went to India in 1986 and spent a total of 7 years in the Ganeshpuri ashram, Gurudev Siddha Peeth, and 14 years of service overall in Siddha Yoga ashrams in the US and abroad, studying and practicing yoga, working in the kitchen and gardens, and teaching hatha yoga. Doug also studied with unique and talented teachers such as John Friend, Aadil Palkhivala, John Schumacher, Kevin Gardiner, Erich Schiffmann, Rodney Yee, Rod Stryker and others.
Matthew J. Taylor
PT, PhD, RYT, Anatomy & Physiology
Dr. Matthew J. Taylor, PT, PhD is a national leader in advancing rehabilitation toward a gentle, integral (whole person) approach. Matt has 27 years of clinical experience in orthopedic and sports physical therapy. He received his Masters of Physical Therapy degree from Baylor University in 1981. Matt became a certified, advanced-level yoga therapist in 1998. Matt is past president of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. He has written articles, textbook chapters and conducted research that brings yoga into the mainstream of modern rehabilitation. His yoga-based clinic in Scottsdale is frequently visited as a prototype for integrative care. (www.drofyoga.com). Matt returns each teacher training session to teach our yoga anatomy section because he appreciated the hospitality and professionalism Desert Song offered when he arrived in the Valley in 2003.
Nicolai Bachman
E-RYT 500, Sanskrit, Bhagavad Gita
Nicolai has been teaching Sanskrit, chanting, yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and other related topics since 1994. He has a knack for synthesizing and organizing complex topics into simple and understandable presentations. His education combines informal, traditional study with the academic rigor of university classes. Nicolai studied extensively at the American Sanskrit Institute, the Ayurvedic Institute, the American Institute of Vedic Studies and the Vedic Chant Center. He holds an M.A. in Eastern Philosophy, an M.S. in Nutrition, and is E-RYT 500 certified. His ongoing studies expand upon and inform all future classes.
Course Dates and Times :
January,25th 2012 - End of July 2012
• Every Wednesday from 7:00-9:30 p.m.
• Every 2nd and 4th Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Every 2nd and 4th Saturday from 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m
Students are expected to assist with Intro Class (6 hours) for 2 months. Three weekends are scheduled for guest faculty which must be attended. (Workshops are included in cost of teacher training course.) Click here for the 200 hour calendar.
Student Holidays
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Tuition
$3000 after acceptance interview*
if enrolled by October 31, 2011.
A $500 deposit is due to reserve your space in the course. If enrolled after October 31, 2011, tuition is $3300 with $500 deposit to reserve your space in the course.
In case of cancellation of registration, all but $100 will be refunded. Payment plans are available. Space is limited to 16-20 students. Tuition includes a 3-day retreat at end of training.
*Minimum of 1 year of consistent yoga practice with a certified and approved yoga teacher is required before applying. Application available in the back of the catalog, click here or call our office at (602) 265-8222
Texts
A student manual will be provided. All books will be available in our bookstore with a 10% discount.
Required Texts
Anusara® Teachers’ Manual - John Friend
Light on Yoga - B.K.S. Iyengar
Yoga the Iyengar Way - Silva, Mira, Shyam Mehta
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Swami Satchidananda
Bhagavad Gita - Winthop Sergeant
Desert Song Yoga & Massage Center’s 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program is accredited through the National Yoga Alliance registry. You will receive a certification of completion from Desert Song Yoga and be eligible for national certification upon completion of the course.
Desert Song Yoga & Massage Center is fully accredited and licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education.