Yoga Teacher Training Programs

You have several options for Yoga Studies with SOYA:


EXTENDED Programs have ongoing entry dates throughout the year.
INTENSIVE RETREATS have specific dates.

Dates for INTENSIVE Retreats for 2009 are:

  • Prince George 200 hour – May 2-15, 2009 Registration recommended by March 09
  • Calgary area 200 hour – July 13-26, 2009 TBA Registration recommended by May 09
  • Shuswap area 200 hour – August 16-29, 2009 TBA Registration recommended by June 09
  • Penticton 500 hour Upgrade – Oct 5-25, 2009 Registration recommended by August 09

It is encouraged that you register at least 2 months in advance of each Intensive Retreat to ensure completion of all written assignments.

All About 200 Hour Intensive Retreats

All About 500 Hour Upgrade Intensive Retreat

To apply for Training, Click Here!


SOYA RYT200® Yoga Teacher Training

The RYT200® hour Program is offered as an Intensive 2 Week Retreat. However, there is much work for you to do before arriving at the Retreat. Written homework assignments or in-depth worksheets cover the Yoga Philosophy of 2 main yoga texts - the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. You will also have worksheets on the Chakras, Kriyas, Meditation, Pranayama and Professionalism. In addition to these assignments, you will attend 30 hours of practical work with one of our soya facultyIndependent SOYA Faculty.

The Retreat sessions include detailed Hatha Yoga instruction and practice, meditation, kirtan, pranayama, as well as review and discussion on the written assignments that you will have competed at home before arriving for the Intensive Retreat. You will learn how to design a series of 6 Yoga Lesson Plans. This is a very detailed assignment, covering precautions and benefits for asanas and pranayama, as well as meditations and visualizations.

If you do not have a course in Anatomy and Physiology you will find a great course at www.ed2go.com for less than $150. This will cover the systems of the body. Your manual will also include information on Anatomy and Physiology for you. You also need current certification in Emergency First Aid and CPR.

Upon completion of all assignments, there is a written exam and practical exam.


SOYA RYT500® Yoga Teacher Training

The RYT500® Program is offered as an Extended Program over 1½ to 2 years, with group meetings once a month. It is also offered in the Intensive Retreat format for those who have attended a previous RYT200® Program from SOYA or any other RYS School. This RYT500® 3 Week Intensive Upgrade Retreat is outlined below.

The Extended Program is offered in various locations and includes assignments or in-depth worksheets covering the Yoga Philosophy of 4 main yoga texts – the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. You will also have worksheets on the Chakras, Kriyas, Koshas, Mudras, Meditation, Pranayama and Professionalism. In addition to these assignments, you will attend Hatha Yoga classes or workshops (the equivalent of approx 2 classes per week over 2 years) with one of our Independent SOYA Faculty.

To deepen your understanding of yoga and its benefits, you will complete a Specialized Yoga Research Project in a preapproved topic of choice, such as Yoga for Children, Pregnancy, Athletes, Arthritis, Scoliosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Seniors, etc. This project will be your final "thesis". This includes study with Independent SOYA Faculty members who have the skills related to your project, Practicum teaching, understanding the Anatomy related to the topic and methods of how to teach this specialized group.


SOYA Upgrading Program from RYT200® to RYT500®

We welcome RYT200® Teachers from other schools into the SOYA RYT500® training and only require a clear understanding of previous studies to ensure all our material is covered by the end of your RYT500® training. Please submit a record of the training you have completed to date, including the number of hours completed and content covered in each of the five categories (Technique, Methodology, Practicum, Philosophy, Lifestyle/Ethics, and Anatomy/ Physiology). This will help us to determine any additional lessons that you will be required to complete.

The RYT500® Upgrade will continue to deepen your understanding of Yoga and builds on all of the RYT200® material. For the Upgrade to RYT500®, you will have written assignments and practical work to complete month by month. If you are attending a 3 Week Intensive Retreat, you will complete these assignments prior to arriving for the 3 week Intensive Retreat. As well, you need to attend 36 hours of Hatha Yoga classes or workshops for Teachers and Teachers in Training, with soya faculty Independent SOYA Faculty.

All About 500 Hour Upgrade Intensive Retreat


SOYA 500 hour Program by Distance Education

The SOYA 500 hour Distance Education Courses are completed through the SOYA Yoga Teacher Training Headquarters. This program covers the same curriculum as outlined above. However, correspondence courses are not eligible for Registry with Yoga Alliance at this time. The studies do count towards Continuing Education Units for teachers who are already RYT200® and RYT500®.

Distance Education training requires you to have high-speed internet access and SKYPE (which is a free download at www.skype.com) in order to participate in regular discussions to review your written lessons.

Completing the SOYA Teacher Training by in this fashion requires your attendance in Hatha Yoga instruction with soya facultyIndependent SOYA Faculty. You will also be required to be present for a written and practical exam. Upon completion you will be a fully certified 500 hour SOYA Teacher. With the 500 hour training and 3 years of teaching experience, you are eligible for certification with the International Yoga Teachers’ Association (IYTA). SOYA Teacher Training by Distance Education is recognized for Registry with YABC and is currently being reviewed for registry with Yoga Alliance.


SOYA Philosophy Studies
For personal interest & Continuing Education Units

SOYA offers Philosophy Studies for those who simply wish to deepen their knowledge of Yoga, or for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) with Yoga Alliance. Upon completion you will receive a certificate for the SOYA Philosophy Studies course.  For more information please go to SOYA Philosophy Studies Overview.

International Yoga Teachers’ Association (IYTA) Certification

Each student who graduates from the SOYA Yoga Teacher Training Program at the 500 hour level will be fully prepared to write the International Yoga Teachers’ Association (IYTA) exam in order to become a certified International Teacher of Yoga. To qualify to write the IYTA exam, each graduate from the SOYA Teacher Training Program must have:

  • SOYA 500 hour certification (or other certification recognized by IYTA)
  • 3 years of teaching experience.
  • Recommendation from an IYTA Full Teaching member of 5 years standing. Your SOYA Teacher Trainers are able to recommend you for this certification, and Marion (Mugs) McConnell, the Director of the SOYA Teacher Training, is the Canadian Representative of the International Yoga Teachers’ Association. She will arrange for your certification.
Program Costs

Please see the Rates. Rates vary according to location. SOYA Yoga Teacher Training Program fees include all written and practical lessons at Teacher Training meetings, required Texts, Teacher Training Manual, Soya Teacher Directory listing, Practical and Written Exams, and any applicable taxes. Fees for instruction with soya facultyIndependent SOYA Faculty (RYT), Anatomy & Physiology, First Aid and CPR are paid directly to the source of instruction.

To apply for Training, Click Here!

We look forward to sharing this wonderful journey of yoga sadhana with you!
Namaste,

Marion (Mugs) McConnell

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