
atha yogānuśāsanam
200 hour Yoga Teacher Training
Yoga Teacher Training in Avon
Yoga is an art, a science, and a connection. Join us for 9-months exploring āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation, māntras, philosophy, and more at Cultivate Yoga.
Become a Certified Yoga Teacher
4 scholarships available at 25% off tuition based on your written essay on “Why yoga, Why this program, and Why you” - emailed here. Essays are due July 17th, and finances are awarded on July 31, 2026 - formally reviewed and selected by Cultivate Yoga Board Members.
If you already completed your yoga teacher training with another school and seeking “elevated standards” as per the Yoga Alliance, you qualify for a 25% discount.
Yoga Teacher Training Curriculum
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Āsana:
-Alignment & Stability
-Hands on Assisting
-Modifications
-Teaching Cues
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Prāṇāyāma:
-Nervous system regulation
-Dynamics of breathing
-Proper bandhas
-Chanting
-Meditation
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Philosophy:
-8 limbs of yoga
-Yamas & Niyamas
-Yoga Sutrās
-Yoga History
-Mythology of the postures
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Anatomy:
-Applied Anatomy
-Biomechanics
-Spine and Nerves
-Muscles and Skeletal System

Yoga Teacher Training Program
Yoga Teacher Training Details
Combining modern knowledge and practical application of yoga with its roots in movement, meditation, and philosophy, you can except the following:
200 hours: 170 hours in-person training; 30 hours (your responsibility) of individual hands-on assisting at Cultivate or other studio classes
9 month program experience through weekend immersions:
Friday (6-8:30pm), Saturday & Sunday (12-7:30pm)
Weekend dates:
2026: 9/11, 10/9, 11/13, 12/11 and continues to…
2027: 1/8, 2/12, 3/12, 4/9, 4/30, & 5/7 (No Friday class, Saturday lunch and offsite temple tour, Sunday Mother’s Day graduation)
Hands on learning, access to knowledgeable doctors, subject matter experts, and monthly guest speakers
Graduation requirements: provide your teach out session to your peers, log your tracking hours, and pass the final exam (open-book policy)
Two offsite meetings:
Parma, OH (Shiva Vishnu Temple) and community dinner
Westlake, OH (Unity Spiritual Center) - outdoor walking meditation event, rain or shine.
Cost: $3,000 - books & materials included ($500 refundable deposit secures your spot and goes toward your tuition)
This yoga teacher training program at Cultivate Yoga was established as a response to support a collective community with an ever-growing interest in the ancient message of humanity. See curriculum details below.
Experienced Guest Teachers
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Dr. Raj Balkaran
Scholar of Sanskrit Literature, Philosophy and Mythology | Indian Wisdom School
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Gretchen Spetz
Registered Dietitian & Integrative Health | Functional Kitchen Nutrition
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Dr. Rebecca Fredrick
RYT-200 | Internal Medicine & Anatomy | Cultivate Warrior
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Dr. Mike Bogdan
Doctor of Physical Therapy | Biomechanics | Anatomy
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Evan Scharfeld
RYT-200 | Pranayama & Cultivate Board Member
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Shannon Sabol
RYT-200 | Certified Ayurveda Wellness Counselor
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Colleen Alber
ERYT-500 | Business of Yoga & Cultivate Board Member
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Jen Goetchius
ERYT-500 | Lead Trainer | Thai Massage Therapist | Continuing Education Provider

What is the curriculum?
This is a 9-month journey, covering 3 months of physical movement, 3 months of mental models, and 3 months of personal spiritual development. A full holistic approach for modern day householders and professionals. This yoga teacher training meets the elevated standards as required per the Yoga Alliance based on:
Weekend immersions over 9-months: (Fri. 6-8:30pm, Sat & Sun. 12-7:30pm)
2026: 9/11, 10/9, 11/13, 12/11 and continues to…
2027: 1/8, 2/12, 3/12, 4/9, 4/30, & 5/7 (No Friday class, Saturday lunch and offsite temple tour, Sunday Mother’s Day graduation)
Graduation Requirements:
Attend all the scheduled weekend immersions; noting your hours in your provided tracking log (And we all get sick or obligations come up with the family, so there are plenty of make-up hours/options)
One Teach-out session to your peers/group: (there will be plenty of prep and practice time to support you)
Pass your final exam: books and notes can be used. Once you pass, turn in all homework, and calculate your logged training hours, your certification will be presented during your graduation ceremony.
Develop a stable sādhanā: daily practice inclusive of your rituals/routines to develop, sustain, and nourish your well-being
In-depth study of various yoga styles: Haṭha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Jivamukti, Yin, and Iyengar specific to sun salutations, moon salutation, standing, balance, seated postures, twists, inversions, backbends, and relaxation based postures
Learn how to teach all levels from beginner to intermediate by understanding and feeling unique progressions and advanced drills
Learn how to offer hands-on assists with proper intent and safety combined with direct, clear verbal cues, and biomechanics for mitigating injury
Introduction to the Origins of Yoga: Learn about the yoga limbs, history of Mother India, influencers, sacred rituals, terminology, and lineages still active today
Understand the Subtle Energetic Bodies inclusive of: Cakras, Nadis, Vayus, Koshas, Yoga Nidrā, and various meditation techniques
Introduction to Prāṇāyāma: learn the six main breathing techniques for vitality, general principles and contradictions, activation, and nervous system regulation
Introduction to Physiology: understanding nervous system regulation, stress responses, hormone balancing, the role vitamins and nutrition plays on our stress management, sleep hygiene, and overall well being and happiness. (Guest Speaker: Gretchen Spetz, Registered Dietitian)
Introduction to Applied Anatomy functional movements, biomechanics, controlled articular rotation (CARs), hands-on assisting, bone, body, and organ systems, mitigating injury, and learn adaptability
Introduction to Āyurveda (sister science of yoga) on how we fuel our bodies with proper nutrition, eating with alignment of the seasons, understand the “clock” of proper fueling for energetic balancing, social relationships, and practical hygiene methods for cleansing and detoxification. (Guest Speaker: Shannon Sabol from Grateful Life Health)
Introduction to Vedic Chanting (māntras and ślokas): understand the guidelines of chanting, learn basic Sanskrit pronunciation, and the impact it has on your brain, memory, emotional body, and how māntras enhance your cognitive functions and concentration skills
Introduction to Sacred Texts (Śāstra): such as Bhagavad Gīta, Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, Haṭha Yoga Pradipika, Upaniṣads, and other texts.
Introduction to Yoga Philosophy: Understanding the links between yoga postures, mythology, rituals, and energy forces specific to spiritual life lessons and daily self-improvement. (Guest Speaker: Dr. Raj Balkaran from Toronto, Ontario)
Introduction to Iyengar Yoga specific to alignment, use of props, modifications, and contradictions
Introduction to Jivamukti Yoga: learn the Magic 10 sequence, basic chanting, meditation, and āsana sequence
Introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (Half Primary Series): sequence, posture names and count in Sanskrit, methodology, influencers, therapeutic aspects, and additional materials/references provided (e.g. cheat-sheet and pranayama pocketbook highlighting the 6 traditional techniques).
Introduction to Yogic Ethics: build healthy habits and revisit our conditional programming of values “on and off the mat”, with daily self-reflection, behavioral audits, and other unique feedback systems
Understand the Business of Yoga: insurance, marketing, diversity, employment considerations, credentials, software apps, etc.
Still Curious?
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