200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
with United Yoga studio
“It took 30 years and Yoga Teacher Training to realize I've been asleep my whole life. Before 200 YTT, I was performing yoga. After? I'm living it.”
-Former UY 200 YTT Trainee
About Our Training
United has offered Yoga Alliance certified teacher trainings that are dedicated to educating, encouraging, and empowering the mind, body, and spirit since 2017. Our trainings are set in an intimate environment designed to cultivate trust, growth, and exploration and are staffed with a diverse collection of trainers that are engaging, passionate, and lead with a trauma and social justice informed lens.
This training will offer insight into how the ancient wisdom teachings of the past provide us with the tools we need to engage mindfully and whole-heartedly in our modern world. Trainees will learn foundational principles of breath work, meditation, and asana as well as learn to create customized classes implementing methodical & creative sequencing that is intentional and accessible. All of these concepts paired with an understanding of yoga’s history and philosophy will allow each participant to complete this training with a deeper appreciation and honor for this sacred practice.
Beyond the logistics of philosophy, history, and practice we are passionate about providing a space where trainees feel empowered to find and strengthen their voice through self-enquiry, self-determination, connection with their intuitive wisdom, and ownership of their unique life story.
Our hope is that those who participate in our training not only become well-rounded, educated, and skillful teachers but are also able to develop a personal yoga practice that is both liberating and sustainable, recognize their impact in contributing to a more just world, and influence their communities for the better.
One Training, Two Paths
Yoga Alliance 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate
An individual whose goal is to become a certified yoga asana instructor.
An individual whose aim is to deepen their practice through learning the layers of yoga both on and off the mat.
An individual who seeks to take ownership of their story finding clarity & direction through self-development.
An individual who wishes to enhance their current profession with the holistic lens & tools of yoga.
200 Hour Yoga Student Immersion Certificate
An individual whose aim is to deepen their practice through learning the layers of yoga both on and off the mat.
An individual looking to engage in a space of authentic community and commit to a time of self-development and healing.
An individual who seeks to utilize the tools of yoga to manage their life in a way that is honest, sustainable, and connected.
An individual who wishes to enhance their current profession with the holistic lens & tools of yoga but isn’t necessarily interested in teaching yoga asana.
Certain requirements specific to RYT training such as weekly homework or a teaching final will not be required of Yoga Student Immersion Certificate participants. If you are uncertain on what path is right for you and would like more information or assistance please contact us or you can apply and discuss your path during a scheduled zoom session.
Details
Once completing our Teacher Certification program, you will be able to receive your official certification as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with Yoga Alliance through their registration process
Where:
We are grateful to be able to host our training at the Lewis Center, University of La Verne (ULV). In order to make our training even more accessible, Friday evenings will be virtual via Zoom and Saturdays will be in person at ULV.
Required book list:
Yoga Mind, Body, & Spirit by Donna Farhi
Key Muscles of Yoga by Ray Long
Key Poses of Yoga by Ray Long
Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele
Restorative Yoga for Ethnic and Race-Based Stress and Trauma by Gail Parker
Embrace Yoga's Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice by Susanna Barkataki
Pre-requisites
In order to enroll to UYS’s 200 hour advanced yoga teacher training, you do not need to be an experienced yoga asana practitioner however you must be committed to being a dedicated and disciplined student for the 3 months of training. In order for UYS to develop high quality teachers, there is a final exam and final teaching practicum to assess your knowledge, skills , & ability.
Virtual Participation Available
Due to COVID-19 our training will be available virtual for you to continue to participate via Zoom.
Yoga Alliance
United Yoga Studio is a Yoga Alliance certified Yoga School. Our specially designed curriculum exceeds the minimum requirements (including the new standards put in place by Yoga Alliance starting February 2022) ensuring each trainee has extensive exposure and understanding of each topic with a variety of modules.
Cost
Total Price: $3,400
Customized payment plans and partial scholarships are available.
If you would like to apply for one of our scholarships click the “Apply For A Scholarship” button at the bottom of this section. Scholarships are limited to funds raised via our sister NPO United Collective and are given under the discretion of the board.
Tuition does not include books
When
See below our 13-week format making our training more sustainable for your lifestyle & schedule.
Fridays 6pm-9pm Virtual via ZOOM
Saturdays 10:30am-7:30pm (2:30-3:30pm meal break) at ULV
Winter to Spring 2024
Week 1 1/19-1/20
Week 2 1/26-1/27
Week 3 2/2-2/3
Week 4 2/9-2/10
Week 5 2/16-2/17
Week OFF 2/23-2/24
Week 6 3/1-3/2
Week 7 3/8-3/9
Week 8 3/15-3/16
Week 9 3/22-3/23
Week 10 3/29-3/30
Week OFF 4/5-4/6
Week 11 4/12-4/13
Week 12 4/19-4/20
Week 13 4/26-4/27
United Yoga Studio’s 200 hour YTT was founded to bridge the gap between the art, history, and science of the yoga experience. We created a training grounded in the essence of both mindful movement and wholehearted living while honoring the roots of yoga.
Our Trainers
Your 5 lead teachers differentiate from other teacher trainer leads because beyond their wealth of knowledge, education, & experience they understand what it takes to work together to create harmony and cultivate a safe space for people to be their authentic selves through the process of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual growth. Michelle, Marina, Heather, Jasmine and Ashley are passionate about creating a legacy of wholehearted people who dare to live out their dream life. Hover over their image and take some time to read more about each one below.
Michelle Pasos
(she/her)
MS, 500 RYT®, YACEP®, Prenatal Yoga Teacher & Birth Worker
I, along with my husband, am the proud owner and founder of United Yoga. As a mom, it is my privilege & calling to also serve the mama community through Maia Mamas. I’ve been practicing yoga for over 10 years and received my 200 hour YTT through YogaWorks. As an E-RYT, I have over 4,000 hours of teaching experience from Iyengar to prenatal to advanced power flow. My teaching settings range from yoga studios & gyms across the SGV, a non-profit fostering at-risk teens, corporate wellness, and community yoga.
In 2011, I received my master's in Kinesiology and have been teaching as an adjunct professor in the Kinesiology department at Azusa Pacific University for the last 5 years. I had the privilege of proposing and being granted a Fitness for Life Yoga class which now serves over 50 students every semester. I’m passionate about student development and curriculum design.
My ultimate vision has always been to lead a YTT. With my Kinesiology background, passion for yoga, love for people and philosophy of living I am beyond blessed to have given life to a multi-faceted and whole hearted training with my two soul sisters.
My faith in God, true grit, and hope in the future has allowed me to co-create my dream life. I'm a firm believer that you have the power & ability to do the same. I aim to encourage you in identifying your strengths and following your curiosity and cannot wait to see your transformation.
Dr. Heather Thomas (she/her)
DPT, OCS, 200 RYT ®, YACEP®
I am a licensed physical therapist that has been fascinated by the intricacies of the human body since youth. I grew up playing basketball, softball and volleyball and went on to play basketball in college. I attended the University of Redlands graduating magna cum laude with a major in Biology and minor in Psychology. My passion for helping people and studying the human body and movement lead me to Azusa Pacific University where I received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
I completed my post-doctoral residency program at Kaiser Permanente, which included one on one mentoring in clinical reasoning and hands on skills. As a Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, I am passion about providing evidence based, patient focused care that considers the whole individual’s well being. My hope is to empower each person to gain understanding of their symptoms, have increased awareness to their unique movement patterns, and take control of their wellness. I whole heartedly support the APTA vision statement to “transform society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.”
Marina Belmonte
(she/her)
200 E-RYT®, YACEP®, IIN Holistic Health Coach
I am a certified E-RYT with over 4000 classes under my teaching belt. I specialize in teaching Vinyasa, Sculpt and Barre, and enjoy teaching prenatal and Yin classes.
Each year I have the opportunity to co-lead international yoga retreats, women's events and co-created a children's Yoga Summer Camp. I love leading workshops infusing mindful yoga with essential oils and relaxing meditation.
Along with sharing Yoga with the world, I am a holistic health coach certified through The Institute of Integrative Nutrition. David Wolfe, Deepak Chopra, Bernie Siegel and Joshua Rosenthal are some of my favorite health professionals that I have had the opportunity to study under. Because of my passion for food as medicine, cooking and fitness I am the owner of a health coaching company that ties together Yoga, Nutrition and overall Wellness. I designed an original and unique Corporate Wellness Program coaching groups across Orange County to take their health back into their own hands.
I found my calling to teach the yogic lifestyle to those on their health journey to find balance in all aspects of their lives physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.
Ashley Dennis (she/her)
500 RYT® , YACEP®
I am a certified 500 hour registered yoga teacher and I constantly eager to learn more. I am a student first and foremost and after 9 years of practicing yoga I’m always excited and amazed at how much more there is to learn. I’ve been immensely blessed to have studied, and continue to study, under my three amazing co-lead trainers, Marina, Michelle, and Heather. It’s an absolute dream come true and an honor to get to partner with them in serving you as we navigate your yoga journey together.
I specialize in Vinyasa, inversions, arm balancing and creative sequencing and have had the wonderful opportunity to teach yoga to an array of populations and through mediums ranging from gym settings, studio spaces, universities, on virtual app platforms, as well as with private yoga clients. I’ve also been able to partner with two yoga studios as a manager, which has afforded me valuable knowledge on the business of yoga and the inner workings of community and culture building.
Lately I have been coming back to the “why” behind our practice. Yoga is so much more than shapes, ‘feel good’ sayings, and sweat. This sacred practice calls us home and beckons us to seek liberation for ourselves and others. I’m humbled to do this work with you, and I pray we never stop learning together. Come join me in this beautiful and fulfilling path towards joy, healing, and empowerment for all.
Jasmine Royse (she/her)
500 RYT®
My name is Jasmine, and I am a 500 hour RYT. My yoga journey started with purely asana (physical practice) by following along with videos on YouTube. It took me a long time to get into an actual studio, and two years after that, began my teacher training journey.
I reluctantly started teacher training to simply learn more and deepen my practice. I found that yoga is about so much more than being flexible, and that the purpose of the physical practice is to help us with our spiritual, emotional, and mental practice - yoga off the mat. My 200 hr and 300 hr trainings were both life-changing experiences that I am so excited to share both in my asana classes, and the teacher training classes that I now get to lead. Whether we’re on our mats, in our car, eating a cheeseburger, or crying in the shower, I believe every moment is a perfect chance to live out our yoga.
Interested in becoming 200 RYT? We would be honored to practice and learn along side you. Submit your application today and begin your journey with us.