200-Hour Vinyasa
Teacher Training

Led by Rachael Whitworth, E-RYT 500

Step into the next chapter of your life.

 

Whether you're looking to teach or if you’re simply looking to bring your yoga practice to a deeper level, join the Vinyasa Teacher Training Program at Love Defeats Fear, led Rachael Whitworth, E-RYT 500.

On this five-month journey together, we explore and honor the ancient teachings of yoga, its impacts on our physical and energetic bodies, the art of  synchronizing  breath and intention and the science of  Vinyasa Krama – creating sequences and patterns designed to open and release specific body parts and energy centers.

We will also learn how to incorporate these ancient practices and yogic philosophy into our personal lives, allowing us to open to our authenticity and to grow into a fuller, more loving, and accepting version of ourselves. 

Specifically, we will broaden our understanding of yoga and ourselves by learning:

 

Asana

How to bring these individual poses to life by creating dynamic, intelligent sequences.


Physical Anatomy

Physical anatomy of the body so that you might guide students to deepen a pose, modify due to practice level or injury and know what parts of the body work, and equally important, relax in specific poses.


Meditation & Pranayama

Meditation, pranayama (breath work) and room-centering techniques, including Sanskrit chants.

Subtle Anatomy

Subtle ,or Energetic, anatomy including the meaning of chakras, bandhas, koshas, nadis, and vayus and how these are influenced by specific asana and pranayama.


Yoga Philosophy

Yogic Philosophy as taught in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and the Bhagavad Gita.


The Business of Yoga

Marketing strategies for becoming – and staying! – a yoga teacher, and the universal Code of Ethics and Standards required to become a yoga teacher.

  • Weekend Intensives

    All sessions are 3-day intensives:

    Fridays 5 pm - 9 pm

    Saturdays 8:30 am - 4 pm

    Sundays 8:30 am - 4 pm

  • Dates

    Stay tuned for our next session!

Requirements

Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training is an intensive deep dive with requirements that extend beyond our weekends together. Each module includes reading, reflection, personal yoga practice, as well as practice teaching. In order to successfully complete the course, the following requirements must be met:

 

Attendance at Training Weekends

In-person instruction with lead trainers Rachael Whitworth and Kelly Gurdeniz, and the Love Defeats Fear teachers. Any missed training hours to be made up at the trainee’s expense.

5 Hours of Seva

Volunteer 5 hours of your time by giving back to your community. Can be any gift of service that enriches the lives of others

Assignments

Successful completion of a comprehensive exam, various quizzes, and a final 30-minute class taught to your peers

Yoga Practice

Teaching yoga requires practicing yoga. To have any sense of what your students are experiencing, regular practice is necessary. You are required to attend a minimum of 4 classes per month at LDF (does not include YTT weekends). Classes are available at a reduced rate for the duration of the training.

Anatomy

Successful completion of 20-hour online anatomy module.

Homework

Your course curriculum and assignments are delivered through the Google Classroom app, and you must have a willingness to complete online work. All Google Classroom assignments, including journaling, personal reflections, yoga practice and teaching assignments must be successfully completed.

 

Required Reading

  • Teaching Yoga by Mark Stephens

  • Functional Anatomy by David Keil + online module

  • The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Sri Swami Satchidandanda

  • The Bhagavad Gita translated by Eknath Easwaran

  • The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar

  • Various assignments on Google Classroom

Not required, but good reads that will be referenced during the training:

  • Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith, Ph.D.

  • Myths of the Asanas by Alanna Kaivalya, Ph.D. & Arjuna van der Kooij

  • Embrace Yoga’s Roots by Susanna Barkataki

  • Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar

Already completed a YTT, and want to revisit the material?

 

Auditing the LDF 200-Hour YTT course is a great option for individuals who have already participated in any previous 200-hour course and are looking to dive back into the material, gain more teaching practice, work on personal development, and connect with a community of supportive, like-minded individuals.

Auditing the LDF YTT might also be a good option for those who have no desire to teach and are not interested in completing the between-weekends reading and assignments for the course.

In this option, you are invited to attend our training module weekends, including participating in lecture and discussion, asana labs, and attending all studio classes for that weekend. You’ll receive journal prompts that invite you to dive deeper into the material and reflect on their impact on your personal growth and development.

Because there is no certificate offered for the audit-only option, if you do decide to teach, you would be required to retake the training in its entirety. There is no option to add on the certificate once the course has started.

You can take the full course, or you can opt in for one or more weekends at an a-la-carte price.

Tuition

Full 200-Hour Course with Certificate: $3000
Audit (no certificate): $500 per weekend, or $2000 for entire course

Full payment due before program start date.

Tuition cost includes a non-refundable $50 application fee, as well as your Digital  Teacher Manual which you can either print at home, or in a local print shop, or keep as a PDF to read on a tablet or computer.

Tuition does not include: books, props, food, or lodging. 

Refunds and Cancellations

A $500 deposit is due upon enrollment to hold your spot. If you cancel 30 days or more before the start of the program you will forfeit $250 of your deposit and the remaining balance will be refunded. If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the start of the program, you will forfeit your entire deposit and any remaining balance will be refunded. Once the program begins the deposit or program tuition is non-refundable and non-transferable.

What Our Graduates Say:

 

“Participating in this training was simply one of the best things I have ever done for myself. Patti and Rachael are truly inspiring teachers—creating a supportive experience that fostered my evolution into a teacher.  Yoga has been transformative for my mind, body, and spirit and I will forever be grateful for this YTT program, my teachers, and the countless ways it has enriched my life.”

— Eily

“The LDF yoga teacher training was a life-changing experience. From day 1, Rachael and Patti created a welcoming, inspiring and supportive environment. Their knowledge of yoga helped me deepen my practice way beyond just the poses. I have developed skills that have had a massive impact on my mental health and learned what it means to live a balanced life. I enjoyed every moment I spent in the studio with my classmates and teachers, and I'm so grateful for having gone through this transformative journey with an amazing group of people.”

— Kelly

“The LDF 200 hour YTT program was a life- changing experience. I came into the training somewhat lost in my personal life, unmoored and searching for something. I had some intention of possibly teaching after completion of the program, but many of my peers did not. Rachael and Patti never made anyone feel that they needed to teach after the training, for which I felt grateful. The overarching takeaway for me from this 5 month long journey is that I can do things that push me outside of my comfort zone and that the support of the LDF community makes that possible. There were so many times where I would walk into a class and others who I knew from taking classes at the studio would ask about our progress and expressed nothing but support, joy, and love for the trainees. The program itself is thought-provoking, thorough, and transformative.”

— Kristy

“I completed my 200 hour Vinyasa teacher training during the summer of 2020.  My intent was to deepen my practice, as I have been a yogi for many years.  Participating in yoga teacher training is an incredible life-changing experience both physically and spiritually and is unparalleled to anything I have experienced before. Reading ancient yogic materials, learning about yoga philosophy and developing a keen understanding of the foundations of asanas is unbelievably challenging and life-altering.  Patti and Rachael are amazing teachers who guided, supported, challenged and inspired me every step of the way.   They both possess this incredible way of meeting you wherever you are and helping you to discover your path. In addition, Rachel and Patti promote an environment that values dedication and creativity while emphasizing stepping outside your comfort zone in order to achieve your goals.  I cannot recommend this teacher training enough. At the end of the training I found myself wanting to teach and had the confidence, knowledge and foundational skills to do so.”

— Nicole

Ready to take the next step?

Have questions? Ready to learn more? Wondering if YTT is right for you? We are here to help. Feel free to reach out.