Who is the Yoga Shanti 200Hr YTT designed for?
The program is designed for students who might want to teach someday, established yoga teachers, and those who just want to deepen their practice (the majority). The structure and curriculum make it so that both complete beginners and advanced teachers can benefit from the training. Those new to yoga gain an exceptional understanding of the fundamentals of the practice, including asana (the physical practice), pranayama (breathwork), philosophical teachings (the “8 Limbs of Yoga”) and access to an incredibly supportive community and network of potential life-long friends (if you so choose)! It’s a great way to launch your journey into yoga. Advanced teachers get to revisit these topics to enhance their established practice and replenish their reservoir of knowledge. Many of our students retake the training more than once because it’s so rich, comprehensive, and importantly—it’s fun! One-on-one Mentor sessions ensure each student gets what they need out of the program.
Do I have to be an expert yogi, super flexible and strong to participate?
No. There is no requirement to be able to perform every pose. In fact, during training, we learn alternative poses that offer similar benefits. Yoga can be practiced by anyone, including those with varying physical abilities. We’ve had fully pregnant students, 17-year-olds, 70+ year olds, those recovering from double mastectomies, knee injuries, and in various stages of life transitions. If you have a question about whether the training is right for you, contact us at training@yogashanti.com and we can explore your situation. Maybe the training is perfect for you, but the timing isn’t right. Or maybe it is 🙂
How much time do I have to commit and do I have to attend every single session at the scheduled time?
We do require that you attend at least 80% of the program at the scheduled time, either online or in person. However, if you have a commitment that you can’t reschedule, or something comes up mid-training that requires you to miss a session here or there, we do have recordings of everything so you can catch up by watching those between training weekends. In addition to the scheduled 5-Day Immersion and 6 Weekend sessions, students are required to attend weekly Group Mentor Sessions on Tuesdays throughout training. These happen at 12:30pm and 7:00pm every Tuesday and you can choose each week which time you prefer to attend. If you miss one here or there, you can watch the recording to catch up. As for homework, students have told us they spend approximately 3 hours per week studying. This obviously varies from person to person.
I’d like to attend online, but I’m worried it won’t be worth it and I should wait to do it in person. What are your thoughts?
One silver lining that we gleaned from the recent quarantine was being forced to put our training online. This turned out to be an amazing blessing and we couldn’t be more grateful. Please read these student testimonials to hear what students have to say about their experiences. Students from all over the United States and beyond (from Botswana to Hawaii to New Zealand and the UK) make life-long friends. The community that is formed during the training is carried beyond graduation. The support between students and Mentors is deep, strong and authentic. We can sincerely say that the overwhelming answer is yes! It’s totally worth it. Obviously attending in person has benefits as well, but if that is not possible for you, taking it online is a wonderful option.
What is the cost of tuition and what does it include?
Tuition for our Winter/Spring 2022 program is $2660 and includes all training sessions, unlimited online (or in-person) yoga classes for the duration of the program, 2 one-on-one Mentor sessions per month with your designated Mentor, and a ton of support and encouragement throughout. Additional costs include books and props. You can review the reading list here. (A 3-month payment plan is available.)
Feedback from Our Recent Graduates!
“I remember reading the positive testimonials when I impulsively joined the training a week out, and everything they said was true! I did the 200hr digitally on Zoom and it transformed my bedroom into a sanctuary of self study, self realization and connectedness to the world outside the window. Rodney and Colleen, and your incredible mentors are entirely present for you – their genuine focused attention taught me life lessons that I take with me now into the journey beyond. I left the training feeling wide awake to the world, to the details of my life, the opportunity of each moment. No matter the reason for joining, you will tap into the essence of your being and begin to find your own unique answer to the great question, ‘what is the true nature of reality?’ You’ll leave with a pocket full of tools for falling in love with yourself — in the joyous, humble way 😉 ” – A.Haas
“I had been contemplating this program for a long time. Having been on Yoga Shanti’s mailing list for many years, I kept seeing the emails for teacher training come and go. It was never the right time for me. Although I had let my physical practice go, I had been meditating daily for several years. My mind was finally ready, so I signed up! The program is rigorous. It challenges you on ALL levels. There were days when I was exhausted, I would wake up with Sanskrit words swimming in my head. Fortunately, we had an amazing, supportive group. We each held space for one another and encouraged each other to keep going. When it came time for our final assignments, we were all ready to share our gifts. I will never forget this experience, everything I learned, my teachers, my mentors, my friends. Now that I can authentically call myself a yoga teacher, I realize that despite all I’ve learned, I know nothing… I will continue to learn forever. Namaste.” – P.Ochoa
“The Yoga Shanti teacher 200 hour teacher training blew my mind. Rodney and Colleen are passionate, dedicated, particular, down to earth, warm and funny. The Shanti system is exceptional. The content of the program is extremely in-depth, rich, profound and rigorous. The course structure is precise, exacting, organized and ultra supportive. The support staff is amazing: the head mentors and assistant mentors were always helpful, reassuring and supportive. The technical support person, Francesca is wonderful and always available to problem solve, even in the moment. The anatomy and history lecturers were incredibly knowledgeable and fascinating. In spite of being mostly online with an in-person option, our student group formed a really tight bond and our little community is planning to stay in touch going forward via our training chat on What’s App. I highly recommend this training!” – C.Amini
“The 200-Hour Yoga Shanti Teacher Training nourishes the mind and the body during the 3-month journey. The teaching is phenomenal, with the focus on anatomy, healing, and sequencing. The spiritual teaching includes wonderful readings, meditation, and pranayama. There is a strong framework of support from Rodney and Colleen, the Mentors, and the other students. I learned a whole lot about the nuts and bolts of teaching a yoga class. I also came away with some valuable insights and tools for living life.” – E.Gordon
“The depth of knowledge I gained during this yoga teacher training was vast! Yoga Shanti’s style is one that far supersedes other methods of yoga that I’ve tried. Their method and philosophy taught us how to create a class that honors the human body, in a way that is sustainable for all of our bodies until we reach the age of 95! Or better ;-)” – S.Van Fleet
“I was originally hesitant to sign up for this course knowing that it would be virtual and concerned that I would not have the hands on or 1:1 experience I would look for from a yoga teacher training. Ultimately I signed up for the opportunity to learn from Colleen and Rodney in any capacity as I admired them both. After the first day of training I realized I was worried for no reason. Everyone from Colleen and Rodney to the mentors to the assistant mentors made the whole experience personal, saw and were able to talk to individuals, and interacted with everyone in unique ways. It was amazing how quickly we were able to connect and became a close knit group who supported each other. After a year of lockdowns and isolation it was so special to have a group of people we could all bond and learn with and teachers who understood where we were and what we needed. I would recommend this training to everyone who has ever thought about wanting to learn more about yoga, wanting to teach yoga, or just needs a physical and emotional outlet after a hard year.This training was a true journey emotionally, physically, and mentally that I will always remember. I am a better yogi and person for having taken this course.” – C.Clifford
“After 20 years of practicing yoga on both coasts and yearning to do yoga teacher training amidst having two kids and balancing family, work and life, I finally took this step in my journey with Yoga Shanti in search of a program that would expose me to all aspects of yoga in its purest form. It was important to me to learn from deeply knowledgeable and experienced teachers who would delve into alignment, philosophy, history and the union of mind, body and spirit… And quite frankly, Rodney & Colleen blew my mind. I couldn’t have hoped for more incredible teachers, as they each brought their own style, humility and wisdom to our trainings. I am deeply grateful to have had such access to these two giant minds in the world of yoga, and to say that the rest of the Shanti mentors, assistants and staff is top notch, would be an understatement. If there was a samadhi of YTT’s, Yoga Shanti is it. Do it. You will learn about yourself and grow in ways you never imagined! ” – J.Hibarger
Seamus Tyson grew up splitting his time in between New York City and the East End of Long Island. He continues to enjoy this balance between city and costal life today. Prior to teaching yoga, Seamus worked primarily as a Recording Engineer. Starting as a Front of House Sound Mixer for a nationally touring band, then progressing into Studio Recording/ Editing/Mixing, then eventually landing in Television Production. Seamus’s first introduction to yoga was an Ashtanga yoga class in North Carolina in the late 90’s. After his first class he was hooked. He since has spent time in the full spectrum of yoga disciplines, all leading to his primary love for Vinyasa Flow Yoga. 
Sandy Sperou found the importance of maintaining a regular yoga practice as a former Wall Street floor trader on the New York Stock Exchange. She loved the way it brought a sense of peace into her mental space after hectic days on the trading floor. This spiritual component is still is what Sandy values most about her yoga practice today. A graduate of the Yoga Shanti 200 hr Teacher Training, she continues to study under her teachers Colleen Saidman Yee and Rodney Yee. Her thoughtful and fun classes feature signature Yoga Shanti sequencing with an emphasis on maintaining a healthy spine and creating spacious joints. 
