The Subtle Yoga Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Program
(either Subtle Yoga’s or another)
-Ram Dass
Begins in Asheville in February 17, 2012 (see schedule below)
Welcome!
The Subtle Yoga RYT500 Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Program offers you the opportunity to engage in a systematic, comprehensive, co-creative process which will not only facilitate your own transformational journey but will also provide you with the knowledge and skills to direct a transformational process with your students/clients. This dual, synergistic work will transform your life, your community and your world. Our RYT200 Training provides you with the basics to teach safe, effective classes. This training is for those who want to understand how to work with groups or individuals with therapeutic needs.
“When the word gets out about how powerful yoga is as a healing modality, there will not be enough well-trained teachers to meet the demand.” -Dr. Timothy McCall, author of Yoga as Medicine
Click here for an application.
Why is the Subtle Yoga RYT500 Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Program unique?
The Subtle Yoga training approach provides a broad and comprehensive perspective on yoga history, philosophy, practice and application.
Therapeutic Yoga
As the evidence base confirming yoga’s efficacy for a wide spectrum of issues continues to grow, the demand for trained teachers is expanding. You will come out of this program with the ability to assist people with many different issues through the powerful healing of therapeutic yoga.
Fractal Learning
Each module draws on and integrates previous teachings to form a holographic (rather than linear or discrete) learning process. You will come away with a comprehensive understanding of how to apply the spectrum of yoga practices in any teaching context.
Deep Assimilation
During 15 weekend modules this course provides you not only a broad training in yoga’s therapeutic techniques, but also the space, time, and supportive structure to assimilate your knowledge base as well as to access your inner knowing, and come to embody the timeless wisdom of the yoga tradition so that you can convey the teachings from the clearest part of yourself.
Tradition and Science
Subtle Yoga Trainings provide you with a solid knowledge of the yoga tradition and access to the cutting edge, expanding body of research which is affirming yoga’s therapeutic value.
What Does This Training Offer?
Personal Growth
Effective, successful yoga teachers are committed to their own personal growth and transformation process. This program offers you the tools to develop and sustain a personal meditation and yoga practice and to experience deep transformational shifts – in mindsets, behaviors and relationships.
Therapeutic Application
Gain an integrated, systematic, comprehensive understanding of yoga including structural and physiologic therapeutics, psycho-social therapeutics and spiritual/thriving approaches. You will also learn the basics of Ayurveda and Traditional Yogic Therapies (e.g. fasting, diet, cleanings practices) and how these apply to yogic treatments.
Yoga for Thriving
Learn to teach the spectrum of applications of yoga – for prevention, therapy and thriving to groups and individuals with a wide range of conditions.
Business of Yoga
Learn to develop your business and also educate the public about yoga to help develop the larger yoga community.
Mentorship
Monthly Skype classes/teleconferences, videoclasses and connection with your mentor provide you with an opportunity to address personal learning challenges and hone your therapeutic skills.
Supportive Community
Co-create a Transformational, Supportive Community – Subtle Yoga Trainings lead the field in providing innovated, conscious group processes.
RYT500 Status
Be eligible for RYT500 status with Yoga Alliance upon completion.
Yoga Therapy is a rapidly growing field
The Subtle Yoga RYT500 Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Program is a unique opportunity for you to take a systematic and comprehensive journey toward deepening your understanding of the ancient art-science of yoga. This program is for anyone who has already completed 200 hours of yoga teacher training (The Subtle Yoga Training or other program) and wishes to pursue RYT500 status.
You will explore the vast landscape of yoga focusing on both the personally transformative process and the therapeutic applications of yoga practice, philosophy and theory to benefit you, your family, your students/clients, your place of work and your community.
For the past 15 years or so, yoga in the U.S. has been delivered primarily from a fitness or physically-oriented perspective. While this approach to yoga can be powerful (everyone has a body and all of us need to take care of it) the focus on the physical has restricted the capacity of yoga students to systematically utilize the deeper healing and personal growth aspects of the tradition. It has also limited various sub-populations (e.g. older people, those with limited mobility or financial resources, the mental health challenged, the overweight) from utilizing the full transformational power of yoga.
Fortunately, this is changing as more and more yoga practitioners mature in their practice and begin to deliver yoga from a wider worldview. The demand for yoga teachers who can provide guidance beyond the parameters of the fitness industry is rapidly expanding. The Subtle Yoga RYT500 Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Program offers you the opportunity to become the kind of yoga teacher who can meet this growing demand and tailor/individualize your sessions for all types of people.
Integrative health is a growing trend which holds the key to the future of health care
Yoga is a preventative practice which integrates spirituality and health in perhaps the most comprehensive way available. As the field of integrative health care grows and expands the demand for well-qualified yoga teachers who can interface with other health professionals is increasing. This program will give you the opportunity to become a teacher who is well versed in the science of yoga and able to work competently with other health professionals.
Subtle Yoga Training will help you facilitate spiritual growth and provide spiritual guidance
In this time of uncertainty, it has become increasingly clear that the world needs yoga teachers who possess a deep self-knowledge and radiate a commitment to service. During this program you will unveil the depths of your spirit in order to authentically hold and transmit this ancient wisdom tradition and help your community learn to use yoga to better their lives.
The Subtle Yoga RYT500 Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Program is also a co-creative project of scientific inquiry that posits and develops models of transformation for students/clients and for you personally. This project is the mapping of the journey towards “union” and it involves progressive integration of transformational learning from a continuum of vantage points – instinctual, intellectual, intuitional and devotional.
In an effort to create a safe, supportive environment and to facilitate a successful group process, a maximum of 17 students are accepted into the program. Therefore you are advised to register as early as possible.
Subtle Yoga™ is registered with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga School (RYS) and upon completion you will be eligible to register with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher at the RYT500 level.
What students have to say about Subtle Yoga Trainings:
“I am beginning a new chapter in my life. I was laid off from my job, so I decided to pursue massage therapy. I start school in June. If it wasn’t for the Subtle Yoga training, I would not have known there was the potential for this. It was truly transformational for me and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to attend your teacher training!” – Cheri, North Carolina
“I always come away from our weekends together with new thoughts and ideas…about myself, the world and how can I make a difference.” – Helen, North Carolina
Application
To apply, please download an Application
To ensure a space in the program, please apply as soon as possible, space is limited.
Location
The Training will be held at:
Asheville Community Yoga
Times
Fri. 6-9, Sat. 8-5, Sun 8-4
Weekend Modules
- Introduction to Yoga Therapeutics
- Defining Yoga and Yoga therapy
- Yoga research
- Yoga Epistemology – ways of knowing about the therapeutic process
- Yoga Ontology – deconstructing Western and Eastern understandings of being
- Yoga-centered structure and process of personal transformation
- Introduction to meditation, chanting and principles of practice
- Yoga Physiology
- Effect of yoga on physiologic systems
- The unique role of the neuro-endocrine system and how yoga can balance and benefit the system
- How to conduct Yoga research
- Subtle Anatomy
- Subtle Anatomy
- The Chakra System
- Yoga psychology
- Yoga therapeutics
- Diagnostics and practical application
- Structural Conditions 1
- Yogic approaches to lower back, hip and leg issues
- Working with postures and pranayamas
- Structural Conditions 2
- Yogic approaches to neck, shoulder and upper back issues
- Working with postures and pranayamas
- Yoga to Ameliorate Conditions
- Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
- Palliative care and hospice
- Introduction to Ayurveda
- Ayurveda as it relates Yoga therapeutics
- Gunas, Doshas, Tattvas
- Diagnostics and practical application
- Boundaries and priorities
- The therapeutic relationship
- History, Texts and Traditional Yoga Therapy
- Traditional yogic approaches to detoxifying and wellness
- Yogic Dietary suggestions
- Fasting
- Kriyas and cleansing (sun bathing, mud packs, steam baths, etc.)
- Yoga history and relevant texts
- Prana: Using the Life Force to Heal
- Vayus
- Pranayama basics
- Healing Pranayamas
- Pranayama and asanas
- Yoga and Mental Health
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Restorative Yoga
- Yoga and Substance Abuse Treatment
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders
- Other addictive behaviors
- Mindfulness and Prevention
- Mindfulness strategies and practices
- Research
- Yoga as a prevention system
- Yoga as a public health strategy
- Prenatal yoga
- Kids yoga
- Yoga Ethics
- Ethics as a foundation for mental health and wellbeing
- Yoga ethics, inner peace and expansion into bhakti
- Devotion and human flourishing
- Considerations from Heart Math to “The Biology of Belief” and other science
- Heart centered meditation, kirtan and other practices
- Developing the Therapeutic Yoga Market
- Yoga Nidra
- Understanding the dynamics of the evolving yoga therapeutics market
- Your role in local market development
- Assessing the best business framework for achieving your personal career goals
- Research Project Presentations and Practicum
- Practicum presentations
- Research presentations
- Strategies for support and continuing the group process
Asheville 2012-13 Dates
- February 17-19
- March 23-25
- April 27-29
- May 25-27
- June 29- July 1
- July 13-15
- August 10-12
- September 21-23
- October 26-28
- November 30 – Dec. 1
- January 4-6
- February 15-17
- March 15-17
- April 12-14
- May 17-19
Faculty
Program Director
Kristine Kaoverii Weber, MA, eRYT500
Kaoverii Weber teaches about half of the curriculum. Please click here for more about Kaoverii.
Instructor
Samantha Sukalpa Noto, eRYT
Samantha Sukalpa Noto is a Yoga Alliance Registered Experienced Yoga Teacher (E-RYT), a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) and also a member of International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS).
A Yoga educator/lecturer for 8 years and a practitioner for much longer, Samantha has immersed herself in the study of Subtle, Para, Vini, Vinyasa and Anusara styles of Hatha Yoga. She is a graduate of the Subtle Yoga Training and Personal Transformation Program and the Yoga for Cancer Awareness Program at Duke University.
Samantha is a lifelong student of science, world history, mythology, religion and culture. Her instruction is laced with science, physiological facts, archetypal imagery and cosmic insight. Hence, in her classes and workshops participants gain a more thorough understanding of how yoga works on the body, explore subtler aspects of themselves, and open to a deeper connection between themselves and this vast universe we live in.
Samantha’s objective is to marry ancient and modern science to help her students more easily realize their goals.
Instructor
Marek Novason Sawicki CAyu., LMBT, RYT500
Marek is a certified Ayurvedic Medical Practitioner, Pancha Karma Clinician, Licensed Massage Therapist, and Yoga Therapist with over a decade of clinical and teaching experience in his successful private practice and as full time faculty of AB-TECH Community College. He has over 15 years of professional therapeutic yoga and bodywork experience with diverse clients ranging from athletes to the chronically ill.
His passion is helping clients understand and integrate Western and Eastern approaches under the umbrella of Ayurveda by working in alliance with Medical Doctors, Acupuncturists, Naturopaths, Chiropractors and Physical Therapists to cultivate peak experiences in health care. Drawing from a firm therapeutic training in Ayuryoga, Viniyoga, and Iyengar approaches he works as a yoga therapist creating individualized healing and sadhana routines.
From extensive training in advanced therapeutic Thai Massage, Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy, Cranial Sacral Therapy and the full spectrum of Ayurvedic Pancha Karma therapies his skills unwind deep seated tension and toxins while soothing the spirit. Marek has been described by long term clients as “sensitive, respectful, compassionate and … having the hands and heart of a true healer.”
Visit Marek’s website http://www.livingalchemyayurveda.com/
Instructor
Eric Seiler, LMBT
Eric has been teaching yoga and meditation for over a decade. He has trained extensively in Kripalu and Anusara yoga and is currently in the final stages of an advanced teacher-certification process in Para Yoga with internationally renowned yoga and meditation teacher Rod Stryker. As a graduate of The Guild for Structural Integration, Eric is grateful to have had the chance to study the original method of Dr. Ida P. Rolf with people who worked at her side for the last 15 years of her life.
Instructor
Ramesh Bjonnes
Ramesh is the co-founder of the Prama Institute. He is a certified yoga health educator, a popular yoga columnist for the award-winning Elephant Journal, author of a forthcoming book on Tantra Yoga (Hay House India, 2012), and a lecturer on yoga philosophy and history to yoga teachers and students in the US. To view his articles on Elephant Journal: http://www.elephantjournal.com/author/ramesh-bjonnes/.
Instructor
Dr. Brian Lewis
Dr. Brian Lewis is a family medicine physician who has long had a passion for yoga, traditional medicine and holistic healing. He graduated from the university of NC medical school and completed his residency at MAHEC. He was a faculty member at MAHEC with a focus on Integrative Medicine training, and a specific emphasis on fibromyalgia, PTSD, and Medical Acupuncture.
Dr. Lewis is board certified in both family and integrative medicine and has completed two yoga trainings – one at Kripalu and one in VA with Integral Yoga. He has been a volunteer physician at ABCCM and a volunteer meditation teacher at MAHEC. He spent a year in Tibet studying traditional Tibetan medicine.
Currently Dr. Brian is in the process of opening a community integrative medical clinic, Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville. A low cost clinic which will offer affordable integrative medicine and an unprecedented community model for holistic care, prevention and wellness.
To ensure your space in the program, please send in your application as soon as possible.
Commitment
This course will be held over 15 weekend sessions. Please be sure that you can attend all sessions. You will be able to miss up to 36 hours (about two full weekends) and still graduate (see Requirements for Certification on the application). As in all Subtle Yoga Trainings, you will be asked to commit to a daily meditation and asana practice. There will also be reading, homework and a case study. There will be several opportunities for you to participate in a supervised clinic. It is important to consider the amount of time you have to dedicate to this program; the deeper the commitment the more you will learn and achieve.
Registration with Yoga Alliance
This program meets the Yoga Alliance standards for becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT500) at the 500 hour level. Many employers are now requiring yoga instructors to meet this standard. Subtle Yoga also offers RYT200 trainings and trainings specifically for mental/behavioral health professionals.
Tuition
| Tuition Plans | Fee | Deadline |
| Early Payment | $3095 | December 31, 2011 |
|
Early Payment for Subtle Yoga RYT200 grads |
$2995 | December 31, 2011 |
| Full Payment | $3395 | January 1 – February 15, 2012 |
|
Full Payment for Subtle Yoga RYT200 grads |
$3295 | January 1 – February 15, 2012 |
| Payment Plans | $3395 + fees | See application for details |
Deposit: $500 due at the time of registration for all applicants.
Payment Plan: We have several payment plan options, please see the application.
Scholarships: We offer three $500 income-based scholarships for applicants who have financial limitations. You will be required to contribute $2895. No discounts are given in this case. Please submit a 2-3 page essay with your application. You will find out about the scholarship on or before January 15, 2012.
Tuition Plans: We offer two excellent tuition plans with minimal fees (see application). If neither of these plans work for you, please contact Amber at amber@ashevillecommunityyoga.com to discuss other options. We are committed to making the program work for those who are sincerely interested in participating.
Contract: Please submit your deposit with your application to hold your spot. You can pay by cash, check or credit card. Regardless of how you pay for the program, you are still required to fill out and sign the “Payment Contract” part of the application. You will be contacted for a phone interview.

