Led​ ​by​ ​Joe​ ​Miller​ ​and​ ​Tara​ ​Lemerise​, ​our​ ​200-hour​ ​Yoga​ Teacher​ ​Training program​ offers teachers-in-training a transformative experience as well as a comprehensive professional training.

Self-Study Grounded in Yoga Philosophy

​Our journey​ ​together​ begins​ ​with​ ​​intensive​ ​study of the philosophical​ ​roots of the rich yoga ​tradition.​​​​ Through ​in-depth​ ​study​ ​and​ ​discussion​ ​of​ ​Patanjali’s​ ​Yoga Sutras, ​we​ ​will​ ​explore​ ​the​ ​application​ ​of these​ ​ancient​ ​tools​ ​to​ ​our​ ​daily​ ​lives​ ​as​ ​contemporary​ ​yogis.​ Throughout the course of the program, we build on this philosophical exploration and self-inquiry, developing the skills to share ideas that support a life of greater freedom, joy, and peace.

An Intelligent Approach to Asana

Essential to excellent yoga teaching is a solid understanding of how bodies work. Thus, our program offers a comprehensive overview of anatomy and biomechanics. We​ ​learn​ ​to​ ​use​ ​the​ ​best​ ​of modern​ ​physiological​ ​understanding​ ​as​ ​an​ ​expression​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Yogic​ ​principle​ ​of​ ​dharma,​ ​aligning with​ ​the​ ​intelligence of the body. Our teachers-in-training learn to honor that every body is different, and to teach asana classes that are safe, smart, and meet students where they are.

Skills for Sharing Yoga with Art and Authenticity

​As​ ​the​ program progresses, our teachers-in-training methodically​ ​build​ ​skill​s and cultivate artistry​ for​ ​teaching​​ excellent ​yoga​. Our teachers-in-training receive ample instruction in and practice using techniques that build community and invite their students into sincere, deep experience. Our initial philosophical exploration and self-inquiry helps teachers to find their unique voice, and to tap into the yoga tradition to give their instruction more meaning and power.

​Our​ ​focus​ ​is​ ​not​ ​on​ ​acrobatics​ ​but​ ​in​ ​connecting​ ​to -​ ​and​ ​developing​ ​the​ ​skills​ ​to​ ​share -​ yogic ​tools that​ ​support​ ​a​ ​life​ ​of​ ​greater​ ​freedom, joy,​ ​and​ ​peace.

The​ ​program​ ​includes:

• an exploration of​ ​key​ ​philosophical​ ​concepts​ ​that​ ​bring​ ​yoga​ ​off​ ​the​ ​mat
• study​ ​of​ ​biomechanics​ ​and​ ​applications​ ​to​ ​yoga​ ​postures​ ​and​ ​sequencing
• the​ ​techniques,​ ​art,​ ​and​ ​science​ ​of​ ​pranayama,​ ​meditation, mantra, kriya, bandha​ ​and ayurvedic​ ​self-care
• ample​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​stay​ ​engaged​ ​between​ ​weekends,​ ​including​ ​assigned​ ​reading, light​ ​homework assignments​, ​and​ ​facilitated​ ​online​ ​discussion
• five​ opportunities ​practice​ ​teaching​ ​and feedback​ ​​between​ ​program​ ​weekends
• apprenticeship in a Yoga I at Willow Street, to be taken as a participant/observer
• training in the basics of the business of yoga
• special​ ​discounted​ ​pricing​ ​on​ ​select​ ​workshops​ ​at​ ​WSY,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​practice​ ​and​ ​study materials​ ​in​ ​our​ ​boutiques
• Everyday Practice Membership so that you can enjoy unlimited yoga during the program!

You​ ​can​ ​expect:

• a​ ​fuller​ ​understanding​ ​and​ ​deeper​ ​experience​ ​of​ ​yoga
• new​ ​insight​ ​into​ ​your​ ​dharma,​ ​your​ ​relationships,​ ​and​ ​your​ ​life’s​ ​journey
• to​ ​meet​ ​friends​ ​who​ ​share​ ​your​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​growth​ ​and​ ​your​ ​desire​ ​to​ ​live​ ​wholeheartedly

Our​ ​teachers​ ​graduate​ ​with​ ​the​ ​skills​ ​to:

• teach​ ​asana​ ​clearly​ ​and​ ​fluently​ ​with​ ​sophisticated​ ​but​ ​accessible​ ​alignment​ ​instructions
• sequence​ ​effective,​ ​well-rounded​ ​classes
• understand​ ​and​ ​address​ ​common​ ​mis-alignments
• offer​ ​variations​ ​for​ ​different​ ​experience​ ​levels​ ​and​ ​body​ ​types
• convey​ ​the​ ​deeper​ ​meaning​ ​of​ ​yoga​ ​through​ ​inspiring​ ​themes
• teach​ ​meditation​ ​with​ ​an​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​relationships​ ​of​ ​breath,​ ​mind,​ ​and​ ​nervous system
• step​ ​into​ ​the​ ​role​ ​of​ ​teacher​ ​with​ ​consciousness​ ​and​ ​confidence

Why do teacher training at WSY?

Come see for yourself! Willow Street’s reputation for excellence is hard-earned.

In our public classes, you will find excellent teaching, extraordinary studentship, a diverse student body, and a peerlessly broad array of offerings.

In our teacher training, you will find that learning extends far beyond the individual program weekends. We take full advantage of Willow Street’s resources and give you unparalleled opportunities for guided practice, mentorship, feedback, and classroom learning.

Who can join the the WSY teacher training?

There are no physical limitations to the program. The main qualification is an enthusiasm for yoga and a willingness to look inside, ask tough questions and do the hard and rewarding work of self-reflection. You will need a willingness to stay in authentic, open-hearted relationship with fellow students and the leaders of the program.

We would recommend at least a year of continuous dedicated practice or at least 5 years of cumulative practice over the course of your life.

Questions? Please email Joe at codirectors@willowstreetyoga.com.