Welcome to the most popular Teacher Training Institute in the Southeast! Our comprehensive teacher training programs are designed to enhance your own personal knowledge of Yoga and its many facets, as well as provide you with the confidence and skills necessary to safely teach Yoga.
Do you have questions, comments or concerns? Please contact us.
Why a 500 hour certification? In even the highest quality 200 hour programs, there is only so much you can learn in that time. A 500 hour certification demonstrates to all that you have taken it to the next level. You've taken the time with your studies to delve deeply not only into the rich history, art and science of yoga, but deeper into yourself as well. Our programs give the opportunity to have some choice in what inspires you the most to learn, as well as some flexibility in scheduling your course work.
To be eligible for the 500-hour certification you will need to have already obtained a Yoga Alliance certification at the 200-hour level, (from the Asheville Yoga Center or elsewhere).
There are four options for our 500 hour programs, including the new One Month Immersion. Asheville Yoga Center is the only place where you can find a 500 hour immersion certification.
500 Hour Yoga Alliance Certifications
Your Yoga Certification
Two Options!
One Month Immersion, 31 days straight with two days off, and one final module to complete.
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Begin Anytime: 11 Required Modules
Our original 500hr program, you decide when and where to take. This is our most flexible program.
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Therapeutics Certification
This 500hr program was designed specifically to address the therapeutic application of yoga asana, meditation and pranayama, including energy anatomy (chakras/nadis); one weekend a month for 9 weekends with a final week long- wrap up.
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Classics of Yoga
In-depth coverage of Sanskrit, Upanishads, Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. The program is 10 weekends, usually running 8 months, generally one weekend a month. In Asheville, NC.
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Admission is by acceptance only, please apply early to insure your position. We cap class sizes to offer a better education. These programs do sell out, sometimes months in advance.
Which Program is Best for Me?
When choosing a program you need to ask yourself what your priorities are.
Well rounded or more specialized?. If you want a well rounded education and if you are only going to take one of the 500 hour programs then the Yoga Yoga Program makes the most sense. If you want to specialize in the therapeutic application of yoga, then the Therapeutics program makes the most sense. It is geared mostly towards working one of one with people or in a therapeutic classroom situation. The Classics Program is geared mostly towards the ancient doctrines of Yoga, the roots of the art and science of Yoga. The Classics Program is the Jnana Yoga path, or the Yoga of Knowledge. Of course you can achieve certification in more than one 500 hour program, please see our 1000 hour yoga teacher certification.
Begin anytime if you want maximum flexibility. Then the Your Yoga Program makes the most sense. The program is built around the idea of modules. You get to choose the time and the modules that most interest you. The Therapeutics Program also uses the module concept to a lesser degree. The Classics of Yoga does not use modules and meets at prescribed dates and times.
What are modules? What are modules? We've built the Your Yoga program around the module concept. There are required modules you need to take and some that are left up to your choice or concentration. Modules in short are events around a specific aspect of yoga. They are anywhere from 2-7 days long generally. Often a 3 day weekend. Modules are taught either by one of our experienced staff members or an international yoga teacher. We bring some of the biggest names in the industry to our studio and programs. Especially in our Your Yoga Teacher Training Program, you decide which particular module you take, at what time and taught by whom. Modules are generally open to the public as well, so you will be joined by experienced teachers as well as aspiring enthusiasts. Modules can be taken by someone not going after a 500 hour certification, though if they decide later to pursue the 500hr certification, they can retroactively include the modules they've already taken. You will find more details at the Your Yoga Program and the Therapeutics Program pages.
What's the difference between the immersion and longer program? The difference between the immersion and longer weekend program is based on preference and scheduling. They are identical curriculums. Some people really thrive in the immersion atmosphere (living, eating, breathing yoga for almost an entire month) and some want to process slower. In the longer program, you might have more time to digest and assimilate the information in your daily life and practice. Whereas for the immersion, you get all the information in a concentrated amount of time and then we set you free to navigate the journey of assimilation and integration. Both programs will reinforce your home practice with a variety of tips, techniques and advice from our various experienced staff members. Asheville Yoga Center is blessed to have such incredible instructors, with varied passions and expertise. Both programs have identical staffing and hours. We have not had one student drop out or even consider dropping out due to the "intensive nature" of the immersions. We have planned and organized the curriculum so there is just enough asana and lecture and time off interwoven so that (so far) no one has suggested otherwise, in fact it seems to be just the right amount of nutrients for the garden of inner and outer yoga to really grow. It's ultimately up to you, the student, to choose which is best for you. It's a huge decision that we hope is made tentativeness, meditation and thoroughness. We recommend taking some quiet time (meditation/walk in the woods?) to come to clarity, and I trust your choice will be perfect.
Yoga Alliance
Yoga Alliance acknowledges 500hr certification if you have taken all 500 hours from the same school. The Classics of Yoga and Therapeutics programs are 300 and 400 hrs respectively, that you add to one of Asheville Yoga Center's 230 hour programs to make 500+ hours total. In other words, you must have completed your 230 hrs with AYC if you want the 300hr Classics of Yoga or 400hr Therapeutics to add up to a 500hr cert. The Your Yoga program is actually 500 hours above and beyond a 200 hour certification. And that's why AYC can accept anyone with a qualifying 200 hour certification to enter the program and be qualified for a 500 hour YA certification at completion. AYC is one of the few studios to offer this. Most 500 hour programs that are offered by studios are really 300 additional hours over an already completed 200 hour certification.
We have several options when it comes to getting a 500 hour YA certification.
- 300 hrs Classics of Yoga (this goes with any 200 hr YA certification)
- 400 hrs Therapeutic(this goes with any 200 hr YA certification)
- 500 hrs Your Yoga (this goes with any 200 hr YA certification)
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Thank you. Thank you. I loved every minute of the program. It has challenged me, strengthened me and opened my heart! No complaints. I feel well-prepared, though I know I will never stop learning. –Live in Total Yoga Graduate
"Thank you and Peace. I've learned so much about myself during this course. I feel it has just been the beginning of a life's work. The seeds were planted long ago now the sun of Yoga has warmed them to sprout and grow. I loved all the reading. Every weekend was challenging and rewarding. I never felt as if my time was being wasted. All the instructors were patient kind and knowledgeable I love learning about and being exposed to so many different aspects of Yoga.–C. Eberhardt.
Thank you! all my teachers! You inspire me to always be present and true. I realize that the hard work will never end, I rejoice in the work and learning ahead.–Jackson Drew Whisnant
The most amazing thing I've ever done!!! (besides Burning Man!)–(on the Total Yoga Immersion) Meredith Nelson-Wray
Immersion with Stephanie was life changing!–Kim McMurray
"I love how you incorporate all aspects of Yoga into the training: History, philosophy, reading, pranayama, meditation, asana, self-exploration, chanting, play.. I also love how you bring in so many different teachers so we are exposed to many different and affective styles. Thank you for a great experience!"–Live in Total Yoga Graduate
These last months have been beyond my wildest dreams - Yoga has become my passion. My life! I was in awe of the education I have received..much deeper and more technical than anything I gained from medical coursed I have taken in the past. I am thankful for all the knowledge and compassion that has been passed on to me through such beautiful people and I am grateful and thankful for them all. This has been quite a humbling experience for me. Stephanie, thanks for your love, support, your gifts, your wonderful storytelling, sharing yourself with us and all your hard work!.–S. Dulken
Teacher training with Steph: Thirty bodies bathed in sweat. Windows completely steamed pull the shade on the outside world. "It's not the pose. It's the journey" has become my mantra.–Sky Bridges
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