500 hr Yoga Teacher Training Certification

Your Yoga Teacher Training

This is our classic 500hr Yoga Alliance Teacher Training Certification program This is our broadest training that we have offered since 2005. It is offered in two scheduling formats: A 5 Week Immersion OR An 11 Module Program over 5 Years. To be eligible for our 500hr certification you will need to have already obtained a 200hr YA certification (from the Asheville Yoga Center or elsewhere).

5 Week Immersion

Complete an entire 500 hour certification in as little as a 35 days.
Full details here

11 Modules over 5 Years

This program is similar to choosing courses at college. You get to choose the modules that most interest you and the ones that best fit your schedule. This path can be completed in as little as 12 months or as long as 5 years. What are the Modules? These are mini-courses usually offered friday nite through sunday afternoons (occasional 3, 4 or 5 full day courses offered as well). 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. You decide which particular module you take, at what time and taught by whom. There are required modules you need to take and some that are left up to your choice or concentration. 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. To earn our 500-hour certification, you need to complete all the required modules listed below within five years. All the courses below are offered 1 - 2 times a year at the Asheville Yoga Center. All required modules must be completed through the Asheville Yoga Center.

Required

Please note each of the first 9 modules below are required.

• Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga
• Yin Yoga
• Meditation and Yoga
• Restorative Yoga
• Anatomy and Yoga
• Yoga Sutras
• Ayurveda and Yoga
• Therapeutics and Yoga
• Vinyasa Yoga

One of the following two are required (if you choose both then one will count as your elective below)

• Children's Yoga
• Senior Yoga

One elective is required. This is an ever changing list. You are choosing this elective to represent your interest in teaching yoga/ this workshop should ultimately be reflected in your teaching style. You will find details for these programs on our events page.

• Please email aycnow@gmail.com for any transfer credits
• Contact us for a current list of electives aycnow@gmail.com

Apply Now

Pre-requisites
1. Complete a Yoga Alliance accredited 200hr teacher training program (does not have to be Asheville Yoga)
2. Have an established daily Yoga Practice (30 to 90 minutes, 5 to 6 days a week)
3. Willingness and ready heart and mind to complete all 500hr requirements within given deadlines
4. Application
5. $50 Deposit

Once accepted, requirements for 500hr YA Certificate (details will be in your email acceptance letter):
1. 100 documented teaching hours (you have 5 years to complete)
2. 25 hours Karma Yoga (this is deep Seva or service to those otherwise not able to afford yoga: women's shelters, homeless, those in recovery, etc.)
3. Required Reading (details given with each individual module registration)

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More Info

• If I have taken a few of these courses in the past already can those count?

  If you have taken these courses through the Asheville Yoga Center, yes, you will receive credit - please list which module and the year taken on your application, that is all that is necessary. If you have taken similar courses somewhere else, you will need to submit details (date, exact hours, instructor, location) to be considered for eligible credit. Please submit through email only at aycnow@gmail.

  Apply Now

• Tuition

  To begin initial registration for the 500-hour YA Advanced Studies Teacher Training Certification, a $50 fee along with an online application are required. This can be done at anytime during the program. It’s the beginning of our tracking system in the Asheville Yoga Center 500-hour student database.
  
  Once you have completed all the requirements for the 500-hour YA Advanced Studies Teacher Training Certification, you send in an email to aycnow@gmail.com
  You will then receive a completion link to finalize your 500-hour process, this will include your final $50 payment. Then certification and YA paperwork will be mailed to you.
  
  The prices of the individual Advanced Studies modules range from approximately $195 for a two day training, to $625 for a five day training, most are in the $200-275 range (does not include required texts, food or lodging, unless it is a specific retreat).
  
  You pay individually for each course, registering on-line or by phone. The cost of the entire program will depend on which modules you take.
  Apply Now

• What people are saying

  “I can never thank you enough not just for teaching me Yoga, but giving me hope through the practice to face this most difficult world.”
  -J. Blume, Kannapolis, NC
  
  I enjoyed the range of subjects covered and the way we tackled them, including other yoga instructors and their different styles. This kind of exposure probably wouldn't have occurred at other institutions”
  - N. Conrad, Cornelius, NC
  
  “Stephanie is a wise and wonderful teacher. She shares her vast knowledge of yoga and meditation in more than words, but in the mindfulness and compassion she imparts in every moment of interaction with her students.
  - E. Lang, Spartanburg, SC
  
  “I was in awe of the education I have received ....much deeper and more
  technical than anything I gained from Medical courses taken in the past.. thank you...Yoga is now my passion, my Life.”
  - S. Dulken, Fairview, NC
  

  many more reviews here

• Our Incredible Staff

  Please note that this is not all the staff. We've not included in this list our guest instructors. We host some of the biggest names in the yoga world. Some of the gifted teachers that show up at our studio and contribute to our 500 hour studies program are. Bryan Kest, David Swenson, Rod Stryker, Shakta Kaur Khalsa, David Keil, Doug Keller, Leslie Kaminoff, Amy Weintraub, David Williams, Gary Kraftsow, Cora Wen, Scott Blossom and many others.
  
  

  The Director

  Stephanie Keach RYA500, has been teaching Yoga since 1988. Originally from Santa Barbara, CA, she has studied with most of the top yoga teachers, including her favorites: Ana Forrest, Erich Schiffman, Rodney Yee, Rod Stryker and Bryan Kest. Her Zen -Buddhist background brings a meditative style to the class.

  Stephanie, owner and operator of the Asheville Yoga Center has produced the Flow Yoga video series and The Yoga Handbook. She currently teaches Flow Yoga classes, retreats, workshops and teacher trainings throughout the country. Stephanie resides in Asheville with her husband and three boys. Steph is so respected as a teacher because she is so down-to-earth, real and comfortable with herself. She is a master teacher, full of knowledge, experience and intuitive insight, well loved by many.

  Stephanie specializes in over-seeing the program so that everyone's needs are more than met and hearts are opened wide. She is the Yoga Mama Bear of AYC..

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  Joe Taft
  Joe Taft is a certified Anusara Yoga instructor who has dedicated himself to the practice of yoga since 1997. His teaching style is approachable, lighthearted, uplifting and transformational. Joe interweaves Anusara’s life-affirming and heartfelt approach into his classes through myth, storytelling, Tantric philosophy and the wisdom gathered through his own life’s journey. He has completed hundreds of training hours with John Friend, Sianna Sherman and other senior Anusara instructors. Joe has a keen awareness of body biomechanics and a long history as a devoted athlete. He is an inspiration to yoga teachers and students alike.
  

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  Shala Worsley
  Shala has a deep yoga practice and teaching style that reflects over 12 years of study. She invites students to cultivate the exploration of the physical and spiritual realms. As a teacher, Shala offers a blend of the benefits of yoga in the alignment traditions of Iyengar, and flowing aspects of Ashtanga and Vinyasa, always including therapeutic yoga, yin yoga, meditation, pranayama and yoga philosophy. She embodies a balanced sense of grace, delicate flow, and attention to detail - a direct result of her passion for practicing yoga in nature and our innate connection to the Earth and the Cosmos. She inspires the student to touch their own yogic soul, bringing asana practice to life from within. Shala currently lives in Asheville, NC, teaching at the Asheville Yoga Center and directing the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga. Shala will be teaching most of the training.

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  Michael Johnson
  Since he can remember, Michael’s parents were his first and perfect Teachers in this life. In a way, everyone he meets continues to teach him perfectly by being examples of both how and how not to live. Among the many teachers who continue teach him, he has learned from Sri Swami Satchidananda, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sharon Gannon, David Life, Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally, Lama Marut, Kimberley Theresa, and his beloved partner, Stephanie.

  It is his honor, privilege and hope to return the kindness that so many people have bestowed upon him, by teaching the highest practices of Yoga to all levels of practitioners… responsibly, joyfully, and in a way that will help others achieve their goals in this life and beyond.  

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  Cora Wen
  Cora Wen is an international expert on yoga therapy. She is an ERYT-500 (senior) Yoga Alliance certified instructor and is also CYT certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists. She frequently teaches in S. Asia and Thailand as well as throughout United States. Cora is a favorite of yoga students of all levels due to the extraordinary energy and life experiences she brings to her classes. After sowing wild oats in New York City in the 70s with rockers Deborah Harry and Patti Smith, she had careers in fashion and banking. Cora assisted Erich Schiffmann and Rodney Yee extensively throughout the 90s, while working as a corporate banker. Eventually, she left banking to follow her love and passion for yoga fulltime. Cora's expertise has arisen from over two decades of teaching and apprenticing with America’s most influential teachers. She has studied philosophy and therapeutics extensively with Judith Hanson Lasater and Patricia Walden.
  
  “When the body is fully supported, in a soothing and trusting environment, it will eagerly let go, releasing tensions and toxins. Restorative Yoga is also know as the yoga of Not-Doing. Come slow down and soothe away any disease with a series of postures using blankets, pillows and other props to restore balance, harmony, and happiness. Leave the weekend feeling refreshed and ten years lighter!”

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  Ryan Conrad
  Ryan Conrad began exploring various facets of self awareness practices and meditation at an early age. Sixteen years ago he discovered the yogic path and quickly dove deeply into the study of asana, pranayama and yogic philosophy. Ryan has studied with teachers from several yogic lineages, and has focused the majority of his studies in the Iyengar method. Ryan has had the opportunity to study with many of the senior Iyengar instructors in the United States and abroad and has also studied with Mr. Iyengar himself. Ryan has been teaching yoga for over 8 years and is currently a 200 E-RYT. In 2010 Ryan completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at UNC Chapel Hill in order to expand his knowledge of anatomy and physiology. This training has allowed Ryan to be knowledgeable in teaching able bodied individuals as well as those with a diversity of neurological and musculoskeletal conditions by seamlessly blending Eastern and Western healing philosophies.
  

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  Libby Hinsley
  Libby Hinsley, PT, RYT 500, received her 200 and 500 hour yoga teaching certifications from the Asheville Yoga Center. She began her study of yoga in 1998 and has been teaching since 2005. She has taught in a variety of settings and for a wide variety of student populations. She values teachings from many traditions, including Vinyasa flow, mindfulness meditation, Yin, Iyengar, and Anusara. In 2008 she had the fortunate opportunity to study at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai, India in the tradition of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar. Since that time, she has focused her study on therapeutic yoga in the Viniyoga tradition. Libby believes that the magic of yoga lies in its most fundamental teachings, and begins with a deep awareness of breath. In her classes, she hopes to lead students inward to discover the perfection of body and spirit that is already, and always, present. She teaches weekly classes and components of the Asheville Yoga Center’s Teacher Training programs, and teaches yoga at the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga. In 2011, she completed her training as a Physical Therapist at Western Carolina University, and currently works as a PT at Physical Therapy and Back Clinic of Leicester.

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  Dana Moore
  Dana Moore, LPCC, CADS, is a founding member of the Trauma Center Yoga Program and former faculty member of the Trauma Center Professional Training Institute. Dana co-teaches the Frontiers of Trauma Treatment retreat with Bessel van der Kolk MD at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health and at the Esalen Institute. He integrates auricular acupuncture (NADA Protocol), MBSR, and Kripalu Yoga within the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy. Dana's graduate studies include theology at Yale University and psychology at Boston College. He maintains a trauma-focused psychotherapy practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico and provides professional training in the United States and abroad. www.journeywell.org

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  Annie Okerlin
  Annie Okerlin, RYT, is the owner of Yogani Studios, Tampa, Florida, and the president and founder of the Exalted Warrior Foundation (EWF). Since March of 2006, Annie and the EWF instructors have implemented an adaptive yoga program throughout major military medical and veterans' hospital facilities nationwide. Annie designed the program to support wounded populations, including amputees, burn victims, and those with orthopedic poly-trauma, traumatic brain and spinal-cord injuries, PTSD, and depression. She is currently pursuing certification as an iRest® teacher. www.exaltedwarrior.com

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  David Keil
  David Keil was introduced to yoga in 1989 by his Tai Chi Chuan teacher. Both the Tai Chi and Yoga practice at the ripe age of 17 began his research into his own mind-body connections. His search continued through massage therapy where he discovered many insights and affirmations of what he had been exploring and finding on his own through his own practice. One of the most important elements was the specific understanding of the musculoskeletal system and how fascinating, beautiful, and amazing the body is on the scientific level, and how that directly played into and off of his own understanding of the human body.

  David has a private practice where he uses bodywork techniques to relieve chronic pain. A Licensed Massage Therapist and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, David has taught seminars in Body Mechanics for Massage Therapists and has also worked with other local and national audiences. David's current personal yoga practice is Ashtanga vinyasa yoga. Since 2002 he has had the honor of studying with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore (he has traveled there every year since), as well as with John Scott, author of Ashtanga Yoga, with whom he also has the extreme honor of teaching. David is authorized to teach Ashtanga vinyasa yoga by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. For more information on David's Ashtanga yoga schedule, visit Ashtanga Yoga Miami.

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  Leslie Kaminoff
  Leslie Kaminoff is a yoga educator inspired by the tradition of T.K.V. Desikachar. He is an Internationally recognized specialist with thirty years’ experience in the fields of yoga, breath anatomy and bodywork. He has led workshops for many of the leading yoga associations, schools and training programs in America.
  
  Leslie currently practices in New York City and Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He is the founder of the yoga blog, “e-Sutra,” and “The Breathing Project,” a New York City yoga studio dedicated to the teaching of individualized, breath-centered yoga. Leslie teaches The Breathing Project's unique year-long course in yoga anatomy, and is the co- author, with Amy Matthews, of the bestselling book, now in it’s second edition, “Yoga Anatomy” published by Human Kinetics.

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  James Bailey
  James G Bailey, LAc, Dipl Ayu, E-RYT inspires an awakening to authenticity as the highest expression of faith in oneself on the path of yoga and healing. His workshops and yoga teacher trainings are eclectic and entertainingly evocative. He is a licensed practitioner of Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine and has been teaching yoga philosophy and meditation worldwide for 30 years. He is sought out by yoga communities and schools for his vast knowledge in traditional eastern teachings and modalities and the ability to bridge them to modern day living and individual healing. He has lead retreats, workshops and teacher trainings in Europe, India, the Americas, and many renowned centers in the US. He maintains a private practice in Pacific Palisades between his travels. You'll find him at www.sevanti.com.

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  Scott Blossom
  Scott is a Traditional Chinese Medical practitioner, Shadow Yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic Consultant. He has been studying yoga for over twenty years and teaching for thirteen. His primary teachers are Zhander Remete, founder of Shadow Yoga, and Dr. Robert Svoboda, Ayurvedic physician and scholar.
  
  In 2011 he founded DoctorBlossom.com, a site dedicated to Ayurvedic education, nutrition, and treatments.
  
  He lives in Berkeley, CA with his wife, Chandra, and their two children.

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  Doug Keller
  Doug Keller’s background reflects a lifelong commitment to studying, imbibing and sharing the vast field of knowledge and practice known as yoga. After receiving degrees in philosophy from Georgetown and Fordham Universities in the United States, and teaching philosophy at college level for several years, Doug pursued his ‘post-graduate’ education in the practical experience of yoga at the Siddha meditation ashram, Gurudev Siddha Peeth, in India, for seven years, and spent a total of 14 years doing service, practicing, training in and teaching yoga in Siddha meditation ashrams worldwide.

  He received intensive training in the Iyengar system in New York City, practiced Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga in India, and became one of the first certified Anusara yoga teachers, producing three highly respected books on asana, pranayama and yoga philosophy. His work has since taken him beyond the confines of the Anusara system.

  Doug’s further expansion in learning is reflected in his latest and most in-depth work, ‘Yoga as Therapy’, which is one of the most comprehensive, innovative and useful treatments of the structural aspect of yoga therapy available. For a year he has also been a regular columnist for Yoga+ Magazine (formerly Yoga International, published by the Himalayan Institute), writing the ‘Asana Solutions’ column that addresses specific therapeutic problems. He is at the highest level of certification with Yoga Alliance, ERYT500, and a member of the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

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