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Many Rivers Yoga Teacher Training Program
at Journeys in Yoga
Letter of Engagement 200 Hour Yoga Alliance Registered YTT Program (2015)
Our Mission:
The Many Rivers Yoga Teacher Training Program at Journeys in Yoga, llc is dedicated to providing an
affordable, diverse educational experience that focuses on the foundations of teaching yoga while
supporting the participant in finding their own voice and style as a yoga teacher.
You have made the decision to pursue yoga teacher training with Many Rivers hosted by Journeys in Yoga!
We are excited to have you and know that you will learn and grow from this program, not only as a yoga
teacher but as a student of yoga. Below you will find the structure and policies of the program that you
need to agree to before you proceed, just to make sure we are all on the same page. We also need from
you some personal information and your goals for yourself as you embark on this new adventure: please
see space for these items at the end of this letter. Congratulations!
General information on the curriculum:
Many Rivers Yoga Teacher Training complies with the curriculum set forth by the Yoga Alliance for the 200
hour program for the year 2015. We update the curriculum as the Yoga Alliance requires. The YA
requires 180 hours to be spent directly with the primary teachers in the program, while 20 hours can be
spent doing yoga studies--readings, homework, films-- outside of the program (this does not include
taking yoga classes). More details can be found at www.yogaalliance.org and we recommend that you
read their site and requirements. The current curriculum is as follows (Jan. 2015):
 Techniques: 100 hours
 Teaching Methodology: 25 hours
 Anatomy & Physiology: 20 hours
 Philosophy/Ethics: 30 hours
 Practicum: 10 hours
 Remaining hours to be spread across categories: 15 hours
Structure for the weekend:
Many Rivers YTT at Journeys in Yoga has a one weekend per month structure. We offer a limited rolling
enrollment, allowing students to join in January or May of each calendar year. A typical weekend looks
like this:
Friday:
630p-730p: Opening YTT chant, introduction to the weekend topic and discussion
730p-915p: Led yoga practice
915p-930p: Closing chant and wrap up
Saturday:
930a-1100a: Opening YTT chant and led yoga practice
1115a-115p: Anatomy
115p-215p: Lunch
215p-415p: Posture clinic 1 (or practice teaching)
430p-530p: Special Donation class
545p-615p: Feedback on donation class
615p-15p: Pranayama practice and meditation
715p-730p: Closing chant and wrap up
Sunday:
930a-1100a: Opening YTT chant and led yoga practice
1100a-100p : Posture clinic 2 (or practice teaching)
100p-200p: Lunch
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200p-400p: Philosophy
400p-430p: Closing chant and wrap up
Schedule for the 9 monthly weekend training modules for 2015:
Jan 9-11 Welcome to Teacher Training and Sun Salutations*
Feb 13-15 Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga 1
Mar 13-15 Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga 2
April 10-12 Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga 3
May 8-10 Hot Yoga*
June 12-14 Yin Yoga
July 10-12 Flow Yoga 1 (intro)
August 14-16 Flow Yoga 2 (open flow I)
Sept 11-13 Flow Yoga 3 (review of intro and open flow 1)
Oct 9-11 Yoga Potpourri (this serves as a “make-up” weekend if you have to miss hours during the 9
previous months)
*denotes when new students may join the program
Topics and areas covered:
 Postures: 4 styles of yoga including flow/power, Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series, heated yoga,
and Yin Yoga, plus a weekend on teaching Sun Salutations.
 Breath work: Breath awareness practices (balanced, lengthening), Viloma (2 & 3 part), Ujjayi
(Victorious) , Kapalabhati (Shining Skull), Bhastrika (Bellows), Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril),
Sitali & Sitakari (cooling), Brahmari (humming), Kaki (beak)
 Anatomy: the axial and appendicular skeleton, the joints and how they function, main muscles of
the arms, legs, chest and back, common injuries in each region and how yoga may benefit them.
For the energy body we have an overview of the meridians, nadis, and chakras.
 Philosophy: Overview of the history of yoga and lineages, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and your
own code of ethics.
 Discussion of the business of yoga and what to expect as a yoga teacher.
Required Books: it’s easiest to order these online, some may be found at local book stores
 2 copies of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali—1. The Path of the Yoga Sutras: A Practical Guide to the
Core of Yoga by Nicolai Bachman approx $12 new, 2. and a translation of your choice (can be
downloaded off of the internet)- used in all weekends. (Be aware of the much more expensive
Bachman translation that includes CDs—this is not necessary for you to purchase!)
 Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual by David Swenson- used Ashtanga weekends, approx $21
new
 Yoga Sequencing: Designing Transformative Yoga Classes by Mark Stephens- used during the 3
flow weekends, approx.. $15 new
 The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga
by Bernie Clark- used yin weekend, approx $12 new (note that there is an old print version of this
book that is selling for exorbitant sums, this is not the correct version of the book! Look for the
one published in January of 2012. You can also download a PDF version of this book from
www.yinsights.com for $5.95)
 Hot Yoga: Energizing, Rejuvenating, Healing by Marilyn Barnett- used hot weekend, approx $13
new
 Yoga Anatomy Second Edition by Leslie Kaminoff- used all weekends, approx $13 new
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In order to graduate from the program you must complete the following:
 Nine Workshops or accumulate 180 contact hours: You are required to attend 9 workshops or
attend 180 contact hours within an 18 month period. Your 18 months begins at the first
workshop you attend and we cannot guarantee the availability of the program after 18 months.
 Five Participations: You are required to attend 5 yoga classes at Journeys In Yoga, ideally with 5
different teachers and document your experiences in a template that can be found on the Yahoo
Group in the “Blank Forms” file. The 5 classes will be provided to you free of charge (you will
receive a 5 class yoga pass from the studio after you complete your second weekend; if you drop
out of the program, the classes are deactivated).
 Five Observations: You are required to observe (not participate in) 5 yoga classes at Journeys in
Yoga and document your experiences on a worksheet to be submitted via the Yahoo Group—
again a template for this worksheet can be found in the “Blank Forms” file on the Yahoo Group.
You do not have to pay for the 5 classes that you observe.
 Two Donation Classes: You are required to teach two donation classes. You may sign up for the
Monday at 5:30pm Donation class, the 4:00pm Wednesday Donation class, or the Special
Donation class on Saturdays of YTT weekends at 4:30pm at Journeys in Yoga. One class will be a
standard Intro Flow class using the template we will provide and the other class can be a style of
your choice. Please submit your plan for your class 3-5 days in advance to
holla@manyriversyoga.com. These classes must occur prior to graduation. The 4:00pm
Donation Class on the first Wednesday of the month is a Hot Lite practice for those who want
experience teaching that style. Understand that you will receive feedback from the students in
the class and the teachers in the program.
Policies and Expectations:
 We expect you to arrive on time and remain for the duration. Coming and going throughout the
weekend is detrimental to your learning process as well as the learning process of others. If you
need to miss part of the weekend it must be cleared with the instructors.
 If you only attend a partial weekend, you must sign in and out accordingly and make the hours
missed at another time.
 Two of the styles – Ashtanga and Flow- are taught in modules of three weekends. You must
attend all three modules of each style. If you must miss the first or second weekend (February
and March for Ashtanga, July and August for Flow) you must make prior arrangements for
additional studies with the instructors in order to prepare you for the rest of the weekends in
that module.
 You will learn the foundations of teaching yoga, basic anatomy and basic philosophy in the 200
hour program. To learn more in depth about any of these areas we recommend continuing your
education.
 There are many proprietary styles of yoga which require additional training through specific
programs. We do not claim to train yoga teachers in any proprietary style of yoga.
 Payment will be made at each weekend, with the total cost of the program spread across the 9
weekends. The total for the program is $1980 (subject to change) and the weekend payments
are $220 (subject to change). Payment is due the Friday of each YTT weekend; online payment is
encouraged. If you plan to pay with cash (exact change only, please) or check please arrive 20
minutes early on Friday night of training.
 When you graduate you will be trained to teach yoga. Our eclectic and generalist approach to
hatha yoga—the yoga of the body, which combines breath and movement— allows you to teach
the style of yoga that fits you best.
 The Yoga Alliance is a yoga teacher registry. You will be certified in “multiple styles” through
Many Rivers YTT program, which makes you eligible to register with the Yoga Alliance. The Yoga
Alliance itself does not certify teachers, although it does set the curriculum for teacher training
programs who wish to affiliate with them.
 You will be asked to fill out an anonymous online survey of the program after you graduate.
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Successful completion of the Many Rivers Yoga Teacher Training may result in a recommendation
for employment but does not guarantee employment at Journeys in Yoga or elsewhere.
Best Practices for a successful Yoga Teacher Training experience
 Practice physical yoga at least 3 times per week in a variety of styles throughout the course of
your teacher training; at least one of those weekly classes should be in a yoga studio/gym/ public
group environment. The other practice sessions can happen in your living room, the park,
wherever you like. It is helpful to keep a log of your practices in a hand-written journal or
electronically. This is an invaluable tool for self-reflection, accountable, and growth.
 Take good care of yourself--especially during our training weekends! Be prepared to sit on the
floor as comfortably as possible. We have yoga blocks and blankets which can be used for that
purpose but please feel free to bring whatever you like to make yourself comfortable (i.e.
stadium seat, meditation cushion, folding chair, beach chair, etc.). And of course make sure you
sleep well, and eat enough fuel and drink enough water to keep the body happy so that the mind
can focus.
 Complete all of the “Preparation Guidelines” provided for each training weekend
 Internships—working at the desk and helping around the studio, are available at the discretion of
Journeys in Yoga. You will receive more information about this should you enroll in the program.
Ready to reserve your spot in the Many Rivers Yoga Teacher Training Program for 2015? Great! We look
forward to guiding you through this fun and empowering process. You just have two things to do:
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Register online! Online registration for the January weekend training module (January 9-11,
2015). See www.manyriversyoga.com, click “pay for training” for details
2. Submit this page with your electronic signature and goals to: holla@manyriversyoga.com
I understand and agree to the parameters of the 2015 Many Rivers Yoga 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Program at Journeys in Yoga, which I received in my letter of engagement. Minor changes to the
structure of the weekend agenda and/or the curriculum may occur at the start of each new calendar year.
These changes will not affect participants’ ability to graduate within 18 months of their start date.
Signature______________________________________________
Date______________
Personal Information
Full Name:________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
Phone Numbers: Cell_____________________________ Other:_____________________________
Email Address:__________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Name and Number:__________________________________________________
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Relevant Medical Issues (please list and acknowledge that you are medically cleared to participate):
Please share your personal goals for the program (include the style of yoga you are interested in and the
population you would like to teach), take as much space as you like!