TEACHER TRAINING

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Sarai’s Second 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training: Winter/Spring 2025

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We are thrilled to announce Sarai’s second 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training! This training will deepen your knowledge and broaden your scope of what yoga is and how to share it with others. It will be led in person by Sarai's founder, Samara Speller, as well as our other experienced and talented teachers. Not only is it for those who wish to teach but also for anyone looking to embark on a journey of self inquiry through consistent practice, intensive study, and a supportive community. 

 

This training is unique in that it is divided into five 30 hour modules. We recognize that many of our students have an interest in gaining more knowledge about the practice of yoga but may not necessarily want to teach and so they may sign up for individual modules or the complete training to receive a teacher training certificate.

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WHY SARAI?

 

OUR GROUP IS SMALL

A small group (max: 16 people) ensures you will feel personally attended to, be able to ask all of your questions, have more opportunities to practice-teach, and receive individual feedback throughout the training. You’ll also become part of a close-knit community anchored in shared interest and experience.

 

OUR CURRICULUM IS WELL ROUNDED AND NON DOGMATIC

A non dogmatic approach to yoga means our teachers are trained in a variety of lineages including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Traditional Hot, Katonah, Restorative, and Prenatal Yoga. Students often ask what is the “right” and “wrong” way to do a pose. The answer is “it depends.” It’s not that anything goes, but if the pose isn’t serving the person doing it there are ways to adjust it so that it will, without losing the integrity of the pose or further reinforcing existing habits or limitations. 

 

OUR TRAINING METHOD IS PERSONAL

Most trainings teach you how to teach a group of people, but not an individual. We’ll teach you how to teach one person first and build your way up to teaching a full class. You’ll receive personal feedback each step of the way. 

 

WE VALUE COLLABORATION

A collaborative approach means we don’t pretend to have all the answers or to be the definitive authority on all things yoga. We believe that questioning tradition is healthy and that everyone who participates in this training has something unique to offer the group by way of their life experiences, training in other modalities, and perspectives. 

 

MODULES & DATES:

 

MODULE 1: 30 Hour Yoga Philosophy & History 

Learn the origins of Yoga and what it truly means. We will dive into the key yogic texts: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and The Bhagavad Gita, learn how yoga began and developed over time, as well as explore the eight limbs of yoga, the subtle body (nadis and chakras), mantra and chanting, prana (the 5 vayus), koshas, and more. 

 

Friday, January 3rd, 7-9pm

Saturday, January 4th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, January 5th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, January 10th, 7-9pm

Saturday, January 11th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, January 12th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, January 17th, 7-9pm

Saturday, January 18th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, January 19th, 2-6pm

 

MODULE 2: 30 Hour Anatomy & Physiology

Using the world’s most advanced 3D anatomy platform we will explore the human body and how it functions in relation to yoga practice. We will discuss anatomical differences among bodies and how yoga asana can be utilized for any body. You will develop the skill of observing students’ bodies with the purpose of offering options that are both fitting and functional.

 

Friday, January 31st, 7-9pm

Saturday, February 1st, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, February 2nd, 2-6pm

 

Friday, February 7th, 7-9pm

Saturday, February 8th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, February 9th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, February 14th, 7-9pm

Saturday, February 15th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, February 16th, 2-6pm

 

MODULE 3: 30 Hour Deep Dive into Asana, Pranayama, & Meditation

What you see when you look at a yoga posture is only the surface of all that is happening within it. When we hold a pose we are always moving different parts of us in different directions at once, traversing the terrain of our body with our mind. Together we will precisely break down each yoga posture as well as how to embody it. Learn variations of each pose so that you can best serve the range of people who come to your class. We’ll also cover basic pranayama (breathwork) and meditation techniques and practice them together.

 

Friday, February 28th, 7-9pm

Saturday, March 1st, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, March 2nd, 2-6pm

 

Friday, March 7th, 7-9pm

Saturday, March 8th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, March 9th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, March 14th, 7-9pm

Saturday, March 15th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, March 16th, 2-6pm

 

MODULE 4: 30 Hour Intro to Teaching: Sequencing & Cueing

“Vinyasa” is derived from the Sanskrit term nyasa, which means “to place,” and the prefix vi, “in a special way,” Understand how one pose gives birth to the next so that you can create safe sequences with intelligent progressions. Once you learn the family tree of yoga asana you’ll uncover the possibilities of where each pose can lead and how to teach each branch. You’ll learn nuanced and clear cueing that will set you apart from other teachers as well as how to teach to what you see and shift your plans accordingly. 

 

Friday, April 4th, 7-9pm

Saturday, April 5th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, April 6th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, April 11th, 7-9pm

Saturday, April 12th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, April 13th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, April 18th, 7-9pm

Saturday, April 19th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, April 20th, 2-6pm

 

MODULE 5: 30 Hour Practice Teaching & Mentorship

Teaching is an art and requires presence, patience, improvisation, astute observation and the ability to articulate your message clearly and succinctly. A great teacher sounds like themself, not anyone else. Learn to speak from an authentic and honest place and how to infuse that into your teaching. You will practice-teach to one person first, and work your way up to teaching the entire group. Even if you don’t intend to teach yoga after this training you will still learn how to read and command a room, be precise with your speech, and portray yourself in a way that garners others’ respect and attention. 

 

Friday, May 2nd, 7-9pm

Saturday, May 3rd, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, May 4th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, May 9th, 7-9pm

Saturday, May 10th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, May 11th, 2-6pm

 

Friday, May 16th, 7-9pm

Saturday, May 17th, 2:30pm-6:30pm

Sunday, May 18th, 2-6pm

 

ONGOING PRACTICE:

To complete the 200 Hour Teacher Certification, students must also take 50 hours of classes at Sarai between January 1st and May 31st. 

 

TUITION:

Early Bird Pricing (until November 1st)

$3,000

 

Standard Pricing (after November 1st)

$3,300

 

A single module a la carte

$675 for members, $700 for nonmembers

 

Add on unlimited membership for Jan-May

$750

 

A $500 deposit is required to secure your spot. The deposit is nonrefundable.

 

Upon receipt of your deposit you will receive a list of required texts, homework assignments, as well as instructions for paying the rest of your tuition via check or Zelle. Tuition must be paid in full by January 1st. 

 

PREREQUISITES:

 

All students who join the full training must have already had a consistent yoga practice (at least once a week) for at least one year.

Students who sign up for Modules 4 and/or 5 only must have already completed a 200 Hour Teacher Training and be approved prior to enrollment. 

 

CAPACITY:

 

We are only accepting up to 17 students for the complete training, to ensure plenty of individual attention, feedback, and mentorship.

 

SCHOLARSHIP:

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We are offering up to two $1500 scholarships for Black, Indigenous, or other People of Color (BIPOC) with financial need. To apply, please submit your application (below) by October 25th. The recipient(s) will be notified by October 31st. 

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APPLY:

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To join our Winter/Spring 2025 Teacher Training please fill out the application below. Applications will be accepted until we reach capacity.​​​​​​​​​​​