200 Hour Teacher Training at Kula
The 21st Cohort Begins March 22nd, 2025
Applications being accepted through 2/20/25!
RajaHatha School of Yoga™ Certified Yoga Teacher Training Program
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program Yoga Alliance Registered
Hosted at Kula Yoga & Wellness, LLC, Cottage Grove WI
School Information:
RajaHatha School of Yoga™
Mailing address: 501 Pflaum Rd. Madison, WI 53716 608-630-8555
Directed by: Amy Pearce-Hayden, ERYT 5oo, CRP
Mission Statement:
It is the mission of the RajaHatha School of Yoga™ (RHSOYTM) to properly train yoga instructors in the healing tradition of classical yoga, by following the standards set by the Yoga Alliance (www.yogaalliance.org) which include but are not limited to ethics, anatomy, history, scripture study, as well as applied teaching principals of breathing and meditation in the traditional application of yoga. Our purpose and core values center around support and the development of community while preparing the student to succeed in employment upon graduation.
The Facility and Its Amenities:
Kula Yoga & Wellness is a premier Wisconsin based yoga studio, dedicated to classical yoga and mindful living with an intention for making yoga accessible to all bodies and abilities. The studio is located in the village of Cottage Grove, allowing for easy access to local supermarkets and restaurants for a quick bite or any needs during weekend trainings. The studio is well-heated in the winter, and air-conditioned in the summer for comfortable practice and study. The studio is handicapped accessible.
All necessary props, including yoga mats, blocks, straps, blankets, bolsters and chairs are available for use throughout training. No personal props are required, although students are welcome to bring their own, if preferred.
RajaHatha School of Yoga™, is directed and owned by Amy Pearce-Hayden, ERYT-500, CRP where she is Chief School Administrator.
Tantra Wellness & Yoga is owned by Amy Pearce-Hayden ERYT-500, CRP
About the Faculty:
All Yoga instructors are recognized in their training by Yoga Alliance and are certified. Our instructors strive to live their yoga and share their knowledge as part of their life service (Karma).
The Program is Directed by Amy Pearce-Hayden, ERYT-500 whose formal Yoga study began in 1995 as part of her training as a professional actor, and has now become her daily education and practice. Amy is the founder of The RHSOYTM, and carries this simple philosophy: “Absolutely everything is connected. Our practice is in becoming present in the moment to allow for that reality and magic to joyfully unfold.” Her classes, workshops and private instruction can be found available throughout the NYC metropolitan area, Madison, WI and streaming online.
Amy has studied Yoga in India and also under the guidance of many western yogis. She received her Certification in Yoga that placed focus on the branches of Raja, Hatha, Jnana, Bhakti, and Tantra Yoga as well as Ayurveda. Amy has been leading the RajaHatha School of Yoga’s Teacher Training program since 2004. Fall 2023 will mark the 19th year in the 200-hour program, and her 23rd class to graduate. Amy has been featured regularly in “Yoga International” Magazine both as a contributor and cover model. Additionally Amy has been named “Female Entrepreneur of the Year” of Putnam County, NY. She is the author of “Living the Sutras”, A Guide to Yoga Wisdom beyond the Mat, and the spin-off Podcast “Living It”. Faculty guest teachers include local and international instructors as well as the support from graduates. Partner and community work are also integral in our training.
About RajaHatha™ Yoga Teacher Training & What to Expect:
Throughout the intensive 6-Month Training, students will explore the ancient science of Yoga with in- depth focus on asana, pranayama, meditation, personal study and Self exploration, ancient yogic text study (with a focus on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras), and other yogic philosophy, study of the physical, mental, energetic, emotional and spiritual bodies, as well as anatomy/physiology, teaching methods, yogic ethics, and the healing, restorative and therapeutic aspects of Yoga. The Training is appropriate for students who wish to deepen their Yoga practice and knowledge of the science, want to become certified teachers, or already teach and desire to continue their studies.
Students who emerge with certification will have a very solid foundation on which to teach Yoga, in addition to gaining tremendous experiences that are often life-transforming.
Program Description:
The RHSOYTM meets and exceeds all standards set by the Yoga Alliance. In order to maintain our registry with the Alliance and provide the student with the hours required to be registered at the 200 Hour Level with Yoga Alliance (RYT-200) a breakdown of time is included here.
Below is a grid outline of Yoga Alliance Required Hours, and where the program time is spent:
| 200 Hr Program Minimum Hours | Techniques 100 | Teaching Methodology 20 | Anatomy & Physiology | Philosophy Ethics Lifestyle | Practicum | TOTAL = 170 + Balance of 30 |
| Contact Hrs Min 160 | 109.5 | 14 | 22.5 | 15.50 | 8.5 | 170 |
| Non- Contact Hours | 22 | 37 | 12 | 37 | 12 | 120 |
| RHSOY TOTAL (must be at least 200) |
Subject Description & Educational Objective (See hours in chart)
Techniques/Training/Practice:
Over the course of 12 teaching units (the 13th is Assessment) the asana (postures) are divided into various categories including the breakdown of proper postural stance, principals of proper and safe forward bending, back bending, twisting, balancing, inverting, reclining, and resting postures. Time is spent in discourse, lecture and discussion, as well as experiential and practical teaching. The majority of this time is spent as contact hours, but a minimum of 10 hours is required of home study in the form of practice teaching. Mantra and Meditation are also part of technique study.
Teaching Methodology:
Each weekend unit builds on the previous unit to develop the student’s skills of effective communication, observation, and analysis, with a focus on language and its use in effective and safe teaching. Hours include lecture and practical application.
Anatomy & Physiology:
Attention is placed on the relationship between physical anatomy (muscular and structural) technical anatomy (major systems overview: digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular, pulmonary, circulatory, lymphatic,) and the subtle body anatomy (chakras, nadis, bandhas, mudras). Hours include lecture and discussion with applied homework for submission.
Philosophy, Ethics & Lifestyle:
An introduction to the classic texts including the Bhagavad Gita, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and modern texts on ancient Ayurveda and Pranayama are outlined and applied to creating a personal relationship with yoga theory for the teacher in everyday living. A strong focus on the development of self-study through journaling and daily meditation follows these lectures as home study.
Practicum:
The RajaHathaTM lineage has a comprehensive focus on the psychology of the ego and its relationship to habit patterns and the emotional expressions of the individual. Through lecture, discussion, tactical homework and group study the students begin to explore and understand the mind’s role in joyful and responsible living that will translate into applied teaching.
Completion Requirements and Policies:
Students who wish to gain certification from the RHSOYTM must complete the following, and have 18 months from the start date of their training in which to finish. After 18 months students are required to re-apply to the RHSOYTM with the $100 application fee.
- Attendance of all scheduled lectures
- Completion of all written assignments (each month a list of homework is distributed)
- Regular home practice which includes meditation and journaling (journal reflections are presented to the teacher at final assessment)
- 60 Hours of Approved Yoga Group Classes divided into: 48 hours taking/demonstrating
- 6 hours observing6 hours assisting (this may be modified to 5 online teaching assists due to COVID)
- Required reading and reflections from the following texts:
- Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
- Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, translation by Sri Swami Satchidananda
- The Bhagavad Gita translation by Stephen Mitchell
- Yoga: For Body, Breath, and Mind, A Guide to Personal Reintegration by AG Mohan
- Yoga & Ayurveda, Self Healing & Self Realization, by David Frawley
- The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz
- Yoga Anatomy, by Amy Matthews & Leslie Kamnioff
- Atman Expression Project: Personal Thesis, presented to peers during training – 10 Hours (minimum) Practice Teaching with fellow students or mentors
- 20 minutes of Lecture Discourse on topic of choice to peers
- Recording and Submission of Calendar hours at final review
- 8 Hours of Electives, which may include volunteer work, supportive modality study, or elective subject related reading or study.
- Organization and teaching a 20 minute sample class for evaluation where areas of assessment include: accuracy, assisting, voice, intention, sequencing, pacing, modifying and theme. Students are scored 1-10 (10 the highest) where the final average score must be 5.5 or higher. (Students can re-take this portion of the final exam if necessary)
- A 79% or higher score on the final written exam. (Unit 13) (Students can re-take this portion of the final exam if necessary)
Written exams and final assessment grades will be available within 30 days of testing. Each student will make an appointment with their lead instructor to receive grades and turn in calendar hours. If all requirements have been met, students will receive the Certificate of Completion within one week. Upon Certification students can apply immediately to be registered with Yoga Alliance.
