Winter/Spring 2025 Yoga Teacher Training Program

Asheville Community Yoga offers our Yoga Teacher Training program on a tiered pricing basis. Please see the “Tuition” section below for further details on how the pricing structure is set to support the entire community. 

There are two steps to complete your registration in the program:
1. Select your price point and if you wish to pay in full or on a payment plan. Use the links below to complete your payment. 
2. After payment you’ll be prompted to sign up on our online course platform. Once you open the course the first step will link you to a registration form which you’ll need to complete in order to be officially registered for the program.  

Shortly after registering you’ll receive an email from Amber, Teacher Training Director, regarding more details about the logistics of the program. If you are applying for a scholarship please see below for further details.

Community Rate: $1,795

• Pay in Full
  
• 3 month payment plan ($598 per month)
• 6 month payment plan ($299 per month)

Sustainer Rate: $2,195

• Pay in Full
• 3 month payment plan ($732 per month)
• 6 month payment plan ($366 per month)

Supporter Rate: $2,495

• Pay in Full
• 3 month payment plan ($832 per month)
• 6 month payment plan ($416 per month) 

Dates:

January 10th – 12th
January 31st – February 2nd
February 21st – 23rd
March 14th – 16th
April 4th – 6th
April 25th – 27th
May 16th – 18th

Times:

Friday 6-9pm
Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm, 1:15-4:30pm
Sunday 8:00-am-12:00pm, 1:15-3:30pm

At Asheville Community Yoga, we believe that diverse groups of people with different backgrounds and experiences make for a richer learning experience and open us to a broader understanding of the world we share. This broader understanding is an essential quality of a yoga teacher. To achieve this goal, we have tried our best to set up a tiered pricing system that hopefully makes this training accessible to a wide and diverse range of people.

Our three distinct tiers are…

$1795 / Community Rate: Discounted spaces for those in our community who represent marginalized populations and have and/or have limited access to financial resources.

$2195 / Sustainer Rate: This rate pays for you and allows for Asheville Community Yoga to run operations in a way that is truly sustainable. Those registering at this level may be eligible for a partial scholarship. See details below.

$2495 / Supporter Rate: This is an opportunity for those who have more access to resources to pay it forward and support others on their Yoga journey.

Achieving accessibility for all is dependent on leveraging privilege in our community. If you can afford a price point above $1795, please consider paying more for the benefit of all.

Payment plans are available for every pricing option. 

Refund Policy: We understand that life happens and unforeseen circumstances come up. If life offers up an unexpected event and you need to withdraw from the program: 

Asheville Community Yoga always seeks to grow and diversify our teacher roster in efforts to uphold our mission of accessible yoga. We know how important it is to feel a sense of safety and belonging when seeking guidance from trained facilitators in any endeavor, especially those pertaining to healing and self discovery. For this reason, we wish to train a diverse group of folks in the art and skill of teaching yoga so all others, regardless of their backgrounds and paths in life, feel safe to come as they are to the practice of yoga. 

To meet this goal, we offer two distinct scholarships: “The Ryan Tibbs Memorial Scholarship” for those in active recovery from addiction, and “The Ambassador Scholarship” for those who identify as an underserved demographic within our society. 

Criteria

Each scholarship has its own unique criteria that applicants must meet for consideration. Please be sure to read the details of each thoroughly before applying. 

In addition, all scholarship applicants must also meet the following criteria:

• Must be an active participant of Asheville Community Yoga for a minimum of one year (attending classes regularly, participating in volunteer opportunities, and/or engaging with community events offered through the studio)
• Must possess a desire to share the practice of yoga with others. 
• Must be able to attend every weekend of the program (We understand that unforeseen circumstances and emergencies may arise and that’s ok.)
• Must demonstrate the need for financial assistance (To further meet our mission of accessibility, these scholarships are only offered to those who truly need financial support. As a non-profit, we aim to leverage access to resources to achieve greater equity within our community. If you have access to financial resources, we ask that you please see our equitable tiered pricing scale for other price point options.)

Submission Deadlines

We will accept the first 5 scholarship essays for each scholarship offering (10 total applicants). 

Essays must be submitted by December 10th, 2024. 

Email amber@ashevillecommunityyoga.org to submit your essay for consideration

Click here to learn more about the Ryan Tibbs Scholarship
Click here to learn more about the Ambassador Scholarship

Yoga Teacher Training Curriculum

Informed by both modern science and ancient texts, the Asheville Community Yoga 250-hour teacher training comprises asana, pranayama, meditation and kirtan. Through the dual lenses of theory and practice, we will delve into methods for safely and effectively teaching asanas to a room of different bodies, abilities and levels in styles ranging from gentle to vinyasa. Providing the tools to explore yourself and educate others, our program fosters an insightful examination and clear articulation of the art and science of yoga through traditional and evidence-based perspectives.

Topics

• Asana
  • Alignments
  • Modifications
  • Adjustments
• Surya namaskaras
  • Sun salutations A & B
  • Vinyasa flow
• Languaging
  • Physical cues
  • Energetic cues
• Class structure
  • Sequencing
  • Theming
  • Bhav (the vibe)
• Cultivating a home practice
  • Daily asana
  • Daily pranayama
  • Daily meditation
• Pranayama (breathing technique)
• Meditation
• Restorative yoga
• Yoga nidra (relaxation technique)
• Chakra theory and practice
• Yoga history
  • Vedic path
  • Tantric path
• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
  • The eight-limbed path
  • Yamas and niyamas
• Yoga ethics
  • Who is a yoga teacher?
  • Why teach yoga?
  • Honoring teacher/student relationships/boundaries
  • Class labels and studio policies
• The Bhagavad Gita
• The Spirit of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga)
• The Spirit of Service (Karma Yoga)
  • Service project
• The Business of Yoga
  • Branding and marketing
  • Professionalism
  • Yoga Alliance
• Practicum
  • Student teaching

Curriculum

Techniques, Training and Practice
Total Hours: 120

Asana: Through discussion, active demonstration, and use of the trainee handbook, we will identify alignment and cuing for stable and safe movement and posture within the following categories.

Tadasana (mountain pose: the foundation)
Sun salutations
Downward facing dog and transitions to and from (“Vinyasa Flow”)
Standing poses
Back bends
Forward bends
Twists
Standing balances
Arm balances
Inversions
We will identify how key muscle groups affect flexibility and strength in these poses. Conversation will focus on how to cue based on the energetic effects of these postures and the risk factors inherent to practicing them incorrectly.

Pranayama: The training will include multiple pranayama modules where students will gain a first hand experience of the physical, mental, emotional and sometimes spiritual effects that can occur when pranic flow is controlled and manipulated.

Meditation: Students will be encouraged to cultivate a daily meditation practice and will be guided through various techniques used for meditation including mantras and visualizations.

Restorative yoga/yoga nidra: A discussion and practice on the deeply rooted physical, mental and emotional impacts of restorative yoga and yogic sleep.

Teaching Methodology
Total Hours: 50

Through discussion, active demonstration, and use of the trainee handbook, we will explore ways to keep a class safe, effective and engaging. The following modules will be explored:

Modifications
Adjustments
Sequencing
Class themes
Holding space
Creating atmosphere
Finding your voice
Trusting your inner teacher

Anatomy and Physiology
Total Hours: 20

We will cover a general overview of all major systems of the body including the:

• Skeletal system
• Muscular system
• Digestive system
• Endocrine system
• Fascial system
• Cardiovascular system
• Nervous system
• Lymphatic system

In addition, within each of the above mentioned asana modules, we will identify key muscles groups and joints affected by the postures. We will also identify where and when the following movements occur within the poses:

Flexion and extension
Abduction and adduction
Medial and lateral rotation
Pronation and supination
We will also cover subtle anatomy which includes:

Pranayama
Bandhas
Nadis
Chakras

Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics
Total Hours: 50

Through class discussion and journaling practices, we will dive into the heart of yoga, exploring what it means to live our yoga on and off the mat. These modules will explore:

• The Yoga Sutras
• The 8 Limbed Path
• The Yamas and Niyamas
• The Upanishads
• The Bhagavad Gita
• Bhakti Yoga (Devotion)
• Karma Yoga (Service)

Practicum
Total Hours: 10

Students will demonstrate their growing ability to guide others through a safe and effective yoga class. They will demonstrate their knowledge of alignment, sequencing, verbal cuing, and modifications, as well as their ability to create a peaceful atmosphere and hold space for others to explore the body, mind and spirit connection.

Required Reading
Any translation of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
“Anatomy of Yoga” by Dr. Abigail Ellsworth

Requirements for Graduation
Attendance each day
Fulfilling reading and writing requirements
Attending yoga classes
Student teaching at least five classes
Observing at least five classes
Research paper or equivalent research project
Teaching a class to the group at the end of the course

Teacher Training Staff

Michael Greenfield

Michael has been in the practicing school of yoga for almost 30 years. He began teaching yoga in 2003 and has been dedicated to serving others in the area of Yoga & relationship work. Igniting passion & demonstrating love are Michael’s two favorite subjects.

Michael is the founder & executive director of Asheville Community Yoga. He was rated in the top 3 yoga teachers in WNC for four years in a row, winning the “Best Yoga Teacher in WNC” Mountain Express award in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Asheville Community Yoga won the “Best Yoga Studio” award in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Michael is also the director of the Asheville Community Yoga Teacher Training Programs. Michael invites you to discover the depth of your integrity and your capacity to serve from the heart.

Kelly Gilmore

Kelly Gilmore is a dedicated, down to earth student and teacher of yoga, a massage therapist, a voice for animals and lover of nature. She began her studies 12 years ago with a certification in Vinyasa Flow Yoga from White Lotus Foundation. Soon after Kelly was introduced to Anusara Yoga and completed a 200RYT with Sarajoy Marsh in 2005. Around the same time, she moved to WNC and enrolled in the Asheville School of Massage and Yoga. Having several trainings in therapeutic yoga, clinical massage and her 500 RYT in Yoga Therapy with Subtle Yoga, she embraces the opportunity to serve the community and share from her life experiences on and off the mat.

Amber Acheson

Amber considers herself a humble student of life. She strives to open herself to life’s lessons, embracing every opportunity to learn and experience something new with a soft and gentle heart. Amber has been dedicated to the path of yoga since 2009. In 2010 she had the opportunity to travel extensively through Southeast Asia, China, Nepal and Northern India practicing and studying the art/science of yoga. While in India she completed her 200RYT. Amber graduated from Subtle Yoga’s Therapeutic Yoga 500RYT in the spring of 2013. Amber serves as Asheville Community Yoga’s Teacher Training Director.

Ramesh Bjonnes

Ramesh Bjonnes was born in Norway and lived for nearly three years in India and Nepal learning directly from the masters of Tantric yoga. Bjonnes is co-founder of the Prama Institute (www.pramainstitute.org), a holistic retreat center outside Asheville, NC. He has written extensively on Tantra, yoga, culture and sustainability, and his articles have appeared in books and numerous magazines and newspapers in Europe and the US. He wrote the books, Sacred Body, Sacred Spirit: A Personal Guide to the Wisdom of Yoga and Tantra and Tantra: The Yoga of Love and Awakening. He lives in an eco-village near Marshall, Madison County. Ramesh teaches the Yoga Sutras and meditation modules in our trainings.

“In the teacher training at Asheville Community Yoga, I finally found my true self and a real community. All the knowledge and skills I learned in training were extremely beneficial for my mental state, while my spirit was also transformed through the center I found within myself. The teacher training taught me to always be aware of my breath in life, for it will steady my thoughts and emotions and always be there to guide me.” -KA

“This has been the most important education of my life. I have learned so much about myself and the process of removing the veils that cloak our true nature. We can change the world with yoga!” -SM

“I was skeptical when our teachers told us that when we left, we wouldn’t be the same. Still, they encouraged us to give everything we had as an offering, to let it go, leave nothing behind. And, I decided to do just that. You get from it most certainly what you put in. There are so many opportunities to open up, let go and be humbled.” -RM

“This weekend was absolutely amazing, uplifting, wondrous and down right breathtaking. I feel so fully loved and accepted for who I am. It is pretty rare these days to have such strong connections with this many people, but after what we have all just experienced, I am convinced that this group will only continue to stay in each other’s lives.” -GH

“When I decided to enroll in the yoga teacher training program at Asheville Community Yoga, my intention was to deepen my practice and possibly teach yoga (if all went well with the training). What I was not anticipating was to experience such a profound sense of love and acceptance of myself. … I am extremely grateful for connections made with the instructors, special guests and especially with my cohort of yoga teacher trainees who I now consider part of my extended family. I am so thankful for having committed myself to the gift of this experience. I now look forward to sharing this practice of love with others.” -JW

For those who have read through all of the above and are feeling like the training is something you’d like to do in the future but may need a little more time and experience to familiarize yourself with Yoga and build a stronger foundation, consider our Yoga Immersion Program. Many use the Immersion Program as a stepping stone for our 250 Hour Yoga Teacher Training and those who have feel they gained more from the Training by taking the Immersion prior. Discounts are available towards our Yoga Teacher Training for all who complete the Immersion Program first.

Stay tuned to learn more about upcoming Immersion Program offerings.