I am thrilled to share details on the next 200-hour yoga teacher training that I’ll be offering in the Charlotte area this fall. I am partnering with Johnna Smith to co-create and facilitate a 200-hour advanced yoga studies program at 8th Limb Yoga.
This training is really special for me because it’s the first teacher training that I’ve led in Charlotte since 2020. I also feel like I’m dreaming that the stars aligned for me to work alongside Johnna. She certified me to teach yoga back in 2011 and she’s been a mentor and huge source of inspiration for many years. I’ll share more about Johnna’s background later in the post.
200-HOUR ADVANCED YOGA STUDIES AT 8TH LIMB YOGA
A little more about 8thLimb Yoga…they have two locations in Fort Mill, SC and Rock Hill, SC. Our training will primarily take place at the Rock Hill location. The studio is on the Charlotte side of Rock Hill and convenient to get to from most places in Charlotte.
8th Limb’s Rock Hill studio is located in the Riverwalk development near The Pump House. The studio is right on the Catawba River with views of the river from the floor-to-ceiling front windows. There are great walking trails, tons of outdoor space and restaurants within walking distance.
The studio space is open, light, bright, spacious and not hot!!!!
WHAT DOES 200-HOUR ADVANCED YOGA STUDIES ENTAIL?
This program provides an exploration into the practice and tradition of yoga. Participants learn about the eight limbed path of yoga which offers guidance on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. You will deepen your understanding of yourself, how you show up in the world and what your dharma is.
Trainees are equipped with the information and tools necessary to become skillful and powerful yoga teachers. This training will teach you to lead yoga classes that are based on intuitive sequencing, alignment and breath while encouraging freedom, strength and fun on the mat. Graduates of our training program will take with them a comprehensive understanding of the practice of yoga as well as how to apply it to your daily life through both teaching and your relationship with self and others.
Our training heavily emphasize real-world teaching skills such as advanced sequencing of a variety of class formats (power, slow flow, deep stretch…to name a few), hands-on assist training, effective cueing and functional anatomy. You will walk away from this program with the ability to sequence a yoga class from child’s pose to savasana, and confidently deliver it to others while standing in your personal power and speaking from your authentic voice.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE AND FORMAT
The training takes place over seven immersive weekends. In addition to the time spent together on the weekends, there are also observation, practice teaching and practice assist hours as well as self-study and homework assignments. Full participation is required for graduation but make-up work is available should trainees miss an afternoon, a day or an entire weekend for a planned absence or unforeseen emergency.
WEEKEND DATES:
September 22-24
October 6-8
October 20-22
November 3-5
November 17-19
December 1-3
January 5-7
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Fridays: 4-8p
Saturdays: 8a – 5p
Sundays: 8a – 5p
200-HOUR ADVANCED YOGA STUDIES CURRICULUM
Here is a sampling of the curriculum that will be covered throughout the course of the training.
Asana foundations and techniqueAlignment principles
Anatomy and physiology of yoga
Ashtanga
Ayurveda
The business of yoga
Yoga ethics
Hands-on assists
Yoga philosophy
The eight-limb path
Yoga sutras
Yoga history
Pranayama
Yoga Nidra
Deep stretch and relaxation
Class sequencing for a variety of formats
Voice and presence
Class messaging and theming
Giving and receiving feedback
Empowering students for success on the mat
Effective cueing
Props and modifications
Meditation techniques
Sanskrit 101
And more!
200-HOUR ADVANCED YOGA STUDIES LEAD TEACHERS
JOHNNA SMITH
Johnna Smith teaches locally in Charlotte, NC and internationally, connecting people to the powerful and sweet teachings of Yoga. “Our divine birthright is Joy.” She roots this ancient message within her daily Mysore classes, workshops, master classes and co-lead advanced yoga studies.
Years of panic attacks and an inner searching for something led Johnna to the yoga mat. Beginning in 1995, with Ashtanga Yoga practices, she found more joy and less fear.
In 2001 Johnna realized that in this lifetime she wanted to wake up to her true purpose: sharing yoga. Which requires a teacher. She began her lifelong studies of Para Yoga with Tantra Vidya Guru YogaRupa Rod Stryker and is a Level 1 Certified ParaYoga® Instructor . Devoted to yoga’s deeper teachings she, in 2004, began regularly traveling to Mysore, India studying with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and later Sri R. Sharath Jois. In 2016 Sri Sharath blessed her with Authorization Level 2. She is also a Certified Baptiste Teacher®.
Johnna wishes to share the teachings of yoga in a way that inspires people to develop a passion and love for the practice. She incorporates asana, philosophy of yoga, devotional songs and meditations, so that the deeper aspects of the yoga tradition can connect us and bring us closer together.
Her mission is to awaken the world to the yogic teachings, to awaken each dormant heart, and inspire. “Connect to that untapped source deep within, find your fire and follow your heart. Be led to a life of joy and fulfillment.”
She humbly bows to her teachers: Sri YogaRupa, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Sri R. Sharath Jois. “I feel so blessed to have these teachings in this lifetime, thank you.”
JEN EDDINS
You guys know me but here’s a little more on my yoga background!
A 15 year veteran of the fitness industry, Jen Eddins is an E-RYT, Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, health and fitness blogger and published author (Ultimate Plank Fitness and The Complete Guide to Yoga Inversions).
Jen’s yoga journey began in 2009 when she started taking classes to help with the running injuries she was experiencing. She quickly fell in love with the power vinyasa style of yoga and found herself wanting to be on the mat as much as on the road. Jen enrolled in yoga teacher training and obtained her certification at Y2 Yoga in 2011. She discovered a deep love for sharing yoga with others and now has over 6,000 hours of teaching experience leading classes, workshops and teacher trainings.
Jen’s yoga practice of choice is power flow with roots in Ashtanga yoga. She is passionate about intelligent and creative sequencing, safe but free movement and empowering her students around their physical and emotional strength. Jen teaches a strong power flow with fun music and lots of hands-on assists. All classes feature modifications, amplifications and variations to make the practice accessible for students of all levels.
HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION OR SIGN UP
Complete program details can be found on 8th Limb Yoga’s website. If you have specific questions or would like to sign up, please feel free to reach out to me directly or contact [email protected].
ONE FINAL NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM ME
If diving deeper into the practice of yoga and your own personal growth is something that is calling to you – LISTEN. There will always be a reason (or 10) that it’s not the *right* time but one thing I’ve come to learn through 12 years of teaching and 8-9 years of facilitating teacher trainings is that there is rarely a perfect time. If you wait until you’re ready, you might never begin. Trust that you will figure it out.
When I completed teacher training I was working full-time in advertising and teaching group exercise on the side. It was a lot to negotiate but not overly stressful. I loved the TT experience SO much that it was worth the tradeoffs tenfold. I’ve seen a lot of different people from a lot of different walks and stages of life make yoga teacher training work.
Also, and I cannot stress this enough, you don’t have to be any kind of “expert” yogi to be ready for teacher training. I’ve had people sign up for teacher training with only a few months of yoga practice and some with 20+ years. Some are 17 years old, some are 60+. Everyone comes together and learns from each other. It’s a beautiful thing. The absolute only thing you need is a desire in your heart for more.
QUESTIONS/THOUGHTS ON ALL THINGS YTT
I’m here to answer/chat!
Congratulations on launching this project! Just getting to this stage is a huge accomplishment, and I believe you will be very successful. I’m not in your audience for people who will sign up because I don’t do yoga or live anywhere nearby, but I am impressed you’ve launched the project.