Self awareness is self-transcendence, and clarity through yoga is understanding yourself as a spiritual entity. By knowing yourself you will come to know your edges and shadows, your strengths and gifts as a yoga teacher. Observation of and learning about your Self will be your greatest advantage in becoming an exceptional teacher of yoga.

If you are already a Yoga Alliance registered 200-level teacher, click here to learn about our 500-level Master Teacher Training.

Why Teach Yoga?
The practice of yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. Yoga is not just a physical approach to well-being. Yoga is physical, mental and spiritual. One's body is a physical expression of Self in space and time. Proper and consistent practice of yoga brings enhanced awareness to the ongoing process of change. As we move through life with self loving-kindness and equanimity, we recognize the body/breath/mind harmony more and more, in each moment. The practice of yoga heals and transforms old wounds, opens one's awareness to new possibilities, and allows compassionate acceptance of what is, in this moment, just so.

If you do not feel a calling to teach yoga, this course will give you a thorough understanding and practical application of an ancient practice designed to benefit and bless you in many personal ways. You will have a deeper understanding and experience of yoga, well-integrated into your life. You may then choose to share yoga professionally, or simply as who you are.

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Why UNION/YOGA Teacher Training?
UNION/YOGA Teacher Training Certification Program is registered with Yoga Alliance as an approved certification course, recognized worldwide as meeting or exceeding all professional standards.

UYTT is an intimate, commuter-style program that really allows you to integrate the training into your day-to-day life. You are supported in "living the life as the yogi," as your practice becomes all the turnings of your life--job, family, relationships and interests--while you are learning and growing as a teacher of yoga. In this way you are developing a firm foundation in the science and art of facilitating a yoga practice, both personally and professionally. Through your experience and the mentoring you will recieve, you will be prepared to intelligently and compassionately teach yoga to most all individuals, regardless of physical limitations or degree of experience.

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About UNION/YOGA
UNION/YOGA LLC was established in 1989. Sandra Carden, director, is a certified Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and is registered by Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 Level. Sandra has taught yoga since 1973. She credits her early teachers Joel Kramer, Ram Das, and Chogyam TrungpaRinpoche for her awakening. Many wise teachers in the Iyengar system have guided her early development in alignment and yoga therapeutics. 'Heart' came to her practice through Phoenix Rising and Kripalu influences. The synthesis of yoga and metaphysics was gifted by Jean Couch. Sandy's Ashtanga practice has been guided by Beryl and Thom Berch and David Swenson. Sandra lauds Rama Berch of Master Yoga Academy as a most influential teacher in Svaroopa, or Bliss Yoga. YIN Yoga came to Sandra through Sarah Powers, bringing her experience full circle to connect her early Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist studies. It would be remiss to not include the influence of Sandra's widely varied Christian upbringing, where she came to appreciate and deeply love the rich diversity of devotional ritual and expression.

Sandra Carden's unique style braids precision in technical detail, metaphysical intuition of the practice and a heartfelt compassion for each individual, unique and perfect. Her teaching has been compared to a laser beam- "both light and cutting through to the essence." Sandy's philosophy is that we are all both students and teachers, and our purpose is in recognizing (re-knowing) the divine Self.

UNION/YOGA Teacher Training 200 Certification Program is a synthesis of Sandra's first 30 years of practice, and the best of what she knows. Field Carden is our manager at U/Y, and for many years has guided our voyage as a service and a business. His Libran qualities bring balance and vision, sincerity and humor to the culture at U/Y. We are also blessed to have the assistance of our other UNION/YOGA teachers during teacher training.

UNION/YOGA Teacher Training Certification 200 Program is approved by Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher certification program at the 200 Level. Yoga Alliance is the North American governing board which sets the standards of professionalism required for Yoga Teacher Certification. The minimum standard set by Yoga Alliance requires 200 hours of study.

UNION/YOGA Teacher Training 200 Certification Program additionally offers practicum in the 8 "limbs" of yoga (ashtanga), a study of Ayurveda, the psychology of yoga, yoga business skills, marketing and advertising, and an in-depth study of the chakra system- on which the our course is based.

Each class meeting will include practical, hands-on experience. Student teachers will practice-teach and conduct public classes, be supported with peer mentoring and honest self evaluation. We will also call upon the wisdom of guest teachers of various yoga traditions, as well as professionals from related fields such as Ayurveda.

A detailed series of handouts is given at each meeting time, covering the aspects of that session's focus. Homework includes reading, occasional written and some practicum assignments in addition to daily journal and yoga practice. These assignments are completed in the periods between meetings.

UYTT 200 includes:

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Prerequisites

• A prerequisite of two year's consistent yoga practice is required.
• U/Y registration form must be completed and submitted for approval with $100 non-refundable application fee.
• Payment in full for UYTT must be made before teacher training program begins.

Requirements for Union Yoga Teacher Training 200 Level include:

• attendance at each class meeting in its entirety
• completion of all written assignments
• 3 scheduled public teaching experiences and mentor meetings

Please Note: All U/Y Teacher Training class meetings missed must be made up by appointment and compensated at the director/instructor's private hourly rate.

Certificate of Completion is presented at the graduation ceremony, or upon fulfillment and documentation of all requirements. All Yoga Alliance 200 Level requirements are met by this completed program.

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Required Texts
Required texts include any two transliterations of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and The Anatomy Coloring Book, third edition, by Kapit and Elson. A full bibliography of other suggested readings is included with your class materials. Tuition fee does not include the costs of required or suggested texts.

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Class Dates and Location
The UNION/YOGA Teachers Training 200-level Certification program are August 4th - August 31st, 2008.

The location for the 2008 class is Lake Leelanau, MI.

Tuition

15% Discount Advance Registration (payment in full by May1st, 2008): $2142.00

Full Tuition (paid by July 19th, 2008): $2520.00

If you choose to make payments, contact UNION/YOGA for requirements.

UYTT Refund and Cancellation Policy: A non-refundable $100 application fee is required when you submit your application.

Tuition is nonrefundable once the program has begun, no exceptions.