The State of Michigan, in accordance with the Private Trade Schools, Business Schools, and Institutes Act 148 of 1943, requires that schools which teach a trade, occupation, or vocation to individuals beyond a high school level must be licensed, meeting all inspections and regulations, for the ultimate purpose of protection of the student's investment.

UNION/YOGA meets this compliance in consideration for and recognition of the professional status of a career in Yoga Instruction. Our Certificate of License in the State of Michigan, Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth is #20090037.

The Yoga Alliance mission is to lead the yoga community, set standards, foster integrity, provide resources, and uphold the teachings of yoga.

Yoga Alliance was born out of an eclectic organization of yoga leaders from across North America, to affirm the unity of yoga teachings. Within the expanding diversity within the Yoga community, what is the common ground? In order to uphold the wisdom and integrity of the ancient yoga tradition, what should all traditions include in their teachings? With Yoga's benefits becoming more widely accepted in the traditional medical community, and known in the mainstream, the Yoga Alliance responded to the need for establishment of criteria for Yoga Teacher Training programs. These criteria serve to uphold the integrity and professionalism of Yoga teachers throughout North America, and the world. With the Yoga Alliance seal of approval, you are assured that the course you are undertaking has met strict standards and that it's teachers and mentors are recognized as of the highest professional caliber. Look for the Yoga Alliance logo. All UNION/YOGA programs are approved by the Yoga Alliance. Learn more...



UYTT Program Director & Instructor:
Sandra Carden, ERYT 500

Sandra began practicing yoga in 1973. She established UNION/YOGA LLC in 1989, where she continues to teach a diverse range of yoga classes, offers a wide array of yoga workshops and retreats, and directs and instructs the 200 and 500 Hour Teacher Certification Programs. Her extensive practice has evolved her teaching style to one that is eclectic, yet clear, precise and spiritual.

Her greatest influences and instructors include Ram Dass, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, BKS Iyengar, Georg Feuerstein, Roger Eischens, Beryl Bender,
Rama Berch, and Joel Kramer. Read her full bio under teachers. Sandra's philosophy is simply stated by scholar Ken Wilber: embrace and transcend. She believes each teacher will add influence and leave an impression, like a samskara. The best teachers allow us to be authentic, and to enfold the ancient teachings into one's own, present-day personal experience. In that way, we transcend dogma into a vital, truthful and personal expression of an ever-evolving tradition. The real teachers are one's students and one's own practice. The "style" is always expressively emerging.