200 hour YTT
Our program blends the wisdom of traditional yoga with modern teaching techniques, giving you the tools and confidence to become a skilled yoga teacher.
This training is about more than just learning how to teach—it's about embracing the essence of yoga, understanding yourself more deeply, and discovering how to share that journey with others.
required reading
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This book is commonly used for 200 hour teacher trainings, but this revised version includes an indispensable focus on optimal breathing as well.
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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: An Accessible Commentary,
Kurt is a local instructor who took a several years’ deep dive into all of the editions of The Yoga Sutras, and unconvinced of a clear winner, wrote his own. We used this version in my 500RYT and I loved it.
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The Bhagavad Gita, by Nigiri Press
Another classic edition familiar to 200 YTTs, The Bhagavad Gita is considered essential reading for any practitioner of yoga.
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The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice,
Yet another classic used for yoga teacher trainings, this book distills information about the first two limbs of the 8-fold path of yoga. These foundations are said to guide individuals to take ownership of their own lives, as it applies to your decisions that primarily affect yourself, and the way you interact with the world. You and your students will benefit from learning and incorporating these practices.
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Functional anatomy of yoga: a guide for practitioners and teachers,
I also discovered this resource during my 500RYT and wish I had access to it sooner. Keil capably breaks down anatomical concepts in a highly digestible manner.
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Use this book to think about how to build effective, creative, and occasionally challenging sequences to keep your clients safe and interested in your classes, and encourage an evolution to their practice.
recommended reading
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This book builds a sustainable bridge from the esoteric concepts of yoga philosophy to a narrative journey that is both captivating and straightforward.
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This collection of poems identifies intense emotions from a macroscopic view, allowing for self-reflection and building self-awareness.
This has been an invaluable resource for my personal growth, and provides plenty of insights I have enjoyed sharing with my students.
His other books and collections of poetry are worth investigating too.
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The Breathing Book, AND
Teaching Yoga: Exploring the Teacher-Student Relationship,
both by Donna Farhi
Farhi is considered an American staple in the yoga industry (along with a few others) but The Breathing Book is an important resource for different types of breathwork to help with many conditions. Teaching Yoga is a more recent book by Farhi, tackling the ins and outs of appropriate relationship-building with one’s students.
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The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga
One of Lauren’s favorites, this book offers a trauma-informed approach to making classes accessible to all bodies and inclusive of each individual’s experiences. It includes practical tools to help teachers create safer, more welcoming spaces.
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The Great Work of Your Life, AND
both by Stephen Cope
I might have a literary crush on Stephen Cope. In The Great Work of Your Life, Cope frames Arjuna’s struggle and Krisha’s guidance in The Bhagavad Gita conflated with modern examples.
In The Wisdom of Yoga, he does the same for Patanjali’s Sutras. While “original” or “accepted” translations are important, Cope is a master of marrying these revered, ancient concepts to the struggles of modern life.
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Teaching Yoga, by Mark Stephens.
Some folks would argue this should be required reading for a Yoga Teacher Training, and they are probably right. I’m relying on our manual and posture book to relay the information in this book, but feel free to use this tool too.
Disclaimer
Please note: by using the above affiliate links, you are supporting Kindred Flow Yoga + Wellness, as the studio earns a small amount of revenue from qualifying purchases.
Of course you are welcome to purchase your required reading material by other means. We love supporting local bookstores, too!
When possible, we do ask that you purchase the same edition as pictured as it simplifies the teaching process.
Thank you!
✺ Frequently asked questions ✺
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To be honest, in these cases I believe the hard copy is the best option. These are your books for posterity, and you get to write in them, highlight, and refer to them again and again in your yoga career (either as a forever student, or as a teacher too).
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Not all at once! You will be assigned certain pages from some of the books each month for homework. Expect to discuss and/or ask questions when we gather again. These are resources for a lifetime, not just this training.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.