Are you interested in evolving your yoga practice? Do you have the desire to gain lifelong skills on how to better navigate the world of yoga? Are you hungry to make a real substantive difference in other people’s lives?
UW Recreations 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program provides the opportunity to step into a voyage of self-discovery, strengthen your physical body, amplify the power of your breath and learn key methodologies for guiding others in practice of yoga.
Rooted in the core principles of mindfulness, anatomy and physiology, our Yoga Alliance-registered training offers an immersive journey into both the art of teaching and the practice of living yoga as a holistic lifestyle.
Core Curriculum
Yoga Alliance has implemented a new RYS 200 Standard which we follow:
- Take note that while we cover all of these categories we do not necessarily cover all information listed in this chart.
- Our curriculum also includes additional content such as conscious communication, practice teaches, listening skills, and self-development exercises.
Meet our instructor!
Qi Duan
Qi’s yoga journey with UW Recreation began in 2022, when she completed her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and soon after began teaching in the supportive UW community. What started as a step in her personal practice quickly grew into a passion for sharing yoga with others.
Since then, Qi has taught in a wide range of settings, including group classes, private sessions, workplaces, and internationally. Qi brings a grounded, breath-focused approach to students from all walks of life. In 2023, she expanded her role to become a teacher trainer in the UW Recreation YTT program, specializing in sequencing design, posture labs, and pranayama techniques.
In 2024, Qi deepened her studies with a solo journey to Nepal, where she completed her 300-hour advanced training. She is now an E-RYT® 200 and RYT® 500 with Yoga Alliance. In the UW REC YTT program, Qi is dedicated to guiding future teachers with the same spirit of curiosity, discipline, and compassion that has shaped her own path.
Winter & Summer Programs
Program Details
Winter YTT Dates:
- 1/10, 1/11,
- 1/17, 1/18
- 1/25, 2/1 (PT1), 2/8, 2/15
- 2/22, 3/1(PT2),
- 3/7, 3/8,
- 3/14, 3/15 (PT3)
Typical daily schedule:
- Starts at 8 AM
- 8-9 Yoga Class/Practice
- 9-9:30 breakfast break
- 9:30-12:30 AM session
- 12:30-1:15 lunch break
- 1:15-5:00 PM session
Important
Payment is required up front. Refunds will not be granted.
Before the training begins there are 35-40 hours of pre-assignments that must be completed before day one.
While unexpected circumstance show up please DO NOT apply if you need to miss training days (especially the first 3 days). If you need to miss part of a day or even a whole day later in the training please indicate this on your application. You are allowed one day of absence from YTT. If you miss additional days, you will not be eligible to complete the course and receive your 200 certification.
This training is a serious time investment, please ensure it will not interfere with your academic, work, and/or personal life commitments.
Summer Dates: TBD
Typical daily schedule:
- Starts at 8 AM
- 8-9 Yoga Class/Practice
- 9-9:30 breakfast break
- 9:30-12:30 AM session
- 12:30-1:15 lunch break
- 1:15-5:00 PM session
Training FAQs
Current UW Students, Faculty/Staff, +1 IMA Members/Spouses (space permitting), and UW Alumni (space permitting).
We believe in yoga for all, and we welcome all aspiring applicants.
UW Seattle Students: You do not need to be enrolled in summer academic classes to attend our summer training. If you are graduating during spring you are still eligible for student pricing and access to the IMA in the summer (either by purchasing a membership for the summer or being given access during class days/times). This training does not count towards any academic credit.
UW Seattle Faculty/Staff: You do not need to be an IMA member, you will be given access to the IMA during class days/times.
UW Continuing Education, Bothell, or Tacoma Students: You would need to purchase a student IMA membership ($70 a quarter) for Winter/Spring or (Spring/Summer for the summer intensive) to be eligible for student pricing.
Qualifying +1 IMA members: You can receive +1 pricing and be given access to the building during class day/times.
UW Alumni
Seattle Community: You can apply to the training however keep in mind that UW Students, Faculty/Staff tend to receive priority.
Ideally 6 months of consistent practice (minimum 1x a week of in class, personal practice or video/audio classes) under your belt. This is a suggestion, but not a requirement.
While our training is steeped in “vinyasa” methodology, all that means is being able to guide postures in a fluid and connected way. After the training you will be able to lead classes that range from gentle, moderate, to more dynamic and heated practices. Our training focuses on teaching to all-levels by weaving in clear posture options and learning how to utilize props to support.
UW Recreation is recognized by Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga School which means the program meets the standards of a 200-hour program. Most yoga studios, gyms, retreat centers, etc. will only hire yoga teachers that have done a Yoga Alliance accredited 200-hour training. You may choose to become an “RYT,” registered yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance after your training (although this is not mandatory to teach. You will learn much more about this in the Business of Yoga). This training qualifies you to teach domestically or overseas.
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Demonstrate dedication to enhancing growth mindset using yoga-based practices.
- Possess a strong desire for learning and enjoyment of study.
- Show commitment to actively participating in discussions, activities, and practical exercises.
- Display a willingness to engage fully in the learning process, both individually and collaboratively.
- Exhibit reliability by completing assignments and tasks on time.
- Exhibit self-motivation and drive to excel in the course material.
- Demonstrate conscious communication and the ability to engage effectively with instructors and classmates.
- Show resilience and adaptability in navigating the challenges and opportunities presented during the training.
- Demonstrate respect for the learning environment by refraining from sleeping or using digital devices during class sessions.
- Exhibit professionalism and courtesy by arriving on time for all sessions and remaining present for the duration of the training, including after lunch breaks.
$800 for students.
$1,800 for non-students (faculty/staff, +1, space permitting).
$2,400 for UW Alumni (space permitting).
$2,800 for Seattle community (space permitting).
Payment is required up front. YTT is non-refundable.
We do not have any financial assistance available.
“The UW Recreation Yoga Teacher Training emphasized a holistic methodology, considering the history of yoga, safety, meditation, postures, diversity, equity, and inclusion and so much more! The instructors, guest speakers, group exercises and curriculum felt very intentional and well planned. Throughout the three weeks, I felt like I was at a “retreat” where I could be in the moment with personal growth opportunities while appreciating my new skills and knowledge to carry me forward as a yoga instructor. I would highly recommend the UW Recreation Yoga Teacher Training Program!”
– Cindy Lopez, University of Washington Alumnus, ‘98
“As an overseas student, I’m really grateful that I signed up for this amazing program: it made my summer vacation so meaningful! Different from other yoga training, the Yoga Theories class at YTT taught me how to perform every movement safely during yoga practice. I learned to protect and control my body while performing beautiful yoga movements. My favorite part of the program was the outdoor yoga sessions we did by the lake: the sun, the breeze, and the noisy ducks made my yoga sessions so enjoyable. During the three Practice Teaching sessions in this program, I also gained a better understanding of myself from the advice given by my students. And this is a very supportive community that I’ve made some good friends here. Thanks to Danny and Ashwini for their help and guidance, I will continue to go far in the field of yoga meditation in the future.”
– Sophia Sun, Journalism major, University of Washington
“This training will change the way you look at how yoga [is] typically taught in the west. Reflecting on what body types and who is privileged in the yoga space, allows us to reimagine the way we teach. Reimagining is the first step to offering yoga that is more inclusive for all bodies, of all ages. No more sequences with endless cat-cows and upward dogs- I am inspired to be more creative with how I teach yoga for the vast majority of people for whom these poses make existing injuries worse.”
– Ramya Kuma, PhD Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle
Feedback
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