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200hr Yoga Teacher Certification
Union Yoga’s 200 Hour Teacher Training program is an enriching program designed for those looking to embark on a path of self-discovery through yoga, and equips students with the tools and confidence to teach yoga professionally.
Our comprehensive and transformative 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training: deepen your practice, learn to teach yoga with our highly skilled and experienced faculty members, and become a part of our growing community!

Curriculum Overview & Requirements
August 2023 update: Yoga Teacher Training is on hold. No 2023 - 2024 dates are scheduled. We are not accepting applications at this time.
The curriculum far exceeds what is required by the Yoga Alliance and provides a solid foundation for teaching yoga professionally. Union Yoga + Wellness’s Yoga Teacher Training is a Registered Yoga School (200 Hour designation) with the Yoga Alliance (US), and has received the online teacher training exemption.
Embedded within the training is a Mentorship program in which each trainee will be paired with a Union Yoga teacher for the duration of the course for support and guidance. Info below reflects our current curriculum.
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PART ONE: Theory and Applied Foundations
— Yoga History
— Yoga Philosophy
— Pranayama + The Science of Breath
— Embodied Mindfulness Meditation
— Subtle Anatomy – including the chakras, koshas, vayus, doshas, and mantra
— Essential qualities of a teacher
— Communication skills, boundaries and self-care
• BONUS all day training: Embodying Trauma-informed Foundations
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PART TWO: Experiential and Embodiment
— Human anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics
— Foundational yoga asana (postures)
— How sequence and theme yoga classes
— How to teach to beginners and offer accessible classes
— Diversity and inclusion in yoga
— Business of yoga
— Class observation (minimum 5 classes)
— Teaching practicum (includes learning Union’s template for classes and teaching a 30 min class)
• BONUS all day training: Embodying Restorative Yoga
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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
— Attendance is mandatory at all in-person and online sessions.
— Cameras on during online sessions (except during slide presentations)
— Attend 36 teacher-lead classes (at Union and/or elsewhere).
— Observe and reflect on five teacher-lead classes at Union.
— Record a complete 30-minute hatha or flow yoga class to be reviewed by faculty, demonstrating
proficiency in teaching standing, reclined, and seated poses.
— Successful completion of homework assignments and tests
— Attendance at Group Practice sessions (Wednesday evenings).
— Minimum of 2 hours of homework per week, in addition to class attendance.
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Past program graduates who were interested in teaching professionally have gone on to teach for Union and other established studios in the GTA.
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A Note on Accessibility: ​
While we touch on all eight limbs of yoga (philosophy, subtle anatomy, meditation, pranayama, trauma informed yoga) this is primarily an embodied asana based training, all trainees must have a consistent and robust practice that includes familiarity with standing, seated, and reclined poses. At times divergent views will be presented. For example, faculty have varying perspectives on use of Sanskrit. It will be used by some to honour faculty's specific lineage, and not used by others.
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Program Schedule
Our training program takes place on weekends (roughly 2 per month) and Wednesday evenings.
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PART ONE: Theory and Applied Foundations
75 hours (60 contact hours, 15 non-contact hours for reading, home study, personal yoga practice + optional affinity group forums)
*Tests are optional for those only participating in Part One
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PART TWO: Experiential and Embodiment
165 hours (140 contact hours, 30+ non-contact hours for reading, home study, and personal yoga practice. Weekends are taught in-person.
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Personal practice: 36 classes (online or in-studio at Union and/or elsewhere) in addition to scheduled
Overall hours: 250hrs+ including mentorship meetings, and class observations/assisting.
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Tuition & Scholarships
Please pay what you can. Paying more supports our ability to offer scholarships and supports the participation of those with more limited financial means. Not sure where you fall on the sliding scale? See this helpful graphic. Full certification tuition may be claimed for the purpose of tax credits.
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CERTIFICATION TUITION
$3850 + HST
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Tuition includes the Union Yoga 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training manual (digital PDF), 6 month unlimited pass* to practice at the studio, in livestreamed classes, and access to our Virtual Studio (on-demand classes). Payment plans available. Textbooks not included.
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Union Yoga + Wellness is a certified educational institution, approved by the Minister of Employment and Social Development under the Income Tax Act. Trainees in our 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training may claim tax credits for their tuition.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Union’s leadership is engaged in a process of learning about, and addressing, systems of power that perpetuate racism and privilege whiteness. We further believe that education must be matched with real action, and we have taken steps to de-centre whiteness, including providing scholarships for people of colour.
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These scholarships are an effort to encourage the participation of folx made most marginalized, and to foster more inclusive spaces, for now and for the future. We will prioritize Black, Indigenous, and People of colour applicants, in recognition of the long history of underrepresentation of people of colour in western Yoga spaces. To learn more about Union’s anti-oppression values and practices, see here.
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The Union Advantage
Study with us and benefit from core faculty with combined 3000+ hours of yoga education and 80+ years teaching experience, weekend and evening format so that you can live your life while in training, access to teachers through the mentorship program, an unlimited pass to practice at Union for the duration of the training, discounted studio membership in perpetuity, opportunities to teach at Union once graduated, training in Mindfulness Meditation, Trauma informed yoga, Restorative yoga, and much much more!
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Union Yoga + Wellness is recognized as a leader in the international yoga community and won the Top Choice Award for Top Yoga Studio Toronto in 2016, 2017, and 2021. Graduates of our program have gone on to teach at Union and other studios and workplaces around the city, and integrate yoga into their professional careers as occupational therapists, social workers, massage therapists, and more.
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Ideal applicants are those with a passion for yoga who would like to delve deeper into their personal practice and path of self-discovery. Applicants may also wish to teach yoga professionally, either in their communities, workplaces, or studios.
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Yoga Teacher Training can be physically and emotionally demanding. Candidates should be prepared and willing to work hard throughout the duration of the program; be able to put in extra time outside of scheduled sessions for self-practice, studying, assignments; demonstrate emotional maturity and willingness to participate in group discussions and interactive learning sessions, and to support their peers. Given the deep nature of Yoga training, intensive education programs such as ours are not advised for individuals with recent traumas. Training is not a substitute for therapy or professional coaching programs.
Requirements:
Interested applicants should have a minimum 2-year regular yoga practice, and be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must have access to reliable internet, a computer or tablet with a video camera and built-in microphone, and private space to participate in training.
Applicants must also attend at least 2 classes with Union Yoga teaching faculty (can be attended after the application form has been submitted). We invite interested applicants of all genders, religious and ethnic backgrounds, races, sexual orientations, and body sizes to apply.
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If you are interested, please contact us at teachertraining@unionyogastudio.ca
Please allow a minimum of 5 business days for us to process your application. You will receive an email to let you know if your application has been conditionally accepted, and schedule a time for a 15 minute virtual interview. Within two-weeks of final acceptance, a non-refundable deposit of $500 + HST is required to guarantee admission.
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Testimonials
“I would highly recommend Unions YTT. The studio alone is unlike any other yoga studio I have been to and the teacher training is no different. The amount of care and consideration for creating a safe inclusive space is what drew me to the program. They aren’t just going through the motions and pumping out yoga teachers. I appreciate the efforts to continue to strive to break down barriers and have important conversations that aren’t being had in every YTT program to support new teachers to think critically about their impact on students and the yoga community as a whole. I came to the program for these reasons and stayed for a million more. I found the most supportive group of peers and mentors and knew that I chose the right place for me. Forever grateful for this studio.” – SG, 2019
“This training was immense and really empowered me to be as curious as a student, confident as a teacher, and humbled to be both. Anatomy was something I was afraid of it was made accessible and VERY! EXCITING! We can learn about anatomy, asana, sequencing techniques but learning about the ‘why we show up’ each and every day and what we bring with us, that’s the piece that I don’t think is offered anywhere else. And that’s probably the thing I always go back to as a new teacher. The facilitators were also very honest and open to any feedback from the group and I felt heard and valued. Thank you thank you thank you!” – Natasha Griarte, 2019
“The quality of instruction, the depth and breadth of the material covered, and the kind support of the teachers were beyond my expectations. The program is challenging – as it should be – but we were guided with skill, kindness and encouragement. It was one of the best learning experiences I’ve ever had. How would I pitch the program to someone on the fence about it? If your interest in and practice of yoga are important to you, then this program will help nurture and grow your practice while preparing you to help others develop theirs. You will experience your body with new insight and understanding; you will make friends with your body in new ways, which will enable you to help others do the same. Your knowledge and understanding of the history and eight-limbed path of which yoga is a part, will be greatly expanded. There were some important takeaways for me from the Union YTT program. I was introduced to the term 'metta' (loving kindness). We were reminded to be gentle with ourselves. We so often push ourselves to do well, focusing on 'results' instead of being present with our experiences, especially in a new course of study, that it was refreshing and comforting to be reminded to practice loving kindness with ourselves and others, especially if one felt overwhelmed by…you know, life!” – Dwayne (2017 YTT graduate)
“Union Yoga’s YTT program opened me up to so many yoga modalities and ways of thinking. Their warm and supportive faculty helped accelerate my self-exploration and understanding of key concepts. I am really grateful for the diversity of thought, inclusiveness and hands-on approach at Union YTT – it’s truly a first class learning experience!” – Rachelle (2017 YTT graduate)
“The Union YTT program is more then just a teacher training program. After years of wondering how I could apply yoga to my professional world as a social worker I took the plunge to start the program. One if the reasons I was attracted to the program was the attention spent on special populations, but I quickly learned that it was so much more than that. It was a journey that lets anyone who is interested in teaching in the future or interested in the education and knowledge of gaining a deeper understanding of yoga explore in a safe and welcoming studio. The studio becomes a second home that welcomes you back no matter where you land with your practice. Learning yoga is a life long journey and I would encourage anyone who is contemplating the program to try and put no expectations or pressure of doing nothing more then showing up and giving your efforts and the rest will come.” – Jenn (2016 YTT graduate)
“I went into Union’s Teacher Training Program eager to learn and fairly new to the practice. My yoga knowledge prior to participating in the training was limited but I knew that I absolutely loved the way that yoga made me feel and that I enjoyed being a part of the community that Union has cultivated. I was drawn to the human anatomy and physiology portion of this course. The content was very in-depth and has helped me have a greater understanding of why we have certain alignments in asanas and how to keep your body (and your student’s bodies) safe.The program prepares you to work with all different kinds of people and body types. I loved learning all about the history of yoga and how it has become what we know it as today. I came out of this program wide-eyed and with a whole new appreciation for my practice. The teachers are all incredible and each bring a different strength and basket of knowledge to the program. I’m grateful for the knowledge, tools, courage and friends that I have gained from this training.” – A.S. (2016 YTT Graduate)