A 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Designed By the Military Community, For the Military Community
Yoga is translated from the word yuj, which is loosely translated to the word union. We were once called to serve in uniform, so for many, being drawn to yoga is a natural transition. The camaraderie and sense of belonging is something we all seek after leaving our time in service.
Train to be a Yoga Teacher With VYP
Program Dates & Cost: See FAQ Below
Meet Our MRYTT Trainees
From all different branches and across the country, we are very excited to welcome each and every class of brand new MRYTT-trained VYP Yoga Teachers to our family. Our teams are founded on the belief that every single person has something to offer, and we are committed to the belief that life experiences are just as valuable as yoga training when spreading our mission of Mindful Resilience. When not training and teaching with VYP, these talented individuals can be found already serving their communities through working with the DoD, running healthcare clinics, and volunteering with other veterans service organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Embody and teach all postures including modifications.(Blocks, straps, chairs, etc.)
- Demonstrate knowledge of movement, breathing, and meditation practices through practical applications and peer instruction.
- Passing the final exam with a score of 70% or higher.
- 100% attendance to all sessions. (Or in accordance with the make-up policy for sessions or assignments missed.)
- All homework, journaling, practice-teaching, and assignments submitted in a timely manner.
- Conduct yourself in a professional manner.
- Adhere to VYP Teacher’s Alliance Code of Ethics.
- Sign all required documentation.
- Complete payment of full tuition prior to receiving certificate of completion.
- Give 108 volunteer hours through SEVA work promoted through direct mentorship.
Our program is derived from many different lineages, schools, and ideals. Our focus on anatomy, physiology, philosophy, and psychology will allow each student to truly explore the concept of yoga as a more holistic practice.
Our training will also allow for time to integrate the learned material between sessions. Divided into online sessions and person sessions, students will have the space to practice weekly concepts on their own, allowing time for reflection and exploring questions or observations as they arise.
We also strongly believe in the guiding principle that support precedes action. Each student attending the training will be partnered with a local VYP representative. The idea behind this partnership is to remind each other that we are never alone in our journey towards growth and betterment. Students will be able to connect with their Yoga Teacher Training partner, observe and participate in local classes (where available), and learn more about what it means to teach yoga to veterans, in all settings.
CLASS FORMAT
– Your 200-hour training will consist of:
- 99 hours of live weekend Zoom training
- 18 hours of live Zoom mentor group trainings
- 30 hours of live online yoga classes through the VYP online studio
- 3 hours of SEVA work preparation/presentation (explained during the open house)
- 50 hours of live, in-person training at the Wild Rice Retreat Center
CLASS OF 2025 DATES:
- Applications Due: November 18th – December 15, 2024
- Notification of acceptance: December 28th, 2024
- Acceptance letters due: January 12th, 2025
- Training Dates Online via Zoom (12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Eastern, 11 – 5 Central, 10 – 4 Mountain, 9 – 3 Pacific):
- January 26: Orientation: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Eastern
- February: 1, 2, 15, 16
- March: 1, 2, 15, 16, 29, 30
- April: 5, 6, 26, 27
- May: 3, 4
- Mentor Group: Tuesdays 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Eastern (mandatory)
- January 28
- February 11, 25
- March 11, 25
- April 1, 15, 29
- May 13
- Study Group: Tuesdays 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Eastern (optional)
- February 4, 18
- March 4, 18
- April 8, 22
- May 6
- Attend two free classes a week through VYP’s online studio throughout the training (30 total classes)
- Graduation at Wild Rice Retreat, Bayfield, WI
- Graduation dates:
- Arrival May 15th
- Departure May 21st
COST:
Application: $150.00 (non-refundable, applied to the cost of tuition)
Cost to participate in the MRYTT: $4000.00
Payments can be made over time as long as the last payment is received before our time together at Wild Rice Retreat. Partial scholarships are available upon request. Participant is responsible for making travel arrangements to/from Wild Rice Retreat.
Tuition includes:
- Training materials (books, yoga gear, manuals)
- Lodging at Wild Rice Retreat
- 200 hours of yoga teacher training by highly trained yoga teachers and professionals
- Mentoring and study groups
If, at any time, you discontinue your training, VYP will collect payments to cover all incidentals to that date.
LOCATION:
All yoga teacher training weekends are held online via Zoom.
Graduation week is located at Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield, WI
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
A completed 200-Hour MRYTT Application
Submission of a letter of recommendation (email to MRYTT@veteransyogaproject.org). Letter must be in .pdf format, and must refer to your military background, yoga experience, and your future plans with VYP. It is your choice who this letter comes from.
A video submission detailing your intent to move forward with VYP, and complete a more personal detailed questionnaire. Video must refer to your military background, yoga experience, and your future plans with VYP. Video must be 5 minutes or less or it will not be reviewed.
Proof of military status (via Sheer ID) Type of military discharge does not affect the application.
Background check.
Upon acceptance: Complete, with signature, all required documents, choose payment plan, and receive course materials prior to start date.
UPON COMPLETION, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER WITH YOGA ALLIANCE AS A REGISTERED YOGA TEACHER AT THE 200-HOUR LEVEL (RYT–200).
While this training is billed as a “200” hour teacher training, that billing only includes contact hours with one of the lead instructors. Homework, journaling, self exploration, and check ins with regional team members are not included in that time. You should expect to cover the following topics:
- Yoga history – Terms, dates, styles
- Yoga philosophy – Historical texts, important dates, and key ideas
- Yoga asana – Commonly practiced poses, their historical context, how to safely sequence, anatomy and alignment with contraindications
- Pranayama – Commonly practiced pranayama, effects on the physical and subtle body, sequencing to include adaptations and alternatives
- Meditation, mantras, mudras
- Anatomy and Biomechanics- Major bones, muscles and their functions in asana, types of joints and their movements
- Physiology – Nervous, cardiovascular, circulatory, endocrine, and digestive systems
- Ethics – Teaching responsibilities, governing bodies, business management
Food, lodging, yoga mat, blocks, strap, bag, t-shirt, books for required reading, manuals and associated handouts are all included in the training.
You are welcome to apply however due to the large number of applicants, we will prioritize applicants who have not been through a Yoga Teacher Training.
Yes! We do ask for your DD-214 as part of the application process however it is simply to verify time in service. For active duty members, more recent orders can take the place of a DD-214.
If you have been practicing yoga for a while, you may know that there is a style of yoga out there for everyone. Our style of physical movement or asana, is derived from several styles of yoga: hatha yoga, power flow, gentle and adaptive yoga, and vinyasa and iyengar yoga. Despite our different backgrounds, you will be taught how to hold the space and share the practices of yoga, no matter the tradition or style you have practiced.
We understand that everyone approaches yoga with different intentions. Some choose to answer the call to teach while others are drawn to explore these practices on their own.
During the course of your program, you will be paired with a local VYP representative who will serve as your mentor. This mentor will provide support as you navigate teacher training as well as offer guidance to launch your own classes.
Upon graduation, you will be invited to join the VYP Teachers Alliance – a program wherein we provide lasting support to our teachers. As a participant in this program, you will be required to teach – and log – 108 hours of yoga to veterans, their families, and community members.
This program is designed specifically to support you in your journey from student to teacher; if you would rather not be a teacher, we still encourage you to apply, however just know that teaching will be a requirement.
Of course! We welcome everyone, of all abilities, to apply.
Yes! Upon successful completion of this training, you will receive the basic qualifications to teach yoga in many settings as well as yoga studios, vet centers, and gyms.
If it is your intention to teach at your local VA, per national VA policy, you may be required to complete the next level of certification (RYT-500).
Jessica Bugbee (Lead Instructor): Army veteran, E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP
Jenn Robb (Lead Instructor): E-RYT 500, YACEP
Brian Garrison: Army veteran, E-RYT-500, YACEP
Jeff Masters: Army veteran, LMT, C-IAYT, MPCT
Brianna Renner (VYP CEO): USMC veteran, E-RYT 500, YACEP
At least 6 months of yoga practice and 6 months of meditation are required,
Veterans Yoga Project is a 200hr Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance. Upon completion of this program you will be able to register as a RYT-200 yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.
This program does not qualify for NBCC CE hrs or IAYT CE hrs.
