FYI Teacher Training

FYI Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) – Teach What You Love

Do you remember your very first yoga class? Or, do you recall the moment you fell in love with Yoga? Perhaps back then a seed was planted within you to one day become a professional yoga teacher. Whether you are dedicated yoga student ready to deepen your love of yoga; whether you wish to teach yoga now or in the future; or as a healer wish to offer clients alternatives to healing and transformation, the Florida Yoga Institute (YTT) teacher training is for you.

Who We Are

We are southwest Florida’s first and most comprehensive yoga teacher training. FYI was born in 2006 to meet the need of the Southwest Florida community for a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, training that respects the classical tradition of yoga. Our training moves well beyond the western interpretation of yoga as purely a physical practice. Founded by author and long-time student of yoga Francesca Vanegas, the FYI training exceeds minimum certification requirements. FYI’s team of dedicated instructors have a passion for sharing their love of yoga. This Yoga Alliance registered program will prepare participants to teach yoga to students of all abilities whether they are 20 something or 80 something and everyone in between. The teaching philosophy is interdisciplinary celebrating renowned yoga systems including Kripalu, Iyengar, Kundalini, and Forrest Yoga all while being rooted in the tradition of Classical Yoga. This course is a perfect foundation for new teachers.

What you will learn

Yoga is a never-ending, unique journey of growth and learning. FYI’s training is one of the world’s most comprehensive teacher training programs whose curriculum parallels Francesca’s book Teaching Down Dogs New Tricks™

You’ll learn to teach with creativity and imagination. You’ll learn to engage and motivate students to return to your classes time and time again. Participants will receive a strong technical understanding of the physics of movement, anatomy, and physiology. The learning environment is engaging, supportive, thorough, and conducive to learning and success. The teaching method is experiential and Socratic — feeding off of the collective intelligence all while inviting creativity, adaptability, and inner strength.

On graduation day you will feel confident and prepared to teach students of all physical abilities: whether the student is 20 something or 80 something and whether students need no assistance or lots of support and modifications to benefit from the class.

Our Promise

To design and deliver an emotionally and physically safe, friendly, comprehensive, 250+ hour training which honors each student’s voice and style; and to enable each graduating teacher with the skill to teach students of all abilities whether the student is 20 or 80 years old with intelligence, skill, compassion, safety, and integrity.

Get Started

Learn more about the FYI teacher training. Get started now! Read about our coursework in yoga instructor certification in order to become a yoga instructor. Complete the contact form and we will answer your questions promptly.

Our Training – In Brief

Our training is rooted in the tradition of Classical Yoga whose exponent, yoga scholar Patanjali, helped us understand the true meaning of yoga and gave us a yoga roadmap that included the practices of ethics, yoga asana, breath, and meditation.

The FYI training weaves the Eastern tradition of Classical Yoga with the valuable Western influence that has transformed yoga into an accessible practice. We offer a comprehensive curriculum that teaches the breadth and fullness of yoga as well as training in yoga history, yoga philosophy, the anatomy and physiology of yoga’s top 25 poses, meditation, business mastery, and personal mastery. Delivered over six intensive weekends, our training exceeds Yoga Alliance standards.

The program taps into Yoga teachings from a multitude of perspectives in order to provide the student with a rich and vast body of knowledge. The pillars of the training include yoga, meditation, business mastery, and personal mastery.

Training Touchstones

Yoga
Our training explores every facet of yoga from its roots, philosophical branches, evolution, up through its current western expression. We study primary ancient texts and understand them through the eyes of yesterday’s and today’s yoga luminaries. Participants learn to teach yoga’s top 25 beginner-level yoga asana. This training parallels the book Teaching Down Dogs New TricksTM authored by program director Francesca Vanegas. Students receive comprehensive training in biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology of each foundational pose of yoga. Participants gain a detailed understanding of each pose’s alignment, benefits, cautions, pose progression, and sequencing. The training places great emphasis on preparing graduates to become safe and effective teachers who can structure and sequence a therapeutic class providing meaningful assists and modifications for students with injuries, illnesses, and conditions such as pregnancy. Students have shared their profound gratitude for this training, just read about their appreciation for Our Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.

Meditation
Immerse yourself in the simple, ancient techniques that help strengthen, focus, and quiet the mind. In the process tap the inexhaustible source of joy and inner guidance within. The training delves deeply into the nature of the mind through the teachings of ancient and contemporary teachers. Participants learn key principles of guiding brief meditation sessions within a yoga class. Areas of learning include an in-depth study of the path of the Buddha and his key teachings and sutras; learning principles of mindfulness through one dozen meditation traditions including vipassana meditation, witness consciousness, and Zen meditation. Students meditate every day of the training.

Anatomy & Physiology
We study the science of the living anatomy by investigating all the systems of the body including muscular-skeletal, nervous, lymphatic, the central nervous system, and organs. The training is experiential with a comprehensive emphasis on the biomechanics of Yoga asana; an in-depth understanding of selected illnesses, injuries, and possible approaches to responding to students’ health conditions. There is a thorough review of the impact of modifications and props on asana and how these props change the alignment and mechanics of the body. The anatomical study is not limited to structural function, but includes a study of the emotional and psychological forces that impact physical structure.

Business Mastery
Yoga teachers can have a fulfilling, thriving business and keep it successful without sacrificing their values. Business skills are fundamental to success whether you plan to own and operate a studio or teach independently after receiving your yoga instructor certification. Participants learn sales and marketing strategies to promote classes, workshops, and other services in the community. During the course, students implement their new skills by developing and promoting one or more Yoga events. Areas of learning include marketing communications, positioning, public relations, web-based marketing, conscious business practices, and studio management and operations

Personal Mastery
We are like rivers, going through life taking the path of least resistance. However, just as engineers can change the path of a river by changing the terrain, we can change the basic structure of our lives to create a life that we love. The personal mastery training teaches participants to expand the capacity to create the results they most desire. During the Florida Yoga Teacher Training you'll learn to become the creative force in your life. We examine the role of habitual patterns of thought and behavior and introduce personal mastery concepts that help transform vicious and unskillful circles into conscious, intelligent, and virtuous life cycles. Students gain access to groundbreaking communications training and one-on-one coaching offered at Fortune 500 corporations. This highly experiential portion of the training relies on individual and group work on case studies, role playing, guided imagery, coaching, self-assessments, and powerful breath work. Areas of learning include creating a personal vision, designing a life you love, one-on-one coaching, and conscious communication.

"The term 'mastery' comes from the Sanskrit root mah, meaning 'greater.' It's about producing results, but also to master the principles underlying the way you produce results. Creating great work with constant struggle is not masterful. In mastery there is a sense of effortlessness, joyousness. It stems from your ability and willingness to understand and work with the forces around you." Francesca Vanegas

Who Will Benefit From This Training?
  • Any aspiring teacher who wishes to become a certified, Yoga Alliance registered yoga instructor completing a 200+ hour certified teacher training
  • Students who wish to deepen their practice, and understand the richness of this ancient tradition.
  • People on a spiritual path wishing to immerse themselves more deeply in yoga practice and holistic living.
  • Individuals who have completed a 200 hour teacher training and would like to expand their teaching and intuitive skills and embark on a holistic journey.

No specific prior yoga training is required; however, we suggest a minimum of 6 months committed practice prior to our training.

Staff

Joining Francesca during this training is an exceptional staff of veteran teachers:

Registration Requirements
  • You must be in good physical and emotional health and have the strength and ability to complete our beginner sequence
  • Students must have at least one year of consistent yoga practice with a yoga instructor certified at the 200-hour level by a Yoga Alliance Registered school.
  • Applicants who do not have the experience above will be asked to participate in additional training and yoga classes within the training period.
  • To reserve your space,
  • To reserve your space in the program, and register, download and submit an application with a $500 deposit (non refundable). To get started click here: (pdf file that is currently in get started page), or request that it be mailed to you.
  • Once you've been accepted to the training, you'll receive a comprehensive acceptance letter with a list of required books and materials to begin your very exciting training journey. We do not expect you to purchase the books/materials unless you wish to, otherwise you can exercise financial judiciousness and share books within the group or obtain at library.

Certification Requirements
(Must be completed within 18 months of the start of FYI training)

  • To be certified and obtain the Yoga Alliance registration, 100 % full participation and attendance at all 6 weekend modules and 6 intensives, and all components and assignments of the FYI Yoga Teacher Training is required.
  • Certification may be jeopardized by tardiness and/or early departures. In the event certification is jeopardized, the student is welcome to join the next training round.
  • Completion of independent study materials and projects as provided throughout the training.
  • Completion of a meditation retreat, or yoga workshop with an approved instructor (minimum of 24 hours of instruction)
Training Schedule

Training will consist of daily meditation and an asana practice, followed by an exploration of the principles of FYI’s interdisciplinary training including modules on yoga’s top 25 poses which parallel Francesca’s book Teaching Down Dogs New Tricks™, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, practice teaching, adjusting, teaching to multiple levels, sequencing, working with injuries, and personal mastery.

Yoga Teacher Training Schedule 2010 - Tentative
Modules Dates Intensives Date
Module 1 July 9-11 Intensive Day 1 July 25
Module 2 August 13-15 Intensive Day 2 August 22
Module 3 September 10-12 Intensive Day 3 September 19
Module 4 October 15-17 Intensive Day 4 October 17
Module 5 November 12-14 Intensive Day 5 November 21
Module 6 December 1-12 Graduation Day is December 12

Weekend Module Tentative Schedule:

  • Fridays from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
  • Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

A limited number of spaces in the six weekend modules and intensives will be available to teachers who have completed a Yoga Alliance Registered 200-hour teacher training. All six modules must be taken together, we cannot split them up. Application for eligibility is required.

Cost

Tuition for the FYI Yoga Teacher Training is $2,950. This includes the six weekend modules, the five intensives, a 500 page manual and/or Teaching Down Dogs New TricksTM book, authored by Francesca Vanegas; plus unlimited yoga classes at the FYI (a value of $500). The classes can be activated once tuition is paid in full giving you time well before your training to enjoy this benefit. Tuition does not include the cost of books on the required reading list. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required along with a completed application. The balance of the tuition must be paid in full 30 days prior to the training. With your commitment to the FYI Teacher Training you are making an investment in becoming an exceptional yoga teacher while enhancing the quality of your life.

Early Bird Incentive - We offer an early incentive of $100 for those who sign up and pay in full one month before the training. We will also activate your unlimited yoga at this time. This means you can receive up to 6 months of unlimited yoga, for a total added value of $500.

Information Session
The FYI holds information sessions each quarter. The information session, from 7:30-9:00 begins with a mini-class led by a member of the FYI faculty followed by a info-session and Q & A. Click on Programs & Workshops (this should be a link) to see the dates of the scheduled sessions.

CANCELLATION POLICY
A refund will be issued for cancellations made at least 30 days prior to the start date of the program for tuition paid less the $500 non-refundable deposit. NO refunds, credits or transfers are available for cancellation within 30 days prior to the start date of the program. Please understand our cancellation policy is firm and we cannot make exceptions.

TO LEARN MORE
For more information or to register, please Contact us (link) or call our teacher training program director Francesca Vanegas at 239-498-0222, email: director@flayogainstitute.com.