Due to Covid, our 200 Hour YTT did not begin in January as originally intended. We are still collecting applications. 
200-hour Yoga Alliance approved Yoga Teacher certification program is a general hatha yoga course, which can be easily adapted for many styles of yoga. One of the primary goals of our program is to expose our trainees to a wide variety of classes and teaching styles, to help each person find their own unique way of teaching. We are able to do that while keeping our program rooted in alignment, yet maintaining a strong focus that yoga is more than a physical posture practice. Learn more about our program content…
Core Course Content:
- Anatomy & Physiology:
This is not your average anatomy training. Don’t expect hours of “which bone is which” that make you feel like you’re back in high school science classes. We spend time on the things that matter most to a yoga teacher and skip the memorization…fun movement experiments that will help you apply anatomy ideas to your own practice, discussion groups, and engaging homework assignments will give you tools you’ll be able to access as a teacher. You’ll have time to soak up the material and try it out it in your own yoga practice. By the time we’re finished, you’ll have a broad understanding of the anatomical concepts that are most important to a yoga teacher so you can begin teaching with confidence.
- Techniques, Training and Practice:
Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts! Learn to teach all the elements of a basic level yoga class, including: warm-ups, postures, breathing practices, relaxation and meditation. By combining analytical training in how to teach these elements and by experiencing guided practice of the techniques themselves, you will expand and deepen your personal practice of yoga while gaining the skills to teach. We will cover topics such as the benefits, contraindications, and how-to for many yoga postures, four breathing practices, four types of guided relaxation, and several forms of meditation. You will come away with an understanding of how to design a yoga practice in a big picture sense so that you can craft your own classes, and will also be supported with sample relaxation scripts, posture flows, and more to help make your transition into yoga teaching more easeful. This is a whole body learning experience with stimulating presentation and engaging activities to help you embody and integrate the yoga more fully.
Learn how to make poses accessible for any student, what to do when students have an injury and still want to practice, how to accommodate pregnant women in your regular classes, simple cues that help every student find success on the mat, key alignment principles to maintain safety. Understand the importance of and how to properly warm-up students bodies prior to engaging in yoga postures, when and why to incorporate various breathing practices into a yoga sequence, and how to use guided relaxation and meditation so that your students leave class feeling refreshed.
- Teaching Methodology:
Through our teaching methodology sections, we’ll be helping you find your own unique teaching voice and style. Our program is a general hatha yoga program that is easily adapted to teaching many styles of classes. Do you prefer a faster paced flowing class or longer posture holds? Do you prefer when teachers talk a lot during class, guiding you through an experience, or do you prefer a more spacious, quiet class where you can sink into your own experience? If you don’t already know, you will by the end of our program. You’ll get to experience a vast array of teaching styles so you can find an approach that makes your heart (and the hearts of your students) sing.
In addition, we will discuss the importance of communication skills such as group dynamics, time management, and the establishment of priorities and boundaries. We will cover different learning styles and how they apply to principles of demonstration, observation, verbal ques, and assisting of yoga techniques. This is also where we’ll “get down to business” – marketing, legal waivers, record-keeping, and taxes that is.
- Yoga Philosophy, Lifestyle and Ethics:
In these modules, our focus is on the deeper aspects of yoga – moving beyond the physical posture practice. We’ll cover Patanjali’s 8-limbed path, with an in depth look at the yamas and niyamas. Learn how to live your yoga off of your mat, bringing mindfulness and joy into everyday tasks.
Come to understand the chakras and subtle energy body, explore which yoga postures are related to various feelings, emotions or life events. Become attuned to subtle body cues, learn to more fully experience the body-mind connection and how to use yoga for life change.
Explore ethics for yoga teachers, such as those involving teacher – student relationships and community, understand the value of teaching yoga as a service.
Required Books:
Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit: A Return to Wholeness by Donna Farhi
The Yamas & Niyams: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele
2021 Training Dates (8:30-5:00pm each day) TBD
Our training takes place through 12 weekend intensives, over the course of one year. We know that it takes time to fully integrate all of the new learning from each weekend intensive. And because we want you to have the best possible experience, we’re not in a rush! Intensives are scheduled roughly every 4 weeks, and we do our best to work around home PSU football games and major holidays. Our convenient weekend format is perfect for those who live nearby and also those who travel into town. Weekend classes mean you can take the training without interfering with your work week and with minimal interruption to your family life. Our trainees have successfully navigated the program while continuing full-time jobs, and while taking care of young children.
Trainees will be given homework assignments in between each weekend intensive to help deepen their understanding of yoga. These assignments will take no more than a few hours of time each month.
Meet our Teacher Training Staff:
Mandy Sergent Glitzer
Mandy’s goal from her yoga practice has never been to stand on her head. The goal has always been to quiet her mind, check in with herself, and stand more fully on her own two feet. Mandy began practicing yoga over a decade ago. At that time, she had graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering and found herself bouncing around the U.S., from state to state and job to job, with a general sense of discontent. Once she began practicing yoga, what kept her coming back to her mat weren’t the physical benefits of her practice. It was the way in which her mind seemed to turn off during yoga. The “what next, what if” worries, concerns and chatter seemed to fade away. It was as if the physical postures took enough concentration to quiet down all of her mind chatter, and before she knew it, she was even moving without thinking. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the answers to her worries would come. It wasn’t long before Mandy would turn to her yoga mat before making any big life decision.
In 2003, Mandy graduated from her first 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training program at the Mt. Nittany Institute of Natural Health. Since that time, she has completed over 1200 additional hours of mind-body training, earning additional yoga teaching certificates in Prenatal Yoga and Phoenix Rising Yoga. Mandy is also a Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist, helping clients heal from past trauma, negotiate life change and move forward in a more authentic way. She also earned her Holistic health Counseling certificate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. In November, 2009, she left the engineering world to pursue full-time self-employment as a yoga therapist and instructor and opened Wellness in Motion in 2014. She is a member of the Yoga Alliance (E-RYT), the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
Mandy currently serves as the Director and Lead Trainer of our Yoga Teacher Training Program. Her main goal is to provide a safe container for the yoga trainees to grow and learn.
Guest Teachers
Throughout our program, we have a variety of guest teachers join us to share their unique yoga teaching style through lecture and yoga practice. Kate Marshall-Chase will teach a series of clinics focused on key alignment principles. Theresa Conroy will lead a workshop on Teaching Yoga to Special Populations. Jen Yost joins us to share her love of yoga and Zen awareness practices. In addition, we frequently ask other are practitioners (yoga instructors, nutritionists, etc) to lead workshops that enhance special topic areas of the program. Read more about Kate, Jen and Theresa on our Teacher Bios page.
Program Costs
$2750 Early bird discount / $3000 Standard tuition (payment plans available for standard tuition)
Cost of required textbooks (estimated at less than $50)
Fees for attending 22 yoga classes throughout the year. These may be taken at Wellness in Motion, any other studio, or by watching DVDs. We want you to experience a wide range of classes to help you find your own unique teaching style.
Any travel/meal costs that you may incur if you are traveling from out of town.
Ready to change your life and the lives of others?
Are you ready to take your yoga practice to the next level? Do you want to be part of an empowered community of like-minded people? Do you want to help others find joy, relaxation, health and strength through yoga? If so, this program could be right for you.
Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must
- be at least 18 years of age **applicants age 14-17 will be considered following a conversation with and approval from the parents/guardian**
- have a high school diploma or the equivalent **unless applicant is a minor**
- submit an application
- submit a non-refundable application fee of $50
- have had a personal yoga practice for at least several months prior to the start of the program. Classes that you’ve taken at studios, or a home practice with DVDs or books count. You do not have to have any yoga teaching experience.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mandy by phone (814-237-4005) or email (wellnessinmotionstudio@gmail.com). You may also find your answer on our FAQs page.
What do past trainees have to say about our program?
I have been practicing yoga for many years and knew that a YTT would deepen my understanding and commitment but I did not know how completely transforming this program would be. I am amazed how quickly and how deeply this transformation has been. I have discovered so many aspects of Yoga that I did not know about through this program. I truly feel that I am so much more well rounded and well versed. This program presents many styles and options, so that I am learning what is best for me to focus on. One of my favorite aspects of this program is that is supports the development of the individual and allows each student to find and develop their strengths. Who I am and my interests are honored and I am encouraged to delve more deeply into what is resonating with me. I love not feeling like I am expected to be like anyone else. Mandy creates a supportive environment that allows each student to feel safe in exploring and developing. Her ability to lead with gentleness and positivity is truly amazing to experience. She brings her seasoned teaching, supportive nature, and open heart to every session, further inspiring the students to go even further.
~Elisha
I’m really starting to notice the WHOLE experience come together. And I think that’s how I described this training to a friend that is interested in the next round. I was sharing with her that because there is time to integrate and such a beautiful pace to how information is distributed it starts to be a practice for life, not just yoga on your mat and it feels great! Another thing that stood out to me when I was sharing why I love this program and what I have always found so great about you, Mandy, is the lack of ego that you bring to your work.
~ Kathleen
I have enjoyed so many aspects of the WIM YTT program – it’s hard to pick one! The structure of the program (9 months for our class) has allowed for thoughtful assimilation of the material. I can’t imagine going through it more quickly. The access to multiple teachers has been invaluable. The relationships we’ve formed has felt like a gift of friendship and a study of the human condition all through the medium of yoga 💜. Highly recommend~ 10/10
~ Jody
Our yoga training weekends truly feel like a retreat. I was worried about how the YTT program would fit in to my life as I work to balance family and my profession, but I’ve found this program has fit into my life so seamlessly and has reinforced the importance of taking care of myself so that I can take care of my family and professional responsibilities. Through thoughtful study and practice, and the connections I’ve formed with both Mandy and the other students, I’ve learned so much about yoga and myself. I will be eternally grateful for this program and the gifts I have received from it!
~ Christy
This has been a transformational experience for me. It has felt like I have a yoga family with the instructors and fellow students. My self confidence has increased because the program allows you to find your own voice. The nine month weekend format is perfect for giving you time to develop that voice and really internalize the information. Mandy and the other instructors created a judgement free and supportive environment. This has been, hands down, one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
~ Laurie
What I love about this YTT program is Mandy’s ability to bring together a collective group of instructors that give us many perspectives on yoga as a whole. The program offers many opportunities to find your own yoga niche…. I think Mandy’s great at facilitating the room, letting the individuals lead the progress and interest. I think the program let’s you start from the inside out to focus individually on what mindfulness is for you, then to work forward from there.
~ Robin
Whatever you think YTT is, I guarantee it is that and so much more. I can not speak more highly of this program and the journey it has inspired. I knew I would end this year with a greater knowledge of yoga postures, alignment and philosophy, but what I never expected were the personal growth opportunities, the deep connections with members of the Wellness in Motion community, and the complete transformation of my personal yoga practice. Mandy has created a program that not only gives you the tools to teach, but helps instill the values, philosophies and principles of an honorable yogi. After completing this program, I feel more than prepared to begin my journey as a yoga instructor and to provide quality classes to my students.
~ Jess
Yoga Teacher Training has been one of those life expanding, mind stretching times that are hard to describe the value of in words. From the heart, I can tell you I knew I liked yoga before but I now know I love yoga. I wanted to deepen my knowledge of yoga and take it beyond the daily videos and occasional classes. The course brings you to an awakening of a yoga life, one you build each month as you explore anatomy, philosophy, different styles and practices. I find now I truly enjoy my own practice. YTT exemplifies the best practices in adult learning: individually paced, life applications, and the sharing of knowledge and experiences. It is an individual journey guided by the warm and caring professionals at WIM in a positive and supportive group. Looking back, I can’t imagine my life without it.
~ Mary Peterson
THIS program/training has changed me for the better. I can not say it enough, if you’re looking for a YTT this is incredible.
~Gina
Are you ready for a life changing experience? Apply Now.
