Skip to content

250-hour Yoga Teacher Training

Applications for our 2025-26 Program are now open!
Our program will run from October 2025 through June 2026.

Chat with Program Directors Emma & Leena at an upcoming YTT Info Session - Sun April 13 (online) or Thurs May 22 (in-person)

sign up for an info session


What makes our training unique?

Innovative & Diverse Perspectives

Hearing a range of voices is important for a well-rounded education. Our program features a lineup of knowledgeable and expert guest faculty: authors, activists and practitioners sharing their lifetimes of study.

Meaningful Feedback & Mentorship

Learning to teach effectively requires constant feedback within a caring and trusting relationship. Expect to receive actionable suggestions on how to evolve your teaching skills in each progressive module.

Community Integration

In our 9-month program, get 50 classes included in your tuition to learn from and practice with all of The Branches' teachers. Get real-life experience in our New Teachers Class, and receive ongoing support from your teacher trainers.

Meet YTT Directors,
Leena Miller-Cressman and Emma Dines.

We have been friends for 20 years, and have been training teachers together for the past 11 years. It is our privilege to offer a training that reflects our values, our integrity and our commitment to social justice and non-dogmatic, feminist pedagogy.

One of our students had this to say about us: “The dynamic and bond between them really shines as co-facilitators; their personalities bring out the reflective and the playful, both in each other and in their students. Leena’s depth of experience only becomes more apparent through each lesson, linking together the puzzle pieces of movement in an accessible way with her keen attention to detail. And Emma’s infectious theatre energy encourages even the quietest person to break out of their shell, and is a perfect complement to her approachable spirituality.”

Want to meet us? We’ll be holding several info sessions leading up to the YTT.

MEET LEENA & EMMA


Our well-rounded program focuses on:

Interdisciplinary Movement Education

Our program will teach you how to make your yoga asana practice progressive, sustainable and resilience-building for yourself and your students for years to come. Through experiential anatomy and nervous system exploration, you’ll gain appreciation for the incredible complexity and elegance of the moving, feeling human body. 

Explore the spaces where asana, functional movement, mobility and strength training overlap and diverge. Develop an appreciation for the purpose and limitations of yoga asana, and how to seamlessly incorporate other modalities and perspectives into your classes to make them intelligent, well-balanced, and fun.


Soul of Practice & Yogic Philosophy

Learn about the historical context of yoga and participate in dynamic discussions about the relevance of fundamental Yogic texts such as the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita to our modern context. 

While our guidance is not overtly spiritual, our program will support you in cultivating a nourishing practice for your whole self - mind, body and soul. There’ll be ample opportunities to dig deep, cultivate mindfulness and reflect on how you want to show up and share with your students through Yoga. Whether you want to focus on values of self-acceptance, body-positivity, mindfulness practice, or spiritual philosophy, your self-inquiry process will be supported, and guided towards teaching with integrity and thoughtfulness.


Concrete Teaching Strategies & Experience

Great teaching is a learnable skill. Our tried and tested process will support you to feel confident and equipped to teach a diverse range of students, including brand-new beginners.

Learn classic and creative sequencing strategies, how to use your voice and body, and soft skills for holding space.

You’ll have opportunities to practice your teaching skills on a regular basis, including New Teachers Classes run through our studio. Begin the process of reflective self-development, and receive continuous feedback from faculty and peers to develop your teaching skills from the ground up.


Anti-Oppression in the Yoga Industry

Since our first teacher training in 2014, we’ve been discussing cultural appropriation, consent, power, privilege, oppression, and trauma-awareness, and how these relate to teaching yoga.

Engage in brave, meaningful self-reflection and discussion about inclusion, accessibility, and representation. Excavate your biases and practice articulating your worldview through contemplation and self-reflection.

There will be no easy answers or conclusions here; we aim to ask critical questions, listen with humility to diverse perspectives, and begin to discover ways that each of us can be a leader in reforming the yoga industry.



A transformative journey



9 Months of Learning & Growth

October 2025 - June 2026

Our 250-hour Yoga Teacher Training program is designed to provide continuity and plenty of time to digest your learning.

We meet for two Thursdays evenings and one weekend per month. (See full list of program dates under "Details & Admissions").

Our flexible program is available in two formats:

1. Hybrid In-Person & Online (60% In-Person, 40% Online)

2. 100% Online

Investment

Regular Tuition: $4700+hst

Early Bird: $4200 (when you apply by June 15, 2025)

Tuition Includes: 50 Live (in-person or livestream) Classes + Unlimited On-Demand subscription (a $1,060 value).

Payment plans are available.

Scholarships: Up to 1 in 5 of our YTT spots will be offered at a 50% off scholarship for folks who identify as BIR, trans, disabled, or low-income. Learn more here.

Get a tax break! As a Certified Educational Institution, your tuition is eligible for the tuition tax credit in Canada.


Ready to take the plunge?

Download Our Application

Join our inclusive learning community

"The Branches YTT program was fabulous - a tremendous introduction to the skills and philosophy of yoga education and instruction. I registered with the program, primarily to advance my practice. But, by the end, I had discovered a passion for teaching and an appreciation for the rich body of knowledge that can be explored with students as a yoga instructor. The Branches program was very impressive in its organization, scope and resources. From academic to experiential teaching approaches, students were encouraged to delve into core material, techniques and concepts in the most engaging way. The resources included essential texts, compiled instructional materials, and external lecturers who were all on-point and outstanding in their presentation. This program included 250 hours of instruction over 8 months, which was really well suited to someone who is also working full time. I personally appreciated the extended period of time to immerse myself in the experience and absorb the material. In conclusion, I would highly recommend The Branches YTT program."

Rod Regier, 2024 Graduate

"The Branches YTT isn’t just a teacher training, it’s building a community and an evolution of personal growth, both on and off the mat. It’s the most supportive group and learning environment I’ve ever participated in. I’d encourage anyone who wants to cultivate a deeper and broader practice along with their teaching to enrol in the program."

Catherine Mittelholtz, 2020 Graduate, hybrid format

Leena & Emma created a thoughtful, inclusive, supportive, and fun learning community for ten unforgettable weekends. With sincerity and generosity, they taught us by example that our sense of humour is as important to the foundation of our practice as a good mat. They instilled the belief that strength and flexibility grows best when we invest in caring deeply for ourselves and our students. I apply those treasured lessons in my emerging practice as a teacher. I encourage anyone – especially men – to enroll in the YTT program at The Branches. It’s a wise investment in yourself and your community.

Scott Morton Ninomiya, 2018 Graduate

The most important and profound thing I gained from this training was the process of learning something new and making space for mistakes all along the way. Once I opened up the possibility for mistakes and invited them in as valuable teachers, the whole experience shifted. Now I know exactly what that means and I see these lessons have universal applications in other areas of my life. Overall, I have gained a tremendous wealth of knowledge to teach asana to students and I have found my voice in the process. I will use that voice to creatively combine this knowledge with my other teachings to be more adventurous and creative.

Christopher Bourke, 2016 Graduate

Emma and Leena bring deep care and thoughtful reflection to each weekend. They cultivate a space of community, where students can be vulnerable, learners trying out new skills, supporting one another. We laughed and cried, shared food and poetry. I appreciated how Leena and Emma shared their own journey of learning and teaching and how that continues to evolve. They encourage each student to find their voice, their strengths and gently support areas of growth. By the last weekend, each student had come into their own as yogis and teachers. It was fascinating and inspiring to see how different each person's teaching style was, yet rooted in the same skills and teaching. I could not imagine taking my YTT anywhere else. The Branches is a second home to me; a sacred space of grace, safety, peace, and love.

Sara F. - 2018 Graduate

Our exceptional faculty


Leena Miller Cressman (she/her)

YTT Program Director (ERYT®500)
asana, pedagogy, business, prenatal yoga, restorative yoga

Leena has been teaching since 2008, and specializes in a blend of functional and dynamic movement, strength building and mindful alignment. Leena is passionate about building rich learning communities and mentoring new teachers through Yoga Teacher Training and Restorative Yoga Teaching Programs.

Leena has completed over 1,000 hours of training in Anusara Yoga and other alignment-based and vinyasa styles, functional anatomy, Ayurveda, Mindful Strength and teaching pedagogy. Her teachers and mentors include Christi-an Slomka, Meaghan Johnson, Darren Rhodes, Matthew Remski, Kathryn Bruni-Young and her co-teachers at The Branches.

“Leena’s teaching is nuanced and layered: she builds upon key lessons in subtle and interconnecting ways. As a teacher trainer, her depth of knowledge and her commitment to ethical practice create a safe and engaging learning environment.” - Kate Parizeau, YTT 2018 Graduate

Emma Dines (she/they)

YTT Program Director (ERYT®200)
asana, pedagogy, history, yoga for bigger bodies

Emma has been teaching since 2010, and specializes in teaching beginners and students in bigger bodies. Emma has completed over 700 hours of training with local and international teachers and continues to feed her own practice and zeal for teaching with ongoing study. She has also studied the Axis Syllabus, Contact Improvisation, and Functional Movement. Emma is a certified Yoga for Round Bodies™ teacher and is passionate about creating body-positive contexts that celebrate a diversity of abilities and sizes.

“Emma's playful humour helps make big topics feel more accessible. Her sincere openness to new ideas and different approaches levels the playing field and fosters a learning space of compassion and curiosity. Her study of yoga history is personal, yet thorough, and this translates into creativity in her teaching.” - Rebecca Steiner, YTT 2018 Graduate

Leslie Stokman (she/her)

YTT Guest Faculty
asana, mobility, pedagogy, nervous system and trauma-informed teaching

Leslie’s been teaching Yoga since 2016, and her classes are informed by all sorts of education and experience in areas like the Tensegrity Repair Series, strength and mobility work, rock climbing, and Vipassana meditation. She is a Certified TRE Provider (Tension & Trauma Release Exercise) and an FRCms (Functional Range Conditioning mobility specialist). She also brings her B.Ed and school teaching experience to our learning community. Leslie loves to dive deep with teacher-trainees into the nitty gritty of joint mechanics and tissue adaptation, nervous system branches, the ethics of the industry, and the deeper meaning of life!

"Dynamically engaging our group of bewildered teachers-to-be with love and levity: that’s Leslie in a nutshell! By asking open-ended questions early and often, our beloved tutor encouraged us to shape our learning process for ourselves. Her generosity and support through the program assignments was an incredible gift. She challenged us to spend time with the details and fully integrate learning into our bodies." - Alissa F-E, YTT 2020 Graduate

Indu Vashist

YTT Guest Faculty
history of yoga on the subcontinent, history of asana on turtle island

As a second generation settler on this land with relationships to other lands, I aim to honour the histories of my Punjabi agrarian ancestors by sharing this land and resources with care and responsibility. Within the context of my yoga practice, this means that I invite mindfulness and integration of the body, mind, spirit and land. I bring a somatic approach into all of my classes whether that’s through vigourous movement, exploratory gentle movements or even restorative shapes. Through movement, I encourage developing greater understanding of proprioception (your body's ability to sense movement, action, and location), interoception (your perception of sensations from inside the body), exteroception (your sensitivity to stimuli that are outside the body), and nociception (your ability to discern what is painful stimuli).

As we live in a pandemic, in late capitalism, in any given moment we are simultaneously asked to balance the global and personal-  caring for ourselves, our families and communities, the collective, and our own shifting economic realities.  All of this can overwhelm the nervous system and create a range of feeling states- from anxiety to anger; fear to frustration; from depression to disconnection; from technological fatigue to technological addiction.  These personal and collective experiences may remain unprocessed or be held in our bodies. As a teacher, I aim to provide you with simple strategies to attune to what is arising and approach that with greater compassion and clarity.  By integrating moment to moment experience and moving stagnant energy, we can make space for a more grounded existence.  I share tools that help us ride out our thoughts, feelings and experiences as they arise during this time of immense change and disordering of the world we live in. Through the use of guided meditation, breathwork, movement, stillness, you will be guided through practices that support your body’s innate wisdom.

In addition to being a movement teacher with a Professional Certification in Clinical Hanna Somatic Education, I am also a trained historian. While working with me, you can expect to be hit with nuggets of historical facts pertaining to the philosophy of the movement traditions that we are practice together.

induvashist.com

Madeleine Shen

YTT Guest Faculty

embodied anatomy

Madeleine is a body researcher and educator, chiropractor, crafter, cafe owner, and artist. She lives a double life in a small volcanic town in Patagonia, Argentina and in the big jungle city Toronto, Canada. She is curious about how we become intimate with our anatomies and their movement, how we engage with agency and power over our bodies, and how we connect our bodies with others. She looks to expand her learning and teaching through curiosity, which is her main pedagogical tool.

She has had the pleasure of teaching embodied anatomy and movement classes independently as well as at The Branches, SpiritLoft, and Cornerstone Studio. Her approach to teaching anatomy in the context of yoga combines her experience as a yoga practitioner and dancer, her studies of the Axis Syllabus, and her training as a chiropractor, centering safety, discovery and consent.

Carla Beharry (she/her)

YTT Guest Faculty
Racial Justice & Racial Trauma: Restorative and Transformative Embodiment Practices

Carla is an intercultural Guyanese-British-Canadian, whose work is  rooted in the layers of her multi-ethnic and bi-racial identity. 

Carla is a racial justice and somatic health equity educator. She specializes in healing  racial and oppression-based trauma through embodied movement and practice. 

Carla works with wellness professionals, educators and agencies to build antiracist  and equitable healthcare practices and educational opportunities for under-served  and under-represented racialized individuals who have been historically over exploited, excluded, and pushed out of health, wellness and educational systems. She  works alongside agencies in anti-oppression training and in restorative and  transformative mediation to build equitable spaces of belonging.  

Carla has lived and worked around the globe in many communities, including  Guyana, Belize, Barbados, and Trinidad & Tobago educating on HIV and sexual health  education, teaching yoga and mindfulness and promoting mental health advocacy.


Carin Lowerison-White

YTT Guest Faculty
asana, teaching pedagogy and voice

Carin has been teaching since 2007, and draws upon her background with modern dance and martial arts in pursuit of a broader base of movement and mindfulness knowledge. To date, she has accumulated over 450 hours of yoga teacher training and considers herself a lifelong student.

Carin also flavours her teaching with her work as the Co-Founder and Managing Director of a not-for-profit theatre company in Waterloo Region called Green Light Arts, a professional theatre producer, arts administrator, choreographer, performer, and occasional sessional instructor in Physical Theatre for the Theatre & Performance Program at the University of Waterloo.

Jennifer Snowdon

YTT Guest Faculty

breath physiology and Yogic breathing

Jennifer is a trauma-informed Integrative Breathing Therapist and experienced yoga teacher living in Moncton, NB. Bringing together the traditions of yoga, the science of breath and body, and the understanding of the nervous system and trauma, Jennifer teaches people to breathe, move, and live better.

Nicole Brown Faulknor

YTT Guest Faculty
trauma sensitive Yoga

Nicole is a Registered Psychotherapist, a yoga teacher, and a Child and Youth Counsellor. She is a member of both the Colleges of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario and the Canadian Association for Psychodynamic Therapy.

Nicole has over 18 years of professional experience working with marginalized, vulnerable, and oppressed communities, individuals, families, and children. Nicole's yoga teaching draws on the methodology of Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY). Her approaches as a yoga teacher and a psychotherapist recognize the intimate relationship between the physical body and the psychological well-being of a person. This approach holds the view that the body is a resource for self-discovery and psychological healing. Learn more about Nicole at Wounds2Wings.


DETAILS & ADMISSIONS

We meet ~2 Thursdays evenings and one weekend per month.

SESSION HOURS (EST):

Thursdays: 7:00-9:00pm

Weekends:
Fridays 7:00-9:00pm
Saturdays 1:00pm - 8:30pm (with 2 breaks)
Sundays 1:00pm - 5:30pm (with 1 break)

Exact Hours are subject to small changes.

PROGRAM DATES (2025-2026):

  1. Thursday Oct 9
    Weekend: Oct 17-19
    Thursdays Oct 23 & Nov 6

  2. Weekend: Nov 14-16 
    Thursdays Nov 20 & Dec 4

  3. Weekend: Dec 12-14
    Thursday Dec 18

  4. Weekend: Jan 9-11
    Thursdays Jan 15 & Jan 29

  5. Weekend: Feb 6-8
    Thursdays Feb 12 & Feb 26

  6. Weekend: March 6-8
    Thursdays March 12

  7. Weekend: Mar 27-29
    Thursdays April 2 & April 16

  8. Weekend: April 24-26
    Thursdays April 30 & May 14

  9. Weekend: May 22-24
    Thursdays May 28 & June 4

  10. Weekend: June 12-14

Our YTT program format has been designed and adapted to take place via two format options:

  • Option 1: 100% online.

  • Option 2: Hybrid of partially online, partially in-person.

  • NOTE: Thursday & Friday evenings are online for everyone, and Saturdays & Sundays are in-person, with the option to join online.

Both format options will include 10% of asynchronous learning content that is pre-recorded required viewing or practice.

For out-of-towners who are excited to learn in person, our program begins later on Saturday and finishes earlier on Sunday to make travel time easier and only require one overnight stay. We know all the best local coffee shops and grocery stores - just ask!

Applications for our 2025/26 program are now open! You can download an application here.

Historically, our program has filled up well in advance. If there is space, we will continue accepting applications until September 30.

Tuition: $4,700 CAD + hst ($4200 if you apply by June 15)
Deposit: $1,000 CAD + hst (due upon acceptance to secure your spot, non-refundable)

Tuition Also Includes:

  • Unlimited monthly The Branches On-Demand Subscription and a 50 class pass for attending Live (in-person or livestream) drop-in classes - a total $1,060 value.

All prices listed in Canadian Dollars (CAD) - US folks, by the nature of the exchange rate, you get a huge discount.

Deposit due upon acceptance to secure your spot ($1,000).
After deposit:

  1. 50% of remainder due by October 1st ($1600 for early bird price, $1850 for standard price)

  2. Final Payment by December 1st ($1600 early bird, $1850 for standard price)

Option to pay in full up front and get an additional 10 Class Pass!

1 in 5 of our YTT spots will be offered at a 50% off scholarship for folks who identify as BIPOC, trans, disabled, or low-income. If you identify with one or more of those groups and would like to apply for a scholarship spot, please complete that section of your application. Application does not guarantee a scholarship spot - we will be in touch with you to discuss your application.

  • $1,000 initial deposit to secure your spot is non-refundable.

  • Before Sept 1 a participant needing to cancel their participation will receive a full refund on tuition minus a $50 administrative fee and minus the $1000 non-refundable deposit. There are absolutely no refunds after September 1. In the case of medical emergency or family emergency only, the faculty may offer the option of rescheduling participation to a future YTT course.

Our yoga school is registered with the federal government as a Certified Educational Institution. We will provide you with a tax receipt (T2202A), which means your tuition is eligible for the tuition tax credit.

Ready to take the next step?

Download Our Application

FAQ

Most foundational Yoga Teacher Training programs are 200 hours, which is because the Yoga Alliance sets the bar at 200 hours as the minimum required education to register with them after completing training (and list yourself as “RYTT”). We choose to go above and beyond the minimum requirements because we believe that 200 hours is not enough to really set participants up for success.

Your learning time will consist of 180 contact learning hours, 40 hours of class participation and observation outside our weekends, and the remaining 30 hours of self-directed study including self-practice, homework, and practicum teaching. Looking at it all at once can feel intimidating, but remember, this will all be spread out over 9 months.

Our program has always been this rigorous and thorough, and we are now proud to claim that this is our own minimum required standard.

We recommend that applicants have at least one year of yoga experience, ideally with a qualified teacher and in a form of alignment-based yoga. Students should have a general level of knowledge of yoga poses. If you do not meet this requirement, please get in touch with us to discuss possibilities.

All applicants must attend a minimum of 5 classes at QSY prior to applying, and at least 2 of those classes must be with Leena or Emma.

You do not have to be an elite pretzel to be in this program - all bodies and abilities are welcome! Read Leslie's blog post, Is YTT Physically Demanding? to get a better idea of the intensity of the physical side of practice.

You will hear back from us within 2 weeks of submitting your application.

Students are asked to carefully clear their schedules for the ten weekend intensives and scheduled Thursday evenings. 90% of our training, whether in person or online, will take place live, and is designed for you to participate in real-time with plenty of large and small group interaction. The dynamic quality of special guests, lectures, and exercises happening during our sessions are extraordinarily valuable. Participation in the live sessions is required.

That being said, we understand that illnesses and life circumstances still happen, and we will work with you if there are circumstances that must prevent you from attending part of one of the weekend intensives. Students are responsible for making up any missed hours of training. This will involved watching the recorded sessions, and may involve additional written assignments, attending additional relevant workshops or possibly one-on-one time with a faculty member. All sessions will be recorded, and available to review for the following year.

If one-on-one time with a faculty member is necessary to make up the material with you, you will be charged an hourly rate to work with our faculty. One hour private session is equivalent to 3 hours of missed class time. This cost is not covered in the tuition fee.

We advise setting aside 2-3 hours a week to complete assigned readings and homework. This is in addition to attendance in yoga or meditation classes at The Branches (1-2 per week) and at least 2 hours of home practice per week.

Our program is rigorous because we want you to graduate with concrete knowledge and skills to teach well. We design the homework to support your learning and grow your confidence as a teacher.

Required texts are an additional cost, outside of tuition costs. Books can also often be found at local libraries or bought second hand online. We recommend students put aside around $150 for required texts/additional reading material.

We will give you a PDF manual of handouts, plus a great deal of resources as part of the training, and you will be required to print these on your own. Your local library is a great resource if you don’t have a printer at home. These will support our lectures and your learning. We have heard from participants that hard copy resources were incredibly helpful to their learning, and that they turn to them again and again for years afterwards.

Yes. Our program will equip you with teaching skills and confidence to begin your journey as a yoga teacher. We believe that learning never stops, and encourage all of our graduates to continue to find ways to expand their learning and understanding as they develop as teachers. If you want to register with the Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher, you can submit your YTT certificate to them as part of their registration process. Our program is yoga alliance certified, and exceeds their standards for accreditation.

In order to receive a certificate of completion, participants must complete the following in full:

  • Attendance in all teacher training classroom hours

  • Attendance of 1-2 classes each week (40 classes minimum over the duration of the program) at The Branches (Note: a 50 class pass is included in your tuition fees!)

  • A home practice for the duration of the program

  • Successful completion of monthly homework assignments and reading assignments (plan for 2-3 hours each week for homework)

  • Observe, assist and report on a minimum of 12 classes

  • Complete a 10-class practicum of practice teaching and peer review

  • Successful completion of teaching initiation and comprehensive open-book exam at the end of the program.


DETAILED CURRICULUM

  • Learn how to build a supportive home practice

  • Learn a variety of meditation techniques to bring more presence and awareness to your life

  • Explore breath awareness, pranayama, and introduction to the subtle body and chakra systems

  • Physical, mental, emotional, and energetic benefits of postures

  • Use the tools of Ayurveda to bring more balance to your practice and lifestyle

  • A detailed study of fundamental, intermediate, and restorative yoga postures including modifications of poses and use of props

  • The New Science of Stretching - understanding range of motion in relation to the nervous system, and unlearning common misconceptions about yoga and stretching

  • Functional Movement - what it is, why it’s helpful, how we can integrate it into yoga practice for a more healthy and sustainable practice

  • Biomechanical principles of alignment for a safe and sustainable practice

  • Study anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on experiential learning and embodied understanding

  • Understand the physical effects of yoga on the body

  • Learn about the anatomy of the breath, and the effect of yoga on the central nervous, endocrine, and immune systems

  • Learn how alignment and the practice of interoception can help avoid injury and decrease chronic pain

  • The Nervous System - understand the different anatomical and functional branches of the human nervous system, and how they play a role in every Yoga practice.

  • Learn about the historical context of yoga - how yoga asana as we practice it today is not the 1000-year-old practice many people claim it is

  • Learn about the main philosophical schools and texts that have influenced modern postural yoga

  • Participate in dynamic discussions about the relevance of the Yoga Sutra and the Bhagavad Gita (both pre-feminist, pre-scientific texts) to our modern context

  • Learn to articulate and express your worldview and beliefs through exercises of contemplation and self-reflection

  • Discover how to share your worldview conscientiously through your yoga teaching

  • Learn about privilege and oppression and how to create safer spaces for more bodies, genders, and ages

  • Explore yoga and body image and the approach of Health At Every Size (HAES), and how to encourage body neutrality, acceptance, and positivity in your life and your teaching

  • Develop a trauma-considerate lens to your teaching that respects and includes diverse nervous systems.

  • Discuss the ethics of teaching yoga and integrity in the student-teacher relationship

  • Learn to teach effectively with confidence and compassion

  • Learn to give clear, simple instructions through verbal cues and body language

  • Learn to see and understand a variety of bodies in terms of proper alignment

  • Share your love for yoga from your authentic experience and teach with heart-based themes

  • Understand sequencing strategies for all levels

  • Learn to create dynamic classes for a range of students

  • Learn invaluable strategies for teaching beginners

  • Understand common misalignments, key points of safety, and modifications

  • Practice hands-on adjustments and enhancements

  • Demonstrate postures and techniques clearly and effectively

  • Modify the practice for special groups such as prenatal yoga, seniors, teens, and students in bigger bodies

  • Teach breathing and pranayama techniques

  • Get clear on what populations you most want to teach, and consider how to reach out to them and best serve them

  • Discuss platforms for marketing, how to build a student base and begin to create a niche for yourself

  • Discuss creative ways to begin offering classes, considering non-traditional spaces to offer yoga and how to leverage your community connections

  • Understand that building a career as a yoga teacher takes time and effort, and programs that promise you instant success as a yoga teacher may not be telling you the whole story


More from Our Graduates

"I really appreciated the authenticity, expertise, humour, and heart that Emma, Leena, and Leslie brought to the program. Despite the fact that we were a big group, there was a real sense that each individual’s needs were heard and met to the best of their abilities. In their own styles, with patience and kindness, all three instructors created a safe, supported, and enjoyable environment for learning.

The program content was comprehensive and well beyond the expectations of a standard 200hr YTT, designed with the intention to facilitate learning in a practical and progressive way. Beyond preparing me to design and deliver safe, appropriate and engaging sequences, the program also touched on important topics like career development and yoga in the larger context of spirituality and social change."

Andrea B., QSY YTT 2020 Graduate, hybrid format

"QSY YTT felt like the right fit for me. Having practiced there previously, and attending the information session, and also hearing from friends who took training elsewhere, I knew that the experience at QSY would be a unique one that encompasses everything I wanted in a training program. I went in not necessarily intending to teach, but since graduating, I have been teaching consistently, mostly on a volunteer basis, and that has been a lovely result. Even if I didn't end up teaching, I would do the QSY training all over again."

Nadine Q., 2018 Graduate

"This training is at the cutting edge of what’s offered, with its strong blend of biomechanics, social justice, science of teaching, philosophy, and interpersonal work. The kinds of work our training has been doing is exactly what many people have been asking for: more rigorous, more critical, more self-reflexive, with greater supports over longer periods of time.

The community of practice you created by having the talking partners, and the team teaching, and the feed-forward practices was very, very valuable to me. I can’t remember the last time I tried so hard and earned so many rewards with such a diverse group of equals. Amazing. This is something a shorter, intensive training can’t give.

I have, pretty much, nothing but good things to say about the training. I feel really lucky to have been in this group, at this time. I feel ready to take up my seat as teacher, and my own personal practice has really developed over the year as I approach my yoga study more intensely and with added goals. I feel energized and empowered."

Aimée Morrison, 2014 YTT Graduate

"Emma and Leena are a compassionate, knowledgeable, and entirely complementary teacher-training partnership. Together, they've created a unique yoga teacher training program that goes far beyond teaching physical poses, anatomy, and history, opening the door for personal development in what is undoubtedly the most supportive learning environment I've ever experienced."

Nicole DeNoble, 2016 Graduate

The QSY YTT Program turned out to be one of the most enriching things I have ever done! The teacher trainers were incredible.

As an older adult applying for this program, I felt so well mentored, accepted, and supported by these three trainers, who were delivering an extremely well-designed program. When COVID-19 forced a switch to online learning, they helped me to learn the necessary skills and continued to help me feel connected and supported by the many outreach efforts they made. I acquired knowledge and grew my skills so well that I was quickly able to feel confident in launching into business teaching yoga online."

Linda Collins, 2020 Graduate, hybrid format

"When the unthinkable happened in March 2020, QSY trainers modelled unwavering resilience. Their co-creative approaches inspired me again and again as she deftly guided a total reorientation of our YTT to be largely completed online under COVID restrictions. They guided embodied learning into a virtual experience without compromising quality or humanity.

Rather than a harsh transition between YTT and real-world teaching, there was a natural flow from one stage of learning into the next because we started teaching the very first weekend we gathered. I count myself very fortunate because our cohort graduated with the hybrid experience of in-person teaching for 5 months and online teaching for 4 months.

The piston of a powerful engine, Leena’s cadence sustained a supportive container for our learning through the chaos of adaptation. The authentic care work Emma brought to QSY’s YTT enhanced every aspect of my learning and is a foundation I will build upon for the rest of my life. Leslie made space for us to turn left into our nerdiness and let go of our self-imposed corrections. These ways of practicing fuel my home routine and ground me as a new teacher."

Alissa F-E, 2020 Graduate, hybrid format