TREE OF INDIA SCHOOL OF YOGA
300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training
AMERICAN YOGA COUNCIL LEVEL 2
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions?
Deepen Your Practice.
Deepen Your Understanding.
300-Hours of Advanced Studies in Yoga
The 300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training at the Tree of India School of Yoga is designed for experienced yoga teachers and serious practitioners who are ready to take their understanding and practice of yoga to a deeper level. Building on the foundations of a regular studio practice or previous teacher training, the program creates space to explore yoga more fully as a tradition, a personal path, a practice, and a way of life.
What to expect
The Tree of India School of Yoga offers an immersive advanced study experience rooted in the living tradition of yoga as taught through the lineage of Swami Kripalvananda. Our approach is grounded in the Kripalu tradition of tantric hatha yoga, emphasizing self-observation, compassionate awareness, and the awakening of prana through disciplined practice. Classical hatha yoga, mindful movement, breathwork, meditation, and introspective awareness come together throughout the program.
Across 15 weekend intensives, students will explore yoga philosophy and sacred texts, Haṭha Yoga and Tantra, asana, subtle-body practices, pranayama, meditation, mantra, sādhanā, and the art of teaching. The training also includes intelligent sequencing, theme weaving, adaptive and inclusive practices, Yin and Restorative Yoga, private yoga, ethics, and the teacher-student relationship.
The program goes beyond what is possible in a typical one-hour studio class. There is time to slow down, study, practice, ask questions, observe, reflect, and experience yoga from multiple dimensions. Teachers will refine their skills and develop greater depth, discernment, and authenticity in their teaching, while serious practitioners can immerse themselves more fully in the study and practice of yoga.
Through weekend immersions, guided personal practice, teaching labs, group discussion, mentorship, independent study, and personal sādhanā, students are encouraged to approach yoga as a living inquiry—to observe, to feel, to question, and to discover. Rather than defining “advanced” by increasingly difficult physical practices, the program invites students to explore what becomes possible when knowledge, practice, teaching, and lived experience come together.
What will you learn?
Our curriculum is designed to meet the competency requirements of American Yoga Council Level 2 while going beyond minimum credentialing requirements to reflect the educational philosophy of Tree of India School of Yoga.
By the end of this program, graduates will be able to:
-
Design and teach integrated yoga classes that weave asana, pranayama, meditation, philosophy, and thematic intention through purposeful sequencing.
-
Create and teach thematic yoga classes that integrate philosophy, sacred texts, metaphor, poetry, storytelling, or personal insight into the practice.
-
Teach and guide students using verbal cueing, observation, communication, and appropriate assisting skills that support safety, agency, understanding, and inner awareness.
-
Demonstrate proficiency in asana by applying breath, awareness, functional alignment, energetic principles, transitions, and appropriate adaptation.
-
Demonstrate and perform pranayama, meditation, kriya, mudra, bandha, and chanting practices from the program curriculum.
-
Practice and demonstrate a consistent personal sadhana incorporating asana, pranayama, meditation, svadhyaya, reflection, and other appropriate practices.
-
Describe and compare the historical and philosophical development of yoga across Vedic, Upanishadic, Sankhya, Patanjala, Hatha, and Tantric traditions and apply this understanding to contemporary yoga practice.
-
Explain and discuss foundational teachings from the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and selected Tantric texts and apply their teachings to yoga practice and teaching.
-
Describe, compare, and contrast foundational principles of Tantra, including relevant Shaiva and Hatha perspectives, and apply this understanding appropriately to yoga practice and teaching.
-
Apply functional anatomy, biomechanics, skeletal variation, connective tissue principles, pain science, and knowledge of the nervous and respiratory systems to the analysis and adaptation of yoga practices.
-
Discuss and apply ethical principles, healthy boundaries, consent, communication, scope of practice, and trauma-aware teaching principles in relationships with students.
-
Create and apply inclusive and adaptive yoga practices that respond appropriately to differences in age, ability, body, experience, and individual needs.
-
Apply an appropriate intake, observation, and planning process to private yoga sessions and create individualized practices within the teacher's scope of practice.
-
Discuss and apply principles of mentorship, self-reflection, continuing education, and professional development to the ongoing evolution of personal practice and teaching.
-
Describe and apply principles of sustainable professional practice and develop an authentic professional path that reflects ethical communication, professional boundaries, continuing education, and basic financial considerations.
How does this compare to the Yoga Alliance 500-Hour credential?
The 300-Hour Advanced Studies in Yoga program is credentialed through the American Yoga Council (AYC) as a Level 2 advanced yoga teacher training. AYC and Yoga Alliance are independent credentialing organizations, and their designations are not interchangeable.
For teachers familiar with the Yoga Alliance system, the 300-hour program represents the next level of yoga teacher education, building upon foundational teacher training through 300 hours of advanced study, practice, teaching, and integration. As with the Yoga Alliance credentialing system, students who have already completed a 200-hour teacher training will have completed 500 hours of yoga teacher education upon completing this program.
Our decision to credential through the American Yoga Council reflects our commitment to an educational model that prioritizes depth of study, personal practice, teaching skill, and authentic engagement with the yoga tradition. The curriculum is designed first around the formation of thoughtful, skillful, grounded yoga practitioners and teachers, with AYC standards providing an important framework for the program.
The 15 Modules
The 300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training is organized into 15 distinct modules, each offering 20 hours of focused study, practice, and application. The modules may be completed in any order and are offered on a rotating basis, allowing students to enter the program at any point and progress at a pace that fits their lives.
1. Foundations: History, Philosophy & Sāṃkhya
Explore the roots and evolution of yoga, from its Vedic and philosophical foundations through contemporary practice. This module introduces Sāṃkhya, Pātañjala Yoga, and the changing purposes and expressions of yoga throughout history.
2. The Yoga Sūtra
Study Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra as both a philosophical text and a practical guide to the path of yoga. Explore citta, the kleśas, karma and saṃskāra, abhyāsa and vairāgya, meditation, samādhi, and the pursuit of discernment and liberation.
3. Haṭha Yoga, Tantra & the Subtle Body
Explore the origins and development of Haṭha Yoga and its relationship to Tantra, Nātha traditions, and Śaiva philosophy. Study traditional models of the subtle body, including prāṇa, nāḍīs, cakras, kuṇḍalinī, and the pañca kośas, while learning to distinguish traditional teachings from contemporary interpretations.
4. Bhagavad Gītā & Living Yoga
Study the Bhagavad Gītā and its teachings on dharma, karma yoga, bhakti, jñāna, meditation, action, renunciation, and devotion. Consider how these teachings can move beyond philosophy and become part of everyday life and practice.
5. Asana as a Path to Awareness
Explore asana as a practice of awareness rather than physical achievement. Study functional alignment, breath, transitions, effort and ease, anatomy, skeletal variation, embodiment, sequencing, and adapting practice to individual needs.
6. Gentle Yoga & Chair Yoga
Explore gentle yoga and chair yoga as intentional, skillful methodologies rather than simply modified versions of a more vigorous practice. Study pacing, breath-centered movement, props, functional variation, accessibility, and the art of teaching with greater subtlety and awareness.
7. Working with the Subtle Body: Breath, Energy & Practice
Deepen your understanding of prāṇa and the energetic dimensions of yoga through pranayama, vāyus, nāḍī practices, bandha, mudrā, kriyā, cakra practices, mantra, and concentration. Emphasis is placed on experiential practice, traditional context, and responsible teaching.
8. Meditation, Mantra & Sādhanā
Explore meditation, mantra, japa, Sanskrit terminology and pronunciation, Yoga Nidra, and the development of personal sādhanā. Learn to cultivate a sustained personal practice and thoughtfully guide others in inner practices.
9. The Art of Theme Weaving
Learn to bring yoga philosophy and sacred teachings into the classroom through theme, metaphor, poetry, storytelling, and personal insight. Explore how to make philosophy experiential and authentic rather than simply delivering a lecture, and develop the ability to weave a meaningful theme throughout a class.
10. Dynamic Vinyasa
Deepen your understanding of intelligent sequencing and dynamic movement. Explore class architecture, breath-centered movement, transitions, pacing, cueing, observation, voice, presence, adaptation, and the integration of theme and intention.
11. Yin & Restorative Yoga
Study Yin and Restorative Yoga as distinct methodologies, each with its own purpose and approach. Explore sustained shapes, sensation, functional variation, supported postures, rest, breath, nervous-system regulation, props, and adaptive teaching.
12. Private Yoga
Learn the skills needed to work with students in an individualized setting. Explore intake, listening, observation, assessment, planning, communication, boundaries, adaptation, evaluation, and creating practices that respond to the person who is actually in front of you.
13. The Teacher as Guide
Explore the responsibilities and relationships that come with being a yoga teacher. Topics include ethics, consent, boundaries, trauma-aware teaching, student agency, accessibility, inclusive language, scope of practice, communication, and professional responsibility.
14. Independent Study & Teaching Practicum
Throughout the program, each student will select an area of study that is personally meaningful and relevant to their development as a yoga teacher. This may include a yoga text or tradition, philosophical question, particular practice, or teaching methodology. Students will work independently, meet one-on-one with the Lead Teacher, and present their findings and application to their peers while continuing to develop their teaching through practicum and feedback.
15. Integration & Professional Path
Bring together the knowledge, practices, and teaching skills developed throughout the program. Reflect on your personal sādhanā, teaching, relationship to the tradition, and growth as a practitioner and teacher while identifying meaningful next steps and developing an authentic professional path with mentorship from the Lead Teacher.
India Immersion
Take Your Studies Deeper in India
Every one to two years, Tree of India School of Yoga offers an immersive educational journey to India, providing students with the opportunity to experience yoga, culture, history, and spiritual traditions firsthand.
Participation in the India Immersion is completely optional and is not required to complete the 300-hour training. Students enrolled in the 300-hour program will be offered a significant discount on the cost of the immersion.
With approval from the Lead Teacher, participation in an India Immersion may also be incorporated into a student's Independent Study module, allowing the experience to become part of their individual area of study and exploration.
Jessica is currently planning the next Tree of India India Immersion for early 2028.
If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Jessica for more information at oxcomyoga@gmail.com.
Program Schedule
The 300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training is offered through 15 individual weekend modules, with each module providing 20 hours of in-person training.
Modules are offered approximately once a month, although some months may be skipped. Once all 15 modules have been offered, the cycle begins again. Students may join the program at any point and complete the modules as they are offered. The modules do not need to be completed in a specific order.
This flexible format allows students to progress through the 300 hours at a pace that fits their lifestyle and schedule. Some students may complete the program in approximately 15 months, while others may take longer. There is no required cohort start date.
Attendance is required for each module you attend. If you need to miss a scheduled module, you may complete it when that module is offered again.
In addition to the 300 hours of scheduled in-person training, students will complete approximately 20 hours of independent study outside of program hours, along with assigned reading, personal practice, teaching preparation, and reflection.
The majority of the training takes place in person, allowing for hands-on learning, direct mentorship, teaching practice, and a strong sense of community among students.
Program Tuition
$300 one-time program registration fee
$300 per 20-hour module
Students who enroll in the complete 300-hour program pay a one-time $300 registration fee and then pay $300 for each required module as they take it. There is no requirement to pay the full program tuition upfront.
The 300-hour training consists of 15 required modules. Students may begin with any module and progress through the program at a pace that fits their lifestyle and schedule.
Total investment to complete all 15 modules: $4,800
($300 registration fee + $4,500 in module tuition)
Individual modules are also open to students who wish to participate for personal study or continuing education without pursuing the full 300-hour completion credential. The $300 program registration fee does not apply to individual-module participants.
Please note: Tuition does not include regular studio classes, workshops, or special events. Students are expected to maintain a consistent personal yoga practice throughout the program.
Typical Module Schedule
Most modules will follow this general weekend schedule:
Friday | 6:00–9:00 PM
Zoom session, when appropriate
Saturday | 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Oxford Community Yoga
Sunday | 12:00–8:00 PM
Hamilton Yoga Center
This schedule is a general model rather than a fixed format. The schedule may vary from module to module depending on the material being covered. Some modules may include a Zoom session, while others may use a different schedule or format when that better serves the learning experience. For example, the Independent Study & Teaching Practicum module will be structured differently to accommodate individual projects, mentoring, and student presentations.
Specific schedules and locations will be provided in advance for each module.
Registration & Cancellation Policy
Students enrolling in the complete 300-hour training will pay the one-time program registration fee upon acceptance into the program. This fee reserves the student’s place in the 300-hour program and establishes their enrollment toward the completion credential.
Because the program is offered on a flexible, module-by-module basis, students may pause their progress or take longer to complete the required modules as their schedules and circumstances require. There is no required completion timeline.
If a student decides not to continue in the program, the registration fee is non-refundable. Tuition for modules that have already been completed is also non-refundable. Students are not responsible for payment for modules they have not yet taken.
If Tree of India School of Yoga is unable to complete the 300-hour program, the program registration fee will be refunded, along with any tuition paid for modules that have not yet been delivered.
Tree of India School of Yoga reserves the right to modify module dates, locations, or formats when necessary to best serve the educational needs of the program. Students will be notified of significant changes in advance whenever possible.
Thinking about Teacher Training? Read what our recent graduates have to say...
I’m honored, grateful, and proud to have graduated as a certified yoga teacher today. Jessica is an immensely kind, knowledgeable, thorough mentor who’s created a welcoming space to learn, grow, and unfurl into the truest version of myself yet! When I took the leap to sign up for training, I knew that I wanted to expand my knowledge and understand more about traditional yoga. I did not comprehend the growth I would undergo in every other area of my life: most of all, my compassion and understanding for myself and others. It’s been a beautiful start to a long journey. Jai Bhagwan!
~Shelby Ashcraft
Yoga Teacher Training at Tree of India School of Yoga has been a challenging, fun learning experience. I have learned so much in a variety of areas, including self awareness/growth, effort, frustration, ease, as well as in-depth yoga history, philosophy, poses, movement, meditation, friendship, community, the list goes on! I highly recommend this program, it is more than just becoming a teacher. It is about self study, expansion with loving awareness.
~Piper
Tree of India School of Yoga's program is rooted in the teachings of Swami Kripalvanandji. I'm so proud to be a part of this lineage and honor the knowledge that has been handed down. Special thank you to my teacher and program director, Jessica Lohrey, who is a lovely spirit and holds an abundance of knowledge, experience, and perspective. Her tremendous dedication to her students and to the path of yoga is truly inspiring. I also had the joy of learning alongside a cohort of strong, intelligent, and grounded women. Many thanks to all who supported the journey!
~Stephany Plantz
I'm ready! How do I sign up?
Submit a Letter of Intent: This letter must demonstrate an experiential understanding of yoga practice and its benefits, and explain why you want to participate in the training. Include information about how long you've been practicing yoga, how often you practice, and where/with whom you practice. Send your Letter of Intent to the attention of Jessica Lohrey at oxcomyoga@gmail.com.