Curriculum Breakdown

RYT 200 Ashtanga Yoga Therapy Teacher Training

This training provides a structured and immersive education that integrates traditional Ashtanga Yoga, yoga therapy, and Christ-centered health and wellness practices.

Students will develop a strong personal practice while gaining the skills, knowledge, and confidence to teach with clarity, safety, and purpose.

1. Practice & Discipline

Build a consistent and structured personal practice rooted in traditional Ashtanga Yoga.

• Half Primary Series (foundational sequence)

• Introduction to Full Primary Series

• Mysore-style self-practice and guided classes

• Breath-centered movement and rhythm

• Developing discipline, consistency, and awareness

Focus: Establishing a steady body and mind to support long-term health and well-being.

2. Breathwork, Meditation & Mindfulness

Develop tools to regulate the nervous system and cultivate internal awareness.

• Breathwork techniques for stress regulation and focus

• Introduction to meditation and stillness

• Mindfulness practices for daily life

• Nervous system awareness and emotional regulation

Faith Integration:
Breath and stillness are approached as opportunities for prayer, reflection, and connection with God.

3. Yoga Therapy & Functional Health

Apply yoga as a therapeutic tool to support healing and functional movement.

• Modifications for injuries and physical limitations

• Strength and conditioning for stability and longevity

• Posture, mobility, and alignment principles

• Supporting common conditions through practice

Focus: Using yoga to support health, healing, and sustainable well-being.

4. Anatomy & Applied Movement

Understand the body to practice and teach safely.

• Functional anatomy basics

• Joint stability and mobility

• Movement patterns and injury prevention

• Safe progression in practice

5. Teaching Methodology & The Art of Teaching

Develop the skills to guide others with clarity and confidence.

• Class structure and intelligent sequencing

• Verbal cueing and communication

• Observation and student assessment

• Hands-on assists and safe adjustments

• Practicum and teaching feedback

Focus: Teaching with presence, integrity, and purpose.

6. Philosophy & The 8 Limbs of Yoga (Christ-Centered Approach)

Study the 8 Limbs of Yoga as a practical framework for living with discipline, awareness, and alignment—integrated through a Christ-centered, faith-based perspective.

This training replaces traditional Sanskrit and mantra emphasis with faith-based reflection, scripture, and application.

Students will learn:

• The ethical and personal foundations of the 8 limbs

• How to apply these principles to daily life, health, and relationships

• Integration of prayer, scripture, and reflection into practice

• Developing awareness, discipline, and spiritual alignment

The 8 Limbs Through a Faith-Based Lens

• Yama (Ethical Living): Living with integrity, compassion, and love for others

• Niyama (Personal Discipline): Daily habits grounded in faith, gratitude, and surrender

• Asana (Physical Practice): Caring for the body as a vessel with purpose

• Breath (Pranayama): Recognizing breath as a gift and tool for stillness

• Pratyahara (Turning Inward): Creating space away from distraction

• Dharana (Focus): Strengthening attention and clarity

• Dhyana (Meditation): Resting in stillness and awareness

• Samadhi (Alignment): Living in peace, purpose, and connection with God

Scripture and guided reflection are incorporated throughout to support:

• Spiritual growth

• Personal awareness

• Integration of faith into daily life and teaching

7. Integration into Daily Life & Well-Being

Bring the practice beyond the mat into everyday living.

• Creating sustainable routines

• Supporting energy, sleep, and stress balance

• Developing awareness of habits and patterns

• Living with intention, discipline, and purpose

8. Mentorship & Personal Development

Receive individualized guidance throughout your training.

• Direct mentorship and feedback

• Apprenticeship-style learning

• Ongoing support during and after training

• Development of personal teaching voice

9. Professional Development & Certification

Prepare to teach with confidence and professionalism.

• Ethics and responsibility of teaching

• Scope of practice and safety

• Building confidence as a teacher

• Eligibility to register as an RYT 200 through Yoga Alliance

Training Outcome

Upon completion, students will be able to:

• Teach safe, structured Ashtanga-based classes

• Guide breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness practices

• Apply therapeutic modifications for various needs

• Sequence and lead classes with clarity and confidence

• Integrate faith, health, and wellness into teaching and daily life

• Continue developing their practice with discipline and purpose

Closing

This training is not only an education—it is a process of refinement, discipline, and alignment.

Students are guided to strengthen the body, calm the mind, and deepen their relationship with God, carrying these principles into both teaching and daily life.

Tuition & Program Options

Tuition covers yoga teacher training instruction only.
(if you would like to do the training in person on Maui, Hawaii- hybrid with online , lodging, travel, meals, and transportation are not included.) lodging at teachers student guest house is available at an affordable cost and you will need a car for in person training.

💻 Online Weekend Yoga Teacher Training. ½ Primary Series / Full Primary Series

Tuition: $595 USD

This live, online weekend training is offered biannually or annually as part of ongoing studies to support continued growth, knowledge, and refinement of the Ashtanga Primary and Intermediate Series, including hands-on adjustment techniques (demonstrated virtually).

This program is ideal for teachers and dedicated practitioners seeking to deepen understanding, expand teaching skills, and stay connected to the roots of traditional Ashtanga Yoga.

In-Person Training – Maui, Hawai‘i

Tuition: $ 2375 USD Train in person with Christina Martini at Shala Santosha Yoga & Ayurveda in Maui, Hawai‘i. Must have an Ashtanga Yoga Primary series practice .
This special 12 days immersive training offers a unique opportunity for hands-on mentorship and direct experience in a small-group setting.

• Includes: Full in-person teacher training curriculum and daily guided practice.

• Not Included: Airfare, ground transportation, or meals.

• Housing, check with Christina for housing reference.

• Transportation: You will need a car as it is required during the training.

Training Modules

Students and teachers may choose to focus on specific modules to deepen study or work toward certification. Each module may be repeated for greater integration and mastery.

Module 1 – Primary Series

• Tuition: $595 per session

• Focus: Full exploration of the Ashtanga Primary Series.

• Learn how to teach and when to introduce the ½ or full series.

• Recommended: Repeat at least twice to fully embody the postures, adjustments, and teaching methods.

Module 2 – Intermediate Series

• Tuition: $595 per session

• Focus: Study of the Intermediate Series with emphasis on safety, progression, and therapeutic application.

• Learn how to teach appropriately for varying conditions, abilities, and restrictions.

• Recommended: Repeat at least twice to deepen knowledge and confidence in guiding the series.

Prerequisite for RYT Certification

For students intending to earn Yoga Alliance RYT 200-hour certification, prior familiarity with the Ashtanga Primary Series (½ or full) and Mysore-style self-practice is required.

Continued Mentorship

Teachers are encouraged to repeat the training biannually or annually to continue advancing their understanding and teaching skills.
Christina provides ongoing mentorship and personalized guidance to support your continued growth and success as a teacher.

ONLINE ZOOM LIVE INTERACTIVE or travel and arrive to the shala on Maui . Located at 810 N. Haiku Rd at the Haiku Marketplace

Psychology of Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga

Yoga Anatomy & Physiology

Yoga Sutras

History & Philosophy of Ashtanga Yoga

Origins of Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic, systematic form of yoga that links movement with breath (Vinyasa), cultivated over centuries in India. Its foundation is rooted in the classical teachings of yoga as outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, emphasizing the Eight Limbs of yoga—ethical behavior, self-discipline, postures, breath control, sensory withdrawal, concentration, meditation, and union with the self.

The modern practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was systematized in the 20th century by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915–2009) in the city of Mysore, India, giving rise to the “Mysore Style” method. Jois developed a structured sequence of postures designed to purify the body, improve strength and flexibility, and cultivate mindfulness and presence through disciplined daily practice.

Philosophy

At its heart, Ashtanga Yoga is both physical and therapeutic, designed to:

• Strengthen the body, increase mobility, and improve alignment

• Regulate the nervous system and cultivate awareness

• Integrate breath, gaze (drishti), and bandha (energy locks) for mind-body harmony

• Support holistic wellness, emotional balance, and mindful living

Though rooted in tradition, Ashtanga Yoga is not a religion. It can be approached from a therapeutic, wellness, or spiritual perspective, depending on the practitioner’s intention.

Key Historical Teachers

• Krishnamacharya (1888–1989): Often called “the father of modern yoga,” he was a pivotal teacher who trained Pattabhi Jois. He emphasized therapeutic application, alignment, and adapting yoga to the needs of the individual.

• Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915–2009): Founder of the Ashtanga Vinyasa system; taught daily, self-practice (Mysore Style) and codified the Primary, Intermediate, and Advanced Series.

• Other Influences: Iyengar Yoga (B.K.S. Iyengar), Viniyoga (T.K.V. Desikachar), and traditional Hatha and Raja Yoga shaped the broader principles of therapeutic alignment and breath integration.

Contemporary Authorized Teachers & Lineage Holders

• Manju Jois: Son of Pattabhi Jois, continues to teach Ashtanga Yoga internationally, preserving the lineage and guiding authorized teachers.

• Nancy Gilgoff: One of the first Americans authorized to teach Ashtanga Yoga, direct student of Pattabhi Jois.

• David Williams: Early Western student of Jois, influential in bringing Ashtanga Yoga to international audiences with a therapeutic and mindful approach.

• Christina Martini: Senior Certified & Authorized Ashtanga Yoga Therapy Teacher, trained directly under Manju Jois, Nancy Gilgoff, and David Williams. She integrates lineage-based practice with therapeutic, functional, and modern wellness principles.

Modern Relevance

Today, Ashtanga Yoga is practiced worldwide as:

• A therapeutic system for improving physical, mental, and emotional well-being

• A mindfulness practice that cultivates presence, awareness, and body intelligence

• A teacher-training framework preparing instructors to share yoga safely and effectively

• A community and lineage-based practice, connecting students to centuries of wisdom and modern applications

Integration into Training

In your 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga Therapy Teacher Training, you will explore:

• The history of the lineage and foundational teachers

• How the practice evolved from classical yoga texts to modern therapeutic application

• The ethical, philosophical, and mindful principles that guide safe and effective teaching

• Practical applications of history and philosophy to breath, movement, and teaching methodology