Upon completion of the required trainings, please click here for more information regarding obtaining your certificate.
Become a certified trauma-sensitive yoga teacher, with a specialty in early childhood trauma, by completing our YogaFit for WarriorKids 100-hour teacher-training program. This comprehensive trauma-sensitive yoga program provides the instruction you need to understand the unique way a child’s nervous system and brain respond to traumatic events and the tools you need to affect change. Created by a military veteran and mom of two military kids, as well as a yoga therapist, YogaFit for WarriorKids is ideal for yoga teachers, parents, educators, mental health professionals and healthcare workers. The YogaFit for WarriorKids Teacher Training’s modular-based design allows you to customize the program to accommodate your interests, your schedule and your budget. Click here for our Warriors Scholarship Application.
In YogaFit for WarriorKids 100-Hour Teacher Training, you'll learn:
How early childhood trauma dramatically affects brain function and neurological development and impacts a child’s ability to learn, manage stress, and develop relationships later in life
The latest research on “developmental trauma disorder,” a recent tool for understanding early childhood trauma
The importance of, and difference between, explicit, episodic, implicit and procedural body memories
How yoga, guided imagery, and sensory storytelling help to not only rewire the brain but rewrite the narrative of childhood stories in meaningful and healing ways
How too much or too little sensory input damages the wiring system of a child’s nervous system and brain development and can cause myriad childhood and teenage problems, including ADD, learning and sensory integration disorders, and mental health issues, such as bipolar disorder and addictions
How to create a trauma-sensitive yoga program that is safe and effective for a variety of age groups—from newborns and toddlers to preteens and adolescents
Current theories and strategies to help children diagnosed with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder, including yoga postures, breathing techniques and other nonmedicinal approaches
How to incorporate visualization, storytelling and imagery, grounding and centering exercises, as well as breathing and specific yoga poses for each age group
How to use healing techniques, such as yoga, Reiki, and meditation to help caregivers better care for themselves
How to integrate yoga into the classroom, focusing on the science of learning and the role of imagery and movement in brain development
The physiological and psychological effects of trauma & PTSD, with focus on the brain and neuroendocrine system
How to use YogaFit’s transformational language specifically for this population to facilitate a deeper release of stress
Prerequisites
None; Level One: Foundations is highly encouraged
Continuing Education Credits
- -Yoga Alliance Approved; see individual courses for assigned YogaAlliance, ACE and canfitpro credits
Duration
All YogaFit teacher-training certifications are designed to allow you to complete them as your time, budget, and schedule allow.
Elective days
Must complete two of these 1-day trainings
Registration Policies & Procedures
Please read our Terms and Conditions prior to registering for a training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is YogaFit® and how is it different than "traditional yoga?"
YogaFit® is specially designed for fitness environments and health club participants. All physical yoga is hatha yoga. Hatha means “hot and cold” balance, and yoga means to join or to “yoke.” YogaFit® is modern fitness yoga that intertwines fitness moves with basic yoga postures in a heat building and flowing sequence leading to relaxing stretches and a 10 minute rest. The fitness environment provides many challenges that can be overcome with the YogaFit® style:
Most health clubrooms are cold and air-conditioned – The YogaFit® style heats the body sufficiently through its heat-building flow, which then creates a safer, more effective environment for the participants. This gradual heat-building helps reduce incidence of injury. In a health club setting, there is a constant flow of new people mixed with regular students. The YogaFit® style allows the instructor to challenge the more seasoned students while creating a safe, accessible workout for the newer students at the same time.
Are certain yoga poses contradictory to general Exercise guidelines?
The practice of yoga has been around for 6000 years, which is much longer than aerobics. Therefore, we wouldn’t expect yoga to fit neatly into the aerobic guidelines. If we look closely, though, we see that the practice of yoga contains the five components of fitness: Cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance and body composition. If a student finds that he/she is uncomfortable with any pose, there are always options or variations of that pose to consider. Inversions can always be taught with the option of legs up the wall pose. The Special Conditions section of the Level 1 manual contains more specific information for different populations of students.
How do I receive my Level 1 certificate?
Upon completion of the initial Level 1 training, trainees are required to teach 8 hours of community service classes to a group of people that are not currently being served by the Yoga community; i.e. seniors, children, people with disabilities, cancer patients, those living in homeless shelters, corporate executives, etc. Trainees then need to submit the Certificate Request Form found in the Level 1 Manual along with two letters: 1) a letter on letterhead from the organization where the 8 hours of community service were completed verifying the dates/times that the classes took place and 2) a personal letter detailing the community service experience. The Certificate Request Form and two letters should be submitted online. Please click here for more information.
How do I become a trainer for YogaFit®?
Becoming a YogaFit® Trainer begins by proceeding through a well-structured Apprentice Program. In order to be considered for this program, one must meet the following minimum criteria:
Must have RYT 200 through YogaFit® Training Systems.
Must have a minimum of 5 years of vinyasa yoga teaching experience.
Must reside within 1 hour from a major metropolitan airport.
Must have a valid passport.
Must have a national fitness certification through American Council on Exercise (ACE), OR plan to obtain one if accepted into the program and moved into the Paid Assist category. We do accept CanFitPro for our candidates from Canada.
Interested candidates should send the following information via email to the Apprentice Program Coordinator at edu@yogafit.com:
Current resume, including teaching history
Current headshot & body shot
I teach seniors...how can I modify the practice?
Begin by focusing on breath work. Remember that our Senior population needs to focus on functional movement - getting up and down, bending safely, maintaining joint mobility, balance, etc. We also want to incorporate chest openers, as osteoporosis has begun to affect many of our seniors. We want to keep them as mobile as possible for as long as possible. Using a chair for support or balance is always a nice option, as well. We always want to bring our Seniors’ classes back to functional, restorative movements.
Why should I not do inversions on my menstrual cycle?
There is a widely held belief that practicing inversions during the menstrual cycle can lead to endometriosis. While there is no medical evidence to support this belief, we do believe in safe yoga and erring on the side of caution. We advise that anyone who feels and discomfort during inversions while menstruating should abstain from practicing those poses during their cycle.
Do you offer ACE continuing education credits (CEC's)?
We DO offer ACE CEC’s. We are partners with ACE and offer 10% off any Level 1 yoga training to ACE professionals. Please call 888-786-3111 to register and take advantage of this discount.
Does ACE offer a special discount for their test materials for YogaFit trainees?
Yes! The discount code is: yogafit
What is ACE?
ACE stands for American Council on Exercise. ACE is an education company who certifies individuals to become personal trainers, group exercise instructors, lifestyle weight management, and clinical exercise specialist. *You do not have to be ACE certified to attend YogaFit trainings.
Do you offer AFAA CEC's (continuing education credits)?
We don't provide AFAA CEC's. Those who would like to receive AFAA credits for our trainings will need to petition with AFAA.
Will I be a "certified" yoga instructor after attending the Level 1 training?
After you attend the Level 1 training and complete the community service requirement you will receive a certificate of completion. You can then say that you are Level 1 -trained by YogaFit. There really is no such thing as “certification” for yoga teachers. However, there is a “registration” option that provides proof of a minimum standard (RYT designation provided by Yoga Alliance).
How long do I have to complete the 8 hours of required community service?
You have 12 months to complete the 8 hours and provide proof. In the meantime you are welcome to register and participate in the next level of training.
How long do I have to redeem my Gift Certificate?
Gift certificates expire 1 year after the time of purchase.
What is a digital Download?
A digital download is either music, audio or video that has been converted into a digital format for online distribution. This content which is provided in a purely digital format, is downloaded via the internet straight to a consumer's home. This method of distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media, such as paper, physical CD's or DVD's.
What size is the digital file?
File sizes differ substantially between different files. Certain music media would be smaller than certain video media. File sizes range anywhere from 60MB to 750MB.
What are the prerequisites for the YogaFit for Warriors Program?
There are no prerequisites, but Level 1 is highly recommended.
What should I expect when completing the YogaFit for Warriors Program?
Warriors workshops focus on not only PTSD and the military but on how and why trauma gets stored in the body which is applicable to all of us! The training relies on our trainees life experiences to help bring the theories/ideas to life. We then use our own personal somatic "stories" as launching pads out of our own traumas into new stories that are more aligned with our true path. Trainees can expect to have fun, to share and most importantly, to experience how to release trauma. Through that experience of trauma release, they will then be better able to help other release their stories. Trainees can expect some large group discussion., 2-hour yoga master classes, small group work, meditations, asana (poses) break-down, pranayama and imagery techniques to help resolve PTSD and trauma.
Who should I contact for more information regarding the YogaFit for Warriors Program?
Shaye is the Program Coordinator, and can be reached by emailing warrior@yogafit.com
What should I expect at a MBF Conference?
Mind Body Fitness Conferences are 5 days of trainings held in large cities all over the US and Canada. Each day begins with a complimentary Master Class, led by one of our dynamic YogaFit Trainers. Trainings run from 8 am to 6 pm. Save your energy, because the fun continues each evening with different educational sessions/lectures. In the past, these sessions have included Essential Oils, Thai Massage, Neuroscience and Yoga lecture series, Make a Mala workshops, Business workshops, and more. Each conference offers a variety of trainings for those attendees just starting out on their RYT 200 path through trainings for our Yoga Therapy Program. YogaFit highly recommends attending Level 4 at a conference so that you can fully immerse yourself in this life-changing 4 days of learning and experiencing. Our conferences offer an opportunity to interact with our YogaFit Trainers, as well as members of our corporate staff. Last, but not least, we have a merchandise boutique open throughout each conference, where you can pick up the latest music, books, clothes, etc. Don't wait...register for an MBF Conference today!