NEW TO SANKOFA? ENJOY TWO WEEKS FOR ONLY $49!
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Hey There
Led by Dr. Tamisha J. Ponder, Sankofa Yoga is a Vinyasa-Hatha based school that teaches a method that balances instruction, engagement, alignment, breath, and fluid movement. The Sankofa Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program encourages yoga as a lifestyle, a theory, and a practice. Our approach to asana practice is rooted in the Vinyasa yoga tradition and inspired by Power, Yin, and Traditional Hatha Yoga.
200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program
January 2025 - September 2025
The Sankofa Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program offers a comprehensive certification experience dedicated to your growth, education, and integration as a yogi within the broader community. We emphasize the importance of in-person, interactive learning, believing that the most impactful learning happens in community with tailored, hands-on educational tools.
We provide trainees with the tools to develop a sense of personal power, overcome self-limitation, resource community and return to the source. Our approach to instruction reflects philosophy, accessibility, community, and is designed to reach the masses to bring yoga, mindfulness, and meditation to all. We encourage balance; thus, after completion of this course students will be able to lead various types of yoga classes, such as Vinyasa/Hatha Flow, Deep Stretch, Restorative and Power Yoga enabling them to teach in any setting and engage community while doing so.
In addition to monthly training sessions, students are also required to commit to a daily practice, complete homework assignments, and attend yoga classes with senior teachers at Sankofa Yoga; there are no additional fees. Our program has been designed to exceed the 200-hour Teacher Training program standards for registration with Yoga Alliance. Upon completion of this course, students will be eligible to apply for registration with Yoga Alliance to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).
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SCHEDULE
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We will meet once a month in-studio on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays over the course of eight months as the training course is taught in nine intensive weekends. This format supports students having time to integrate the material, complete homework assignments, and prepare for assigned practice teaching sessions and final practicum.
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Thursdays: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fridays: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturdays: 8:30 am – 5:45 pm
Sundays: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
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Additional Coursework Hours: Independent Study Hours (reading, journaling, personal yoga and meditation practice)
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*See Course Details PDF for guidelines on in-studio participation.
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2025 COURSE DATES​
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​All spaces are now filled! To stay informed about any openings (if they become available), please join the waiting list below.
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Mandatory Training Orientation & Compliance Meeting (Virtual)
Sunday, January 12 @ 12:00 PM EST - 1:00 PM EST
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January 16-19, 2025
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February 20-23, 2025
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March 27-30, 2025
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April 24-27, 2025
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May 15-18, 2025
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June 19-22, 2025
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July 17-20, 2025
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August 21-24, 2025
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September 18-21, 2025
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*See Course Details PDF for information on Attendance Policy and Schedule Conflicts.
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HEALTH + SAFETY
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All training sessions (minus the virtual orientation/compliance meeting) will be held in-person at our studio, 302 Main Street, Laurel, MD, 20707, if health and safety conditions permit. In the event we must pivot, livestream/online learning will be set in place via Zoom. We are in accordance with Prince Georges County Executive Orders and follow guidelines as given. To view our training facility, click here.
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*See Course Details PDF for information on attendance policy.
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TUITION + REGISTRATION
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The cost of our 200-hour Teacher Training is $3,150 and is payable as follows:
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10% Early Bird Discount is available for those paying in full by December 16, 2024
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Payment Plan Option: $315 non-refundable deposit, followed by 9 equal monthly auto-payments of $315 due on the 1st of each month starting January 2025.​
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OPEN HOUSE/INFO SESSION:
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Interested in YTT but have questions or need more information? Find out more about how our YTT program can help you to deepen your yoga practice or set you on the path to being an authentic teacher! Join us at our in-studio open house/info session on Saturday, November 9 @ 9:30 AM EST (if cohort is not full). RSVP here.
Can't make the info session? Check out our FAQ video, here!
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NEXT STEPS:
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All spaces are now filled! To stay informed about any openings (if they become available), please join the waiting list below.
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If you are interested in joining our YTT, please complete the following three steps. Applicants will be required to 1) review the attached course details in entirety; 2) submit an information form; and 3) pay the non-refundable $315 deposit to gain entry into the 200hr Sankofa Yoga Teacher Training Program.
Once all three steps are completed, you're in! See steps below:
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1) Download & Review "Course Details"
2) Submit Information Form
3) Enroll with $315 deposit
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If you have any questions, please email us at here or call 240-786-7182.
ABOUT YOUR TEACHER TRAINER:
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Dr. Tamisha J. Ponder found yoga at a time when her years as a community organizer had taken a toll on her well-being. Learning how to navigate stress and anxiety through her own yoga practice, Tamisha decided to become a yoga teacher in 2012 to share with her community. She is an E-RYT 500, RPYT, Reiki Master Teacher, Thai Massage Specialist, Fertility Doula, Birth Doula and founder/owner of Sankofa Yoga and Wellness Center. She is completed her Ph.D. Language, Literacy and Culture and holds a master's degree in Women's and Gender Studies: Health and Sexuality, and a bachelor's degree in Journalism with minors in History and Black Women's Studies. Tamisha is rooted in community healing and community advocacy. For more details, click here.
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PICTURED ABOVE: Our first group of students, ALPHA, graduated in July 2022! To learn more about their work, click here.
PICTURED ABOVE: Our second group of students, BETA, graduated in November 2022! To learn more about their work, click here.
PICTURED ABOVE: Our third group of students, GAMMA, graduated in May 2023! To learn more about their work, click here.
PICTURED ABOVE: Our fourth group of students, DELTA, graduated in September 2023! To learn more about their work, click here.
PICTURED ABOVE: Our fifth group of students, EPSILON, graduated in September 2024! To learn more about their work, click here.
PICTURED ABOVE: Our sixth group of students, ZETA graduated in December 2024. To learn more about their work, click here.
PICTURED ABOVE: Our seventh group of students, ETA are currently in session. Stay tuned for their community day in September 2025!