NEW TO SANKOFA? ENJOY TWO WEEKS FOR ONLY $49!
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Hey There
Led by Shawn J. Moore, the Sankofa Yoga and Mindful Rebel
Inward Illumination™ Meditation Leader Training Program encourages meditation as a lifestyle, a theory, and a practice. Our approach to meditation explores the concept of the koshas and how they can be integrated into meditation teaching and practice.
75 Hour Meditation Leader
Training Program
June 2025 - Sept. 2025
The Inward Illumination™ Meditation Leader Training Program (MTT) The Inward Illumination™ Meditation Leader Training is a transformative journey designed to deepen practitioners' personal meditation practice while empowering them to become more aligned, impactful leaders in their communities. By nurturing the ability to share meditation and mindfulness with others, the program equips participants with the tools to cultivate peace, clarity, and freedom both within themselves and those they serve.
This training emphasizes self-reflection, extensive reading, and profound self-inquiry, creating a rich environment for personal growth and spiritual development. Participants will explore various meditation techniques, engage with ancient wisdom texts, and take part in contemplative exercises that challenge their understanding of themselves and the world around them. Throughout this program, framed by an in-depth study of the Kosha system, aspiring teachers will develop the emotional intelligence, presence, and compassion necessary for holding space and supporting a community of meditators.
The curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with practical experience, allowing participants to integrate their learnings into their daily lives and leadership roles. By the end of the program, graduates will have not only deepened their own practice but also developed the confidence and skills to share the transformative power of meditation, fostering a sense of connection and well-being in their communities.
By investing in the training, participants will:
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Deepen your understanding of meditation through both informational content and experiential practice.
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Receive mentoring, including personal “office hours,” and live and recorded
group conversations. -
Establish the tools, experience, and guidance to further your own meditation
practice. -
Practice leading meditations and receive constructive feedback.
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Develop the confidence, vocabulary, and presence to successfully lead others in
meditation and mindfulness, while becoming a more aligned and impactful leader
in your community.
In addition to bi-weekly training sessions, students are also required to commit to a daily meditation practice, complete homework assignments, meet asynchronously with fellow trainees, and attend meditation classes at Sankofa Yoga; there are no additional fees.
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Upon completion of the coursework and evaluation, participants will receive a certification of completion. For those that are Yoga teachers this will then enable you to register with Yoga Alliance for Continuing Education Credits (YACEP.)
*See Syllabus PDF for additional course features, such as core components and professional application.
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COURSE SCHEDULE & DATES*
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The training course is taught in five virtual sessions, with a required in-studio closing weekend. This format supports students having time to integrate the material, meet independently with cohort-members between live virtual sessions, complete homework assignments, and prepare for assigned practice sessions. All content will be housed within Thinkific, an online learning platform. NOTE: We employ a screens-on policy for virtual sessions.​
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Virtual Synchronous Dates
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Training Orientation & Compliance Meeting
Friday, June 27: 12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST
(Mandatory for all trainees, non-negotiable)
Module 1 | Stability - Meditation Foundations & the Physical Posture
Sunday, June 29: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. EST
Module 2 | Vitality - Working with the Breath and Subtle Energy
Sunday, July 13: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. EST
Module 3 | Clarity - Understanding the Mind in Meditation
Sunday, July 27: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. EST
Module 4 | Intuition - Connecting to Our Inner Wisdom
Sunday, August 17: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. EST
Module 5 | Joy - Sharing from the Heart
Sunday, August 31: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. EST
Optional Office Hours via Zoom (Dates are tentative and subject to change)
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Friday, July 18: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. EST
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Friday, August 8: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. EST
IN-PERSON CLOSING WEEKEND/GRADUATION: September 20 & 21, 2025
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Saturday, September 20: 9:00 am – 5:30 pm | Half Day Meditation Sit, Dharma Talk Practice, Honoring Your Seat of the Teacher
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Sunday, September 21: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Community Class Teaching, Closing Ceremony
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Additional Coursework Hours: coaching, reading, homework assignments, journaling, meditation practice
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*See Syllabus PDF for guidelines on in-studio participation, attendance policy and schedule conflicts.
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PREREQUISITES:
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Q: Who is this training for?
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Our meditation leadership training is designed for individuals who have a strong interest
in meditation and mindfulness practices, and are interested in sharing these techniques
with others. The training is open to anyone who has an ongoing personal meditation
practice of at least one year, with at least a commitment of three to four meditation
practices a week. With a consistent meditation practice, this training welcomes those
who wish to become certified meditation leaders,, as well as for those who simply wish
to deepen their own personal practice. Our program is perfect for yoga teachers,
healthcare professionals, therapists, or anyone who is interested in incorporating
meditation and mindfulness practices into their community or personal life. Our meditation leader training program is not an immersion or workshop; rather, a training course for those with the intention to complete all requirements for certification.
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IN-PERSON CLOSING WEEKEND/GRADUATION
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The in-studio closing weekend will be held in-person at our studio, 302 Main Street, Laurel, MD, if health and safety conditions permit. We are in accordance with Prince George's County Executive Orders. In the event we must pivot, livestream/online learning will be set in place via Zoom. To view our training facility, click here.
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*See Syllabus PDF for information on attendance policy.
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TUITION + REGISTRATION
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The cost of our 75hr Inward Illumination™ Meditation Leader Training (MTT) is $1149 and is payable as follows:
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Payment Plan Option: $300 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit, 3 equal monthly payments of $285 due on July 15, August 15, on September 15.
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*See Syllabus PDF for information on tuition/refund policy.
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INFORMATION SESSION:
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Curious about the training and want to learn more? Click here to watch the playback and discover how this program can help you on the path to holding space for self-inquiry and exploration.
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NEXT STEPS:​​
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If you are interested in joining our MTT, please complete the following steps. Applicants will be required to review the attached course details in entirety, submit an information form and pay the non-refundable and non-transferable $300 deposit to gain entry into our Inward Illumination™ Meditation Leader Training Program. Once all three steps are completed, you're in! See steps below:
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1) Download "SYLLABUS PDF"
2) Submit Information Form
3) Enroll with $300 deposit​
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If you have any questions about any of this material, please email here or call 240-786-7182.
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ABOUT YOUR TEACHER TRAINER:
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Shawn J. Moore is a career educator, yoga teacher (E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®), sound and reiki practitioner, meditation teacher, Yoga Nidra facilitator, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, all focused through a Buddhist lens and 17 years of personal practice. Residing at the intersection of leadership and mindfulness, Shawn creates sacred spaces for stillness and self-inquiry to help changemakers align their strengths, intention, and impact. Through his integrative approach, he holds transformative containers for self-renewal, personal discovery, and capacity-building that ease clients on their journey towards peace, clarity, and freedom. In addition to holding community space through classes, he provides training in leadership and strengths-based development, and workshops in mindfulness, meditation and sound healing. He has contributed workshops, practices, and educational opportunities for celebrities like Questlove, and various yoga studios and colleges, Yoga International, Omstars, Melanin Moves Project, the Human Rights Campaign, Spotify and Lululemon. He currently serves as the Community Engagement Specialist for Muse®, the neuro-technology, brain health, and meditation company. To learn more, click here.
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What do our graduates say
about the experience?
‘This training expanded and stretched me beyond what I expected in the best way. I learned tools that helped me to personally grow and in this growth I feel more confident as a teacher to guide others through their own meditation transformation.’
‘This program offered me the space to explore and deepen my knowledge of self. It has allowed me to cultivate more inner awareness which ultimately equips me with better tools to guide others through their own process.’
‘This training was really helpful in expanding my knowledge about meditation. I would recommend this course to anyone that is looking for more self discovery, guidance on how to expand their practice, find their niche, or how to make their presence known in the meditation field.’
‘This meditation training offers a great variety of philosophy, history, techniques, and practice teaching to cultivate your own personal meditation path as well as prepare you to lead others on their meditation path! It was an amazing time of reflection and growth, I highly recommend it!’

PICTURED ABOVE: Our first group of graduates, LUMINOUS ELEVEN, graduated in July 2023! To learn more about their work, click here. ​​

PICTURED ABOVE: Our second group of graduates, EMBODIED FIFTEEN , graduated in Dec. 2023! To learn more about their work, click here. ​​

PICTURED ABOVE: Our third group of graduates, INSIGHTFUL SIX, graduated in July. 2024! ​​

PICTURED ABOVE: Our fourth group of graduates, FLOURISHING FIVE, graduated in Dec. 2024! ​​