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Hey There
Led by 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 Prenatal Teacher Training Program encourages yoga as a lifestyle, a theory, and a practice. Our approach to prenatal asana practice is rooted in the Vinyasa and Hatha yoga tradition and inspired by Yin, Restorative and Iyengar.
85 Hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher
Training Program
March 2023 - June 2023
Sankofa Yoga 85-hr Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Program (PYT) provides trainees with the tools to develop a sense of one’s personal power, overcome self-limitation, resource community and return to the source. Our approach to perinatal instruction reflects philosophy, accessibility, community, and is designed to reach the masses to bring prenatal yoga, mindfulness, and perinatal education to all. We encourage balance; thus, after completion of this course students will be able to lead various types of prenatal yoga classes.
This training will give trainees the most up to date and evidence-based resources on pregnancy to help empower future teachers to create accessible and well-informed classes. Students will also learn a variety of topics including pelvic floor health, reproductive health and reproductive justice, with particular emphasis on maternal health. You will walk away with more understanding of how prenatal yoga and prenatal meditation compliments other holistic health modalities during pregnancy as well as the physiology of childbirth, labor positions, and more. This amazing practice can make a major difference during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
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 85-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 Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT).
COURSE SCHEDULE & DATES*
The training course is taught in three in-studio intensive weekends over the course of two months. This format supports students having time to integrate the material, meet with birthing persons, complete homework assignments, and prepare for assigned teaching sessions.
WEEKEND ONE: March 31 - April 2, 2023
Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
WEEKEND TWO: May 4 - May 7, 2023
Thursday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (virtual)
Friday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
WEEKEND THREE: June 1 - 4, 2023
Thursday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (virtual)
Friday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Additional Coursework Hours: coaching, reading, homework assignments, journaling, yoga and meditation practice
*See Course Details for guidelines on in-studio participation, attendance policy and schedule conflicts.
PREREQUISITES:
Q: Who is this training for?
This training program serves as an excellent course for yoga teachers who are looking to gain comfort in leading pregnant students in their classes (group or private), and become skilled in instructing prenatal yoga classes appropriate for all trimesters. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be certified in teaching prenatal yoga. If you have completed a yoga teacher training (YTT) or currently enrolled in a YTT, and looking to support birthing persons through a yoga practice, this is the training for you!
Q: I'm not a yoga teacher. May I take this training?
At this time, Sankofa Yoga's PYT program only accepts students who have completed a YTT or currently enrolled in a YTT; however, an exception may be made for select students who have a strong yoga practice (at minimum a year of a consistent weekly practice), possess a baseline understanding of yogic principles and/or experience with instructing asana. If you believe you fall within this scope, please request an interview here with our program director to see if you qualify to join us in March!
If you do not have a consistent yoga practice, but willing to cultivate one before enrolling in our next training, later this year will we offer a PYT Bridge Program for students who are interested in enrolling in our PYT, but not yet yoga teachers. The PYT Bridge Program consists of: 1) completion of our yoga immersion weekend (details forthcoming); and 2) commitment to growing a yoga practice (whereas studio membership at Sankofa Yoga will be offered at a discounted rate to help cultivate your practice). If you are interested in our PYT Bridge Program, click here to complete the interest form!
HEALTH + SAFETY
Training sessions 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.
*See Course Details for information on attendance policy.
TUITION + REGISTRATION
The cohort is limited to 10 students. The cost of our 85-hour Teacher Training is $1,200 and is payable as follows:
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Payment Plan Option: $300 non-refundable deposit, followed by 3 equal monthly auto-payments of $300 due on the 1st of each month starting April 1, 2023.
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10% Early Bird Discount is available for those paying in full by March 1, 2023
INFORMATION SESSION:
Interested in PYTT but have questions or need more information? Find out more about how our PYTT program can help you on the path to holding space for pregnant bodies. Join us on Tuesday, February 7th at 6:00 PM EST at our virtual info session. RSVP here. Please note that spaces may fill up before this information session takes place.
NEXT STEPS:
If you are interested in joining our PYT, 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 $300 deposit to gain entry into our 85hr Sankofa Yoga Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Program. Once all three steps are completed, you're in! See steps below:
1) Download "Course Details"
2) Submit Information Form
3) Enroll with $300 deposit
NOTE: If you are not a yoga teacher (nor currently in a yoga teacher training), please refrain from enrolling at this moment. We ask that you first request an interview with the program director here to see if you qualify!
If you have any questions about any of this material, please email here or call 240-786-7182.
ABOUT YOUR TEACHER TRAINER:
Dr. Tamisha J. Ponder is an E-RYT, RPYT, Fertility Doula, Birth Doula, Reiki Master Teacher, Thai Massage Specialist, and founder/owner of Sankofa Yoga and Wellness Center. A career educator, she earned a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy and Culture researching Black Lives Matter and the physiological and emotional toll of activism on Black women activists/organizers; 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 education, community healing and community advocacy. She specializes in holistic reproductive health, reproductive justice, the overmedicalization and historical experimentation of Black and Brown bodies, and Black women's agency in health and wellness. For more details, click here.
