Become a Trainee with Spiritual Essence Yoga
If you're here, you may have found us through word of mouth, online, or a thoughtful search. Welcome. Yoga Teacher Training is for those who love yoga and seek to dive deeper, especially when a life shift calls for guidance through a yogic lens in a safe, inclusive space. We are that space.
Our programs are for the seekers, healers, and lifelong learners. You’ll be guided by a loving team who has walked this path and is passionate about sharing yogic wisdom in an inclusive way. At SEY, we've been training yoga teachers since 2007, and our mission is to support you well beyond your training. If you’re ready, we invite you to begin your journey with us.
Our Approach to Yoga
We believe that yoga is a powerful tool for life transformation that anyone can learn. Our Jiivana (L.I.F.E.) Yoga® Teacher Training is designed to empower you with the tools to live your yoga, adapt to life's fluctuations, and view obstacles as opportunities for personal growth. Developed by Dana A. Smith, the founder of Spiritual Essence Yoga & Wellness, this training program draws inspiration from Vinyasa, Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Hatha Yoga traditions.
Jiivana, derived from the Sanskrit word for life, embodies the philosophy behind our training program: Live Inspired, Fearless, and Empowered. During the training, we delve into the traditional aspects of yoga, including asana, pranayama, and yogic philosophy.
What Makes Our Program Unique
With many options in the world of yoga teacher training, we have worked hard to ensure that you feel fully supported during the training process. Here are just a few things that make our program unique:
You have the option to join training in-studio, online, or a hybrid of both. We know that schedules can be unpredictable, so we have made it easy to join training from wherever you are in the world.
All sessions are recorded. There is a lot of information shared during training, and despite taking the best notes, sometimes things are not written down properly. So that you can be fully present during sessions, they are all recorded with you having lifetime access.
Weekly group mentoring sessions are part of training. These sessions are held weekly after the first month of training and provide in-between session support for our 200 and 300-hour trainings.
In addition to group mentoring, you also get a dedicated mentor who can support you throughout your journey. Your mentor has experienced the YTT journey before and can help you to stay connected.
Continuing the support in between sessions and beyond, we establish a GroupMe group where you can ask questions in between sessions, share inspiration, and stay connected to your classmates. The group is kept open even after training ends.
“My experience with yoga teacher training from Dana at Spiritual Essence Yoga came at a time when I was in emotional turmoil. I am forever grateful that the universe placed her in my path. The YTT experience allowed me to transform my life and transcend in ways that I could have never imagined! I appreciate the breadth and depth of knowledge placed in me during YTT. It provided a level of confidence and preparedness far beyond my expectations and as I’ve come to learn far beyond the experiences of other programs. Dana and her YTT prepared me for more than teaching yoga; it prepared me to live at a higher frequency and in ways to lift others to be their best selves.”
Choose Your Path
What You Will Learn
Jiivana (L.I.F.E.) Yoga® embraces yoga as a tool for growth and transformation. Training covers what you would expect from a yoga teacher training to include yogic philosophy, asana, and pranayama. We take it steps further and explore a variety of important modern topics from a yogic perspective, to include:
Promoting diversity and inclusivity within yoga
Making yoga accessible to all
Equipping you with tools to maintain a balanced life
Identifying and overcoming limiting roadblocks
Cultivating a consistent home practice
Navigating the business aspects of yoga
We also believe that there are other modalities that perfectly complement yoga and can add to the practice. During training, we explore:
Thai Massage
Reiki
Sound Healing
Qigong
Feng Shui
Ayurveda
Herbalism
“If you’re looking for a Yoga Teacher Training program that exceeds expectations, look no further than Spiritual Essence Yoga and Wellness. Dana Smith and all the instructors were awesome! Their experience, knowledge, and guidance were unparalleled. This journey was more than just a training program; it was a transformative experience that has helped me to discover so much about myself on and off the mat.”
For ease of learning, training is separated into four modules:
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Citta (Mind) Module: Delve into yogic philosophy, foundational meditation techniques, and transformative mental practices to cultivate an open and balanced mind.
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Kaaya (Body) Module: Explore asanas, hands-on assists, and the physical and energetic anatomy of yoga asanas and pranayama.
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Bhaava (Spirit) Module: Dive into meditative tools and transformative practices that facilitate liberation and alignment of the mind and spirit.
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Sankhya (Unification) Module: Learn to integrate and synthesize all the elements to create dynamic and inclusive classes suitable for practitioners of all levels.
Our Unwavering Support
What makes our program truly exceptional is the steady support we offer our students throughout and beyond their training. In our 200 and 300-hour programs, you will get a dedicated mentor in addition to the weekly group mentoring sessions.
Post-training internship and apprenticeship programs are available to foster continued growth and development. Many of our graduates have achieved remarkable success, including thriving teaching careers and even opening their own yoga studios. Your success is our ultimate priority, and we are committed to empowering you every step of the way.
Training Paths:
Our Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) is offered in three progressive levels: Level 1 (40-hour), Level 2 (200-hour), and Level 3 (300-hour). Each level seamlessly builds upon the previous one, providing a comprehensive and in-depth learning experience.
Level 1 is 40-hours and ideal for students who want to establish a strong foundation in yoga and ease into their teacher training journey. It is also open to yoga newbies, creating a welcoming environment for all levels of experience.
Level 2 training is 200-hours and delves deeper into the concepts and practices introduced in Level 1. It is important to note that you do not need to have completed Level 1 to enroll in Level 2. Anyone with a passion for yoga and a desire to deepen their practice and teaching skills is welcome to join.
As you progress to Level 3, our 300-hour program, the focus expands to include advanced yogic principles and the essential knowledge needed to successfully run a yoga business.
Levels 1 and 2 are open to all, no matter where you are on your journey. Even though this is a training program to get certified to teach others, many of our trainees have taken training solely to deepen their practice and better understand yoga.