Honor the Body 200 RYT Foundational Teacher Training

Established 2016

Manasquan, NJ

Program Instances

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Purpose

Inlet Yoga’s 200hr YTT develops thoughtful, adaptable teachers rooted in vinyasa and informed by anatomy, breath, and philosophy. Students learn to observe, sequence with intention, and teach safely and clearly, honoring tradition while meeting modern needs.

What to expect

Students can expect a structured, supportive, and immersive training experience that unfolds over time, allowing for integration rather than quick accumulation of information. The program blends lecture, discussion, practice, and hands-on application, creating a learning environment that is both experiential and practical.

Each session includes vinyasa practice, anatomy and functional movement study, breathwork, meditation, and teaching methodology. Students learn to break down postures, recognize common movement patterns, and offer clear, accessible guidance to a range of practitioners. Sequencing is taught as a progressive skill, moving from foundational frameworks into more adaptive and responsive approaches.

Teaching begins early in small, supported groups. Students receive ongoing feedback, opportunities for refinement, and a steady progression toward confident, independent teaching. Assisting and cueing are emphasized throughout, with a focus on clarity, safety, and connection.

Outside of training hours, students are expected to maintain a consistent personal practice, attend classes, and complete observation and self-study assignments. Engagement with the Inlet Yoga community is encouraged, supporting relationship-building and meaningful dialogue.

The environment fosters inquiry and growth. Questions are welcomed, and students are guided in developing their own voice within a clear and grounded framework.

By the end of the program, students can expect greater confidence in their understanding of yoga, stronger teaching skills, and a deeper connection to both their personal practice and a broader community.

Style/Lineage

Inlet Yoga’s 200-hour Teacher Training is inspired by multiple systems, including but not limited to Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa, Yin, Laughing Lotus, and Katonah Yoga. While the program is rooted in a vinyasa-based approach, it draws from these varied lineages to offer a broader, more integrated understanding of yoga.

Rather than adhering rigidly to a single system, students are taught to understand the principles beneath the practices—structure, function, breath, attention, and adaptation. This allows for a more intelligent and responsive approach to teaching, one that meets the needs of modern bodies and modern lives.

Traditional elements such as pranayama, meditation, and foundational philosophy are honored throughout the training, while anatomy, functional movement, and the use of props support accessibility and sustainability in practice. Influences from these lineages are not presented as separate styles, but woven together to create a cohesive and practical teaching methodology.

Students learn to move beyond aesthetic-based yoga and into a way of teaching that prioritizes clarity, safety, and individual experience. Sequencing is approached as both structure and inquiry, encouraging observation, critical thinking, and adaptability.

This program respects lineage while recognizing that yoga is living and evolving. Graduates leave with a strong foundation in vinyasa and a well-rounded perspective, prepared to teach in a way that is thoughtful, inclusive, and relevant.

Additional Information

This program is delivered in an in-person format over the course of eight months, with regularly scheduled training sessions and required participation in studio classes.

Applicants should have a consistent yoga practice (recommended minimum of 6 months) and a willingness to engage in both personal exploration and group learning. This training is open to those who wish to teach as well as dedicated students looking to deepen their practice.

Students are expected to attend all training sessions, complete observation hours, and participate in practice teaching. Assignments include self-study, class attendance, and integration of material between sessions.

Evaluation is based on participation, practice teaching, comprehension of material, and overall integration of the work. Ongoing feedback is provided throughout the program.

All students must carry or obtain yoga liability insurance prior to certification.

Payment plans may be available. Tuition includes training hours and select course materials; additional recommended readings may be assigned.

Graduates receive a 200-hour Teacher Training certification through Inlet Yoga and are prepared to begin teaching or continue into advanced study.

Core competencies

By the end of this program, graduates will be able to…

Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Identify major joint actions and primary muscle groups in foundational yoga postures accurately and in relation to how the body moves in practice Describe functional movement patterns within vinyasa practice by relating anatomy to movement, breath, and alignment Apply principles of biomechanics and alignment to adapt postures for individual structure, limitations, and injury considerations Identify common compensatory movement patterns in students through observation and respond with appropriate modifications or cues Discuss the relationship between mobility, stability, and strength as it applies to safe and sustainable yoga practice Apply the use of props as tools for anatomical support to increase accessibility, clarity, and function in postures Explain foundational breath mechanics (including diaphragmatic breathing and ujjayi) in a way that supports movement, pacing, and nervous system awareness Describe key anatomical structures (joints, muscles, connective tissue) using clear, functional language applicable to teaching
Business Skills	Describe the role and responsibilities of a yoga teacher within a studio setting including professionalism, communication, and student experience Describe different pathways for teaching yoga including group classes, private sessions, and workshops within scope of practice Apply professional and ethical boundaries within the teacher-student relationship and studio environment Describe habits that support a consistent teaching practice including preparation, reliability, and continued engagement with learning Apply basic studio logistics and expectations including scheduling awareness, class flow, and participation in a studio setting Develop self-reflection practices to evaluate teaching effectiveness and support ongoing growth
Yoga History & Theory	Describe the foundational texts of yoga (including the yoga sutras) in a way that connects philosophical concepts to modern practice and teaching Apply key teachings from the yoga sutras by integrating them into class language, cueing, and student reflection Describe the 8 limbs of yoga as both a philosophical framework and a practical tool for daily life and teaching Describe the historical evolution of yoga from traditional roots to modern-day practice Develop personal interpretation of yogic philosophy through journaling, discussion, and integration into teaching voice Write reflections on philosophical practices (e.g. karma yoga, japa meditation, personal patterns) demonstrating understanding and personal application Apply philosophical concepts to guide class themes, sequencing intention, and student experience
Lifestyle & Ethics	Describe the role of personal practice in supporting a yoga teacher’s development as a foundation for self-awareness, consistency, and integrity Apply the yamas and niyamas through personal reflection and integration into daily life and teaching Discuss ethical considerations within the teacher-student relationship including boundaries, scope of practice, and responsibility Describe the relationship between lifestyle choices and overall well-being in the context of supporting a sustainable yoga practice Apply self-awareness practices to recognize personal patterns, biases, and responses within teaching and practice Describe basic ayurvedic principles as they relate to seasonal awareness and individual constitution Apply reflective practices (journaling, meditation, inquiry) to support personal growth and integration of training material
Practice Skills	Practice a consistent personal vinyasa yoga practice with awareness of breath, alignment, and individual experience Demonstrate foundational yoga postures with safe alignment, appropriate use of props, and clarity of form Perform sun salutations (a and b) with coordinated breath, pacing, and fluid transitions Practice pranayama techniques (including ujjayi and basic breath awareness) with consistency and understanding of their effect on the body and nervous system Demonstrate the integration of breath with movement to support pacing, stability, and continuity in practice Perform a sequence of yoga postures with attention to transitions, alignment, and personal capacity Practice meditation and self-inquiry techniques with the ability to sustain focus and observe internal experience Demonstrate the use of props within a personal practice to support accessibility, function, and stability
Teaching Skills	Lead a complete vinyasa yoga class with clear sequencing, appropriate pacing, and a cohesive theme Cue yoga postures using clear, accessible language that supports alignment, breath, and awareness Guide students through a sequence with attention to transitions, timing, and student experience Demonstrate foundational postures and transitions with clarity, safety, and appropriate use of props Apply observational skills to recognize student needs and adapt instruction in real time Develop a personal teaching voice grounded in authenticity, clarity, and lived experience Plan a yoga class with consideration for peak pose, pacing, and accessibility Apply self assisting techniques with effectiveness so the student learns the shapes without being positioned into them. Guide breath, meditation, and moments of stillness in a way that supports integration and nervous system awareness Apply instruction within a group setting based on varying abilities, energy and student feedback Teach yoga in a group environment with presence, professionalism, and awareness of the overall room

AYC allows each school to state and evaluate the competencies each student acquires. Students rate how well the program delivered them.

Program Emphasis

Evaluation methods

Program evaluations

Oral Exam
Group Project Or Presentation
Solo Project Or Presentation
Written Submission
Written Exam
Direct Observation
Graded Skill Demonstration

Evaluation within the Inlet Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training is ongoing, experiential, and mentorship-based. Students are assessed through a combination of graded teaching demonstrations, observation, and direct feedback within a live classroom environment. Weekly training sessions include review of material through discussion, questioning, and repetition, allowing concepts to be integrated over time rather than tested in isolation. Students participate in practice teaching, where they receive both instructor and peer feedback to support growth and refinement. Assessment also includes written submissions and informal oral evaluation to ensure understanding of key concepts such as anatomy, movement, breath, and sequencing. Case study-style observation and application are used to evaluate a student’s ability to adapt to real bodies and real-time teaching scenarios. Progression through the program is based on demonstrated comprehension, participation, and the ability to apply material with clarity and confidence. The mentorship structure allows for individualized guidance, ensuring each student meets competency standards before completion.

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Program Faculty

Featured Faculty

Jennifer Vafakos

Senior yoga teacher specializing in therapeutic, heart-centered practice. Therapeutic and heart centered lead trainer and creator of Inlet Yoga’s 200 & 300 hour teacher trainings. Dedicated to serving women in recovery from breast cancer through mindful movement.

jennifervafakos.com

Manasquan, NJ, US

Policies

AYC Policies

Progam Code of Conduct

Refund Policy

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American Yoga Council