Little Shop of Yoga Teacher Training

Established 2026

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Little Shop of Yoga

306 S Whitcomb Ave, Tonasket, WA 98855, USA

Tonasket, WA

Upcoming Instances

In person

200 hours • $ 3500.0+

Tonasket, WA, US

Led by

Laura Greenwood

CYT-L3

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Purpose

Our goal is to train teachers who can authentically lead both group & one-on-one in breath-centered practices that are rooted in the science & art of intelligent sequencing; weaving asana, pranayama, meditation & deeper yogic philosophy in ways that are accessible & inclusive.

What to expect

Little Shop of Yoga’s Level 1 training includes one 3 hour session per week + one 5 hour Sunday per month over 9 months. (Starts Fall 2026: Dates TBA)

It is a time to dive into & expand your own practice, deepen your understanding of yoga and integrate the teachings into your own life.

This training has a deep focus on the following core areas:

Asana, breath in asana & proper sequencing

Exploring the 5 directions of the spine

Posture clinics

Pranayama: personal practice & how to safely guide the breath

Anatomy & Physiology

Adapting the practice to meet your students where they are

Intro to the Yoga Sutras

Exploring the Chakras

Meditation & Mantra

Finding your authentic voice as a teacher

Practice teaching group classes & one-on-one

The art of observation

Trauma informed teaching & space holding

Consent & Ethics for teachers

Style/Lineage

Little Shop of Yoga’s teacher training is dedicated to the timeless tradition of Viniyoga. Deeply rooted in the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya & TKV Desikachar, we are passionate about yoga as a lifelong practice of self discovery & healing. We understand not only the positive physical impact it can have in building strength, balance & resiliency in the body, but also the important effect it can have on our mind, our emotions and our relationship with the world around us.

Our training stems from the 20+ year practice of Laura Greenwood, whose teachers include Tracy Weber of Whole Life Yoga in Seattle & Gary Kraftsow of American Viniyoga Institute. Influences include: Leslie Kaminoff, A.G. & Indra Mohan, Mark Whitwell & Mirka Scalco Kraftsow.

We see yoga as a living tradition and are dedicated to the transmission of authentic teachings in a way that meets us in our modern world.

Additional Information

Payment plans will be available. Details will be provided at training info sessions where you can ask questions and get inspired.

Required books:

Yoga for Wellness - Gary Kraftsow

Yoga for Transformation - Gary Kraftsow

The Heart of Yoga - T.K.V. Desikachar

Yoga Anatomy - Leslie Kaminoff

The Anatomy Coloring Book - Kapit/Elson

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (Truth Unclouded by TKV Desikachar & Kausthub Desikachar is recommended, but not required)

Core competencies

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

Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Discuss the relationship between yoga and the autonomic nervous system by describing the function of the parasympathetic & sympathetic nervous system and how asana, pranayama & meditation can affect them. Discuss the anatomy & physiology of breathing by demonstrating the function of the diaphragm and the movements of the spine during breathing For each asana in the program, describe how key muscles and joints are affected and what needs to be done to avoid injury (including describing common compensations and contraindications) and promote the desired effect Discuss a posture describe how it may be adapted to support functional alignment for various individuals with unique structures, nervous systems and injury histories. Accurately accurately describe the impact of pranayama and asana on the nervous system.
Yoga History & Theory	Demonstrate a understanding of the chakra model including working with susumna nadi, location of each chakra and their corresponding elements, sensory function, vital organs as well as their corresponding sound (bija mantra) & form(yantra) Create a one-hour chakra-focused practice integrating breath-centered asana, pranayama, and meditation based on the chakra’s location, element, sensory function, organs, and sound Develop an understanding of the multidimensional self through the panchamaya kosha model by exploring ideas and practices that illuminate the five dimensions of the human system. Discuss foundational concepts from the yoga sutras of patanjali through reading, chanting and reflecting on each concept and how it applies to your life and the world around you. Discuss foundational concepts from the yoga yajnavalka by reading and reflecting on what it states about the nadis.
Practice Skills	Practice foundational asanas explored in the program with functional alignment, clear assessment of risk-to-benefit and the use of props to create safety and accessibility Practice pranayama including ujjayi, samavrtti and visamavrtti ratios, nadi sodhana with mrgi mudra and bhramari pranayama by demonstrating correct technique, steady pacing, appropriate ratios, and sustained focus throughout each practice Create and document a consistent personal practice utilizing viniyoga practice methodology and integration of breath-centered movement, pranayama & meditation that is appropriate for your personal season of life. Practice various forms of meditation including posture & appropriate posture support, breath awareness and how to prepare the body & mind for meditation Practice chanting of mantras explored in the program by connecting with the way sound transmits meaning and using mantra as a way to protect the mind. Practice core hasta mudras from the training effectively with proper hand preparation and demonstrating good body postures Apply knowledge of the core hasta mudras in the training, accurately identify contraindications and describe how to effectively incorporate mudras into the practice
Teaching Skills	Demonstrate safe assisting by guiding students with your words first, asking questions and always getting consent before exploring touch to bring gentle awareness to certain areas of the body. always without forcing, pushing or pulling. Demonstrate understanding of trauma informed practices by using inclusive, non-harming & trauma sensitive language, listening to what your students share with you, how you move around the room, how you set up for various changes of direction in movement, how you create a safe container for them to explore safety within themselves. Guide students through a complete breath-centered asana practice utilizing viniyoga teaching methodology, cueing clearly and projecting your voice Demonstrate proper pronunciation of sanskrit terms by practicing calling asanas by both their sanskrit name and english name. Create 60- 75 minute viniyoga sequence with a peak pose for all levels including appropriate preparation, identifying pose compensation and clear reason for each asana variation chosen Cue a pranayama practice that includes both samavrtti & visamavritti ratios using good posture, guiding students on how to ramp up & down, pace their counting and identify when they might be pushing the breath and what to do when that happens. Develop the art of observation by attending classes as an observer to learn how to identify breath and movement patterns as well as how the teacher addresses what they see. Create safe and effective sequences that utilizie viniyoga teaching methodologies to create practices that meet your students where they are and takes them where they want to go: in body, nervous system, heart, mind, energy as well as spiritually.
Lifestyle & Ethics	Discuss professional code of conduct including key ethical guidelines, guiding values, scope of practice, and responsibilities, both professionally and as yoga teachers teaching an ancient tradition in the west. Document a personal pranayama practice based on practices offered in the program by keeping a journal and writing down each practice and it’s effect on your body, heart & mind Discuss how your personal practice has impacted your life over the course of the training by including any changes to your body, mental, energetic or emotional state Apply ethical guidelines for classroom, studio & community based settings through clear communication, consent-based interactions, inclusive cueing, and demonstrating the maintenance of ethical boundaries Define cultural appropriation in the context of yoga, distinguishing it from respectful cultural exchange and appreciation and apply self-study to honor yoga’s roots through informed, respectful teaching practices Discuss the yamas & niyamas by clearly defining them and how to apply them to your personal life and as a teacher Discuss apply ethical perspectives ahimsa & satya both on and off the mat, in your personal life, as a teacher and community member.
Business Skills	Describe legal & administrative requirements including insurance, liability waivers, scope of practice, contracts & ethical boundaries Discuss marketing ethics & honoring the roots of yoga on social media including ways to stay true to yoga’s roots while sharing your offerings & love of practice.

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

Our approach for testing competency is based on direct observation, group & individual conversations to increase understanding of core topics, practices that integrate core topics, teaching demonstrations, and written submissions.