New Jersey Yoga Teacher Training Level 1 Certification

Established 2025

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New Jersey Yoga Teacher Training

351 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006, USA

Caldwell, NJ

Upcoming Instances

Hybrid

200 hours • $ 2995.0+

Caldwell, NJ, US

Led by

Kelli Hansel and Shawn LIndsay

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Purpose

New Jersey Yoga Teacher Training strives to develop teachers who feel confident to guide the practice of yoga in a way that expresses their unique voice, while holding awareness and respect for the beautiful and complex history that is the roots of our modern yoga practice.

What to expect

NJYTT is a hybrid personalized pacing program that focuses more toward the in person aspects of yoga teaching. The time for completion of the program is individual and can take 4 months to 1 year. We strongly believe in the ability to grow with experience teaching and learning with real bodies in the room. Crucial components of the program like anatomy, and asana labs will be in person training to fully prepare NJYTT teachers for real world teaching experiences. All trainees have opportunities to teach community classes during their training, and will graduate with teaching experience.

Modules include:

Why We Yoga
Foundational Postures/Sequences - Surya A/B
Anatomy of Yoga
Pranayama & Meditation
Who Am I as a Teacher?
Ethics & Responsibility
Asana Clinic (Backbends/Twists)
Sequencing
Teaching to Clients Needs
Group Practice
Restorative & Yin Yoga - The Fascia
POWER, Dynamics, Strength, Arm Balances & Inversions
Yoga Sutras
Medieval Hatha Yoga
Origins of Contemporary Yoga
Subtle Body
Holding Space
Business of Yoga
Creative Sequencing

Style/Lineage

New Jersey Yoga Teacher Training housed at Indigo Yoga is built upon the experiences of lead teachers and owners of Indigo Yoga, Kelli Hansel (26 + years of practice and 16 years teaching) and Shawn Lindsay (10 + years of practice and 2 years teaching). Espousing the importance of authenticity and svadhyaya (self study) through the practice of yoga, NJYTT introduces trainees to various styles within the lineages of vinyasa and Hatha yoga, allowing graduates to create their unique teaching voice and approach.
Kelli and /or Shawn have studied and trained in vinyasa, Iyengar, Kundalini, fascial conditioning/strengthening, Buti, trauma informed, power yoga, yin, chair yoga, prenatal, Hatha, and 26 & 2. Both are greatly influenced by creative sequencing, dynamic flows, and somatics. Past guest workshops have included instruction from teachers like Joseph Encinia, J. Brown, and Sri Dharma Mittra.

Additional Information

Payment options and plans are available and a free membership to Indigo Yoga Studio is included with the program.

Core competencies

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

Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics	Explain the physiological and energetic role of breath in asana, including its influence on effort, regulation, and meditative states. Analyze the postural demands of open- and closed-hip movements and common weight-bearing postures (e.g., chaturanga, plank, single-arm support) by identifying primary joints involved, patterns of muscular engagement, and potential points of strain, and apply this analysis to cue alignment, offer modifications, and support joint integrity in group classes. Apply functional anatomy principles of fascia, muscle, and joint mechanics to design yoga sequences that balance mobility and stability while minimizing injury risk. Demonstrate and cue joint actions (e.g., flexion, extension, rotation, circumduction, pronation/supination, inversion/eversion), clearly and accurately
Teaching Skills	Teach foundational postures across all major asana categories with attention to traditional alignment, anatomical variation., and appropriate modifications. Create balanced class sequences for multiple levels that include appropriate warm-ups, peak sequencing logic, counterposes, and integration before savasana. Integrate breath awareness into all class sequences by coordinating movement and stillness with foundational pranayama breath mechanics, demonstrating appropriate pacing, cueing, and transitions that support regulation and continuity of practice Teach with clear, responsive, verbal cueing and adjust instruction based on real-time observation of students’ movement patterns and anatomical needs Design classes with a clear and coherent intention or theme (e.g., subtle body systems, peak postures, somatic awareness, or energetic focus) by aligning sequencing structure, cueing language, breath integration, and transitions to support a unified student experience Guide foundational pranayama techniques (ex. nadi shodhana, kapalabhati, diaphramatic breathing) accurately and clearly, with proper preparation, timing, and safety considerations Evaluate class intention and observable student context to select appropriate calming or energizing meditation and/or pranayama practices, and modify pacing, cueing, or duration to account for common contraindications and stress responses. Compose and lead a guided meditation and accompanying dharma talk that clearly aligns with and reinforces the stated class intention through appropriate language, pacing, and duration Adapt asana instruction to accommodate anatomical variation through skillful use of props, modifications, and alignment strategies.
Lifestyle & Ethics	Explain and integrate chanting, mudra, and mantra into group classes by demonstrating correct pronunciation, appropriate timing, and an understanding of the contextual meaning and use of aum Apply foundational subtle body frameworks (chakras, koshas, vayus, gunas, and nadis) to sequencing, meditation, and thematic class design by aligning postural choices, breath emphasis, and reflective themes with the selected framework. Discuss the yamas and niyamas by accurately identifying their sanskrit names and core qualities, and explain how these principles inform personal conduct, ethical teaching practices, and professional decision-making
Yoga History & Theory	Explain patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga and distinguish between dual and non-dual philosophical perspectives as they relate to yoga practice and worldview Identify major yogic texts, including the vedas, upanishads, bhagavad gita, yoga sutras, and hatha yoga pradipika, and describe their general focus within the yoga tradition Compare the historical development of modern yoga and eastern and western philosophical perspectives on human nature, embodiment, and interconnectedness, including key figures and lineages from india to the contemporary western context
Business Skills	Develop a professional teaching portfolio, including resume, biography, teaching philosophy, and a proposal for a class, workshop, or retreat

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

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

Evaluations of understanding are completed based upon participants ability to discuss the information in class discussion periods, demonstrate understanding when creating sequences in small groups, written sequences submitted for feedback, and for teaching community classes, and on the final written exam. Journaling exercises, small written submissions, multiple class evaluations, group activities, and continuous discussion and feedback are all forms of assessment as well.

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Program Faculty

Featured Faculty

Kelli Hansel

aka Kelli Haywood

Vinyasa based teacher of 16 years weaving aspects of strength, subtle body work, self study, mobility, and creative movement into every class located in Caldwell, NJ.

indigoyogastudios.com

Caldwell, NJ, US