RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training

Become a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance through the Yoga Center of Columbia. The RYT200 Teacher Training Program is a comprehensive 11-month program conveniently scheduled one weekend per month (Friday evening through Sunday) from January 24 through November 23, 2025. Lucy Lomax and Kelly Fisher will teach you how to share the gift of yoga while deepening your commitment to this path. Upon satisfactory completion you will be eligible to register with the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level. You will enrich your practice and your life - even if you have no intention to teach.

Registration is now open for the 2025 Yoga Teacher Training Program. Click the Download Brochure button below to have a convenient overview of the program.

If you have any questions, call 410-720-4340 or email us at info@columbiayoga.com.

Featured

A Perfect Blend

This program is the perfect blend of rich yoga philosophy, structured anatomy and physiology courses for correct alignment and student accessibility, community engagement, meditation, and self-study. Thank you for all the knowledge, experience, and passion you have poured into this program and into your trainees.

-MB

So Much More Than I Thought

I expected to learn more about asana, pranayama and meditation, but it was so much more. This was a deep dive into learning about the self and how I want to show up in the world as a human and a yoga teacher. My fellow teachers-in-training became very close and supportive through this program. The instructors were so knowledgeable and found the perfect balance between serious and fun. I had a great time, even though it was a lot of inner work as well as studying and practice. I highly recommend this program not only for people wanting to teach yoga, but also for those who would like to deepen their personal practice.

- PI

The Best Possible

The RYT 200 program at the Yoga Center of Columbia is nothing that you would expect it to be, in the best possible way. My personal practice and teaching has become richer, deeper, and more respectful, both of myself and my students. Learning how the physical parts of yoga (asana, pranayama) work inside of the larger yogic tradition was enlightening. The teachers respect the students in a way that I have not experienced before. That respect was something I can carry on into my own teaching and daily life and I am eternally grateful to have learned it.

-ZD

Transformative

This teacher training with Kelly and Lucy has been a transformative and rewarding experience. It was not just about any one thing about yoga like asana or teaching, it was about all of yoga! It is a well thought out course, and the monthly meetings really allowed me to process everything, let the teachings marinate before we went on to the next topic.

-EW

Learn All of Yoga

I am so happy that I chose to do my yoga teacher training at The Yoga Center of Columbia. What an amazing experience with amazing teachers and fellow students. Such an amazing studio. I recommend The Yoga Center of Columbia for all of your yoga needs.

-WO

About This Program

This program focuses on the fundamentals of yoga and teaching shared by all traditions. We align with root aspects of yoga, breath, meditation, intention, and service which give rise to the various schools and styles. In this student-centered program, we encourage you to discover your evolutionary path. The program covers the history and philosophy of yoga, asanas, pranayama, meditation, anatomy, physiology, therapeutics and adaptations. We encourage creativity and personal exploration as you deepen your practice and develop your teaching skills.

Why Take Yoga Teacher Training at the Yoga Center of Columbia?

• To deepen your practice and your understanding of yogic principles

• To learn how the ancient tradition of yoga is relevant in modern times

• To learn the Yamas and Niyamas, yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and both physical and subtle anatomy

• To become an effective and inspiring teacher

• To be prepared to teach beginner and intermediate level Hatha yoga classes

• To qualify to register with Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200 hour level

• To work hands-on in person with other people who can see you in real life

• To apprentice directly with senior teachers in live classes

Eligibility

Teaching yoga requires a commitment and dedication to learning and studying the principles and practices of yoga. To participate in our Yoga Teacher Training Program and receive maximum benefit from it, participants should:

* Have practiced yoga a minimum of one year - taking classes with a teacher regularly

* Have a consistent home yoga practice

* Be committed to studying, learning, and developing the skills necessary for teaching yoga

Training Requirements

Registration as an RYT200 Yoga Teacher requires 200 contact hours with a Lead Trainer. These 200 hours include:

Techniques, Training, and Practice including asana, pranayama, the subtle body, and meditation (75 hours)
Anatomy & Physiology (30 hours)
Yoga Humanities including History, Philosophy, and Ethics (30 hours)
Professional Essentials including Teaching Methodology
Professional Development and Practicum (50 hours)
Plus 15 elective hours that fall under these other categories in the form of a personal student project.

Participants typically spend more than 200 hours completing the program. As part of your tuition, you will receive one free weekly yoga class at the Yoga Center of Columbia with either Lucy Lomax or Kelly Fisher for the duration of your training.

Student Project

As part of the 15 elective hours, each student will complete either a community service project (usually teaching free classes), an in-depth yoga self-inquiry, through personal practice with written summary, or a 2500-word research paper. The purpose of your project is to explore an aspect of yoga or yoga instruction that calls to you, thereby discovering who you are becoming as a person, as a yoga practitioner and as a yoga teacher.

RYT 200 Information Session

Curious to know more before you register? Join us for our free RYT 200 Information Session on Saturday, October 5 4:00-5:15pm.

Required Reading

Required reading materials are not included in the cost of tuition. You may purchase textbooks at the Yoga Center or wherever you buy your books. Please support small businesses when you can.

Hatha Yoga Illustrated, Martin Kirk, Brooke Boon and Daniel DiTuro

Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga, Ray Long

The Bhagavad Gita, translated by Eknath Easwaran

Yoga: Discipline of Freedom, Barbara Stoler Miller

Recommended Reading

Science of Yoga, Ann Swanson

Yoga Toolbox for Teachers and Students, 3rd Ed, Joseph and Lillian LePage

Dates and Times

Friday 6:00 - 9:00 pm
Saturday 12:30 - 6:15 pm
Sunday 12:30 - 6:15 pm

Jan 24-26

Feb 21-23

Mar 28-30

Apr 25-27

May 16-18

June 27-29

July 18-20

Aug 22-24

Sept 26-28

Oct 24-26

Nov 21-23

What Happens If I Miss Class?

You may make-up missed hours by substituting hours from approved workshops or trainings. Approved workshops shall include most workshops offered at the Yoga Center of Columbia by an RYT 500 teacher or any workshop approved by the Directors of the program prior to taking the workshop.

Registration Process and Refunds

Complete your application online and provide a $295 non-refundable deposit. If your application is not approved, your deposit will be refunded.

The program fee is $3,495 including your deposit. Payment in full or arrangement for payment plan is due seven days prior to the start of the program, January 17, 2025.

Receive a $200 discount when you pay in full by January 17, 2025.

Full refunds (minus the non-refundable deposit of $295) will only be granted until January 17, 2025. After January 17, refunds will only be considered in cases of medical emergency.

Instructors

Kelly Fisher

She/her
C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, AYS, YACEP
Kelly Fisher is the current steward of the Yoga Center of Columbia. She has been teaching yoga and meditation for over 25 years and has taught at YCC since 2011. She believes in the physical and spiritual healing power of yoga, and aims to empower her students to strengthen their bodies, hearts and minds through her challenging yet calming instruction. Her style is rooted in her many years of meditation practice and her multidisciplinary study of hatha yoga, tantric philosophy, and Ayurveda. She was one of the first in the country to earn her Yoga Therapist certification from the International Association of Yoga Therapists in 2016. In 2017 she earned her certifications as a Yoga for Healthy Aging teacher from Baxter Bell and as an Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist from the Himalayan Institute.
Lucy Lomax

she/her
Certified Yoga Therapist C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, RPYT, YACEP, C-WAE, C-iREST®, and Accessible Yoga teacher

Lucy’s teaching is based on anatomy, posture, movement, and integrative body/mind principles. She focuses on trauma-sensitive yoga and meditation, and accessible and adaptive yoga for injuries, illnesses, special conditions, and recovery. Her teaching style is light-hearted and practical — she believes that yoga should be adapted to meet you where you are on life's journey. Lucy began meditating and practicing yoga in the 1970's and teaching yoga in 1999. Since 2011 Lucy has specialized in yoga to support the effects of aging, limb loss or limitation, back pain, core strength, pelvic floor issues, cancer, stress, trauma, PTS (post-traumatic stress) and the military population.. Lucy is also a yoga teacher trainer, Certified Warriors at Ease teacher, and is co-director and master teacher trainer for Y4A Yoga for Amputees.