200-hour yoga teacher training certificate – Ayurvedic yoga health program
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Portland Community College offers a 200-hour yoga teacher training that provides a comprehensive foundation in yoga practice, philosophy, and teaching methodologies. This dual certificate yoga teacher training program integrates Ayurvedic principles, helping students develop a holistic approach to wellness and mindful movement. Through in-depth instruction, hands-on practice, and expert guidance, participants gain the skills needed to confidently lead classes and support students on their yoga journey.
By completing this yoga teaching training, graduates will be fully equipped to become a certified yoga teacher, empowering others while deepening their own practice. Graduates also earn their Ayurverda Health Advisor certificate, expanding their options for working with clients.
Our program allows flexibility of participating via Zoom or in person for class sessions. Whether aspiring to teach or seeking personal growth, PCC’s program offers an enriching path toward certification and professional development.
What is Ayurvedic yoga?
In Sanskrit, “Ayur” means life and “Veda” means knowledge. Ayurveda, originating from ancient India, is the science of health and healing – a comprehensive life science. Yoga, its ancient sister science, extends beyond physical and mental exercises, promoting a lifestyle aimed at achieving health and peace of mind. Some describe Ayurveda as the diagnostic aspect and Yoga as the therapeutic practice. Through a 200-hour yoga teacher training, students can explore the foundational principles of Ayurveda while deepening their practice. A yoga teacher training and certification program not only equips individuals with teaching skills but also integrates Ayurvedic wisdom for holistic well-being. Whether pursuing Yoga RYT 200 training or simply seeking personal growth, these programs help practitioners balance mind, body, and spirit under the guidance of experienced instructors.
The 200-hour yoga teacher training program
Our 200-hour yoga teacher training program combines both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, enabling you to adopt transformative practices for personal and professional wellness. You’ll witness incredible shifts towards overall well-being while meeting Yoga Alliance requirements.
Portland Community College offers the Ayurvedic yoga health program, structured into four comprehensive modules (courses); one course is offered each of the four PCC terms, allowing the program to be completed in 1 year. Content is aligned with the seasons, supporting immediate practical application of what is being taught.
Each module delivers 50 CEU hours of content each college term, encompassing both yoga as exercise and deeper wellness practices. You can take all four modules (courses) in any sequence that suits your schedule, or select only those that interest you most. To qualify for your Registered Yoga Teacher certification, you must complete all four modules, thereby earning 200 CEU hours.
Each module also provides 38 PACE credits from the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, enriching your yoga teacher training journey.
Certification
Complete all four, 50-hour modules to receive your certification for yoga instruction by the Center for Ayurveda and Yoga Study. This certification allows you to register with Yoga Alliance as a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).
Additionally, our program graduates receive a Non-Credit Ayurvedic Yoga Health Advisor Training Certificate from the Oregon Department of Education CCWD. Become a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and advance your career in holistic health and wellness in this unique, dual certificate program!
What is the difference between 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training?
The main difference between the 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training programs lies in their depth and comprehensiveness. The 200-hour program serves as an entry-level course, providing foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become a certified yoga teacher. This initial yoga teacher certification covers essential techniques, teaching methodologies, and basic anatomy.
How long does it take to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training?
The one-year (4 module) program
Each module in our program teaches you how to tap into the healing potential of its respective season. By continuing throughout the year, you’ll experience how the seasons naturally promote health. These certified yoga instructor courses span a full year, ensuring comprehensive training and profound personal growth
Winter: Ayurveda, yoga, and Tridosha
Discover how to balance the mind, body, and spirit through both Yoga and Ayurveda. Learn assessment skills and recommendations for perfect health. Includes cooking, restorative yoga, aromatherapy, Marma, breathing practices, basic herbs, and Mudras.
Spring: Ayurveda, yoga, and Panchakarma
Emphasis on health management systems and proper balance with food, spices, nutrition, lifestyle, and daily routines. Covers nasya (nasal oil drops), neti (nasal cleansing), massage oils, powders, and preparatory process for Panchakarma therapy. Learn the basics of detoxifying in the Spring and discover the year-long health benefits. Learn how to prepare kitchari and basic teas.
Summer: Ayurveda, yoga, and self-care
Find health, beauty, wellness, and bliss from the inside out. Learn yoga and breathing recommendations for perfect health. The class covers both theory and practical applications from Mudra, Marma, and Bhandha to Asana, Yantra, and Mantra. Discover Ayurvedic foods, spices, recipes, and cooking tips for each constitution (Dosha) for perfect balance.
Fall: Ayurveda, yoga and philosophy
Learn about Ayurvedic anatomy and systems: the five elements (Panchamahabhutas), three bio-energies (Doshas), anatomy and body tissues (Dhatus), and universal qualities (Gunas). Discover how the sister sciences of yoga and Ayurveda overlap.
Who should enroll in a 200-hour yoga teacher training certification?
This program is ideal for anyone seeking a holistic yoga teacher training program. Designed for working professionals, we offer evening classes via Zoom and/or in person.
The is especially helpful for current or aspiring healthcare practitioners, including massage therapists, nurses and nurse practitioners, nutritionists, homeopaths, naturopaths, chiropractors, medical doctors, acupuncturists, physician assistants, medical assistants, cranio-sacral practitioners, fitness professionals, and others seeking to become a certified yoga instructor. Practitioners needing PACE credits from the National Ayurvedic Medical Association to maintain their credentials will also benefit from this comprehensive training.
The investment
Time
- Program: 1 year (4 terms), consisting of 4 modules (1 module per 11-week term)
- Meets 2 times per week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-8:20pm Pacific Time
- A minimum of 6 hours of out-of-class preparation and practice each term
- Special hybrid options support students to participate either entirely through Zoom and/or with live, in-person sessions as designated during the term.
Tuition
- $849, plus $8 fee
- Does not include two required books.
- As a non-credit college certificate program (not a for-credit degree), this program does not qualify for FAFSA funding. We are still happy to accept any scholarships, educational awards, employer support, or other funds students may acquire or access. Additionally, PCC provides interest-free payment plans through the Student Accounts Office.
Books
Books specific to the 200-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Health Program are Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda Volume One, by Vasant Lad and Yoga: The Practice of Myth & Sacred Geometry, by Rama Jyoti Vernon. Please note that the same books will be used throughout the year-long program.
The instructors
Ann Wagoner
MA, CAP, E-RYT-500, Yoga Therapist, has taught yoga for over 25 years and is a certified practitioner of Ayurveda. She researched protocols and herbs for the prevention of cancer recurrence and is a NAMA presenter. She is also a student of Rama Jyoti Vernon and publishes yoga books. Read more about her path to Ayurveda.
Andrew Garland-Forshee
PhD, HS-BCP, RYT-500, CTSS, QMHP-R, currently serves as the Department Chair for the Family and Human Services program at PCC. He is a certified Yoga For All instructor focusing on accessible, inclusive, body positive yoga, and is licensed to teach LoveYourBrain yoga.
Anne Grey
Anne Grey, Ed.D. RYT-200 serves as the District Coordinator with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence at PCC. Anne has been an educator for 25 years. Anne, an alumna of the PCC Ayurvedic yoga health program, is passionate about making yoga accessible to everyone. She incorporates yoga in trauma-informed practices and encourages yoga as a form of personal activism.
Kimberly Cook
Kimberly (Kimi) is originally from Durham, North Carolina. She was always physically active and played sports year-round. Kimi went to college in upstate New York, then returned home to Durham after graduating with a B.A in Global Studies. Her Global Studies degree led to seeking expanded career opportunities, and she worked in the beer industry for the next 7 years.
In 2015, Kimi moved to Seattle, and three years later moved down to Portland after leaving the beer industry. She began working for a landscape maintenance company in Portland, and eventually threw her hip out loading the mower into the truck. As part of her injury recovery, she joined a studio and started doing Yoga every day.
Kimi realized that the practice was healing much more than just her body, and that “I should keep it as part of my life moving forward”. A year later, she started the Yoga and Ayurveda program at PCC. Kimi graduated from the 200-hr program in 2021 and then went immediately into the 300-hr program. Kimi spent several years primarily as a children’s Yoga teacher, teaching kindergarten through 5th grade. After finishing the additional 300-hour program, she completed an apprenticeship at Sol Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Kimi also completed her Associate of Science at PCC. Currently, she is in graduate school pursuing a Master of Divinity in Social Transformation with a focus on food justice. She lives in SE Portland with her husband and cat, and has a passion for growing, cooking, and sharing food.
Testimonials
“THANK YOU so so so much for an amazing and inspiring year. You have put together a beautiful and empowering training. You are an amazing leader and so knowledgeable. I am so happy to call you my teacher along with the other trainers. It has been such a blessing to learn from you all and I hope you continue to learn. Please let me know if you are ever doing any workshops or classes. I would love to join! Thank you Ann for sharing your wisdom, your kindness and your love for yoga. It was such a transforming and inspiring year. I will miss you all every week!” Kelsey D.
“The yoga teacher training program through the Center for Ayurveda and Yoga Study and PCC’s CLIMB Center is a wonderful asset to the yoga community. Deeply grounded in yoga philosophy and lifestyle and directly influenced by the teachings of Rama Jyoti Vernon, Ann Wagoner and colleagues provide a comprehensive seasonal approach to yoga practice and instruction. Using a combination of applied and lecture-based guidance, the curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of working professionals with busy lives. Immersion weekends provide opportunities to learn from additional expert faculty in specialty areas while· allowing for depth of reflection, integration of material, and application of technique. Ann provides an inviting space for students to explore how they might apply the teachings of yoga to their professional and personal lives. This is an excellent program and well worth the commitment.” Andrew Garland-Forshee, PhD, HS-BCP, RYT 500, Faculty Member and Chair, PCC Family and Human Services.
“This program has been beyond inspiring! I see how beneficial Ayurveda is in almost everything I do now and I greatly appreciate Ann and everything she has brought to me and so many others lives! Eternally grateful.” H. H.
“Thank you for a wonderful immersion weekend. I had so much fun with other students.” S. H.
“The content was ideal, the teachers incredible. What an amazing talented group of women who are all leaders in their field internationally. And what a blessing to be able to study with them all. I have so much gratitude for this experience.” 300-hour graduate from Australia
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