Advanced Yoga Teacher Training
Online 300-hour YTT Program
This accelerated program will help you integrate Ayurvedic wisdom, therapeutic principles, biomechanics, and training cycles into your group classes and 1:1 yoga teaching.
This program is for you if you're a 200-hour teacher who desires to:
- Feel competent and confident to teach to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
- Work 1:1 with clients but aren’t sure how to best help them or design comprehensive personalized practice programs.
- Choose postures & techniques in classes and 1:1s informed by Ayurveda and a deep understanding of movement science.
- Understand the foundations of therapeutic applications.
- Teach trauma-informed somatic-based practices.
- Connect to the heart of yoga as a rich and vast tradition without getting overwhelmed with information like memorizing pose names or comparing contemporary yoga styles.
Who also aims to support yourself and your students to:
- Wisely set and reach goals.
- Understand the deeper meaning of yoga practice as a lifestyle filled with purpose that connects you to a higher source.
- Connect to a teaching lineage and a wisdom school that honors the rich wholeness of the yoga tradition. At Circle Yoga Shala, we live what we teach and will be here as long as you need us.
- Understand relevant yoga principles from both Eastern and Western perspectives that will inform quality yoga teaching and wise living.
- Connect with a vibrant yoga community (Sangha) that will support your growth through all phases of life.
Our online 300 hour YTT aims at a deep and sophisticated understanding of what yoga is and how to wisely share it with others.
Refined for over a decade, this program delivers:
A Comprehensive Curriculum
Explore a whole-body system of health and wisdom, especially beneficial for those wanting a full-time career in yoga teaching or those already working in health-related fields.
A Unique Method
Start incorporating what you learn about developmental movement and somatics into your yoga classes from day one of the training.
A Versatile Approach
Become adaptable and respond intelligently to any teaching situation, making you stand out in your yoga community and professional market.
What you'll get:
- Continued access to the training program so you can repeatedly return to your favorite practices, sessions, and lectures.
- Lifetime membership to our Wisdom Community connects you directly with your trainers and fellow teachers during your training and also connects you with our graduate network.
- A personal mentor to support you for the duration of training. You can check in with them and ask questions about your homework or class planning.
- Recordings of all live sessions that cover advanced biomechanics, Eastern philosophy, yoga’s view of health and disease, pranayama, self-inquiry, and more.
- An understanding of how to utilize your voice and sequences as tools to pacify specific doshas (Ayurvedic constitution) and develop somatic-focused practices that can not only support the nervous system but impact the whole human system.
- A method of sequencing that includes myofascial release techniques.
- An actionable understanding of the five Ayurvedic elements that will help you see not only your students differently but the whole world in a new way!
Plus!
- Once you have completed our training you are welcome to audit future trainings online or onsite, tuition free. Our program is always growing and we want to support you to do so also!
- You get our Foundations Prep Course that summarizes the necessary understanding of Vinyasa Krama, a required pre-requisite and assignment for those who have not studied at the 200-hour level with us.
- Register by September 29th and receive The Wisdom Enneagram online course included in your tuition price (see more below on how this can support your teaching).
What is the time commitment of this 5-month accelerated online training?
November 2024 - March 2025
2 live weekend intensives each month
Friday 6 to 8 PM
Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM (break from 12 to 1:30 PM)
Sunday 1:30 to 6 PM
Independent learning
Pre-recorded lectures, ~10hrs/month
Homework, ~20hrs/month
Program dates
2024-2025
Introductory session: Nov 3, 2024, 6 - 8 PM
Water Intensive, Part 1: Nov 8 - 10, 2024
Water Intensive, Part 2: Nov 15 - 17, 2024
Earth Intensive, Part 1: Dec 13 - 15, 2024
Earth Intensive, Part 2: Dec 20 - 22, 2024
Air Intensive, Part 1: Jan 17 - 19, 2025
Air Intensive, Part 2: Jan 24 - 26, 2025
Fire Intensive, Part 1: Feb 21 - 23, 2025
Fire Intensive, Part 2: Feb 28 - Mar 2, 2025
Space Intensive, Part 1: Mar 21 - 23, 2025
Space Intensive, Part 2: Mar 28 - 30, 2025
Upon completion you can register with Yoga Alliance for recognition as an RYT500.
Connect to our community teaching platform from all your devices for seamless learning wherever you are.
The Circle Yoga Shala is a wisdom school,
working homestead, and horse rescue nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Jasper, Arkansas. Our name is a reflection of what we do: we sit in circle together and strive to live in harmony with the natural world. Processing practice in circle is central to our teaching philosophy. We see circle as a sacred space for self-inquiry and reconciliation. For us, sitting in circle embodies our mission that community and right-relationship are the heart of all we offer.
When you train with us, you’re welcomed into more than the lineage and wisdom teachings we hold dearly and share generously; you’re invited to belong to a Sangha or community of practitioners devoted to living the essence of yoga. For founders Matthew and Holly Krepps, the Shala is more than a business—it’s a lifestyle of health, wholeness, service, and the potential freedom from suffering through an authentic relationship with reality.
It can be difficult to know how to choose the next step for your training...
Often it's not until you've completed hundreds of hours that you find out your investment didn't meet your expectation and you still feel unequipped to support your clients.
We believe this is the teacher training you’ve been looking for to get the knowledge, tools, and guidance you need to teach relevant classes and programs to anyone anywhere anytime.
We aim to be the last training you need to confidently serve your community. Here's is a look at how we stand out from other programs on the market:
Other Programs:
- Provide an unsystematic collection of techniques and teachings, leaving you unsure of when to apply what and for whom
- Focus narrowly on body parts, individual styles of practice, and limited outcomes
- Deliver unintegrated lessons, leaving you unsure how to help your students meet their goals
- Teach set sequences that don’t show you how to adapt the practice to the situation or the individual
- Emphasize excessive memorization without understanding the essence of posture practice and the yoga philosophy behind it
Our Program:
- Takes a holistic approach, providing a method for making wise choices for your students through an understanding of the energetic dynamics and physiological impacts of yoga techniques
- Delivers a purposefully designed and multi-layered curriculum, accessible for all styles
- Empowers you to design efficient and powerful practices, adapting them based on the wisdom of Ayurveda
- Transcends yoga styles, getting to the heart of why we practice yoga
- Develops a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of the body, enhancing your ability to support diverse student needs and communicate effectively with other healthcare practitioners
Kat
"I completed my 300-hour training with a wealth of new knowledge and as I continue to learn through the yoga therapy program I am constantly surprised at how much this program gives. I learn from my teachers every day, no matter where I am because what they are teaching is applicable to every potent moment that arises. I am so grateful to have found this school."
Hannah
"Circle Yoga Shala provides a program full of integrity, authenticity, knowledge, support, and heart. The teachings I received were life-changing - both on and off the mat. I feel well equipped to begin teaching in my community, and I'll definitely be returning to the Shala for additional education. Can't wait to learn more from their amazing teachers!"
Bryce
"My experience in the Shala training was that after just the first intensive I was rocked. It changed who I am and the way I saw my students. It really changed the way I saw the world. I think what they have to offer is profound. It’s beautiful how they focus on chasing truth, being non-dogmatic, and being of service to people. If you’re looking to work with people in a 1:1 or therapeutically they make sure you have the base principles of human movement and psychology to really meet people where they are and help them grow."
Anna
"Circle Yoga Shala is the cream of the crop. I received the gold standard in yoga teacher training, but I also was immersed in a wisdom tradition. I have been forever changed by my experience with the Shala; my yoga practice has grown, my knowledge as a teacher has expanded, and my presence in my daily life is radically deeper. I know that any future students or clients I have will be better off because I trained with the Circle Yoga Shala"
Meet your trainers:
Our team has decades of experience in training teachers and expertise in facilitating programs online, your education is in capable hands!
Matthew Krepps
With three decades of Yoga and Ayurveda experience, Matthew has trained teachers for over twenty years. His passion is merging Eastern and Western perspectives to alleviate suffering and promote flourishing and liberation for all.
Matthew applies principles of Viniyoga (yoga adapted to the individual) while blending Eastern and Western theories and incorporating developmental milestones and gait patterns to develop the therapeutic approach you will learn in this training.
This method has helped him design programs with transformative results for clients with various needs, from structural issues to anxiety, spiritual growth, and high-performance athletics.
His experiential knowledge as a trained Ayurvedic chef, passionately advanced mover, and voraciously studied philosopher has given life to synthesizing the information you will learn in this training and all of the Shala's wisdom programs.
You can get a taste of Matthew’s teaching style by listening to his podcast The Lost Ways of Knowing wherever you listen.
Stela Balaban
Stela completed her 300-hour studies in 2015 and earned her Yoga Therapy certification in 2020, both at Circle Yoga Shala.
Her dedication to offering students a top-tier yoga education while honoring the sacred essence of the teachings and her passion for Ayurveda and biomechanics shines through in every lesson as a teacher trainer.
Stela is from Romania and has lived and studied in several countries, including Italy, France, Germany and the Netherlands. In 2017, Stela made Jasper Arkansas her forever home, devoting herself full time to the Shala.
Jayme Sweere
Jayme’s yoga practice began as a recovery strategy during her career as a professional athlete and performance coach and has evolved into a devoted life path.
After immersing herself in yoga and Ayurveda for three years in ashram life, she had a heartfelt desire to build a tiny house from reclaimed materials. After two years of labor and falling in love with the community, mission, and teachings, 'Turtle Medicine’ found its home at Circle Yoga Shala, where she is blessed to spend as much time as she can with her beloved Sangha.
With an educational background in media and business and a career in course creation at Yoga International, Jayme now supports the development of the Shala’s online teaching platform. She practices yoga therapy and offers programs through her online platform, JaymeSweere.com.
Our aim is to help you gain:
Confidence to sequence unique classes that integrate principles of human development, locomotion, and multi-plane movement.
Adaptability to build Yoga practices for students of any ability, ranging from bedridden to professional athletes.
Competence to grow a toolkit of therapeutic techniques that includes asana, pranayama, meditation, and contemplative practices.
Ayurvedic Knowledge to include in your sequences and teaching for longevity and health.
Presence to modulate your own presence while you teach to serve different populations through your posture, language, and tone.
Creativity and Freedom in your teaching.
Ready to commit to your potential as a teacher?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the prerequisites for this program?
What if I have to miss a scheduled session or weekend intensive?
What is required to graduate from the program?
What is the refund policy?
What if I need to withdrawal from the program or defer to a later date?
Why study with the Circle Yoga Shala?
Transcend Yoga Styles
Connect with the heart of the yoga tradition beyond specific styles. You will understand principles behind styles so you can teach a wide range of class formats and be a valuable asset to any studio.
Comprehensive Program Development
Learn to create multi-class series and training cycles for students of all capacities, from bedridden individuals to performance athletes.
Experiential Biomechanics
Learn how to search for answers in your own body (no more Google searching class sequences!). You will learn tools to help you make choices that will significantly impact your students' wellbeing.
Integrated Yoga Philosophy
Delve into yoga's origins exploring historical contexts and foundational scriptures through lectures distilled over decades to deliver the essence of yoga.
Ayurvedic Wisdom
Develop a deep, personal relationship with the five elements of nature, woven throughout the program so your practices are relevant in all situations and seasons.
Therapeutic Principles
Special Bonus: Register by September 29th and receive:
The Wisdom Enneagram
online course for free ($299 value).
How Can Understanding the Enneagram Support Your Yoga Teaching?
The Wisdom Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-study, offering valuable insights into personality aspects that may hinder your ability to effectively observe and serve your students and clients.
In 12+ hours of progressive learning, you will:
- Empower yourself to take responsibility for behaviors that no longer serve you.
- Develop fuller relationships, moving beyond self-obsession ("fixation").
- Free yourself from self-sabotage.
- Discover your defense mechanisms, often referred to as your "shadow."
- Take actions that support truth and love, leading to a conscious life.
- Improve as a listener and guide, especially beneficial for life coaches, counselors, therapists, and teachers.
- Uncover your potential for real compassion.
- Embark on a journey to self-knowledge, greater freedom, and less suffering.
Our founders, with over 20 years of expertise, have integrated the wisdom teachings of the Enneagram into our programs for many years. Now, we offer a separate program of study that you can digest and integrate at your own pace.
Join our 5-month accelerated program today to become the best teacher you can be!
Interested but not quite ready yet to sign up?
Enter your name and email to schedule a free call with one of our trainers and stay in touch about our upcoming training.
