Yoga Training 2025
We are postponing the next 200 hour training to January 2025!
Also, exciting news: we will be offering a 300-hour training. Stay tuned!
道 Dou : a path, a way, balance.
Our intention is to empower participants to discover tools,
skills and knowledge that they can use in everyday life.
In yoga, we view ourselves not just as a physical body, but as an intimate connection of relationships. This relationship shows up in the way we move, eat, think, interact with others and our environment as well as how we make decisions. We strive to maintain a balance in these activities but in order to do so we first must be aware of them. The effort to cultivate awareness and presence and engage mindfully requires practice. We believe that practice begins within each of us and expands outward, deeply impacting the world around us. We aim to equip our yoga community not only with the ability to lead a yoga practice skillfully, but also with the tools to embody an attentive awareness of our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual bodies.
In the Dou Yoga training, we will begin with the foundations of physical anatomy, yoga philosophy, fundamentals of teaching, the art of sequencing, vocal development as well as exploring subtler aspects of the practice like self inquiry, mental/emotional awareness and interpersonal relationships. Together we will access our inner teacher while widening our capacity for greater inclusivity and creating a path for genuine connections and stronger communities.
Our 2025 winter Training program begins January and all are welcome! In this program, there are no prerequisites to be able to do a certain pose or for the number of years you have been practicing. This training is about learning life skills through the lens of yoga. As long as you are curious and have a passion to learn we want to welcome you to this training. Inquire now to take advantage of early bird pricing.
Pricing:
Deposit: $500
Register early for the best rate!
Earliest Bird $2,900 by Nov 15th, 2024
Earlier Bird $3,200 by Dec 15th, 2024
Regular Tuition $ 3,400 by Jan 15th, 2025
If you are interested in a monthly payment plan please reach out to us.
Schedule:
Virtual: Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm
In Person: Saturdays 1-6pm /Sundays 1-5pm
Week 1 1/25, 1/26
Week 2 2/5, 2/8, 2/9
Week 3 2/12, 2/15, 2/16
Week 4 2/19, 2/22, 2/23
Week 5 2/29
Week 6 3/5, 3/8, 3/9
Week 7 3/12
Week 8 3/19, 3/22, 3/23
Week 9 3/26
Week 10 4/2, 4/5, 4/6
Week 11 4/12, 4/13
Week 12 4/16, 4/19, 4/20
Week 13 4/26, 4/27
Week 14 4/30, 5/3, 5/4
Week 15 5/10, 5/11
Week 16 5/14, 5/17, 5/18
Week 17 5/28, 5/31, 6/1
Week 18 6/7, 6/8
Topics Covered:
Anatomy
We will start with the basics like the planes of the body and directions of movement, as well as covering topics like the muscles, joints, fascia, and the spine. See how understanding these structures relate to your body and how we approach the asana.
Asana (Poses)
Asanas are taught in asana labs, where we break down the key points of the pose itself, how to get into and out of the pose, the relationship to the breath, and the overall approach to establishing and maintaining a healthy range of motion, mobility and stability.
Pranayama (Breathing Techniques)
The breath is considered the bridge between the physical and subtle. You will learn the physical technique on how to do various pranayama and how it can affect your nervous system, mental/emotional state as well as your energy or the subtle body.
Subtle Body
What is the subtle body anyway? In yoga we look at not only the physical body, the mind but also the energetics of a person. This could lean more towards the physical and how it relates to the function of our various internal organs and processes. This could be more esoteric and personal, the “energy” one brings into the room, their mood, personality and thoughts. Some key word that you might have heard would be Chakras, Nadis and Prana.
Dhyana (Meditation)
Meditation is a practice of the mind. In the same way that we do asana for the our physical health, mindfulness and meditation is about our mental health. It also is where we get to discover and learn more about our conscious, subconscious and unconscious mind, habits and patterns.
History
Putting it into context. Where does this modern practice of yoga come from? How has it changed? What has influenced it? What is significant cultural factors and people helped shape what we know and practice now.
Philosophy
This is where we get to live our yoga. The thought process and intentions of what we want to do in our lives. In this training we refer to the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. We use these texts in the training for us to consider and examine our lives rather than enforce or adhere to a specific dogma. That being said there are some nuggets of wisdom in there that can be very helpful in living and being a human.
Physiology
Vedic Chanting
Trauma informed
Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga
Restorative Yoga
Business of Yoga
.. and more!
Graduates Feedback
Enrolling in Dou's Yoga Teacher Training was an "If not now, when?" kind of moment. Little did I know the life-changing, transformative journey I was about to embark on. I am now equipped with tools, skills, and knowledge that extend far beyond the physical practice of yoga into yoga philosophy and the mind-body connection. Most important to me, the inclusive and supportive environment allowed me to learn and grow at my own pace while also developing meaningful connections with my "yoga colleagues". - Alix
Dou is a magical place. I have been a part of the community at Dou since August 2022 and took the leap to start the studio's 200-hr yoga teacher training in January 2023. I cannot overstate how much I appreciate the hours I spent in the studio with Shieri, Yuuki, and Kate (not to mention the friends I made in the other students). Although I have been practicing yoga for a decade, I had never considered becoming a yoga teacher until I joined Dou. After getting to know Shieri, Yuuki, and Kate (and all of the amazing teachers at Dou), I knew that this teacher training would enrich my life in ways that I couldn't yet verbalize. Although the time commitment seemed daunting, I treasured every hour I spent in the studio with my class, and every hour I spent studying and practicing outside of the formal training. This training not only prepared me to become a confident yoga teacher, but also deepened my own yoga practice in ways that I had not expected. It changed how I viewed yoga as a practice and as a mindset. - Aisha
The Dou yoga teacher training course was a transformative experience that deeply enriched my understanding of yoga, it's foundation and history. Prior to the course, I was particularly keen on exploring breathwork and meditation, and this training not only met but exceeded my expectations, helping me connect with myself on a much deeper level. Yuuki, Kate and Shieri were notably compassionate and attentive, fostering a gentle and open learning environment that made it easy for everyone to feel welcomed and valued. The unassuming and supportive atmosphere of the training encouraged personal growth and confidence to be successful teachers, making it an invaluable experience for anyone looking to deepen their yoga practice and teaching skills. - Marta
I came away from Dou's teacher training well-prepared to write my own sequences and teach. But more importantly, I became more attuned to the needs of my body and can now better guide my own practice. I have direction on where/how to move forward in my yoga journey and continue to grow spiritually and emotionally every day. I'm so grateful for this experience and the Dou community. - Steph
I've been a work-study with Dou for over 2 years. When I started, the possibility of teaching yoga was nowhere near my radar--I was just looking for a cost-effective (read: free) and fun way to exercise in my neighborhood. But, as time went on, with unlimited access to classes, my practice gradually deepened to the point that yoga began to feel like an integral part of my life. More importantly, I realized how grateful I am for the community that Dou provides and the opportunities that they offer for work-studies in particular--not everyone takes care of people the way I feel taken care of by Dou. It's that gratitude that ultimately pushed me to enroll in the teacher training and I'm so glad I did. Though I'm still unsure what my future holds with regard to teaching, my mind has opened to a whole host of possibilities, yoga-related and otherwise. Most importantly, I feel closer to my practice, physically and energetically, and affirmed in my sense of intuition.
If you feel drawn to the values Dou emodies and are considering enrolling but are unsure whether you're ready to commit, let this testimony be a sign: listen to your curiosity and take the chance! - Lindsay
Our Teachers
Yuuki Hirano
Yuuki is the proud owner of Dou Yoga as well as the co-founder of Suryaside Yoga. He is the Co-Director and Co-Lead teacher of the 200 hour teacher training program at Dou Yoga.
In addition to a decade of practice, Yuuki has been teaching since 2008. He completed his 500 hour training with ISHTA Yoga but his thirst for knowledge and passion for the subtle body and energetics has brought him to the Tri-State College of Acupuncture where he received a Masters in Acupuncture and is now a practicing, Licensed Acupuncturist.
Yuuki believes in the importance of functional movement and using the breath as a foundation and progression of one’s yoga practice. With his understanding of anatomy, body mechanics, meditation, the breath and the energy that weaves all it together, Yuuki wishes to educate and create an environment of inquiry, healing and growth for his students.
Kate Lieberman
Kate’s aim while guiding a yoga practice is to create an environment of exploration for each person to discover doorways within themselves where there were once walls.
Based in Brooklyn, Kate has been practicing yoga for the past 20 years and teaching yoga classes for the past 10 years. She serves a spectrum of ages as a yoga and mindfulness facilitator to children in public schools throughout NYC , to adults in studios and organizations across the country. She earned her first 200 hour training with HOSH Yoga in 2013 and has taken numerous specialized trainings and certifications to stay current with somatic education.
Most recently, Kate completed a 200 hour yoga therapy training focused on somatic grief and trauma processing through The Grief Support Network and The Center For Somatic Grieving. The immersion into this work has inspired Kate to work toward her full yoga therapy accreditation through the IAYT. In her personal life, Kate is also a musician and has a rich background in performing arts.
Kate is thrilled to be a co-lead of the Dou 200 hour teacher training and has been teaching at Dou, her “home studio” since 2014.
IG: @katchee22
Shieri Shelly Yamafuji
“I teach methods that create sustainable well-being, also help people to increase self esteem, and realize their potential.”
Passionate about unlocking the transformative power of Pilates, I earned certification at the prestigious Kane School of Core Integration and Polestar Comprehensive in 2011. My yoga journey began at Dou Yoga, achieving my 200-hour RYT in 2014, expanding into Restorative and Yoga Nidra / Restorative at Ishta Yoga, and deepening with a 500-hour RYT under Guta Hedewig at The Yoga School NY. Seeking a profound connection to tradition, I furthered my training at the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram and Yoga Vahini in Chennai, India, delving into Subtle Anatomy, Pranayama, and Yoga Therapy in the Krishnamacharya tradition.
Beyond physical movement, my commitment to holistic wellness led me to embrace the role of a self-esteem mentor. Today, I offer an integrated approach, harmonizing the strengths of Yoga, Pilates, and self-esteem/self-branding coaching.
Dedicated to the holistic well-being of every individual I guide, I craft tailored programs to empower others, helping them tap into their potential, rebuild self-worth, and sculpt a life imbued with vitality and purpose.
5 Common Myths about Yoga Teacher Training
I am not a serious yogi, only serious yogis do teacher trainings. Right?
If you are curious, we encourage you to pursue that curiosity. You may not intend to spend the rest of your life in a loincloth, but there is a reason you are drawn to yoga training. You will also soon realize that we are not all that serious. We love to have fun as we learn. We bring a sense of lightness and play to all aspects of the training.
I need to be able to do a headstand in the middle of the room, full wheel, crow pose, etc. right?
Poses are just poses, the thing that really matters is WHO is doing the pose. In this training you will learn how to safely and effectively embody these more athletic/acrobatic poses so you can make wise decisions for yourself and your students whether or not to include them in your practice.
I can only do the training if I am going to become a teacher. Right?
Most people that do a teacher training, first and foremost, do it for themselves. They don't necessarily intend to become a yoga teacher, but want to learn more about yoga and further their practice. You might find that you naturally want to start teaching. Or you will find that this work permeates whatever your life's work happens to be.
Everyone in the teacher training is vegan / vegetarian. Right?
This is just plain incorrect. We are people, we do yoga, we eat, some people eat meat, others don’t. (aren’t you glad I put a comma after “we eat”)
It’s too expensive.
I have no idea what your financial situation is, but think of the training as an investment rather than a cost. You will come out of the training with new insights on how to make money, even if you choose not to teach yoga. The Business of Yoga lectures teach how to embrace what you love and make money doing it. Period. Also we offer payment plans so we'll make it work if you want in.