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Yoga Teacher Training

AWAKENING BODY, HEART AND MIND

Transforming self—and in turn helping others—through the study of yoga.

Naropa University’s Yoga Teacher Training Certificate Program will immerse you in the history, philosophy, and theory of yoga, as well as give you comprehensive training in its practice and teaching.

As a graduate of the Yoga Teacher Training program, you will receive a 1,000-hour certificate that meets and exceeds the 500-hour requirement of the Yoga Alliance, the largest association representing the yoga community. This program qualifies you to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 500) with the Yoga Alliance.

Naropa pioneered the first accredited undergraduate Yoga Studies degree program in the United States. Students may complete the certification program as part of their Naropa undergraduate degree, or on its own as a certificate-only program.

Courses you Could Take

in Yoga Teacher Training

The Yoga Teacher Training Certificate Program is a two-year, 30-credit program designed to give you a comprehensive background in the intellectual and experiential yogic traditions as well as proficiency in teaching yoga. You will also acquire a foundation of sitting meditation, human anatomy, and the option to study any one of a number of complimentary courses such as Indian Devotional & Raga Singing, Hindu Yoga-Tantra, and Somatic Intelligence.

Admission Requirements

To apply for the certificate-only program, please submit the Yoga Teacher Training certificate program application.

Faculty Spotlight

Nataraja Kallio directs the Yoga Studies degree program at Naropa. He has been a student of yoga since 1989 and blends his expertise in yoga philosophy and practice while supporting students in developing wisdom and skillfulness in teaching.

Notable Alumni

  • Dhyana and Syama Masla, 2011 are co-founders of Stanton Street Yoga in New York City and teach Yoga and Ayurveda retreats around the world.

 

  • Ashira Greenbaum, 2009, is the co-founder of the ethical marketplace Jewel and Lotus and the fair trade fashion line Salila Rising: Threads for Freedom, which is providing opportunities for Indian women survivors of human trafficking and other abuses.

 

  • Lev Pasikov, 2009, is one of the co-owners of Smoothie Operator, an organic/local smoothie truck in Kalamazoo, Michigan

 

  • Vajra Romano, 2007, is the co-founder of True Self Yoga Studio in Olympia Washington.

“The Yoga Teacher Training was very much in alignment with my path. My first class with Nataraja was memorable for me. His skillful transmission of ancient teachings into modern-day application offers invaluable tools for the path of attaining one’s highest potential. I also have a heartfelt appreciation for the community that formed through this program.” — Emily Seymour, 2006, owns Mind Body Mandala

Estimated 2 Year Program Cost

Based on 2019-2020 rates—these rates are subject to change

Direct Costs

Tuition:
 $32,700 (30 credits x $1,090 per credit)
Fees: 
$1,240 (includes $250 registration fee and $60 bus pass each semester)

Indirect Costs

Room and Board (off campus):
 $27,956 ($13,978 per year)
Transportation:
 $2,252 ($1,126 per year)
Books and Supplies: 
$1,256 ($628 per year)
Personal/Miscellaneous Expenses:
 $8,028 ($4,014 per year)

Financial Aid

To determine eligibility, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://fafsa.gov.
Students may be eligible for the following each year:

1st year level Federal Direct loans 
$5,500 for dependent students ($3,500 may be Subsidized)
$9,500 for independent students ($3,500 may be Subsidized)

Federal Parent PLUS loan
Federal loan available to credit qualifying parents to assist in paying a dependent student’s educational expenses
Available up to Cost of Attendance, minus other forms of aid

Federal Pell Grant
Only available to students with demonstrated financial need, according to the FAFSA
Amount dependent on enrollment status (number of credits each semester)

Your Classes

* Introductory Sanskrit: Language of the Gods (3)
* Yoga I: Foundations (3)
* Yoga II: Psychology & the Subtle Body (3)
* Yoga III: Integral Practice (3)
* Yoga IV: Teacher Training (3)
* Yoga V: Yoga Teacher Training (3)
* Yoga History, Theory, and Philosophy (3)
* Yoga Meditation Practicum (3)
* Anatomy (3)

Choose one of the following elective courses:

* Indian Devotional and Raga Singing (3)
* Sanskrit I (4)
* Hindu Yoga-Tantra (3)
* Somatic Intelligence (3)
* Religion and Mystical Experience (3)

YOU ARE READY.

This is where experiential learning meets academic rigor. Where you challenge your intellect and uncover your potential. Where you discover the work you’re moved to do—then use it to transform our world.

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Academics

Contemplative education brings together the best of Western scholarship and Eastern world wisdom traditions. Therefore, your pursuit of wisdom at Naropa means learning both about academic subjects and about your own place in the world. This innovative approach places Naropa on the cutting edge of the newest and most effective methods of teaching and learning.  

Admissions & Aid

If you’re seeking an education that resonates with both personal fulfillment and global impact, Naropa could be your top choice. At Naropa, you will experience a comprehensive curriculum that integrates the best of Eastern and Western educational approaches. Explore how Naropa can fuel your journey of intellectual and spiritual development.

Life at Naropa

Through its incredibly vibrant and welcoming community,  “Naropa offers a home for those who aren’t willing to conform to convention—the mystic, the healer, the prophet, the rebel, the artist, the revolutionary, the oddball—those who are incredible contributors to the evolution of society and of our planet.”—Core Associate Professor Zvi Ish-Shalom

The Naropa Difference

How is Naropa different from other universities? At Naropa, a liberal arts education balances rigorous academics with powerful interpersonal skills and self-awareness to educate the whole person. Naropa’s contemplative approach is inspired by Buddhist philosophy and the conviction that we can build a diverse, contemplative, enlightened society when we have transformed education to affirm the basic goodness of every person. 

About Naropa

Located in Boulder, Colorado, Naropa University is a Buddhist-inspired, nonsectarian liberal arts university that is recognized as the birthplace of the mindfulness movement. Naropa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that emphasize professional and personal growth, intellectual development, and cultivating compassion. 

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Naropa Campuses Closed on Friday, March 15, 2024

Due to adverse weather conditions, all Naropa campuses will be closed Friday, March 15, 2024.  All classes that require a physical presence on campus will be canceled. All online and low-residency programs are to meet as scheduled.

Based on the current weather forecast, the Healing with the Ancestors Talk & Breeze of Simplicity program scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday will be held as planned.

Staff that do not work remotely or are scheduled to work on campus, can work remotely. Staff that routinely work remotely are expected to continue to do so.

As a reminder, notifications will be sent by e-mail and the LiveSafe app.  

Regardless of Naropa University’s decision, if you ever believe the weather conditions are unsafe, please contact your supervisor and professors.  Naropa University trusts you to make thoughtful and wise decisions based on the conditions and situation in which you find yourself in.