TAKE THE JOURNEY WITHIN

TAKE THE JOURNEY WITHIN

AYA Yoga
200-Hour Teacher Training 2027

The AYA 200-Hour Teacher Training is a heart-forward journey for those who feel the call to listen deeper, to teach with power, to move through the world with authenticity, and to hold space for transformation, both on and off the mat. 

AYA Yoga was founded on the belief that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching and practicing yoga. We designed this training for the ones who burn with curiosity, who are ready to show up for themselves and their community, and who understand that yoga is both a science and a sacred art. A union of tapas (discipline) and devotion, rigor and reflection, sweat and stillness.

What You’ll Learn

what you’ll study:

  • Yogic philosophy, history, and ethics through the lens of modern inquiry and ancient texts

  • Anatomy and alignment for real bodies, with practical tools for injury prevention and safe cueing

  • The building blocks of impactful vinyasa sequencing rooted in energetics, intelligence, and creativity

  • The art of hands-on assists, offered with consent, presence, and clarity

  • How to teach through a trauma-aware lens

  • The importance of diversity and equity in the modern yoga world

  • Pranayama, meditation, chanting, somatics, and the nervous system as tools for inner steadiness

  • Professionalism, marketing and the reality of teaching yoga

what you’ll practice:

  • Listening deeply to yourself and the world around you

  • Speaking and leading in community from your authentic voice

  • Holding space with care, courage, and nonjudgment

  • Creative expression through journaling, storytelling, and reflection

  • Creative exploration through yoga sequencing and movement 

  • A 40-day sadhana (self-chosen daily practice) as a devotion to your yogic path

  • Exploring yourself at new depths in your asana practice 

Not Your Average Teacher Training Program

From day one, you’ll be invited to show up as yourself, ask big questions, and learn to trust your innate wisdom. A foundation of our training is deep personal reflection and learning how to show up in community.

You’ll be surrounded by a community that is curious, courageous, and deeply human, where your presence is felt and your perspective matters. We don’t just teach you how to teach yoga, we support you in becoming an embodied leader with the ability to listen deeply and respond mindfully.

Rooted in Tradition. Responsive to Now.

We blend the old and the new, the sacred and the practical. This is a training for people who want to teach skillfully, live intentionally, and lead from the heart. In learning how to hold space for ourselves, we learn how to hold space for others. 

We believe that a strong understanding of the foundations, history, and ethics of yoga is essential to finding your own authentic expression rooted in knowledge and respect. 

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

This is your invitation to come exactly as you are, and leave more fully who you’re meant to be.  Join us for a journey that asks for your whole self, your discipline, your devotion, your voice,  your story. Welcome to your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, As. You. Are.

Program Requirements:

  • Attend all scheduled in person training sessions

  • Complete required reading and written assignments

  • Complete a 40-day sadhana (a self-study practice such as pranayama, meditation, morning pages)

  • Have your own yoga blocks and bolster

  • We ask that all trainees come with a genuine willingness to hold space for others, meeting each person with compassion, curiosity, and respect. This means showing up authentically, listening with care, and honoring the vulnerability that can arise in shared practice. It's not about having the answers, it’s about being present.

What you will receive:

  • A Yoga-Alliance certified 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification

  • Unlimited membership to AYA during the course of training

  • 20% off of AYA merch + the purchase of a yoga mat

  • A professional photo session upon completion of the program

  • Ongoing guidance and mentorship from your facilitators

  • Intentional community and connection to your training sangha

  • "What an honor it is to get to be a part of reverently stewarding these practices forward. I'm just really starting to see how interconnected everything is, and it makes me want to keep digging deeper and learning more."

  • “AYA's yoga teacher training program helped me grow not only in my practice, but also as a person in this world. The training was thoughtfully planned, and covered a wide variety of topics.”

  • “Our teachers were not afraid to challenge us, and as a class we stepped up to the challenge! This teacher training is robust and is for those seeking to enhance their understanding of all aspects of yoga, not just asana.”

  • “I would recommend this training with flying colors to anyone who is feeling called to embark on a journey of deep self-discovery in community with other curious, caring humans.”

  • “What started as a desire to deepen my understanding of the history and philosophy of yoga quickly turned into one of the most loving things I've ever done for myself.”

  • “AYA empowered us to get what we want out of the experience on our unique journeys, a teaching style which I now see is an embodiment of yoga in and of itself. AYA was there to meet everyone where they were and spread confidence and camaraderie to each and every one of us.”

  • “We dove into practice teaching each other from day-one! I think this really had a profound impact on us all in getting us out of our heads and into our hearts and in service of one another.”

Lead Facilitators:

  • Jessica Zitesman

    Co-Founder AYA Yoga

    500 ERYT/YACEP GIVE Yoga, 200 Kundalini TT Through Yoga Farm Ithaca,
    Reiki Level 2

  • Marla Aranda

    Co-Founder AYA Yoga

    200 ERYT/YACEP GIVE Yoga, 50 Pranayama with Linda Oshin,
    Reiki Level 2

  • Alexandria Caplinger

    Co-Founder AYA Yoga

    200 ERYT/YACEP GIVE Yoga, 100 Untamed Wisdom Meditation TT,
    Reiki Level 1

Guest Facilitators:

  • Nicole Klasa

    Yoga History & Pranayama

    500 ERYT/YACEP Baptiste Institute, 500 ERYT/YACEP through Kia Miller at Radiant Body Yoga, 200 RYT through Tami Scheider at Cleveland Yoga

  • Anastasija Katcya

    Posture Breakdowns & Alignment

    ISMETA Somatic Movement Therapist and Educator, Somatic Experiencing®-in-training, Certified Katonah Yoga Teacher, 200 YTT (Hatha Yoga), Dance and Movement Therapy

  • Ali Ianni

    Yoga Anatomy

    ERYT 500 & YACEP (200 + 500 Cyndi Lee of OM Yoga + 500 Kia Miller), Bachelor in Exercise Science, and Masters in Kinesiology

  • Michele Vinbury

    Diversity & Equity in Yoga

    IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), E-500 RYT Yoga Teacher, Ayurvedic Health Educator, Certified iRest Meditation Teacher, Certified 7 Homecomings Meditation Teacher, Reiki "Master" Practitioner

2027 Training Schedule

The teacher training schedule consist of both weekend and week night meetings. Please see all dates below.

Note: These dates are tentative and may shift slightly. 

8 weekend meetings | Saturday + Sunday, 9am-6pm (with a one hour lunch break)

  • Jan 23 & 24

  • Feb 6 & 7

  • Feb 20 & 21

  • March 6 & 7

  • March 20 & 21

  • April 3 & 4

  • April 17 & 18

  • May 1 & 2

13 weeknight meetings | Wednesdays, 6-9pm

  • Jan 27

  • Feb 3, 10, 17, 24

  • March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

  • April 7, 21, 28

PRICING

Early Bird $3,300
(paid in full by October 2, 2026)

Full Tuition $3,500
(paid in full by Jan 8, 2027)

2027 YTT Program Application
2027 YTT Program Application

Payment plans available on full tuition pricing. Please email programs@liveayayoga.com for more information. PAYment plans are not available after November 8, 2026.

To help make this experience more accessible, a small number of partial scholarships are available. We do our best to allocate them equitably, with priority given to BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ folks. While we may not be able to meet every need, we welcome your application and will do our best to support you.

Scholarship Application Closes on September 15.  Applicants will be notified by September 22, 2026.

Scholarships:

2027 Scholarship Application
2027 Scholarship Application

Have more questions?

We will be hosting informational sessions for folks who would like to learn more and ask questions about the teacher training program. The info sessions are free. Register through our app or website. See times and location below:

Wednesday May 20 | 6:30P via Zoom

Sunday Sept 13 | 2P in studio

FAQs

  • A yoga mat, a journal, a water bottle, your props, and your beautiful self. A training manual will be provided by AYA.  

    Meals and accommodations will not be provided, so please plan ahead. You are welcome to bring meals and snacks into the studio space. There will be a one-hour lunch break during weekend sessions.

  • We ask you to bring your own props not just for use during training sessions, but so you’re also equipped to continue your home practice outside of training hours.

  • This training is a 3 and a half month commitment, and we encourage you to prioritize it within your schedule. Showing up is part of the commitment you’re making, to yourself, your teachers, and your community. Full attendance and completion of all program hours are required for certification. If you have prior commitments or concerns about attendance, reach out to us — we’re happy to help you figure out if this training is the right fit for you at this time.