Step into your transformation.

Now accepting 2026 registrants!

Bhakti Yoga DC’s 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training is more than a certification — it’s an immersive journey into the heart of yoga. Over the course of our training, you’ll refine your physical practice, deepen your understanding of philosophy, and discover the confidence to share yoga authentically with others.

Through weekend immersions, hands-on practice, and Bhakti-centered teachings, you’ll connect with a supportive community and uncover new dimensions of body, breath, and spirit. By graduation, you’ll be fully prepared to guide students with skill, compassion, and presence.

2026 Program at a Glance

Training Dates (8 Weekends):

Jan 2–4 | Jan 16–18 | Feb 6–8 | Feb 20–22

Mar 6–8 | Mar 27–29 | Apr 10–12| Apr 24–26

Schedule:

  • Fridays: 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

  • Saturdays & Sundays: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
    (includes a one-hour lunch break)

Investment (Full Details Further Below):

  • Full Training: $3,350

  • Early Bird Discount: Save $150 by Nov 30, 2025!

  • Deposit: Minimum $550 due at registration

  • Payment Plans: Can be arranged — as low as $550/month!

Unsure if our program is right for you?

Download a free sample of our 200-HR YTT manual, book a free 30-min consultation, and enjoy a complimentary drop-in class at BYDC.

A group of women participating in a yoga or meditation session indoors, with one woman on a yoga mat in a child's pose and another woman sitting on her back, smiling. Other women sit nearby, engaged in the activity.
Two women practicing partner yoga while others observe in a room with wooden floors and decorative border on the wall.
Two women practicing yoga indoors, one woman is on her hands and knees on a yoga mat, the other woman is sitting on her back in a squat position, smiling. Yoga blocks and other items are nearby on a wooden floor.
A group of people seated on the floor participating in a traditional Indian religious ceremony, with a woman in a red and blue sari performing rituals in front of offerings including fruits and flowers.
A group of women sitting cross-legged with eyes closed, practicing meditation or yoga in a bright room with large windows.
Two women hugging warmly, smiling, and showing affection indoors, with one holding a book, behind which a person with glasses is sitting and clapping.
A woman receiving a necklace from another woman during a ceremony, with a woman sitting and smiling in the background.

Our Training Curriculum

Our 200-hour program is a comprehensive yoga education that goes far beyond posture training. At Bhakti Yoga DC, we root every element of practice in yoga’s philosophical and spiritual foundations — weaving together the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, Yamas & Niyamas, mantra, ritual, and meditation with practical skills in alignment, anatomy, and teaching methodology.

Through this integration, you won’t just learn to lead a safe and effective class — you’ll be guided into a yogic lifestyle that nourishes body, mind, and spirit. This holistic approach ensures you graduate prepared to share yoga in a way that is authentic, spiritually grounded, and deeply transformative, setting you apart from surface-level trainings focused only on the physical.

Our curriculum includes:

  • Yoga Philosophy & Lifestyle: In-depth study of the Yamas & Niyamas, Bhagavad Gita, mantra chanting, and daily practices to cultivate discipline, devotion, and inner clarity.

  • Asana & Biomechanics: Forward bends, backbends, twists, inversions, arm balances, and hip openers — taught with correct alignment, injury prevention, and adaptations for every body.

  • Pranayama & Subtle Body: Breathwork, the five vayus, koshas, chakras, and nadis to unlock energy and deepen awareness.

  • Meditation & Ritual: Guided meditation, mantra immersion, and puja (ceremony) to connect with yoga’s spiritual heart.

  • Anatomy & Assists: Functional anatomy, hands-on adjustments, and sequencing for safe, progressive practice.

  • Teaching Methodology: Class design, sequencing theory, private session skills, and compassionate student care.

  • Bhakti Integration: The yoga of love and devotion, learning to share yoga not just as technique, but as a living practice of the heart.

    • Anatomy of the spine and how breath creates space and flow.

    • The autonomic nervous system and using breath for calming or energizing effects.

    • The five directional flows of breath (pancha vayu) and the five layers of the self (koshas).

    • Principles of compensation and dual action to create safe, conscious change.

    • Evening discussion: Yamas & Niyamas from the Yoga Sutras.

    • Introduction to biomechanics of forward bends, backbends, twists, hip openers, inversions, and arm balances — with alignment adapted for each individual

    • The art of sequencing: wave theory and class design for different audiences.

    • Multidimensional movement: circular mandala flows and creative transitions.

    • Progressive forward bend sequencing with functional anatomy.

    • Sun salutations in their many forms — classical, creative, and complex.

    • Mantra study woven into daily practice.

    • Lifestyle study from the Bhagavad Gita: bringing yoga philosophy into everyday choices.

    • Biomechanics, anatomy, and progressive sequencing of backbends.

    • Injury prevention and safety considerations.

    • Hands-on assists and adjustments to support opening with integrity.

    • Bhagavad Gita Study: The Yoga Ladder, Part 1 — facing conflict with spiritual vision.

    • Mantra immersion to cultivate strength, courage, and devotion.

    • Functional anatomy of twisting postures and spinal rotation.

    • Safe sequencing of twists to support spinal health and energy release.

    • Injury awareness and how to adapt twists for different bodies.

    • Exploring twists as a metaphor for perspective shifts and inner clarity.

    • Bhagavad Gita Study: The Yoga Ladder, Part 2 — Karma Yoga & Buddhi Yoga.

    • Mantra immersion to steady the mind and purify inner energy.

    • Biomechanics of lateral flexion — alignment, function, and muscular engagement.

    • Sequencing lateral bends progressively to open the side body and expand breath capacity.

    • Anatomy of the muscles that support lateral movement.

    • Risks of compression and safe adaptations for students.

    • Lateral bends as a way to cultivate balance, grace, and spaciousness.

    • Bhagavad Gita Study: The Yoga Ladder, Part 3 — Jnana Yoga (knowledge).

    • Mantra immersion focused on wisdom and inner expansion.

    • Core biomechanics and safety of inversions: headstand, shoulderstand, and arm balances.

    • Progressive sequencing into inversions with attention to alignment and support.

    • Cleansing practices (kriyas) to purify body and mind.

    • Foundations of the yoga profession: writing bios, creating teaching opportunities, and understanding the business landscape.

    • Bhagavad Gita Study: The Yoga Ladder, Part 3 — Bhakti Yoga (devotion).

    • Exploring how devotion transforms both practice and teaching.

    • Introduction to the chakra system, nadi (energy channels), and marma (energy points).

    • Sequencing classes around subtle body awareness.

    • Addressing symptoms of prana depletion and blockages.

    • Developing empathy and presence: tailoring private sessions to individual needs.

    • Bhagavad Gita Study: Integration of the yogas, seeing Bhakti as the culmination of all paths.

    • Closing mantra immersion and subtle body meditation practices.

    • Final Teaching Practicum: Lead a complete class sequence and receive feedback.

    • Instructional Presentations: Share insights and growth with peers.

    • Final Exam: Comprehensive review of philosophy, anatomy, and methodology.

    • Reflection & Integration: Closing circle for personal and collective insight.

    • Graduation Ceremony at the Potomac Temple: Celebrate your transformation and receive your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification in a sacred space, honoring the spiritual roots of yoga and your own journey.

  • In addition to completing the 200 in-class hours, our training includes reflective and practical assignments designed to deepen your integration of yoga philosophy and teaching methodology. These elements ensure that your growth is not only intellectual, but embodied and lived.

    Program Requirements:

    • Two Reflection Essays: Choose one yama and one niyama from the Yoga Sutras. Explore how these principles apply in your own life and how you might bring them into your teaching.

    • Two Class Observations: Attend two yoga classes and submit reflection notes — one on the overall structure and teaching approach, and one focused on an individual student’s movement patterns and their response to instruction.

    • Hands-On Assists: Participate in two dedicated sessions where you’ll practice hands-on assists with live students, cultivating confidence and sensitivity in physical adjustments.

    • Comprehension Essay (if needed): Any missed hours must be made up through a written essay demonstrating comprehension of the material covered.

    These assignments are an essential part of the Bhakti Yoga DC training experience, helping you embody yoga’s philosophy, refine your teaching presence, and step into the role of teacher with confidence and authenticity.

Tuition, Refunds & Payment Plans

Tuition & Deposit

  • Full Training: $3,350 (Early Bird: $3,200 by Nov 30, 2025)

  • Deposit: Minimum $550 due at registration (applied to tuition)

  • The deposit is non-refundable once training begins.

Cancellations

  • Before training begins

    • By Dec 20, 2025: 100% refund of all payments (including deposit).

    • Dec 21, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026: All payments refunded, less a $200 administrative fee.

  • End of Week 1 (by Jan 4, 2026): Deposit retained; all additional payments refunded.

  • Between Week 2 – Week 4 (Jan 5 – Mar 8, 2026): Deposit retained; student is contractually obligated to pay 50% of full tuition ($1,675 early bird / $1,750 standard).

  • After Week 4 (Mar 9, 2026 onward): Deposit retained; student is contractually obligated to pay 100% of full tuition ($3,200 early bird / $3,350 standard).

Payment Plans

  • Refunds apply only to amounts paid to date.

  • If cancellation occurs after training begins, any unpaid balance required under this cancellation policy must still be paid in full.

  • Payment plan installments will continue to be processed until the required balance is satisfied.

Extenuating Circumstances
In the event of a documented family emergency or comparable situation, students may request to defer their training to the following year. Deferrals are reviewed case-by-case; if approved, tuition paid converts to a credit (no cash refunds; non-transferable).

Yoga Alliance Certification

This training is fully registered with Yoga Alliance and meets the standards for the 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) designation.

Per Yoga Alliance guidelines, our program includes:

  • 180 contact hours with a Yoga Alliance–registered teacher (in-person training weekends)

  • 20 non-contact hours through homework, class observations, essays, and practice teaching

Attendance Policy
We understand that life happens. If you are unable to attend part or all of a weekend due to work or family obligations, you’ll be required to make up the hours through personal study, extra homework, and/or group class practice.

  • If you miss up to 15 hours, you may make these up through assigned self-study and written work.

  • If you miss more than 15 hours, you may be required to complete additional contact hours with a teacher outside of training. These additional sessions are billed at $30 per hour.

This ensures that every trainee completes the full 200 hours of study required by Yoga Alliance, and graduates fully prepared to register as an RYT-200.

Hear from our YTT Graduates:

  • My training with Gopi went beyond the physical and philosophy of yoga by creating an atmosphere to connect to the emotional and spiritual side of the practice. Each class brought together each of the lessons in a symbiotic way that allowed information to be easily digested and shared back with each other. Understanding the nuances of chakras, bandhas, marmas, and kriyas was invaluable and showed how expansive yoga can be, as well our potential as teachers.

  • Gopi’s teacher training isn’t just about mechanics, it's about exploring the heart of yoga. She leads you through a journey that teaches you to use the asanas to tap into something deeper than the physical and empowers you to help others do the same.

  • One of the key concepts from the training that has stuck with me is the power of the breath. We experienced how breath and yoga asanas can be used as powerful tools for shifting one’s energy; eliminating negative thoughts, emotions and mental patterns; and as a vehicle for self-reflection, healing, meditation, and connection with a force greater than oneself.

Unsure if our program is right for you?

Download a free sample of our 200-HR YTT manual, book a free 30-min consultation, and enjoy a complimentary drop-in class at BYDC.