Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take yoga teacher training just for me? What if I don’t want to teach?
That is completely ok! Many students come to training without an intention to teach. Here are some of the reasons our students have shared with us.
- “I always feel calmer after yoga and want to know how to bring that feeling into my whole life”
- “I suffer from anxiety and depression and I want a way to support my mind and body to live a life I love”
- “The only time my mind is quiet is during yoga. Can you help me find that outside of the studio?”
- “Yoga helps me deal with the aches and pains in my body and I want to know how to create that on my own”
- “I wish my family could benefit from yoga, but they just won’t come to a class”
Yoga is a gift that must first be given to the self, for it is in understanding and holding space for ourselves that we can share this space with others. This is one of the many benefits of living the Eight-Fold path of yoga. The most common benefit we hear from our students is having peace of mind to be with anything, everywhere in life.
No matter what your dharma [purpose] is, learning to create and cultivate this peaceful space will make a difference for you and everyone around you. Whether you choose to share it, teach it, or live it, the world will experience the difference.
How do I know I’m ready to become a teacher?
Part of our condition as human beings is to doubt who we are and what we are capable of. So firstly, know that you are not alone. We all have self-doubt. Even the most experienced teachers get butterflies before they teach.
To be a teacher of the gift of yoga, it will take something. It will take you being on your mat, practicing your own practice.
This is why our program is discovery-based. We know that it is through your own practice that you find your true and complete self. It is also why our program includes individual mentorship and why we have a facilitator network.
How do I apply?
Apply Here. We will follow up within 48 hours of receiving your application. To complete your enrollment, we need to receive your individually designed payment plan, and your first payment to hold your spot. Your payment plan must be completed one day before your last training day.
What style of yoga will I be learning?
The Life of Wellness Institute is a Vini Yoga school. You will learn to teach Yin, Vinyasa, Restorative, and Yoga Nidra through the lens of the Four Key Differentiators of Vini Yoga.
Four Key Differentiators of ViniYoga
How experienced in yoga do I have to be?
We recommend that you have 6 months of having a yoga practice before enrolling in our teacher training program. Having this experience will give you a basic foundation in the primary yoga postures before learning how to teach. However, this is not a requirement. Each day of training includes a movement practice and we will start gently with restorative yoga before moving into more rigorous movement.
What will I learn in Yoga Teacher Training?
In addition to making lifelong friends and deepening your experience of yoga, you will study the following topics in depth:
I have an injury/special condition – can I take this training?
We require that you check with your primary physician first and provide a written letter from that doctor stating that you are able to take the class. With your doctor’s permission and release, we welcome you to class.
Can I take training while pregnant?
We have had many pregnant students in our programs. It all depends on how you are feeling. All students should first check with their doctor to make sure they are clear to take this training.
What are your teacher training cancellation and refund policies?
- If the Life of Wellness Institute cancels a training, we will provide additional course options for your consideration. Should these options not be acceptible we will issue a full refund.
- If the student withdraws more than 30 days prior to the first day of training the student will receive a full refund of all monies paid minus an administration fee of $300.
- No refunds will be given once the student has received access to the student portal with their course materials or once training has commenced.
- Under extenuating circumstances such as serious illness, death, or injury, you may request that your payments be applied to another Yoga Teacher Training cohort within 18-months of the beginning of your program.
- Approval of such requests is made on a case-by-case basis by our founder Melanie Taylor.
- No refunds will be given for course abandonment.
- Course abandonment is defined as a period of longer than 2 weeks where a student is out of communication with The Life of Wellness Institute.
- Exceptions may be requested on a case-by-case basis by speaking with our founder Melanie Taylor.
- No refunds will be issued for postponed sessions, and every effort will be made to reschedule such sessions.
- We require that your payment arrangements and first payment be completed at least three weeks prior to the onset of your course program.
- No tuition refunds will be issued for no-shows, late arrivals, or early departures.
What are the 200-Hour Graduation Requirements?
The Life of Wellness Institute and Yoga Alliance require you to meet the following criteria:
- To graduate, students must attend all mandatory classroom hours
If any portion of a class session is missed, the portion must be recreated. Your senior teacher will support you in being sure you capture the full lesson in its entirety, and in rescheduling this within an alternative cohort (with no additional charge), or you may schedule a 1:1 session (at an additional cost, see individual session policies below). - Successfully complete teaching five element-based classes inside of the classroom.
- To graduate students must complete the Course Practicum
Certification requires that all requisites, including academic and financial, have been met.
What are the 300-Hour Graduation Requirements?
The Life of Wellness Institute and Yoga Alliance require you to meet the following criteria:
- To graduate, students must attend all mandatory classroom hours
- If any portion of a class session is missed, the portion must be recreated. Your senior teacher will support you in being sure you capture the full lesson in it’s entirety, and in rescheduling this within an alternative cohort (with no additional charge), or you may schedule a 1:1 session (at an additional cost, see individual session policies below).
- To graduate students must complete the Course Practicum
- Certification requires that all requisites, including academic and financial, have been met.
I took my 200-Hour training with another yoga school. Can I take the Advanced 300-Hour Course?
Yes! We will have a conversation about your existing certification and identify any gaps that may require some bridge training.
Is there a minimum age requirement to take the training?
You must be at least 16 years old to take the teacher training. If you are between 16 and 18 years old it is required that we receive approval from the trainer and written consent from your legal guardian 30 days before the start of the training.
Do you help organize accommodations for travelling students?
We do not organize accommodations for our Studio Teacher Trainings, there are several hotels close by, and Craigslist and Air BnB are great sources for finding short-term housing.
Are any books and materials included in the price of the training?
All training manuals are included in your tuition. We do not require additional books to be purchased for your training. We do have a recommended reading list with books available to view in our Airdrie Studio.
How many students are enrolled in each training cohort?
We have a maximum class size of 15 individuals in our trainings.
How much time should I expect to spend on 200-Hour Homework?
Expect to spend between 4-6 hours a week on homework. The homework is designed to support the material covered in class and help you integrate what is presented into your own practice and teaching. If you are not planning on teaching after this course, you may choose not to complete all of the homework assignments and take the course for non-credit. However, if you wish to receive your Certification, you must attend all the sessions and complete all the homework assignments.
What is the Yoga Alliance?
Yoga Alliance is an organization that was started in 1999 as a way to create nationally recognized standards for yoga teachers and yoga teacher training in the US. More and more yoga studios across the country are requiring their teachers to register with the Yoga Alliance, either at the 200-Hour or 500-Hour level. Yoga Alliance registration, however, is not a legal requirement for teaching yoga. Currently, there are no legal certification requirements to be a yoga teacher. The Life of Wellness Training is approved at the Yoga Alliance 200-Hour and 300-Hour levels.
