The Yoga Teacher Training – Foundations Program is a comprehensive, 240‑hour, full‑time program rooted in Hatha and Vinyasa traditions that prepares you to teach safe, effective, and inclusive beginner‑level yoga classes. Over 12 weeks, you will integrate theory and hands‑on practice in asana, pranayama, meditation, anatomy, philosophy, ethics, and teaching methodology.
By the end of the program, you will be able to:
Demonstrate key asanas with proper alignment, and teach beginner‑level classes using effective cueing, sequencing, and class management techniques.
Demonstrate foundational pranayama and meditation techniques, and explain how they relate to the subtle body and overall wellness.
Analyze the structure and movement of the human body, including bones, muscles, joints, and physiological systems, to support safe and informed yoga practice.
Explain the historical development of yoga, key texts (Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads), and core philosophical concepts that inform modern practice.
Describe and apply ethical principles, inclusivity, equity, and professional conduct in yoga teaching, in line with Yoga Alliance‑aligned standards.
Design and deliver inclusive classes that accommodate diverse student needs, abilities, and physical limitations using modifications and adaptations.
Explain foundational Ayurvedic concepts (five elements, three doshas, daily/seasonal routines) and their application to health and self‑care.
Credential: Certificate – Yoga Teacher Training – Foundations Program.
Length: 240 hours over 12 weeks (approximately 20 hours per week), plus 5–10 hours of homework per week.
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday 11:30AM to 6:30PM, in‑class delivery.
Format: 100% in‑class instruction; instructor‑led, with experiential learning, practice teaching, and supervised feedback.
Location: Jai Yoga studio Unit 140 – 1140 Austin Avenue, Coquitlam BC (in‑studio practice with complimentary membership during the program).
Program structure: 4 integrated courses delivered in sequence.
This course builds a strong foundation in asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathwork), and meditation for aspiring teachers. You will practice a wide range of Hatha and Vinyasa poses, learn safe alignment and contraindications, and begin designing beginner‑level class sequences.
You will also:
Explore the history of asana and key pose categories (standing, balancing, backbends, inversions, seated and restorative).
Learn core pranayama techniques such as Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, Kapalabhati, Bhastrika, and Bhramari, with safe teaching progressions.
Study subtle body concepts including koshas, chakras, nadis, kleshas, and prana vayus.
Practice and teach meditation methods from Vedic, Sikh, and Buddhist lineages, including chanting, mantra, and mudra.
This course gives you a practical understanding of the body so you can teach safely and confidently. You will relate anatomy and physiology directly to yoga postures and class design.
Key topics include:
Skeletal system, major bones and joints, and joint types relevant to yoga (e.g., ball‑and‑socket, hinge, pivot, gliding).
Major muscle groups and stabilizers, muscle contraction types (concentric, eccentric, isometric), and their role in asana.
Nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, and digestive systems and how they respond to yoga and stress.
Biomechanics principles, joint stabilization, and safe strategies for balancing, stretching, and working with limitations.
Identifying and addressing misalignments and contraindications using modifications and props.
Yoga Humanities introduces you to the historical, philosophical, and ethical foundations of yoga. You will connect these frameworks to your personal practice and teaching.
You will:
Define yoga and trace its evolution through key periods, including the Vedas, Vedanta, Hatha traditions, and modern global yoga.
Explore Hatha and Vinyasa lineages and how they influence contemporary practice.
Study key texts such as the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, and Hatha Yoga Pradipika and their relevance today.
Examine the impact of colonialism on yoga and reflect on cultural sensitivity and respect.
Engage deeply with yogic ethics, including the yamas and niyamas, and Yoga Alliance guidance (Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, Equity Position Statement).
Develop tools for accountability, equity, and self‑reflection in teaching.
Professional Essentials equips you with the skills to step into the role of a yoga teacher and wellness professional. You will integrate your knowledge from the entire program into real‑world teaching practice.
Areas of focus include:
Teaching methodology: sequencing, pacing, cueing (verbal, visual, physical), and class management for diverse learners.
Creating supportive, inclusive classrooms that prioritize safety and accessibility.
Professional development and Yoga Alliance credentialing pathways, including the role of professional organizations.
Ethics, Scope of Practice, Code of Conduct, and equity commitments in yoga spaces.
Business foundations: professionalism, marketing, promotion, insurance, waivers, invoicing, and logistics.
Ayurveda: origins, doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), diet principles, daily/seasonal routines, Agni, and the Koshas in relation to health.
Practice teaching to industry standards for beginner‑level classes.
You will learn through lectures, demonstrations, discussions, group work, practice teaching, and supervised practice in the studio. Assessment includes quizzes, assignments, presentations, demonstrations, and exams, along with a dedicated practical teaching assessment.
To successfully complete the program, you must:
Achieve at least 65% in each of the four courses.
Receive a Competent Pass on the Practical Skills Teaching component, demonstrating beginner‑level teaching skills that meet industry standards.
Attend at least 80% of scheduled classes.
Attend a minimum of 4 hours per week of yoga classes at Jai Yoga (complimentary membership provided for the program duration).
Applicants must meet the following:
High school graduation (BC Dogwood Diploma or GED) or be at least 19 years of age.
Evidence of completion of at least 5 yoga classes prior to admission.
Meet one of the listed English language proficiency options, such as: completion of English‑medium education (e.g., English 11 with a minimum grade or 2 years of post‑secondary), or minimum scores on accepted tests (e.g., IELTS 5.5 overall, TOEFL iBT 46, CAEL 40, CELPIP with specified band levels, Duolingo 95, PTE 43, FCE 160, and other B2‑level assessments).
Students receive the following at no additional cost:
“Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” – B.K.S. Iyengar.
“The Bhagavad Gita” – Eknath Easwaran.
“Meditation for the Love of It” – Sally Kempton.
“Light on Yoga: The Definitive Guide to Yoga Practice” – B.K.S. Iyengar.
In‑studio props provided: yoga blankets, bolsters, straps, and blocks; students may bring their own props if preferred and are required to bring their own yoga mat.
Dress expectations are neat and casual, suitable for movement‑based practice.
For further information or to speak with an Academic Advisor, students can email info@coastalcollegeofbc.com. Alternatively, you can call the college Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
