Yajā Hatha-Rāja Yoga
200hr Classical Yoga Teacher Training
Starting September 2025
Yaja means sacrifice or sacred offering. With reverence to our lineage, we offer this training as a means of enlightening your understanding of the science of yoga, so that you can have clarity of its various principles and methods, and integrate them into your life and personal practice. In this way, whether you plan to teach yoga, or you are participating in this training to further your own physical and spiritual growth, you will be better equipped to share these principles as sacred offerings for the benefit of others.
“With constant practice, one can improve his physical body and mental attitude rapidly, thereby igniting the higher motives of making oneself useful to himself and all mankind.” — Sri Dharma Mittra
In this comprehensive training you will learn about the history of yoga, its origins in the East and proliferation in the West.
From the tradition and perspective of Classical Yoga, you will learn proper asana alignment, how to best sequence postures, and teach a class with effective cuing and adjustments. You will learn the proper pronunciation of the Sanskrit terms and names of postures.
You will learn how to practice and teach pranayama and kriyas, and the purpose of mantra, bandhas, and mudras.
You will learn anatomy and physiology of the physical body, and how to manipulate and increase prana to effect the subtle body (psychic channels, chakras, and koshas).
This training will expand and refine your knowledge of asana, vinyasa, pranayama, and meditation. You will be mentored on safe adjustments, assisting, variations and modifications. You will have an opportunity to spend time practice teaching, and learn effective communication techniques.
You will chant with Bhagavan Das and learn Sanskrit with Manorama.
Intrinsic to Raja Yoga is the practice of mindfulness and meditation. In addition to learning how to design and lead a Hatha vinyasa yoga class, you will learn how to teach students how to meditate.
We will do an in-depth study of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and how to apply these teachings to daily life.
Yoga is a spiritual practice. The physical aspect of yoga, if practiced correctly, elevate the practitioner to a higher state of consciousness, which is the goal of yoga.
“Do not underestimate the value of asana. Even in simple asanas, one is experiencing the three levels of the quest: the external quest, which brings firmness of the body; the internal quest, which brings steadiness of intelligence; and the innermost quest, which brings benevolence of spirit.” — B.K.S. Iyengar
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for RYT 200 certification through Yoga Alliance.
We will meet on the following dates:
Dates TBD
Course Content
Introduction to the Science of Yoga
The 9 Forms of Yoga
The Goal of Yoga
Hatha-Raja Yoga — The 8 Limbs of Yoga
Yaja Hatha-Vinyasa Yoga: A Breath Based Practice
Asana
Main Postures
Asana Principles & Alignment
Asana Consciousness
Gentle Hatha-Yoga Approach
Variations and Modifications
Teaching Methodology
Assisting and Adjusting
Vinyasa
Principles of Movement
Sequencing
The Breath Based Approach
Subtle Anatomy
The Nadis
The Chakras
The Koshas
The Vayus
Anatomy & Physiology
The Skeletal System
The Muscular System
The Nervous System
The Respiratory System
The Cardiovascular System
Biomechanics
Pranayama & Kriyas
Main Pranayama Techniques
Kriyas
Mudras and Bandhas
Meditation
Dharana Principles
Dharana Techniques
Yogic Diet
Yaja Hatha-Raja Yoga Teaching Methodology
Yoga Philosophy
In Depth Study of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The Yamas & Niyamas
The 5 Koshas
The 3 Gunas
The 5 Kleshas
Introduction to Sanskrit
Learn How to Properly Pronounce the Sanskrit Alphabet
Learn How to Properly Pronounce the Sanskrit Names of Postures and Terms
Chanting Mantra
Bhakti Yoga
Moving from the Head to the Heart
Chanting with Bhagavan Das & Amulya Ma
Introduction to Ayurveda
The Doshas
Introduction to Ayurvedic Cooking
Schedule
Fridays
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Yoga Philosophy — Professional Development
Saturdays
8:00 AM -9:15 PM Pranayama — Meditation
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Gentle Yoga Class
10:45 AM - 1:15 PM Teaching Methodology — Asana Lab
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Break
2:15 PM - 5:15 PM Asana Lab — Teaching Methodology
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Asana Lab — Teaching Methodology — Practicum
Sundays
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM Pranayama — Meditation
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM Ashtanga/Vinyasa Blend Class
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Asana Lab — Teaching Methodology — Sequencing
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Break
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Asana Lab — Teaching Methodology — Practicum
5:15 PM - 8:00 PM Asana Lab — Teaching Methodology — Practicum
Mondays
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Anatomy — Physiology — Biomechanics
Self-Paced, Self-Study Online
20 hours Anatomy & Physiology
Tuition and Fees
Non-Refundable Registration Fee: $75*
Non-Refundable Deposit Upon Acceptance: $290
Tuition: $2,900 (includes deposit)
Tuition covers the cost of the training, unlimited yoga classes for the duration of the training period, access to online anatomy and physiology training, and the training manual. Not covered are accommodations if traveling from out of town, meals, and cost of books on the required reading list.
*Prerequisite: prior yoga experience of no less than one year. Ability to attend and participate in all classes listed in above schedule.
Graduation Requirements
Students must attend all trainings, in person or online, and complete all assignments.
Students must show a proficiency in teaching the basic Hatha postures and appropriate modifications.
Students must receive a passing grade on the final exam.
There should be a practical understanding of the eight limbs of yoga, the gunas, the koshas, and the kleshas.
About Our Teachers
Yvonne Suzuki Licopoli :: Lead Teacher, E-RYT 500, YACEP
Yvonne Suzuki Licopoli began studying yoga and became a vegetarian in 2002 as a means of achieving optimal health and well-being. After having studied with world renowned teachers, Yvonne met her guru, Sri Dharma Mittra in 2007, who remains her most influential teacher.
She completed her first yoga teacher training at YogaWorks in 2007, followed by Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training with David Swenson. She completed the 500 hour (2010) and 800 hour (2013) Advanced Yoga Teacher Training with Dharma Mittra. She continues to study yoga philosophy and Sanskrit with Manorama, who gave her the spiritual name, Yaja Devi (worshipper, priestess).
After teaching yoga consistently for 14 years, Yvonne opened Yajamahe Yoga and Sacred Sound Sanctuary in 2020 as a means of offering classical yoga and sound healing to the greater community.
Yvonne is certified in Thai Yoga Massage through Lotus Palm Institute in Montreal. She studied Gong Yoga of Holistic Resonance with Grand Gong Master, Don Conreaux, and sound healing with Ayi Wong and Micheal Mayzel of Shanti Sounds, Costa Rica.
She completed the Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate Program with the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University in 2017.
Yoga is a way of life. It is Yvonne’s belief that to achieve yoga, as with achieving success in anything, practice and self study must be an immutable priority.
Manorama :: Sanskrit
Manorama, Sanskrit Scholar & Teacher of Yoga Philosophy was introduced to yoga philosophy at the tender age of 13 when she met Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati (Ramamurti Mishra, M.D.). This auspicious meeting would set the course for the rest of her life.
Following the yogic tradition, Manorama studied with her guru intensely for nine years, also serving as his personal assistant until he left his body in 1993.
Through training in meditation, yoga philosophy, and Sanskrit, Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati passed on to her what she refers to as “the codes of the universe.” Following the passing of her guru, Manorama studied Linguistics at Columbia University.
Bhagavan Das & Amulya Maa :: Bhakti Yoga
Bhagavan Das was the first American to live in the jungle of the Himalayas as a hermit-sadhu. He was given the holy name of Ram by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He then came to meet Swami Chaitanya Prakashananda Tirth who gave him tapas to pray for God's Grace. In 1965, after a year of fasting, prayer and intense purification, Bhagavan Das met his Sat Guru, the Mahasiddha Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaji) who he lived with side by side for many years.
Maharaji sent him to Anandamayi Ma to receive initiation from the Divine Mother. Later, during his time with the Tibetan yogis, he was the first westerner to meet and live with Lama Kalu Rinpoche, the guru of the 16th Karmapa. He gave Bhagavan Das the Mahamudra transmission. Bhagavan Das received the Clear Light of Primordial Awareness from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche and then the Vajra Yogini transmission directly from the 16th Karmapa in Sikkim.
As a Mystic, Muse, and Lover of Life, Amulya Maa is an advanced Vipassana meditator, having completed eleven 10-day retreats and maintaining a consistent Vipassana practice 2x/day. She is a bhakti yogini and tantrika who deepens her practices through the Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana lineage. Amulya received the name "Sangay Dolma" from the Venerable Lama Gyalsten when she was initiated into the Shangpa Kagyu lineage of the great Lama Kalu Rinpoche.
For several years, Amulya served alongside the great humanitarian saint Amma Amritanandamayi Ma, who gave her the name "Amulya" in 2009. Amulya means "priceless, precious, and of a value too great to measure." As an alchemist, Amulya Maa facilitates transformational healing and heart path awakening through spiritual and intuitive guidance in person and online.
Pam Jones :: Ayurveda
Pam is a certified Ayurvedic coach, teacher, and chef. She completed her Ayurvedic Nutrition and Culinary training with Divya Alter. She has taught numerous Ayurveda and food workshops across the globe, in addition to yoga trainings, retreats, and immersions.
Pam is a certified 1,000 hr. Dharma Yoga Teacher and serves as a mentor for the Life of a Yogi Dharma Yoga Teacher Trainings in New York City.
Pam’s hope is to inspire people, wherever they may find themselves on their yoga journey. She believes that all can practice yoga to achieve radiant health, inner peace and the ultimate goal, Self-realization.
Preety Wadhwa :: Meditation
Born into a traditional Indian family, Preety’s spiritual journey began in early childhood.
In 2017, Preety traveled to Kerala, India to receive her Yoga Teacher Certification from Sivananda Yoga & Vedanta Center. She remained in India and taught at their New-Delhi location for four years while immersing herself in the study of Vedanta.
Preety received her certification as a meditation teacher with the Chopra Center in 2021. Since then, her focus has been on helping people manage stress using the powerful practices of yogic breathing (pranayama) and meditation.
It is Preety’s dharma (life’s purpose) and passion to share these teachings with all who desire to live in harmony with their own core-essence, paving the path for a more peaceful, joyous, and purposeful life.
David Keil :: Anatomy & Physiology
David Keil was introduced to yoga in 1989 by his Tai Chi Chuan teacher. Both the Tai Chi and Yoga practice at the ripe age of 17 began his research into his own mind-body connections. His search continued through massage therapy where he discovered how fascinating, beautiful, and amazing the body is on the scientific level.
As an instructor of Kinesiology at Miami's Educating Hands School of Massage from 1999-2003, David developed a fun, informal and informative style of teaching. He brings his unique style and ability to make things simple to the yoga world.
Over the years David has used his skills as a Neuromuscular Therapist to help people reduce their chronic pain patterns. He often brings this information into his workshops where students are regularly uncovering painful patterns or injuries in their bodies.
David was introduced to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in 1999 and traveled to Mysore in 2002 to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. He has traveled to Mysore many times since then and is Authorized Level 2.