Become a 200-hour certified yoga teacher with Ashley Mckeachie in a college environment!
Click here for more information about OCC’s Yoga TT Program
Orange Coast College’s Yoga Instructor 200-hour certification training is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program which provides students with the skills required to teach yoga to a variety of levels and abilities. This program meets the requirements for Yoga Alliance, a professional membership and trade association, to become a registered yoga teacher (RYT). The OCC Yoga Instructor Training program features an inclusive curriculum that focuses on philosophy, anatomy, theory, personal practice, teaching the three stages of life, sequencing, theming and the business of yoga.
Once completed, the student is prepared for employment in health clubs, spas, yoga/dance studios, hospitals, the health industry, and self-employment as private yoga instructor.
The 200-hour OCC Yoga Teacher Training is offered each year since the Fall 2017. The certificate program consists of four 3-unit classes, and one 1-unit practice class. Students are strongly encouraged to take Hatha Yoga Level 1 before enrolling in the course.
Classes
Fall semester
3 units: Yoga Methodology 1 (M/W 6:45pm – 9:15pm)
1 unit: Hatha Yoga Level 2 (M/W 5:30pm – 6:30pm)
3 units: Theory of Yoga (Tuesday evenings 6-9:10pm)
Spring semester
3 units: Yoga Practicum (M/W 6:45pm – 9:15pm)
3 units: Yoga Methodology 2 (Tuesday evenings 6-9:10pm)
Yoga Methodology 1 will be the first teaching module and students will learn how to safely teach an all levels yoga class that focuses on linking breath to movement. Hatha Yoga Level 2 fulfills practice hours in the certificate program where students will need to practice yoga techniques and postures. The Theory of Yoga class will explore the history and philosophy of yoga, and how we can apply these core components to lead healthier and happier lives. Yoga Methodology 2 will explore teaching the three stages of life (developmental, preventive, and therapeutic), and the Yoga Practicum class will help students design safe and creative yoga classes that they can use when they are teaching in the public.
The style of the training is Vinyasa/Flow, but my experience as a Yoga Therapist will greatly influence the program. Students will learn how to confidently apply the tools of yoga to decrease physical, mental, and emotional discomfort. The ideal student will have already taken Hatha Yoga Level 1 at OCC or have six months of constant yoga practice.
Students are encouraged to enroll in all three classes in the fall and continue on with completing the last two classes in the Spring. If students can only take 1 or 2 classes in the fall, they will have to wait until the next fall to complete the other classes. At this time, classes will only be offered one time per year. Completion of the first three classes are required before moving on to the final two classes in the Spring. The program follows a cohort format.
Once the student takes the classes that make up all of the hours, they will earn a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification, which certifies them to teach yoga, and a continuing education certificate. They can also join Yoga Alliance for a small fee, which is the largest professional organization for yoga teachers. There will be two yoga manuals to purchase for the entire training and some recommended texts for further engagement.
This training is not only for students who want to teach yoga or deepen their practice of yoga. It is also highly recommended for students who are thinking about pursuing careers in the health and wellness industry.
Ashley McKeachie is the lead trainer for the OCC Yoga Teacher Training program. She spent the last year of her Masters in Yoga Studies at Loyola Marymount University creating this program in order to provide community college students with an affordable alternative to a private yoga studio training. A typical studio will charge anywhere between $2500-$3500, whereas at OCC, students pay less than $650 to receive their certification to teach yoga.