200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
& lifestyle submersion course
9 Months | January 2025 - October 2025
Hybrid Program: Online and in-person
at Triple Crane Retreat Center in Chelsea, Michigan
WHAT SETS OUR TEACHER TRAINING APART FROM OTHERS?
Our Teacher Training Program will empower you not only to teach a variety of yoga and meditation classes but make you a leader in the yoga community. Our teacher training is grounded in Classical Hatha Yoga and packed full of thorough and in-depth teachings on Yoga History, Philosophy and both Western Anatomy and Eastern Mind-Body teachings.
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You will learn how to teach gentle yoga, beginner and intermediate Hatha Yoga as well as beginner meditation, breath work and the unique system of QiGong taught by Master Hai (Winnie).
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We skillfully use Western Anatomy with Ayurvedic Wisdom and a traditional Eastern view on health, exercise and meditation.
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You will learn key anatomy and physiology concepts in an embodied way, and be able to teach with confidence, helping people of all ages/body types/genders avoid injury and create a truly custom-tailored practice.
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Our Teacher Training Program will empower you not only to teach a variety of classes but make you a leader in the yoga community. Our teacher training is packed full of thorough and in-depth teachings on Yoga History, Philosophy and Anatomy.
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Trevor Eller (lead teacher) is a Yoga Therapist with over 6,000 hours of Yoga Teaching hours and 23+ years of teaching experience. He is the former lead Yoga Teacher at Schoolcraft Community College and empowered by the late Sanyasi Mataji Gauribrata to function as a spiritual teacher. You can learn more about Trevor here. Trevor is known for hilarious and straightforward insights into the History of Yoga, the Yoga Marketplace and useful tips to prepare you to teach with integrity.
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Master Winnie Zhong Hai (head nun of Triple Crane) will share insights and tips from her full-time life as a meditator. Her background in Asian exercises such as QiGong or "Chinese Yoga" brings a unique element to this training you won't find elsewhere. You can learn more about Master Hai here.
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Miriam Dowd Eller shares anatomy from a deep embodied view while not slacking on integrating transformational concepts key to Western Anatomy. Miriam teaches yoga and practices body work, giving her unique insights into the human body. You can learn more about Miriam here.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Here’s an overview of what you will learn in the 200-hour yoga teacher training course
An Ayurvedic approach to Classical Hatha Yoga empowering you to teach Gentle Yoga, Beginners, and Intermediate Hatha Yoga.
Vedic and Yogic philosophy including study of the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali
Basic business know-how to help you launch your service to others as a yoga teacher.
QiGong as taught at Triple Crane Retreat Center.
How to safely and effectively teach yoga to a variety of populations.
Ethics for Yoga teachers in light of the ancient yoga system and contemporary professional standadares.
Knowledge of Western Anatomy and ancient subtle body anatomy as it applies to yogic practices and lifestyle choices.
YOUR TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY WILL INCLUDE
Community, in-person training, support & connection
Teaching Practice
Online homework portal for printable PDFs
In-person & online
Group Discussion
Quizzes & learning tools
Class Recordings of online sessions
THIS PROGRAM WILL BE RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
YES
NO
You want to learn how to teach
Yoga to a variety of skill levels safely and effectively.
You view yoga as exercise only
You want to be well-informed about how physical yoga relates to Ayurveda and Western anatomy.
You aren't interested in learning about Yoga History and Classical Yogic Text
You don't want to commit to a daily practice.
You are interested and want to deepen your connection to the spiritual and meditative aspects of yoga.
You don't have time to commit to a 9 month learning journey.
WHAT DOES ONLINE IN-PERSON HYBRID TRAINING MEAN?
Today many yoga teacher training programs are fully online. From personal experience with online training, we feel this is not the best form of learning for many of the subtle nuances that go into teaching physical yoga in person. If you are going to teach in person, shouldn't you learn in person as well?
We also understand the advantages of online learning. So we have done our best to balance the best of both worlds.
After much consideration, we designed an online/in-person hybrid option that we feel will help keep quality in yoga teaching while still learning online.
Students are required to be in person for our opening and closing weekends as well as one Saturday approximately midway through the training. These in-person experiences will ensure that student's postures are properly assessed by teacher training staff. This will give students time to work on their postures throughout the training. It will also give opportunities for the students, training to be yoga teachers, to receive in-person feedback for teaching practice both midway through the training and at our closing weekend.
Requiring students to be at the training for our opening and closing weekend will also ensure a sense of human connection that one can not receive by being online only.
As a teacher, Trevor is thoughtful, sensitive and open. His humor helps to create an environment where students are relaxed and feel free to ask questions [...] and he fosters a sense of community, which makes being a part of his class a rewarding experience. I highly recommend his classes and teacher training.
HISTORY OF THIS TRAINING
In 2008 the founder of Triple Crane Retreat Center, Master Sea Cloud also known as Venerable Master Haiyun Jimeng (海雲繼夢) was authorized to propagate the Classical Hatha Yoga system of Swami Kripalu by the late Sanyasi Rajarshi Muni.
Under Master Sea Cloud's guidance the head nun of Triple Crane Retreat Center Master Zhong Hai (Master Winnie) continues over seeing Yoga teachings at Triple Crane. In 2020 Master Hai (Winnie) began working with Rev. Trevor Chaitanya Eller to create a Yoga Teacher training and to expand Triple Cranes Yoga programing. Rev. Trevor has an extensive background in Yoga, Meditation, Mantra and has a healing practice using Massage, Ayurveda, and Yoga Therapy teachings.
Core Values:
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We believe Yoga and Meditation brings healing to individuals and in-turn society collectively.
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Our Teacher Training is grounded in Classical Hatha Yoga informed by modern anatomy and Ayurvedic mind body principles
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Our approach holds to traditional ethics of Yoga and Buddhism relevant to contemporary society.
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Our journey, is your journey, we are here to help yoga teachers both through the training and as a long term support network.
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We prepare yoga teachers by infusing professionalism, ethical standards and real-world preparation to teach
WHAT’S INSIDE THE COURSE?
This program is a learning journey that aids students in deepening their experience of Yoga as a spiritual practice and lifestyle, with meditation as the heart of the traditional Yoga system. This course focuses heavily on yoga as an inner journey of personal transformation while empowering to share as a teacher what you embody from the training.
Students will learn yogic life skills, practices, and a holistic worldview that can weave into any current lifestyle. For students who feel ready to teach publicly upon completing this course, you will be able to register with Yoga Alliance and legally insure yourself as a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher.
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Classical Hatha Yoga & an Ayurvedic View of YogaTechniques, Training and Practice (TTP): • Classical Hatha Yoga and Sequencing of basic and intermediate postures with variations and modifications • Pavanmuktāsana - Joint freeing yoga • Sun Salutation in light of Vinyasa krama ("to design in a specific way") • Basic Pranayama (breath work) • QiGong/Gong Fa or traditional Chinese exercises will be taught to deepen meditation and strengthen the body. Methodology: • Students will learn how to safely teach and modify all asanas practiced and learned in light of Ayurvedic mind body and type and Western anatomy • Including in-depth study of • Sequencing of Hatha Yoga Classes • Classical Sun Salutations • Moon Salutations • Joint Freeing Yoga Pavanmuktāsana Series • Mantra Meditation • Basic Pranayama
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Western and Ayurvedic AnatomyThe entire course is permeated with an anatomical view of the body. As skilled massage therapists with in-depth training in Yoga and Anatomy, Trevor and Miriam work as a team to ensure students learn how to practice yoga postures in a way that is safe for various life phases, body types, and exercise/meditation goals. Students will learn basic musculoskeletal anatomy as well as Ayurvedic mind-body approach to a balanced lifestyle. We strongly feel Yoga in the modern age needs to incorporate Western scientific knowledge while remaining connected to subtle body anatomy (from Ayurveda and Yoga). Students will study Western anatomy in light of yoga, and master: Medical Anatomical Terminology of planes, movements, and directions PLUS Anatomically-informed teaching cues Anatomy and Physiology of Stretching, Strengthening, and Breath-work (pranayama) Basic Bones, Joints, Natural Range of Motion, and Common Injuries Major Muscle Groups and Common Pathologies Intro to Pain Science and Fascial Research Structural and postural assessment The impacts of pranayama, mantra, and deep relaxation on the 11 major systems of the body Students will also study Ayurveda and Samkhya Philosophy to inform subtle body anatomy. This includes guna, dosha, the five elements, the vital essences, and how the application of this knowledge is best shaped by situational differences (e.g., personal goals for yoga practice and life-stage constraints and opportunities). Students will become knowledgeable in the subtle body anatomy of chakras, the five vayus and how they relate to posture and breath work (pranas), and how prana relates to postures. We will look at yoga sequences and practices based on the theory of how asana, pranayama, and meditation impact prana and one's overall well-being. With this knowledge, graduates can structure classes that are appropriate for individual anatomical needs and different life phases.
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Yogic PhilosophyParticipants will learn the essence of yoga and its major schools, Bhakti, Jnana, Karma Yoga and Raja Yoga. Students will study the major sutras of the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika as well as in-depth classes on Triple Cranes' unique approach to weaving Chinese Cultural Exercises (QiGong/Gong Fa) into Hatha Yoga. Participants will have a minimum of 20 hours of philosophy classes. For students interested in yogic philosophy, this course will give you in-depth familiarity with yogic philosophy, and how it relates to all aspects of life and branches of practice. Upon completion of the course, students will clearly understand the differences between Vedanta, Yoga, Samkhya, Ayurveda, Tantra (traditional) Buddhism and how they relate to the system of Yoga taught at Triple Crane.
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QiGong and YogaTriple Crane Retreat Center has a unique approach to fussing Yoga and QiGong you will not find anywhere else. Master Zhong Hai will be teaching you the QiGong section of the course and how it relates to preparing for deep meditation. You will learn how to share this safe and effective form of exercise. This section will bring a unique aspect to your teachings that your students will love! Master Hai and Rev. Trevor Chaitanya will share with you how Yoga and QiGong are connected. You will learn how to weave QiGong and Yoga together as preparation for meditation. The QiGong teachings in this course will set you apart from other Yoga teachers and empower your personal practice in unique ways.
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MeditationClassical Hatha Yoga is traditionally viewed as preparation for deep, and profound meditation. The 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training at Triple Crane will empower you to teach Yoga as it has been for thousands of years, preparation and part of meditation. You will learn: • How to teach Meditation as part of your Yoga class • How to teach QiGong and Meditation Methods of Meditations you will learn include but aren't limited to: • Mindfulness Meditation • Basic Yogic Breath Work • Mantra and Meditation • Yoga Nidra and deep relaxation
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Will there be reading requirements?There will be weekly and monthly reading homework. Much of the course content is sent in PDF's. We also use the below books. COURSE READING MATERIALS (Additional reading requirements will be included in the Student Resources section of this site) Yoga: A Guide to the Teachings and Practices by Dr. David Frawley Yoga and Ayurveda by Dr. David Frawley Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy by Mukunda Stiles Yoga Anatomy Coloring Book by Kelly Solloway Students will receive most homework through downloadable PDF resources. You can choose to print or keep saved on a computer.
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Will there be homework? How much time will it take me?Signing up for this course is making a commitment to your daily practice of yoga on and off the mat. Without a daily practice, one will not have the experience to teach with confidence and integrity. Daily practice is vital for contacting the mood of the yogi, which is the most fundamental skill to help carry others into the yogic state of mind. Participants will need to keep up with the weekly readings and share their contemplations through group discussions. Some weeks there will be homework "test" sent via google classroom. READING MATERIALS (Additional reading requirements will be included in the in-depth Student Resources section of this site) Yoga: A Guide to the Teachings and Practices by Dr. David Frawley Yoga and Ayurveda by Dr. David Frawley Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy by Mukunda Stiles Yoga Anatomy Coloring Book by Kelly Solloway Students will receive most homework through downloadable PDF resources. You can choose to print or keep saved on a computer.
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Will there be a final exam? What's required to graduate?Students will be required to pass mid-way and final exams in Anatomy and Philosophy and complete all tests sent via Google Classroom. Students are required to pass the teaching practicum. Students will receive feedback half way though the course to prepare for the student's teaching which concludes the program. For graduation participants must: Agree to the Triple Cranes Code of Ethics, as well as Yoga Alliance Code of Ethics. Be able to lead a 1-hour yoga class with a proper tone of voice, good teaching cues and proper timing. Pass all tests (70% to pass) Pass the Practicum Meet the minimum attendance policy
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Will I be a registered Yoga Teacher after I graduate?This course surpasses Yoga Alliance Standards for completion of a 200-hour Yoga Teacher training. Usual standards for excused absences, along with demonstrations of participant competencies, effort, and dedication will entail fulfillment of course requirements.
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How is the course's hours broken down?Techniques: Asana, Meditation, and Pranayama: 100 hours Teaching Methodology: 30 hours Anatomy & Physiology: 20 hours Philosophy/Lifestyle/Ethics: 30 hours Practicum: 10 hours
Open the drop-down menus for details on the course
PRICING & DATES
January 2025 - September 2025
Two full weekends
Opening Weekend:
January 3rd - 5th
Closing Weekend: September 19th - 21st
classes will start at 3:30pm on Fridays and end on Saturdays at 6:30pm
(in-person classes only)
Every Wednesday
January 8th to September 17th
6:30pm to 9:30pm, No Class July 2nd.
(online or in-person)
Every 2nd Saturday of the Month
January - September
9:30 am to 5:30 pm
(Online or in-person training, one Saturday mid-training must be in person)
1 / Tuition
Early Bird Discount Ends October, 15th
$2500
After November 15th:
$2700
Payment plans are available. Email Rev. Trevor Chaitanya here, to explore options.
Sign up with friends and you each get $100 off.
Saturday Classes have optional catering for lunch and dinner. $15 per meal.
2 / Overnight Accommodations and Meals for Opening and Closing Weekends
There are two full weekends in the Teacher Training Course.
$200 per weekend includes a bed in a shared room at Triple Crane and food Friday Dinner - Sunday Lunch.
3 / Additional Costs
Approximately $100 in books and any personal printing fees.
Team
Your team of teachers & fellow yogis
"After this training my own practice is much richer. I can encorporate pranayam, and mantra, etc. and do it knowledgeably. I also ended up feeling like I was a part of a really strong community. Our group was very diverse in age, life experience, and yoga experience."
Need more info before committing to this transformational course?
If you have any questions please reach out to Rev. Trevor Chaitanya at trevor@triplecraneretreat.org.
Otherwise, register below to make a life-changing commitment and become a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher.