The Journey Within: 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Awaken your voice. Deepen your practice. Become the teacher within.
*Option to attend virtually
The Journey Within is a 200-hour yoga teacher training designed to guide you back to yourself. Through yoga, breathwork, meditation and energy work, this immersive experience invites deep self-inquiry, embodied learning, and authentic expression. Whether you feel called to teach or simply deepen your personal practice, this journey is about remembering who you are—at your core.
I am committed to providing a comprehensive curriculum that honors the roots of yoga while preparing trainees for the realities of teaching in modern settings. This includes a strong foundation in anatomy and biomechanics, clear and accessible instruction in asana, pranayama, and meditation, and a meaningful exploration of yoga philosophy and its application to daily life. Trainees will learn how to sequence intelligently, offer modifications and variations for diverse bodies, and hold space for students with professionalism and compassion.
This is a 200‑hour Vinyasa Yoga training, and while Vinyasa is our primary focus, we will also explore other branches of yoga to broaden and deepen your overall understanding.
My expectation is that every trainee will leave this program with:
A solid understanding of functional movement and safe alignment principles
The ability to design and lead well‑structured classes for a variety of levels
A working knowledge of yoga history, ethics, and philosophy
Skills in observation, communication, and hands‑on or verbal assisting (as appropriate)
A deepened personal practice that supports their growth as both practitioners and teachers
*Equally important, I aim to cultivate a training environment rooted in respect, inclusivity, and integrity. Trainees will be encouraged to explore their own voice, honor their lived experiences, and approach the practice with curiosity and humility. My intention is to graduate teachers who are not only technically prepared, but who embody the values of yoga in the way they show up for themselves and their communities.
Training Schedule for 200HR YTT
Two Tuesday nights per month: Healing Reflections, Ft. Myers
Tuesday, June 16, 7-9pm
Tuesday, June 30, 7-9pm
Tuesday, July 14, 6-9pm
Tuesday, July 28, 6-9pm
Tuesday, August 4, 6-9pm
Tuesday, August 25, 6-9pm
Tuesday, Sept 8, 7-9pm
Tuesday, Sept 22, 7-9pm
Weekends: Laura's Home in SW Cape
May 30 & 31, 9am-6pm (The Journey Begins)
June 13 & 14, 9am-6pm
June 27 & 28, 9am-6pm
July 11 & 12, 9am-6pm
July 25 & 26, 9am-6pm
August 15 & 16, 9am-6pm
August 29 & 30, 9am-6pm
Sept 12 & 13, 9am-6pm
Sept 19 & 20, 9am-6pm
Oct 3 & 4, 9am-6pm (Graduation Weekend--Closing Ceremony will take place on Sun, 10/4 at Healing Reflections, Ft. Myers)
*Schedule may be subject to change
*1 hour for lunch & short breaks throughout the day (lunch is not included)
*Please bring snacks and lots of water
*Yoga mat, props are available to borrow or bring your own
*Dress comfy and bring layers
*Some days we may meet in a different location, you will be notified ahead of time!
Curriculum Breakdown
Module 1: Foundations & The Inner Landscape
What is yoga (beyond asana)
The 8 Limbs of Yoga
Intention setting + self-inquiry practices
Introduction to meditation + breath awareness
Creating a personal practice
Module 2: Embodied Asana Practice
Foundational postures + alignment
Functional movement vs. aesthetic alignment
Modifications + prop use
Nervous system awareness in movement
Teaching safe, inclusive classes
Module 3: Breathwork & Nervous System Regulation
Pranayama techniques
Breath + emotion connection
Regulating vs. activating breathwork
Trauma-aware facilitation basics
Integrating breath into classes
Breath Mechanics
Module 4: Anatomy & Physiology
Foundations of Anatomy
Skeletal System & Joint Function
Muscular System
Respiratory System
Nervous System
Injury Prevention
Functional Movement & Sequencing
Module 5: Yoga Philosophy & Spiritual Inquiry
Yoga Sutras
Dharma + purpose
Self-study (Svadhyaya)
Modern spirituality + authenticity
Ethics of teaching
Module 6: The Art of Teaching
Finding your authentic voice
Cueing (verbal, visual, energetic)
Sequencing (creative + intentional)
Theming classes
Practice teaching + feedback
Module 7: Business & Leadership
How to start teaching
Building your brand (aligned, not forced)
Pricing + offerings
Hosting events, workshops, retreats
Social media from a place of authenticity
Module 8: Integration & Embodiment
Practice teaching intensives
Final class + assessment
Reflection + closing ceremony
Stepping into leadership
*Curriculum schedule subject to change
*Guest teachers and facilitators will be joining us throughout the training
*You will receive all materials needed prior to the start of training
Harassment Against Members of Protected Class:
We do not permit managers, employees, teachers, independent contractors, students, or others in the workplace to harass any other person because of age, gender (including pregnancy), race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, genetic information, or any other basis proscribed by law.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace:
We do not tolerate sexual harassment in our studio. Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conduct harms the person’s employment or working environment.
Sexual Misconduct:
We prohibit sexual misconduct in our studio. Sexual misconduct is any unsolicited and unwelcome sexual advance including requests for sexual favors, sexual touching, and verbal, visual, or physical conduct that creates a sexually hostile environment in a yoga class or studio.
While it is not possible to list all the circumstances that may constitute sexual misconduct, the following are examples of misconduct: Sexual advances whether they involve physical touching or not; Sexual epithets, jokes, written or verbal references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life, comments on an individual’s body, sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess; Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoons; Unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, suggestive or insulting comments; Comments or conjecture about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity; Inquiries into one’s sexual activities; Sexually oriented asana adjustments or touch; and Discussion of one’s sexual activities.
VERBAL HARASSMENT:
Unwanted sexual teasing, stories, jokes, remarks, or questions Sexual comments, stories or innuendo Turning work discussions to sexual topics Asking about sexual fantasies, preferences, or history Asking personal questions about social or sexual life Sexual comments about a person’s clothing, anatomy, or looks Telling lies or spreading rumors about a person’s personal sex life. Referring to an individual as a doll, babe, sweetheart, honey, or similar term Repeatedly asking a person out on dates who is not interested Unwanted letters, telephone calls, or sending materials of a sexual nature Stalking on social media Unwanted pressure for sexual favors NON-VERBAL HARASSMENT Blocking a person’s path or following Giving unwelcome personal gifts Displaying sexually suggestive materials Making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements Unwanted sexual looks or gestures PHYSICAL HARASSMENT Hugging, kissing, patting, or stroking Touching or rubbing oneself sexually around another person Unwanted deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or pinching Giving an un-wanted massage Sexually oriented asana adjustments or touch Promising enlightenment or special teachings or status in exchange for sexual favors Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault.
Romantic Relationships Between Teachers and Students:
Teachers shall not invite, respond to, or allow any sexual or romantic conduct with a student during the period of the teacher-student relationship.
Retaliation Policy
We prohibit retaliation against anyone for reporting a violation of our Code of Conduct or other policies, or for participating in an investigation relating to a violation of our Code of Conduct or other policies.
WHAT IS RETALIATION?
Retaliation means taking an “adverse action” against any person for having reported or threatened to report harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or violations of our Code of Conduct, or for participating in an investigation into a complaint of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation or violations of our Code of Conduct. In the case of employees, retaliation is an adverse employment action taken against an individual for having reported or threatened to report harassment, discrimination, or retaliation, or for participating in an investigation into a complaint of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation. Retaliation may include any acts that are “materially adverse” to a reasonable employee, regardless of whether those acts result in a loss of pay, benefits, or any other privileges of employment, or not. For an action to qualify as retaliation, an employee or supervisor’s actions must be harmful to the point that they may dissuade a reasonable worker from making a charge of discrimination. Some examples of adverse actions are denial of promotion, refusal to hire, denial of job benefits, demotion, suspension, and discharge. Other types of adverse actions include threats, reprimands, negative evaluations, harassment, or other adverse treatment.
REPORTING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment or sexual misconduct. We encourage anyone who has been anyone who is subject to or school management. We need to know what’s going on so we can act on it. We will do everything possible to stop sexual harassment and sexual misconduct from happening. We will not permit anyone to retaliate against you for filing a report of sexual misconduct.
Code of Conduct
We are committed to holding high ethical standards for our yoga teachers. We believe that it is the responsibility of a teacher to ensure a safe environment in which our students can grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Students are looking for guidance from teachers with authenticity, experience, and wisdom. Our Code of Conduct was developed to protect our students in this potentially vulnerable relationship with their teachers and to uphold the highest professional standards.
Financial Practices
Teachers will discuss all fees and financial arrangements in a straightforward professional manner. Teachers will manage their business affairs according to recognized standard business and accounting practices. Teachers are encouraged to render services to individual or groups in need without regard to financial remuneration. Teachers will neither receive nor pay a commission for referral of a student.
Professional Growth and Continuing Education
Teachers shall maintain the integrity, competency, and high standards of the yoga profession by continuously striving to improve their skills through keeping current in new developments in yoga practice and by participating in continuing educational programs.
Teacher-Student Relationships
Teachers shall demonstrate high regard for the moral, social, and religious standards of their students. Teachers shall avoid imposing their personal beliefs on their students, although they may express them when appropriate in the class and in a sensitive and careful manner. Teachers recognize the trust placed in them by students and the unique power of the student-teacher relationship. Teachers shall avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of students. Teachers shall avoid dual relationships with students (e.g. business, close personal or sexual relationships) that may impair their judgment, compromise the integrity of the teachings and/or use the relationship for their personal gain. Teachers shall not engage in harassment, abusive words or actions, or exploit students. Teachers recognize that the teacher-student relationship involves a power imbalance and shall exercise caution if the teacher chooses to get into a personal relationship with a student.
Integrity
Teachers shall uphold the highest of moral standards. Teachers shall strive to ensure that their intentions, actions, and speech are based on honesty, compassion, selflessness, trustworthiness, and transparency. Teachers recognize that the process of learning is never complete, and they shall avoid portraying themselves as “enlightened” or “spiritually advanced.” Teachers recognize that they are walking on the spiritual path along with their fellow teachers and students. Teachers shall cultivate an attitude of humanity in their teaching and dedicate their work to something greater than themselves.
Scope of Practice
Teachers shall not abandon or neglect their students. If teachers are unable (or unwilling for appropriate reasons) to provide professional help or continue a professional relationship, they should make every reasonable effort to arrange for instruction for that student with another teacher. Teachers should avoid giving any personal advice concerning a student’s personal life. Teachers shall not give medical advice. Teachers shall not prescribe a treatment or suggest rejecting a physician’s advice. Teachers shall refer their students to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.
Confidential Information
Teachers shall keep all personal information disclosed by their students strictly confidential.
Inter-Professional Relationships
Teachers are part of a network of health care and well-being professionals and shall seek to develop interdisciplinary relationships. Teachers shall conduct themselves in an honorable manner in their relations with their colleagues and other wellness practitioners. Teachers shall not openly criticize practices followed by other yoga schools or teachers.
Advertising and Public Communications
A teacher shall accurately represent his or her professional qualifications and certifications along with his or her affiliations with any organization(s). Announcements and brochures promoting classes or workshops shall describe them with accuracy and grace. These principles are designed to uphold the quality of our teachings and shall be in compliance with legal guidelines for appropriate representation of our services.
Yoga Equity
Teachers shall welcome all students regardless of age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and perceived gender expression), sexual orientation, color, race, national origin, marital status, parental status, veteran’s status, religion, or physical or mental disability, provided that the teacher has appropriate expertise.
GRIEVANCE POLICY- REPORTING ON POLICY VIOLATIONS
We encourage anyone who has been the subject of sexual misconduct or any other action that violates our policies and Code of Conduct to report the incident to Laura Gotlin. The report should contain the following information: Your full name; Your email and phone number; The name of the person who the grievance is against; A description of the alleged policy violation; The date and location of the policy violation; Names and contact information of any witnesses with first-hand knowledge of the situation; and, Any other credible evidence that is available to support the grievance. In the interest of fairness and privacy, all reports must be made by the person who has personally experienced the misconduct. We will not investigate a matter based upon a third-party report of misconduct. All reports must be made in good faith based on information the person reporting the incident reasonably believes to be accurate. We may request additional information from the person reporting the incident throughout the course of review of the report. We will take appropriate action to ensure compliance with our policies. The reviewing body will impose any sanctions that it feels are fair, just, and reasonable under all circumstances. We will not allow anyone to retaliate against any person for making a report in good faith or providing information in connection with an investigation into an alleged violation. Any information provided during a grievance report review will be treated on a confidential basis. Similarly, any actions that the taken in response to the report will also be confidential.
Graduation from our program requires the student’s attendance at all training sessions. Any absence must be approved in advance by Laura Gotlin. We do not accept unapproved absences, and they may result in dismissal from the program and no refunds given to the student.
Our program expects students to be on time for class, after breaks, and after lunch. Please let us know if you will be late.
MISSING TRAINING HOURS
Each student can miss only 3 sessions max of the 200-hour yoga training program. These missed sessions must be rescheduled, included in the cost of the program. If more than one weekend of training is missed, the student must schedule make-up sessions at a rate of $50 per hour to graduate from the program. Students must contact Laura Gotlin before the weekend which they will be missing.
TARDINESS
Any student who is late for class by more than 60 minutes will be docked an hour from their training hours and need to make up at the rate of $50 per hour.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
If a student wishes to withdrawal from our program for any reason, they must first contact Laura Gotlin to discuss their reasons for withdrawal. Refunds will be given in accordance with the program’s refund policy.
TERMINATION FROM PROGRAM
The program may decide to terminate any student’s participation in the program if: (1) false information was used in the admission process that materially affects the program; (2) a student missed more than 90% of any subject category; (3) a student is absent for more than 2 consecutive days without contacting the program director; (4) the student fails to make timely payments of tuition; (5) the student is unable to pass a test after being given six attempts; or (6) a student stops attending without notice.
If the program decides to end the student’s participation in the program, the student is not entitled to any prior payments or fees. All prior payments and fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
*A leave of absence from the program will be granted due to medical disability or other extraordinary circumstances at the discretion of the program director. In this case our refund policy will apply to unused tuition and the student must reapply for the next available session and pay the difference, if any, of any remaining tuition and/or any related administrative fees. If tuition is increased for the next available session, the student must pay the higher rate.
Upon registration, the applicant will be charged a non-refundable deposit of $500 on their credit card to secure their spot in the training. Payment plans have been arranged through this site, if you need further financial assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
The deadline to pay in full is May 29, 2026.
If applicant withdraws from the program after acceptance, but before the program starts, the deposit can be applied towards a future training program, valid for 12 months. The program will not give any refunds or credits after the training starts. The program reserves the right to cancel any training before it begins. In that case any payments applicants have made will be refunded in full.
SPECIAL CASES
In case a student needs to withdraw from the program due to illness, accident, death in the family, or other circumstances that make it impractical for the student to complete the course within the first 30 days of the training, the program will provide a 50% refund.
BAD CONDUCT
No refunds will be given if the program removes a student from the program for bad conduct. Bad conduct is violation of the Code of Conduct, harassment, bullying, or any other behavior that is inappropriate or disruptive to the welfare of the program or to fellow students.
In order to graduate and receive your 200HR YTT certification:
You must have completed all 200 hours of the program (including any make-up sessions)
Completion of required reading
Attended and observed varying styles of yoga classes
Completion of quizzes, teaching practicum, homework, projects and final exam
