Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The 200-hour yoga teacher training program

Our 200-hour yoga teacher training program combines both theoretical knowledge and practical applications, enabling you to adopt transformative practices for personal and professional wellness. You’ll witness incredible shifts towards overall well-being.

Portland Community College offers the Ayurvedic yoga health program, structured into four comprehensive modules (courses).

Each module delivers 50 hours of content throughout the college term, encompassing both yoga as exercise and deeper wellness practices. You can take all four modules in any sequence that suits your schedule or select only those that interest you most.

Each module also provides 38 PACE credits from the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, enriching your yoga teacher training journey.

Certification

Complete all four 50-hour modules to get certified as a yoga instructor by the Center for Ayurveda and Yoga Study. This certification allows you to register with Yoga Alliance as a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). Additionally, program graduates receive a Non-Credit Ayurvedic Yoga Health Advisor Training Certificate from the Oregon Department of Education CCWD. Become a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance and advance your career in holistic health and wellness.

What is the difference between 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training?

The main difference between the 200-hour and 300-hour yoga teacher training programs lies in their depth and comprehensiveness. The 200-hour program serves as an entry-level course, providing foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become a certified yoga teacher. This initial yoga teacher certification covers essential techniques, teaching methodologies, and basic anatomy. 

How long does it take to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training?

The one-year (4 module) program

Each module in our program teaches you how to tap into the healing potential of its respective season. By continuing throughout the year, you’ll experience how the seasons naturally promote health. These certified yoga instructor courses span a full year, ensuring comprehensive training and profound personal growth

Winter: Ayurveda, yoga, and Tridosha

Discover how to balance the mind, body, and spirit through both Yoga and Ayurveda. Learn assessment skills and recommendations for perfect health. Includes cooking, restorative yoga, aromatherapy, Marma, breathing practices, basic herbs, and Mudras.

Spring: Ayurveda, yoga, and Panchakarma

Emphasis on health management systems and proper balance with food, spices, nutrition, lifestyle, and daily routines. Covers nasya (nasal oil drops), neti (nasal cleansing), massage oils, powders, and preparatory process for Panchakarma therapy. Learn the basics of detoxifying in the Spring and discover the year-long health benefits. Learn how to prepare kitchari and basic teas.

Summer: Ayurveda, yoga, and self-care

Find health, beauty, wellness, and bliss from the inside out. Learn yoga and breathing recommendations for perfect health. The class covers both theory and practical applications from Mudra, Marma, and Bhandha to Asana, Yantra, and Mantra. Discover Ayurvedic foods, spices, recipes, and cooking tips for each constitution (Dosha) for perfect balance.

Fall: Ayurveda, yoga and philosophy

Learn about Ayurvedic anatomy and systems: the five elements (Panchamahabhutas), three bio-energies (Doshas), anatomy and body tissues (Dhatus), and universal qualities (Gunas). Discover how the sister sciences of yoga and Ayurveda overlap.

Who should enroll in a 200-hour yoga teacher training certification?

This program is ideal for current or aspiring healthcare practitioners, including massage therapists, nurses and nurse practitioners, nutritionists, homeopaths, naturopaths, chiropractors, medical doctors, acupuncturists, physician assistants, medical assistants, cranio-sacral practitioners, fitness professionals, and others seeking to become a certified yoga instructor. Practitioners needing PACE credits from the National Ayurvedic Medical Association to maintain their credentials will also benefit from this comprehensive training.

The investment

Time

• Program: 1 year (4 terms), consisting of 4 modules (1 module per 11-week term)
• Meets 2 times per week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-8:20pm Pacific Time
• A minimum of 6 hours of out-of-class preparation and practice each term

Tuition

• $799 per module/term
• Does not include two required books or the practicum that is for optional certification by the Center for Ayurveda and Yoga Study.
• Because the program is a non-credit college program (not a for-credit degree or certificate), no scholarships or financial aid are available. Upon registration, a student can make arrangements for payments through the Student Accounts Office.

Books

Books specific to the 200-hour Ayurvedic Yoga Health Program are Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda Volume One, by Vasant Lad and Yoga: The Practice of Myth & Sacred Geometry, by Rama Jyoti Vernon. Please note that the same books will be used throughout the year-long program.

The instructors

Testimonials

“THANK YOU so so so much for an amazing and inspiring year. You have put together a beautiful and empowering training. You are an amazing leader and so knowledgeable. I am so happy to call you my teacher along with the other trainers. It has been such a blessing to learn from you all and I hope you continue to learn. Please let me know if you are ever doing any workshops or classes. I would love to join! Thank you Ann for sharing your wisdom, your kindness and your love for yoga. It was such a transforming and inspiring year. I will miss you all every week!” Kelsey D.

“The yoga teacher training program through the Center for Ayurveda and Yoga Study and PCC’s CLIMB Center is a wonderful asset to the yoga community. Deeply grounded in yoga philosophy and lifestyle and directly influenced by the teachings of Rama Jyoti Vernon, Ann Wagoner and colleagues provide a comprehensive seasonal approach to yoga practice and instruction. Using a combination of applied and lecture-based guidance, the curriculum is tailored to meet the needs of working professionals with busy lives. Immersion weekends provide opportunities to learn from additional expert faculty in specialty areas while· allowing for depth of reflection, integration of material, and application of technique. Ann provides an inviting space for students to explore how they might apply the teachings of yoga to their professional and personal lives. This is an excellent program and well worth the commitment.” Andrew Garland-Forshee, PhD, HS-BCP, RYT 500, Faculty Member and Chair, PCC Family and Human Services.

“This program has been beyond inspiring! I see how beneficial Ayurveda is in almost everything I do now and I greatly appreciate Ann and everything she has brought to me and so many others lives! Eternally grateful.” H. H.

“Thank you for a wonderful immersion weekend. I had so much fun with other students.” S. H.

“The content was ideal, the teachers incredible. What an amazing talented group of women who are all leaders in their field internationally. And what a blessing to be able to study with them all. I have so much gratitude for this experience.” 300-hour graduate from Australia