Why This Teacher Training?

At Yoga for Arthritis, we believe that anyone with a body and a mind can practice yoga, no matter what chronic conditions or movement limitations they might experience. We also believe that people with chronic pain can TEACH yoga. In fact, people with the lived experience of chronic pain may be best suited to offer the teachings of yoga as they apply to life with chronic pain, fatigue, and other health challenges. Unfortunately, most yoga teacher trainings (YTTs) are not adequately accessible, requiring long hours of sitting on a hard floor, lots of vigorous asana practice, and little accommodation for those experiencing disease flares. 

If you live with a chronic condition and yoga has changed your life, you may be inspired to bring that gift to others. This training will support you in becoming the kind of yoga teacher people are waiting for. 

Our diverse faculty includes scientists, scholars, authors, long-time practitioners, healthcare providers, and leaders in the field. We can't wait for you to meet them!

Training Description

It has been said that anyone with a body and a mind can practice yoga. Yoga practices include breath, meditation, relaxation, mindfulness, applied philosophy, and movement that can be adapted for anyone's physical mobility. Yoga reduces suffering through these practices and is especially beneficial for managing chronic pain. If you are a person living with pain, you might have found yoga to be transformative and you might want to become a teacher to bring that experience to others. Unfortunately, yoga teacher trainings are usually not accessible for students with chronic pain. They involve long hours of sitting on hard floors and lots of very physical yoga practice without room for necessary adaptation. For anyone with fatigue, stiffness, inflammation or disability, becoming a yoga teacher may seem out of reach. We want to change that.


We believe that yoga belongs to all of humanity, regardless of diagnosis or disease. Here's what we're doing to help people with chronic pain conditions bring the teachings of yoga into our communities and the world:


  1. The program is fully online, so you don't have to travel or sit on a yoga studio floor. You can make yourself comfortable wherever you are.

  2. Live sessions are "come as you are". You might be in bed, lying on the floor, stretching as you listen, or sitting with a heating pad. We expect you to show up, and you will be welcomed exactly as you are from week to week.

  3. All live sessions are recorded so you can go back and review if you were feeling fatigued, experiencing brain fog, or needing to rest while others were engaging in yoga practice.

  4. All practices will be adapted for everyone in attendance and you will learn how to teach adaptive yoga practices. Every practice will be an opportunity to explore, for yourself and your future students.

  5. You will be in charge of your own learning and your own practice. While there are competencies you have to achieve, you are an adult learner and can make your own choices about how to engage with the material for your own best interest.

  6. Classes are held for just 4 hours per week over the course of a year, giving you time to reflect and apply the teachings in your own life and practice, rather than being overwhelmed with material.

  7. Our faculty are experts in chronic pain science, disability rights, applied yoga philosophy, and accessible yoga practice.

  8. You are part of a cohort of learners who understand the lived experience of chronic pain and will serve as a supportive community throughout the process.

  9. If you have a major life event and can't truly continue with the training, we will pause your monthly payments and let you join the next cohort wherever you left off.

  10. We are open to your ideas about how to make this work for you and are eager to learn about what you need to be successful in becoming a yoga teacher.

There are 50 sessions of 4 hours each. You must be live (come as you are. No expectations) for 80% of class time. All sessions will be recorded. Written summaries are required for the missed session. 

If you have considered being a yoga teacher but didn't think you could get through the training while taking care of yourself, this 200-hour yoga program is made for you. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at [email protected]. 

What is Included in the Training?

  • an online platform including all course materials

  • video recordings of all live sessions

  • a teacher training manual including course policies, presentation slides, reading material, and more

  • a year of YFA membership, including monthly Q&A sessions, private Facebook page, member website access, and 20% discount in the YFA online store

  • credits toward completion of the YFA Level 1 continuing education course

  • free online and pre-recorded yoga classes

  • a community of teachers and learners who "get it"

  • a lifetime of support from the YFA faculty and staff!

Training Begins January 28th

Enroll By January 14th

Sign Up

Training Curriculum

    1. 200hr Chronic Pain Yoga Teacher Training Trainer Bios

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. 200hr Chronic Pain Yoga Teacher Training Schedule

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. 200hr Chronic Pain Yoga Teacher Training Course Descriptions

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Curriculum List & Hours

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. 200hr Chronic Pain Yoga Teacher Required Reading List

    6. Weekly Zoom Meeting Link

    7. Come As You Are Manual

    8. CAYA Community Guidelines

    9. CAYA Course "Parking Lot"

    10. CAYA Community Bulletin Board

    11. Weekly Reading Assignments

    12. Welcome & Introduction

    13. Guidelines

    14. Contact List

    15. Yoga for Arthritis Teaching Manual

    1. Whole Person Frameworks (2/4/2024)

    2. Whole Person Framework CAYA EIP Lecture - (2/4/2024)

    3. CAYA EIP Slides (2/4/2024)

    4. Introduction Into Evidence Informed Practice - (2/4/2024)

    5. Research on Yoga for School Teachers!

    6. Evidence Informed Practice and Research (2/18/24)

    7. Research Literacy and Evidence Informed Practice (2/25/24)

    8. Journal Club (3/24/24)

    9. Journal Club (4/21/24)

    10. Journal Club (4/28/24)

    11. Journal Club - Yoga and Polyvagual Theory (6/9/24)

    12. SLIDES: The 5 As of Evidence-Informed Practice

    13. Journal Club (7/7/24)

    14. Journal Club (7/14/24)

    15. Journal Club (8/11/24)

    16. Journal Club (9/1/24)

    17. Journal Club (9/15/24)

    18. Book Club- Yoga and the Science of Pain (11/3/24)

    19. Article for 11/17 Journal Club

    20. Journal Club (11/17/24)

    21. SPACE Model & Stretching vs. Pandiculation (12/15/24)

    22. Journal Club: (12/15/24)

    23. Following the Research: 16 Class Series (12/15/24)

    24. Journal Club (12/22/24)

    25. Journal Club (1/12/25)

    26. Book Club (2/1/25)

    1. What Is Yoga (and how it works for pain)- January 28

    2. What Is Yoga (and how it works for pain) - January 28

    3. Mixed Abilities Slides

    4. Yamas and Niyamas Slides

    5. YFA Sutras (Guidelines for Teaching)- Slides

    6. Anatomy Quiz

    7. Quiz Diagram

    8. YFA Anatomy and Pathophysiology Slides (3/10/2024)

    9. YFA Anatomy Quiz and Review (3/10/24)

    10. Osteoarthritis & Osteoporosis (6/9/24)

    11. Yoga Sutras for Chronic Pain

    12. Yoga Sutras and Chronic Pain (7/21/24)

    13. Joint Replacements (7/28/24)

    14. Meditation for Chronic Pain (8/4/24)

    15. Common Modifications

    16. Common Modifications (8/25/24)

    17. Common Modifications (9/1/24)

    18. Scope of Practice (9/22/24)

    19. Buldging Discs (10/20/24)

    20. Teaching Yoga to Arthritis (11/10/24)

    21. Yoga for Arthritis - 16 Class Series (11/24/24)

    22. Teaching Methodology and Class Planning (12/7/24)

    23. Arthritis Through Life Stages (12/8/24)

    24. Yoga for Arthritis 16 Class Series - 30 Minute Chair Yoga Class (1/5/25)

    25. 16 Class Series (1/19/25)

    26. 16 Class Series - Group Class (1/26/25)

    1. Yoga for Arthritis Chair Class

    2. Yoga for Arthritis Gentle Class

    3. Yoga for Arthritis Hatha Class

    4. Yoga for Arthritis Wall Class

    1. Steady Comfortable Seat - (1/28/2024)

    2. Understanding Curves of Your Spine - (2/4/2024)

    3. Introduction Into Props & Using What You Have (2/4/2024)

    4. Making Yoga Accessible & Cueing

    5. Chair Practice (2/11/2024)

    6. Teaching Accessible (2/11/2024)

    7. Practice - Standing, Seated and Floor (2/18/24)

    8. Methodology - (2/18/24)

    9. Practice (2/25/24)

    10. Practice 3/3/24

    11. Teaching Methodology - Wall (3/3/24)

    12. Group Class Guidelines (3/3/24)

    13. Review on Breakout Group Teaching (3/3/24)

    14. Sun Salutations with Chair - Teaching (3/10/24)

    15. Sun Salutations - (3/17/24)

    16. Practice (3/24/24)

    17. Chair Practice (Pre-Recorded) (4/7/24)

    18. Working With Mixed Abilities (Pre-Recorded) (4/7/24)

    19. Pose Breakdown and Variations (4/14/24)

    20. Pose Breakdown and Variations - Warrior I and Crescent Lung (4/14/24)

    21. Teaching Methodology & Pose Breakdown (4/21/24)

    22. Practicum (4/21/24)

    23. Practice (4/28/24)

    24. Practice Twists (4/5/24)

    25. Teaching Methodology & Pose Breakdown Warrior 2, Side Angel , and Triangle (5/5/24)

    26. The Power of Breath: Pranayama (4/5/24)

    27. Practice (5/26/24) Warrior 2 Series

    28. Practice & Methodology (5/19/24)

    29. Practice & Methodology (6/2/24)

    30. Practice & Methodology Q&A Hip Openers (6/2/24)

    31. Teaching Methodology- Connecting Movements (6/2/24)

    32. Teaching Methodology- Sequencing & Cues (6/9/24)

    33. Sequencing a Yoga Class

    34. Teaching Methodology: Polyvagal Theory (6/23/24)

    35. Practice: (6/23/24)

    36. Teaching Methodology: Polyvagal Theory (6/23/24)

    37. Teaching Methodology and Practice: (6/30/24)

    38. Teaching Methodology (6/30/24)

    39. Practice (7/7/24)

    40. Practice (7/14/24)

    41. Teaching Methodology (7/14/24)

    42. Pranayama (7/21/24)

    43. Practice (7/28/24)

    44. Scripts Seated & Lying

    45. Scripts Seated and Lying (8/4/24)

    46. Practice Seated Twists (8/11/24)

    47. Teaching Practicum (8/11/24)

    48. Pose Breakdown (8/18/24)

    49. Practice (8/18/24)

    50. Non-Physical Practice (8/18/24)

    51. Practicum (8/18/24)

    52. Practice Twists (8/25/24)

    53. Practicum (8/25/24)

    54. Pose Breakdown Twists (Standing & supine)

    55. Practice Balance (9/1/24)

    56. Pose Breakdown Balance (9/1/24)

    57. Practice Balance (9/8/24)

    58. Practicum (9/8/24)

    59. Non-Physical Practice - Nidra - (9/8/24)

    60. Teaching Methodology & Practice - Nidra (9/15/24)

    61. Teaching Methodology - Balance Sequence - (9/22/24)

    62. Scripts: Warm-Ups (9/22/24)

    63. Practice - Walls and Inversions (9/29/24)

    64. Sequencing and Cues (9/29/24)

    65. Scripts- Warm Up & Balance (10/6/24)

    66. Teaching Warm Up - (10/13/24)

    67. Restorative (10/20/24)

    68. Seated Practice & Practice Teaching (10/20/24)

    69. Verbal vs. Visual Practice (10/27/24)

    70. Peak Pose Sequencing (10/27/24)

    71. Sequencing and Practice (11/10/24)

    72. Level 1 Practice Class- with Dr. Steffany Moonaz

    73. Methodology and Practice Teaching (11/17/24/)

    74. Methodology (11/24/24)

    75. Practicum (12/8/24)

    76. 12/15 Intro to Restorative

    77. Sequencing and Cues (12/22/24)

    78. Teaching Methodology Review (1/5/24)

    79. Teaching Practicum: Amy (1/12/25)

    80. Teaching Methodology (1/12/25)

    81. Teaching Practicum: Paula (1/26/25)

    82. Teaching Practicum: Kathy (1/26/25)

    83. Alternate Nostril Breathing & Practice (2/1/25)

    84. Q&A with Steffany & Kimberly (2/1/25)

    85. Teaching Practice with Kathy (2/9/25)

    86. Teaching Methodology and Feedback (2/9/25)

    1. Reading and Videos for March 2024 Session!

    2. Anatomy with Ann Swanson (3/17/24)

    3. Reading and Videos for April 2024 Session!

    4. Anatomy with Ann Swanson (4/14/24)

    5. Practice with Ann Swanson (4/14/24)

    6. Reading and Videos for MAY 2024 session!

    7. Anatomy with Ann Swanson (5/19/24)

    8. Anatomy with Ann Swanson (7/7/24)

    9. Comparative Anatomy Reading

    10. Comparative Anatomy (9/29/24)

About this course

  • $3,000.00
  • 249 lessons
  • 173.5 hours of video content

200 Hour Teacher Trainers

Who is leading the 200 hour teacher training?

Dr. Steffany Moonaz

Research Literacy for Yoga Teachers; Yoga for Arthritis and Chronic Pain; Ethics and Marketing

Ann Swanson

 Anatomy

Anupama Kizkakkeveettil

Introduction to Ayurveda

Charlene Muhammad

 Race and Religion in Yoga

Jivana Heyman 

Yoga and Social Justice

Kimberly Castello

Asana & Pranayama for Chronic Pain; Teaching Methodology & Practicum

Kimberly Middleton

Race and Religion in Yoga

Lakshmi Sutter & Tina Paul

Philosophy & Chronic Pain

Natalia Tabilo

Creating Welcoming Spaces for All Bodies through Language and Trauma-Informed Yoga

Already A Yoga Teacher?

Audit Yoga Teacher Training and Expand Your Knowledge

- Audit The Training: $1500 If you want a certificate and evaluation You must attend 80% of the live sessions. You can also come and go as you please if you are not wanting certificate.


**Proof of 200 hour YTT is required upon registration
Enroll as an Auditor

Pricing Breakdown

Invest in your yoga journey

  • 200 Hour Training & Certificate

    $3000 Pay in full or $250 for 12 Months

  • Audit Option

    $1500 Pay in Full or $125 for 12 months
    ** Must provide proof of previous 200 hour training.

Enroll in 200 Hour YTT

Invest in your yoga knowledge in this one-of-a-kind 200hr yoga teacher training!

Do You Still Have Questions?

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Offerings of Interest

  • Self-Paced Online YFA Level I Training

    12 x $65.00

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  • Yoga for Arthritis Class Bundle

    $50.00

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  • Private Group Lesson with Dr. Steffany Moonaz

    $120.00

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