Teacher Training
200-Hour Teacher Training Course
Next course: January – April 2024
If you love yoga and perhaps already understand that the practice is ultimately a journey of self-discovery, then a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training can be a profoundly rewarding experience. Maybe you want to teach yoga, or maybe you love what yoga is already doing for you and you want to understand and learn more. But finding the right Yoga Teacher Training course in Ireland (or anywhere) can be challenging. There are so many out there, and deciding which one is right for you can be difficult. This authentic Irish Yoga Teacher Training course is run by extremely experienced teachers for whom yoga is a way of life. It takes place in a supportive and friendly environment where you will be encouraged to deepen your yoga practice on all levels so that it will nurture and support you throughout your life. You will obtain the professional Yoga Alliance accreditation and the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to start teaching. However, a desire to teach is not a prerequisite to study. The course is suitable for anyone interested in a deeper understanding of all aspects of yoga.
A Short Completion Date
The timetable is designed to keep you engaged on the course by allowing you to complete your 200-hour yoga teacher training over a four-month period. The course is held twice yearly. The 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course is held primarily in person in the studio in Delgany, County Wicklow, to enable a real connection between the group and the teachers and enhance the learning experience. Only eight places are available, so early application is advised.
The January 2024 course is now open for applications. Please see the dates below and submit your application form or email any queries to hello@rionachoflynn.com
January – April 2024 course dates:
Please note that all Fridays on weekends and the full week are allocated for home study of the online modules (anatomy and philosophy only). All other modules are in person at the studio, including yoga practice, teaching theory and technique, and additional in-person anatomy & philosophy.
January 26 – 28
February 9 – 16 (full week (Friday is for home study))
March 8 – 10
March 22 – 24
April 5 – 7
Dates for October 2023 course currently in progress:
October 13 – 15
October 28 – 3 (full week (Fridays at home))
November 17 – 19
December 15 – 17
January 12 – 14
Yoga Fundamentals & Asana Teaching Techniques
One of the main goals of this 200-hour yoga teacher training course will be to help you establish your own regular self-practice (if you don’t already have one) and integrate this into your life. Yoga is so much more than a postural practice and we will explore this idea in full, with emphasis on meditation and pranayama (yogic breathing) as well as asana (poses). You will learn how to teach the Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga sequence, exploring how and why to modify where necessary to accommodate the individual student, whatever their body type or stage of life. You will also study Yin Yoga and learn how to teach this style. The principles of observation, alignment, communication with and support for your student at all times will be highlighted throughout your yoga teacher training.
Meditation & Pranayama
These days, everyone knows that regular meditation practice brings clarity and calm to your life. Putting it into practice, however, can be easier said than done. This yoga teacher training course will teach you the simple, invaluable techniques that will help you to make meditation part of your daily life. If you already have a practice, you will be taught how to deepen it. We will practise meditation and pranayama (yoga breathing techniques) every time we meet. By the end of the yoga teacher training course, you will have a profound understanding of how a yoga, meditation and pranayama practice positively impacts your entire being and your daily relationship with the world around you.
Yoga Philosophy
This is a vast and sometimes complex subject that you could study for a lifetime and more. The goal will be to give you a solid introduction to the subject via the classical texts, the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. We will study Patanjali’s eightfold path and explore how the practice and philosophy of yoga can enable us to live a healthier, happier and more purposeful life. We will also look at the history of modern yoga from the time of Krishnamacharya and see how the various styles of yoga now practised in the West evolved from his teachings.
Yoga Anatomy
When you understand the underlying parts and pieces of anatomy as it relates to a yoga practice, you are better equipped to find the answer for a specific problem for a student (or indeed, yourself). This helps you to be a better teacher, working with the student as they are in the moment in the body they inhabit. On this course, you will enjoy accessible and understandable explanations of how anatomy and yoga are related so you can apply them to your teaching.
The Ethics & Business of Teaching
You will learn about both the practical and ethical aspects of being an authentic teacher in today’s very busy yoga environment.
This module will include:
- How to develop your teaching presence and be comfortable and confident in your teaching.
- Directions for ongoing study to maintain both your personal practice and your teaching standards.
- Ethical guidelines for teachers.
- The business of Yoga
Expert Tuition
While I place great value on the student/teacher relationship and stay true to the methodology of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, I encourage my students to discover how their own yoga practice can be their best teacher. The environment, as well as the teaching philosophy, is inclusive, compassionate, adaptive and non-dogmatic.
What Students Say
“Ríonach is a fantastic teacher with a ton of experience and knowledge and I learned so much from her during my 200-hour teacher training. I loved the intimate group size, the beautiful studio, the hands-on approach and the focus on building an Ashtanga self-practice. I’d highly recommend Ríonach’s training to anyone who is looking to immerse themselves in Ashtanga yoga, and to anyone who is interested in becoming a teacher.”
Eamonn O’Neill, 200-hour YTT, Summer 2023
“I completed my 200 hour YTT with Ríonach in Spring 2022 and it was such an amazing experience. Ríonach welcomes you into her studio and from Day 1 passes on her vast yoga experience with grace and passion. Her experience and warmth totally exceeded my expectations and I felt very privileged to be part of this new sangha. If you are thinking about Yoga Teacher training or weekly classes, I would highly recommend Ríonach. “
Fiona Molloy, 200-hour YTT, Feb – May, 2022.
“The yoga teacher training course with Ríonach was fantastic on many levels. Learning about the history and philosophy has given me a much deeper understanding of what yoga is all about, which has brought a new dimension to my own practice. On a practical level the course gave me both the tools and confidence to teach a class which I couldn’t have imagined doing when I first signed up. Ríonach is a wonderful teacher who shared with us her knowledge, experience and passion for yoga which made the course very special. She knows her stuff and is more than happy to share it
Susan Elliott, 200-hour YTT, Feb – May, 2019
Ríonach O’Flynn
The people who teach you on your YTT can have a life-long impact. I am delighted to have renowned yoga philosophy and anatomy teachers, Daniel Simpson and David Keil, and former student and fellow-teacher, Ingrid Jaanisoo, to whom I passed on Greystones Yoga in 2020, as my guests and collaborators on my trainings.
David Keil
Practising yoga since 1989 and expert in anatomy and kinesiology (the study of movement and musculoskeletal anatomy), David is passionate about sharing his knowledge of the human body. He delivers this complex and sometimes frustrating topic in a way that is very accessible and understandable to yoga practitioners and teachers worldwide.
Daniel Simpson
Author of “The Truth Of Yoga”, a comprehensive guide to the history of yoga practice, Daniel makes yoga philosophy accessible and relevant to practitioners today. With a Master’s degree from SOAS (University of London), he combines scholarly knowledge with humour and insight to show students how yoga philosophy can help them explore their own path. He teaches at the Oxford Centre for Hindu studies and internationally.
Ingrid Jaanisoo
Director of Greystones Yoga, Ingrid Jaanisoo is the primary tutor on the Yin Yoga Module. Ingrid has been practising for over ten years and is a certified Senior Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance Professionals. She has a deep love for Yin yoga and is passionate about the benefits of combining a Yin practice with any other yoga style you may enjoy.
Assessment & Graduation
Students will submit a written assignment at the end of the course and will be continually assessed throughout. Attendance, engagement and teaching skills will be considered. Graduating students will be awarded their 200-hour Teacher Training Certificate, which is internationally recognised through the auspices of Yoga Alliance Professionals UK.
How To Apply
The Autumn/Winter course is now open for applications. Places (8 only) fill quickly, so early application is advised.
This extremely authentic Irish teacher training course features an international panel of teachers. To be considered for the course, you must be practising yoga for at least two years. This does not have to be Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, though you need to understand that this style of yoga is the foundation of the course.
Fees
The full 200-hour training fee is €2,500. Your non-refundable deposit of €500 is due upon acceptance of your application. The full course fee is due by December 31st, 2023. Paying in instalments is possible. Please email hello@rionachoflynn.com for terms.
Your non-refundable course fee includes:
- All tuition during 200 hours
- Manual for Teacher Training Course
Your course fee does not include:
- Additional Reading List (3 essential texts, further optional reading)
- Your membership or insurance with Yoga Alliance Professionals (required if you want to teach)
Download an Application Form, and please scan and return to hello@rionachoflynn.com
If your application is accepted, your €500 non-refundable deposit will confirm your place. Once your deposit is received, you’ll receive more information about the course, including a full syllabus and timetable.
If you have any questions in the meantime, you can contact Ríonach O’Flynn, Director of Teacher Training at hello@rionachoflynn.com
Terms & Conditions for Teacher Training
Deposit and further fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, except in the case of cancellation by Ríonach Yoga, in which case full refunds will be made. Students must complete all modules of the course (both online or in-person) to be awarded a certificate from Yoga Alliance Professionals.
