Tosha Yoga Teacher Training

200 hour ~ February-July 2027

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This teacher training is a journey in self-discovery; a program designed to challenge you to expand to your fullest, thriving radiance with the tools of yoga.

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This program is not just about learning poses …

and it’s not a quick cram of information…

This program is an immersion in living fully by incorporating the teachings of yoga into your actual life. 

We will explore yoga and ourselves from many angles and with different techniques- from the gross to the subtle.  Like a great archeological dig- we will use a variety of tools from big shovels to tiny fine brushes- to excavate what is essential.

All the while living through the waves of life. 

To be a yoga teacher is to guide others on the quest of Self-realization.

It is to be a conductor of transformation… a facilitator of ritual… a midwife of change…

And in a world where much is dissolving into chaos- the order that a teacher can support is holy.

But we must be on the path of yoga for our own awakening first and foremost: endlessly expanding our sense of self to hold the immensity of our truth. 

The process can not be rushed.

 Arguably, the depth to which each student is able to travel within themselves is determined by the teacher’s ability to do so.  And each of us growing this ability to self-reflect nudges humanity towards truth and love.  

The architecture of the practices of yoga are specific in their structure and application. In other words, they produce measurable, predictable results and the “experiment” of any practice is done from the same scientific openness that doesn’t presume outcome and is curious to expand. Together we will hone the tools of curiosity, resilience, and compassion.

Regardless of whether or not you want to ultimately be a teacher of yoga,  this program is a commitment to step forth toward being a warrior of love.

When the body is explored closely enough we see how some of the principle philosophies of yoga are actually mapped into our cells and reflected in our physiology.

Course Content: 

The course is organized around six intensives spanning from early spring to high summer. Woven between the intensives is home practice sessions and assignments.

The overall focus of the course will be Vinyasa yoga - a flowing sequence of specific poses coordinated with breath.  Vinyasa also refers to the cyclic nature of life in general-  the natural expansion and contraction or creation and destruction of life. 

The beginning of the course will delve into the roots of yoga- the Vedas. And from there- explore the classical texts such as the arguably paramount yogic text, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which gives an endless depth of material to enrich any practice or teaching.

Throughout the course we will be developing the fundamental skills of engaging with the world by tuning the instrument of our voice. Then we will essentially learn how to use that voice to create a transformative experience for our students through the words we choose.

Also woven throughout the program will be an examination of the key poses of a basic yoga class. And we will explore different ways to combine those poses to effectively sequence a class.

We will also be devoting extensive time to studying applied physical anatomy and biomechanics of breathing and spinal movement so that our understanding of asana is woven with a knowledge of what’s below the skin.

We will begin at the astrological threshold of the year; spring is not always an easy time- and yoga is about confronting whatever is in the way of freedom.

Like seeds ready to burst and push through to a barely sensed light, we will crack open together.

The middle of the program will be focused on the psycho-spiritual subtle body.  This portion of the course will be an immersion into the elemental body- and they lived practices of tending a healthy system through the tools of Ayurveda.

 Between the third and fourth intensive we will do a Spring Sadhana - practicing together every morning. This will focus on our personal alignment, and give Suzanne time to work with each student on their particular challenges. 

After our exploration of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali we will devote our study to reading The Bhagavad Gita- to learn how to take our yoga into the world. Wrapped into the final course material will be functional knowledge to create a thriving business sharing yoga.

Finally we end the program with a teaching practicum where you get to share all that you have learned with your friends and community- teaching a class of your own. (And of course, if you prefer not to teach- this part is optional)

When we step forth willingly, we can not help but be changed by yoga.

Methodology:

The coursework combines didactic and experiential modes of learning woven together to give time to absorb the material. Suzanne assumes we all learn differently and aims to support you in following the threads that have the most meaning for you. The course work is delivered in a variety of ways- aiming to support different learning styles.

Supplemental videos will give you down-loadable lessons so you can study and absorb some of the denser philosophy and anatomy material at your own pace.

In a world of increasingly fast access to information this program aims to support you in actually absorbing and retaining knowledge.

Who this course is for:

Ultimately, we are all teachers. We model for each other how to live. The path of yoga asks us to take that responsibility seriously and gives us the tools to do so.

If you’re wanting to pursue a path of teaching yoga- this course is for you; It will prepare you for the challenges of beginning to teach and give you the tools for handling those challenges with confidence and steadiness. And if you are not wanting to teach but aim to deepen your knowledge and relationship with yoga so that every area of your life is more intentional and vibrant- this course is also for you. 

Previous students have included: field biologists, artists, business owners, school administrators, full-time moms, wandering gypsies, doctors, professional singers, dog trainers, physical therapists, circus performers, school psychologists, writers, teenagers, retirees, midwives, farmers, and politicians.

Every graduate takes something different away from the training at Tosha.  After graduating one student went on to teach breathwork in Bali, two have opened yoga studios- and others continued education and teach Yoga Nidra and Postpartum yoga.  Graduates have woven yoga into the elementary school curriculum and another took the principles of yoga to how they work with dogs. 

 Students have used this training as a jumping off point for a new chapter- whether that is leaving a relationship or getting pregnant, making a career move- or simply living a life that is more in service to the soul.  

Ultimately, if you are called to deepen your study of yoga it is a part of your spiritual journey.  A spiritual path isn’t about building anything new- its simply about revealing the YOU that is most true and then knocking down whatever is blocking you from feeling comfortable sharing that with the world. It is the journey home.

Expectations:

The course is comprehensive and rigorous  and demands that you hold commitments with yourself.   You will be challenged by the content and course load- this will be uncomfortable at times and will ask you to stretch your idea of what you feel you are capable of. 

You must be prepared to open, reveal, examine, and evolve.

The application process is competitive because the quality of the cohort is a huge part of the quality of our individual experience. We challenge, champion, and mirror each other as we journey together to experience deeper, synergistic embodiment. Every individual in the program will be your teacher. Because of the depth of the program past participants made life-long friends along the way.

2027 Program Structure:

6 Intensives: Thursdays 8:30- 4:30, Fridays- 8:30-4:30, Saturdays 12:30-5:30, Sundays 1:30-5:30

• Intensive 1 - BONES- February 11th - 14th

• Intensive 2 - GRAVITY - March 11th- 14th

• Intensive 3 - POWER - April 8th - 11th

• Intensive 4 - DEVOTION - May 27th- 30th

• Intensive 5 - CALLING June 24th-27th

• Intensive 6- HOLDING July 8th - 11th

  Home practice : Two weeks per month we will have home practice together online.

• Asana - Tuesday/Thursdays 7-8:15 am

• Meditation & pranayama- Wednesdays 7-7:45 am

  Plan on about an hour of personal practice on days we don’t meet. Reading and assignments will require about 6 hours of time weekly

Spring Sadhana : April 12th- 17th - mornings from 6:30-8:30 am

Teaching Practicum : July 12th- 17th- 7-8 am, 3:30-4:30 pm, July 18th 7:30-8:30 + 3:30-4:30

Closing Ceremony : July 18th 4:30-7:30

For your application to be considered you must have done at least a year of fairly consistence yoga practice.

There are 12 spots in the program. Acceptance into the program is selective and is based on experience, application quality, practice history, and demonstration of commitment. Even with these qualities- applicants are only accepted if they can demonstrate a commitment to the joy of learning. Every student will be held to a high bar- as the caliber of the entire program is compromised if even one student isn’t showing up with curiosity, love, and effort.

After successful completion of the program you will receive a certification to teach.  This program is intentionally not affiliated with the North American Yoga Alliance, Yoga Alliance International or the National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA).

Price: $4,200

The price includes in-person and virtual instruction and printed materials. It also includes unlimited yoga with Tosha’s weekly scheduled classes. And it includes a resource binder that will be your companion for years to come. (It does not include the required texts.)

There is a payment plan available

In past years the application process has been competitive. 

To apply- submit your application. After your application is received Suzanne and you will confirm if the program is a good fit for you.  We cannot guarantee a place in the program.

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About Suzanne: 

The training is led by Tosha Yoga founder and owner Suzanne Dunning.  Suzanne aims to share her unique compilation of the teachings of yoga within a reverent yet non-dogmatic and applicable context. She believes that teaching yoga is both an art as well as a science- and aims to do due justice to both.

Suzanne has been teaching for over 20 years, leading trainings since 2014, and practicing yoga since she was a girl.

She studies continuously - but first formally trained with Alice Joanou, a Vinyasa teacher in the TKV Desikachar lineage and later with Leslie Kaminoff  of The Breathing Project in New York, Karin Gurtner of Slings in  Motion/Art of Motion, Christopher Wallis (Sanskrit/Tantric scholar) and  Christopher Tompkins (Tantric scholar)- among many others.

Before returning home to  Arcata, she taught in the San Francisco Bay Area while earning a degree  in Medical Anthropology from UC Berkeley. She has been influenced by her  practice and training with Lori Snyder,  Tom Meyers, Jack Kornfield, Joanna Macy,  Shiva Rea,  David Moreno, and Tias Little.

She has most recently studied myth and ritual with Josh Schrei and went to England this last summer to immerse herself in the art of storytelling with Dr. Martin Shaw in Dartmoor.

She humbly bows to all her teachers.

Suzanne’s ultimate aim is to help each student become more peacefully at home in the body.

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Reviews from graduates of the course:

“Suzanne is a spectacular teacher and a wellspring of wisdom. She provides sacred space and essential tools to work with the subtle energies of the body. This training isn’t just a yoga teacher training that will give you a script to teach- this is a training that will guide you into your own authority & power to create your own script to teach. My experience of this program is invaluable, and has been a pivotal experience in my growth as an individual.” - Chelsea Brunnett

“The safe space of this program- albeit vulnerable and scary, was crucial for me. In moments I felt I had no strength left I’d some how make it to class and I’d find it again. Sometimes physically, but often mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I’ve never felt so connected and present to something- or people in my entire life. A gift. Treasure.”

“The yoga teacher training was a delightful and rich experience for me. A balance of intellect and heart, of playfulness and practicality and of flow and structure. Suzanne is a trustworthy, dedicated, adaptable, highly competent and compassionate human, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have gone through this training with her.” - Corinne Basanez

“The growth and healing I experienced during the program was profound and continues to unfold in surprising and gratifying ways. The program was ambitious and unique, and in many ways, I feel like I got exactly what I hoped for and more out of a yoga teacher training program.” - Nina Transue

“This training made us all much better teachers (and humans).” - Emily Benvie

“I am just beyond myself with gratitude for the training. It opened up windows into my soul that I didn’t even realize were boarded up. I am lighter and much more fearless.” -Kali Wooner

Image credits: Photo of Suzanne in headstand- Sam La Bar, Suzanne and Cathy with books- Anda Ambrosini, YTT 2017 group circle- Anda Amrosini, Pelvis Painting- Sara Young, Suzanne adjusting student- Anda Ambrosini, Mia Pirillo portrait by Annika Botha, Tosha details by Derek Raser.