INSTITUTE
Enhance Your Understanding of Yoga
at Mount Madonna, California
Foundational
Yoga Studies
Hybrid 5-Month Program
Yoga Teacher Training 200 Hours
Mount Madonna’s Foundational Yoga Studies 200-Hour Hybrid Yoga Teacher Training (YTT 200) program is designed to cultivate your knowledge of the theory and practices of Classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path). Over five months, you will gather for two immersive four-night, in-person modules — one at the beginning and one at the conclusion of the program — with three live, four-day extended weekend online modules in between. Guided and supported by an experienced faculty of over 20 teachers, you will engage in a comprehensive exploration of Yoga while developing the understanding, skills, and confidence to share the practices with others.
Mount Madonna’s Hybrid YTT 200 program focuses primarily on the systems of Classical Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga (path of balance). Methods taught include shat karma (purification methods), mudra (symbolic gestures), pranayama (breathing techniques), asana (postures), and meditation.
Alongside these practices, foundational Yoga theory is taught through classes on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Samkhya philosophy, the basic principles of Ayurveda, subtle body theory, anatomy, and physiology. Teaching methodology — how to share this ancient knowledge — is woven throughout the program.
Together, this comprehensive curriculum will help you develop the skills to teach a well-rounded beginner-level class. This course is also ideal for those looking to begin or deepen their personal practice.
The hybrid structure of this five-month course combines the connection and depth of in-person learning with the flexibility of live online study, offering opportunities to build relationships with your teachers and fellow students. The program begins with an introductory four-night, in-person module on the Mount Madonna campus, followed by three four-day, live online modules over three months, and concludes with a four-night, in-person module on campus.
The one-weekend-per-month structure allows you to integrate the teachings into your personal practice, reflect on your experiences, and apply what you are learning. Online mid-month check-ins provide opportunities to reconnect, ask questions, and support your ongoing learning. Through extensive practical experience and dedicated engagement with the material, you will explore the content in a dynamic, interactive online environment. After all, Yoga tells us that we are all united in akash (space), the first of the five elements.
For those who prefer a residential immersion experience, Mount Madonna also offers a 30-day, 29-night, on-campus Foundational Yoga Studies 200-Hour In-Person Intensive program in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California, featuring the same core curriculum in a serene mountaintop setting.
Mount Madonna Institute has been a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance since 2002. At the end of this YTT 200 training, you will be eligible to apply for a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) credential with Yoga Alliance.
What you will Learn
Classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path)
- Beginning pranayama practices
- Styles of meditation
- Proper alignment and manual adjustments
- Modifications and the use of props as needed
- Health benefits and contraindications
- Ayurveda basics and classification of practices according to the three doshas (constitutions)
- Anatomy and physiology, gross and subtle
- Teaching methodology
- Designing a balanced class
- Teaching beginners with varying abilities
- Setting up classes in your community
- Evolving a personal teaching style
- Foundations for safe sequencing
DATES
2027 Program:
January 6 – May 9, 2027
In-Person Dates:
January 6 – 10
May 5 – 9
Online Dates:
February 4 – 7
March 4 – 7
April 8 – 11
TUITION
Tuition: $2,500
See full details below.
REGISTER NOW
More Information
Contact Admissions for questions and enrollment assistance via this form or by scheduling a phone call.
Hybrid Program
Yoga Teacher Training Online Sample Weekend Schedule
| Thursday Evening | |
|---|---|
| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Opening Circle and Theory |
| Friday – Sunday | |
| 6:30 am – 8:30 am | Pranayama and Meditation |
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Breakfast |
| 9:30 am – 11:00 am | Theory Class |
| 11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Asana |
| 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch |
| 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm | Theory Class / Core Asana |
| 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm | Theory Class / Core Asana |
| 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Integration |
| Pacific Time Zone |
Tuition & Fees
Academic Year 2026 - 2027
Hybrid 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Tuition Only (includes book fee*)
$2,500
Early Bird Discount
-$500
Total Academic Charges with Early Bird Discount
$2,000
Deposit (due at time of registration**)
$250
Note:
*YTT 200 tuition program includes a training manual and the Ashtanga Yoga Primer.
**Non-refundable if accepted to the program; applied against total tuition due. In the case of denial of your application, deposit will be refunded.
Tuition & Accommodations based on lodging options (8 nights)
Commuting*
$2,382
Own Vehicle
$2,494
Shared Room, Shared Bath (3 per room)
$2,830
Shared Cabin, Shared Bath (2 per cabin)
$2,998
Shared Room, Shared Bath (2 per room)
$3,054
Private Queen, Shared Bath
$3,558
Private Queen, Private Bath
$3,894
Financial Aid & Cancellation Policy
Financing options for your education and cancellation terms if plans change
We’re committed to making our programs accessible. Learn about financial support options and review our cancellation terms.
Studying Affordably
- Alumni Discount: Mount Madonna Institute, Mount Madonna School, and Mount Madonna Center alumni receive $500 off of tuition fees!
- Scholarships: As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, scholarships are awarded based on merit and/or financial need. Scholarships cover tuition, accommodations, and meals. To request a scholarship application, check the box during the registration process.
- Scholarship applications will be considered on a rolling basis according to the following three deadlines:
-
-
- Round 1 – September 30, 2026
- Round 2 – October 30, 2026
- Round 3 – December 15, 2026
-
- Awardees will be notified no later than 14 days prior to program start.
- Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
- Payment Plans: A monthly payment option is available to each student. Payments are divided equally by the number of months between completion of the enrollment process and the start of the program, upon which the full balance is due. Please indicate payment choice during the registration process.
Cancellation or Withdrawal Policy
- The registration fee of $250 is non-refundable, except in the event the program is cancelled by Mount Madonna Center.
- Cancellations made more than sixty (60) days before the program start date are refundable minus the registration fee.
- Cancellations made between sixty (60) and thirty (30) days in advance are 50% refundable; and the other 50% (minus the registration fee) will be given as a credit that may be applied to a future program.
- Cancellations made between thirty (30) and seven (7) days in advance are nonrefundable but a credit for 50% (minus the registration fee) will be given, which may be applied to a future program.
- No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than seven (7) days in advance of the program start date. No refunds will be given for cancellations made after the starting date of the program.
- Payment Plan Cancellation Terms: Participants enrolled under a monthly payment plan remain subject to the same cancellation policy as those who have paid in full. The total amount owed upon cancellation will be calculated as if the full program fee had been paid, using the refund schedule above. If the amount already paid at the time of cancellation is less than the amount that would be non-refundable under the policy, the participant is responsible for paying the remaining balance of that non-refundable portion. No further monthly payments beyond that amount will be required.
- Emergency Withdrawal: Exceptions may be made in the event of an emergency, illness, or injury, in which case, a credit may be given that can be applied to a future program.
Yoga Faculty & Staff
Tonia Mayerle, MS, tLMHC,
C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, AHC
Lizzy Gamberdella, E-RYT 500, MA, C-IAYT
Sean Neesley,
MA, E-RYT 500
Populi
Secure and Intuitive
Populi is a web-based learning management system (LMS). It covers academics, admissions, billing, people, reporting, library, integrated email and calendar. MMI uses Populi as its student information and learning management system, where all student and classroom activity is recorded. Application, enrollment, course work, lessons, assignments, quizzes, grades, transcripts, and financial balances are all located in Populi.
Apprenticeships
AT MOUNT MADONNA'S SCHOOL OF YOGA
Give back to Mount Madonna! Apprenticeship within our Yoga Teacher Training programs creates a progressive sequence of learning opportunities to further develop your skills as a yoga teacher while holding space for others to transform. Experience the teachings all over again as you support students through this amazing journey.
Testimonials
About Studying at The Source
Ayurvedic Health Counselor (AHC)
FROM IOWA
“At the AHC, I am enjoying the possibility of studying with many different instructors” – Tonia
YTT 200 Summer Intensive
FROM CALIFORNIA
“This place and this program is a crucible for self transformation” – Aubrey
YTT 200 Summer Intensive
FROM JAPAN
“This is the place to go!” – Lan
YTT 200 Summer Intensive
FROM CALIFORNIA
“This has been the most life-changing and transformational month of my life” – Antonia
YTT 200 Summer Intensive
FROM CALIFORNIA
“It’s truly astounding how well organized this program is and how they were able to create connection in an online platform” – Dawn
YTT 200 Summer Intensive
FROM CALIFORNIA
“The program goes far beyond the transmission of information. It is the application of that information” – Bholenath
“unparalleled”
“I could not have hoped for a more authentic YTT program…The scope of information covered makes certain that I know what I am talking about when I am teaching…the level of personal attention given to students is unparalleled.”
– MMI Alum
“empowering”
“Mount Madonna has many inspirational teachers. They…answered questions with ease, grace, and humor. Breaking out into small rooms…to practice teaching as well as doing the practice teaching in the afternoon core asana classes was very empowering.”
– YTT Student
“Fine-tuned, controlled, and mindful!”
“Teaching was excellent. A lot of attention was given to warm-ups and preparatory movements. I have been really enjoying asana practice throughout this training. It has…allowed me to experience Yoga in a different way. Fine-tuned, controlled, and mindful!”
– YTT Student
“life-enhancing...life-altering”
“Soma’s presentation was extremely inspiring. It was perhaps the most life-enhancing or life-altering talk I have ever experienced. She used metaphors that brought her topics into clear focus…I look forward to watching it again and again.”
– YTT Student
"a transformational experience"
“I did my [YTT 200] in 2016, AHC in 2019, and [YTT 300] in 2023…Each of these MMI programs was a transformational experience for me.“
– MMI Alum
"deeply appreciative of MM"
“I did [YTT 300] at MMI in 2021 and then had the joy of apprenticing [YTT 200] in 2022 and [YTT 300] in 2022-23. My dream is to become a yoga therapist and I’m hoping to take the AHC and AYT trainings at MMI. I’m deeply appreciative of MM [satsang]”
– MMI Alum
"YTT 300 was the cherry on the top"
“It was by living at [the] center that the marinating happened, and Yoga & Ayurveda became a way of life for me through selfless service, study and lots of play…[YTT 300] was the cherry on the top of my entire experience at MMC! I’m so grateful for it. “
– MMI Alum
"Beyond incredible."
“Beyond incredible. I came into the program…with the feeling that I would never be able to learn how to teach these asanas, but I soon came to have faith through the well-thought-out and elegant ways they were presented…[A] great and inspiring weekend.”
– YTT Student
"MORE than I anticipated"
“The program is already MORE than I anticipated…Babaji’s influence, teachings, and all the staff are so devoted that I am grateful and privileged to be in this course with each and everyone on staff…”
– YTT Student
"This course is a precious gift."
“I hope you bring back more [virtual] classes…so I can continue this journey once I am done! This course is a precious gift. Thank you for creating and sustaining this offering. These weekends are so rich. I look forward to all the rest…”
– YTT Student
"gratitude for Mount Madonna"
“Such great gratitude for Mount Madonna and this training. I know I’m a part of something very special and so thankful for that“
– YTT Student
"impactful"
“Awesome weekend! Loving learning core asana poses and continuing to explore pranayama! I feel I am learning a lot and every class thus far has been impactful.“
– YTT Student
"back to myself"
“This program gave me the means to find my way back to myself.”
– YTT Student
"'reinstill' the stillness within"
“In reflection, YTT helped ‘reinstill’ the stillness within…”
– YTT Student
"my newly-found satsang"
“It was such a wonderful thing to collaborate and co-create in study, in practice, and with my newly-found satsang (company with those on the spiritual journey; those, “seeking truth”).”
– YTT Student
"led me to a place of inner knowing"
“Yoga Teacher Training exploded my world – in the most positive way! Walking hand-in-hand with a group of people, it led me to a place of inner knowing.”
– YTT Student
"so much more"
“All of the study and practice meant so much, yet especially in the Prāṇāyāma and Meditation practices – so much more than the āsana postures most equate with ‘Yoga’ – that I now know myself as a different and transformed person.”
– YTT Student
"deeper than I had imagined"
“This whole experience was such a ‘Svādhyāya‘ for me (a process of inner reflection and self-study) – much deeper than I had imagined. I now have an understanding of the teachings, and how they apply to my life, on a completely different level.”
– YTT Student
"the world needs these methods"
“To know that all the people I’ve met here will be taking these teachings out into the world is something I carry with me; I think the world needs these methods of creating peace within and without.”
– YTT Student
"I loved the modular format"
“I loved the modular format; not only did it allow me to integrate YTT into my current life – each long weekend, along with the mid-month meetings, became an anchor point to support me.”
– YTT Student
"helped me to find my own spiritual path"
“I am grateful, stronger, and more confident from the experience of this Yoga Teacher Training…the deep questions I was asked in the course of studying philosophy and in learning all the practices helped me to find my own spiritual path.”
– YTT Student
Information Sessions
Join us for an Online Information Session to learn about upcoming Yoga Programs.
More Information
Schedule a Call
Schedule a conversation with us, plan a personalized visit, or call our Admissions Counselor directly at (408) 846-4060.
FAQs Yoga
Frequently asked questions about our Yoga programs.
