INSTITUTE
Expand Your Knowledge of Yoga
at Mount Madonna, California
Foundational
Yoga Studies
In-Person Intensive
Yoga Teacher Training 200 Hours
Whether you are a serious student or certified yoga teacher, this Yoga Teacher Training 200-hour program is designed to expand your knowledge of the theory and practices of Classical Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed path). The unique educational experience includes 29 days and 28 nights on a serene mountaintop in Northern California, conveniently located in close proximity to Santa Cruz, Monterey, Silicon Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area. With stunning views of the Monterey Bay, the campus features miles of hiking trails that wind through tranquil meadows and majestic redwood forests.
Guided and supported by a faculty of over 30 teachers, the 200-hour level training serves to systematically develop and enhance your understanding of Yoga. You will develop skills for teaching a well-rounded beginners level yoga class. Advanced techniques and theories are explored in many of our specialty classes. This course is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in an intense discipline to begin or to deepen a personal practice.
Our 200-hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training focuses primarily on the systems of Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga (path of balance) and the methods taught include shat karma (purification methods), mudra (symbolic gestures), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, and asana (postures).
The foundational theory that supports these practices is taught through classes on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Samkhya Philosophy, basic principles of Ayurveda, subtle body theory, anatomy, and physiology. Teaching methodology, or how to share this ancient knowledge, is woven throughout the program.
Mount Madonna Institute has been a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School (RYS) since 2002 and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
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
Apprenticeship:
June 9-12, 2025
Program:
June 12-July 11, 2025
The admissions window has not yet opened. Stay updated on important dates for the Summer 2025 program.
Tuition
Estimated Total with Early Bird discount: $1,800
See full details below.
See our 2025 Catalog
More Information
For more information regarding our programs and admissions, please email us at info@mountmadonna.org or call (408) 846-4060.
Our Campus
The Learning Environment
Northern California
Overlooking Monterey Bay
The Mount Madonna campus is centrally located in California, with close proximity to Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz, and Monterey, and near to the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
The property features miles of beautiful walking or jogging trails through redwood forests and serene meadows with magical sunset viewing points and clear skies for stargazing.
Summer Intensive Program
In-Person Training Sample Schedule
| Opening Day | |
|---|---|
| 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Arrival and Registration |
| 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm | Dinner |
| 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Opening Circle |
| Mondays - Saturdays | |
| 5:30 am – 6:30 am | Shat Karma Practice |
| 6:30 am – 8:30 pm | Pranayama and Meditation |
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Breakfast |
| 9:30 am – 11:00 am | Theory Class |
| 11:00 pm – 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 |
| 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm | Dinner |
| 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm | Theory Class |
| Sundays | |
| 5:30 am – 6:30 am | Shat Karma Practice |
| 6:30 am – 8:30 am | Pranayama and Meditation |
| Rest of the Day Free | |
| 8:30 am – 9:30 am | Breakfast |
| 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch |
| 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm | Dinner |
| Pacific Time Zone | *Sample - Daily schedule may vary |
Tuition & Fees
Estimated total does not include meals and lodging. Your meals and lodging cost is based upon your housing selection and length of stay.
in-person ytt 200 hr summer intensive
Tuition Only (includes book fee*)
$2,000
Early Bird DiscountValid until April 1, 2025
-$200
Total Academic Charges Early Bird Discount Applied
$1,800
Deposit (due at time of registration**)
$250
*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.
in-person ytt 200 hr summer intensive tuition, accommodations, & meals based on lodging options (28 nights)
Commuting
$3,073
Own tent or vehicle
$3,465
Dormitory (4 per room)
$4,445
Triple (3 per room)
$--.--
Double (2 per room)
$5,229
Single
$5,817
Studying Affordably
Financial Aid opportunities for your education
- Alumni Discount: Ask us about our Alumni Discount when you submit your application.
- Scholarship: Check the scholarship box on your application.
- Payment Plans: Available to all students. Talk to an admissions counselor for more information!
Yoga Faculty & Staff
Anand Brian
Darsie, BA,
E-RYT 500
Kathy
Páez,
E-RYT 500
Jen Rand,
MA,
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.
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 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
Open House & Info Sessions
Join us for an In-Person Open House or an Online Information Session to learn about upcoming Yoga & Ayurveda Programs.
More Information
Contact Us
For more information regarding our programs and admissions, please email us at info@mountmadonna.org or call (408) 846-4060.
FAQs Yoga
Frequently asked questions about our Yoga programs.
