300 Hour Teacher Training

This detailed course will begin with light review of 200-hour teacher training anatomy material and then move into in-depth study of fundamental areas of the body in application to a physical yoga practice. Topics include the hip/leg, axilla/scapula/rotator cuff, the pelvis/spine relationship, intra-abdominal pressure, Polyvagal Theory, and more. This knowledge will prepare students to dive into the fourth day of the course, an injury and special conditions study. The culmination of the first four days will be the final class, Introduction to Yoga Therapeutics. Yoga Therapeutics was popularized in the 20th century and tailor’s practices to the mental and physical health needs of the practitioners. This section of the course will include an overview of general therapeutics sequencing principals, therapeutics in group and private settings, assessing clients, using inclusive language, and more!

Mobility can be described as the amount of active capacity one has available to them in any given joint articulation.  To be mobile requires you to be strong in deeper ranges of motion.  Many conflate the word mobility with flexibility, however these two terms are quite different in their meaning and application.  Join Matt Phippen for a deep dive into all things mobility.  We will break down what it means, how to leverage it, and find ways of applying it to our Yoga practice.  

This deep dive into the yogic subtle body will explore detailed and nuanced subjects and practices to educate and invigorate both teaching and personal practices. The yogic subtle body is our unseen energetic self which consists of various pathways, energetic channels and portals that link our physical selves to our energetic body. This course will move beyond basic subtle body knowledge and technique toward more advanced knowledge, practice and skills. Diving deep into the subtle body is a wonderful way to connect deeply to one’s inner world in an effort to seek balance from the inside out.

Building on the tools you learn from the anatomy, functional mobility and subtle body modules, this course delves into proper alignment and making adjustments for your students physical needs. You will learn how to account for injuries and conditions that may limit student’s ability to practice certain kinds of poses and how to help them achieve the energetic goals of the shape through the use of modifications, props, physical adjustments and more.

Join Scott Hobbs as he brings together his vast experience with Iyengar and other yoga forms to teach you the proper techniques to adjust alignment in a safe and effective way. Learn when to make an adjustment, how to appropriately use physical touch, the use of verbal cueing, and the ultimate alignment goals of core postures.

The Vedic sciences encompass universal laws and principles of wholesome living that work together to heal the body, mind and soul. When we consider the Vedas, the Ayurvedic diet is most familiar to modern yogis as a tool for achieving health and wellness in our bodies. But the power of the Vedic lifestyle extends far beyond food, to provide a path for finding balance, joy, and prosperity in every aspect of our physical, mental, and spiritual lives.

Join Dr Ashwin Kumar on this journey into self discovery as you learn the history and techniques for understanding your body, mind, and soul, and how to take care of your whole being. Topics will include Vastu, the flow of energy and use of space, the use of Tantra and Yoga to provide balance in your daily routine, understanding the mythology and application of Jyotish (Vedic astrology), understanding your unique mind/body constitution, and much more. You will come away from this series with practical tools and a personal care plan for bringing together the Vedic principals to create your unique daily routine for wellness, happiness, and prosperity.

The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as The Gita, is an epic scripture that is part of the Mahabharata. This beautifully written tale is part of some of the oldest yogic texts studied today. With themes that explore the nature of Self, higher powers, and the world. The Gita has roused numerous views and commentaries on many subjects including, duty, family, war and life purpose. This narrative text is rich with parables and wisdom that discuss questions debated by both ancient and contemporary cultures, and includes teaching on several branches of yoga including Karma, Bhakti, Jnana, and Raja yoga. 

Immerse yourself in the study of this ancient text for a deeper understanding of the heart of yoga and it’s many philosophies.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is the classical ancient Indian treatise on the practice of Yoga. While Yoga conjures up images of bodily postures and stretches in popular western culture, this aspect of yoga, the asanas, is only the third limb of the eight limbs outlined in the Yoga Sutras — and, indeed, Patanjali pays only passing attention to this aspect of the system. 

This series will focus on the second Pada, or chapter, of this ancient text. The second Pada centers around the practice of yoga including the Eight Limbs of Yoga, which outline the step by step methods for attaining this enlightened state. Attention will be paid to the pre-modern commentaries of the text, thus exposing students to the traditional understanding of the practice of classical Yoga and its goals.

Join Edwin Bryant for a much anticipated and rare in person lecture at our La Cienega Plaza studio for two back to back days of study. Two zoom lectures will be hosted after the in studio classes to wrap the series up.

Breath is the gateway to unlock the energetic pathways in our body. It can be used to heat, cool, nourish, release hormones, and much more. The Sutras describe pranayama as having certain characteristics such as the length and location of the inhalation, exhalation, retention, and position of the body; but like asana the practice, application and purpose of certain techniques were meant to be handed down from teacher to student.

In this series we will focus on many pranayama methods and sequences. We will explore how breath can be used on its own to control our mind and our energetic body and how to use breath combined with the asana practice.

In these clinics you will learn advanced teaching technics. Taught by Laetitia, Sara, and Laura who will bring in guest instructors for specialized instruction. Clinics include advanced postures where you will explore how to work with students to practice advanced arm balances, inversions, flying poses and more. The advanced sequencing clinic will build on the basic sequencing techniques learned in the 200HR program. This clinic will teach you to account for and incorporate therapeutics, functional mobility, subtle body, Vedic principles, and more to create more enriching classes. Finally the advanced use of props clinic, taught by Scott Hobbs, will help you to understand and incorporate the use of many different kinds of props to make your classes and sequencing more accessible to people of all skill levels and physical abilities.

Most of us have tried different kinds of yoga practices, or at least heard of them and been curious, so in this program we branch out beyond the familiar vinyasa practice, to gain a better knowledge and understanding of several of the different ways to practice yoga.

Each course includes an overview of the background, philosophy and purpose of the practice from a high level trainer within each tradition. This introduction is followed by a practice of that particular method giving you not only an academic understanding but also a physical understanding of the technique.

Practices include Sound Healing, Somatic Breath Work, Bhakti Yoga, Kirtan, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Yin.

Creating a successful workshop can be complicated. Of course the topic has to be enticing for the audience you hope to attract but thats only the beginning.

In this seminar you will learn how to choose your audience, content, location, promotional channels and more. From simple but fun inversion workshops at your primary studio to more personalized workshops that you create to promote to other studios, we will discuss all of the practical considerations as well as the many pitfalls to avoid along the way.

Many instructors find teaching private clients to be both personally and financially rewarding. While, private clients can offer a nice source of income, there are some key things to understand about teaching one on one or in a small group setting.

Join Sara Blowers as she explores the many facets of finding and maintaining private clients. This seminar will include discussion on how to manage the interpersonal dynamics of a private client, how to set boundaries for your time, how and where to safely meet and assess a new client, how to set a fair expectation for payment and much more.

Yoga retreats can be a great source of extra income for many instructors, but they can also lose a lot of money and end in disaster. This course builds on the 200HR level Business of Yoga, taking a look at the practical side of developing and leading yoga retreats.

This seminar will focus on the practical side of leading a retreat from pre retreat planning, managing content, vendors and participants during the retreat, and post retreat follow-up. You will get an introduction to topics like finding your audience, developing content, selecting a location, budgeting, legal and liability considerations and much more.

Whether you are teaching full time in studios or wanting to branch out on your own, setting up and managing your social media is an important component of the modern yoga world.

In this seminar we will look at how to build and use your website to create the basis for your brand and teaching style. We will discuss leveraging social media to build traffic to your site and generate demand for your offerings, and much more. Your online presence can help ensure that your classes, workshops, retreats and other offerings are filled and profitable and we will discuss how to manage it in an ethical way.

Originally from Iowa, Laura began her yoga journey in her home city, Ames, in 2006. Laura’s yoga practice began with physical curiosity, injury management, and a love for deep breaths. As the practice deepened, she found the mental clarity, spiritual, and emotional growth that grounded her into developing a life long love for yoga. After receiving a BFA from the University of Illinois, Laura moved to Los Angeles and began her yoga teacher trainings. She received her 200 hour certification from Yogaworks in 2014, and continued her teaching education to receive her 300 hours through Yogaworks in 2016. After teaching public and private classes around Los Angeles for 8 years, Laura found a home at Red Diamond Yoga. Laura teaches yoga to help each practitioner find balance from the inside out. She enjoys teaching bi-annual Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings and 200 and 300hr Trainings at Red Diamond. When not in the practice room, you can find Laura experimenting in the kitchen, day dreaming about plants, and cuddling with her puppy Kiwi. 

Sara became devoted to yoga on a trip to India in 2008. The teachings of the Guru from Sri Ved Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh led her to a new level of peace she’d never known before. When she returned to the states she began practicing at Yoga to the People in San Francisco and did her first 200hr there. She taught for YTTP in New York and ended up training with Sri Dharma Mittra for her 500hr certification in 2012. Dharmas Life of a Yogi training deepened her understanding of and commitment to yoga. Since Dharma’s she’s done another 500 hours of certified training. Through it all the practice of yoga has continued to be a life raft in the sea of uncertainty and changing currents. A life raft of remembering that we are the soul, the witness. When she teaches, Sara aims to guide her students into a closer relationship with their bodies, breath, minds and ultimately the human birthright of deep inner peace. 

Edwin Bryant

Edwin Bryant received his Ph.D in Indic languages and Cultures from Columbia University, where his thesis culminated in his first book: The Quest for the Origins of Vedic Culture (Oxford University Press, 2001). He taught Hinduism at Harvard University for three years, and is presently the professor of Hinduism at Rutgers University where he teaches courses on Hindu philosophy and religion. He has received numerous awards and fellowships, published eight books, and authored a number of articles on the earliest origins of the Vedic culture, yoga philosophy, and the Krishna tradition. These include a Penguin World Classics translation of the story of Krishna’s incarnation, from its traditional source the Śrīmad Bhāgavata Purāṇa.

Ashwin Kumar

Dr. Ashwin is an Ayurvedic physician and consultant of applied Vedic sciences, Spiritual Teacher of Vedic Kriya and Hatha Yoga & Meditation, with over two decades of experience. He regularly consults domestically and internationally to individuals and their families, families of influence, business and civic leaders on understanding and achieving their personal and professional best as well as resolving their complex health and wellness challenges.

Ashwin specializes in women’s and family health, Nadi Pariksha or pulse diagnosis, and marma therapy  (accupressure or energy points).  Nadi Pariksha is an ancient Ayurvedic technique of diagnosis through the pulse. It can accurately diagnose bodily imbalances as well as the diseases and disorders.  It is a non- invasive science that enables to reach the root cause of health issues and not just address the symptoms.

Gwen Yeager

Gwen Yeager-Stofko (E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, YACEP) (she, her) is a certified yoga therapist, Hatha yoga teacher, and teacher trainer. 

Her style therapeutically explores the relationship between body, breath, and mind, blending classical yoga and functional movement — consideration for the way human bodies are designed to move. Gwen’s trainings in Yoga Tune Up®, Iyengar yoga, subtle body, and mat Pilates inspire her teaching.