Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga Teacher Program:
200- and 300-Hour Certifications
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Our Yoga Program Certifications prepare students to meet requirements for becoming a 200-hour and/or 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. In order to obtain and be approved for the Registered Yoga School (RYS) Certifications, listed below, the following must be performed:
- All program courses, students enroll and complete within the program, must be taught by an approved Registered Yoga Teacher (E -RYT) Instructor/Professor.
All San Diego Miramar College Instructors/Professors hold the required RYT credential. This is a Yoga Alliance mandatory requirement.
200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification

The Yoga Teacher 200-hour Certificate of Performance prepares students to meet the requirements to become a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. The program is thorough and comprehensive, including a broad background of yoga’s essential elements. This program includes history and philosophy, anatomy and physiology, proper sequencing, alignment principles, experience in a variety of yoga styles, and hands on practical experience. Our Yoga Program (200-hour) is completed in one semester. Please review the following:
200-Hour Yoga Program Course Sequence
200-Hour Step-by-Step Yoga Teacher Program
Yoga Teacher (RYS) 200 Hour Certification
Lead Faculty (200-Hour)
Kelly Morelewski - kmorelewski@sdccd.edu
Christina Cooper- ccooper@sdccd.edu
300-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification

The Yoga Teacher 300-hour Certificate of Achievement prepares students to meet the requirements to become a 500-hour registered yoga teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance. This advanced training is designed to build upon and deepen the trainee’s understanding of the fundamental concepts of teaching yoga obtained in the 200-hour Certificate of Performance. Specifically, this training will aid in enhancing one’s ability to cue alignment and anatomy, evaluate and analyze various levels of yoga classes, while obtaining essential and advanced yoga principles. Upon completing the 300-hour certification, one can combine this with his or her 200-hour certification to become a 500-hour RYT with Yoga Alliance. Please review the following:
300-Hour Yoga Program Course Sequence
Step-by-Step 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Program
Yoga Teacher (RYS) 300 Hour Certification
Lead Faculty (300-Hour)
Sofie Blicher - sblicher@sdccd.edu
Amore St Ives - astives@sdccd.edu
In order to enroll in the 300-hour Certification of Achievement Yoga Program, the applicant must have obtained his or her 200-hour RYT Certification (or equivalent).
Check this out -
SD Miramar Yoga YouTube Channel
Students may also be interested in the following Programs:
Exercise & Nutritional Sciences Program
Miramar jets Athletics - This summer, Miramar Jets Athletics, will be hosting Youth Basketball Camps in San Diego. These are affordable and high-quality basketball camps held at San Diego Miramar College.
This program’s related interest areas:
The Yoga Teacher program prepares its graduates for the following careers:
· Yoga studios
· Self-employment settings
· Hospitals
· Health industry
Certificates & Degrees
Approved - Registered Yoga School (RYS)
Yoga Teacher 200-hour Certificate of Performance
Yoga Teacher 300-hour Certificate of Achievement
- Yoga Teacher
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Certification will be able to:
- Design intelligently structured and sequenced yoga classes.
- Demonstrate appropriate teaching methodologies and effective communication skills while leading a varied group of yoga participants.
- Instruct appropriate progressions and regressions of yoga poses (asanas) to create a safe and effective multi-level class experience.
Students who complete the 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Certification will be able to:
- Evaluate the relevance of yogic philosophy and history to all levels of yoga practice and instruction.
- Demonstrate communication skills and use proper voice when leading various levels of yoga classes (beginning through advanced).
- Analyze various bodies in poses, demonstrate appropriate adjustments, and give alignment cues when necessary.
- Design asana sequences for all levels of yoga classes geared toward a wide variety of populations, demonstrating the ability to progress or regress a sequence to best serve the needs of participants.
- Obtain business principles, as it relates to business plans, operating a small business, and proper insurance and license policies.
Yoga Program Costs
Our Yoga Program Certifications prepare students to meet requirements for becoming a 200-hour and/or 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with Yoga Alliance.
SAVE THOUSANDS in comparison to other 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga Certification Programs!
Yoga Program - Certifications | Total Program Units x Cost Per Unit | Estimated Costs (California Residents) |
---|---|---|
200-Hour RYS Certification | 7 units x $46 | $400 (with fees) |
300-Hour RYS Certification | 12-15 units x $46 | $600 - 900 (with fees) |
Please see Financial Aid for more information for exact Program cost | Other fees (i.e. health fees, etc.) | |
Other costs to consider (not included) - transportation, textbooks, etc. |
Enrollment Fee
The current enrollment fee is $46.00 per unit. The enrollment fee is assessed on all students, including nonresidents.
Exemptions from the enrollment fee are available to students who qualify for one of the following:
- California College Promise Grant (CCPG)
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program (TANF)
- Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Program (SSI)
- General Assistance Program
- Indentured apprentices are exempt from enrollment fee for Apprenticeship Program classes only
- Special admission concurrently enrolled high school students
Additional Financial Aid may be available to students who qualify for assistance.
See Financial Aid for more information.
NONRESIDENT TUITION
As of Fall 2020, the nonresident tuition fee is $290 per unit. This fee is in addition to the enrollment and health fees, for students who are not residents of California for tuition purposes.
Residents of California are entitled to attend a community college by paying the community college enrollment fee. For complete details, go to Tuition & Fees and also refer to the Class Schedule.
Nonresidents must pay the enrollment fee plus nonresident tuition. For complete details, go to Tuition & Fees and also refer to the Class Schedule.
Get in touch
Get in touch
Meet Your Yoga Professors
Sofie Blicher - sblicher@sdccd.edu
Dual MS Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Science, E-RYT 500, CSCS
Yoga Professor - Sofie Blicher
My first memorable experience with yoga was when I travelled to Goa, India in 2007. I instantly was drawn to the body and mind connection that yoga provides and as I returned to Denmark (where I am from), I continued my journey with yoga. I evolved my understanding on the holistic human view as I completed my Bachelors in Psychomotor Therapy and Relaxation.
My whole life, I have always been very physically active, horseback riding, sports, and competitive swimming, and I managed to make it my living sharing the passion for movement as I became a fitness instructor, and have been enjoying motivating people for the last decade. Fitness and exercise became such a passion of mine that I decide to expand my knowledge and completed my dual masters degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Science at San Diego State University.
All through my time as a fitness instructor and student, yoga was always with me. As yoga was always my sacred space for a physical challenge and increased body awareness, I decided to share that joy with others, and I completed my 200 hours Yoga Alliance certificate. I am eager to help others become physically stronger with a deeper understanding of their body and mind connection.
I am currently teaching yoga activity classes and co-teach in the 300-hr yoga teacher training at Miramar College. Furthermore, I work for Kaiser Permanente as a Lifestyle Educator, teaching classes in healthy nutrition and exercise habits. Sharing the gift of health through physical activity, healthy nutrition and a deeper body and mind connection is what I live for. In my free time I enjoy spending time outside beach, hiking, running, and some weekend salsa dancing.
Christina Cooper - Ccooper@sdccd.edu
MS Exercise Physiology, RYT-500, E-RYT 200
Yoga Professor - Christina Cooper
Christina’s passion for health and wellness stems from her days competing in collegiate track and cross country. She learned invaluable lessons after suffering the physical and mental effects of over exercise and following strict training programs. Learning to listen to her body, instead of following a one size fits all approach to fitness, lead her to find her passion for Yoga.
Her yoga practice helped heal her mind and body, and the effects filtered into all aspects of her life. She was so inspired by the positive impact that yoga had on her wellbeing she decided to become an instructor. Christina completed her 200-hour certification in 2010 through Core Power Yoga, and has taught there ever since. In 2020 Christina completed her 300 Hour certification through Prana Yoga.
Recognized as a senior Yoga instructor in the San Diego community, she is passionate about sharing the mind body connection, relaxation and inner peace which a balanced exercise routine can foster. Christina holds a B.S. in Kinesiology – Public Health from California State University San Marcos; and a M.S. in Exercise Physiology from San Diego State University.
She is excited to share her knowledge in helping to create a balanced and sustainable yoga class for all fitness levels as well as her understanding of stress management and injury prevention.
Kelly Morelewski - Kmorelewski@sdccd.edu
M.A., RYT-500, E-RYT-200, CSCS, USAW, TRX, Alexander Method of SMR - Master Level
Yoga Professor - Kelly Morelewski
My entire life I have always been drawn to movement. There wasn't a time when I haven't been playing or involved in physical activity for work or fun. In 2001 completed my undergraduate degree at University of Idaho, where I played D-I basketball and majored in Sports Psychology; followed by my Masters in Kinesiology from Saint Mary's College of CA.
Since 2001, I have been working within the educational and fitness industries. I am finding that as my career has evolved, I too have grown and changed with it. I thrive on bringing in more education, recovery techniques, and advancement for all the various groups I'm involved with, which has created a full body care approach to all my work. In 2015, I deepened my journey, completing my yoga teacher training. Since then, I have been teaching yoga at studios, private settings, and in a classroom at the community college level.
I am very interested in the recovery side of training. Yoga for me is such a wonderful compliment. I use many self release techniques with both my clients and students. Many people do not know how to get their body functioning properly and the combination of yoga, SMR, and strength training has profound positive effects. I love what I do. Every day I wake up blessed I get to work with such amazing people and share with them this knowledge.
Currently at SD Miramar College, I am co-teaching the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Courses and Yoga activity courses in the Exercise Science Department. I also am an instructor in the Kinesiology department at Mira Costa College. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy time with my family (Husband Matt; Sons Jacob and Leo; Daughter Finnley) and long naps.
Career:
- 2001-2002 Intern Strength & Conditioning Coach; CSU Sacramento
- 2002-2003 Coach/Lecturer; CSU, Bakersfield
- 2003-2005 Strength & Conditioning Coach; Univ. Cal, Berkeley
- 2005-2008 Strength & Conditioning Coach; Stanford University
- 2008-20013 Assistant Director Strength & Conditioning/Lecturer; St. Mary's College of CA
- 2013-2017 The Garage; Own Personal Training/Yoga business
- 2014-Current Associate Professor; Mira Costa College
- 2015-2017 Adjunct Professor Grossmont College
- 2016-2017 Hot Yoga Santee
- 2017-Current Adjunct Professor; SD Miramar College
Amore St Ives - Astives@sdccd.edu
MS Organizational Management with an emphasis in Project Management, BS Interior Design, BA Psychology, Minor in Theatre Dance, E-RYT-500
Yoga Professor - Amore St Ives
Amore has the roots of the Pacific Northwest and the spirit of the Southern Coast. She spent many of her formative years exploring the healing powers of nature in Portland Oregon that initiated her love of untethered travel and learning. She went to school at The University California - San Diego, The Art Institute and Ashford University to follow her passion for people, movement and art. Currently she holds degrees in psychology, interior design, theatre dance and a Masters in management. In 2001 she served in the Peace Corps, Ghana Africa as a health and sanitation teacher to local villages. Upon returning from Africa Amore was diagnosed with two auto-immune diseases; ankylosing spondylitis and ulcerative colitis. This has only activated a deeper yearning to learn and share her experience and knowledge as a collective community of healing.
She continues to tap into her exploratory nature through her world travels, continuing education opportunities and yoga practice. She is E-RYT 500 yoga certified and plans to complete her doctorate in Ayurvedic medicine and philosophy. Over the past 10 years she has facilitated countless trainings, workshops and community events integrated in yoga, nutrition and whole life wellness. She has also worked as a manager for Corepower Yoga for 6 years, yoga therapist for Catalyst Physical Therapy for 2 years and a yoga educator leading a 300-hour advanced teacher training program in the exercise science department for Miramar College in San Diego, CA.
Her mission is to share the depths of connectivity and consciousness through the teachings of yoga to her students and beyond.
Hyelim Yoo - Hyoo@sdccd.edu
Ph.D. Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology, RYT-200
As a child who was raised among athletes, I have always loved playing sports and being physically active. Without hesitation, I studied Exercise Science for my undergraduate degree to gain more knowledge about human movement sciences. Then I went on to earn my Ph.D. degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology from Iowa State University. I have taught many courses in the field of Exercise Science. Throughout my education and career, I primarily focused on physical fitness, but truly felt there was a lack of connection and balance between the physical body and mind.
Then I started wondering how to heal the distressed body, while also thinking about how to reconnect the body and mind. One of the solutions that I found was the study of yoga. As I started to practice more yoga, my physical body was able to start to connect with my mind, and ultimately, find the balance in between. Since then, I have loved practicing yoga, which lead me to earn the 200-hour San Diego Miramar College Certification of Performance in Yoga and the 200-hr Yoga Alliance (RYT) Certificate to teach and spread the power of yoga to others.
Lastly, I love spending time with my husband and our three kids. I love spending time outdoors, on the beach and in the nature in our sunny San Diego. I currently teach yoga activity classes at San Diego Miramar College. I hope you join the great journey of yoga with me and the rest of our program.