Yoga Student Immersion

Part 1: Deepening Your Personal Practice

This five-weekend immersion forms the first half of our Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training for those who are interested in becoming teachers.

Rooted in the philosophy, practices, history, and mythology of yoga, this immersion is designed to help you deepen your understanding and embody the teachings, creating a rich and personal foundation for your to build your practice.

Through this immersion, you’ll cultivate a more integrated and authentic personal practice and attune not only to your own unique needs and constitution, but also to those of your kula (community), offering the invaluable opportunity to learn from the diverse expressions, experiences, and patterns of others in the group.

The immersion is more than content, it’s about embodiment.

Apply for Fall 2026
Apply for Fall 2026

Teacher Development

Part 2: The Art & Skill of Teaching Yoga

Our Yoga Teacher Development Program forms the second half of our Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training.

The Student Immersion is a prerequisite to attend the Teacher Development Program as it makes up the first half of our training.

In this five-weekend program plus final graduation weekend, we shift our focus from personal embodiment to the art and skill of teaching. This phase is where your voice as a teacher begins to emerge, supported by practical tools, ongoing mentorship, and deep study.

This portion of the training equips you with the methodologies, language, and presence needed to guide others. You’ll learn to craft meaningful sequences, teach with clarity and confidence, and translate yogic wisdom into accessible, resonant themes. Building on the foundation of your own practice, you’ll begin to step forward in service of others.

You’ll be supported in an environment that encourages feedback, creativity, and experimentation, while honoring the ethical responsibility and required inner work that comes with teaching yoga.

Apply for Fall 2026
Apply for Fall 2026

Student Immersion Curriculum

    • Introduction to key Indian philosophical systems: Samkhya, Tantra, and Classical Yoga

    • Core teachings from the Bhagavad Gita

    • Historical development of modern postural yoga (MPY)

    • Exploration of the many paths of yoga (jnana, karma, bhakti, raja)

    • Detailed breakdowns of foundational postures including:

      • Twists

      • Forward folds

      • Backbends

      • Lateral bends

      • Arm balances

      • Inversions

      • and individual alignment considerations

    • Introduction to our anatomically informed alignment system and how it supports diverse bodies

    • How physical practice relates to subtle anatomy, breath, and inner awareness

    • Daily breath practices (e.g., Ujjayi, Sama Vritti, Nadi Shodhana)

    • Meditation techniques 

    • Introduction to bandhas and their role in breath and meditation

    • Developing personal PY, meditation, mantra practice

    • Introduction to chakras, nadis, vayus, kundalini, and koshas

    • Assessing individual vayus in self and others & practices to support each vayu

    • Integration of mudras and bandhas as energetic tools

    • Introduction to doshas, prakruti/vikruti, and the five elements

    • Dinacharya (daily routine) and yogic lifestyle tools for balance

    • The 20 gunas, ojas, agni, and other key concepts

    • understanding how to support your prakruti and vikruti through asana, pranayama, meditation 

    • Stories of deities like Shiva, Shakti, Hanuman, Lakshmi, Vishnu, and more

    • Understanding of deities as qualities within the self

    • Using mythology to embody deeper meaning in practice

    • Sanskrit pronunciation and invocations

    • Reflective journaling, small group discussions, and personal inquiry woven throughout

    • Continued exploration of the question: “What is yoga?”

    • Emphasis on living the practice, not just learning about it

Teacher Development Curriculum

    • Learn to sequence from anatomical and energetic understanding

    • Using wave theory to build classes that follow a logical progression

    • Various styles such as peak pose sequencing

    • Effective cueing based on clarity and precision

    • Accessible language for diverse bodies, needs, and learning styles

    • Finding your authentic teaching voice

    • Giving verbal assists that are rooted in consent and clarity

    • Techniques for guiding breath and meditation in a class setting

    • Teaching short breath or meditation practices

    • How to craft authentic themes from philosophy, mythology, and personal insight

    • Tools to weave themes subtly and skillfully throughout class

    • Ways to translate complex teachings into digestible pieces

    • Continued study of yoga philosophy from a teaching context

    • Small group teaching labs with real-time feedback

    • Opportunities to create and teach full-length classes

    • Self-assessment, reflection and refinement

    • Ongoing journaling and self-inquiry to support your growth

    • Exploring your unique teaching philosophy and strengths

    • Guidance on the business of yoga including: teaching opportunities, insurance, and more

    • Honoring the path of the teacher as a lifelong practice of learning

  • Doing this training with Rebekah and Ashley was the best decision I made for myself in a long time. I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted from it, but knew I wanted to learn whatever they had to teach. Every time I stepped into the studio I felt curious, challenged, and most importantly, embraced. It’s clear that they put so much thought and intention into how the program is organized, and the curriculum felt very well-rounded. I was so afraid to teach, but they provided the skills and safety I needed to face the challenge. Did I mention the group they gathered? I love my YTT fam so much and I couldn’t be more grateful for all of it.
    — Jenni H.

  • I entered the Upaya teacher training program with a vague set of expectations of learning technical postural strategies, and left enriched on a much deeper level. The technical aspects were certainly present, but were accompanied by a thorough grounding in the philosophy and history of yoga, intricate explanations of applied energetics inherent in the practice, and practical methodologies for building meaningful classes to share with our future students. The teachers embody the values they taught us. That honest, from the heart aspect came through in every weekend of education. Being present in such a meticulously curated container allowed us the students to fully relax into the experience, and created a deep sense of camaraderie amongst the cohort. I wholeheartedly recommend the program.
    — Jared W.

  • It is a rare thing to realize you are in the middle of a life changing experience. That is precisely what happened during my time in the Upaya studio. Rebekah and Ashley expertly distill their decades of experience and wisdom into something accessible, allowing you to assimilate the traditions of millennia into your present-day routines. There is so much more than yoga offered here. You will find precisely what you need in this moment of your journey while having the support and guidance to begin integrating what you discover.
    — Chris G.

Fall 2026 Schedule

Student Immersion

Dates Coming Soon!

Teacher Development

Dates Coming Soon!

Investment

Full Program: $3000
Includes enrollment in and tuition for the Student Immersion and Teacher Development Program, which make up our Level 1 Yoga Teacher Training.
Deposit: $500

Student Immersion Only: $1400
Deposit: $250

Early Bird: Save $200 on the Full Program or $100 on the Student Immersion when you apply before 6/15

Apply for the Fall 2026 Cohort
Apply for the Fall 2026 Cohort

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The student immersion is a stand-alone program designed for students to deepen their personal practice and begin their philosophical yogic studies and to deepen the studentship of future teachers.

  • Those interested in becoming teachers will need to attend the Student Immersion which makes up first half of our teacher training program, prior to the Teacher Development Program.

    In order to receive a 200-hour certificate (Level 1 American Yoga Council Certification) both the Student Immersion and Teacher Development Program are required.

  • We welcome students of all levels and required at least 3 months of practice with one of our lead teachers prior to enrolling.

    While some familiarity with asana and meditation is helpful, you don’t need an established personal, at-home practice.

    You’ll be supported in developing one throughout the training. Most importantly, bring a genuine interest and curiosity to explore the depth of yoga.

  • Yes, we offer flexible payment plans to accommodate different financial situations. Please contact us for more information on payment options.

  • We always recommend that students pursue deeper studies with a teacher they resonate with and have practiced with before.

    Whether we know each other or not, if you have a passion for yoga, a curious mind, a sense of humor and humility, and a desire to deepen your practice physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, you’ll fit right in here!

    We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and experiences who are ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation through yoga.

  • After completing our full Teacher Training Program (Student Immersion and Teacher Development) you will be able to register with the American Yoga Council as a Level 1 Certified Yoga Teacher.

    If you enroll in the Student Immersion only and do not continue on with the teacher training, you will be able to register with the American Yoga Council as a Certified Yoga Practitioner, provided you meet their experience standards.

    As of 2026, we are not longer registered with Yoga Alliance as we believe the American Yoga Council’s standards better support yoga students, teachers, and schools.

Meet Your Teachers

  • Rebekah Boatrite

    LEAD TEACHER | CO-FOUNDER

    I’m a dedicated yoga student, CYT Level 3 with American Yoga Council, teacher trainer, and co-founder of Upaya School of Yoga with over 15 years of yoga experience, a decade of which I’ve spent teaching.

    I began my studies in the Anusara lineage, but these days, I consider myself a “yoga mutt,” continuing to learn from various teachers including Jason Crandell, Rod Stryker, Tiffany Cruikshank, Tias Little, among others.

    My spiritual roots are grounded in non-dual Śaiva-Śākta Tantra, a tradition that sees the sacred as inseparable from everyday life. My studies also extend beyond Tantra through ongoing study with Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies and Yogic Studies, where I’m currently completing advanced coursework.

    All of this informs how I practice, how I live, and how I teach, inviting deeper listening, a sense of curiosity, and a more intimate connection to one’s own experience, both on and off the mat.

  • Ashley Van Dyne

    LEAD TEACHER | CO-FOUNDER

    I am an E-RYT 500 yoga teacher and certified Ayurvedic Health Counselor with over a decade of experience sharing the healing practices of yoga and Ayurveda. I completed both my 200- and 300-hour trainings under Jillian Glikbarg, with additional studies in the Tantric Hatha tradition with Rod Stryker. My Ayurvedic education was rooted in the Shakti School, where I studied under Katie Silcox, Mary Thompson, Brooke Sullivan, and many other inspiring teachers.

    I specialize in women’s health and wellness, offering a holistic approach that integrates yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, breathwork, and Yoga Nidra. My teachings are designed to support students in reconnecting with their most vibrant, balanced, and joyful selves.

    Learn more about Ashley

  • Mary Santangelo

    TEACHING ASSISTANT | SUPPORTING FACULTY

    A devoted student for over two decades, I am a 200-hour certified yoga teacher with over 320 hours of continuing education. My studies are rooted in the non-dual Tantric tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, a householder path which encourages us to transmute our daily life experiences into spiritual nourishment. 

    Learn more about Mary

Apply Now

Apply for the Fall 2026 Cohort
Apply for the Fall 2026 Cohort