Mark Stephens literally wrote the book on yoga teacher training.  I practiced with him for four years before enrolling in his 200-hour training program. This training enriched my own practice and enabled me to begin teaching public classes in several locations in Santa Cruz County.

The training is deeply informed and comprehensive on all matters yoga.  The material is presented in a masterful sequence of classes supported by readings, demonstrations, practice and more practice, and challenging dialogs with Mark and all the students.  While presenting vinyasa yoga in detail, Mark adroitly uses his broad experiential understanding of many other yoga styles to provide their strengths to his students, too.

The initial training topics range from yoga philosophy, to anatomy, to specific poses and modifications, sequencing of poses, practice teaching, yoga for specific medical conditions and much more.  Also included is instruction on the elements required for a teaching career.   He frequently meets with each student about their unique needs and own opportunities to make the most of the teacher training.

This solid introduction to yoga teaching is supplemented by required courses on sequencing, hands-on adjustments, pre- and post-natal yoga, and two intensive apprenticeships in a classroom with an experienced yoga teacher.  In addition, Mark requires 16 hours of elective classes carefully chosen to advance the student’s own yoga teaching interests and abilities.

Moreover, Mark understands yoga teaching as a community of yogis.  Mark structures the training to bring students together to assist and encourage each other.  My classmates became my friends who continue to inform and encourage my yoga practice and teaching.  Mark offers himself as part of this community of yoga professionals to all his students.