Many yoga teacher trainings emphasize memorizing poses, sequencing flows, and completing required hours. At Shanti, our approach centers on how yoga actually functions in real bodies and real lives. We integrate classical yogic philosophy with modern science, somatic awareness, trauma-informed teaching, and nervous system education so that what you learn is not merely theoretical — it is lived, practiced, and embodied.

In this program, trauma-informed does not mean clinical. It means deeply respectful of nervous systems. You will learn how stress and emotional experience shape the body, and how breath, movement, pacing, and presence can support regulation and safety.

Somatic practice means learning from the inside out. We prioritize sensation, breath, and awareness over performance. This allows you to guide others in a way that honors autonomy, consent, and choice — creating classes that feel steady, intelligent, and supportive rather than overwhelming.

Early Commitment Tuition: $3,500
Available to the first 5 students who pay in full, or until May 1 — whichever comes first.

Full Tuition: $3,800
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot. The remaining balance may be paid in four installments of $825.

Tuition covers the full 200-hour curriculum, including four immersive Intensive weekends, four Integration weekends, and monthly Teaching Labs designed to refine real teaching skill.

Students complete structured observation, written analysis, a comprehensive lab manual, open-note assessments, and a capstone teaching experience. Personalized feedback and mentorship are woven throughout the program.

Tuition also includes unlimited studio membership from September through April (a $1,200+ value), allowing trainees to remain deeply immersed in their personal practice while completing the training.

Enrollment is limited to 17 students to preserve depth, rigor, and individualized support.

Because the Yoga Alliance functions as a voluntary registry rather than a legal licensing body, and because it does not enforce ongoing standards or verify curriculum quality, we have chosen to remain independent. We prioritize a training structure grounded in integrity, embodied practice, and robust pedagogy — not simply a checklist of hours. Many experienced teachers and studios do not rely on Yoga Alliance registration, and we honor those diverse paths while offering training that reflects real-world teaching competence and embodiment.

The size of this training group is kept intimate (no more than 17 students) so that each individual receives the time and attention needed to learn.

Katie Kelly (She/Her) RN, BSN, HN-BC, NASM-CPT, E-CYT

Katie Kelly is the founder of Shanti Yoga and the lead guide for this teacher training. With over 1000 hours of training, 15 years of teaching experience, and more than a decade of studio ownership, Katie brings a rare blend of depth, humility, and real-world leadership into everything she offers. Her path has included traditional ashram-based yoga training in India, years of devoted personal practice, and extensive study in anatomy, somatics, and trauma-informed care.

In addition to her work as a yoga teacher and mentor, Katie is a Registered Nurse and Board-Certified Holistic Nurse, which means this training is grounded not only in ancient wisdom but in a deep understanding of the nervous system, physiology, and mental health. Her background also includes certifications in yoga therapy, pre- and postnatal yoga, and personal training through NASM, allowing her to bridge movement, medicine, and mindfulness in a way that is both intuitive and evidence-based.

Katie’s teaching is known for being warm, inclusive, and deeply human. She believes yoga should meet people where they are — in their bodies, their stories, and their nervous systems — and she trains teachers to do the same. This YTT is not about creating replicas of her teaching style, but about helping each student discover their own authentic voice, rooted in clarity, compassion, and embodied wisdom.

This training is rooted in strong, intelligent, and accessible Hatha yoga — the foundation from which all modern styles emerge. You will develop a deep, embodied understanding of posture, breath, and alignment that allows you to teach across many expressions of yoga, including Flow, Restorative, Yin, Hot and therapeutic or adaptive practices.

We also dedicate a portion of the training to exploring and understanding a wide range of yoga styles, including Flow, Restorative, Yin, Nidra and other therapeutic approaches. You’ll learn how each style is structured, what it offers the nervous system and the body, and how to skillfully apply the principles you’re learning to teach these practices with clarity, safety, and adaptability. This ensures you graduate not limited by one format, but equipped to meet students wherever they are.

Rather than training you in a single rigid style, we focus on the principles beneath the poses — how bodies move, how breath supports stability, and how nervous systems respond to sensation and stress. This gives you the confidence to adapt any style of yoga for any body, making your teaching both creative and inclusive, while staying rooted in safety, integrity, and presence.

Yes, a full unlimited membership is included during the duration of your YTT program. ($1,264 in savings!)