Roots & River 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Directed by Tara Lemerise and Machelle Lee, with guest presenter, Rebecca Henry
10 Weekends + Some Wednesday Evenings, December 9, 2023 - June 23, 2024

You are invited to join us in a transformative experience of studying the self in wholeness. Yoga is a gateway to depth and meaning and we are on a soul’s journey. The Roots & River 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) is an academically and spiritually designed curriculum that promotes and preserves the ancient wisdom and traditions of yoga while honoring and cultivating the application for the modern yogi.

Program directors and lead teachers, Tara Lemerise and Machelle Lee, have more than 50 years of combined yoga teaching experience and have curated a comprehensive program from their decades of personal practice and in-depth study. The Roots and River 200 Hour YTT curriculum meets and exceeds the requirements for yoga teacher certification and registration with the Yoga Alliance.  The learning environment includes lecture, on-the-mat practices, practical teaching experience, group discussion, and interactive activities. Although several yoga asana modalities and lineages will be explored, the emphasis is on well-rounded beginner, gentle and flow based Hatha Yoga with emphasis on Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga practices.

This life-friendly program will meet in-person for 10 weekends (Saturday and Sunday) over 7 months from December 2023-June 2024, with several Wednesday evening online Book Clubs from 7:30-8:30pm via Zoom.

Through a scientifically informed and spiritually relevant East meets West approach, you will:

  • Increase your knowledge of the elements of a well-rounded yoga practice including yoga poses, fundamental yoga history and philosophy, basic pranayama (breath/energy) and meditation techniques.

  • Explore the subtler energies from the perspectives of the wisdom traditions of Yoga and Chinese Medicine and how to apply their principles through asana, pranayama, and meditation to deepen your experiences and to teach them effectively.

  • Read and discuss translations of ancient texts to understand yoga’s roots and reveal their relevance to the modern yogi.

  • Study musculoskeletal anatomy in order to understand possible variations in people’s structures so you can sequence classes in a bio-mechanically sound and safe way.

  • Familiarize yourself with the functions of the nervous system and basic neuroscience to apply yoga principles for self-regulation and trauma informed approaches to teaching.

  • Discuss applications of yoga through a psychological lens for mental and emotional health and wellbeing.

  • Plan creative, authentic classes that inspire, empower, and educate your personal practice and your students.

  • Learn and become a part of a vibrant community-based studio with passionate teachers and fellow students who inspire and support each other.

  • Discover your ability to take the seat of the teacher with confidence and integrity.

This 200 Hour YTT is for…

  • Dedicated students who wish to deepen their personal practice through immersion.

  • Those who want to broaden their base of yoga tradition, science, and psychology to inform  their personal practice or yoga teaching

  • Those who wish to become certified yoga teachers and eligible to register with Yoga Alliance.

  • Clinicians who want to incorporate yoga, meditation, spirituality, lifestyle practices, or breathwork into their practice.

Faculty  

Tara Lemerise - E-RYT 500, YACEP, Program Co-Director, Primary Faculty

Tara Lemerise began studying yoga asana and yoga philosophy in 1999 while pursuing a degree in philosophy and comparative religion at American University. Registered with Yoga Alliance at E-RYT-200/RYT-500, she has been teaching yoga since 2005 and considers herself as a well-travelled guide on the path, not an authoritarian who promises all of the right answers. She believes there is nothing to "fix" with yoga. Instead, there are only more opportunities to understand and be more fully present to our separate and together experiences of being embodied. From handstands to savasana and everything in between, Tara teaches the time-honored philosophy and practice of yoga in an accessible and joyful way with clear and helpful instructions to students of all levels. Tara's students describe her teaching as offered with dogma-free authenticity in harmony with honor for tradition, inspired by relatable stories rooted in yoga tradition that feel relevant to everyday life. She directs a thriving and welcoming online yoga community with students from all over the US. You will also find her leading in-person Restorative Yoga weekend retreats and workshops, teacher training, and continuing education programs for yoga teachers. Learn more at www.TaraLemeriseYoga.com

Machelle Lee, MA, E-RYT 500, CMT, YACEP: Program Co-Director, Primary Faculty

Founder of Roots & River Yoga, Machelle is a certified and registered yoga instructor and massage therapist who has earned a master’s degree in mythology and depth psychology. Since 1991 Machelle has led therapeutic movement and hatha yoga classes and workshops, demonstrating the complementary intersection of yoga asana and ancient Five Element Chinese Meridian Theory as a form of self acu-pressure/acu-tension. Machelle weaves anatomy, modern psychology, neurobiology, physiology, and poetry through Yin Yoga and flow-based practices in a creative and grounded approach to self-development. Machelle has led thousands of students in yoga classes and workshops both domestically and abroad and believes that the yoga practice is personal and uniquely assessable to enhance the life of anyone. With compassion, humor, and the ability to keenly witness, Machelle is honored to guide students toward reaching their potential - personally and as yoga teachers. 

The Roots & River 200 Hour YTT Dates and Times

This life friendly schedule meets for 10 in-person weekends on Saturdays and Sundays.
There are also ten (10) Wednesday night online book clubs from 7:30-8:30pm and ten (10) community classes for practice teaching and feedback.

In-Studio/In-Person Training Dates

  • Weekend 1: Sat/Sun, December 9th, 2023 (12:00pm-6:00pm) and 10th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 2: Sat/Sun, January 6th, 2024 (12:00pm-6:00pm) and 7th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 3: Sat/Sun, January 27th, 2024 (12:00pm-6:00pm) and 28th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 4: Sat/Sun, February 17th, 2024 (12:00pm-6:00pm) and 18th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 5: Sat/Sun, March 16th, 2024 (12:00pm-6:00pm) and 17th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 6: Sat/Sun, April 6th, 2024 (12:00-6:00pm) and 7th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 7: Sat/Sun, April 27th, 2024 (10:30am-6:00pm) and 28th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 8: Sat/Sun, May 4th, 2024 (10:30am-6:00pm) and 5th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 9: Sat/Sun, June 8th, 2024 (10:30am-6:00pm) and 9th (12:00pm-5:30pm)

  • Weekend 10: Sat/Sun, June 22nd, 2024 (10:30am-6:00pm) and 23rd (12:00pm-5:30pm)

Wednesday Night Virtual Book Clubs

Facilitated by Tara Lemerise, the group will explore relevant themes from the required reading. Participants should plan to attend each week for the livestream discussion. Recordings and a written assignments will be offered as an alternative to attendance on a case-by-case basis.

Book Club will meet LIVE from 7:30-8:30pm on the following Wednesday dates:

Bhagavad Gita Book Club

  • Wednesday, January 10th (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, January 17th (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, January 24th (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, January 31st (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, February 7th (7:30-8:30pm)

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Book Club

  • Wednesday, February 28th (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, March 6th (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, March 13th (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, March 20th (7:30-8:30pm)

  • Wednesday, March 27th (7:30-8:30pm)

Community Classes - Practice Teaching and Feedback

These classes give participants the opportunity to develop a theme, sequence and teach to peers and members of the Roots & River community. Some of these classes will be offered on Sundays at the Roots & River Yoga studio (in-person or online) and others will be led online with a recording option available on the Tara Lemerise virtual platform. The first hour will be for the class and the second hour for feedback. While participants are encouraged to attend as many of these LIVE (in-studio or online) as possible, recordings will be made for students to practice with at home and give written feedback when attending live is not possible.

Community Class (Student Teaching and Feedback)

  • Wednesday, April 3rd (class 7:15-8:15pm, feedback 8:15-9:15pm on Zoom (livestream/recorded)

  • Sunday, April 7th (class 12-1pm, feedback 1-2pm) at Roots & River Yoga (in-studio/online/recorded)

  • Wednesday, April 10th (class 7:15-8:15pm, feedback 8:15-9:15pm on Zoom (livestream/recorded)

  • Sunday, April 14th (class 12-1pm, feedback 1-2pm) at Roots & River Yoga (in-studio/online/recorded)

  • Wednesday, April 17th (class 7:15-8:15pm, feedback 8:15-9:15pm on Zoom (livestream/recorded)

  • Sunday, April 21st (class 12-1pm, feedback 1-2pm) at Roots & River Yoga (in-studio/online/recorded)

  • Wednesday, April 24th (class 7:15-8:15pm, feedback 8:15-9:15pm on Zoom (livestream/recorded)

  • Sunday, April 28th (class 12-1pm, feedback 1-2pm) at Roots & River Yoga (in-studio/online/recorded)

  • Wednesday, May 1st (class 7:15-8:15pm, feedback 8:15-9:15pm on Zoom (livestream/recorded)

  • Wednesday, May 8th (class 7:15-8:15pm, feedback 8:15-9:15pm on Zoom (livestream/recorded)

Course Requirements Include:

  • Live attendance at 90% of in-studio training weekends. Missed hours will need to be made by via recordings or private session with teachers at an additional cost.

  • Attendance of online book clubs and community classes/feedback. We encourage as much LIVE attendance as possible. If a session needs to be missed recordings can be provided with assigned written reflections/feedback on a case-by-case basis.

  • Regular yoga practice that includes at least 40 classes in total with lead instructors, Tara and Machelle. Through the course of the program, participants must take 20 yoga classes with Machelle Lee, either in-studio or online, at Roots & River Yoga AND 20 yoga classes with Tara via her virtual yoga platform, Tara Lemerise Yoga. YTT trainees are eligible for a discounted 20 class pass and the link to purchase passes will be shared with registrants.

  • Homework assignments between weekends

  • Teaching practicum

  • Successful completion of a final independent project.

YTT Texts

Required Texts *Tuition does not include books that will be assigned as part of YTT reading assignments

Provided Material

  • Roots & River Yoga 200 YTT Binder

  • Rest for All: Restorative Yoga Manual by Tara Lemerise

  • Science and Psychology of Yin Yoga Manual by Machelle Lee

Suggested Reading Material (not required)

Course Prerequisite

  • We request that all participants have at least one year of consistent yoga practice experience.  

  • Once admitted, you must commit to attend program sessions and complete all reading/reflections homework assignments.  If there are scheduling conflicts, please let us know so we can make suitable make-up arrangements together. 

Tuition 

The Roots & River Yoga 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training is an investment in higher (and deeper) education. We look forward to guiding and sharing this journey with you.

Deposit - There is a $300 non-refundable deposit to be submitted with your application to hold your space. 

Tuition
$3000 (minus the $300 deposit) = $2700 due if paid by cash, check or ACH (reach out to studio for this option)
$3000 (minus the $300 deposit) = $2700 due plus 3.9% processing fee if paid by credit card ($2805.30)

Flexible Monthly Payment Plan
If covering tuition in full in one payment is not possible, we have an auto-pay that divides tuition (plus $250 credit card, processing and administrative fees) into up to equal installments. - $3250 (minus $300 deposit) = $2950 due (reach out to studio for this option)

Monthly Payments will begin at time of registration and balance must be paid in full March 1, 2024. The equal monthly installments can be set up at a greater or lesser amount depending on the date of registration compared to the March 1st deadline for tuition. For instance, if one registers and begins payment in July 2023, they can divide tuition up into 9 equal payments while someone who registers in November will have 5 payments.

*Please note that once the program begins there are no refunds or studio credits except in the case of medical emergencies. Reassigning of monies into subsequent YTT programs or studio classes/workshops will be offered in exceptional circumstances.

Additional Costs:

  • Required Texts (listed above)

  • Once the program begins, participants are required to take a total of 40 with the lead instructors. Through the course of the program, participants must take 20 yoga classes with Machelle Lee, either in-studio or online, at Roots & River Yoga AND 20 yoga classes with Tara via her virtual yoga platform, Tara Lemerise Yoga. Monthly memberships can be purchased for the lowest rate. Discounted 20 class passes specifically for the YTT-ers ($220 for 20 classes) will be offered. Links to discounted passes will be shared as we get closer to the December start date of the program. For Roots & River Yoga classes, regular priced 5 and 10 class passes can be bought if the 20 class cost needs to be spread out over time.

Have More Questions?

We would be happy to schedule a phone or Zoom meeting. Simply reach out via our contact form and we will reach out to set up a time to talk.

Roots & River Yoga 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Application 

To reserve your place in the 2023-2024 Roots & River 200 hour YTT program, please complete this short application form below and submit the$300 deposit (non-refundable). Your $300 deposit will be applied towards your tuition once the payment plan has been established.

We would like to get to know you better. All information provided in this short application will be held in complete confidence by Machelle Lee and Tara Lemerise.  

Yoga Alliance Registration

The Roots & River Yoga YTT curriculum is approved and recognized by Yoga Alliance, the national and international credential registry for yoga teachers.  Upon completion of the the Roots & River Yoga YTT, you will have completed 200+ hours of training and be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance to receive the credentials of Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200).

Cancelation/Refund Policy

  • Cancellations 30 days or more before the training will receive a full refund minus $300 deposit plus 4% to cover credit card refund fees (if you paid tuition by credit card).

  • Cancellations 15-29 days before the training will receive 50% of paid tuition back as refund and 25% in the form of studio credit, minus $300 deposit and 4% to cover credit card refund fees (if you paid tuition by credit card).

  • Cancellations less than 14 days before the training starts will not receive any refund but 50% of paid tuition will go to *studio credit minus $300 deposit.

  • No refunds or studio credits are given if someone drops out after the program begins unless there is a medical emergency. No refunds or studio credits are given for missed days in the training although make-up hours can be arranged.

    *Studio credit can be applied to any weekly class passes/membership, workshops, trainings, CEUs. Studio credit cannot be used for merchandise.