Registered Yoga School # 26861 | Established 2006

Click here for the 200 hour standards from Yoga Alliance, which this program meets and exceeds.

200 Hour Certification Course

Overview

The coursework in our 200 hour teacher training program is centered around classical yoga theory and practice. Ashtanga Yoga as outlined by the sage Patanjali in his yoga sutras are the theoretical foundation. The Hatha Yoga practices of the great T. Krishnamacharya will be the backbone of our asana and pranayama sequences.

The training is collaborative, and thus relies upon the input and feedback from the cohort of yoga training students. Communication is very important. The path of yoga is not always one of assuredness and comfort, and so the training offers a space to dwell in the uncertainty of meaning and skill. We forge pure ideas into workable methods, relying upon well researched traditional and contemporary means of achieving insight into yoga. This training is designed to ensure that you will be able to teach, practice, adjust, and instruct people in asana and that process can be a difficult one. We will undertake it together, embracing the positives and negatives that come from the experience.

Each of us will be bringing something unique to this practice, and there will be many opportunities to learn and share. Be ready to practice, be ready to share, be ready to question. No one wants to know what you think more than the people around you.  You will never (unless you take another training) be in a place where you are surrounded by so many people who are excited and passionate about the exact same things as you are, about a subject as meaningful as this one.  This training is note a time to be reserved, it is not a time to hold back...  It is designed to be challenging, and there is a lot of material that seems to be forcefully being jammed into you. While you can always step away if needed, it’s vital to take the commitment seriously to 200 hours of study. It is a time to dive deeply into the yogic arts and practice. 

Lead Instructor

Luke Baugh

Curriculum

Notes on curriculum: The curriculum can changed, updated, or new programs added for specific locales based on the cohort and specific needs of the students. Below is a general outline of the training structure as of February 2025.

Module One | Karma Yoga & Jnana Yoga (philosophy)

  1. History of Ashtanga Yoga and its founders

    1. The Dravidian People

      1. Select material from Alain Danielou

    2. Samkhya Philosophy

    3. Yoga Sutra origins & relationship to Samkya & Dravidian Peoples

  2. Yoga philosophy & Theory

    1. Tree of Samkhya

      1. Purusha

      2. Prakriti

        1. 3 Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)

        2. Phenomenal Elements (wind, fire, earth, etc.)

        3. Dieties as representations of Gunas

          1. Shiva = tamas guna

          2. Visnu = sattva guna

          3. Brahma = rajas guna

    2. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

      1. Introduction and Overview of Quintessential Yoga Sutras

        1. Yoga Sutra 2:23-29 as purpose and reason for the practice

          1. Ignorance of Duality and causes of suffering

          2. Eight Limbed Path of Ashtanga (Ashtau = eight, Anga = limb)

        2. Yoga Sutra 2:1-3 as method of practice

          1. Tapas

          2. Svadyaya

          3. Isvara Pranidhana

        3. Yoga Sutra 1:2-3 as definition of yoga

          1. Truth of the “seer” being “hidden” by chitta vritti (disturbances of mind)

          2. Truth of seer existing in pure form in state of harmony through yoga

      2. Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 

        1. Chanting Chapter 1

        2. Discussion and Analysis of Chapter 1

    3. Veda

      1. Bhagavad Gita

      2. Upanishads

      3. Vedanta

        1. Gaudapada & Adi Shankara

          1. self vs. non-self (atman vs. non-atman)

          2. monism vs. dualism vs. non-dualism

        2. Vishnu & Shiva as contemporary

  3. Required Reading & Study Materials

    1. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Swami Satchidananda 

Module Two | Hatha Yoga & Ashtanga Yoga (practice)

  1. All Primary Series Asana (as taught at KPJAYI)

    1. Standing Postures: sūryanamaskāra pādāṅguṣṭāsana  pāda hastāsana  utthita trikoṇāsana (A+B)  utthita pārśvakonāsana (A+B)  prasārita pādottānāsana (A,B,C,D)  pārśvottānāsana  utthita hasta pādāṅguṣṭāsana  ardha baddha padmottānāsana  utkatāsana  vīrabhadrāsana 

    2. Primary Series Postures: paścimattānāsana  pūrvattanāsana  ardha baddha padma paścimattānāsana   tiryaṅgmukha ekapāda paścimattānāsana  jānuśīrṣāsana  marīcāsana  nāvāsana  bhujapīḍāsana  kūrmāsana  supta kūrmāsana  garbha piṇḍāsana  kukkuṭāsana  baddha konāsana  upaviṣṭha konāsana  supta konāsana  supta pādāṅguṣṭāsana  ubhaya pādāṅguṣṭāsana  ūrdhva mukha paścimattānāsana  setu bandhāsana 

    3. Finishing Postures   ūrdhva dhanurāsana  salaṁba sarvāṅgāsana  halāsana  karṇa pīḍāsana  ūrdhva padmāsana  piṇḍāsana  matsyāsana  uttāna pādāsana  cakrāsana   śīrṣāsana  baddha padmāsana  yoga mudrā  padmāsana  utpluthiḥ

    4. Yoga Sutras Chapter 2  

      1. Chanting Chapters 1-2

      2. Discussion and Analysis of Chapter 2

    5. Adjustments for classical postures

  2. Anatomy

    1. Online Course by David Keil

  3. Injures & Variations

    1. Specific challenges

      1. Multiple Sclerosis

      2. Inflexibility or Common Injuries

      3. Pregnancy

      4. Disabled Students

  4. Energetic Body

    1. Vayus

      1. Prana

      2. Apana

    2. Nadis Overview

    3. Chakras Overview

  5. Introduction to Pranayama

    1. Ujjayi & Mechanics

  6. Second Series of Ashtanga Yoga (note: we do not instruct on all of these postures, but we will explore the purpose and benefits of the first half. Each of these postures must be “given” by a qualified lineage holding Ashtanga teacher).

    1. 1st half of 2nd Series: Pasasana   (Noose Pose)  Krounchasana   (Heron Pose)  Shalabhasana A, B   (Locust Pose) Bhekasana   (Frog Pose) Dhanurasana   (Bow Pose) Parsvadhanurasana   (Side Bow Pose) Ustrasana   (Camel Pose) Laghu Vajrasana   (Little Thunderbolt Pose) Kapotasana   (Dove Pose) Supta Vajrasana   (Sleeping Thunderbolt Pose) Bakasana   (Crow Pose) Bharadvajasana   Bharadvāja’s Pose Ardha Matsyendraasana   Half Matsyendraasana’s Pose

    2. Ekapada Sirsasana A, B, C  Dwipada Sirsasana B  Yoga nidrasana   Tittibhasana A, B, C  Pincha Mayurasana Karandavasana  Mayurasana   Nakrasana  Vatayanasana   (Horse Face Pose) Parighasana   (Iron Bar Pose) Gomukhasana A, B, C   (Cow Face Pose) Supta Urdhvapada Vajrasana A, B   (Sleeping Elevated Vajra’s Pose) Mukta Hasta Sirsasana A, B, C   (Open Hand Head Stand) Baddha Hasta Sirsasana A, B, C, D   (Bound Hand Head Stand)

Module Three | Raja Yoga (Meditation)

  1. Meditation

    1. How to Meditate by Pema Chodron

    2. Discussion

Module Four | Business & Ethics

  1. Business and Ethics

  2. Sexual Assault

  3. Social Justice

  4. Sequencing Logic

  5. Student Teaching

  6. Advanced Adjustments

  7. Required Reading/Study List

    1. Yoga Alliance Code of Ethics


Note: Other homework and study materials will be provided in class

OVERVIEW

The coursework in our 200 hour teacher training program is centered around classical yoga theory and practice. Ashtanga Yoga as outlined by the sage Patanjali in his yoga sutras are the theoretical foundation. The Hatha Yoga practices of the great T. Krishnamacharya will be the backbone of our asana and pranayama sequences. We will utilize contemporary business, ethics, and epistemology to make ancient material come alive, so that it can effectively transform our world for the better in the hands of the people who are on the earth today. 

In these smaller, more personal trainings, you will have an opportunity to pursue things deeper and with a more dynamic twist.  The rigors of the training should not be taken lightly; our yoga system is one that demands your attention and full energetic commitment.

The training is collaborative, and thus relies upon the input and feedback from the cohort of yoga training students. Communication is very important. Unfortunately, some of the other students in the training may be inexperienced, and thus, many of the sequences we will be experimenting will be untested and imperfect. There is a risk there that is simply unavoidable, and the process can be a bit adorably sloppy; accept the lack of experience around you as insight into the teacher student dynamic. The path of yoga is not always one of assuredness and comfort, and so the training offers a space to dwell in the uncertainty of meaning and skill. We forge pure ideas into workable methods, relying upon well researched traditional and contemporary means of achieving insight into yoga. This training is designed to ensure that you will be able to teach, practice, adjust, and instruct people in asana and that process can be a difficult one. We will undertake it together, embracing the positives and negatives that come from the experience.

Each of us will be bringing something unique to this practice, and there will be many opportunities to learn and share. Be ready to practice, be ready to share, be ready to question, be ready to be critical.  No one wants to know what you think more than the people around you.  You will never (unless you take another training) be in a place where you are surrounded by so many people who are excited and passionate about the exact same things as you are, about a subject as meaningful as this one.  This training is note a time to be reserved, it is not a time to hold back...  It is designed to be challenging, and there is a lot of material that seems to be forcefully being jammed into you. While you can always step away if needed, it’s vital to take the commitment seriously to 200 hours of study. It is a time to dive deeply into the yogic arts and practice. 

INSTRUCTOR

Program Director Luke Baugh ERYT, MBA has been practicing yoga daily since 2002 and teaching since 2005. Luke traveled extensively in search of a yoga teacher for about 4 years, including stays studying yoga in Maui, Maine, and Los Angeles and Encinitas California. Luke finally found his home at the Ashtanga Yoga School of Seattle and has remained in Western Washington most of his life since then, dedicating the majority of his efforts to the study of yoga and the business development of Ashtanga Yoga through online and in person teaching mediums.

Luke completed the rigorous traditional 200 hour in-depth teacher training at Ashtanga Yoga School of Seattle in 2007.  Luke began assisting his teacher during Yoga Teacher Training programs in 2008. With the blessing of his teacher, Luke left Seattle and with the help of another AYS Seattle student, became the first student of AYS to start a yoga school in this tradition. Luke eventually became co-director of the original Yoga Alliance registered In Depth Studies program, and it is this program that has evolved to what it is now. After all of these years the relationship between Luke and his teacher, David, remains one of sacred guidance, openness, love, and adaptability. As a devout student of David, Luke travels annually to practice with his teacher, and "check in" with new insights, and questions that invariably develop along the path.

Luke is currently an accredited E-RYT 200 through the Yoga Alliance and is currently pursuing his RYT-500 certification online. In addition to teaching yoga in Bellingham, Luke was advised by his teacher to pursue education in order to better understand society and bring yoga to the world. Therefore, under the advice of his teacher, Luke became a college student a short time after taking up study of yoga at AYS. After attaining a bachelors degree in Sociology, he attained a masters degree in business with a focus on developing and sustaining local yoga schools and online yoga instruction.

Luke has been trained and influenced notably by the following teachers and studios: David Garrigues, Catherine Tisseront, James Butkevich, Manju Jois, Kevin Kimple, Noah Williams, Kimberly Flynn, Rich McGowan, Anne Finstad, Govinda Kai, and Tim Miller.

Luke has taught for multiple yoga studios as well as his own studios (Exist Yoga, LC Yoga Center, Ashtanga Yoga Bellingham). Luke has taught yoga at numerous institutional and corporate settings including Gonzaga University, Western Washington University, Lewis Clark State College, and Regence Blue Shield. Luke is very proud to have had the privilege of teaching yoga for the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America as well as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in a continuing effort to bring the fundamental equality, peace of mind, and tenacity of spirit that ignites people of all kinds through the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.

CURRICULUM

Module One | Philosophical  and Theoretical Foundations

  1. Lesson Plans (60 contact hours with primary E-RYTs)

    1. History of Ashtanga Yoga and its founders

      1. The Dravidian People

        1. Select material from Alain Danielou

      2. Samkhya Philosophy

      3. Saivism, Jainism, and other ancient Dravidian religions

      4. Yoga Sutra origins & relationship to Samkya & Dravidian Peoples

    2. Yoga philosophy & Theory

      1. Tree of Samkhya

        1. Purusha

        2. Prakriti

          1. 3 Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)

          2. Phenomenal Elements (wind, fire, earth, etc.)

          3. Dieties as representations of Gunas

            1. Shiva = tamas guna

            2. Visnu = sattva guna

            3. Brahma = rajas guna

      2. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

        1. Introduction and Overview of Quintessential Yoga Sutras

          1. Yoga Sutra 2:23-29 as purpose and reason for the practice

            1. Ignorance of Duality and causes of suffering

            2. Eight Limbed Path of Ashtanga (Ashtau = eight, Anga = limb)

          2. Yoga Sutra 2:1-3 as method of practice

            1. Tapas

            2. Svadyaya

            3. Isvara Pranidhana

          3. Yoga Sutra 1:2-3 as definition of yoga

            1. Truth of the “seer” being “hidden” by chitta vritti (disturbances of mind)

            2. Truth of seer existing in pure form in state of harmony through yoga

        2. Yoga Sutras Chapter 1 

          1. Chanting Chapter 1

          2. Discussion and Analysis of Chapter 1 (Source: American Sanskrit Institute)

      3. Origins of Buddhism as it relates to Yoga through Samkhya and Alara Kalama

        1. Select readings

      4. Veda

        1. Bhagavad Gita

        2. Upanishads

        3. Vedanta

          1. Gaudapada & Adi Shankara

            1. self vs. non-self (atman vs. non-atman)

            2. monism vs. dualism vs. non-dualism

          2. Vishnu & Shiva as contemporary

    3. Required Reading & Study Materials

      1. Yoga; The Certainty of Freedom (Yoga Sutra Workbook) - Vyaas Houston (click here)

      2. Samkhya Karika - Isvara Krsna (any translation)

      3. Functional Anatomy of Yoga by David Keil (to prepare for module 2 and prevent injury)

      4. Audio discourse: Purpose of the 8 Limbs by David Garrigues (click here)

    4. Optional Reading List (depending on Individual areas of focus)

      1. The Myths and Gods of India by Alain Danielou

      2. The Upanishads - (any translation)

      3. The Bhagavad Gita - (any translation)

      4. The Science of Yoga by I.K Taimni –or- another translation of the Yoga Sutras

      5. Old Path White Clouds by Thich Nhath Hanh (Buddhist reference to section 1.3)

Module Two | Exploration | Classical Texts | 15 sessions

  1. Lesson Plans (60 contact hours with primary E-RYTs)

    1. All Primary Series Asana (as taught at KPJAYI)

      1. Standing Postures: sūryanamaskāra pādāṅguṣṭāsana pāda hastāsana utthita trikoṇāsana (A+B) utthita pārśvakonāsana (A+B) prasārita pādottānāsana (A,B,C,D) pārśvottānāsana utthita hasta pādāṅguṣṭāsana ardha baddha padmottānāsana utkatāsana vīrabhadrāsana

      2. Primary Series Postures: paścimattānāsana pūrvattanāsana ardha baddha padma paścimattānāsana tiryaṅgmukha ekapāda paścimattānāsana jānuśīrṣāsana marīcāsana nāvāsana bhujapīḍāsana kūrmāsana supta kūrmāsana garbha piṇḍāsana kukkuṭāsana baddha konāsana upaviṣṭha konāsana supta konāsana supta pādāṅguṣṭāsana ubhaya pādāṅguṣṭāsana ūrdhva mukha paścimattānāsana setu bandhāsana

      3. Finishing Postures ūrdhva dhanurāsana salaṁba sarvāṅgāsana halāsana karṇa pīḍāsana ūrdhva padmāsana piṇḍāsana matsyāsana uttāna pādāsana cakrāsana śīrṣāsana baddha padmāsana yoga mudrā padmāsana utpluthiḥ

    2. Yoga Sutras Chapter 2  

      1. Chanting Chapters 1-2

      2. Discussion and Analysis of Chapter 2 (Source: American Sanskrit Institute)

    3. Adjustments for classical postures

  2. Anatomy

    1. Online Course provided by David Keil (click here)

  3. Injures & Variations

    1. Specific challenges

      1. Multiple Sclerosis

      2. Inflexibility or Common Injuries

      3. Pregnancy

      4. Disabled Students

  4. Energetic Body

    1. Vayus

      1. Prana

      2. Apana

    2. Nadis Overview

    3. Chakras Overview

  5. Introduction to Pranayama

    1. Ujjayi & Mechanics

  6. Classical Asana Texts discussion

    1. Classical Postures 

      1. Surya Namaskara

      2. Standing Asana

      3. Sequencing Basics

      4. Props

  7. Required Reading

    1. Functional Anatomy of Yoga by David Keil

  8. Optional Reading & Studay Materials List

    1. Ashtanga Yoga Practice and Philosophy by Gregor Maehle

    2. The Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar

    3. Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health by BKS Iyengar 

    4. Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar

Module Three | Assimilation

  1. Classical Yoga Shastras (Siva Samhita & Hatha Yoga Pradipika)

    1. Classic Asana

      1. Padmasana

      2. Janu Sirsasana

    2. Intro to Sadhana & Asceticism

  2. Practicum

    1. Complex Sequencing

    2. Adaptations with props

    3. Adjustments for physical inability

    4. Communication

    5. Chants

    6. Primary Series of Ashtanga

  3. Required Reading List

    1. The Siva Samhita - any copy

    2. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - any copy

Module Four | Modern Masters & Contemporary Systems

  1. T. Krishnamacharya

  2. TKV Desikachar

  3. BKS Iyengar

  4. Advanced Asana Practicum

    1. Inversions

    2. Closing Sequence of Ashtanga

    3. Backbends

      1. Urdva Dhanurasana

    4. Second Series of Ashtanga Yoga (note: we do not instruct on all of these postures, but we will explore the purpose and benefits of the first half. Each of these postures must be “given” by a qualified lineage holding Ashtanga teacher).

      1. 1st half of 2nd Series: Pasasana (Noose Pose) Krounchasana (Heron Pose) Shalabhasana A, B (Locust Pose) Bhekasana (Frog Pose) Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) Parsvadhanurasana (Side Bow Pose) Ustrasana (Camel Pose) Laghu Vajrasana (Little Thunderbolt Pose) Kapotasana (Dove Pose) Supta Vajrasana (Sleeping Thunderbolt Pose) Bakasana (Crow Pose) Bharadvajasana Bharadvāja’s Pose Ardha Matsyendraasana Half Matsyendraasana’s Pose

      2. Ekapada Sirsasana A, B, C Dwipada Sirsasana B Yoga nidrasana Tittibhasana A, B, C Pincha Mayurasana Karandavasana Mayurasana Nakrasana Vatayanasana (Horse Face Pose) Parighasana (Iron Bar Pose) Gomukhasana A, B, C (Cow Face Pose) Supta Urdhvapada Vajrasana A, B (Sleeping Elevated Vajra’s Pose) Mukta Hasta Sirsasana A, B, C (Open Hand Head Stand) Baddha Hasta Sirsasana A, B, C, D (Bound Hand Head Stand)

  5. Required Reading List

    1. Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar

  6. Optional Reading List

    1. Yoga Makaranda by T Krishnamacharya (referenced throughout module)

    2. Yogasanagaulu by T Krishnamacharya (referenced throughout module)

    3. Yoga Makaranda by T Krishnamacharya

    4. Yoga Mala by Sri K Pattabhi Jois

Module Five | Execution

  1. Lesson Plans (60 contact hours with primary E-RYTs)

    1. Business and Ethics

    2. Sexual Assault

    3. Social Justic

    4. Sequencing Logic

    5. Student Teaching

    6. Advanced Adjustments

  2. Required Reading/Study List

    1. Yoga Alliance Code of Ethics (click here to download)

    2. Brand You by John Purkiss and David Royston-Lee

  3. Optional Reading List

    1. Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chogyam Trungpa

    2. A Blue Fire by James Hillman

    3. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

    4. The Essential Rumi by Jalal Al-Adin Rumi and Coleman Barks

    5. Mohandas Ghandi autobiography “The Story of My Experiments with Truth”


Note: Other homework and study materials will be provided in class