300-Hour WildYoga Teacher Training
WildYoga's unique combination of yoga teacher training & spiritual ecology will invigorate your yoga practice and connect you with tools for living in alignment with nature, for restoring balance to your health, and for sharing this with your community.
In 2023, Balanced Rock is excited to offer a 300-hour personal healing journey and robust educational program that leads to certification with Yoga Alliance.
Ready to take the next step in your yoga journey?
Our current training cycle is up and running. If you would like to join us for one of the upcoming individual weekend modules in June, July or August, 2023, click below to connect with one of our team members. We are dedicated to making sure this program is the right fit for all our students and meets their needs!
2023 Program Dates
Join us February- September, 2023! In-person training weekends will be held at multiple venues including The Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort and Yosemite National Park Campgrounds. You will have access to online self-paced learning for the whole year.
February 3-5
Embarking on the Journey
Yoga & The Five Elements
March 3-5
Earth Element
Setting the Foundations of Our Practice
March 31- April 2
Water Element
Breathing into the Flow
May 5-7
Fire Element
Igniting the Core
June 2-4
Air Element
Opening the Heart
July 7-9
Space Element
Stepping into Sacred Sound
August 4-6
Adjusting, Assisting & Practice Teaching
Integrating the Journey
September 9-10
Spiritual Ecology & Practice Teaching
Bringing it Home
February-December
100 Hours of Self-Paced Learning
ONLINE
WildYoga's 300-Hour Teacher Training is for You If:
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You are a yoga teacher...
looking to expand your practice, incorporate nature and sustainability in your offering, or complete Continuing Education Credits.
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You've studied with Balanced Rock...
and want to complete a previous or ongoing yoga teacher certification journey.
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You are a yoga student...
seeking to deepen your practice, learn more anatomy and philosophy, and experience how yoga overlaps with sustainable living.
WildYoga Teacher Training Will Offer You:
BALANCING PRACTICES
Yoga Asana
Pranayama
Meditation
Mantra
Reflective Journaling
Routine & Lifestyle Change
ALIGNMENT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD
Ayurveda
5-Elements Philosophy
Seasonal Awareness
Outdoor Exploration
How Practices Correspond to Nature
Spiritual Ecology
INTEGRATION
Sequencing a Class
Teaching Thematically
Alignment & Adjustments
Inclusion & Accessibility
Communication
Ethics
COMMUNITY
Small Cohort of Students
One on One Support
Accessible Down-to-Earth Instructors
Inclusive Space to Share Authentically
Clarifying Your Values
Make Life-Long Connections
What People Are Saying About Our WildYoga Teacher Training Program…
“Balanced Rock's WildYoga teacher training program exceeded my expectations. I started their immersion program unsure of whether or not I wanted to teach, but with the hope of deepening my own personal practice. The instructors Dennis, Paula, Heather, Jana, and Eliza, were extremely knowledgeable about anatomy, safe practice, special considerations, and Ayurveda. They each brought their own special gifts which were extremely diverse - both in yoga style and knowledge base. Now I have my certification, a desire to share the knowledge they've given to me, and a community of friends who believe passionately in the interconnectedness of all beings and our bond with the Earth and environment.”
— Sirin Petch
“I chose the Balanced Rock WildYoga program because of their integration of the natural world into their teaching and practice, as well as their skilled instructors from various backgrounds. I also enjoyed that Balanced Rock pushed me to discover what MY own personal Yoga was. Balanced Rock focuses on teachings from several different styles, synthesizing their own unique blend of "Wild" Yoga--yoga that can be defined by the practitioner and calls upon the energy of the natural world for support, inspiration, and connection. Balanced Rock also brings in a healthy background of traditional outdoor education techniques that help the learners to learn from experience. I would recommend this program to anyone, from the beginning yogi to the more practiced, as their use of the outdoor classroom will add challenge and perspective to any level of practitioner.”
— Mindy Wiper
“As a recent graduate, I highly recommend Balanced Rock's WildYoga Teacher Training, to anyone that is looking to deepen their yoga practice or looking to begin their teaching journey. I had a deeply connected experience to the yoga philosophy and wonderful people that joined me on this online journey. Paula has a beautifully authentic and inclusive style of teaching. It is a refreshing shift from “right-wrong” yoga that can be found in many other schools of yoga. The expert guest teachers that helped to weave the 5-elements into our practice brought their own rich experiences from decades of practice. This is truly one of the best gifts you could ever give yourself.”
— Netty Degarlais
Our Instructor Team
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Paula Wild
PROGRAM DIRECTOR & LEAD TRAINER
Paula’s teaching blends alignment based, heart-centered, therapeutic yoga with her love and knowledge of ecology and natural history. Since 1999 Paula has been exploring the overlap between yoga and sustainable living, and her greatest intention is to support people in connecting to the wild world within, and around us.
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Heather Sullivan
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & LEAD TRAINER
Yosemite’s steep granite walls, seasonal changing river song and community of animals and humans have shaped Heather’s being, world-view, and are fundamental blocks of her yoga and teaching practice. Her adventurous spirit and classes inspire inward and outward exploration. She’s Co-Founder, Executive Director, and Lead Wilderness Guide for Balanced Rock.
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Dennis Eagan
FOUNDER OF WILDYOGA & LEAD TRAINER
Dennis began practicing yoga in 1989 and has been teaching since 1998. As founder of Wild Yoga, he weaves nearly four decades of wilderness guiding and study into teacher training courses, workshops, and wilderness yoga retreats throughout the west from Baja to Alaska.
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Eliza Kerr
INSTRUCTOR & CLINICAL AYURVEDIC SPECIALIST
Eliza is passionate about supporting people on their journey towards well-being by sharing the tools of yoga and Ayurveda in the natural world. Co-founder of Balanced Rock, Eliza has been teaching yoga in Yosemite, and practicing as a certified Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (CAS) for over 20 years. She has studied a variety of styles including Iyengar, Bikram, and Ashtanga. She currently specializes in treating chronic pain.
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Jana Kilgore
LEAD TRAINER
Jana’s passion for holistic medicine and respect for Nature inform all areas of her life. She has been teaching Yoga since 2000 and integrates her study in Iyengar, Ashtanga and Restorative Yoga. A long time Chef, Jana is also a Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Ayurveda Practitioner, Bodyworker and Reiki Master.
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Dr Breezy Jackson
LEAD TRAINER
Breezy’s teaching style is vigorous and playful while drawing on a foundation of proprioception and breath awareness. She enjoys spontaneous self-discovery and contemplation enhanced by wilderness travel and simplified living in a stunning landscape. In addition to studying myriad yoga forms since 2000, Breezy holds a PhD in Ecology.
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Jiling Lin
INSTRUCTOR
Jiling Lin is a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac), herbalist, and yoga teacher in Ventura, CA. She helps athletes, artists and adventurers thrive with gentle yet powerful acupuncture & herbal treatments– and innovative classes & retreats. Jiling has taught a dynamic Hatha and Vinyasa based yoga asana flow since 2012. Her integrative medical practice, holistic teachings, and Earth-centered writings empower thriving health and environmental stewardship in our bodies, communities, and world.
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Nat Kendall
INSTRUCTOR
San Francisco based yoga teacher, world music recording artist and devoted student of yoga, Nat Kendall shares his wisdom of the teachings in a heartfelt and grounded way that will easily awaken beginners and re-inspire long time practitioners. Instantly accessible and relevant to our modern times, the grace of Nat’s teachings pour through in tangible practices, tools, techniques and insights that are sure to enlighten your spiritual path and yogic journey.
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Meaghan Olsen
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Originally coming to Yosemite from the Midwest in 2019, Meg fell in love with the Sierras and the magic of the surrounding landscape. A lover of the outdoors, athletic pursuits and the arts, her passions range from hiking, climbing, running, and Brazilian jiu jitsu to appreciating natural beauty through drawing, painting, and photography. Currently, she serves as the Operations Manager for Balanced Rock and resides in San Diego, CA. Meg also teaches yoga and Latin dance, splitting her time between her Ocean Beach community beach and her beloved Yosemite.
Things to Know Before Your Training
What’s Included
Professional instruction from a caring team of seasoned yoga teachers & wilderness guides
Yoga in Yosemite with ample opportunity to practice and teach outdoors
Live and recorded yoga classes, pranayama practices and meditations
Unlimited access to our customized online learning platform for all course content and self-paced learning
Two all-inclusive camping weekends in Yosemite National Park (food will be included)
Group gear including yoga mats and props for studio sessions, and group camping supplies for outdoor weekends
Opportunity to teach a yoga workshop to the group and receive feedback
300 RYT Certificate of Completion from a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance
What’s Not Included
Travel to and from the training locations
Lodging and meals are NOT included in course tuition (with exception of June & July camping weekends, which are all-inclusive)
Required Reading is not included; students will be responsible for procuring the necessary texts
Dive into the supported learning journey of a lifetime! Connect with like-minded, heartfelt seekers & teachers.
FAQs
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YES, we are still accepting students for individual weekends! Each weekend offers 25 Continuing Education Hours as certified by the Yoga Alliance. Take a look at the following open-enrollment weekends coming up by clicking on the dates:
June 2nd- 4th, 2023 - all-inclusive camping weekend in Foresta (on private land inside Yosemite National Park
July 7th-9th, 2023 - all-inclusive camping weekend in the heart of one of Yosemite Valley's campgrounds
August 4th-6th, 2023 - lodge-based weekend at the Yosemite Bug in Midpines
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At Balanced Rock we believe everyone should have access to education and wellness opportunities. We do everything we can to make our courses accessible to all who are interested regardless of financial resources. You can apply for tuitions assistance or scholarship opportunities by reaching out to our team.
Monthly payment plans are available, but we do require a nonrefundable $200 set up fee at registration for this option.
Please email info@balancedrock.org or call (209) 379-WILD (9453) to speak with us about tuition assistance. We want to support you in turning your dream into a reality!
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Yes. This program counts towards your hours for completing yoga teacher certification with Balanced Rock as recognized by Yoga Alliance. Please contact us directly via email: info@balancedrock.org, so we can assess your eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
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Due to overwhelming feedback from past program participants, most of the in-person weekends do not include lodging or meals. This allows for flexibility by local students and visitors alike to make their own arrangements. There may be group dinners included and that will be announced to students for individual weekends.
Two of our sessions that WILL include lodging and meals are our June & July weekends, which will be camping trips in Yosemite. Campsites & meals for the duration of these sessions are built into the overall course price.
For the remaining weekends, we recommend the following:
Weekends at the Yosemite Bug: there are several affordable accommodation options onsite, and training participants receive a discount on lodging. Please inquire directly with the Yosemite Bug to book your lodging. They have the June Bug Cafe onsite, and some lodging options have kitchens.
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We understand plans change. As a small nonprofit, we can offer a partial refund of the program price minus a $50 administrative fee up to 30 days before the program start. Any cancellations after this deadline will not be eligible for a refund. All participants will be required to read and accept our Cancellation and Refund Policy upon registration.