Online + In Person
Psychologically-Sensitive Yoga Teacher Training + Deeper Study
225-Hour Yoga Teacher Training;
Yoga Alliance Certified
Certified Yoga Teacher Track
225 Hours
The full training will be limited to twelve students to preserve the integrity of the training and allow us to give each student individual attention. You can apply here (no application fee). Please review the below schedule and all requirements to make sure you're able to fully participate in the training before applying. If you do not live in the Chicago area and are unable to travel to the studio for weekend lectures, this program is being offered in a hybrid format so that you can join on Zoom. Program starts in September 2026!
Questions? Want to set up a 1x1 call? Email yoga@roomtobreathechicago.com
Teaching Psych-Sensitive Yoga for Therapists
225 Hour YTT + 12 CEUS
This 225 Hour Teaching Training Program is uniquely designed for clinicians seeking to integrate trauma-informed, body-based practices into their clinical work. This program explores the intersection of yoga and mental health with a strong emphasis on trauma informed clinical application, cultural sensitivity, and somatic awareness. Clinicians will gain foundational skills and understanding in teaching trauma sensitive yoga, psychological application of the roots of yoga philosophy, somatic techniques to support emotional regulation, and therapeutic relevance for diverse populations. CEU learning objectives coming soon!
Why This Training is Special
This yoga teacher training is unique in that it will focus on the psychological roots of yogic thought and practice, even as you learn how to teach postures and public classes for a general audience. We will break down some of the gorgeous symbol systems and complex philosophy in a way that helps you to both integrate into your own practice as well as teach to your classes. Finally, we will do a deep exploration of how yoga fits into a modern self-care or healthcare context, drawing on the knowledge and experience of experts in the field.
We founded Room to Breathe to meet a need present in both the yoga world and the US healthcare system: a clinically supported public yoga studio with programming that is compassionate, clinically supported, evidenced based, and accessible to all. We want to share some of what we’ve learned along the way with you. Whether you’d like to become fully certified as a yoga teacher or just continue your practice or training, we have a curriculum that suits your needs.
Extra Features
Learn from a wide range of some of the best yoga teachers in Chicago.
Wednesday evening lectures held online; weekend lectures are hybrid: online and in person in our Loop studio.
All of our programming is supported by an intelligent psychotherapy practice.
Receive teaching while still maintaining your 9-5 regular job.
Learn to teach a wide variety of students in a compassionate, intelligent way.
Learn how to incorporate yoga into the healthcare system.
Finish with a set of polished sequences and practices you can utilize right away.
Learn how to apply mindfulness to the business of yoga.
Unlimited free classes at Room to Breathe over the course of the training program.
Gain community support from teachers and therapists at Room to Breathe. Includes ongoing continuing education and panel discussions on career tracks and modern healthcare.
{new to online format} Special training on how to integrate your learnings into the online format.
What you will NOT learn in this training (but we can recommend you to wonderful teachers to learn from if you’d like!):
how to offer hands-on adjustments
how to practice or teach complicated poses, such as arm balances, headstands, and so forth
how to teach a primarily fitness-based yoga class
Why Room to Breathe?
Hear more about what makes our program special with training instructor Whitney Pasch.
Our curriculum
Going Deeper: Introduction to Yoga Philosophy + Self-Study
1
Going deeper means studying the ancient roots, philosophies and ethics of the yoga practice and its teachings. Along with studying the basic principles and theories of yoga, we will explore how they apply to your life and your relationship to others. This study will be embedded with practices that enhance compassion for the self and others, and is the bedrock for further study in our 225 Yoga Teacher Training Program.Lectures cover the Yamas and Niyamas, the Eight Limbs of Yoga, the Yoga Sutras, Mudra, Mantra, and the Chakras.
Foundations: Teaching Trauma Informed + Psychologically Sensitive Yoga
2
This training will offer you the tools and confidence necessary to create a classroom environment that is inclusive and safe. Expect to learn:
Specific language, customizations and sequencing meant to strengthen your ability to hold space for every body that walks into your classroom.
What trauma is, how it shows up in the body, and how (specifically) yoga can help.
Anatomy
3
We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart. You’ll learn through a series of online modules with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, with yoga practices to integrate your learning and in-person check-ins to ask questions.
Energetic Yoga for Mental + Emotional States
4
How do you share still and quiet practices like meditation and restorative yoga within a culture that puts so much value on being busy, and always moving? How do you implement a yoga practice for someone when it is challenging to get out of bed? Expect to learn:
Energetic states of anxiety and depression, and yoga practices to meet students where they are
Theming that is psychologically and trauma sensitive
Specialized forms such as Restorative Yoga and Somatics
Sequencing for different energetic effects
Craft of Teaching:
Embodying the Teacher, Remaining the Student
5
Teaching a yoga class encompasses so much more than showing up and calling out yoga poses. A great class is a balancing act of holding space and staying true to your teaching voice, as you carry a diverse group of people through a practice that acknowledges their assorted abilities and needs. You’ll cover:
Classroom management, boundaries, and scope of practice
Finding your unique voice as a teacher
Mental health first aid and resilience as a teacher
Yoga for Inclusivity
6
Yoga is an incredible tool for fostering resilience and recovery. You’ll learn how to effectively teach yoga to student populations with various identities and conditions. You will learn:
Yoga with a Chair, Yoga for Queer Bodies, Prenatal, and Yoga for Chronic Pain
The role of yoga in anti-racism and social justice
Mindful marketing and networking for your unique skills and vision
Final Project + Closing Ceremony
7
This is the moment we have been building up to; an opportunity to share your unique passion and voice by creating and teaching your very own class! Each trainee will present one of their sequence assignments to teach to the whole group for an opportunity to receive constructive feedback and valuable teaching experience.
Final projects will entail:
Trainee will present and teach a full length (60 minute) class from one of their sequence assignments to full group and training lead.
Trainee will receive compassionate feedback and tips for taking their teaching into the world!
Reflection on final project, steps for further study, and closing ceremony to follow.
Who you’ll learn from
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Whitney Pasch
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Stephanie Bour
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Kath Katsikeas
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Samantha Allweiss
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Stephanie Hicks
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Michelle Archer
Schedule
Full calendar coming soon!
Program begins September 19th, 2026 and runs through the beginning of March 2027
Lectures on select weekends (online and in-person) and Wednesday evenings (online)
**in-person lecture location to be determined; while we are currently located in the Chicago Loop, we are looking for a new studio space in Chicago. Space will be accessible by train or bus!
Cost
Full tuition for our Yoga Teacher Training is $3,700, which includes free, unlimited yoga for the duration of the training program.
We ask for a non-refundable deposit of $375 to hold your space in the program - deposit is due by July 15th 2026. Tuition can be paid in two ways:
6 monthly payments of $554.50 starting in September
For a $250 discount, 2 payments of $1,537.50 in September and October.
What past graduates have to say…
My Room to Breathe yoga teacher training influences so many parts of my work as a therapist. I use trauma-informed practices that I learned in training, such as how to cultivate safety in a session; building body awareness; and principles of yogic philosophy that overlap with my ethical commitments as a social worker. Even if yoga never comes up in my therapy work with someone, the influence of YTT is there. I’m also constantly reminded of how caring for myself and my mind-body connection is an imperative part of being a therapist and yoga teacher.
— Hannah L. 2022 graduate
Room to Breathe’s psychologically sensitive Yoga Teacher Training program is based on inclusivity and community-building, and their flexible approach to the learning process was exactly what I needed. The course allowed for my own creativity and pace, always bringing new internal challenges, which are part of such a reflexive and self-discovery journey. I highly recommend their YTT, especially for folks who are searching for a certification program which makes sure everyone is truly welcome.
— Mirella S. 2021 graduate
Completing my yoga teacher training with Room To Breathe was an experience I'll never forget and one that I'm incredibly grateful for…The training went way beyond learning how to cue poses, including studies in anatomy, yogic philosophy, psychologically sensitive language and practices, as well as multiple opportunities for practice teaching.
— Chalise Z. 2021 graduate
There are so many things I liked about the training, but most of all, I like that it focuses on how to teach yoga for everyone, not just the "typical" yoga student. I loved learning about the psychological applications of yoga, and I have already applied many of the practices I've learned to my daily life. The teachers are extremely knowledgeable and approachable and I am so grateful to have been a part of this training.
— Lindsey S. 2020 graduate
I loved getting to learn from multiple teachers with different levels of experience and points of view. Each provided lots of support both in and out of class sessions, and I felt like I could approach anyone with questions. The hybrid model was a great balance to allow for working a full-time job and caring for family, while also getting the chance to connect in person once a month. I was pleasantly surprised by how much we bonded during the first module, which was completely online. I felt like the content and structure helped us truly connect and get to know each other.
— Lauren M. 2022 graduate
Anatomy was presented with such detail, it was interesting and presented in a relevant way! I have a strong background in anatomy but always learned something new or found a new way to engage with the materials. I loved the chair yoga session too - who knew all the ways to use the chair <3
— Bridget H. 2022 graduate
