From Student to Seeker: The Transformational Power of 200-Hour YTT

Summer in Central Oregon is alive with long days on the river, sun-warmed trails, and that delicious sense of expansion that comes from being outdoors as much as possible. And yet, as July gives way to August, there’s always a subtle shift. The air begins to carry a hint of what’s next: the grounding energy of fall, the return to deeper intention, the invitation to step into something new.

At Namaspa, this season always signals something special: the launch of our 7-month CONNECTION: Mind-Body-Spirit 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT). Each October, a new cohort begins a journey that goes far beyond learning to cue poses. It is a threshold -- one that opens the door to profound personal transformation, leadership development, and community connection. And a fun and inspirational fact: the start of this 2025-2026 program will mark Namaspa’s 18th 200-hour YTT since our Founder, Suzie Newcome opened in 2006.

Are you ready to join this growing community of Namaspa yoga teachers – many of whom are now teaching yoga in places both across the country, and the world?

In this blog, you'll see quotes from recent 2024-2025 graduates: Amy Mew, Ann Boyd,

Zach Stapleton, Chris Their, and Kami Lee. Learn more about what other Namaspa YTT graduates have to say and are up to now here.

Why Namaspa’s 200-Hour YTT Is More Than a Training

Choosing to step into a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training is not a small decision. It’s an investment of time, energy, and heart. And it’s a powerful commitment you make to your current and future self. Many of our graduates entered YTT not because they knew they wanted to teach, but because they heard that quiet inner whisper: “There’s something more for me here.”

For Amy Mew, who completed the training this spring, that call was about deepening her own practice:

“I didn’t enter the program intending to teach, so it’s still surprising to me that I’ve stepped into this path. I’m currently substituting Yin Yoga at Namaspa, enrolled in Namaspa’s 300-hour advanced training, practicing reiki, and pursuing certification as an Ayurvedic Health Advisor. Through YTT, I rediscovered my deeper purpose: to support others in healing. YTT helped me trust my voice, listen to my intuition, and understand that healing begins with presence.”

YTT is as much about learning who you are as it is about learning to teach yoga. Ann Boyd, a long-time practitioner who had taken teacher trainings before in her life, described Namaspa’s 200-hour program as something completely different:

“Though I have practiced yoga to varying degrees of intensity for decades, Namaspa’s YTT solidified my dedication to my own practice. It also offered me a clear path to finding my voice as a teacher.”

Whether you dream of teaching, want to deepen your personal practice, or are seeking tools to bring into your work as a leader, parent, or healer, YTT offers a framework for authentic growth. It’s not just about what you learn. It’s about who you become.

Community as a Container for Transformation

One of the most consistent things our graduates say? That the friendships and community they built during YTT changed everything.

For many, the training was their first time stepping into such a safe, sacred space intentionally designed for growth. In that container, friendships form quickly. Barriers fall away. Vulnerability becomes strength.

Zach Stapleton, who now works at Namaspa, described it simply and beautifully:

“My favorite part of my YTT journey was the people. People who I love and who are now lifelong friends. Every single person in my YTT cohort is different, complex, and some of the most amazing people I have met. We clicked together seamlessly. I couldn’t have done this without them.”

Ann echoed this sentiment, crediting the facilitators for creating the conditions where these kinds of bonds can flourish:

“Lead facilitators Petit Pinson and Lesley Barr, plus all of their collaborators, bring deep knowledge and wide open hearts to the journey. They guided us in cultivating a profound capacity to support one another and bond as a collective.”

And for Chris Thier, who now integrates yoga and breathwork in his own offerings, that sense of belonging became the foundation for his work:

“The program provided more than just technical knowledge — it offered a safe and supportive space where we could truly grow. The mentorship, the opportunities for self-reflection, and the bond with my fellow trainees created a sense of belonging that I will carry with me for life.”

In a world that often emphasizes individual achievement, YTT offers something radical: the reminder that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. We grow together.

The Breadth and Depth of the Curriculum

One of the things that makes Namaspa’s 200-hour YTT so impactful is the richness of the curriculum. This isn’t just a training in how to lead a yoga class; it’s a comprehensive exploration of the physical, philosophical, and spiritual roots of the practice, combined with tangible, real-world skills you can begin applying immediately.

The program is offered through a blend of in-person weekends at our Bend studio, as well as live-streamed Zoom sessions. Every in-person module is also broadcast live, making it possible to complete the training entirely online, if needed.

You’ll learn the essentials: how to teach both Vinyasa and Yin Yoga, break down postures, work with alignment and variations, and safely offer hands-on assists. The anatomy component is one of the most technical and rich parts of the training – weaving together intellectual learning with somatic experience to give you a felt understanding of the body.

“What I loved most was how intentional every part of the program was,” shared graduate Kami Lee. “From Petit and Lesley’s leadership to Loren’s anatomy training, everything had intentionality."

The curriculum dives into yoga philosophy and the ethics of teaching, explores pranayama and meditation practices, and even addresses cultural appropriation and the modern history of asana practice. You’ll also be introduced to Ayurveda and the business of yoga, so participants leave with a holistic foundation for personal growth and professional development.

The genius of the curriculum, and the masterful facilitation of the lead trainers and those they bring in for specialty trainings, transitions YTT from being just about learning and memorizing material, into being about experiencing it all IN the body; practicing it both on the mat; and practicing in everyday life.

“YTT wasn’t just about learning how to teach yoga,” said Amy. “It was about reconnecting with myself on a deeper level. The program offered a safe and supportive space to grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I loved the emphasis on personal inquiry, the depth of the teachings, and the way the training was grounded in both ancient wisdom and real-world application."

Whether you plan to teach or simply want to deepen your personal practice, the scope of the training ensures that you’ll leave with a toolkit of knowledge, embodied experience, and practical skills that support you far beyond the mat.

Curious? Come to our Free YTT Open House!

If you’ve been feeling the nudge to take your practice deeper, or if you’ve ever wondered what a yoga teacher training could open up for you, join us for our Free YTT Open House on August 3rd, 3:00–4:00pm.

You can come in person to our Bend studio, or join via Zoom. You’ll meet our lead facilitators; learn more about the program, curriculum, and time commitments; and have a chance to ask questions.

Whether you’re on the fence or already leaning in, the open house is a perfect way to feel the energy of the program and gather the information needed to take your next step with clarity.

Beyond 200 Hours: The 300-Hour Advanced YTT

For those who have completed a 200-hour training, the journey doesn't have to stop there.

Namaspa’s 300-Hour Advanced YTT is designed as a modular program you can complete at your own pace -- giving space for you to do deeper dives into specialty topics and to refine your teaching in the ways that you're most passionate about or interested in.

For Amy, already enrolled in the 300-hour track, the deeper dive feels like one of the next steps on her journey:

“These kinds of trainings matter because they teach more than just poses. They teach presence, self-awareness, and how to live with intention.”

Upcoming advanced full trainings and standalone modules include:

• August 9-10 (hybrid): Building Trauma Responsive Workshops with Keri Sawyer

• August 15-17 (hybrid): Yoga of Recovery: Life is Prana with Durga Leela

• September 26, 2025 - March 15, 2026 (hybrid): 95-hour Kids Yoga Teacher Training with Deven Sisler (standalone modules that can be taken independently of the full training are below):

  • September 26-27, 2025 (in person): Mindfulness & Yoga for Early Childhood

  • October 5 - November 2, 2025 (Zoom): Mindfulness & Meditation

  • November 7-9, 2025 (in person): Mindful Games & Partner Yoga for Big Kids

  • January 4 - February 1, 2026 (Zoom): The Business of Yoga

  • March 13-15, 2026 (in person): Working with Tweens & Teens

• November 14–16, 2025: Breath & Meditation with Sadie Barr

• February 20–22, 2026: Nidra/Restorative/Chair Yoga with Nancy Lumpkin

• April 24–26, 2026: Healing Flow with Petit Pinson

• May 8–10, 2026: Yin Yoga with Lesley Barr 

• June 12-14, 2026: Hands-on Assists with Lauren Davey

The Decision That Changes Everything

Summer invites us to expand. Fall invites us to ground. Together, they create the perfect threshold for transformation.

And if there’s one thing all our graduates agree on, it’s this: saying yes to YTT is a decision that ripples through every area of life. It's so impactful because of the intentionality that’s at the heart of the program, and because of the sincerity of curiosity, openness, willingness, and hunger to learn and transform that participants come into the training with.

Every session, every practice teaching, every moment of inquiry is designed to help you embody yoga — not just as a physical practice, but as a way of life and way of being in the world.

Chris says it beautifully:

“YTT is not just about becoming a yoga teacher — it’s about transforming yourself. It’s a space where you are given the tools to deepen your own practice, find your voice, and step into a version of yourself that is more authentic, grounded, and empowered.”

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to take the next step in your yoga journey, consider this it. Join us for the free open house on August 3rd. Meet the facilitators. Feel into what this program could mean for you.

As Zach said:

“Even if you do not want to teach after, just do it. We are a family, we are a community of love.”

This October, a new cohort will gather — people just like you, ready to explore, grow, and say yes to themselves in a whole new way.

Join us. Learn. Embody. Lead. This is your season. Apply here today.