Although the program emphasizes teaching techniques and modalities, it isn't necessary that teaching be your
ultimate goal. You might simply feel the need for a fuller understanding of yoga theory and practice, history and
philosophy, and how it all relates to and enriches your life. You'll discover, as all teachers eventually do, that working
with other people is one of the greatest learning experiences. But since this is an advanced training program, we
can only accept students who:
The program content is based on and fulfills the 200-hour certification requirements for the Yoga Alliance. We'll
have 101 hours of teaching techniques, 21 hours of anatomy, 21 hours of Yoga history and philosophy, 27 of what’s
called teaching methodology, and 30 hours of practicum. Here's the link to the YA website, where all of this is
explained in more detail:
Yoga Alliance
Our program is designed to give you a solid foundation in teaching techniques and modalities. But it isn’t necessary
that teaching be your ultimate goal. You might join simply to expand and deepen your understanding of yoga theory
and practice, history and philosophy, and how it all relates to and enriches your life. You’ll discover, as all teachers
eventually do, that working with other people is one of the greatest learning experiences.
ultimate goal. You might simply feel the need for a fuller understanding of yoga theory and practice, history and
philosophy, and how it all relates to and enriches your life. You'll discover, as all teachers eventually do, that working
with other people is one of the greatest learning experiences. But since this is an advanced training program, we
can only accept students who:
- Have at least 2 years experience with yoga practice.
- Have a reasonably consistent home practice, with at least four one-hour practice sessions each week, and
attending public classes. - Can comfortably hold inverted positions such as head stand and shoulder stand (with or without the support
of a wall) for at least 3 minutes.
The program content is based on and fulfills the 200-hour certification requirements for the Yoga Alliance. We'll
have 101 hours of teaching techniques, 21 hours of anatomy, 21 hours of Yoga history and philosophy, 27 of what’s
called teaching methodology, and 30 hours of practicum. Here's the link to the YA website, where all of this is
explained in more detail:
Yoga Alliance
Our program is designed to give you a solid foundation in teaching techniques and modalities. But it isn’t necessary
that teaching be your ultimate goal. You might join simply to expand and deepen your understanding of yoga theory
and practice, history and philosophy, and how it all relates to and enriches your life. You’ll discover, as all teachers
eventually do, that working with other people is one of the greatest learning experiences.
The program totals 200 hours spread out over 10 months, from September 2008 through June 2009.
- Classes will meet every Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, beginning September 4, 2008, and ending June
26, 2009 (excluding November 27, December 25, 2007, January 1 and April 14, 2009.) - The monthly Saturday intensive will meet from 1:30 to 8:00 pm with a half-hour break. Currently the
scheduled Saturdays are: (September 6 October 25 November 15 December 13 January 10 February 7 March 7
April 4 May 2 June 13) - Note: The Thursday classes are open only to registered students. The first half of each Saturday intensives is
usually open to the public.
| TUITION POLICIES |
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| Richard Rosen |
| Ann Dyer |
| Vickie Russell Bell |
| Baxter Bell |
| INTRODUCTION |
| LENGTH OF PROGRAM & CLASS MEETINGS |
| FACULTY |
The six teachers on the Advanced Training faculty are all long-time yoga practitioners who bring a wide range of
experience to the program. Senior instructors Mary Paffard and Richard Rosen were classmates in the early 1980s
at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco, and each has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. Baxter Bell, a
graduate of the 2000-2001 Advanced Studies program, is a medical doctor and is featured in a Yoga Journal video,
The Total Guide to Managing Stress. Vickie Russell Bell, another 2000-2001 Advanced Studies graduate, has been a
studio director and is certified by Judith Lasater as a Relax & Renew Trainer. Ann Dyer is a professional vocalist, a
dedicated student of the ancient Yoga of Sound (Nada Yoga), and is featured in a Sleep Garden video, ZYoga: The
Yoga Sleep Ritual.
experience to the program. Senior instructors Mary Paffard and Richard Rosen were classmates in the early 1980s
at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco, and each has been teaching yoga for over 20 years. Baxter Bell, a
graduate of the 2000-2001 Advanced Studies program, is a medical doctor and is featured in a Yoga Journal video,
The Total Guide to Managing Stress. Vickie Russell Bell, another 2000-2001 Advanced Studies graduate, has been a
studio director and is certified by Judith Lasater as a Relax & Renew Trainer. Ann Dyer is a professional vocalist, a
dedicated student of the ancient Yoga of Sound (Nada Yoga), and is featured in a Sleep Garden video, ZYoga: The
Yoga Sleep Ritual.
BAXTER BELL, MD teaches locally and nationally, leading workshops, retreats, and teacher training intensives on a
variety of yoga related topics. He has a keen appreciation of the importance of understanding the anatomy of yoga
postures, and enjoys teaching the therapeutic benefits of yoga. He's a graduate of the PYS 2000-2001 Advanced
Studies program, and has been influenced by the teachings of Patricia Walden, Donald Moyer, Erich Schiffman and
TKV Desikachar.
variety of yoga related topics. He has a keen appreciation of the importance of understanding the anatomy of yoga
postures, and enjoys teaching the therapeutic benefits of yoga. He's a graduate of the PYS 2000-2001 Advanced
Studies program, and has been influenced by the teachings of Patricia Walden, Donald Moyer, Erich Schiffman and
TKV Desikachar.
VICKIE RUSSELL BELL has been studying yoga since 1990 and began teaching in 1994 in Ohio. Her teaching style
emphasizes body awareness, alignment, and the integration of mindfulness and ease in Hatha yoga practice and
daily life. She's a graduate of the PYS 2000-2001 Advanced Studies Program and is certified by Judith Lasater as a
Relax & Renew Trainer.
emphasizes body awareness, alignment, and the integration of mindfulness and ease in Hatha yoga practice and
daily life. She's a graduate of the PYS 2000-2001 Advanced Studies Program and is certified by Judith Lasater as a
Relax & Renew Trainer.
ANN DYER is a Yoga instructor and concert vocalist. Trained primarily in the Iyengar system, her extensive
education includes a two-year intensive studies program with Rodney Yee, and since 1996, a devotion to the in-
depth study of Nada Yoga, the Yoga of Sound, beginning with an intensive course of study in India and continuing
with private instruction with her mentor Pandit Mukesh Desai. Yoga Journal dubbed Ann “the near perfect sleep
guru” for her work in 2005 with Sleep Garden in developing yoga solutions to alleviate insomnia.
education includes a two-year intensive studies program with Rodney Yee, and since 1996, a devotion to the in-
depth study of Nada Yoga, the Yoga of Sound, beginning with an intensive course of study in India and continuing
with private instruction with her mentor Pandit Mukesh Desai. Yoga Journal dubbed Ann “the near perfect sleep
guru” for her work in 2005 with Sleep Garden in developing yoga solutions to alleviate insomnia.
MARY PAFFARD began her yoga practice in the early 1970s, and has been teaching in rural Northern California, the
Bay Area, and internationally since 1985. She's currently Director of Teacher Training at Yoga Mendocino, in Ukiah, a
non-profit corporation that seeks to bring community into yoga and yoga into community. Mary has been involved in
teacher training since the early 1990s, and was part of the core faculty of the 18-month training programs at PYS.
She's been a Vipassana practitioner for 23 years and is currently completing the two-year Dedicated Practitioners
Program at Spirit Rock in Marin County.
Bay Area, and internationally since 1985. She's currently Director of Teacher Training at Yoga Mendocino, in Ukiah, a
non-profit corporation that seeks to bring community into yoga and yoga into community. Mary has been involved in
teacher training since the early 1990s, and was part of the core faculty of the 18-month training programs at PYS.
She's been a Vipassana practitioner for 23 years and is currently completing the two-year Dedicated Practitioners
Program at Spirit Rock in Marin County.
RICHARD ROSEN is the Director of the Piedmont Yoga Studio. He began his practice of yoga in 1980, and in 1987
co-founded PYS along with Rodney Yee and Clare Finn. A graduate of the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco,
Richard is a contributing editor at Yoga Journal and the author of three books on yoga, including The Yoga of
Breath: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pranayama (Shambhala, 2000) and Pranayama: Beyond the Fundamentals
(Shambhala, 2006).
co-founded PYS along with Rodney Yee and Clare Finn. A graduate of the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco,
Richard is a contributing editor at Yoga Journal and the author of three books on yoga, including The Yoga of
Breath: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pranayama (Shambhala, 2000) and Pranayama: Beyond the Fundamentals
(Shambhala, 2006).
Studio Location:
3966 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
Mailing Address:
Piedmont Yoga Studio
P.O. Box 11458
Oakland, CA 94611
Voice mail:
510-652-3336
E-mail:
pys@piedmontyoga.com
Studio Director &
Program Co-Director:
Richard Rosen
Program Co-Director:
Baxter Bell
Studio Manager
Caryn Dickman
3966 Piedmont Avenue
Oakland, CA 94611
Mailing Address:
Piedmont Yoga Studio
P.O. Box 11458
Oakland, CA 94611
Voice mail:
510-652-3336
E-mail:
pys@piedmontyoga.com
Studio Director &
Program Co-Director:
Richard Rosen
Program Co-Director:
Baxter Bell
Studio Manager
Caryn Dickman
Penalty on Late Tuition Payments
Installment tuition payments must be paid on time. A late penalty fee of $15 is attached to any payments that are
postmarked or received by the office five days after the first of the month or the date that the payment is due.
Please voluntarily add the penalty fee to the check or money order if you know that your payment is late.
Cancellation of Student Agreement (before September 12, 2008)
PYS will refund 100 percent of the amount paid by the student less a $100 registration fee if we receive a written
Notice of Cancellation before midnight of September 12 (the fifth business day after the first class). The refund for
a Notice of Cancellation will be made within 30 days of the date of cancellation.
Withdrawal or Dismissal (between September 12, 2008, and February 28, 2009)
If you withdraw or are dismissed from the program after September 12, 2008, but on or before February 28, 2009
(when approximately 60% of the program is completed), you're entitled to a refund for the tuition you've already paid
less a registration fee of $100, and less a prorated dollar amount for the all classes held (whether you attended or
not) up to the last class you attended.
To determine the amount of this refund:
EXAMPLE: The last class you attended was on February 14. That means there are 17 Thursdays remaining, for a total
of 51 hours, and 5 Saturdays, for 30 hours, the added total is then 81 hours. 81 x 15 = 1215 - 100 = 1115. Subtract
this number from $2600 (assuming you've paid in full in advance) and your refund is $1485.
Refunds for withdrawals or dismissals will be made within 30 business days after written Notice of Withdrawal is
received, or within 30 business days after the effective date of dismissal from the program. If you withdraw or are
dismissed from the program after February 28, you're obligated to pay full tuition for the program.
Mail your Notification of Withdrawal and Request for Refund to our Post Office box, don't give these papers to a
faculty member or leave them at the studio.
Installment tuition payments must be paid on time. A late penalty fee of $15 is attached to any payments that are
postmarked or received by the office five days after the first of the month or the date that the payment is due.
Please voluntarily add the penalty fee to the check or money order if you know that your payment is late.
Cancellation of Student Agreement (before September 12, 2008)
PYS will refund 100 percent of the amount paid by the student less a $100 registration fee if we receive a written
Notice of Cancellation before midnight of September 12 (the fifth business day after the first class). The refund for
a Notice of Cancellation will be made within 30 days of the date of cancellation.
Withdrawal or Dismissal (between September 12, 2008, and February 28, 2009)
If you withdraw or are dismissed from the program after September 12, 2008, but on or before February 28, 2009
(when approximately 60% of the program is completed), you're entitled to a refund for the tuition you've already paid
less a registration fee of $100, and less a prorated dollar amount for the all classes held (whether you attended or
not) up to the last class you attended.
To determine the amount of this refund:
- Calculate the total number of class hours from the last class you attended to the last class of the training (on
June 26, 2009). - Multiply this number by 15, the average hourly fee for class attendance (based on $2600 divided by 170
hours, the Practicum hours aren't factored in), then subtract the $100 registration fee from this number. - Subtract this number from $2600 or from the total amount of fees you've already paid.
EXAMPLE: The last class you attended was on February 14. That means there are 17 Thursdays remaining, for a total
of 51 hours, and 5 Saturdays, for 30 hours, the added total is then 81 hours. 81 x 15 = 1215 - 100 = 1115. Subtract
this number from $2600 (assuming you've paid in full in advance) and your refund is $1485.
Refunds for withdrawals or dismissals will be made within 30 business days after written Notice of Withdrawal is
received, or within 30 business days after the effective date of dismissal from the program. If you withdraw or are
dismissed from the program after February 28, you're obligated to pay full tuition for the program.
Mail your Notification of Withdrawal and Request for Refund to our Post Office box, don't give these papers to a
faculty member or leave them at the studio.
| GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE |
In the event that you have a problem with a teacher or another member of the program, we urge you to speak to
her/him directly, or bring the matter up with a faculty member. If the issue can't be resolved in this way, send a
written complaint to the Program Manager who will investigate and respond in writing within 10 days of receiving
the complaint. When you submit your written complaint, you'll receive a copy of the school's Grievance Procedure.
Any grievance won’t deprive you of your rights as a program participant.
If you have any complaints, questions, or problems which you can't work out with the school, write or call the Bureau
for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE):
her/him directly, or bring the matter up with a faculty member. If the issue can't be resolved in this way, send a
written complaint to the Program Manager who will investigate and respond in writing within 10 days of receiving
the complaint. When you submit your written complaint, you'll receive a copy of the school's Grievance Procedure.
Any grievance won’t deprive you of your rights as a program participant.
If you have any complaints, questions, or problems which you can't work out with the school, write or call the Bureau
for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (BPPVE):
- BPPVE
1027 Tenth Street, Fourth Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814-3517
Telephone: 916.445.3427
| DISMISSAL POLICY |
Piedmont Yoga reserves the right to request that a student leave the program for the following reasons:
The training faculty will warn you at least twice, both verbally and in writing, before recommending dismissal.
- Poor class attendance or repeated un-excused lateness.
- Chronically disruptive or disrespectful behavior.
- Repeated failure to meet class requirements of fulfill class assignments.
The training faculty will warn you at least twice, both verbally and in writing, before recommending dismissal.
| NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY |
The Piedmont Yoga Studio offers students of any race, gender, color and national or ethnic origin all the rights,
privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It doesn't
discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational
policies, admission policies, or school-administered programs.
privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It doesn't
discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational
policies, admission policies, or school-administered programs.
| TUITION INFORMATION (3 PLANS) |
- Single Payment - Program cost: $2700. A deposit of $500 is due by August 1, 2008, which will hold your
space, and the remaining balance of $2200 due by August 15, 2008. - Two Installments - Program cost: $2800. A deposit of $400 is due by August 1, 2008, which will hold your
space, and two payments of $1200 each are due on September 1, 2008 and January 5, 2009. - Six Monthly Payments - Program cost: $2900. A deposit of $500 is due August 1, 2008, which will hold your
space, and six monthly payments of $400 are due on the first of each month beginning September 1, 2008
and ending February 1, 2009.
| ADMISSION APPLICATION DEADLINE |
The deadline for registration is June 30, 2008. You can fill out the form online or download the form.
- Fill out the Admissions Applications (see left):
- Send a $25 non-refundable deposit to:
- Piedmont Yoga Studio
ATTN: Advanced Training Manager
PO Box 11458
Oakland, CA 94611
Click here to download audio files from the Advanced Training program.
This site is password protected and is only available to students enrolled in the Advanced Training program.
This site is password protected and is only available to students enrolled in the Advanced Training program.
Piedmont Yoga offered in-depth yoga training programs in one form or another from
1996 through June 2005. Graduates of these programs are now teaching not only
throughout the Bay Area but in other parts of the US as well. You don't have to look
far though to find our graduates: at least a dozen of our PYS teachers went through
one of the training programs.
We've had several requests from students to revive the program. The longer
programs each ran for 18 months and over 700 hours of class time, meeting twice a
week from 7:00 to 11:00 am. Needless to say, the length of the program and timing
of its classes made it difficult or impossible for many people with day jobs/and or
family responsibilities to participate. So we've streamlined the program, cutting it
back to 200 hours spread out over 10 months, from September 2008 through June
2009, and scheduled our classes to meet on Thursday evenings and one Saturday a
month.
1996 through June 2005. Graduates of these programs are now teaching not only
throughout the Bay Area but in other parts of the US as well. You don't have to look
far though to find our graduates: at least a dozen of our PYS teachers went through
one of the training programs.
We've had several requests from students to revive the program. The longer
programs each ran for 18 months and over 700 hours of class time, meeting twice a
week from 7:00 to 11:00 am. Needless to say, the length of the program and timing
of its classes made it difficult or impossible for many people with day jobs/and or
family responsibilities to participate. So we've streamlined the program, cutting it
back to 200 hours spread out over 10 months, from September 2008 through June
2009, and scheduled our classes to meet on Thursday evenings and one Saturday a
month.
- 101 hours - of teaching technique, including practical instruction in asana, pranayama, and
meditation/chanting - 27 hours - of teaching methodology, including instruction in physical observation and adjustment, verbal
skills, the use of props, class themes, structure an sequencing - 21 hours - of yoga history and philosophy
- 21 hours - of anatomy for yoga teachers
- 30 hours - of practicum, which can be earned in one of two ways. If you intend to teach yoga, you can earn
hours either by assisting or being observed as you teach by a faculty member or a teacher approved by the
faculty. If teaching isn't your goal, then you can earn hours by attending faculty approved workshops at PYS.
| 200 HOUR CURRICULUM |
| Mary Paffard |