Josh Summers

Yin Yoga | Meditation | Path

Summers School of Yin Yoga

200-hr and 300-hr Teacher Training Certification in Yin Yoga and Meditation

Founder: Josh Summers Lic. Ac., E-RYT – 500, YACEP
Lead Trainer: Terry Cockburn, E-RYT – 500, YACEP

IMPORTANT UPDATE: In response to the changing landscape brought on by the global pandemic, our Yin Yoga Teacher Trainings have shifted to a convenient and flexible ONLINE format. Our 200hr and 300hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training Certifications can now be completed solely online, and attendance at a live, in-person event is optional but no longer a requirement.

The Summers School of Yin Yoga, led by Josh Summers and Terry Cockburn, is committed to the ongoing study, practice, and development of students and teachers in the arts of Yin Yoga and Meditation. Josh’s decades of practicing and teaching Yin Yoga, meditation and acupuncture combined with Terry’s decades of practicing and teaching Yin and Yang styles of yoga, meditation and Qi Gong both infuse their courses with a shared passion and enthusiasm for their craft.

This unique and comprehensive training (for teachers and students) covers the physical, energetic and meditative aspects of Yin Yoga. Our flexible, modular format allows students to work at their own pace towards a 200hr or 300hr Yin Yoga Teacher Training certification; or students can elect to take any of our Modules as standalone courses for Continuing Education or personal development.

Please note: Our 50hr training Modules are eligible for Continuing Education credit with Yoga Alliance. However, our 200hr and 300hr certifications are not eligible for RYT status with Yoga Alliance.

The Core Curriculum in the Summers School of Yin Yoga:

Foundations Module | Traditional Chinese Medicine Module
Heart of Compassion Module | Heart of Wisdom Module

At this time, our 50hr Foundations Module is an online, on-demand course, and our three other 50hr Modules (TCM, Heart of Compassion and Heart of Wisdom) are presently online courses offered in a series format throughout the year (see Current Schedule)

Foundations Module (50hrs) On Demand

  • Foundations teaches you everything you need to know about the physical aspects (Gross Body) of teaching and practicing Yin Yoga.
  • Training Includes: Yin Yoga Postures and Variations, Fascial Anatomy and Bone Variation, Functional vs. Aesthetic Alignment, Science of Yin Yoga, Playing the Physical Edge, Physical Boundaries, Teaching Talking Points and Sequencing, Developing a Personal Practice, Contemplative Journaling, and more.
  • The Foundations Module is offered as an On Demand course HERE – in registering, you will receive lifetime access.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Module (50hrs)

  • TCM teaches you everything you need to know about the energetics (Subtle Body) of teaching and practicing Yin Yoga.
  • Training Includes: Essential Chinese Medical Theory, Yin Pranayama, Playing the Energetic Edge, Yin-Yang Theory, Channels and their Holistic Organs, Qi and Blood Production and Circulation, Western and Eastern Views of Energy Medicine, How Yin Yoga Harmonizes Qi, Energetic Boundaries, Teaching Talking Points and Sequencing, Developing a Personal Practice, Contemplative Journaling, and more.
  • On Demand version of this course is coming soon.

The Heart of Compassion: Yin Yoga and Meditation Module (50hrs)

  • Heart of Compassion teaches you the contemplative arts of compassion (wise relationship) within Yin Yoga and Meditation.
  • Training includes: Buddhist and Taoist Philosophical Practice, Yin and Yang Meditative Approaches to Metta (loving-kindness) and Karuna (compassion), Melting Ice with Compassionate RAIN, Playing the Karmic Edge, Teaching Talking Points and Boundaries in Teaching, Developing a Personal Practice, Contemplative Journaling, The Path of Healing, and more.
  • The Heart of Compassion Module is running as an eight-week online, pre-recorded training May/June 2022 – Registration Ends May 1st. Click HERE to learn more.

The Heart of Wisdom: Yin Yoga and Meditation Module (50hrs)

  • Heart of Wisdom teaches you the contemplative art of mindfulness (sati) and wisdom (vipassana) within Yin Yoga and Meditation.
  • Training includes: Buddhist and Taoist Philosophical Practice, Yin and Yang Meditative Approaches to Mindfulness (sati) and Wisdom (vipassana), The Art of Stillness (samadhi), Refining the Karmic Edge, Teaching Talking Points and Boundaries of Teaching, Developing a Personal Practice, Contemplative Journaling, The Path of Lifelong Integration, and more.
    The Heart of Wisdom Module will run as an online training in the Fall of 2022 (September, October, November).
  • The Heart of Wisdom will be offered as an eight-week online, pre-recorded training Fall 2022. More details posted soon.

Requirements for the 200hr Certification:

  • Completion of all four, 50hr Modules in the curriculum:
    • Foundations Module
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine Module
    • Heart of Compassion: Yin Yoga and Meditation Module
    • Heart of Wisdom: Yin Yoga and Meditation Module
  • Teaching Practicum Assignment (once all modules are complete)
  • Closing Interview with Josh/Terry

Requirements for the 300hr Certification:

  • Completion of all four 50hr Modules in the curriculum:
    • Foundations Module
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine Module
    • Heart of Compassion: Yin Yoga and Meditation Module
    • Heart of Wisdom: Yin Yoga and Meditation Module
  • Teaching Practicum Assignment (once all modules are complete)
  • A Year of Ongoing Practice in the River Bird Sangha as a Sustaining Member
  • Closing Interview with Josh/Terry

Time to Complete: Trainees will have as much time as they need to complete the necessary hours to earn their certificate in Yin Yoga Studies at either the 200hr or 300hr certification level. Our intention is that the flexibility of this program will allow trainees to attend Modules at a pace that their schedule permits.

Submit an Application

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do I need to be a teacher to attend? Can I take the training to develop my personal practice? You do not need to be a teacher or even want to teach to participate in any of our Modules. We welcome anyone who has a strong desire to learn and a willingness to commit to the study and practice of Yin Yoga and meditation.

I’m interested in the Yin Yoga Certification track (200hr or 300hr), how do I enroll? Thank you for your interest! You may apply for the program by submitting an application and paying a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $50. Please click here to apply. Email your completed application to: info@yinyogaschool.com

How do I get started with my course of training? We suggest starting with the Foundations Module, and then the remaining Modules can be completed in any particular order. All Modules can be completed online, and there are a few live, in-person offerings in 2022. Click HERE to view the current schedule.

Do I need to be a teacher to attend? Can I take the training to develop my personal practice? You do not need to be a teacher or even want to teach to participate in this program. We welcome anyone who has a strong desire to learn and a willingness to commit to the study and practice of Yin Yoga and meditation.

I would like to take some of these Modules, but don’t have any interest in working towards a 200hr or 300hr certification. May I still participate without applying? Yes, all Modules are open to anyone with a strong interest in learning more about the content of that particular Module, and we would encourage your participation. There is no required application to take individual Modules. You only need to apply if you intend to earn a 200hr or 300hr level certification through the Summers School of Yin Yoga.

I don’t have any training in Yin Yoga. Am I eligible to take your 300hr program? Absolutely! Our 300hr track is suitable for those brand new to Yin Yoga or for anyone with more experience. The 300hr program includes a commitment of one year of practice in the River Bird Sangha, our online community. With a dedicated, consistent practice, the depth of understanding that is cultivated over time will enhance your overall experience and create the optimal conditions for growth.

Within the 300hr certification track, what does a year of Ongoing Practice in the River Bird Sangha involve? Students in the 300hr track are required to participate for one year in our online practice community, the River Bird Sangha. This includes: attending weekly practice, reflective journaling, four online workshops and two day-long online retreats over the course of the year. All of these offerings may be attended live online or as replays in our Sangha Library, so you have maximum flexibility in terms of your completion of this program. Sustaining membership is offered on a sliding scale, from $25 to $99 per month. Your total cost for this portion of the requirement will be between $300 – $1,188, depending on the level of support you choose.

Do I need to have a 200hr certification with another school to take your 300hr program? There is no need to have any prior certification to participate in the 300hr program.

I have already completed a Yin Yoga teacher training. Do I need to take the Foundations module if I am enrolled in your school? Yes, students are required to complete all modules within our curriculum.

Is your program eligible for Yoga Alliance RYT status? While we do offer continuing education within Yoga Alliance, our school’s certifications are independently rewarded by us. We value our school’s independence as it allows us to expand and evolve our teaching in an organic way. Our decades of experience with Yin Yoga, meditation and Chinese Medicine allow us to provide you with the highest caliber of Yin Yoga education, which students continue to pursue because of the value they receive for their practice and teaching.

Are your modules eligible for continuing education credit? Yes. Our 50hr modules are eligible for continuing education credit with Yoga Alliance. At this time, we do not offer continuing education credit with any other organization.

I want to take one of your modules, but am not currently enrolled in the 200hr or 300hr certification track. Will I receive credit for this module if I enroll for the certification track afterwards? Yes. Modules taken prior to enrollment (and after 2018) will be credited towards the certification track of your choice. To receive updates on all school-related matters, we strongly suggest applying sooner rather than later so that you have all the relevant information on the curriculum.

What is the cost of the program? As this is an open-enrollment a la carte-style training, the cost will depend on which track you commit to and the Modules you choose to take. For 2022, the pricing for an online Module is $540. For those enrolled in the 300hr certification track, there is a Year of Ongoing Practice commitment of being a Sustaining Member of the River Bird Sangha, which is offered at a sliding scale rate of $25 – $99 per month. More information can be found HERE.

Our hope is that the accessibility and flexibility of this training will make it an affordable and enriching investment.

How do I apply for a certificate track? Thank you for your interest! You may apply for the program by submitting an application and paying a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $50. Please click here to apply. Email your completed application to: info@yinyogaschool.com

Do I need to apply for a certificate track to take a module? No. There is no required application to take individual Modules. You only need to apply if you intend to earn a 200hr or 300hr level certification through the Summers School of Yin Yoga.

How long do I have to complete the requirements in the program? You have as much time as you need, and you can work towards your 200hr or 300hr certification at your own pace.

Let’s say I’ve applied and have been accepted into the program. How do I start taking modules? Is there a specific order in which they need to be taken? Congratulations! We are thrilled you have made this commitment in furthering your education and deepening your practice.

We encourage taking the Foundations Module first. Once you’ve completed the Foundations Module, you will then benefit from taking any other module.

Click HERE to view the Modules that are being offered.

May I receive credit for modules I’ve taken in the past? You will receive credit for any Module completed since January 1, 2018. However, we are unable to offer credit for any Modules completed prior to 2018.

Do you offer a scholarship for your online modules? Yes, the scholarship is already included in our fee structure. Our 50hr online modules are offered at a discounted rate of $540 (2022) per module, which is our attempt to make the program as accessible as possible. Specifically, our training modules cost a little over $10 per training hour, a steep reduction from our industry’s standard of $18-$22 per training hour. We built this discount into our pricing to make our teaching affordable to as many as possible.

Submit an Application

Please email Josh + Terry at info@yinyogaschool.com if you have any further questions~

 

The Summers School of Yin Yoga // www.yinyogaschool.com