Yoga History & Philosophy

Foundations of teaching Yoga, ancient teachings of the Yoga Sutra, Eight Limbs of Yoga, ethic codes of Yoga, living the Yamas & Niyamas in a modern world, essential Sanskrit

Asanas

Teaching safely in the styles of Ashtanga, Basic, Slow Flow, Vinyasa and Yin including benefits, precautions, principles of alignment and modifications

Ashtanga Yoga Immersion

A deep dive into understanding practicing and instructing in the primary poses of this noble practice which forms the foundation for many other styles of Yoga

Basic & Therapeutic Yoga Immersion

Principles of Basic Yoga for beginners, developing class formats, and utilizing therapeutic adjustments and modifications

Slow Flow & Vinyasa Yoga Immersion

Linking postures, breath and movement into a more vigorous flow, developing class formats and class pacing

Yin Yoga Immersion

The art of Yin Yoga, use of props and importance of integrating Yin with other styles of Yoga for a well-balanced practice

Chair Yoga

Introduction to the practice and practical applications for Chair Yoga

Teaching Yoga To Pregnant Students

Learn the basics and practical guidance every Yoga Instructor should know for how to properly and safely accommodate pregnant students attending an Yoga class

Teaching Methodology

Discovering what it is to be a Yoga instructor: class construct, sequencing and pacing, finding your personal teaching style and expression

Anatomy & Physiology

Learning the basics of the body's musculoskeletal, fascia, glandular, respiratory and nervous systems as it relates to Yoga postures and Pranayama

Yoga Adjustments

Understanding techniques and benefits of mindful, supported and therapeutic adjustments specific to the various styles of Yoga

Meditation & Pranayama

Varied breathing techniques, moving the mind beyond limitations and experiencing stillness; learning how to bring these gifts to others

Chakras & Subtle Energy

Learning about prana and the subtle energy body, koshas, chakra energy centers and how to balance them

Nutrition & Ayurveda

An introduction to Nutrition, Doshas and Ayurvedic principles for a healthy lifestyle

Teaching Practicum

In-depth practice teaching sessions with feedbacks, gradually building to a 60-minute class

FREE Unlimited Yoga Classes

FREE Unlimited Yoga Classes at two studios, UpDog Rochester and UpDog Sterling Heights, to complement and enhance your practice (over $1,000 value)

FREE/Discount Workshops

FREE or discount admission to a variety of Yoga, Health & Wellness and Spiritual Development workshops offered weekly at UpDog throughout the training

Merchandise Discount

10%-15% discount on Yoga Gear, Apparel, and Merchandise from the UpDog Crystal & Metaphysical Shop throughout duration of the training

FREE/Discount Therapy Sessions

• FREE Float Tank Therapy session by appt. at The Float Institute at our Sterling Hgts. location
• 15% Discount on Reiki session by appt. with Reiki Master Jill at our Rochester location
• 15% Discount on Massage Therapy appt. at Basic Massage located in the Downtown Wellness Union
• 15% Discount on Vibroacoustic Sound Healing Therapy appt. at our Rochester location

"This training was one of the best experiences of my life! The studio has great energy and the program is well put together. Words cannot express the gratitude for the experience I had at UpDog. I have not only grown in my practice, but in all areas of my life. I built new confidence, I grew closer to my daughter who took the training with me, I met many other wonderful people, and I learned so much about what I am already passionate about. Meeting other yogis that are passionate about Yoga and coming together with everyone with the same goal in mind was so rewarding."  N. Perez, RYT® Fall 2020

"The comprehensive material covered was rich and offered an excellent variety of topics to study. I chose UpDog for my training because it covered aspects of teaching not provided elsewhere. The instructors are amazing. I hardly recognize the person I was before beginning the program. I feel as though I have discovered more of myself - physically, emotionally and spiritually."  G. Gatzke, RYT® Spring 2019

“All of the training sessions were amazing and all the teachers were extremely knowledgeable and caring! The research and depth that Jill has put in to develop this training is stellar. Each week helped deepen my practice and the most rewarding thing for me was learning how to be a caring teacher. I would recommend anyone to take this training, whether they plan to teach or not. Yoga has now become a part of my life. I am now always aware of how I choose daily activities to be the best use of my time and energy. I make better food choices and my reactivity has gone down. I will definitely pursue Yoga continuing education here." - S. Ganesh, RYT® Fall 2020

“This program was super hands-on learning and I felt competent to try practice teaching to my family and friends within the first several weeks. Now that my training is complete, I feel even more confident and my family wants me to continue to teach weekly Yoga classes to them! It's super empowering to share something that I love with people that I love."  V. Kazinowski, RYT® Fall 2020

"I really appreciated the variety of teachers -

great experience and techniques. The studio was clean and the atmosphere was great.  

I loved all the extras, the materials, the knowledge

of the staff. The enthusiasm of each and every 

teacher, and the heart and thought that was put

into all aspects of the program make UpDog a 

great learning experience. It provides you with

the knowledge you can take out into the world 

of teaching. THANK YOU ALL!" C. Lyons, RYT® Spring 2013, RYT® 500 Spring 2015

"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and am impressed with the whole team/community here. The opportunity to study with and get to know a remarkable group of students and teachers is priceless. Thank you so much Jill and the whole UpDog Team for such a wonderful experience. I really enjoyed everything and especially the care taken in all the little details like the guided meditations, sharing your knowledge of crystals, fresh fruit in the morning, providing a nice training binder (I'm a binder nerd!), and all the passion that you put into each session."  M. Maloney, RYT® Fall 2021

"Sundays at the studio were such an amazing experience - I am still on cloud nine! I learned so much from Jill and the entire training team and hold so much respect and gratitude for you all. From start to finish, this has been such a rewarding experience and one I will never forget. Going through this program I have been reminded and renewed in my love of yoga and how I want to incorporate it more deeply in my life and share it with others as an instructor. Thank you!" - C. Smith, RYT® Fall 2023

"Great instructors with a diversity of experience. The training program was enhanced by the opportunity to participate in everything offered at the studio - workshops and practicing at UpDog throughout the week complemented and reinforced the lessons we learned in the classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this Yoga community. So rewarding to connect with others while learning from and supporting each other."  K. Turner, RYT® Spring 2019

"The training has helped me incorporate Yoga more fully into my lifestyle and inspired me to include it in my career path. I learned so much about teaching and my own personal practice. I gained a great understanding of all types of Yoga and the energetic body. I had an all around Amazing experience!"  A. Ward, RYT® Fall 2017

"I took this course because I felt like something was missing in my body. The way the program is designed is so comprehensive that I feel so whole spiritually, mentally and physically. It gave me what I was missing even though I can't quite put it into words. The guidance of all the knowledgeable teachers, the readings gave me so much knowledge and wisdom, the workshops enriched me, my classmates were kind and forgiving, and so much more. Thank you for everything Jill. Your kindness, compassion and understanding for everyone in the program is obvious. Your hard work and passion did not go unnoticed. I am so grateful for my decision to do this and that I was drawn to UpDog to do it."  N. Troyanovich, RYT® Spring 2019

“I feel as though I learned so much!  Free practice … great workshops … helpful, professional binder and materials – it was worth every penny!  The program is wonderful – you can practice at UpDog the whole time, you meet GREAT people, the payment plan was very helpful, the program touches on a variety of aspects of becoming a Yoga teacher.  UPDOG REALLY PREPARES YOU!”  N. Bommarito, RYT® Spring 2011

"I feel pure gratitude. I've learned more about myself during this journey than I've known for the past 32 years in this body! I can't change the whole world but thank you for helping me find my corner to make it as beautiful as I please." K. Agar, RYT® Spring 2021

"I love the fact that we covered a variety of Yoga styles in the program and had the opportunity to interact with multiple teachers and points of view. I always knew Yoga made me feel better than any other exercise, and now I realize the spiritual aspects of this. I am glad this was explored in the training and I feel like a new side of my life experience has been opened. I have a new found focus on meditation."  K Cvetkovski, RYT® Fall 2020

"Thoroughly enjoyed myself in this training and the teachers are awesome! I never expected that in learning to teach Yoga I would grow so much spiritually. I learned how to meditate and I do so regularly now. All of our readings and teachings were Food For The Soul!"   T. Martinez-Orza, RYT® Spring 2019

"I learned so much in this training program.  I definitely see a difference in my body and mental state and meditation is now an important part of my life after this training.  I enjoyed the variety of teaching styles from the different teachers involved in the program and each of them showed a great deal of passion for what they do. I loved coming to the studio, such a warm and inviting environment. I learned so much that I feel as if I have won the lottery!  It  enriched my life in many ways, and I'm so happy to be where I am at today."   R. Sidhu, RYT® Fall 2017

"I loved everything and it was an amazing experience! I learned so much, not just about Yoga but about myself. You learn a lot about yourself on all those early Sunday mornings! The program definitely gave me more confidence and helped me let go of any fears that hinder me from doing what makes me happy. I now think more positive and give gratitude. I love this studio and all the workshops and classes it offers."  S. Butty, RYT® Fall 2017

"Great program! Enjoyed the access to the variety of Yoga styles, lineages, classes and instructors as part of the UpDog training. Appreciate the opportunity to learn from people who are truly passionate about what they do. I came to UpDog already knowing I find peace of mind in my Yoga practice, but now I have a wealth of knowledge behind the practice. I'm leaving with confidence and a greater sense of self. Thank you!"  S. Lancaster, RYT® Spring 2019

"All the teachers made me feel so good about myself! I feel it really helped me to learn to speak my truth and not doubt myself. I am more confident and secure and would absolutely recommend this training program. I especially loved learning Ashtanga and Natalie holds a special place in my heart. Love you all!"  M. Perez, RYT® Fall 2020

“I absolutely loved my experience – it was such a fun, welcoming atmosphere.  Actually practicing the poses, learning correct alignment and adjustments was the most effective part of training.  Weekend timing is also perfect – Sundays are great because most of us have better availability on the weekend.  I think the days were also a good length – the time passed by so quickly!  If you are thinking about it, just DO IT.  You’ll never regret the time you spend at UpDog and you’ll learn more than just the fundamentals of teaching Yoga.”  H. Heugel, RYT® Fall 2016

"I am so grateful for all that I have learned here! It truly was an amazing and inspiring journey. I will take these tools with me to share in every aspect of my life. The most rewarding part was our training binder - I now have a piece of all of the things we've done to keep, remember and review always. Every moment is appreciated."  L. Morgan, RYT® Spring 2019

"This experience gave me so much more confidence and helped my anxiety. It gave me the power to pursue my dream job! I met so many great people that opened up opportunities. I really felt like everyone cared and supported me. The uniqueness of each teacher involved in the program made me realize there is no 'cookie cutter' Yoga teacher or style, and I can just be ME. I can't wait to do the 500hr. training down the road."  M. McCarthy, RYT® Fall 2017

“I feel like UpDog is the gold standard for teacher training. The level and experience of the instructors is outstanding. I found I was able to connect to my mind and body and a whole new world that I knew little about just opened up to me, so rewarding! I can’t express how much this training has meant to me. It really has changed how I see things and how I handle things in my everyday life.  I learned so much and it has inspired me to keep learning.”  - D. Hagar, RYT® Fall 2023