Multidisciplinary Yoga Teacher Training ©

The 200 Hour Multidisciplinary Yoga Teacher Training

at

Rock Creek Sports Club

8325 Grubb Road

Silver Spring, MD 20910

301-587-4447

with Daniel Hickman 500hr E-RYT / YACEP / NASM-CPT

and Ayanna Smith 200hr E-RYT

January 11, 2026 to June 28, 2026

The 200hr MYTT @RCSC

Sundays 12:00PM – 3:00PM

Jan 11, 18, 25 2026

Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 2026

Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 2026

Apr 5, 12, 19, 26 2026

May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 2026

Jun 7, 14, 21, 28 2026

Tuition: $2000.000

contact danielofthesun@gmail.com

The 200 Hour Multidisciplinary Yoga Teacher Training provides an experiential learning environment for you to study and apply myriad theories and techniques found in yoga & sitting meditation (sadhanas). This knowledge, and how it relates to modern life, is yours to develop through group and personal practice. You will gain ‘know how’ through direct experience. This includes the relationship to your body-mind-spirit, to others, your community and nature. You’ll be encouraged to use curiosity and critical thinking to develop your techniques and apply them in how you teach.

A through line of the 200hr MYTT is skillful communication. One of the mainstays is ecology. One more is nutrition. To steady your body/mind/spirit you will practice breathwork (pranayama)and posture/physicality (asana). To help you center you will practice sitting meditation (dhyana).

The foundation of the 200hr MYTT includes the study of Yogic, Buddhist and Taoist perspectives. Your personal present-day studies and practices will be a part of it as well. Be they the study of psychology, physiology, health & fitness, ecology, humanism, diversity, etc. These will assist you with the original intention of yoga – ‘self realization’ or ‘self actualization’.

MYTT Course Overview

morals and ethics (yamas and niyamas)
anatomy, physiology, movement/mobility, strength and flexibility (asana)
respiration cultivation (pranayama)
internalized consciousness (pratyahara)
concentration techniques (dharana)
sitting meditation (dhyana)
integration awareness (samadhi)
skilled speech (samma-vaca)
study of literature (dhamma)
chanting, slogans, mantras and mudras
human behavior and psychology
cross-culturalism, intergenerationality, diversity
environmental awareness/ecology
practice teaching and assisting
3 asana and 2 dhyana classes a week
weekly Sunday sangha (community)
3 separate personal 30 day sadhanas (practices) that you design and self guide

Yoga and meditation at Forested – Bowie, MD

Jenny and Sarah prepare for teaching their yoga.

Nutrition = food affects mood. Super salad of sweet potato, arugula from the garden, red bell pepper, pickled artichokes, canned corn, red onion, kalamata olives, virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Anna Maria in vasthisthasana (var.) – Washington, DC

Course Curriculum

Techniques, Training and Practice

multidisciplinary view of different styles of asanas, vinyasas (flows) and modern conditioning movements
adaptations/variations of asanas, use of props (blocks, blankets, straps, etc.)
explanation and application of the 3 major bandhas (core stabilization techniques)
asanas for strength, flexibility and mobility
common pranayamas (respiration cultivation) and their benefits/contraindications
relaxation practices
sitting meditation practices/techniques
chanting & mantras, vocal modulation, tone, and tempo

Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology

review of the eleven organ systems in the human body
- integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic/immunity, respiratory, digestive, urinary, female & male reproductive
energetic anatomy from Indian, Chinese and Japanese perspectives
posture, alignment, healthy movement patterns, ergonomics, vocational stress and misuse of the body
the feedback loop of your body, mind and life force (prana aka qi)
body types from the eastern and western perspectives
‘form follows function’ as it relates to the human body
‘flight-flight-freeze-fawn’ stress response, ventral vagal state and sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous systems

Lifestyle, Philosophy and Psychology

the historical roots of yoga
the layers of the self (koshas)
eastern and western perspectives of the self
classifications of traditional yoga
the eight limbed path of yoga
the eight fold path of Buddhism
the tao te ching (the way and its energy)
two western mind body systems – Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method
morals, ethics, considerations, obligations, intent and impact
student – teacher relationship, community service and ecological responsibility
spirituality and humanism

Multidisciplinary Yoga Teaching Methodology

respecting people’s and your own time
setting the tone/vibe of the class
voice care/chanting, projection, articulation, delivery and cadence
keeping music reasonable, and when to not use music
leading a class that is entirely on the floor for ‘non-striving’ (wu wei)
leading a class with long holds of each asana (hatha)
leading a surya namaskar (sun salute) as a basis for vinyasa (progressive movement aka ‘flow’)
how to sequence, link, transition and pace
exercising, motion and stillness
the importance of demonstrating
assisting rather than ‘adjusting’
the quality of touch and respecting boundaries
when to use pranayama
creating space for relaxation
techniques to teach sitting meditation (talk less and let them meditate)
teaching in different environments and for unique populations
the differences of instructing, leading, teaching and guiding

Practicum

give and receive feedback
practice teach 1 asana, 1 pranayama, and a brief dhyana
practice teach a short session of asanas, pranayamas and dhyanas
practice teach a:
- 20 minute complete yoga class with asana, pranayama and dhyana
- 40 minute complete yoga class with asana, pranayama and dhyana
- 60 minute complete yoga class with asana, pranayama and dhyana
design a complete yoga class for a once a week 4 to 8 week period
fellowship of sangha, shadow a yoga teacher, and mentorship

Professionalism

what it means to be a professional
punctuality, consistency, decency & cleanliness
moral and ethical obligations, code of conduct
Yoga Alliance registration, and other organizations
CPR Certification
liability insurance
waivers, invoices
continued education, refining your practice
advertising, marketing, promotions

Requirements

attend a minimum of 3 yoga classes a week
attend a minimum of 2 meditation sessions a week
attend the 3 hour training sessions on Sundays
read/study all course materials and literature
actively participate in your three separate personal 30 day sadhanas
community service (seva)
practice teach complete yoga classes of various lengths
take written monthly quizzes and one final exam
write an essay about your yoga

Daniel in ardha chandrasana – Virgin Gorda, BWI

Trisha in sukhasana
– Old Rag Mountain SNP, VA

US Military Patient in savasana WRNMMC MATC – Bethesda, MD

What makes the 200hr MYTT unique?

The myriad subject matters, tools and techniques that you will experience in the 200hr MYTT stem from: 7 different movement modalities, 3 different meditation styles, 3 distinct belief systems, and includes the study of contemporary psychology, nutrition and exercise science.

Each community (sangha) of trainees creates a unique atmosphere for studying, practicing and teaching yoga. Every Sunday from Noon to 3:00PM, from the winter to the summer of 2025, you will take part in an exploration of mind-body systems and how they relate to your life. You will be encouraged to trust your instinct and work with your layers (koshas). You will develop your voice, personal style and own way of teaching.

The 200hr MYTT is a learning process, based on experience and observation, that is community focused and not teacher centric.

Study yoga, meditation and spiritual life! Learn how you can cultivate and utilize it, both on and off the mat or zafu. Whether to deepen and refine your own practice, or if you want to teach and share, the MYTT is open to all.

All Are Welcome