200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
January 7 - March 15, 2026
“The teacher training was a fantastic journey where the owners and teachers are truly dedicated to bringing knowledge and their experience to their students. Not only is one challenged but the rewards of improved self awareness, vast knowledge of yoga, anatomy, energetics, its history, and the amazing connections formed, will leave one with utmost gratitude and appreciation. ”
“Raj and Kelly are intentional, organized, and conscientious with how they plan every second of training to grant their students the knowledge essential for carrying on the torch of yoga. I recommend this training program for those deeply curious about the tradition of yoga, serious about their practice, and with an understanding of the responsibility a yoga teacher brings to her students. ”
Start your yoga journey with a comprehensive syllabus
Yoga for Life has been offering Yoga Teachers’ Training Programs since 2011. Our graduates teach yoga nationally and internationally.
200-hour Yoga Teacher’s Training at Yoga for Life exceeds the requirements of Yoga Alliance. Our primary goal is much beyond checking off some requirements boxes. Our success is in your ability to understand Yoga, and to confidently instruct in a yoga class with practitioners of multiple skill levels. Here, you will gain an academic understanding and an experiential hands-on knowledge of a complete system of yoga. You will learn much more than the physical practices and class sequences. Our training aims to support practitioners with a depth and maturity in yoga such that it becomes a part of you, and you become a part of a lineage of authentic Himalayan yoga. With both 200-hour and 500-hour training certification curriculum, Yoga for Life offers you with a long-term learning home.
Learn to teach skillful and intelligent Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga classes.
In our 200-hour program, you'll learn two full-class sequences: (1) a static strengthening and stretching sequence (Hatha), consisting of 35 poses and eight different pranayama, and (2) a dynamic strengthening and stretching sequence (Vinyasa). Both classes are accessible and challenging for students of all practice levels. You will spend 30+ hours learning functional yoga anatomy. And, you’ll walk away with a solid understanding of what yoga is, as a result of the philosophical lecture series (see topics below). Many, if not most, of the graduates from this program, are well-positioned to teach at local and national yoga studios right after graduation.
This program is taught by YFL Co-founders Raj Patra and Kelly Suttell.
A YOGA ALLIANCE ACCREDITED EDUCATION CENTER
We offer training programs that continuously surpass all standards set by Yoga Alliance. The curriculum ensures our yoga practitioners and teachers grow to understand an authentic yoga lineage, while learning about anatomy, alignment and complex sequencing theories. Our advanced training programs go beyond the 500-hr requirements.
You will receive a Certificate of Completion upon successfully completing your 200 Hours of Foundations coursework, once you pass your written and practical exams.
Refined over years, this coursework provides a you with a stable platform for learning, absorbing, and transitioning into confident, assured yoga teachers in your own right.
Adhering to the rich, expansive content and teachings of traditional yoga, you will integrate with society in a modern context through extensive lecture series, office hours, q&a, and interactions.
What’s included - our promise to you:
You will learn to teach two yoga sequences:
Proficiency in teaching two full sequences (Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga) to students of all skill levels, based upon the systematic and scientific Universal Yoga principles in ranges of mobility, orientation in space and levels of complexity.
An understanding of how to access and deepen static yoga poses and dynamic vinyasa.
An understanding of how to safely instruct and align poses, while offering simplifications and intensifications using verbal and physical adjustments.
Subtle body anatomy, including the chakra and nadi systems, and their significance in an 8-limb practice.
An understanding of how to work with and accommodate students of all skill levels.
You Will Learn About How to Incorporate Yoga Philosophy into Daily Life:
Major yoga philosophy and history texts (reading list provided upon acceptance to the program).
The history and journey of yoga from the East to the West, and the significance of present-day stalwarts.
Classifications of yoga lineages, styles, sub-styles, and practices in Hindu and Buddhist yoga.
Overview of various styles of yoga, including Raja, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana yoga, and the breadth and depth of Universal Yoga.
Yoga Philosophy lectures: History and lineages of yoga; Modern styles of yoga practices in the East and the West; Impacts of Karma, finding your Dharma; Original motivations of the Caste system; Understanding the nature of Chitta and Samskara in the first two chapters of Yoga Sutra of Patanjali; Introduction to Mayakosha and its role within Yama and Niyama. Full system of Pranayama for energetic influence; Music and Rasa in yoga in correspondence with the Manomayakosha and Chakra system; History and social significance of the dawn of Buddhism; Decoding the symbolic significance of various Buddha, Deities, Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism and Buddhist counterparts; Lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism and modern day incarnation of Universal Yoga; Significance of Mudra, Bandha, Rasa in the context of Kundalini awakening.
You Will Experience Personal Growth and Development:
Public-speaking, voice projection, leadership skills and classroom safety skills.
How to become a yoga professional or entrepreneur in a competitive market; short- and long-term impact of yoga industry post-COVID world; tools one needs for teaching online and in-person classes; successful interviews and audition demos at yoga studios.
‘Business’ of yoga in modern times; ownership of a studio; working with insurance, customers, employees, government bodies, and plus-minus of Yoga Alliance as governing body.
How to embody the principles of yoga to continue to further your own external and internal practices.
And, so much more!
2026 Program Schedule: Jan 7 - Mar 15
Wednesday 5-8PM Philosophy Lectures
Saturdays and Sundays 9-6PM: Anatomy, Practicum, Sequencing, etc.
Wednesdays are reserved for lectures on yoga history and philosophy. Weekends typically start with yoga classes, followed by posture break-downs, sequence analysis, anatomy and posture alignments, and dialog practice in small groups and one-on-one. Above dates may vary due to program necessities and unforeseen circumstances.
Tuition and Application Process
Program tuition: $3,200 ($500 deposit upon acceptance, and $2700 due by Dec 1). $200 early-bird discount if paid in full by Oct 31, 2026.
Payment plan: $3,00 (six consecutive monthly payments of $650 from application acceptance)
Application deadline: December 1, 2026
The application process is simple: Fill out the application form thoughtfully. We will notify you if you are accepted to the program within 10 days. Once accepted, sign a registration form and pay a $500 non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot. We’ll start sending you communications and reading lists thereafter to start your journey ahead.
Location:
We teach classes and trainings at our private home near St. Vincent Hospital (zip code 97225). We provide our address upon registering for class or trainings.
On the fence about signing up?
Set up a FREE 30-minute Discovery Call with Kelly here and get to know Kelly and ask any questions about the program.
*Please note: training requires a minimum of eight accepted students and can be cancelled up to 14 days prior to start date. All dates above subject to change.
Yoga for Life Teacher Training Testimonials
“Kelly and Raj always make themselves available to fully and generously answer all questions - they value the “why” behind every piece of information they provided; no stone is ever left unturned. A medical doctor (who is also a yoga teacher) provides further support with in-depth detail on anatomy. Be prepared to work incredibly hard, learn a ton, improve your personal practice, build a lifelong community, walk away with amazing sequence information and for your whole life view and style to change - it’s so worth it! ”
“I was very impressed with the level of training I received at YFL. The program was well put together and encompassed a well rounded mix of theory and practical. The teachers are dedicated and very knowledgeable. I would recommend this program to anyone looking to deepen their own practice, satisfy curiosity or broaden their understanding of what yoga is.”
“I got a lot more out of it than I originally expected; I thought I would come out a Yoga Instructor, but instead I also came out a Yogi. It was truly an eye-opening and life-changing experience. ”
“It was a life changing experience. I learned a lot about myself, yoga, and emotions that I didn’t quite understand at the the time.”
“Its focus of yoga theory, anatomy, and facilitation of asanas, alignment, and pranayamas is exceptional.”
“... YFL is truly committed to their trainees and are willing to help along the way. In times I felt overwhelmed, but very supported by the instructors and leaders. I love that I have made YFL my home! I would highly recommend anyone in the Portland area to look into this teacher training! ”
YOUR TEACHERS
Raj Patra, Yoga for Life Co-Founder, E-RYT 500, YACEP
For over four decades, Raj has studied in the lineages and inspirations of Yogananda, Sri Anandamayi Ma, Swami Vivekananda, Bishnu Ghosh, Dr. A. G. Mohan, Zhander Remete, 17th Gyalwa Karmapa of Kagyu Lineage, venerable Chöje Lama Phuntsok Rinpoche, and most importantly, Guruji Andrey Lappa, founder of Universal Yoga and teacher of Tantrika. Raj is well-versed in systems of Hatha yoga, Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and its western derivations, Bikram yoga, Power yoga, Yin yoga, Shadow yoga, and the extensive system of Universal Yoga and Shiva Nata (Dance of Shiva), and has spent time in Ramakrishna Mission, Dakshineshwar Temple, Belur Matth Vivekananda Institute in Kolkata, and Karma Lekshey Ling monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal to deepen his practices and teachings of Yoga. Read More.
“It is my deepest yearning to teach ancient yoga to modern people.” — Raj Patra
Kelly Suttell, Yoga for Life, Co-Founder, E-RYT 500
Creator of Kinetik Yoga (TM), and Integrative Healing Facilitator, Kelly started practicing yoga in 2003, after she started experiencing more chronic and acute neck and back pain due to the combination of congenital spondylolisthesis and a more sedentary professional life. After countless MRIs, physical therapy, acupuncture, and other rehabilitative modalities, Kelly turned to yoga. Since then, a holistic and complete yoga practice and life philosophy has been a key contributor towards preventing her chronic pain.
When not in the studio, Kelly is constantly reading about yoga and attending workshops, classes, and lectures from leading teachers, including A.G. Mohan, Guruji Andrey Lappa, and Zander Remete. Kelly has practiced a variety of styles and systems of yoga, including Ashtanga, Hatha, Iyengar, Mysore, Vinyasa, Universal, Yoga Nidra, and Yin/Tha yoga, but primarily teaches Vinyasa, Universal, and Yin/Tha. She aims for a teaching style that is heart-felt, compassionate, a caring, yet focused on anatomy, rehabilitative, and meditative. Read more.
