A 200-Hr. Veterans Yoga Project Yoga Teacher Training Designed By the Military Community, For the Military Community
Yoga is translated from the word yuj, which is loosely translated to the word union. We were once called to serve in uniform, so for many, being drawn to yoga is a natural transition. The camaraderie and sense of belonging is something we all seek after leaving our time in service.
Please note this is a two-phase application process with a $150 non-refundable application fee, which is applied towards tuition upon acceptance.
Train to be a Yoga Teacher With Veterans Yoga Project, VYP
Yoga has touched your life in some way; maybe it was to ease the mental burden of serving, maybe you enjoyed the cadence of everyone moving in sync, maybe you just liked wearing comfy clothes all day. Whatever the reason, you sought out your mat and are now looking to take a more leadership role by way of becoming a yoga teacher. Veterans Yoga Project offers you a unique yoga teacher training experience, designed by veterans and military community members.
From all different branches and across the country, we are very excited to welcome each and every class of brand new MRYTT-trained VYP Yoga Teachers to our family. Our teams are founded on the belief that every single person has something to offer, and we are committed to the belief that life experiences are just as valuable as yoga training when spreading our mission of Mindful Resilience. When not training and teaching with VYP, these talented individuals can be found already serving their communities through working with the DoW, running healthcare clinics, and volunteering with other veterans service organizations.
Class Format, Dates, and Registration Requirements
Class Format
Your 200 hour training will consist of:
— 120 hours of LIVE online weekend training
— 20 hours of LIVE Practice & Purpose: Philosophy, Integration & Cohort Discussion training
— 20 hours of LIVE online yoga classes through the VYP Rick Rowan Online Studio
— 7 hours of seva work preparation/presentation
— 3 hours towards final exam
— 30 hours of LIVE, in-person training at Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, Montana
Additional VYP training aspects:
— Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery training, MRT
— Optional Study Group
— 1:1 VYP Teacher Mentor
— VYP Ambassador and Seva Team Member assignment
Class of 2027 Dates:
Open House/Info Session: November 15, 2026 at 7pm EST; recording uploaded here
Applications Due: December 30, 2026
This is Phase One. Phase One includes the (a) online application, (b) two Letters of Recommendation, (c) a 3-5 minute video of your intentions for this training. Your application will not be considered without all three parts completed. No late applications accepted.
— Notification into Phase Two: January 12, 2026
— Interviews conducted: January 18-22, 2027
You must schedule an interview and attend the scheduled date and time. No rescheduling is permitted.
— Notification of Acceptance: January 25, 2027
— Acceptance Confirmation and Deposit due: February 8, 2027
Training Dates LIVE Online via Zoom:
Weekend Training: Saturday & Sunday (10am-4pm Eastern, 9am-3pm Central, 8am-2pm Mountain, 7am-1pm Pacific):
— April 25: Orientation: 12 noon-4pm Eastern
— May: 1/2, 22/23
— June: 5/6, 26/27
— July: 10/11, 24/25
— August: 7/8, 21/22, 28/29
— September: 11/12
Practice & Purpose: Philosophy, Integration & Cohort Dialogue Training: Tuesday (You must choose one time period — (8:30-10:30am Eastern, 9:30-11:30am Central, 10:30-12:30pm Mountain, 5:30-7:30am Pacific) OR (7-9pm Eastern, 6-8pm Central, 5-7pm Mountain, 4-6pm Pacific):
— April: 27
— May: 18
— June: 1, 22
— July: 6, 20
— August: 3, 17
— September: 7, 14
Optional Study Group: Thursday 8-9pm Eastern
— May: 6, 27
— June: 10
— July: 1, 15, 29
— August: 12, 26
— September: 2, 16
Optional Seva Group: Sunday (1:00pm – 2:30pm Eastern, 12pm – 1:30pm Central, 11am – 12:30pm Mountain, 10am – 11:30am Pacific):
— May: 16
— June: /
— July: 18
— August: /
— September: 19
*Attend one class a week through VYP Rick Rowan Online Studio throughout the training (free).
Graduation at Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, Montana
Graduation date: September 29, 2027
Arrival: September 23, 2027
Departure: September 30, 2027
COST:
Application: $150.00 (non-refundable, applied to the cost of tuition)
Cost to participate in the 200h MRYTT: $4000.00
Payments can be made over time as long as the last payment is received by August 1, 2027 – prior to our time at Feathered Pipe Ranch. Partial scholarships are available upon request. Participant is responsible for making travel arrangements to/from Feathered Pipe Ranch (Transportation to/from Helena Regional Airport is arranged by VYP).
Tuition includes:
— Mindful Resilience for Trauma Recovery Training
— Training materials (books, yoga gear, manuals)
— Lodging at Feathered Pipe Ranch
— 200 hours of yoga teacher training by highly trained yoga teachers and professionals
— Mentoring and Study Groups
— If, at any time, you discontinue your training, VYP will collect payments to cover all incidentals to that date.
LOCATION:
— All yoga teacher training weekends are held online via Zoom.
— Graduation week is located at Feathered Pipe Ranch, Helena, Montana
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
— A completed 200h MRYTT Application
— Submission of two letters of recommendation (email to mrytt-manager@veteransyogaproject.org). The letters must be in .pdf format, and must refer to your military background, yoga experience, and your future plans with VYP. It is your choice who this letter comes from.
— A video submission detailing your intent to move forward with VYP, and complete a more personal detailed questionnaire. Video must refer to your military background, yoga experience, and your future plans with VYP. Video must be 3-5 minutes.
— Proof of military status (Service Members only via Sheer ID) Type of military discharge does not affect the application.
— Background check is required.
Upon acceptance: Read and sign all required documents, choose payment plan and submit deposit by February 18, 2027.
UPON COMPLETION, STUDENTS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER WITH YOGA ALLIANCE AS A REGISTERED YOGA TEACHER AT THE 200 HOUR LEVEL (RYT 200).
What is included in the training?
While this training is billed as a “200” hour teacher training, that billing only includes contact hours with one of the lead instructors. Homework, journaling, self exploration, and check-ins with VYP Teacher Mentors, Seva Team Members and Study Group are not included in that time. You should expect to cover the following topics:
— Yoga history – Terms, dates, styles
— Yoga philosophy – Historical texts, important dates, and key ideas
— Yoga asana – Commonly practiced poses, their historical context, how to safely sequence, anatomy and alignment with contraindications
— Pranayama (breathwork) – Commonly practiced pranayama, effects on the physical and subtle body, sequencing to include adaptations and alternatives
— Meditation, mantras, mudras
— Anatomy and Biomechanics- Major bones, muscles and their functions in asana, types of joints and their movements
— Physiology – Nervous, cardiovascular, circulatory, endocrine, and digestive systems
— Ethics – Teaching responsibilities, governing bodies, business management
— Food, lodging, yoga mat, blocks, strap, bag, t-shirt, books for required reading, manuals and associated handouts are all included in the training.
I already have my 200 hour teacher training. Am I still eligible?
You are welcome to apply however due to the large number of applicants, we will prioritize applicants who have not been through a Yoga Teacher Training.
I have a less than honorable discharge. Can I still apply?
Yes! We do ask for your DD-214 as part of the application process however it is simply to verify time in service. For active duty members, more recent orders can take the place of a DD-214.
What style of yoga does the Veterans Yoga Project teach?
If you have been practicing yoga for a while, you may know that there is a style of yoga out there for everyone. Our style of physical movement or asana, is derived from several styles of yoga: hatha yoga, power flow, gentle and adaptive yoga, and vinyasa and Iyengar yoga. Despite our different backgrounds, you will be taught how to hold the space and share the practices of yoga, no matter the tradition or style you have practiced.
What if I don’t want to be a teacher?
We understand that everyone approaches yoga with different intentions. Some choose to answer the call to teach while others are drawn to explore these practices on their own.
During the course of your program, you will be paired with a VYP Teacher Mentor who will serve as your 1:1 mentor. This mentor will provide support as you navigate teacher training as well as offer guidance to launch your own classes and seva project requirements.
Upon graduation, you will be invited to join the VYP Teachers Alliance – a program wherein we provide lasting support to our teachers. As a participant in this program, you will be required to teach – and log – 108 “seva” hours of yoga to veterans, their families, and community members. Your VYP Teacher Mentor, local VYP Ambassador and Seva Team Member will guide you through this journey. Seva translates to selfless service in Sanksrit. As a member of the military, you are already well informed on selfless service, and we believe in continued service to others here at VYP. As part of our 200h MRYTT Program, you are required to complete 108 hours of service to the military community alongside/in name of VYP. You are eligible to begin these hours during training, and you will have support in what is best for you and how to complete this. You have up to six months after graduation to begin these seva hours.
This program is designed specifically to support you in your journey from student to teacher; if you would rather not be a teacher, we still encourage you to apply, however just know that teaching will be a requirement.
I have an injury/special condition – can I still participate?
Of course! We welcome everyone, of all abilities, to apply.
Will I be qualified to teach yoga once I complete this teacher training program?
Yes! Upon successful completion of this training, you will receive the basic qualifications to teach yoga in many settings as well as yoga studios, vet centers, and gyms.
If it is your intention to teach at your local VA, per national VA policy, you may be required to complete the next level of certification (RYT 500).
Who will be leading this teacher training?
— Jessica Bugbee (Program Manager): Army veteran, E-RYT500, YACEP
— Jenn Robb: E-RYT500, YACEP
— Brian Garrison: Army veteran, E-RYT500, YACEP
— Jeff Masters: Army veteran, LMT, C-IAYT, MPCT
— Brianna Renner (VYP CEO): USMC veteran, E-RYT500, YACEP
Is there a prerequisite for this training?
At least 6 months of yoga practice and 6 months of breathwork and meditation are required.
Does this program qualify for YA, IAYT, or NBCC credits? Will I be able to register as a yoga teacher?
Veterans Yoga Project is a 200 hr. Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance. Upon completion of this program you will be able to register as a Registered Yoga Teacher 200h, RYT 200, with Yoga Alliance.
*This program does not qualify for NBCC CE hrs or IAYT CE hrs.