SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
2011 marks the 10th year that Reno Yoga studio Yoga Loka will offer a 200-hour advanced study and yoga teacher training. The course, which is approved and recognized by the Yoga Alliance, begins the first weekend of October and continues through early May.
Yoga Loka’s Director Kimberlee Orenstein first developed the program back in 2001 as a way to take her students and her own teaching to the next level. “The first teacher training consisted of 18 people—almost all of them had been regular students in my classes for years. A couple were already teaching, some were interested in starting to teach, and some just wanted to know more about yoga to enhance their own practice. Yoga was still in its infancy at that time in Reno. There were only a handful of teachers who had been teaching on a regular basis. And there was no other program like this in Reno then, we had to go outside of Reno, outside of Nevada even, to get this kind of advanced study.
“Students gather at Yoga Loka for 10 training weekends between October and May. Outside of class they work their way through required reading materials and focus on cultivating a personal practice. At the conclusion of the training students have a deeper understanding of asana (postures), pranayama (breath), meditation, anatomy, physiology, yoga philosophy, the art of teaching and the art of designing a personal practice.
“Watching the transformations of the participants is inspirational. A lot goes on in people’s lives over 9 months of intense yoga study and practice,” Orenstein shares. “Confidence grows, the mind becomes a little more clear, intimacy grows, people learn more about themselves and each other and often make dramatic changes in their lives. Maybe most importantly the participants begin to teach yoga and I can see that all these benefits will continue to spread out more and more. It’s quite awesome when I stop to think about it.”
Since 2001, over 150 students have participated in the training, many of who have gone on to share the practice of Yoga in the Truckee Meadows and beyond. In addition to teaching traditional classes in yoga studios and fitness centers, graduates have developed yoga programs and classes to serve and care for those with special needs: breast cancer survivors, women struggling with infertility, inmates, individuals suffering from anxiety and depression, and those trying to overcome eating disorders or addictions. Graduates have also gone on to offer prenatal yoga as well as develop programs for children and families.
Those interested in participating in Yoga Loka’s 200 Hour Advanced Study and Yoga Teacher Training can find more information at www.yogalokareno.com. They can also email Kimberlee Orenstein at [email protected] or call 775-337-2990.
