Downtown Raleigh 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training

Join our Yoga Teacher Empowerment Program:

September 2026 - February 2027

Apply Now

Leadership

|

Creative Sequencing

|

Yoga Philosophy

|

Connection

|

Leadership | Creative Sequencing | Yoga Philosophy | Connection |

Empower Your Yoga Practice and Life

Our training is different from others because it’s built upon deep community. Together we will deepen our yoga practice and our relationship to self. This will be how we learn to lead others. When we know ourselves better, we can make more informed and empowered choices in our lives. Yoga isn’t about taking complicated shapes, it’s about observing ourselves and learning more about who we are when we’re in those shapes.

Join our yoga teacher empowerment program and wake up to what’s possible on and off of your mat so you can set foot on a new life path with a greater sense of self & purpose - whether you intend to teach yoga or not.

Through deep community, personalized coaching and mentorship you will receive the education, mindful tools, hands-on experience, and confidence needed to align your life to matters most to you. You will simultaneously earn your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Certificate (200 RYT).

Yes, you are ready! There is no right amount of experience needed to join our yoga teacher training. All are welcome!

Apply Now!

What Our Yoga Teacher Training Covers

Through our training, you'll experience a transformative journey that awakens your potential through integrated practices of asana, meditation, and self-inquiry, cultivating the clarity, confidence and connection needed to live purposefully. Our program not only equips you to teach dynamic vinyasa and slow power sequences, but also provides the skills to extend yoga's benefits beyond studio walls into your community. You'll develop a rich understanding of yoga's philosophical foundations—including the Yamas, Niyamas and Chakras—while exploring subtle energy systems, functional body mechanics, and effective teaching methodologies, all supported by personalized coaching and mentorship that honors your unique path as a teacher.

For the vinyasa portion of our training we’ll focus on sequencing around a peak flow that hits all the major movement planes of the body. We’ll examine traditional set sequences such as Baptiste, Bikram and Ashtanga so that you can develop an undersatnding of the energetic arc of a yoga class and apply it to the sequences you create. We’ll also spend time applying this knowledge to a slow power format so that you leave the training able to teach multiple class types.
We’ll study traditional texts including The Yamas and Niyamas, Wheels of Life, and 8 Limbs of Yoga. We’ll also cover the basics of Sanskrit.
We will explore the various types of meditation and breathwork, and when it makes sense to apply them, so that you are able to effectively use each option when it makes sense for you.
Through anatomy and body mechanics you will develop an understanding of the demands of yoga poses on the body. We’ll touch on body positions, planes of movement, mobility, and traditional strength training to help you understand the role that yoga classes have on someone’s overall movement routine.
Whether you plan to teach or not, the skills of leadership and public speaking are two that can be applied to many areas of your life. We’ll read Dare to Lead by Brene Brown, learn the art of delivering constructive feedback in a kind way, and have numerous chances to practice teach in order to hone these skills.
We’ll explore how the language you use and the way in which postures are offered can leave someone feeling strong and empowered regardless of what variation of a pose they choose to take.
We’ll teach you safe, consent-based physical adjustments to improve alignment and deepen poses, combining demonstrations with supervised practice to build competence in appropriate touch techniques.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a yoga studio. We’ll also cover workshop and private class best practices so you can learn how to market your unique skills and interests!
Each weekend of training will include a portion of practice teaching. We’ll start small with things like how to welcome a group and close a class, while slowly building up to teaching a complete 60 minute class on your own.

Apply Now!

The Details

Schedule

Friday Evenings (6 - 8:30 PM), Saturday (8 AM - 6 PM), & Sunday (9 AM - 6:30 PM)

Sept 18-20; Oct 9-11; Oct 30-Nov 1; Nov 20-22; Dec 11-13; Jan 9-10; Feb 5-7

Investment

Early-Bird Pricing: $3100 when you register and pay in full by August 1st.

Regular Pricing: $3500

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due upon registration. Payment plans available for regular pricing option at no extra cost.

Requirements

100% committment to the program, your growth, and the support of your fellow teacher trainees is required. This includes attendance at all sessions, commitment to homework between training weekends, at least 2 hours of weekly asana practice and a daily meditation practice. Any need for changes outside of this require written approval.

Apply Now!

Testimonials

This program brought me back to my self confidence. It was an opportunity to connect with myself, learning where I am strong, and more importantly how integral my softness is. I started yoga teacher training with no intention to teach. The best gift that Homebody gave me was an opportunity to start this program and grow into teaching without any external pressure or expectation that I would finish the program and become a teacher. This let me take the pressure off myself and grow at my own pace throughout the program.

— Ainsley H.

My biggest takeaway was learning all that goes into teaching a yoga class from sequencing and leadership skills to the behind the scenes work of providing a welcoming space for students.

The program has helped me to be more courageous as a leader and communicate more clearly and kindly with my friends and family.

— Evan R.

Teacher training at Homebody was such a grounding yet expansive experience. It brought me back to myself while also pushing me to grow outside my comfort zone. I learned so much about myself and was challenged to dive deep into my values and life desires. I approach my yoga practice with much more understanding now, and have many tools that help me be a better leader, community member, and person. This training goes so far beyond teaching yoga; it offers community, support, and insight on how to live your best and fullest life. Could not recommend this experience enough!

— Madalyn D.

Emily Winters

MEET YOUR LEAD TEACHER & FACILITATOR

As the founder and owner of Homebody, Emily has put her heart into creating a yoga home in Raleigh for those seeking a place to practice where the focus is on how you feel, instead of how you look.

She’s excited to lead Homebody’s teacher training program this Fall and guide participants on the path to becoming the truest version of themselves.

Emily has taught over 1000 hours of yoga and has trained in a variety of yoga modalities including vinyasa, Baptiste Yoga, Awakening Yoga, Flow School, and Katonah Yoga. She can’t wait to share her passion for the practice and years of experience with the teacher training group at Homebody!

I started practicing yoga is 2006 as a sophomore in high school looking for a physical and creative outlet, as well as a space where I felt safe to process my thoughts. I've always struggled with anxiety. Yoga and meditation have played a big role in helping me say centered and to be honest, sane.
After consistently practicing for over 10 years at various studios across the country, I completed my yoga teacher training in 2018 at Up Yoga in Minneapolis, MN. I've been teaching ever since! I've completed a few other trainings as well including a mobility & asana course, Flow School with Bonnie Weeks, and have completed hours toward a 300 Hour YTT with Awakening Yoga Academy led by Patrick Beach and Carling Harps.
My teaching style is founded on functional movement, strength, and connection to breath. You’ll leave feeling grounded, strong, and like you just learned a few new dance moves.
Other movement you love? Strength training, reformer pilates, and walking!
Favorite local spot in Raleigh? Left Hook Coffee for their oat milk matcha latte, Bold Batch Creamery for their Oreo Borealis, Oberlin Regional Library to pick up yet another book from my holds list.
Bucket list travel? Croatia, Southern Italy, Colombia, Joshua Tree National Park
Favorite concert or wishlist concert? Maggie Rogers at First Ave in Minneapolis, October 2018. She played the entire Heard It In A Past Life album, except it hadn’t been released yet so it was complete silence and awe as everyone took it all in. I also saw Brandi Carlile at FloydFest in 2015 and I’ve seen her live at least 6 times since then. Wishlist concert is Brandi Carlile at Red Rocks for sure!

Joanna Gaertner

MEET YOUR CO-FACILITATOR

Joanna is a certified life coach, 200-hour yoga teacher, and Studio Lead at Homebody with a deep passion for creating space for self-discovery, reflection, and intentional living.

She is a CPC credentialed member of the International Coaching Federation, trained at Triangle Life Coaching Academy, and certified in Emotional Mindset Mastery. With years of one-on-one coaching experience she brings a unique lens to this training that goes beyond the mat and into the deeper work of knowing oneself.

She is thrilled to hold space for this group alongside Emily and can't wait to dive in.

I first stepped onto a yoga mat in 2014. My field hockey coach brought me, and something clicked immediately. For one hour, my only job was to be in that room. In my body. Listening to what I needed. No comparing, no competing. Just breath, presence, and the quiet reminder that I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
That feeling never left me.
Years later, after moving to Raleigh and searching for community in a new city, I found my way back to yoga, this time not just as a practice but as a calling. In 2026, I completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training through Homebody's first Empowerment Program, and now have the profound honor of creating that same space for others.
Other movement you love? Mostly walking - living in the walkable city I try to walk whenever I can. I love biking on the greenways and swimming (especially in the ocean)!
Favorite local spot in Raleigh? The State Farmers Market, so amazing all year. I love to chat with the vendors and try new local produce that is in season.
Bucket list travel? So many national parks to see! Outside the country, South Africa and Italy are high on my list.
Favorite concert or wishlist concert? Vance Joy was my favorite concert! He performed my favorite song of his I’m With you, during his acoustic set. I will forever remember my whole body chills.

FAQs

We have people registered who have only taken a handful of yoga classes and others who have been practicing yoga for years and are just now taking training. No matter what phase of you’re journey - you are welcome here!
Yes! We offer payment plans for anyone who does not want to pay in full upon sign up. The full cost of the training is $3500. After the $500 deposit to sign up, you will make 3 bi-monthly payments of $1000 each. If you need further assistance please email emily@homebodync.com to talk more.
Expect 2-4 hours of physical practice on Saturday and Sunday plus sitting for lectures. Friday evening will be group discussion.
If it is unavoidable you may miss one weekend of training. You are required to set up a meeting with Emily to make up the missed hours and review makeup assignments. If more than one weekend is a conflict for you, this may not be the right time to complete your YTT.
No. While you will have the tools and experienced needed to teach, most of our students simply want to learn more about yoga and themselves. Many of the skills you learn to teach yoga will enhance your day-to-day life!
We meet Friday as a group to kick off the weekend with self-inquiry and discussion. We practice as a group Saturday and Sunday morning. After each group class we come together as a training group and either break down postures, have group discussions or practice teach. You’ll be surprised how quickly the time goes by!