We are pleased to announce the OM500 teacher training program. 
Our entire teacher training faculty, led by Cyndi Lee, Founder of OM yoga
and Sarah Trelease, Director of Teacher Training, have worked together
on developing this curriculum.  We feel that it is a very thorough, rigorous
and inspiring program of advanced yoga studies and practice that will
further enhance your offering as a teacher and your life as a yogi.

"The practice of teaching OM yoga is transmitting the compassion and wisdom of yoga through your own authentic presence, spontaneous responses and commitment to creatively doing whatever it takes to be helpful."

                                                                                             Cyndi Lee, Founder, OM yoga

OM500 Program Overview

The OM500™ program offers study in three categories:  Teaching Methodology, Anatomy & Therapy, and Dharma Studies. 

We have built this program in a way that is realistic for busy yoga teachers who are serious about deepening their teaching skills and personal practice.  The entire OM500 study program is structured as a series of weekend courses that are offered monthly.

Each weekend workshop is required, as well as a number of hours of asana classes, meditation and pranayama practice, both in class and at home.  A five-day OM yoga and meditation retreat is a requirement that is designed to help you further deepen your own pratice and enhance your genuine offering as a teacher.

All the courses are offered sequentially but it is possible to do make-up workshops if necessary, by viewing the course on videotape and taking a test.  This is an option only in a special case and there is an extra charge to do a make-up session.

We have also created a pay-as-you-go financial structure which requires you to to make a commitment to the OM500 program without having to carry a large financial burden up-front.

Here How it Goes...

First, you submit the OM500 application form with the $500 application fee up front. 

If you are accepted into the program, you become a registered member of the OM500 teacher training group and from this time, until you gradate you will receive a 10% on all required workshops, all items in the OM yoga store, and all asana, pranayama and meditation classes.

Now that you have been accepted, you register for the first course, How to Teach Basics.  The fee for others is $225 but you will only pay $202.50.

Finally, after completing all requirements of coursework and mentoring, you pay a completion fee of $200 to be allowed to teach your final yoga class and present your final project.

Upon successful completion of all requirements you will receive your OM500™ teacher training certificate!

Development Stage:

Course Requirements -- Contact and Non-Contact

* Students are required to take 295 hours of coursework, contact and non-contact.  The required courses are drawn from each of three tracks and are outlined in the Required Coursework section.

* Throughout the period of study participants will be required to attend 75 OM yoga asana classes.   These can be taken at OM yoga center, as part of any OM yoga retreat or at any OM yoga affiliate studio (see OM yoga affiliates).  In addition, participants are required to fulfill 60 hoursof meditation and 40 hoursof pranayama -- in class, group or home practice.

* Some courses will have written homework and exams, which must be successfully accomplished before progressing to the final exam and project.

Completion Stage:

Mentoring and Final Projects

* Upon successful completion of all required coursework, participants will be required to assist 10 OM yoga classes taught by OM yoga faculty members.  They will work closely with these teachers to further develop in-class skill sets.

* Participants will have two final exams:  1) teaching a thematic yoga class; and 2) presenting a final project based on their area of interest.  The final project can be a short film, a theatrical presentation, a short lecture or demonstration; anything that expresses their knowledge of their chosen area and the ability to communicate and transmit that knowledge with professionalism, authenticity and genuine presence.

* All students must be able to demonstrate an advanced level of asana proficiency.

* Students must successfully complete all requirements within 30 months of being accepted into the OM500™ program though it will be possible to complete it in as little as 18 months.

Who Is Eligible?

1. All graduates of any OM yoga 200 hour yoga teacher training course, such as Joining Heaven and Earth™ Warrior Weekend™

OR

2. Graduates of any recognized 200 hour yoga teacher training course from other traditions;

AND

2a. have attended a Yoga Body Buddha Mind™ weekend, the 15 week OM yoga dharma course.

If you have not attended a YBBM course or the 15 week OM yoga dharma course, you can test out of this requirement by viewing the OM yoga and meditation workshop and taking a test which demonstrates your understanding of this material

How Do I Apply?

* Interested students must complete the OM500™ application and send the following complete package of materials to:

OM yoga center
826 Broadway, 6th floor
New York, NY 10003
Attention: OM500

Complete application package must include:

* completed application

*  two (2) recommendations:  one from a yoga teacher;  one from an employer or mentor

* Registration Fee of $500 (This fee is non-refundable unless applicant is not accepted into program. 
Denied applicants will receive a refund of the full amount less a $75 processing fee.)

*  Incomplete application packages will not be considered for acceptance.

*  Students will be notified of acceptance into the OM500™ within 21 days of receipt of COMPLETED package.

Once accepted into the program, this registration fee gives all OM500™ participants:

* a 10% discount on all coursework, required and elective courses up to fulfillment of the 500 hour credits

* everything in the OM yoga boutique, including books, on site or on-line during the entire period of study.

How Do I Get My OM500 Certification?

After satisfactory completion of all OM500 required courses, electives and practicum hours, students are eligible to teach their final yoga class and present their final project.  At this point, students must pay a $200 certification fee before going ahead with the final class and project. 

Once you have successfully passed your exam and project you will be certified by OM yoga at the 500 hour level. 

You may also separately apply to Yoga Alliance for your 500 hour certification recognition.  Check the Yoga Alliance web site for requirements for their certification.  At this time, in addition to the 500 hour course requirements, Yoga Alliance requires 100 hours of teaching experience outside of the 500 hours before granting 500 hour certification status.

As an OM500 level certified teacher you will be eligible:

* for OM yoga teacher affiliate status

* to teach at any OM yoga affiliate studio

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OM500 Coursework

OM Weekend Coursework Schedule

	Applications are PDF files. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, download it here.