January 13, 2020, Santa Rosa, CA – Beginning in spring 2021, Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) students have more options for enrolling and completing SRJC’s Yoga 200-Hour Teacher Training Certificate. The Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance department has altered the program to accommodate greater scheduling flexibility by offering all classes each semester. Additionally, the program is now entirely virtual, which expands access to students outside SRJC's normal geographic service area.
 

SRJC's Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance department partnered with Career Education at SRJC to launch the Yoga 200-Hour Teacher Training Certificate in fall 2017. The program, included in SRJC's "Year to Career" offerings, can be completed in as few as two semesters. Since its inception, the demand for classes has been high and an average of 16 students have completed each year. When certified, they go on to start teaching careers at yoga studios, fitness facilities, senior centers, resorts, spas or as self-employed instructors. This year’s changes are a response to the program's success and popularity, and give students more options and accessibility for enrolling and completing the certificate.

"The Petaluma campus kinesiology faculty created the yoga certificate to make yoga education more accessible to everyone who wants to teach or practice yoga more deeply," said Andrea Thomas, kinesiology instructor and yoga certificate co-founder. “Expanding class offerings and introducing a fully virtual format supports the program's original mission. We are thrilled to offer more flexibility to students. With these changes opening up access to the program, they will now be able to serve more people during an especially uncertain time, when yoga's benefits can help people even more. " 
 

The program includes five classes, 9.5-10 units, and a choice of two options for a required practicum experience. Previously, students would begin the certificate in the fall semester and finish in the spring. Beginning this semester, all five program classes are offered each semester, allowing students to enter the program in the spring and finish in the fall. It also allows them to take the program at their own pace with more flexibility in scheduling.
 

Yoga Alliance, the governing body of Registered Yoga Schools, has approved virtual yoga education due to Covid-19 through the end of 2021, opening the program to students outside of the area. Traditionally, the classes have been offered in a hybrid format with face-to-face and online components. Classes are now entirely virtual with synchronous class meetings on Zoom and asynchronous online content through Canvas.
 

All program faculty are Registered Yoga Teachers through Yoga Alliance and have master's degrees in kinesiology. Students include working adults, career changers, retired individuals and full-time college students. Some enroll to become yoga teachers, and others do the program to learn more about yoga or for a powerful personal growth experience. 
 

Compete information can be found at https://kad.santarosa.edu/yoga-200-hour-teacher-training-certificate.