YTY SUP Yoga Teacher Training

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? Of course, you do! Read on!

FAQs

1. Why get certified to teach Stand up paddleboard (SUP) yoga?

As you will learn quickly in the training, there are many reasons to obtain proper certification. When you teach SUP yoga, you are responsible for more than a yoga class. You are responsible for keeping your student safe on water and in their body on the board. Yoga looks quite different when you add the element of a board and water. Understanding the anatomy of the body and how it relates to practicing yoga on a board is crucial. Not to mention the logistics of securing a spot, obtaining proper permits, ensuring that you have the proper safety response protocol, etc. Also, if you want to teach SUP yoga for an outfitter, they will require SUP yoga certification from a known entity. Finally, it is such an amazing experience! Hard work, sunshine, nature, the Pacific Northwest, Oregon summer...it is the BEST!

2. Do I need to be registered as a yoga teacher?

Yes, in order to access the 25 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), you need to have completed your 200 hours and be registered with Yoga Alliance. If you have completed a 200-hour training but have not registered with Yoga Alliance, contact us! If you are registered with another entity, you may be able to contact your registration board to determine if you can still obtain CEUs through them. In either case, you are still able to be certified in teaching SUP yoga.

3. Do I need to have prior experience with paddle boarding?

No! We have a paddle expert on our team that will teach our participants about the basic maneuvers, paddle techniques, and safety measures that you need to be successful on a paddleboard. We do ask that you have adequate swimming skills as we will be training on lakes and rivers.

4. What is the training schedule?

The schedule is fairly rigorous. We need to provide you with 25 hours of coursework in order to justify the CEUs that you will receive at the end of the training. Therefore, plan to be with us from early morning to the evening every day. And on the last day, we celebrate! We will enjoy a celebratory toast together and receive our certificates on Sunday in the early evening. Once it gets closer to the training dates, we will email a finalized, detailed schedule to participants along with revealing our designated spots for the year.

5. What if I own my own stand up paddleboard and equipment? Can I bring them? does it reduce the cost of the training?

We use Boga Yoga Air Boards and Werner Paddles for the training. You are able to bring your own equipment as long as you have all of the required items (i.e. board, paddle, personal flotation device (PFD), and a leash). If you don’t have one of these items, please let us know and we will make sure to bring that item for you. We recommend that if you bring your own equipment, you ensure that your board is at least 10' long (preferably closer to 11') and about 32" wide. These specifications are recommended for yoga practice on a board. Unfortunately, we do not rent our equipment so the training cost remains the same. We encourage you to use the opportunity to demo new equipment on one of the days even if you are committed to using your own equipment. 

6. Is there any type of payment plan for the training cost? 

At this time, there is no payment plan offered. As it gets closer, we may offer one scholarship/apprenticeship during the training. Please contact us if you want to join the training and are having financial trouble. We will do our best!

7. Where are we going during the training and how do I get there?

We will generally meet in the mornings at the Alameda Yoga Studio in northeast Portland, Oregon. On Sunday, we will either meet the studio or at our designated location for on-water training. You will need to provide your own transportation or make arrangements to carpool with other participants to the awesome spots that we will travel to each day for the on-water portions. Rest assured...there will be sunshine, gorgeous views, and pristine lakes or rivers. All of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest!

8. What if I have a medical issue or condition?

If you feel comfortable, please email us about your specific condition and your worries. We will do our best to figure out a way to support you in joining the training. If you need special accommodations, please let us know ahead of time so we may assist you in meeting your needs. Please note that the training requires the ability to perform rescues in the water, maintain a standing position on a paddle board, practice yoga poses on a board, lift equipment (i.e. board, paddle, life vest), and assist in inflating equipment. If you are unable to perform these tasks, this certification may not be appropriate for you. 

9. Why choose yoga to you pDX? 

We have been hosting Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) yoga classes in the community for almost 7 years. We are one of the most recognized SUP yoga providers in the area. We have recently obtained status as an outfitter and are recognized by the Oregon State Marine Board. We are the only mobile yoga studio in the area (that we know of) who is also an outfitter and guide! We have partnered with local organizations such as Next Adventure and have been featured by The Oregonian and Travel Portland. We are a current partner and ambassador of Werner Paddles, an internationally known paddle company. We are a floating studio with Boga Paddle and Surf Company, an internationally known board designer and maker. But mostly, our training is simply awesome. We offer training with an American Canoe Association (ACA) paddle expert who will guide you in creating useful knots, building an anchor system, performing rescues, and learning adequate paddle boarding skills and technique. We will guide you in structuring classes, knowing anatomy and how it impacts the body on the board, specific poses used for SUP yoga, and how to orient a class of all skill levels. You will have tons of fun and meet incredible, like-minded people while basking in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.