Lotus Pond Yoga Immersion & Teacher Training
an extended 200-hour certification program
an extended 200-hour certification program
A Journey of Practice, Learning and Intentional Living
Our mission is to offer a nourishing, educational and heartfelt in person training that honors the depth and integrity of yoga.
For 2027, we are offering one extended teacher training cohort that unfolds over nine months. This more spacious format gives you time to learn, practice, reflect and apply what you are studying between sessions.
For 2027, we are offering one extended teacher training cohort that unfolds over nine months. This more spacious format gives you time to learn, practice, reflect and apply what you are studying between sessions.
Instead of trying to absorb everything within a short, intensive format, this nine month training gives you time to return to important ideas, ask new questions, practice what you are learning, receive feedback, and allow the teachings to become part of your experience.
Throughout more than 200 hours of training, we explore yoga philosophy and history, ethics and social responsibility, posture and alignment, functional movement, anatomy, prāṇāyāma, meditation, mindfulness, sequencing, class planning, modifications, teaching skills, and the development of your own authentic voice.
You will also have many opportunities to practice teaching, receive supportive feedback, and learn alongside a community of students and experienced teachers.
By the end of the program, you will have a strong foundation for teaching yoga thoughtfully and confidently, along with a deeper understanding of the practice for your own growth.
Our extended format gives you time to live with the material rather than simply memorize it.
Between sessions, you can practice what you are learning, reflect on your experience, and return with new observations and questions.
Throughout more than 200 hours of training, we explore yoga philosophy and history, ethics and social responsibility, posture and alignment, functional movement, anatomy, prāṇāyāma, meditation, mindfulness, sequencing, class planning, modifications, teaching skills, and the development of your own authentic voice.
You will also have many opportunities to practice teaching, receive supportive feedback, and learn alongside a community of students and experienced teachers.
By the end of the program, you will have a strong foundation for teaching yoga thoughtfully and confidently, along with a deeper understanding of the practice for your own growth.
Our extended format gives you time to live with the material rather than simply memorize it.
Between sessions, you can practice what you are learning, reflect on your experience, and return with new observations and questions.
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What to Expect
This yoga immersion and teacher training at Lotus Pond is designed to be interactive, experiential, and supportive. You will learn through a combination of movement practices, discussions, demonstrations, posture labs, meditation, philosophy, anatomy, journaling, and practice teaching.
Instead of waiting until the end of the program to begin teaching, you will have opportunities to practice throughout the training. This allows you to gradually build confidence, receive thoughtful feedback, and apply what you are learning as your understanding develops.
Our posture and movement labs offer time to look closely at alignment, anatomy, function, and different ways postures may be adapted for individual bodies. You will also participate in group discussions that encourage curiosity, thoughtful questions, and the sharing of different perspectives.
Instead of waiting until the end of the program to begin teaching, you will have opportunities to practice throughout the training. This allows you to gradually build confidence, receive thoughtful feedback, and apply what you are learning as your understanding develops.
Our posture and movement labs offer time to look closely at alignment, anatomy, function, and different ways postures may be adapted for individual bodies. You will also participate in group discussions that encourage curiosity, thoughtful questions, and the sharing of different perspectives.
A Training Environment Unlike Anywhere Else in Tampa Bay
Lotus Pond is located on 4.5 acres of peaceful, natural surroundings in the Carrollwood and Citrus Park area of Tampa.
Training takes place in our warm and welcoming log cabin yoga studio, surrounded by trees, gardens, open space and the pond that gives our center its name.
The property offers a setting where you can step away from the pace of everyday life and become more present with your practice, your studies and your training community.
Students often have opportunities to enjoy the grounds, spend time outdoors and connect with one another in a setting that feels removed from a typical commercial environment without having to leave Tampa.
Training takes place in our warm and welcoming log cabin yoga studio, surrounded by trees, gardens, open space and the pond that gives our center its name.
The property offers a setting where you can step away from the pace of everyday life and become more present with your practice, your studies and your training community.
Students often have opportunities to enjoy the grounds, spend time outdoors and connect with one another in a setting that feels removed from a typical commercial environment without having to leave Tampa.
What Is Included in Your Tuition
Your tuition includes more than 200 hours of training, along with resources designed to support you throughout the program and well beyond graduation.
During the training, you will receive a comprehensive printed Lotus Pond training manual, detailed posture handouts covering the postures studied in the curriculum, Eknath Easwaran’s translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, and access to Yoga Unveiled and Ayurveda Unveiled educational resources. You will also receive recorded online lessons and materials, with ongoing access to designated digital resources after graduation.
In addition to these materials, your tuition includes in person instruction with experienced teachers, practice teaching opportunities, individual and group feedback, support throughout the nine month program, and access to yoga props during training sessions. Your manual, posture materials, books, and online resources will become part of your personal teaching and study library, giving you materials you can continue returning to as your practice and teaching evolve.
During the training, you will receive a comprehensive printed Lotus Pond training manual, detailed posture handouts covering the postures studied in the curriculum, Eknath Easwaran’s translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, and access to Yoga Unveiled and Ayurveda Unveiled educational resources. You will also receive recorded online lessons and materials, with ongoing access to designated digital resources after graduation.
In addition to these materials, your tuition includes in person instruction with experienced teachers, practice teaching opportunities, individual and group feedback, support throughout the nine month program, and access to yoga props during training sessions. Your manual, posture materials, books, and online resources will become part of your personal teaching and study library, giving you materials you can continue returning to as your practice and teaching evolve.
Personal Practice and Personal Growth
The benefits of teacher training are not limited to learning how to lead a class.
Through consistent practice, study and reflection, you may also experience a greater confidence in your ability to express yourself, a more compassionate inner dialogue, and increased physical and emotional awareness.
You might find that through continued practice you develop more flexibility in your body and also in your thinking. You may feel more strongly connected to your values and more clarity about how you want to live and contribute in your community.
Throughout the program, you may create new friendships and a deeper relationship with your meditation and breath.
While every student's experience will be different, we invite you to enter the training with openness and a renewed sense of curiosity or inspiration.
Through consistent practice, study and reflection, you may also experience a greater confidence in your ability to express yourself, a more compassionate inner dialogue, and increased physical and emotional awareness.
You might find that through continued practice you develop more flexibility in your body and also in your thinking. You may feel more strongly connected to your values and more clarity about how you want to live and contribute in your community.
Throughout the program, you may create new friendships and a deeper relationship with your meditation and breath.
While every student's experience will be different, we invite you to enter the training with openness and a renewed sense of curiosity or inspiration.
Our Training Community
Learning in community is an important part of the Lotus Pond experience. You will move, study, practice and reflect alongside people who may have different backgrounds, bodies, experiences and reasons for joining the program.
We aim to create a learning environment where students can ask honest questions, explore different perspectives, and practice without needing to be perfect. We value kindness, curiosity, personal responsibility and a willingness to keep learning.
We aim to create a learning environment where students can ask honest questions, explore different perspectives, and practice without needing to be perfect. We value kindness, curiosity, personal responsibility and a willingness to keep learning.
Is This Training for You?
This training may be a good fit for you if you are interested in:
- Feeling more confident and informed in your personal practice
- Understanding yoga beyond the physical postures
- Learning why and how common postures are practiced
- Exploring philosophy, meditation, breathwork and mindfulness
- Developing the knowledge and skills to teach yoga
- Discovering your own voice rather than copying someone else’s
- Learning how to offer thoughtful options for different bodies
- Building meaningful relationships within a supportive community
- Creating more space for reflection and intentional living
- Continuing your personal growth through the study of yoga
Not everyone who joins teacher training knows whether they want to become a yoga teacher. Some students arrive with a clear intention to teach, while others are drawn to the program because they want to understand yoga more deeply, strengthen their personal practice, or experience meaningful growth within a community. Both paths are welcome.
You will learn the foundational skills needed to teach yoga safely and thoughtfully, but the experience is about more than preparing to lead a class. The training may help you become more confident in your choices, more attentive to your body and breath, and more aware of how the teachings of yoga can support your relationships, responsibilities, and daily life.
You do not need to arrive with advanced postures, a certain body type, or years of experience. We ask that you bring a willingness to learn, participate, practice, and remain curious.
- Feeling more confident and informed in your personal practice
- Understanding yoga beyond the physical postures
- Learning why and how common postures are practiced
- Exploring philosophy, meditation, breathwork and mindfulness
- Developing the knowledge and skills to teach yoga
- Discovering your own voice rather than copying someone else’s
- Learning how to offer thoughtful options for different bodies
- Building meaningful relationships within a supportive community
- Creating more space for reflection and intentional living
- Continuing your personal growth through the study of yoga
Not everyone who joins teacher training knows whether they want to become a yoga teacher. Some students arrive with a clear intention to teach, while others are drawn to the program because they want to understand yoga more deeply, strengthen their personal practice, or experience meaningful growth within a community. Both paths are welcome.
You will learn the foundational skills needed to teach yoga safely and thoughtfully, but the experience is about more than preparing to lead a class. The training may help you become more confident in your choices, more attentive to your body and breath, and more aware of how the teachings of yoga can support your relationships, responsibilities, and daily life.
You do not need to arrive with advanced postures, a certain body type, or years of experience. We ask that you bring a willingness to learn, participate, practice, and remain curious.
Tuition and Payment Options
Early Registration Tuition: $3,500
Register and pay in full by November 1 to receive the early tuition rate
Regular Tuition: $3,950
Regular tuition applies after the early bird deadline
A $350 deposit is required to reserve your place and is applied toward your total tuition. We offer interest free monthly payment plans. Payment plan details and deadlines will be reviewed with you before enrollment is finalized.
Register and pay in full by November 1 to receive the early tuition rate
Regular Tuition: $3,950
Regular tuition applies after the early bird deadline
A $350 deposit is required to reserve your place and is applied toward your total tuition. We offer interest free monthly payment plans. Payment plan details and deadlines will be reviewed with you before enrollment is finalized.
2027 Training Schedule
The 2027 program will unfold over nine months and will include Thursday evening sessions and select weekend training dates.
Program Dates: March 11 - November 12
Thursday Sessions: 7pm-9pm
Weekend Sessions: 9am-4pm
Graduation on Friday, November 12 from 6pm-9pm
We understand that an occasional scheduling conflict may arise during a nine month program. Makeup options will be available for approved absences. Because community participation and live instruction are important parts of the training, makeup work is intended for occasional conflicts rather than as an alternative to regular attendance.
Please review the full schedule carefully before committing to the program.
Program Dates: March 11 - November 12
Thursday Sessions: 7pm-9pm
Weekend Sessions: 9am-4pm
Graduation on Friday, November 12 from 6pm-9pm
We understand that an occasional scheduling conflict may arise during a nine month program. Makeup options will be available for approved absences. Because community participation and live instruction are important parts of the training, makeup work is intended for occasional conflicts rather than as an alternative to regular attendance.
Please review the full schedule carefully before committing to the program.
What Graduates Are Saying..
Meet Your Teachers
One of the strengths of the Lotus Pond teacher training is the opportunity to learn from teachers with different backgrounds, areas of study, and ways of sharing yoga.
Our faculty brings experience in posture and alignment, philosophy, chanting, meditation, teaching methodology, and the practical application of yoga in daily life.
Together, they create a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and develop an approach to yoga that feels knowledgeable, thoughtful, and authentic.
Our faculty brings experience in posture and alignment, philosophy, chanting, meditation, teaching methodology, and the practical application of yoga in daily life.
Together, they create a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to ask questions, explore different perspectives, and develop an approach to yoga that feels knowledgeable, thoughtful, and authentic.
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Katie Beene
E-RYT 500, Owner of Lotus Pond, Director of YTT Katie Beene is the owner of Lotus Pond Center for Yoga and Health and considers herself a lifelong student of yoga. She approaches teaching with humility and curiosity along with the understanding that there is always more to learn and to experience. She doesn't consider herself an expert at anything and instead she values the ongoing journey of asking questions and observing her yoga practice shift and grow over time. Her classes are taught in a mindful and intentional way, with an emphasis on presence, physical alignment, prāṇāyāma, and meditation. Katie encourages students to pay attention to the details of their experience and to expand their understanding of what yoga is. She believes yoga is not limited to postures or something that only happens inside a classroom. It's a practice that can teach us how we breathe, move, and respond to life as it is, while also helping us orient to what is most important to us and what inspires us. Katie often weaves her observations and experience from the nature into her teaching. She enjoys working with students of different ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience through group classes and personalized 1-1 sessions. Her intention is to create a warm and supportive space where students can explore yoga with curiosity and compassion.
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Kranti Kalepally
RYT 200 and Certified Yoga Therapist In 2011, I embarked on a one-year Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program in Shri T Krishnamacharya Lineage under the guidance of my first teacher, Saraswathi Vasudevan of Yoga Vahini. My intention was to enhance my well-being as I embraced new roles in life. Through this journey, especially with responsibilities of householder, I realized the profound significance of yoga. Relocating to a new place became more manageable as I discovered the stability that yoga offered amidst life's constant shifts. The turning point led me to Lotus Pond Yoga Center in 2018 where I reconnected with a new perspective on yoga. I am currently engaged in teaching at the same center. In 2021, I re-commenced my yoga education with my initial teacher, opening new aspirations, particularly in chanting and the study of Yoga sutras. My approach to yoga revolves around focused attention and chanting. Chanting, to me, is a connection to the inner voice and a way of expressing oneself in a more divine manner. It is the practice of aligning the mind (manas), body (kaya), and sound/speech (Vaca). I continue to learn and evolve under the guidance of Sheela Shankar in Chennai. To keep my practice alive and curiosity thriving, I regularly pose questions to myself. Am I calm as I chant, even when there's a mistake? Am I truly listening, ensuring accurate repetition? What am I listening to every day? Join me on this journey of self-discovery through the profound realms of yoga.
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Karin Stephan
E-RYT 500 Karin Stephan is a highly experienced Alignment Teacher in our 200 & 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Programs. She is a leading Iyengar yoga teacher in the United States with a career that has spanned more than 45 years. She credits her understanding and appreciation of the human body to the teachings of BKS Iyengar, the world's foremost yoga master. As a student of Mr. Iyengar's since 1972 and a certified Iyengar teacher, Karin incorporates his insights and acute sense of observation into her yoga practice and teaching on a daily basis. Karin first met Mr. Iyengar on a visit to Pune, India in 1969. Mr. Iyengar's focus on yoga as 'precision in action' complemented her interest in structure and aesthetics, a theme which runs throughout her teaching. In 1985, she co-founded The B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Center of Cambridge with Patricia Walden. Learn more at http://www.yogamacro.com
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