Experience that makes the Difference

Our teacher trainers are all experienced, and passionate about supporting you on your professional and personal journey.

Established in 1988 by John Ogilvie, Byron Yoga Centre is one of the longest running yoga teacher training centres in Australia.

The Byron residential intensive Level 1 course is a RYT 200 hour certificate that is accredited with Yoga Alliance.

20 Day Intensive dates

Dates Register
July 3 - 22, 2023
September 18 - October 7, 2023
January 2 - 21, 2024

12 Day Intensive dates

Dates Register
July 3 - 14, 2023
September 18 - 29, 2023
January 2 - 13, 2024

 

Byron Yoga Centre’s comprehensive and superlative Level 1 is the ideal foundation for your yoga teaching career or to deepen your understanding of all aspects of yoga. 

The course is comprised of three parts – Parts A, B and C. Part A is pre-residential intensive correspondence preparation. Part B is a 12 day residential program, however there are options for how you complete Part C:

The Premier Course: 20 Day Residential intensive with correspondence preparation Part A, residential Part B and residential Part C, including public class practical teaching opportunity

The Concise Course: 12 Day Residential Intensive with pre-course correspondence Part A plus, residential Part B and correspondence component Part C

Flexi Learning: Start online now with the correspondence components and book into your 12 or 20 day Residential Intensive at a later date MORE INFO

We also offer a Flexible Learning option. You can complete more of the correspondence component before booking into the residential intensive, suitable for those who have the time to start the online study now but leave the dates for the residential open.  

The Premier Course: 20 Day Residential Intensive with extended practical teaching opportunities

Price from $4,950 (includes all meals and 19 nights in quad (4) share room with shared bathroom, other accommodation options subject to cost and availability)

Earlybird Price from $4750*– offer only available for bookings made more than 8 weeks prior to course commencement.

‘I was so pleased I chose this option. I could start the online Part A immediately, I was well prepared for the residential intensive and I gained so much confidence from all the practical teaching experience. I felt ready to teach straight away.’ Ellie, Level 1 graduate

In the Premier course option you start the initial online units for the 200 hour certificate 6 weeks before the residential course.  You can work through the pre-intensive assignments and practical components in your own time.

The 20 day residential course at Byron Yoga Retreat Centre is an all inclusive experience. While the timetable is intensive, you will be mentored by experienced trainers and benefit from the tranquility and community of the eco haven on the outskirts of Byron Bay.

You will gain your Level 1 200 hour RYT certificate on successful completion of the 20 day residential course. As part of this Premier option you will benefit from extended practical teaching experience of our public classes.

Part A pre-course preparation: approx 30-40 hours
Includes online study, practising asana with Byron Yoga Centre’s DVDs. It is recommended you allow 4-6 weeks to complete this Part A.

Part B the first 12 days of the residential intensive (see Course Content below).

Part C the 8 day residential intensive offers the opportunity for additional supervised practical teaching of public classes, supported online self study, plus participation in additional learning, workshops and practical sessions (see sample program below).

“The last 8 days when everything started to fall into place with philosophy and teaching strategies. Everything is starting to make more sense and I feel like the learning journey is just about to begin.”

The Premier Course 20 day residential option is ideal for those looking for a comprehensive training with time to integrate their leaning. The Part A pre-course prep will fully prepare you for the residential intensive so this is suitable for those looking for a course purely to deepen their own understanding and practice of yoga or anyone at the start of their yoga teaching journey. With the Premier course you have the opportunity to teach additional public classes at Byron Yoga Centre and be supported in completing the Part C, post course elements, while a resident at the Byron Yoga Retreat Centre.

We recommend the Premier Course 20 day residential as the most thorough and holistic option.

The Concise Course: 12 Day Residential Intensive with supervised correspondence components

Price from $3,750 (includes all meals and 11 nights in quad (4) share room with shared bathroom, other accommodation options subject to cost and availability)

Earlybird Price $3550* – offer only available for bookings made more than 8 weeks prior to course commencement.

In this option you complete the pre-residential intensive preparation hours in your own time and can start this pre-prep 6 weeks before the residential course.

The 12 day residential course at Byron Yoga Retreat Centre is an all inclusive experience. While the timetable is intensive, you will be mentored by experienced trainers and benefit from the tranquility and community of the eco haven on the outskirts of Byron Bay.

As the residential intensive is just 12 days you will still need to complete further practical and online elements in your own time with the direction of our trainers when needed. You will gain your 200 hour RYT certificate on successful completion of the final correspondence component.

Part A pre-course preparation: approx 30-40 hours
Includes online study, practicing asana with Byron Yoga Centre’s DVDs. It is recommended you allow 4-6 weeks to complete this Part A.

Part B 12 day residential intensive (see Course Content below)

Part C practical and online study: approx 80 hours
Post residential course work including online study, attending classes and journaling your practice teaching experience. Or you can choose to book into one or more of our Modular Trainings and the hours can be used towards completing the required hours. If you have not completed your Part C within 2 years you will need to contact us to re-register and you will be charged a re-engagement fee of $150.

This Concise Course 12 day residential option is for those with limited time for the residential intensive component. You will undertake the pre-course Part A and so arrive for the intensive fully prepared. Part C is comprised of our online study system with supervised support from our trainers, practical teaching experience and completing a journal of classes, teaching and yogic practices. You could also use the hours from one or more of our Modular Trainings towards your Part C.

This course is suitable for those who are either currently teaching informally, have access to practical teaching experience opportunities or who are perhaps teaching other modalities such as Pilates or personal training.

The 12 day residential course is only recommended for those who do not have the time to join the Premier 20 day program.

If you choose to do the 12 day residential course you can always come back to Byron Yoga Retreat Centre and join the 8 day Part C of a future Level 1 course. This is the ideal way to complete the Part C component as you have peer group support, access to teachers and additional opportunities to teach public classes plus extra workshops to further your skills and knowledge. To join an 8 day Part C residential please email admin@byronyoga.com

Teachers

Each of our lead teachers have over 20 years of knowledge and expertise. Under the guidance of veteran yoga teachers, John Ogilvie and Kara Goodsell the teaching staff on this course are experienced and dedicated. You’ll be inspired by our resident and guest yoga teachers alike, who ‘walk their talk’, living the yoga lifestyle, and are all knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. All are passionate about supporting you in your continuing yoga journey.

Other experienced teachers include:

John Ogilvie | Marita Dortins | Bec Isaacs

Residential Course Content

The Part B residential consists of an intensive program covering a broad range of fascinating subjects all aimed at deepening your understanding of not just the postures, but also pranayama (breathing practices), meditation, and yoga philosophy and lifestyle.

Practical and lecture sessions have an average of 18 students and a maximum of 24, they will include the following:

  • Asana Techniques and Alignment
  • Teaching Methodology and Language
  • Adjusting and correcting students
  • Sequencing for classes and private students
  • Applied Anatomy and Physiology
  • Modifications and variations of poses
  • Yoga Philosophy, focus on the 8 Limbs
  • Lifestyle & Ethics for Yoga Teachers
  • Meditation and pranayama practices
  • Teaching Practice with feedback from senior teachers

A big focus for us is teaching you to teach and making sure that both your practice and your teaching is safe and aware.  All teacher trainees get the opportunity to develop their teaching skills in a real-life context in yoga classes for the public.

Over a relatively short time, you’ll emerge with the practical skills and confidence to launch your yoga teaching career.

Accreditation

Byron Centre’s 200 hour Level 1 is accredited with Yoga Alliance and graduates also have the capacity to join the AUSactive Register of Professionals as a Yoga Instructor if they meet the requirements (Completion of a current First Aid (Unit HLTAID011) and CPR (Unit HLTAID009 or HLTAID001) certifications)

Example of daily timetable 12 day residential

6:00am- 8:00amAsanas class with senior teachers / practical teaching classes
8:00am- 9:00amBreakfast
9:00am-10:30amPractical and Lectures
10:30am-11:00amMorning Tea
11:00am-12:30amPractical and Lectures
12:30pm- 2:00pmLunch and free time
2:00pm- 3:30pmPractical and Lectures
3:30pm- 4:00pmAfternoon Tea
4:00pm- 6:00pmPractical and Lectures
6:00pm- 7:00pmDinner
7:00pm- 8:00pmPractical and Lectures

Example of daily timetable for the additional 8 day residential (Premier Course)

6:00am- 7:30amPractice teaching or participating in public yoga classes
7:30am- 8:00amPranayama and Meditation
8:00am-9:00amBreakfast
9:00am-12:00pmAttend Special Yoga Teaching Clinics/Workshops and Complete assignments
12:00pm- 2:00pmLunch and free time
2:00pm- 4:00pmAttend Special Yoga Teaching Clinics/Workshops and Complete assignments
4:00pm- 6:00pmPractice teaching or participating in public yoga classes
6:00pm- 7:00pmDinner
7:00pm- 8:00pmPractical and Lectures

For information on the Byron Yoga Retreat Centre accommodation and food, plus to find out more about Byron Bay – click here

Bookings

A deposit of $600 is payable on registration and all bookings must be paid in full 6 weeks before course start date. However we still accept bookings up until the day of the course. We offer internet banking and credit card facilities.