How the 200-Hour Training Emerged
The idea of a 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT) is so widespread today that it almost feels timeless. Yet it only came into being in the late 1990s, when Yoga Alliance began to set standards for yoga education. The aim was to create a common foundation — to ensure new teachers had grounding in practice, philosophy, anatomy, and methodology.
In those early years, senior practitioners who had already been teaching for many years were “grandfathered in.” This process recognized their extensive experience but also highlighted what still needed to be learned and refined. The 200-hour format quickly became a global benchmark. But from the beginning, not all programs were created equal — some followed a checklist, others were born from decades of lineage and deep practice.
Valerie’s Journey — Roots in Ashtanga
Our story begins long before Yoga Alliance existed. In 1990, Valerie traveled to Mysore, India, to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the founder of modern Ashtanga Vinyasa. Later, she followed him on his U.S. tours, pouring all her resources into learning yoga at its source.
Her dedication led her to study with Lino Miele, who became her main teacher for years, and to work closely with Dave Oliver in the U.S., co-developing early training structures in the mid-1990s.
By 2001, Valerie had created a full teacher training program in Richmond, Virginia, which was accepted by Yoga Alliance. This was at a time when the YTT model was still very new — a moment in history where the modern shape of yoga education was just being defined.
Breaking New Ground in the Middle East
In 2008, Valerie launched one of the first-ever yoga teacher trainings in the Middle East — at a time when there were no formal programs in Doha and even Dubai had yet to develop its yoga infrastructure.
At Yama Yoga in Qatar, Valerie pioneered year-long 200-hour programs. This extended structure allowed students to grow steadily over ten months rather than rushing through material. She also brought in specialist teachers — from anatomy experts to philosophy mentors — ensuring her students had access to world-class knowledge.
Valerie ensured the trainings were never static. She continuously brought in internationally respected teachers whose expertise shaped and expanded the curriculum. Influential figures such as John Scott, Alison West, Simon Borg-Olivier, Max Strom, Petri Räisänen & Wambui Njuguna, Jules Febre, Kathryn Budig, Julie Martin, Dylan Werner, Michael Gannon and many others all shared their knowledge with her students. Their presence not only elevated the program but also kept Valerie herself in the role of an eternal student — always learning, always refining.
This rotation of guest experts meant the training was constantly refreshed and enriched, blending traditional lineages with contemporary voices — something that still defines the spirit of our programs today.
Integrity Through Adaptation
When Valerie was grandfathered into Yoga Alliance registration after seven years of teaching, she didn’t see it as the end of the journey. Instead, she used it as a mirror to reflect on what she still needed to learn.
Her programs balanced the rigor of traditional Ashtanga practice with the evolving standards of Yoga Alliance. She was young, open, and willing to adapt — but never at the expense of depth. This spirit of continuous learning and humility became a cornerstone of the trainings she developed.
Beyond 200 Hours
By 2011, Valerie expanded into advanced trainings — offering a 300-hour program at Yama Yoga Doha and, later, full 500-hour certification pathways. This progression allowed students to continue their studies with integrity and continuity, building upon the foundations laid in the 200-hour program.
Our Place in This Ongoing History
Today, our 200-hour YTT stands out as a pioneering training, not simply a product of Yoga Alliance guidelines. It is the result of:
- Decades of study and teaching experience across continents.
- Lineage roots in Ashtanga, carried forward with openness and adaptability.
- A history of mentorship and collaboration with world-renowned teachers.
- A consistent commitment to depth, integrity, and community building.
When you train with us, you step into more than a 200-hour course. You step into a living history of yoga education — one that has helped shape the global standard and continues to evolve with authenticity, care, and heart.
Our promise: To honor yoga’s depth, respect its traditions, and prepare teachers who carry both knowledge and integrity into the world.
