200-Hour Teacher Training

January to June 2023

A Seattle-Based Teacher Training Program Dedicated to the Classical Teachings of Yoga, Yoga Philosophy & the Ancient Wisdom of Ayurveda.

Our 9th annual Synergy Yoga Teacher Training Program begins in January 2023. The Synergy Yoga Teacher Training Program, held in Seattle, is registered with Yoga Alliance at the 200-hour level.

This training is held in-person, in Seattle. There are no online components. This is intentional. We value connecting as a community in person immensely.

We offer a classical Yoga teacher training program that honors the deep wisdom of Yoga, and its sister science, Ayurveda. We have received profound benefits from both of these ancient traditions, and we want to share them with you.

During this immersive teaching training program, held over nine weekends between January and June, and culminating with a three-day retreat on Whidbey Island, you will learn to teach a meditative and Hatha flow style of Yoga, with an emphasis on Yoga philosophy and Ayurveda.

You will study, practice, and learn:

  • Yoga asana
  • Yoga philosophy through the classical yogic texts, The Yoga Sutra and The Bhagavad Gita
  • Pranayama
  • Meditation
  • Anatomy & physiology
  • Seeing your students bodies and giving appropriate hands-on adjustments and assistance
  • Prenatal yoga
  • Restorative yoga
  • Ayurvedic philosophy
  • The art of sequencing
  • Teaching yoga
  • Yogic Ethical Inquiry

This program offers you a solid foundation in classical Yoga and will provide the skills necessary to pass on the tradition of Yoga in a safe, authentic, and inclusive way so that your teaching is accessible to everyone.

Our intention is to offer students an experience of real immersion. Being a part of an intentional community, studying and practicing together over a six-month period will allow you to integrate the essence of the teachings in a very profound way; through your own direct experience and innermost understanding. This is what will lead you to teach authentically – from your own heart and wisdom.

Our first two Synergy Yoga Teacher Trainings were held in India, and were one-month residential trainings. We feel the residential aspect of a teacher training course is an invaluable experience – where you’re fully immersed in a yogic lifestyle with your community – and we wanted this for our Seattle teacher training as well. For this reason, a three-night retreat at the Aldermarsh House on Whidbey Island is part of the Synergy Yoga Teacher Training program. This year on retreat, we are delighted to integrate Ayurveda in a more experiential way. As a community we will practice Ayurveda’s most cherished daily routines including preparing our meals together. In this way we will learn Ayurvedic nutrition and feel the profound benefits.

We request that you have two years of dedicated Yoga practice and a sincere desire to deepen your knowledge and practice. We welcome practitioners that wish to teach in the future, and we also encourage students who may not want to teach but genuinely want to steep themselves in practice and study.

The training will be held at Taj Movement Space in Ballard’s Crown Hill neighborhood.  Full details of the schedule and costs are below.

Synergy Yoga School Teachers

Jodi Boone, Co-Director

I feel that yoga is a precious gift, and certainly one of the greatest influences in my life. Looking back on my path, I find it both both beautiful and humbling the way yoga has been a doorway for so many things to enter my life. This includes friendships, as well as studying with teachers throughout the world, and practicing and teaching in so many interesting places near and far. I often contemplate how different my life would be if I had not discovered yoga at the age of 18.

I reflect on my first yoga class and walking into Maria Svoboda’s second-floor studio, at the corner of Queen Anne Ave & Boston. People often ask, “What drew you to yoga?” I honestly don’t know the answer to that because I hadn’t had any exposure to the teachings or the practice before that moment, I just remember being so drawn to practicing. Also, because I knew nothing about yoga, I had no idea how special Maria Svoboda was. Only later did I come to understand that she was a true master, having studied with BKS Iyengar for many years. I can honestly say that Maria Svoboda, as a teacher, and the practice of yoga, changed my life.

When I look back upon my path, I understand that all of the twists and turns I took were not circuitous at all. The yogic path tends to guide you in such an intelligent and exquisite way. For example, in my passion for sharing yoga with women, I discovered how supportive teaching prenatal yoga was for helping to relieve the common discomforts of pregnancy, as well as a powerful way to prepare for labor and childbirth. This work lead me to becoming a doula and supporting women, their partners, and their babies for the past 20 years.

I was so nourished by the teachings of yoga and became a seeker of both teachings and teachers. I traveled to India, and serendipitously, ended up living, working, studying, and teaching there for six years. I also became drawn to Ayurveda, yoga’s sister science. This passion lead me to study Ayurveda and become a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Licensed Massage Therapist. I now have a private practice at a natural health clinic in the Greenlake neighborhood. The path of yoga lead me to becoming a Reiki practitioner and Conscious Breathwork Facilitator – other profound ways to work with people’s energy and higher states of consciousness. Most recently, yoga lead me to study psychology, where I am completing a master’s program in counseling psychology, specializing in trauma and abuse. The research shows that trauma cannot be healed through talk therapy – it must be healed through the body, somatically. This is where the teachings and practice of yoga are so relevant.

Sharing yoga is a privilege, and I am honored to do so, especially in this capacity as a teacher who teaches others to become teachers. It is an immense gift to do this with my dear friend, Tami Hafzalla. I feel that together, we have created a training that honors the tradition and integrity of yoga, that is inclusive, warm, caring, and pure heart. Our training truly honors the hearts, spirits, and bodies of those who participate. Together, we are sharing all that we know through our combined 60 years of practicing and teaching. We want to support you in becoming the most authentic teacher of yoga so that you can share it in your unique and beautiful way with others.

For more information, you can visit my website: harmonyayurveda.com

 

 

 

Tami Hafzalla, Co-Director

I have always felt that the path of Yoga chose me. I was first introduced at the age of 20 by a professor during my undergraduate Psychology studies. Yoga was a suggested method to inquire into the nature of the mind whilst regulating sympathetic nervous system impulses through the physical body. As someone who was caught in the mind and analysis, I was instantly inspired to discover a technique that addressed the union of body, mind and consciousness to restore balance. Yoga provided me freedom of mind, ease in my body and profound insight I never knew possible. As a lifelong seeker of truth, Yoga resonated with me deeply and connected me back to my own eastern roots.

I was born in Cairo, Egypt to a traditional Coptic Egyptian family. This has been my greatest influence, yet my upbringing in American society made the negotiation of east and west constant within me. Ultimately I recognize myself as a global citizen and relate to humanity’s all time quest toward the sacred. I’m especially touched by the sweetness of Bhakti: “devotional acts that align the seeker’s heart to the heart of God”  It is from a place of devotion that I practice and teach. Yoga has nourished and enlivened me. My practice offers me space for daily renewal, aligning me to subtle, peaceful, universal, sacred essence.

My heart and intuition have led me on a path where travel and my practice are entwined. After university, I worked in my field as a mental health counselor for several years. I was slated to complete a master’s degree in art therapy but the universe had other plans for me and I found myself overseas. During this time I was guided to my first Yoga teacher training at an Ashram in Australia and in addition discovered Ayurveda, Yoga’s sister science. This ancient science of longevity became integral to me so I became a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Licensed Massage Therapist. Today I see clients at my home studio weaving Yoga, Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Psychology in my sessions. 

Over the years I have had the great blessing of studying with masterful teachers and teaching all over the world. I aim to always have a trip on the calendar to connect annually with my mentors, community and offer retreats in spectacular settings. 

My passion for women’s studies and my wish to have a baby led me to teach prenatal Yoga and beginning in 2003 I began offering doula services, empowering women and their partners through this miraculous, transformative time. I too have experienced this rite of passage and consider my son Indi my greatest teacher of love.

One of my life’s greatest gifts is teaching Yoga alongside my dear friend Jodi Boone. Our teacher training is the culmination of 20 years of collaborative work and 60 years combined experience. Our intention is to create a warm and welcoming container for all. We will share what we have gathered on our journeys with you. We will support you in your process of discovery, taking in the ancient teachings and with your discernment, making them yours, relevant to modern day life. We will hold space in community for you to connect to your own inner wisdom and grace. We hope you join us for our most joyous offering.

To learn more about me please visit:

www.bhakti-flow.com

Synergy Yoga School Guest Faculty

Patti Hammerle - Yoga Philosophy & Ethics

Patti Hammerle has a degree in Comparative Religion and did several years of graduate work in Hindi, Sanskrit, and linguistics at the UW. She started traveling to India in the late 1980’s and has been more than 20 times since. Trips have included stays at an ashram in Rishikesh, Hindi school in Uttaranchal, several times to the source of the ganges at Gaumukh, high altitude adventures in the Himalayas, the deserts and countryside of Rajasthan, and south to Mt. Arunachala, Radha Swami satsang in Delhi and Beas, and mantra and meditation practice in Varanasi.

She has taught Yoga Sutras and other sacred texts as part of Kathleen Hunt’s teacher training program at Samadhi Yoga, as well as at Seattle Language Academy, Traveler’s Tea House, and privately. Classes have included Sanskrit, Gita, mantra, nyasa, and Hindi. She is passionate about learning and teaching the wealth of wisdom from the ancient sources that continues to present itself anew with every study.

Wayne Trinklein- Anatomy & Physiology

Wayne Trinklein is a licensed massage therapist living in Seattle, WA. He graduated from the Cortiva Institute for Massage Therapy in 2010 with 750 hours training, then completed the 1000 hour training in 2012. Since 2014, he’s taugt beginning and advanced Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Kinesiology at Cortiva. He practices massage at Dreamclinic in the Greenlake area, specializing in Thai massage and Table Thai adaptations, a technique involving passive range of motion stretching and meditative compressions aimed towards increasing range of motion and relaxation for his clients. When he’s not massaging clients or teaching anatomy, Wayne loves spending time with his greyhound Rambo, or going out to explore the vast wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.

Wayne Trinklein-

Graduate Testimonials

“Jodi and Tami are so gifted. They have created a teacher training that draws out the beautiful essence of each student. The training is comprehensive, balanced, nourishing and supportive. I am leaving feeling transformed, confident and ready to teach!”

“I could not have found better mentors for myself than Tami & Jodi. I am thankful to have found them. Their wisdom, beauty and genuine natures have lit this candle to move on and light others.”

“This is where I was meant to be. I couldn’t imagine having received my 200-hour training from any teacher other than Jodi & Tami. The warmth, compassion, wisdom, experience and joy they bring to their classes and teachings is truly inspiring. A life changing experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Tami & Jodi provide a space for students to be held; to explore the intersection of yoga and self and invite you to trust and look within. Tami and Jodi support you along the way with loving encouragement.”

“I know I made the right decision coming to Synergy for my teacher training. I can’t think of any way this experience could have been more profound. Jodi and Tami gently and knowledgeably led us all on the yogic path with their lives shining as a wonderful example of yogic lifestyle.”

“Tami & Jodi offer a beautiful space for students to come to meet themselves, examine their beliefs and develop their loving practice of nourishing all that is beautiful and good in themselves. And by teaching in others they are facilitators and thus true way showers of yoga.”

“I knew Teacher Training would change me and it has. The supportive safe environment that Tami & Jodi foster made the experience and resulting transformation that much more joyous and impactful Thank you for this offering. It has been a gift of a lifetime.”

“Thank you, so gentle, Jodi and Tami offered me so much space to explore and grow. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you”

“Thank you Tami & Jodi. You are gorgeous beings and I am so grateful for you in my life”

“An awesome experience”

“I love Jodi and Tami. I am grateful for them and the experience. I will be forever changed.”

“An extremely well rounded thoughtful program”

“Simply beautiful. Thank you”

“One of the best experiences of my life”

“When can I do it again? Please?”

Details of the Course

The cost of the Synergy Yoga Teacher Training is $4,250. This includes your manual and the 3-night retreat on Whidbey Island.

The 2023 Training dates are:

  • January 13 – 16*
  • January 20 – 22
  • February 3 – 5
  • March 10 – 12
  • March 17 – 19
  • March 31 – April 2
  • April 28 – 30
  • May 5 – 7
  • May 10 – 21
  • Retreat Dates: June 8 – 11

Training Timings:

Friday: 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Saturday: 11:30 to 5:30 pm

Sunday: 11:30 to 5:30 am

*Monday, January 16, the MLK Holiday, hours are 11:30 to 5:30 pm

Retreat Hours:

  • June 8 – arrive at 8 am
  • June 11 – depart at 2 pm

Follow this link for the required reading list: Reading List for Synergy TT 2023

To complete the application, please click on this link: Synergy YTT Application

If you have questions, please email us at info@synergyyogaschool.com

A non-refundable deposit of $500 will secure your place.

Checks are payable to Tami Hafzalla and can be mailed to:

13041 42nd Ave NE
Seattle WA, 98125