Roots of Yoga Teacher Training (500hr)

Course Description

The Roots of Yoga Teacher Training is a 12 month, 500 hour program offering a comprehensive and integrated education in yoga, meditation, and yogic living.

Developed by Mandy Knox, this training draws on over 30 years of study, practice, and teaching, and is grounded in the Hatha Yoga of Krishnamacharya, the Raja Yoga of Swami Sivananda, and the wider wisdom traditions of yoga including Tantra and Vedanta. It offers an integrated approach to yoga where practice, philosophy, and teaching are developed together, bridging traditional yogic teachings with contemporary practice and teaching.

This training is suited to those who wish to engage more seriously with yoga, whether to teach, to deepen personal practice, or to integrate the teachings into their professional and personal lives. It provides both a broad philosophical foundation and a clear, practical approach to modern practice and teaching.

The curriculum spans the key darshanas (fields of knowledge) which inform modern yoga, alongside study of classical texts including the Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and Upanishads. These are supported by applied study in asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, Yoga Nidra, subtle body theory, dynamic anatomy and physiology, yoga psychology, trauma-informed communication, sequencing, and teaching methodology.

The training is both educational and experiential, supporting the development of a consistent personal practice, a deepened understanding of yoga, and the skills required to teach with clarity, sensitivity, and integrity. The training is accessible both in person and online, with all sessions recorded to support flexible participation.

Modules & Curriculum Overview

The program is delivered across 10 sequential modules, with additional mid-year and final review weekends for consolidation and assessment.

Each module is integrative in nature, combining theory, practice, and teaching application. Students learn the asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, and related practices relevant to each topic, with time for guided practice, discussion, and practical workshops. Knowledge is developed progressively and applied throughout the training, supporting both personal practice and the development of teaching skills.

Practical workshops include asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, sequencing, and teaching methodology.

Module 1 – Introduction to the World of Yoga
Foundations of yoga, key texts and traditions, Yoga Sutras and the eight limbs, and the lives of the sages and teachers.

Module 2 – The Story of Yoga
Historical development of yoga from ancient to modern traditions, including the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Surya Namaskar, and ethical foundations.

Module 3 – The Yoga of Krishnamacharya
Personalising yoga for the individual, class structure and sequencing, trauma-informed frameworks, and foundations of teaching.

Module 4 – Journey of the Self to the Self
Samkhya philosophy, the koshas, subtle body theory, and yogic and tantric perspectives of the body and consciousness.

Module 5 – Yogic Meditation and the Mind
Meditation theory and practice, Yoga Nidra, the kleshas, samskaras, and the workings of the mind.

Module 6 – The Subtle Self and Yoga of Sound
Mantra, nada yoga, chakras, nadis, pranayama, and the energetic dimensions of practice.

Module 7 – Consciousness, Creativity, and Self Inquiry
Western and yogic psychology, Advaita Vedanta, the Mandukya Upanishad, and the Bhagavad Gita.

Module 8 – Residential Retreat: Yogic Living
Daily practice, yogic lifestyle, diet, and integration of practice into life. Application of yogic knowledge to personal and professional life, including direction and planning.

Module 9 – Modern Yoga Asana
Evolution of modern yoga, contemporary styles, and adapting practice across different stages of life.

Module 10 – Into the World
Teaching skills, communication, ethics, and preparing to teach in the community.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the training, graduates will have:

• A broad and integrated understanding of yoga philosophy, including key texts and traditions
• Practical experience in asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, and Yoga Nidra
• Knowledge of the subtle body and yogic energetics
• A working understanding of functional anatomy and physiology
• Skills in sequencing, communication, and teaching methodology
• Experience teaching through supervised practicum
• An established personal practice
• The ability to teach yoga and meditation with confidence and clarity

Course Structure, Enrolment & Investment

The training is delivered over 12 months through a combination of in-studio immersion, online learning, and supervised teaching experience.

The program includes:

• 10 sequential weekend modules delivered monthly
• Mid-year and final review weekends (Dec & July)
• A 4 day residential retreat immersion
• Supervised teaching practicums (2–3 per month)
• A 30 hour online Dynamic Anatomy course
• 6 live-streamed Saturday morning Dynamic Anatomy workshops
• One-to-one mentoring sessions and development of your own class and course
• Structured self-study, reading, assignments, and monthly reflections

Delivery is available in studio at Kookaburra Yoga Sanctuary (Western Australia) and live online via Zoom. All sessions are live-streamed, recorded and uploaded to ou rLearning Platform, allowing flexible participation for those unable to attend in person or who require access across different times and commitments. Recordings are available for an additional 12 months via an online learning platform for ongoing review and integration.

Information Session

Prospective students are encouraged to attend an Information Session on Saturday 30 May, which provides an overview of the training, an opportunity to ask questions, and to meet the course director and past graduates.

Introductory Workshop & Application Process

Entry into the training includes participation in an Introductory Workshop.

This full day immersion reflects the structure of the training and provides a direct experience of the teaching approach, including practice, philosophy, and discussion.

Applicants are required to:

• Submit an application form
• Attend the Introductory Workshop

Enrolment is confirmed following review and acceptance of the application.

Investment

• Full Training Fee: $5,600 AUD
• Application & Introductory Workshop Fee: $200 AUD

The application fee is included within the enrolment process. For students who pay the full course fee at the time of enrolment, the $200 application fee is waived.

Payment plans of flexible duration are available.

Additional Options

• 20% discount for graduates of Kookaburra Yoga teacher training programs
• Work exchange arrangements available
• 4 Sch0larship places will be awarded

Scholarships

As part of our commitment to making the training accessible and to living the values of yoga in a practical way, a limited number of scholarships are offered each year.

For the 2026–2027 intake, the program includes:

• 2 Youth Scholarships
• 2 Diversity Scholarships

These scholarships are intended to support individuals who would otherwise face barriers to participation, including financial constraints or underrepresentation within the yoga and wellness space.

Applicants are invited to apply for a scholarship as part of the application process, outlining their circumstances and their intention in undertaking the training.

All scholarship recipients are expected to meet the same requirements of commitment, participation, and engagement as all students.

This forms part of a broader intention to create a learning environment which is diverse, respectful, and accessible.

Hours

Total: 500 hours

• 350 contact hours
• 150 non-contact hours

Training Dates & Commitment

The Roots of Yoga Teacher Training runs from 18 August 2026 to 18 August 2027 and is structured across monthly modules, retreat immersion, supervised teaching, and ongoing study.

Information Session

Saturday 30 May • 10am-12pm

Introductory Workshop

Saturday 1 August • 10am-4pm

Weekend Modules

Saturday 10am-6pm • Sunday 9am-4pm

Module 1: 22 & 23 August 2026
Module 2: 19 & 20 September 2026
Module 3: 24 & 25 October 2026
Module 4: 21 & 22 November 2026

End of Year Review: 12 & 13 December 2026

Module 5: 6 & 7 February 2027
Module 6: 6 & 7 March 2027
Module 7: 3 & 4 April 2027

Residential Retreat (Module 8)

30 April – 3 May 2027
Friday 5pm – Monday 2pm

Weekend Modules (continued)

Module 9: 29 & 30 May 2027
Module 10: 26 & 27 June 2027

Final Review & Public Event

Final Review: 24 & 25 July 2027

Event Planning & Rehearsal: Saturday 17 July • 10am-2pm
Public Event: Sunday 25 July • 10am-2pm

Graduation

Saturday 31 July • 3pm-7pm

Practicum (Supervised Teaching)

2–3 Wednesdays per month • 7pm-8pm
Commencing January 2027

Dynamic Anatomy (Online Workshops)

Saturdays • 10am-12pm

Dates scheduled across September 2026 – March 2027

Commitment

This is a 12 month training requiring steady engagement across the year, including attendance at modules, participation in practicums, and completion of home study and assignments.

All sessions are live-streamed and recorded, supporting flexible participation where required.

Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the training and includes:

• Monthly assignments and written reflections
• Online quizzes and theoretical assessment
• Mid-year and final review weekends, including open-book exams
• Supervised teaching practicum
• Participation in a final public teaching event

Entry Requirements

Applicants are required to complete an application form and attend an Introductory Workshop.

A regular yoga practice is recommended, together with a readiness to engage in a year of structured study, practice, and self-inquiry.

Delivery Mode

• In studio (Perth, Western Australia)
• Live online via Zoom (all sessions live-streamed)
• Full access to recorded sessions via online learning platform

Teacher / Course Director

Mandy Knox
Senior Yoga Teacher (Yoga Australia)
Accredited at 1000+ hours training and 10,000+ hours teaching

Location

Kookaburra Yoga Sanctuary
Bedfordale, Western Australia

A purpose-built yoga studio set within natural bushland, providing a quiet and supportive environment for learning and practice.