Viniyoga Foundations Program

Take your yoga knowledge to the next level.

AVI’s® Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy (VFP) is an immersion in the Viniyoga tradition with an emphasis on personal practice and a comprehensive study of āsanaprāṇāyāma, chanting, meditation, tantra, teaching methodology and yoga philosophy.

The Viniyoga Foundations Program is the first part of the Viniyoga Therapist certification, as well as a comprehensive yoga teacher training program.

Whether you are a serious yoga practitioneraspiring/current yoga teacher or Yoga Therapist, or a healthcare professional interested in Viniyoga, we offer options to advance your studies in the Viniyoga methodology for personal development, teaching, or to enter the AVI® Viniyoga Therapist Training.

Viniyoga Foundations Program begins in February 2025!

Questions? Email the AVI Student Advisor.

Program Content

  1. Introduction to Yoga Philosophy
  2. In-depth study of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra text
  3. Breath-centric Āsana
  4. The Art & Science of Sequencing
  5. Principles of Adaptation
  6. Guided Relaxation
  7. Human Energy System
  8. Prāṇāyāma: Threshold, Directional Flow of Breath, Breath Adaptation in Āsana, Ratio, Technique
  9. Chanting and Mantra
  10. Meditation: Dhāraṇa, Dhyānam, Samādhi
  11. Tantra and Inner Transformation
  12. Development of an integrated personal practice: weaving together all elements of practice
  13. Teaching Methodology and Ethics: group, private & specific class demographics
  14. Teaching & communications skills
  15. Application of yoga methods in different teaching contexts

MAJOR CONTENT AREAS BY SESSION

Session 1: Viniyoga and Breath-Centric Āsana

Session 2: Prāṇāyāma and Human Energy

Session 3: Meditation and Chanting

Session 4: Tantra and the Cakra Model

PROGRAM FORMAT

Mentoring and consultation are important aspects of the development of the Viniyoga Foundations Program. Each student develops an ongoing relationship with an experienced faculty mentor to guide their development in personal practice and Viniyoga skills. Mentoring includes homework review and consultation between each program session. More extensive individual mentoring is available over the course of the program and on an ongoing basis after certification. Additional fees will apply.

200 HOUR PROGRAM

Yoga Alliance RYT-200 eligible
  • Attend Sessions 1 and 2 of the Viniyoga Foundations Program and complete any assigned home study
  • Complete a final project (develop, teach, and evaluate a Viniyoga class series)
  • Complete 20 hours of study in human anatomy (hours from 200 or 500 hour prior trainings are acceptable)

300 HOUR PROGRAM

Yoga Alliance RYT-300 eligible
  • Attend Sessions 1, 2, and 3 of the Viniyoga Foundations Program and complete any assigned home study
  • Complete a final project (develop, teach, and evaluate a Viniyoga class series)
  • Complete 20 hours of study in human anatomy (hours from 200 or 500 hour prior trainings are acceptable)
  • If you enter the program with a prior 200 YA certification, you may be eligible to apply to YA for 500 hour certification when you complete the AVI 300 hour training.

500 HOUR PROGRAM

Yoga Alliance RYT-500 eligible
  • Attend Sessions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Viniyoga Foundations Program and complete any assigned home study
  • Complete a final project (develop, teach, and evaluate a Viniyoga class series)
  • Complete 20 additional hours of study in human anatomy (hours from 200 or 500 hour prior trainings are acceptable)
  • Upon completion of the 500 hour program you are eligible to enter Viniyoga Clinical Applications Program to complete your Viniyoga Therapist certification.
ANATOMY REQUIREMENT

Twenty (20) hours of study in human anatomy must be completed which could be an applied anatomy course through a local college, a yoga anatomy workshop or one-on-one mentoring. Prior training in anatomy may fulfill this requirement. This can be completed at any time over the course of the training. You will be asked to provide evidence of completion of 20 hours of study in human anatomy.

VINIYOGA ELECTIVES & TEXTS

Viniyoga electives and sangha participation are highly recommended and include: Viniyoga workshops, online classes, retreats, or privates with Gary Kraftsow, AVI Faculty, and Viniyoga Teachers and Viniyoga Therapists.

Gary Kraftsow’s two books, Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation, are among the texts required for the training and are available at your favorite online bookstore.

You will also use his digital workshop series: Āsana Unlocked, Prāṇāyāma Unlocked, and Meditation Unlocked. If you would like to start studying now, please contact the AVI Student Advisor for more information.

Typical Training Schedule

Each session will begin with an online orientation weekend followed by a week in-person at the Ancient Yoga Center. Each in-person training day includes lectures, practice, and small group experiences. A typical day begins with an early morning practice followed by breakfast, a three-hour morning session, a lunch break and a three-hour afternoon session and some evening sessions. The in-person session is followed by monthly online meetings lectures and clinics. All meetings within each session, both online and in-person, are required for course completion.

Dates and Pricing

2025-26

The Viniyoga Foundations Program for Teaching and Yoga Therapy (VFP) will open with an online weekend, followed by a week in person at the Ancient Yoga Center in Austin, Texas, which will be followed by live online monthly sessions.

Online Opening Weekend for Session #1:  February 21-23, 2025.

In-person Session Dates:

  • Session #1: March 26 – April 2, 2025
    Arrive Wednesday, March 26, 2025 by 4pmCT. Depart Wednesday, April 2, 2025 after breakfast.
  • Session #2: September 24 – October 1, 2025
    Arrive Wednesday, September 24, 2025 by 4pmCT. Depart Wednesday, October 1, 2025 after breakfast.
  • Session #3: March 18 – 25, 2026
    Arrive Wednesday, March 18, 2026 by 4:00 pmCT. Depart Wednesday, March 25, 2026 after breakfast.
  • Session #4: September 30 – October 7, 2026
    Arrive Wednesday, September 30, 2026 by 4:00 pmCT. Graduation is completed by 9p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Depart Wednesday, October 7, 2026 after breakfast.

2023-24

Online Opening Weekend for Session #1:  February 10-12, 2023.

In-person Session Dates:

  • Session #1: November 1 – 8, 2023
    Arrive Wednesday, November 1, 2023 by 4pmCT. Depart Wednesday, November 8, 2023 after breakfast.
  • Session #2: March 15 – 22, 2023
    Arrive Wednesday, March 15, 2023 by 4pmCT. Depart Wednesday, March 22, 2023 after breakfast.
  • Session #3: May 15 – 22, 2024
    Arrive Wednesday, May 15, 2024 by 4:00 pmCT. Depart Wednesday, May 22, 2024 after breakfast.
  • Session #4: December 4 – 11, 2024
    Arrive Wednesday, December 4, 2024 by 4:00 pmCT. Graduation is completed by 9p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. Depart Wednesday, December 11, 2024 after breakfast.

TUITION

Tuition is $3250 per session and is due one month in advance of the start of the session. Tuition paid at least three months in advance of a training will be discounted to $2999. Lodging is booked directly with AVI. The cost of lodging depends upon the choice of room. Payment plans are available.

CANCELLATION POLICY (for tuition with AVI)
The tuition payment is returned minus a $250 administration fee if cancelled up to one month prior to the first day of the session. No refunds after that date.

LODGING AT ANCIENT YOGA CENTER
Lodging includes three vegetarian meals per day and fees vary based upon room selection:  $635-$1010. Commuter fees and meals:  $410.

Learn more about Ancient Yoga Center.

For a complete schedule including all virtual sessions, please contact our Student Advisor.

Complete an Application Online

Viniyoga Foundations Program Faculty

Gary Kraftsow

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

Gary is the Founder, Director, and Senior Teacher of the American Viniyoga Institute.

Kathy Jamison

TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY

Kathy is Senior Faculty and the VFP Training Coordinator.

Juris Zinbergs

TEACHER TRAINING FACULTY

Juris serves as Senior Faculty in AVI’s Viniyoga Foundations Program (VFP).