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 āsana, prāṇāyāma, chanting, meditation, tantra, teaching methodology and yoga philosophy.

The Viniyoga Foundations Program is:

-> the first part of the Viniyoga Therapist certification

and

-> a comprehensive yoga teacher training program

Whether you are a serious yoga practitioner, aspiring/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.

Questions? Click to schedule a call with the AVI Student Advisor.

“The Viniyoga Foundations Program (VFP) provides powerful training that deeply integrates the theoretical and practical elements of Patanjali’s yoga. Gary Kraftsow’s extensive knowledge and skillful transmission empowers you on your path, whether that path is about deepening your own journey of self-discovery, transformation, and well-being, or establishing the ground for teaching and supporting others, this program is a special erudite jewel that sits within an authentic lineage of yoga teachers, extending from Krishnamacharya, to Desikachar, to Kraftsow, to you.”

J.B., VFP graduate

“My previous 200-hour teacher was authentic and shared lifelong experiences with us, but AVI’s training program takes into account the very seed of the yogic teachings and various human experiences, not just one person’s point of view. You can tell the structure of the training has been carefully thought out. You start with a foundation, which you take home and integrate, then return for the next training session, allowing you to incorporate each successive layer in your own time.”

C.S., VFP graduate

“I previously completed two 200-hour trainings in Vinyasa yoga, but the depth, knowledge and structure was limited. What I’m getting from AVI’s program is an integrated approach to yoga that acknowledges the rich history and multifaceted approach to well-being. I wanted a tradition that was authentic, rooted in a lineage, and incorporated more than āsana in the practice. I wanted to learn about prāṇāyāma, meditation, and chanting. I now understand these tools and can adapt them to my needs and to the needs of my students.”

T.E., VFP graduate

“I wanted a teacher training where I could articulate things that make sense to me. I love how organized and supported AVI’s training program is. It makes it easy to learn. The teachings are embodied from experience. The entire team listens and watches the students. They don’t just give us the answers but help us figure it out through our own experience. You’re not asked to have faith in a guru but are encouraged to question for yourself. I’ve heard Gary say that this practice is preparation for death, but I feel like it’s really preparation for health and for life.”

M. W., VFP graduate

Program Curriculum
Requirements for Yoga Teacher Certification
What to Expect
Dates and Pricing

Program Content

Introduction to Yoga Philosophy
In-depth study of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra text
Breath-centric Āsana
The Art & Science of Sequencing
Principles of Adaptation
Guided Relaxation
Human Energy System
Prāṇāyāma: Threshold, Directional Flow of Breath, Breath Adaptation in Āsana, Ratio, Technique
Chanting and Mantra
Meditation: Dhāraṇa, Dhyānam, Samādhi
Tantra and Inner Transformation
Development of an integrated personal practice: weaving together all elements of practice
Teaching Methodology and Ethics: group, private & specific class demographics
Teaching & communications skills
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

Sessions 1 & 2 of 2025 will be all online.

Typically, 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 another weekend and then 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

Session #1: ALL ONLINE beginning February 7-9, 2025.
Session #2: ALL ONLINE beginning August 22-24, 2025.

In-person Session Dates (tentative):

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.

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.

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