Local Yoga Studio Becomes the Eastern Shore’s First Accredited Yoga School; Graduates First Class

Every Body Yoga and Wellness, 205 E. Water St., Centreville, has recently received accreditation as a registered yoga school (RYS) by the Yoga Alliance®, the national education and support organization for yoga in the United States. Every Body Yoga Studio and School is currently the only registered yoga school on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The school graduated its first class of registered yoga teachers (RYT) this summer.

The Yoga Alliance® accreditation is based on extensive experience, thorough understanding all of the eight steps or “limbs” of yoga, as well as safety and the dedication to serve others. The goal of developing standards for yoga teacher training is to ensure that yoga teacher training is conducted by well-qualified and professionally trained teachers who understand the benefits of yoga, value its history and traditions and provide consistent quality instruction while ensuring safety.

“We are very excited about our program’s accreditation, says Phyllis Johnston, M.Ed., E-RYT, director of Teacher Training and owner of Every Body Yoga. “Since I opened the studio 12 years ago our goal has always been to bring yoga practice to the community and to help it thrive through teacher training. The accreditation validates the good work we have been doing all along,” she adds. Johnston has been registered to train teachers since 2007.

Every Body Yoga’s next teacher training begins in October 2011. Participants meet one weekend per month for nine months to complete the required 200-hour of training. In addition, reading, homework, observation of other teachers and student teaching is required. For more information, call (410) 758-0403, email info@everybodyyoga.biz or visit www.everybodyyoga.biz.

“Our teaching program is an advanced yoga studies program suited for those who wish to deepen their knowledge and practice as well as those who wish to teach,” Johnston says. “In designing our curriculum, we decided to adhere to the rigorous standards of the RYT 200-hour program to assure our graduates would be recognized nationally as meeting the requirements of registered yoga teachers (RYT). Our small classes allow participants a lot of personal attention and the ability to bring their personal strengths and interests into the training program,” she adds.

Every Body Yoga and Wellness, 205 E. Water St., Centreville, has been serving the Mid-Shore since January 2000. The studio offers general group classes and private instruction. Every Body Yoga specializes in the therapeutic uses of yoga for healing and wellness and offers classes and workshops on back pain, stress, and headaches, arthritis, osteoporosis and menopause. After school classes for children will begin this fall. Corporate stress management and wellness programs are also available on site at local businesses.

The owner of Every Body Yoga and Wellness, Phyllis Johnston, M.Ed., E-RYT, has been studying yoga for more than 24 years and teaching on the mid-shore for 12 years. Her extensive experience earned her the distinguished “experienced registered yoga teacher” designation by the Yoga Alliance® for practitioners who can train other teachers.

For more information on the upcoming teacher training or yoga classes, call (410) 758-0403, email info@everybodyyoga.biz or visit www.everybodyyoga.biz.

In photo: Inaugural graduating class … Front row, from left, are: Deanna McLaughlin of Philadelphia, PA, Teacher Trainer; Paul Gerhardt of Centreville, MD; Phyllis Johnston of Centreville, owner of Every Body Yoga and director of Teacher Training; Back Row, from left, are: Phyllis Emerson of Middletown, DE; and Valerie Coslop of Pittsgrove Township, NJ.