All in person hours at the Mind the Mat Alexandria, Virginia location plus + 30 hours of 1:1 mentorship to be completed at your own pace:

• September 19-21, 2025 In Person

• Friday 6:00-9:00 pm

• Saturday 12:30 pm-8:30 pm

• Sunday 11:00 am-5:00 pm

• October 7, 9, 21, 23, 2025 Zoom

• 6-9pm

• November 14-16, 2025 In Person

• Friday 6:00-9:00 pm

• Saturday 12:30 pm-8:30 pm

• Sunday 11:00 am-5:00 pm

If you are a yoga instructor who is passionate about working in specialized ways with women during their childbearing years, you will fall in love with this 85 Hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training certification approved by Yoga Alliance.

This training is also open to aspiring yoga instructors, birth assistants, doulas, midwives, nurses, doctors, and mamas who are motivated to learn how yoga empowers women to listen to their bodies, respect their innate wisdom, and make informed decisions during pregnancy, labor, delivery and after birth.

Birthing is one of the most powerful and transformational experiences a woman can have. Physical and emotional support and preparation is necessary for a woman to approach birthing from a place of strength and positivity. Yoga is a unique, functional and effective tool to incorporate throughout the journey. This program will teach you how to support pregnant women who come to your non-specialty flow classes with appropriate modifications, however the focus will be on creating intelligent, safe, and joyful sequences that address the specific needs of mamas during all stages of pregnancy and after baby.

In this program you will learn as much about yourself as you will about how to use yoga as a tool to support women through pregnancy and afterwards. You will gain knowledge about ancient and modern birthing and post-pregnancy practices that will allow you to consciously form your own beliefs about birth and beyond. This training will provide you the opportunity to connect and share with other women and experience a deep sense of nurture and community.

Your training leaders:
Sara Vandergoot and Caroline Deitch

Practical & Personal

Access to 3 months of unlimited FREE yoga classes (both in-person and pre-recorded options available). Our location in Alexandria, Virginia has three studios, one of which is a state of the art hot yoga studio. This benefit also includes classes at our second studio location, in Clarendon, Arlington, Virginia, which has two studios, one of which is an infrared hot yoga studio. Prenatal and post-pregnancy classes are included in the unlimited membership. Pilates and Barre classes are not included.  

Gain unlimited access to the variety of Prenatal Yoga and Pilates classes offered at Mind the Mat with expert instructors. These classes are LIVE and recorded for you to observe and participate in as part of the mentorship portion of your training.

Discounts on Membership plus receive 15% discount on class packages during the year following your graduation from the program.

You and your teaching will transform. Your personal yoga practice and the way you teach will never be the same.

You can register as an 85-Hour Prenatal Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance once you receive your certificate from Mind the Mat.

Prerequisites

This 85-Hour Training is open to aspiring or experienced yoga teachers, birth assistants, doulas, midwives, doctors, nurses, and mamas.

A consistent yoga practice (2-3 times weekly) and an open, curious mind

A completed application and an in-person or phone interview with Sara VanderGoot, Director of the 85-Hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training

Note: It is NOT required that you teach prenatal yoga after this training. Many students take this course for their own personal development.

Program Requirements

Be physically present at all our meeting times

Complete reading requirements and write review on required books

Complete 30 hours of mentorship which includes observing prenatal or post-pregnancy yoga classes at Mind the Mat – or another studio – and writing a review of each class, assisting and co-teaching prenatal or post-pregnancy yoga classes at Mind the Mat, and teaching community prenatal or post-pregnancy classes at Mind the Mat.

All apprenticeship hours are to be completed by April 30, 2026. If an extension is needed, it will be $300 for a 3 month extension until July 31, 2026.

Required Readings

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Birthing From Within by Pam England & Rob Horowitz

Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born by Tina Cassidy

• Tuition: $1550

• Cost includes unlimited yoga classes during Sept., Oct., Nov., including prenatal and post-pregnancy (workshops, series, barre and Pilates classes not included), membership discounts and 15% discount on class packages and workshops during the year following the program.

• $250 Deposit. This is required to hold your spot when registering. Please note that the deposit will be lost if you decide not to commit to the program. This deposit will be subtracted from your tuition cost when tuition is paid for in full. Pay Deposit

• Full tuition payment required by 10 days before start of program.

• If you drop out after 10 days before start of the program, tuition is not refunded. If you are on a payment plan and you drop out at any time, full tuition is due.

• Payment plans available only upon request via email to Sara or Caroline at mtmteachertraining@gmail.com

Cancellation Policy

A $250 deposit is required to hold your space in the program. If during your interview, Mind the Mat determines that Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training is not appropriate for you right now, you will receive a full refund of the deposit.

If you decide not to participate in this program before the first day of class, all tuition will be refunded, minus the $250 deposit. No refunds will be made after the start of the program.