
Joshua Tree Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Retreat




Our Mission
Awaken inner wisdom and create a learning environment that helps balance your body, mind, and spirit.
Appreciate each person's unique gifts to our growing global community.
Deepen knowledge in a tranquil place through a combination of study, discourse, and experience.
What we offer
RENEWAL UNDER THE CALIFORNIA DESERT SUN
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Recharge for 7-days, 6 nights in one of the most unique and magical villages in the Western United States.
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Take study-breaks in nature, enjoy the clean fresh air and spend your nights stargazing far from major cities.
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Savor delicious meals buffet style prepared by a private chef and her team who cater to you.



YOGA ALLIANCE® PRENATAL YOGA CERTIFICATION
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Graduate empowered with breathing exercises, beneficial poses, and mindfulness techniques for pregnancy.
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Appreciate common pregnancy issues & dive into anatomy, labor progression, pre-parent bonding, and meditation under the direction of a Yoga Alliance® Registered Prenatal School.
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Plus, get hands-on experience with local pregnant women to further develop your prenatal yoga teaching skills.



INSIGHT FROM BIRTH PROFESSIONALS
Help inform and adapt your private and group classes with:
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An experienced doula and childbirth educator.
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A Physical Therapist specializing in the pelvic floor.
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A practicing Licensed Midwife.
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And your experience, skills, and background. Together, we grow.




Is this right for me?
If you have a desire to dive deep into the prenatal yoga world with like-minded people in a very special desert location, then this is for you.
While no prior experience with pregnancy is required, students are expected to be able to teach basic yoga poses and have a basic understanding of yoga philosophy before enrolling.
This prenatal yoga teacher training will expand upon your unique yoga background providing a practical understanding of the art and science of teaching prenatal yoga.
While this is an immersion program with days starting as early as 6 am and ending as late as 9 pm to make sure we cover all the material, there is also rest and relaxation built-in. Most meals are an hour-long to recharge and there will be optional daily nature walks, time to just be, and at least one excursion to our otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park.
What are the prerequisites?
Heart, Body, and Soul ready to be immersed in a prenatal yoga teaching training experience.
For those with your 200 hour RYT® credential, this program fulfills the 85-hour Yoga Alliance training requirement to be a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT®). Please note: Before becoming a RPYT®, 30 additional prenatal yoga teaching hours are required after this training is complete.


Immersion yoga teacher training is different. Weekend training sessions typically meet 3 or 4 weekends at one or a few locations. The immersion-style is intensive. The student usually lives with other students and the teacher(s) during their training.
Daily practice of yoga, meditation, instruction, and practicum is the norm.
During immersion trainings, the location plays an essential part of the learning experience. Joshua Tree was chosen to host due to its proximity to Southern California nature, safety, gourmet vegetarian options, and vibrant yoga line
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How should I schedule my arrival and departure?The training kicks off with an optional walking tour around 4 pm, followed by an opening welcome circle at 5 pm and dinner the first evening around 6 pm. It wraps up late morning, around 12pm, on the final day after a closing circle, hike, and breakfast. Please make sure you are able to secure flights that allow you to be present for all activities so we can keep the group in connection from start to finish. If you are flying, we reccommend you allot 1.5-2 hours at the airport before your departure time. If you would like to get the most out of your flights and enjoy more days in Joshua Tree, go for it! We offer the rideshare service on our set start and end dates, but there are Uber-Lyfts available. A taxi from Palm Springs airport to Joshua Tree costs around $60US.
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Will I have time to relax and explore in Joshua Tree during the training?As this is an intensive-structured training, we have a lot to fit into just 7 days. Our full days start with yoga while the sun rises. You can expect to spend most of your time learning and practicing, or resting. We value hard work as much as we value play, which is why this training includes dance breaks and nature walks to recharge our Prana through movement. On the final day we venture outside the retreat center together to seal our week with a Mother's Blessing in a Joshua Tree forest. Overall, you will either be in study-mode or restorative downtime. If you would like to extend your stay to explore Joshua Tree further, we welcome you to arrange an extended stay.
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How does immersion training differ from weekend training?Weekend training sessions typically meet 3 or 4 weekends at one or a few locations. The immersion style is intensive. The student usually lives with other students and the teacher(s) during their training. Daily practice of yoga, meditation, instruction, and practicum is the norm. During immersion trainings, the location plays an important part of the learning experience. Joshua Tree was chosen to host due to its proximity to nature and Southern California, safety, gourmet vegetarian options and vibrant yoga lineage.
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What are the required and recommended books?Below are the recommended and required books to help you prepare for our training. Required Readings: Yoga Mama, Yoga Baby by Margo Shapiro Bachman HypnoBirthing, The Mongan Method, Marie F. Mongan Birthing from Within, Pam England and Rob Horowitz Highly Recommended Readings (especially if you plan to continue on to birthwork/Doula/Midwifery studies) Guide to Childbirth, Ina May Gaskin Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May Gaskin Pushed, The Painful Truth about Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care, Jennifer Block Recommended Readings (if able) Physiology in Childbearing: with Anatomy and Related Biosciences, Dot Stales This is an expensive book- even on kindle or to rent- $50- $98. It is wonderful & really good if you are advancing your studies Preparing for Birth with Yoga, Janet Balaskas This is now out of print- but can still be found used
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Is this a Yoga Alliance® Certified Program?Yes, this program partners with Gilbert Yoga which is certified with Yoga Alliance® as a Registered Prenatal Yoga School (RPYS®). This means that upon completion of all retreat activities and the 10 hours of self-study, Gilbert Yoga will give you a certificate to begin the registration process with Yoga Alliance® to ultimately become a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT®). Please note: Before becoming a RPYT®, 30 additional prenatal yoga teaching hours are required after this training is complete. Check out the Yoga Alliance® website for more information https://www.yogaalliance.org/Credentialing/For_Teachers/RPYT
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What If I'm not a yoga teacher? Can I still apply?While no background in prenatal yoga is required, students are expected to be able to teach basic yoga poses and have a basic understanding of yoga philosophy prior to enrolling. This prenatal yoga teacher training will expand upon your unique yoga background providing a practical understanding of the art and science of teaching prenatal yoga. If you feel called to deepen your personal practice through prenatal yoga and/or become a prenatal yoga teacher, then we encourage you to follow that calling. For those with your 200 hour RYT® credential, this program fulfills the 85-hour Yoga Alliance training requirement to be a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher (RPYT®). Please check directly with Yoga Alliance if you have any concerns or questions about the registration process.
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What if I'm not pregnant? Can I still come?Of course. All students with the desire to dive deeper into prenatal yoga are welcome. This includes those who are pregnant, are done having kids, those who want to be pregnant, and those who have no desire to have kids of their own. Follow your heart to know if this experience is right for you.
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Can I bring a support person and-or my baby?Yes, of course, as long as you honor that this is a retreat focused on training prenatal yoga teachers. Most students choose not to bring anybody as most activities are intended for students only. During this time, non-students are free to explore the 385 acre retreat center or, with access to a car, drive to nearby destinations including the Joshua Tree National Park, Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, and Amboy Crater. Mealtimes at the retreat center can always be spent together. Babes up to 2 years of age must have a non-student primary adult caregiver available at all times so the primary focus of the student is learning the material. There are a few workshops and practices such as partner prenatal yoga and Mommy and Me Yoga where support persons and a babes presence would be welcomed to enhance the learning experience for all students. Therefore, lodging and meals are included in the private room price for one non-student support person and/or babe.
This training will take place at a spacious Joshua Tree homestead in Southern California.
The home is nestled next to mountains and includes multiple trails that will take you right into nature. The home itself includes open spaces, serene vistas, and lots of room to relax and learn- all with views of our beautiful desert flora.
Our closest airport is Palm Springs (PSP), a 45 minute drive.
The next nearest airport is Ontario (ONT), a 1 hour, 20 minute drive.
Surrounding major cities include LA, San Diego, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
What our alumnae say

"I loved the inclusion of 'real' people sharing their experiences on certain topics. This made the learning so visceral as well as intellectual. I also loved the food, the accepting warm atmosphere and the free time to walk, think, read, and write."
-Eira Glover, Class of 2019
"This experience gave me so much more than just education. It was the wealth of knowledge, the spiritual evoking, the self-discovery, and most importantly, the supportive community."
- Mitzi Yue, Class of 2018
"I can't say enough how grateful I am to Jennica and the people she pulled together to create this experience for us. I will never forget her generous heart and loving hospitality. The learning environment she created is amazing. Jennica is providing a much-needed service and it was beautiful to get to be a part of it."
- Lindsey McDermott, Class of 2019
"This was the best leap of faith in my yoga journey. Thank you! This training and the coordination for all the specialists was phenomenal. The food was great. (I liked) all of the content and living with 14 powerful women from all walks of life."
- Michelle Little, Class of 2018
"I never would have thought, a decade ago, that I would finish having my own children and then be so inspired to dedicate my time and energy again to pregnancy and childbirth! ...This prenatal training has given me a greater depth of knowledge and a wealth of resources that I look forward to sharing in Northeastern Pa. I hope to help build communities of women, by women, and for women"
- Emily Karam, Class of 2018
"I am BLOWN AWAY by this experience. Jennica and her beautiful family have created such an unforgettable time. There was so much information packed in without it ever seeming overwhelming. All my expectations were exceeded!"
- Alexandra Muller, Class of 2019
Ready to Discover, Grow and Renew?
We want every teacher we connect with to enjoy their time with us from the moment they arrive, which is why we offer an experience unlike any other. By connecting you with goodness, relaxation, and knowledge we give you everything you need to truly grow while studying the art and science of prenatal yoga. All you have to do is decide when you’re getting started…
So are you ready?