Joshua Tree Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training Retreat

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.