In Good Hands with Marge Allen, September 11-13
Join Marge Allen (E-RYT 500, YACEP) at The Yoga Dojo for a 15-hour exploration of the art, ethics, and application of hands-on assists. We open the weekend with a deliberately assist-heavy Rocket vinyasa class, inviting you to experience hands-on assists from the student’s perspective before reflecting on what you noticed, remembered, and felt. From there, we unpack the who, what, where, when, why, and how of consent, communication, safety, anatomy, and intelligent touch.
This program uses a standard Rocket vinyasa sequence as the root for study (but don't worry if you aren't familiar with the all-levels Rocket sequence!). The weekend will feature lectures, inquiry, demonstrations, and hands-on practice; participants will work with every member of the group, gaining experience adapting assists across different bodies, abilities, proportions, and levels of experience. Together, we’ll explore not only how to assist, but when, why, and whether an assist is appropriate, culmintating in an opportunity to practice 1:1 with a fellow trainee during a public class at The Yoga Dojo.
Whether you’re a seasoned teacher, newly 200-hour certified, returning to the classroom, or dusting off your teaching hat after a hiatus, come get curious, open to learning, and get dive into the art of intelligent touch. You’ll be In Good Hands.
Schedule:
Friday Sep 11 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Saturday Sep 12 1:00 - 6:00 pm
Sunday Sep 13 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Prerequisite: Participants must be graduates of at least one 200-hour yoga teacher training.
Investment: $300. Register HERE.
This training is approved for 15 lead trainer hours (13 contact, 2 non-contact) for our modular 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training program. If you are taking this course for YA CEUs, you will be eligible for 15 hours upon full course completion. For all attendees, the public class component must be completed by September 30 to receive the full 15 hours/certificate.
Gong and Sound Experience with Katie Lemmert, Monday, September 14, 7:30-8:45p
This is a deeply restorative sound experience featuring gongs and other sound healing instruments. We’ll begin with a short grounding meditation before moving into a sustained immersion in sound and vibration, creating space for the body and mind to slow down, release tension, and settle into deep rest.
You’re welcome to experience the session sitting or lying down—whatever feels most comfortable for your body. You may even drift off to sleep, and that’s completely okay; there’s nothing you need to do or achieve to experience the restorative nature of the sound.
No experience is necessary—just come as you are, get comfortable, and allow yourself to rest and receive.
Investment: $30 earlybird until 9/1, $35 after. Register HERE.
Katie Lemmert is a Richmond-based breathwork and sound facilitator and the founder of Sound Body & Breath. Trained in breathwork, yoga, trauma-informed practices, meditation, and sound, Katie creates grounded, accessible experiences that invite people to slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and find a little more space within themselves. Her approach is warm and approachable—there’s nothing to perform or get right, just an invitation to rest, breathe, and experience what unfolds.
Elemental Sound Healing with Juju Desta, Friday, September 18, 6-7:15p
Sound healing is an ancient practice that uses sound to relax the body and mind through allowing the vibrations of the various instruments to put one into a “yogic sleep.” In yogic sleep, the individual is neither fully asleep nor fully awake. In Aboriginal culture, it is referred to as the “Dream Time” state. The sounds vibrate with every cell of a living organism which in turn activates a natural healing process working through any physical, mental, or emotional blockages within the body.
Julian J. Desta is 200hr certified yoga instructor residing in Richmond, VA. Always having a passion for the creative arts, he was introduced to the practice of Sound Healing and Therapy when given his first singing bowl as a birthday present from a friend. Julian began researching the depths of sound and it’s powerful healing techniques. After a few years practicing Julian received his Sound Healing Certification from Mentor and friend Mark Toregson in 2019.
Specializing in a variety of instruments from the didgeridoo, to flutes, singing bowls, and drums, Julian has created a unique Sound Healing Experience called Elemental Sound Healing. Discovering relationship between sound healing and nature, he calls on the 4 elements of Air, Wind, Water, and Fire to channel through each practice to bring balance to the human system or what he likes to refer to as homeostasis.
Please bring whatever you would like to rest comfortably on the ground. A mat, pillow, and blanket or two are recommended.
Investment: $30. Register HERE.
Additional dates are set for 10/16, 11/13, and 12/18.
Body Love with Molly Bienstock, Friday, September 25, 5:30-7p
We will move through three phases together. The first is called Unwinding + Unravelling where we’ll move in circles to safely open the joints. Phase two is called Shaking + Making Sounds where, with the support of some more upbeat music, we’ll start to bounce and let whatever sounds the body wants to make come out. In the last phase, we’ll enter Surrender + Service and lay our bodies down to rest and receive all the wisdom there is to be felt. This may also be a time to listen deeply to guides or well ancestors who wish to share loving messages with you.
We end class by coming back together in a circle and sharing our experience as a way to serve us in both integration and also to be in ritual space as a community.
Together we'll explore what it means to be in a body through the lens of somatic experience, parts work, and the importance of slowing down. Come enjoy an evening of yoga, movement, and dance as a ritual for forgiveness, belonging, and collective care.
Investment: $30. Register HERE.
Molly Bienstock (they/them) is a nonbinary, queer somatic therapist and educator whose passions lie in helping people find safety in their bodies so they can experience their most playful, authentic selves. After a traumatic accident in 2014, Molly became a scholar of somatic and spiritual methodologies as a channel to better understand the body's survival responses as well as how it can thrive. Molly now offers a unique combination of tools in their private practice Magic With Molly that stems from the wisdom of yoga, breathwork, somatic experience, movement and dance therapy, traditional talk therapy, and parts work. Molly's focus is on helping people feel their most expansive, human selves by honoring our reflections in Nature and integrating contradictory aspects of the self to support the feeling of Wholeness. Molly works with clients of all ages and backgrounds in both 1-on-1 settings and groups.
Let’s Get Down to Business with Lauren Nottingham, October 9-11
Whether you are a newer instructor, seasoned yoga or fitness professional, or even a yoga practitioner with a wellness hustle looking to grow your personal brand, this weekend is designed with you in mind. We will dive into what it looks like to be a creative wellness professional, and what it takes to successfully take the leap to the center of the dream Venn diagram - blending purpose, passion, and performance in your professional life.
This weekend will include mini-modules in:
*“What the heck am I doing anyways?”: Meditation, brain dump, and mind mapping to build focus and organize your thoughts
*Life as a wellness professional: Teaching channels, important business aspects (the boring stuff like insurance, business formation, and taxes), professional organizations, ethics, and voice
*Marketing 101
*Designing your brand
*Building a website and social media presence
*Creating collateral : logos, business cards, posters, and merchandise
*Designing and pitching workshops
*Building your dream retreat
*Individual and group work to build and pitch a project
*Movement, meditation, and pranayama practices to foster and focus the mind-body-spirit connection.
Schedule:
Friday: 5:30-9:30p
Saturday: 11-7p
Sunday: 10-7p
This course is approved (and required for our 300-hour trainees) for 25 lead trainer hours in our Modular 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (22 contact hours, 3 non-contact hours), OR for 25 hours of Yoga Alliance-approved Continuing Education. It may apply for CEUs for other professional organizations, as well. Please contact trainings@theyogadojorva.com to inquire.
Investment: $350 earlybird until 9/9, $400 after. Register HERE.
About your instructor: With over a decade of experience teaching yoga, and nearly 10 years after co-founding and operating The Yoga Dojo, Lauren’s life and professional experience has led her to building this labor of love to share with you. She holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from Virginia Commonwealth University, is an E-RYT 500 and Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider, a certified Meridian Yoga Technique practitioner, and is the Programs Director here at the Dojo for our 200 and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings.
Breathwork+ Acoustic Sound with Liz Bowden and Brad Rhodes, Monday, October 12, 7:30-8:45p
Guided by Liz Bowden and Brad Rhodes, this powerful practice of conscious breathing plus acoustic song quiets the mind, softens the nervous system, and releases what’s been stored in the body. A journey back home to yourself.
Together, we’ll move through a two-part transformational breath that soothes the mind, taps into the body’s innate capacity to heal, and opens a meditative space for what’s been held beneath the surface to rise.
Unlike traditional pranayama, this work is deeply experiential, creating real room for inner work. Through guided breath and intentional pacing, your body is invited to feel and release without overwhelm — leaving you lighter, calmer, and recalibrated.
Much can surface during breathwork, and Liz and Brad hold a safe, supportive space for you to release, soften, and deepen your connection to Self.
To close, Brad offers a live acoustic serenade, a tender moment of integration.
Please bring an eye mask along with your mat. Blankets and bolsters are provided.
Investment: $30 earlybird until 9/30, $35 after. Register HERE.
The next session with Liz and Brad is also on the books for November 16!
Abdominal Self Care Class with Lili Simons, Friday, October 16, 4-5p
In this class we will learn and explore our abdominal area, and how to take care of the belly with self massage techniques. Through this work, you can learn to open the flow of energy and blood circulation in the abdominal organs, as well as to relieve stress and negative emotions stored in the belly.
Abdominal massage is a great tool for staying healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. The abdomen is our vitality center, also called Hara. When it is healthy, the rest of the body will follow.
Please bring a yoga mat and pillow.
Investment: $30. Register HERE.
Breathwork + Sound Bath with Katie Lemmert, Monday, October 19, 7:30-8:45p
75 minutes to step away from the noise and reconnect with yourself.
We'll begin with guided breathwork set to a thoughtfully curated playlist. Breathwork is an active meditation that helps quiet the thinking mind so you can reconnect with the wisdom of your heart. Using a consciously connected breathing pattern, we'll work with the body's energy, creating space to release what you've been carrying.
You'll be invited to sigh, laugh, yell, cry if it arises, or simply breathe with intention. There is no right way to experience this practice. Breathwork gives us permission to acknowledge what is present—whether that's stress, grief, anger, joy, or something you can't quite put words to. Rather than pushing those emotions away, we create space to witness them with curiosity, compassion, and acceptance, allowing them to move through us.
From there, you'll settle into deep rest as the sounds of Himalayan singing bowls, Italian gongs, chimes, and other therapeutic instruments wash over you, giving your nervous system time to integrate and restore.
You'll leave feeling more grounded, clear, and connected. No prior experience is necessary—just wear comfortable clothing and give yourself permission to reset.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or simply craving a deeper connection with yourself, this experience offers space to breathe, acknowledge, release, rest, and return to yourself.
Investment: $30 earlybird until 10/1, $35 after. Register HERE.
Katie Lemmert is a Richmond-based breathwork and sound facilitator and the founder of Sound Body & Breath. Trained in breathwork, yoga, trauma-informed practices, meditation, and sound, Katie creates grounded, accessible experiences that invite people to slow down, reconnect with their bodies, and find a little more space within themselves. Her approach is warm and approachable—there’s nothing to perform or get right, just an invitation to rest, breathe, and experience what unfolds.
Restorative and Yin Immersion with Lauren Nottingham, November 6-8
Join Lauren, E-RYT 500, YACEP, and TYD lead trainer, for a weekend of restorative and yin yoga. This immersion is designed for all bodies and levels - whether you are interested in starting your journey with these healing modalities, or for the new or seasoned instructor looking to advance their teaching skills.
Through shared experience and lecture, this immersion will dive into the differences and crossover between these two healing modalities, gross and subtle anatomy review and benefits (hello, nervous system reset button!), key poses of restorative and yin yoga, and sequencing + support for a home or in-studio practice.
Schedule:
Friday 5:30-9:30
Saturday 11-7
Sunday 10-7
Required reading:
*The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga by Bernie Clark
*Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times by Judith Hanson Lasater
Investment: Full weekend: $350 before 10/1, $400 after. Partial weekend Saturday OR Sunday option: $200 (no earlybird, email trainings@theyogadojorva.com to confirm Saturday or Sunday). Register HERE.
This training is approved for 25 lead trainer core hours (22 contact, 3 non-contact) for our modular 300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training program. You must attend the full weekend for 300-hour credit. This course is also approved for 25 YA CEUs (22 contact, 3 non-contact) for full weekend attendance (partial weekend attendance CEUs also available) if you are registered with Yoga Alliance and NOT enrolled in our 300-hour program.
2027 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with Adrian McCavitt and Lauren Nottingham, Weekends starting January 8 to March 28
The Yoga Dojo’s 200-hour Vinyasa Teacher Training will not only guide you on your journey of how to safely lead a Vinyasa-based yoga asana class, but you will also have modules in Yin and Restorative, Anatomy, Meditation, Pranayama, Prenatal, Mantra, Ayurveda, Yogic Philosophy, Ethics, Business, and more. All students will be able to register with Yoga Alliance for the RYT-200 designation upon completion of the program. Students with existing RYT status with Yoga Alliance will be able to use the training for CEUs.
The Yoga Dojo TT will begin on Friday, January 8, 2027, and runs through Sunday, March 28, 2027 on a Friday to Sunday format on the following weekends:
1/8-1/10
1/15-1/17
NO CLASS 1/22 WEEKEND
1/29-1/31
2/5-2/7
NO CLASS 2/12 WEEKEND
2/19-2/21
2/26-2/28
NO CLASS 3/5 WEEKEND
3/12-3/14
3/19-3/21
}3/26-3/28
Training Times:
Fridays: 5:30-9:30pm
Saturdays: 12:00-7:00pm
Sundays: 10:00am-5:00pm
Email trainings@theyogadojorva.com for more information or to apply.