Sonder's Level 1 - Aster Yoga Teacher Training

For dedicated Yoga students who know that life is beautiful—and messy; sometimes both, all at once, and are eager to learn more about how and why yoga has become a wellspring of healing, joy, and transformation. This training fosters self responsibility for the practitioner and the possibility to extend the gift of Yoga in service to others.

This program unfolds at a thoughtful pace, and with organized intention so that teachers learn to lead a 60 minute yoga class with confidence, sophistication, and joy. This training covers classical yoga philosophy and spirituality, whole systems anatomy, how to teach Vinyasa Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Meditation.

There is special emphasis on:
• mindfulness and the importance of grounding patterns
• communication and leading with clarity
• the creative process and cultivating connection
• the subtle body and generous gift of breath
• Dharma and the freedom of being in alignment with your purpose

What sets our training apart is the emphasis on sound: music, spoken word, silence and pausing. Our Washington D.C. location allows for the unique culmination of attending a live musical performance with contemplative musicians to study their process, production, and exchange of energy with instrument and audience.

This program takes place over 4 months and is delivered in-person over the course of 8 weekends. Some lectures may be offered in a hybrid format, allowing participants to join via Zoom.

All graduates are invited to audition for the SONDER 3-month fellowship program which allows them the opportunity to teach public classes and earn credits for an audition invitation to join the SONDER team when space allows.

SONDER’S lead Yoga teachers, Allie Lehnhardt and Megan Twining have created the Aster Yoga Teacher Training which has classical lineage roots through Krishnamacharya, Jois and Iyengar and, like a tumbleweed, has organically incorporated the work of their present-day yoga and meditation teachers and mentors: Janet Stone, Kelli Precort, Krystal Say, Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, and Prasad Rangnekar (some of whom are guest teachers in this training).

SONDER (n.) the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

ASTER (n.) the word astēr means star in Greek. This transliteration guides us to all the ways that one simple word can have so much expansive meaning when observed from each and every vantage point. You too belong to the wildest potential that is already inside of you. We invite you to explore with us.