Awake Minds
300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Continue to Awaken With Us
Awake Minds 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training program is personalized and designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to continue your education as a certified yoga and meditation instructor. This program is for current 200-Hour YTT level graduates. Whether you aspire to teach yoga professionally or simply deepen your understanding of this ancient practice, our comprehensive training will guide you on a transformative journey.
Program Locations
Online, Massachusetts, and Costa Rica
Awake Minds School of Yoga & Meditation
“Wonderful to be together for this learning experience. Especially liked practice teaching in small group settings, loved the chanting, the lightning rounds, beach walk!”
“This is a beautiful, welcoming, comprehensive course that blends virtual and in-person, 1-1 and group learning. The core curriculum is balanced with space and time to meet the individual needs of each student. This program left me feeling prepared and confident to begin teaching, as well as excited to continue deepening my personal practice and further education. This program was a lovely experience.”
— Awake Minds YTT graduate
Invest in Yourself
Yoga is not just a physical practice; it's a way of life. Join our Yoga Teacher Training program and embark on a life-changing journey that will empower you to share the gift of yoga with others while enhancing your own well-being.
Who Can Join
Our program is open to 200-Hour yoga teacher graduates and individuals of all experience levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners. Whether you're looking to continue deepen your knowledge base and teaching skills, or simply want to deepen your practice, our training is tailored to accommodate your goals and aspirations.
Program Details
Dates: October 2025 - October 2026; One Year
Location: Private sessions are held online via Google Meet; monthly group sessions take place in person in Newburyport, MA, with the option to join via Zoom; and immersive in-person experiences include a four-day weekend in Newburyport, MA and a one-week retreat at Blue Spirit Retreat Center in Costa Rica.
Tuition: $7,799 - Payment Plan options available (see bottom of page)
Reserve your space by making a $750 deposit below. Your full or first payment will be due by October 1, 2025. Venmo, Zelle, or check payments accepted. Payment plans accepted.
Time Commitment: This yearlong program runs from October 2025 to October 2026 and includes a blend of monthly group sessions, weekly one-on-one mentorship, and two in-person immersive events.
Monthly Group Sessions (In-Person or on Zoom)
- Held on the first Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Vitality Family Medicine, Newburyport, MA or via Zoom
Note: The July session will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2026, instead of July 4.
Program Kick-Off: Saturday, October 4, 2025 – In-person session in Newburyport, MA.
Weekly One-on-One Mentorship (Online)
You’ll meet one hour per week with either Meg or Valerie Griffiths, scheduled at a mutually convenient time. These sessions are personalized to support your individual goals and development as a yoga teacher.
Intensive Weekend & Retreat (In-Person)
Newburyport, MA Long Weekend
October 10–13, 2025 (4 days)
E-mail Meg for local accommodation options if traveling from out of town.Costa Rica Immersion Retreat (details below)
October 24–31, 2026 at Blue Spirit Retreat Center in Costa Rica
Included: 7 nights of accommodations, all teachings, and meals during the retreat.Not Included: Airfare, airport transfers, tips, personal expenses, and meals not specified in the program.
What We Offer
Personalized Guidance: You'll receive one-on-one sessions with Meg Leighton or Valerie Griffiths, experienced educators and yoga and meditation teachers. These sessions are tailored to your specific goals, challenges, and interests, ensuring that you get the support you need to thrive.
Comprehensive Curriculum: Our training program covers a wide range of topics, including yoga philosophy, anatomy and physiology, asana (postures), pranayama (breath control), meditation, neuroscience, Raja Yoga, Ayurveda, concentration & meditation techniques, and the art of teaching. You'll gain a deep understanding of both the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga.
Guest Doctors: Dr. Pratibha Shah, Ayurvedic Doctor (My Ayurved) and Robert Arnold, Master Teacher & Metaphysician (Under the Sun Meditation).
Guest Teachers: Valerie Griffiths (Breathing Barn Yoga), Jessica Gumkowski (YogiTriathlete), and Amanda Strojny (Goddess Financials).
Practical Teaching Experience: We provide ample opportunities for you to practice-teach. You'll lead classes under the supervision of our instructors, gain valuable hands-on experience in instructing vinyasa yoga, breath work, and meditation.
In-Depth Topics: Yoga Philosophy, The Bhagavad Gita & Upanishads teachings, Teaching Methodologies, Anatomy & Physiology, Yoga History & Humanities; Ayurveda; Concentration Practice; Neuroscience; Breathwork & Meditation; Asana Sequence; Ethics; Professional Essentials, and more.
Certification: Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a 300-Hour certification, which qualifies you to teach yoga anywhere in the world.
7-Day Costa Rica Immersion Retreat
October 24–31, 2026 at Blue Spirit Retreat Center in Costa Rica
Included: 7 nights of accommodations, all teachings, and meals during the retreat.
Not Included: Airfare, airport transfers, tips, personal expenses, and meals not specified in the program.
About Blue Spirit Yoga & Retreat Center in Nosara, Costa Rica
Perched on a hilltop that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and a three-mile long white sand beach that is protected as a turtle refuge, Blue Spirit resort offers an extraordinarily beautiful and natural setting. Guests enjoy a variety of activities including surf lessons, stand-up-paddle boarding, horseback riding, kayak trips, and waterfall hikes.
Retreat Highlights
Two guided meditation practices per day (morning and evening)
Two yoga classes per day (morning and evening)
Daily wisdom from Yogic Philosophy and access to your retreat teachers
Impeccable accommodations for 8 days
Three meals per day featuring a gourmet vegetarian/vegan/pescatarian buffet bar
Experiential Workshops
Wireless Internet
Salt Water Infinity Pool
Free Time. Enjoy access to Blue Spirit resort amenities including surf lessons, stand-up-paddle boarding, horseback riding, kayak trips, and waterfall hikes.
Accommodations
Participants will be assigned double occupancy rooms, but a single may be requested for an additional charge. Contact Meg for more information.
Optional Retreat Add-ons (booked directly with Blue Spirit):
Excursions - Surf lessons, SUP, horseback riding, kayak trips, waterfall hikes and more
Spa services
Longevity program
Child care
Not Included in Retreat Cost:
Sansa offers charter flights for guests from the International Airport in Liberia to the Local Nosara Airport.
Additional night accommodations outside of retreat
Gratuity and tax not included
Transportation to and from airport – although, shuttle services are available by booking through Blue Spirit
Airfare to and from Costa Rica
“Another amazing weekend that leaves me feeling so grateful. You have such a great way of being open to wherever the group conversations lead and giving thought/advice/help on all topics that arise. Thank you!”
Space is limited. Reserve your spot below.
Tuition for One-Year Program
October 2025 - October 2026
Payment after $750 Deposit
$7,049 - Paid in Full by October 1, 2025
Two payments of $3,525 payment accepted before October 1, 2025 - Venmo, Zelle, and check payments available
Reserve Your Spot
Guest Facilitators
Unique Background & Offerings
Meg Leighton, Lead Facilitator, has a master's degree in education and has taught yoga and meditation in various capacities. Along with working one-on-one with individuals over the past seven years, she has offered 30-hour and 200-hour yoga teacher trainings, taught yoga and meditation in schools, hospitals, studios, and retreat centers.
Meg has worked alongside a master yoga teacher under the lineage of Swami Satchidananda and is honored to be offering the same teachings in this training.
The content and offerings in this training are unlike others in that they include experiential learning, group discussions, immediate feedback, and in-depth experiences over the course of 10 months.
Testimonial
“Meg instructed an 8 Week Breath Work and Meditation course this past Fall for Yoga Instructors or anyone who was interested in learning or enhancing their personal practice. As a yoga instructor, (and someone who could never genuinely meditate consistently nor did I want to..) my goal was to learn how to implement short meditations at the end of my classes. Because of Meg's warmth, insight, expertise and guidance, what I thought was simply learning a new manner of winding down my yoga classes, turned into a personal evolution of the soul. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity that provided enlightenment where I didn't know possible. Her support and encouragement finally enabled me to truly incorporate a dedicated daily personal meditation practice and I am forever grateful for the new found wellness and stillness that has entered into my life. I continue to work with her one on one. She is knowledgable and truly gifted. The teaching techniques I learned in the course were an added bonus!” -PK