Structural Yoga™ Teacher Training

Mangala Warner and Zoe Kowalchuk

Structural Yoga™ is a form of classical yoga that allows teachers to adapt yoga to individual needs and provide teachings that translate off the mat into daily life. Structural Yoga™ instructors are trained to teach group classes to people with a broad spectrum of needs, from those able to participate in traditional yoga classes, to those with movement restrictions, injuries, or health challenges, who require modifications and a very compassionate, healing approach. Structural Yoga teachers are trained in anatomy, biomechanics of movement, breathwork, meditation and basic ayurvedic principles. They are trained to give their students tools to advance their yoga practice with a safe, intelligent and well-laid foundation that naturally results in profound personal growth.

Structural Yoga™ relies on a deep respect for the body's innate capacity for safe, healthy movement and healing. This translates to a way of teaching that invites the body to find its own optimal way of moving and building strength, without the use of many props or hands-on corrections that might ultimately hinder self-awareness and the slow, careful development of the muscle structures that are needed to develop a full yoga practice. Structural Yoga students are also gently invited to find their own yogic path that can carry them through personal challenges, on a path of spiritual growth and transformation.

Lineage: The Structural Yoga™ teacher training program is approved and endorsed by Mukunda Stiles, founder of Structural Yoga™, and author of the books Structural Yoga Therapy, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy. In keeping with yogic tradition, Mukunda spent years with master teachers, studying and refining his unique approach to teaching yoga within a yogic lifestyle. His work is founded in two principal yoga lineages: his physical approach is based on his studies with teachers in the lineage of Krishnamacharya – Paul Copeland, MD; Indra Devi; Rama Jyoti Vernon; and BKS Iyengar. Mukunda’s spiritual approach is based on the teachings of his beloved mentor Muktananda, and Muktananda’s student, Swami Prakashananda. These are the teachings that are passed along – with great respect, and with great love – from teacher to student, and form the dual lineages of the Structural Yoga™ teacher training.

Currently there are three training programs available for Structural Yoga™. All are 200- hour Structural Yoga ™ Teacher Training Programs. For more information and a detailed syllabus please contact:

The Teacher - Trainers

Zoe Kowalchuk was introduced to Structural Yoga in 1996 when she took a seminar with Mukunda Stiles offered in Denver, Colorado.  The concept of adapting Yoga to the individual was primary in drawing Zoe to study with Mukunda.  His ability to integrate the different aspects of Yoga in a practical life enhancing system was another draw. She began training as a Structural Yoga teacher, received certification from Mukunda in 2001 and continued on to receive certification as a Structural Yoga therapist in 2003. She has also assisted Mukunda in training other Yoga therapists.

Her Yoga experience covers 43 years, studying with several teachers and a previous teacher certification in 1985. Other trainings include Marma Therapy, Tantra Yoga, Yoga and Ayurveda, Yoga Kinesiology in Asana, Pranic Healing, and Shamanic Studies.   She has taught Yoga since 1983. She holds a BA in teaching.  She founded a community school under the auspices of Denver Public Schools which she oversaw for several years.   She has taught in adult education classes, wellness centers, a massage school, and athletic clubs. She was a founding member of a group that worked with elementary school children to address stress and how to release it in healthy ways. She has taught Yoga to both elementary and high school students in a charter school, and a school in alternative education. She has taught at chiropractic centers and has co-taught seminars and weekend retreats.

Zoe is a member of Yoga Alliance at the ERYT-500 level. She is a charter member of IAYT and a member of Yoga Teachers of Colorado.   Her Yoga studio, Yoga Space in Evergreen, has operated since 1983. Having lived in the Evergreen area for 33 years, she has created many connections with professionals in other healing modalities.  This network of practitioners has contributed greatly to the local community and beyond.

Zoe's focus is on small classes and one-on-one client consultations.  Many of her students are health professionals who support the community thru their work.  She helps these students restore their energy so they can keep giving at their practice.

With Mukunda's inspiration and support, she teaches Yoga, does spiritual counseling and works with clients who seek healing through Yoga therapy. Often this work includes teaching people how to regain a sense of humor and perspective on life and how to create space to hear the teacher within.

Zoe Kowalchuk   BA, ERYT-500
Yoga Space in Evergreen
zoe-yoga@ecentral.com
303-674-3486

Mangala Warner has a Masters Degree in Human Performance (Exercise Physiology) and an extensive background in biomechanics, exercise testing, health research, and programming. Health psychology and behavior modification were key components of her Graduate training as well. Her diverse background includes managing university and corporate wellness centers, teaching college level exercise science courses, and conducting yoga teachers' training programs. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance at the 500-hour level (ERYT-500).

She brings a wealth of knowledge on how to safely and effectively adapt, refine, and individualize yoga practices. For the past ten years Mangala has been a devoted student of Mukunda Stiles, founder of Structural Yoga Therapy? and the Yoga Therapy Center in Boulder, Colorado. Currently Mangala co-instructs SYT training and leads workshops throughout the U.S. In addition, Mangala has been fortunate to be able to attend trainings led by two other well-known teachers in the same linage; T.K.V. Desikachar and Gary Kraftsow.

Mangala has over 15 years of international teaching experience that includes conducting workshops and teachers' training programs, as well as offering course classes and one-on-one consultations. In 2002 she spent 6 months at the Integral Yoga Institute in Coimbatore, India serving as a teacher trainer, leading workshops for teachers and students, as well as assisting with a retreat for cardiac patients.

Mangala is the former Director of Teacher Training for the Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, VA. She instructed portions of the Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Cardiac Yoga™ teachers' training programs for Integral Yoga International.

Mangala is currently designing a 200-hour live web based teacher training program that will be offered in the fall of 2011. Please contact Mangala if you are interested in this innovative and convenient approach to teacher training. Yoga Alliance registry is not available for this course, although partial hours can be used for continuing education. This course lays the foundation for the 700-hour Structural Yoga Therapy course and teaches the basic principles of SY and the required knowledge of anatomy needed.

Mangala has always been passionate about wellness. Her wellness philosophy advocates a complete lifestyle program that includes physical, psychological, and spiritual health. She views yoga as the ultimate wellness program for body, mind and spirit. True fitness and health can not be achieved without a healthy mind. Yoga offers tools to balance the mind and body, open the heart, and allow the spirit to soar!

Currently she resides in Berwick, ME where she offers SY teacher trainings, private yoga therapy, small group classes, and workshops. She also manages a corporate fitness center.

Debora Mangala Warner, MS, RYT-500
Email: mangalawarner@gmail.com
Website: WWW.NESYT.COM
(ph) 603-817-6882