A Flexible, Modular Approach to Certification

Every module at Nirguna Yoga School functions both as a stand-alone workshop and as part of a complete teacher-training pathway. You can join for a single weekend to enrich your practice, or collect modules to become a certified yoga teacher.

Your Path to Certification:

• 200-Hour Certification (RYS 200): Complete 10 modules to become a certified teacher.
• 300-Hour Advanced Certification (RYS 300): Complete 15 modules to upgrade your existing license.
• 500-Hour Certification: Combine the 200 & 300 tracks to achieve the highest level of Yoga Alliance recognition.

Each module costs $250 and includes a one-month unlimited membership at Nirguna Yoga. Our program is designed for maximum flexibility: join whenever you’re ready, skip a month if you need to, and move toward certification entirely at your own pace.

The Schedule: Once-a-Month Weekend Immersions

Each module takes place one weekend per month, allowing you to dive deep into a focused area of study, then take the rest of the month to integrate what you’ve learned.

Friday Night — Free Community Talk & Potluck (6–8 PM)

Every training weekend begins with a free community event — an inspiring talk, Q&A, and shared meal. These evenings are open to the public and are a wonderful way to meet the teachers, explore the weekend’s theme, and feel the sense of sangha that defines Nirguna Yoga.

Saturday & Sunday — Immersive Practice & Study

The core of each weekend consists of about 12 hours of training that weave together:

• Techniques, training, and practice
• Anatomy & physiology
• Yoga humanities & philosophy
• Teaching methodology & professional essentials
• Practicum and peer teaching

After the weekend, students attend six regular studio classes with a lead trainer to integrate the material before the next module.

Who Should Join Our Yoga Alliance Training?

• Students who want to deepen their personal practice through focused monthly workshops
• Teachers seeking Yoga Alliance continuing education (YACEP) hours
• Aspiring teachers working toward RYT 200, RYT 300, or RYT 500 certification

No prerequisites. No long-term contracts. Just your curiosity, commitment, and love of yoga.

Why Choose Nirguna Yoga School?

• One Weekend a Month – Consistent, sustainable pacing that fits real life.
• Pay-As-You-Go Flexibility – $250 per module instead of large upfront tuition.
• World-Class Faculty – Teachers with 20–40 years of practice and teaching experience.
• Inclusive Community – Free public events, potlucks, and shared study create true connection.
• Accredited Curriculum – Meets or exceeds Yoga Alliance standards for RYS 200, 300 & 500 plus YACEP continuing education.

2026 Teacher Training & Workshop Series Schedule

• January 9 – 11: The Heart of Yoga with Ben and Kendra
• February 20 – 22: The Healing Power of Yoga and Movement with Erin Hansbrough
• March 13 – 15: Cueing with Clarity with Dustin Maxwell
• April 17 – 19: The Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita with Ben and Kendra – Learn more or Sign Up
• May 15 – 17: Ashtanga: The Eight Limbs of Yoga with Robin Ramsey – Sign Up (coming soon)
• June 12 – 14: Yoga and Ayurveda with Dave Yoss – Sign Up (coming soon)
• July 10 – 12: Yoga on the Ropes with Crista Chavez – Sign Up (coming soon)
• August 7 – 9: Cultivating Accessibility + Belonging with Avery Kalapa – Sign Up (coming soon)
• September 11 – 13: The Hatha Yoga Pradipika with Ben and Kendra – Sign Up (coming soon)
• October 16 – 18: with Lydia Williams – Sign Up (coming soon)
• November 13 – 15: with Dustin Maxwell – Sign Up (coming soon)
• December 18 – 20: with Erin Hansbrough – Sign Up (coming soon)

(*schedule subject to change)

Meet Your Expert Yoga Faculty

Ben Kramer

Ben teaches philosophy, meditation, and Sanskrit with humor and clarity. After years studying in Indian monasteries, he and Kendra completed a three-year silent meditation retreat. A translator for the Asian Classics Input Project, Ben blends traditional depth with an accessible, down-to-earth style.

Kendra Rickert

Kendra, certified by Bikram Choudhury and Sri Dharma Mittra, combines classical training with warmth and insight. She spent a decade studying yoga and Buddhist philosophy and completed a three-year retreat before co-founding Nirguna Yoga. Her teaching centers on self-care as service to others.

Dave Yoss

An E-RYT 500 and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Dave has taught for more than a decade. His background in anatomy, nutrition, and Sanskrit makes his classes both practical and inspiring. He weaves science, philosophy, and humor into an empowering learning experience.

Crista Chavez

Crista’s teaching merges Hatha, Raja, Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative Yoga into a playful yet steady approach. Teaching in Albuquerque since 2010, she guides students to explore their edges while staying joyful, open, and grounded.

Avery Kalapa

A Certified Iyengar Teacher, E-RYT 500, and YACEP, Avery (they/them) brings 20 years of experience and a passion for inclusivity. Their classes combine precise technique with trauma-aware, socially conscious space-holding that empowers transformation in body and mind.

Lydia Williams

A long-time practitioner, Lydia’s Vinyasa-based classes emphasize movement, breath, and inclusivity. She helps students of all levels feel supported and confident, reminding them that yoga is about progress, not perfection.

Erin Hansbrough

E-RYT 500, NASM-Certified Trainer, and Thai Massage Therapist, Erin integrates yoga, strength, and corrective movement. A former studio owner and teacher-trainer, she brings anatomical intelligence and a joyful spirit to every class.

Dustin Maxwell

A 500-hour E-RYT and Ayurveda Yoga Specialist, Dustin combines dance, yoga, and bodywork to explore awareness through movement. His classes balance rigor and sensitivity, guiding students toward clarity and self-discovery. He also offers Thai and Integrated Massage at Nirguna Yoga.

Robin Ramsey

Robin has practiced for over two decades, studying Ashtanga with Lino Miele and James Cardinale. After completing Nirguna’s 200-hour training, she began teaching both Ashtanga and Hot Yoga, sharing her reverence for steady practice and lifelong learning.