The perfect mix of live & self guided!

This training is a unique blend of "in-person" learning through live Zoom trainings PLUS an extensive online video library of evidence based, cutting edge research and material.

The library of content allows you to study & learn at your convenience. The live "in person" weekends allow time for questions, personalized attention, teaching practice, and feedback to help better understand the material and grow as a prenatal yoga teacher.

No more frantically take notes during a live lecture or discussion. Over the 3 months span of the training, you will be able to learn at your own pace. You can stop, rewind, and review the material as much as you need to ensure you fully comprehend the information.

To support the learning of each module, there is a handpicked selection of Prenatal Yoga Center’s Yoga | Birth | Babies podcasts with some of the world’s leading experts in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and postpartum.

No other prenatal teacher training provides this level of diverse insight in their program.

Childbirth Education And Advocacy

Did you know that 25 – 34 percent of women report that their births were traumatic? Studies show most people feel unsafe and fearful of the birthing care they receive. This includes receiving routine (and perhaps unnecessary) interventions and feel unsupported the medical staff. As a prenatal yoga teacher, you have the unique opportunity to empower pregnant people to make their own choices in childbirth.

A big part of the PYC Teacher Training is examining the current state of birth in our culture, including systemic racism in the hospital system. Teacher trainees learn how to present evidenced-based information to students in a non-biased manner so students can make their own educated decisions regarding birth choices.

Community

During our program, Teacher Trainees immerse themselves in the prenatal and postnatal community by participating in classes and workshops. They learn first hand about the fears and concerns of new and expectant parents and observe how all different pregnant bodies move through a yoga practice. No more “practicing with pretend bellies” or theorizing about the pregnant body and mind, PYC boasts a robust community of people in all stages of pregnancy and postpartum.

Teacher trainees observe the community building aspect of “circle time”, a time where the students introduce themselves, say how far along they are, and discuss any aches and pains they would like to address in class. Pregnancy and postpartum periods carry such enormous physical and emotional changes; and this bonding time creates a springboard for long lasting friendships among students and is a rich learning opportunity for teacher trainees.

The Asana Practice

In order for a teacher to truly understand a prenatal asana practice with working knowledge of which poses should be encouraged and which should be avoided, you must have a comprehensive understanding of the anatomical and physiological of the pregnant body. Our training program moves beyond a memorized list of poses and unpacks the “why” pregnant and postpartum bodies benefit from some poses more than others.

The use of asana in class is multifunctional in preparing the student’s mind and body for birth. On a physical level, we use asana to alleviate common pregnancy aches and pains as well as we look at how each pose can create balance in the pelvis, pelvic floor and pelvic ligaments. When the body is well aligned, the baby may be better positioned leading to a more functional, speedy birth.

From a mental and emotional standpoint, asana practice is an amazing tool to lean into safe discomfort and find coping skills. Labor, birth and parenthood has emotional and physical challenges. We build essential lifelong coping skills to deal with these struggles.

Module One: Anatomy And Physiology And Birth Culture

You will start to explore the in-depth changes to the anatomy and physiology of the pregnant body. We place a particular focus on the abdominal changes and pelvic floor changes and how they can affect pregnancy and postpartum.

This solid foundation of understanding of the anatomy and physiology takes the guesswork and fear out of deciphering which poses will enhance the practice and which can be troublesome for the pregnant and postpartum student.

Module One also includes examination and discussion of the current birth culture, systemic racism and LGBT inclusion found in the medical system in the US.

Module Two: Structuring Your Class

During this module, you will start to see which asanas and pranayamas to encourage and discourage and modifications of the different trimesters. These poses will become your building blocks for structuring your prenatal yoga class. There is a strong focus on stabilizing the pelvis and asanas that encouraging optimal fetal position to aid in the birth process. You will also be introduced to the Prenatal Yoga Center teaching template which will help you clearly organize your class and create a graceful vinyasa flow for your students

This module includes 4 one hour prenatal yoga classes to help you familiarize yourself with the practice.

Module Three: Birthing The Baby!

In this module, we shift our focus to Labor, Delivery and Interventions. We will explore the different stages of labor including the emotional signposts of labor, pain management and coping skills as well as common interventions and complications. We will also review therapeutic applications, assuring new teachers the information to help students with asanas and alternative modalities to common pregnancy aches and pain.

You will walk away with extensive childbirth education knowledge, an appreciation for the landscape of birth in the US, and trusting you can offer evidence-based information and solid resources for your students .

photo courtesy of Momma Loves from Flickr

BONUS Workshop: LGBT Inclusion in Prenatal Yoga with Jacoby Ballard

Jacoby Ballard is a social justice educator and yoga teacher who leads workshops and trainings around the country on diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this exclusive workshop, Jacoby shares his own experience as a trans parent and offers participants vocabulary and inclusive LGBTQ language. He also presents case studies to reveal common harm in prenatal yoga classes that can be caused from assumptions and yoga practices that can support you when harm occurs.

What To Expect

Two LIVE Zoom training weekends
Digital Prenatal Yoga Center teaching manual
3-month access to the membership website
8-class package to observe PYC prenatal classes
40+ videos of prerecorded training & yoga classes
Evidence based, cutting edge material.
Master how to confidently structure safe, well-rounded prenatal classes
Explore the anatomical and physiological changes of the pregnant body
Learn why we encourage and discourage certain poses
Study pelvic floor dysfunction, diastasis recti and pelvic girdle pain
Discuss the current birth trends in our country
Immersion in the pregnant community through practice teaching
Required reading including Transformed by Birth by Britta Bushnell, Pelvic Liberation by Leslie Howard, Birth The Surprising History of How We Are Born by Tina Cassidy, The Birth Partner by Penny Simkins, Medical Bondage by Deidre Cooper
BONUS VIDEO: The Business of Yoga with Mado Hesselink
BONUS WORKSHOP: Comforting Touch for Birth
BONUS WORKSHOP: LGBT Inclusion in Prenatal Yoga with Jacoby Ballard

As a midwife I found this training to be comprehensive and informative with regard to the pregnant body, labor, and birth. It was the perfect combination of intense didactic learning and yoga teacher training. I loved the online component, the required reading, the comprehensive exam required to gain certification- the whole training. Deb has created the most comprehensive, evidence-based, pelvic-sound, prenatal yoga teacher training out there. At completion, I felt prepared to teach and confident that I could keep my pregnant students safe and prepare them for an active labor.

Julie Rauschenplat

Midwife, yoga teacher, and PYC Graduate

Your Responsibilities

Review modules 1,2,3, and 4 individually and watch the corresponding videos.
Participate in the Intro Webinar with Deb or listen it at a later time.
Be prepared to take the seat of the teacher and in a group setting
Complete reading from the required book list.
Must have a basic understanding of Google Drive and Zoom
Complete written assignments.
Complete BOTH live weekend intensives with Deb and co-teacher.
Take or observe a minimum of 4 prenatal yoga classes either at PYC or in your community.
Complete and pass final written exam.
Complete the practical portion of your final exam, teaching a 75 minute prenatal yoga class with at least 3 pregnant people. This class must be recorded and shared with Deb for grading.
OPTIONAL: Audit a local childbirth education class in your community.

Policies And Guidelines

Full payment is due access to the manual and membership website is given.
A non-refundable deposit of $550 is required to hold your space in the program. The balance is due according to the tuition policy.
We accept cash, Visa, MasterCard and Amex.
Refunds are available up to three weeks before the training begins minus your deposit. The beginning of the training is marked by receiving access to the membership website which contains the manual and corresponding videos. After this time NO refund or credit will be given if you decide not to attend. Should you cancel your spot within the 3 weeks prior to the training, the $550 deposit cannot be applied to a future training.
The membership website is released to teacher trainees 30 days before our first live weekend together.
Full payment is due access to the manual and membership website is given.
Once the training begins, if you decide not to continue for any reason, no refund or credit will be given.
We welcome pregnant students! However, if your due date falls before the final exam or if your current work or life leaves little time for extracurricular activities, we strongly urge you to take the training later, when you have more time to devote to the coursework. Due to the nature of the Teacher Training, we cannot accommodate missed modules. Both weekend intensives need to be attended to complete the program.
All fees and schedules are subject to change without notice.
To Be Eligible To Teach At PYC, You MUST Be Certified Through This Program

Deb Flashenberg, Lead Teacher

CD(DONA), LCCE, E-RYT-500, RPYT

"My Job Is Simply To Offer Pregnant People Evidence Based Information, Guidance And Support, Empowering Them To Make Decisions Which Are Right For Them. It Is Never Appropriate For Me As A Teacher To Put My Own Birth Beliefs On The Shoulders Of My Students. I Had My Births On My Own Terms, Now It’s Their Turn To Find Their Path”

Deb Flashenberg is the founder and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center in NYC. Along with being a prenatal yoga teacher, she is also a labor support doula, Lamaze childbirth educator, mother of two and self proclaimed "birth and anatomy geek".

Deb received her first vinyasa yoga certification with Shiva Rea and then added to her education by completing the OM Yoga advance yoga teacher training with Cyndi Lee. After the challenging birth of her first child, Deb became incredibly interested in pelvic health and has since earned her Pelvic Floor Yoga Certification with Leslie Howard. Deb is currently completing the Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist program with Dr. Sarah Duvall. For the past 6 years, Deb has also greatly enjoyed being the host of the podcast, Yoga | Birth | Babies, where she speaks with some of the world’s leading experts in pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenthood.

Ellyn Gerry, RN, WHNP, RYT-500, LCCE, RPYT, Labor and Delivery Nurse

Ellyn’s practice and teaching are informed by over three decades of combined experience as a Labor and Delivery Nurse, Childbirth Educator, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Her individualized class sequences are safely and lovingly curated using warm, invitational language and methodology. She has completed over 1000 hours of Yoga and Fitness training, including: Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Certification with New York Yoga, Basic & Advanced Yoga Certifications with Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman, Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga at Prenatal Yoga Center, Yin Yoga with Corina Benner, Trauma-Informed Yoga with Exhale to Inhale, Accessible Yoga with Jivana Heyman, and Baby and Me Yoga with Kidding Around Yoga.

Yiska Obadia, CD(DONA) L.Ac

"Birth is one of those rare life experiences where power and vulnerability live side by side. To touch that is my great pleasure and honor."

Yiska Obadia is a passionate teacher and healing arts practitioner, with over 25 years of experience as a massage therapist, acupuncturist and birth doula. Yiska created Comforting Touch for Birth to teach doulas and parents-to-be how to skillfully provide hands-on support for birthing people, through her workshops and digital guidebook. Most recently she added Comforting Touch for Babies and Havening Techniques to her repertoire.

Shelbi Schooler, RYT 200, RPYT

"I'm there to guide, suggest, and encourage, but the final decision of how they move through the asana is wholly up to them. Asana can be a transformative practice for many pregnant people, and if my class plays even a small part in a more empowered and functional birth experience, then I have succeeded."

Shelbi Schooler is a passionate, creative, and disciplined yoga practitioner and teacher. She believes in the power of breath, the magic geometry of the human body, and the proven benefits of a yoga practice for the pregnant body and any body! Through a combination of trainings at Sky Ting Yoga and Prenatal Yoga Center along with her teaching experience at Medicine for the Soul and now PYC, she has developed her own unique voice and teaching style that above all else celebrates the freedom in boundaries.

Julia Motyka, RYT 500, RPYT

"I’m a deep believer in the power of breath to release, restore, and motivate the body in pregnancy, labor, and beyond. Asana practice in combination with evidence-based information can provide students a toolkit from which to draw throughout pregnancy so that they move into and through their birthing experience feeling connected, empowered, and aligned."

Julia is a writer, performer, and mom of two based in New York City who comes to teaching yoga through a career in the arts. Having experienced the power of a yoga practice first hand—she practiced for decades before becoming a teacher and took classes at PYC through both her pregnancies—she is so grateful for the opportunity to offer expectant parents 90 minutes of community and self-care on the mat. She took her 200 and 300/h certifications with Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman at Yoga Shanti and has studied pre and postnatal yoga with Deb at PYC. Whether in the studio or online, her classes use a balance of asana, music, meditation, and breath work to help you move your body, balance your mind, and connect with your baby.

Mado Hesselink, IAYT & E-RYT 500

Mado helps yoga teachers integrate their heart-centered mission with practical business & teaching strategies so that they can make both an impact and a living.

On “The Yoga Teacher Resource”, her top-rated podcast with over 350K downloads, Mado draws from 15 years of teaching experience to share relevant stories, practical tips, and down-to-earth advice. Through individual and group programs, she guides participants to leverage their unique perspectives, talents, and vision into systems to build a successful and sustainable career. Her podcast was also listed as one of the top 10 resources for yoga teachers by momoyoga.

As a guest teacher, Mado offers PYC Teacher Trainees an exclusive conversation, "The Yoga of Business".

Jacoby Ballard, Social Justice Educator, RYT & author

Jacoby Ballard is a social justice educator and yoga teacher who leads workshops and trainings around the country on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Since 2006, Jacoby has taught Queer and Trans Yoga, a space for queer folks to unfurl and cultivate resilience and received Yoga Journal's Game Changer Award in 2014 and Good Karma Award in 2016. Jacoby has been consulting with perinatal yoga teacher trainings since 2019, following the birth of his kiddo, and after being certified to teach perinatal yoga in 2021, has been offering Queer and Trans Centered Prenatal Yoga. Jacoby has also taught in schools, hospitals, non profit and business offices, a maximum security prison, a recovery center, a cancer center, LGBT centers, gyms, a veteran’s center, and yoga studios. His first book, A Queer Dharma: Yoga and Meditations for Liberation was released in 2021. He lives with his partner, child, and innumerable plant friends on unceded Goshute, Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone land, now known as Salt Lake City, Utah.

As a guest teacher, Jacoby offers PYC Teacher Trainees an exclusive conversation, "LGBT Inclusion for Prenatal Yoga".

Is this a Yoga Alliance accredited course?

Yes, this is a Yoga Alliance accredited 85-hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training.

Is there a specific start date for the course?

Yes, there are two live weekends you must attend to complete the course. Depending on the training you chose, the live weekends will either be in person or online via Zoom.

When do we get access to the Membership site?

The Membership site contains all your materials for this training (the teacher training manual, videos, podcasts and homework assignments.) This will be released one month prior to our first live weekend together. The release of the Membership site marks the beginning of the training.

Do I need to have completed a foundational 200-hour teaching?

Yes, we do require you to have completed a 200 hour training prior to participating in this advanced training. Teacher trainees will be doing many hours of practice teaching.

Can I still teach prenatal yoga if I haven't had a baby?

Absolutely! Birth is NOT a pre-requite for being an empathic and capable prenatal yoga teacher.

Do you offer a payment plan or scholarship?

Yes, we offer individually tailored payment plans to fit your needs. We also offer a BIPOC scholarship. Click HERE for more details on the scholarship.

Do I get to take or observe classes?

Yes, after our first live weekend together, you will be given an 8 class card so you can take or observe classes. This allows you to immerse yourself in the community and study the PYC methodology in action!

Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training

20 years of expertise offered through a modern lens.

PYC has transformed how prenatal yoga is taught. Based on our unique three pronged approach, you will learn to safely and confidently support the physical, mental and emotional needs of your perinatal community.

The 2 WEEKEND INTENSIVE training offers both in person and online, independent study. It’s the perfect match for the motivated teacher with limited time to spend in the classroom!

Tuition $1600

ACTION TAKER DISCOUNT & PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE!

The perfect mix of live & self guided!

Our Unique Three-Pronged Approach To Prenatal Yoga

Childbirth Education And Advocacy

Here's How It Breaks Down

Module One: Anatomy And Physiology And Birth Culture

Module Two: Structuring Your Class

Module Three: Birthing The Baby!

Module Four: Postnatal Yoga

BONUS Video: The Business of Yoga with Mado Hesselink

BONUS Workshop: Comforting Touch for Birth with Yiska Obadia

BONUS Workshop: LGBT Inclusion in Prenatal Yoga with Jacoby Ballard

What To Expect

Prenatal Yoga Center has served prenatal yoga students & YTT teachers in over 25 states & 15 countries.

Hear what past students are saying:

FREE Guide with 5 Tips for teaching Pregnant Yogis!

Responsibilities, Policies and Guidelines

Your Responsibilities

Policies And Guidelines

Training Dates

Tuition and Scholarships

Meet Your Teachers!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a Question?

Email us: info@prenatalyogacenter.com