Yoga Is Medicine
Original Hot Yoga Teacher Training
2026–2027
Ready to Teach What You Love?
An in-depth, lineage-based training program in the Ghosh-Bikram-Original Hot Yoga tradition.
Led by Ann Chrapkiewicz at Yoga Is Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan.
Have you ever imagined being a part of the leadership that takes this yoga into the future? Have you dreamed about learning yoga – and teaching yoga – as a full-fledged academic and practical subject?
How about guiding others through the same practice that has transformed your own life? And developing and deepening the foundation of teaching in ways not seen in other trainings?
The Yoga Is Medicine Teacher Training is a deep immersion into the science, history, philosophy, psychology, art, and practice of teaching the Original Hot Yoga. Led by Ann Chrapkiewicz, one of the most respected teachers in the Ghosh-Bikram-OHYA lineage, this program is designed for practitioners (and teachers) who are ready to work towards profound transformation in their understanding and sharing of this yoga.
Ann’s unique approach to the Original Hot Yoga is committed to not only preserving and carrying-forward, but expanding and deepening this yoga in innovative ways that stretch across a variety of disciplines.
Over the course of three immersions at Yoga Is Medicine, plus pre- and between-immersion Zoom meetings, you will study a wide and deep range of topics, all with relevance to the Original Hot Yoga method:
- instructional dialogue
- posture theory and principles, including modifications
- anatomical and physiological purposes and effects
- breathing techniques specific to the postures
- neurophysiology
- linguistic and observational analysis
- teaching methodology
- Ghosh lineage history and philosophy
- the state of yoga research
- cultural considerations: history of yoga in North America
- power dynamics in the yoga world and teaching settings
- personal development and self-discipline for leadership
- interpersonal finesse of teaching
You will emerge as a curious, knowledgeable, broad-minded, disciplined, lineage-grounded instructor, ready to deliver Original Hot Yoga classes to the public.
Early Bird rates are available through June 15, 2026. The full Training Dialogue will be released to Early Bird paid-in-full registrants on July 1, 2026.
A comprehensive, immersive, academically-grounded training for dedicated practitioners ready to carry the Original Hot Yoga lineage forward.
At a Glance
- Start: August 2026
- End: January 2027 (training); mentorship through December 2027
- Location: Yoga Is Medicine, East Lansing, MI + Zoom
- Contact Hours: 277+
- Early Bird Deadline: June 15, 2026
- Application Fee: $100
When
Pre-Immersion: Aug 6 – Sep 11, 2026
Immersion #1: Sep 12–20, 2026
Immersion #2: Nov 7–15, 2026
Immersion #3: Jan 14–18, 2027
Where
Yoga Is Medicine
East Lansing, Michigan
(Zoom for pre- & between-immersion meetings)
Investment
Starting at $6,500 (Early Bird)
Complete Program from $12,500 (Early Bird)
Payment plans available
Program Structure & Contact Hours
The core training program spans August 2026 through January 2027, with optional mentorship and livestream membership extending through December 2027. A total of 277+ contact hours are included across three immersions and weekly Zoom meetings.
Pre-Immersion
Aug 6 – Sep 11, 2026
6 weekly Zoom meetings
6 yoga practice sessions
18 contact hours
Non-contact hours: anatomy visualization, dialogue study, teaching observation
Immersion #1
Sep 12–20, 2026
9 days at Yoga Is Medicine
~11 hours/day
89 contact hours
Focus: Standing Postures Dialogue, Anatomy, Breath, History of OHY
Between Immersions #1–#2
Sep 21 – Nov 6, 2026
4 Zoom meetings
6 yoga practice sessions
15 contact hours
Team teaching & shadowing opportunities
Immersion #2
Nov 7–15, 2026
9 days at Yoga Is Medicine
~11 hours/day
87 contact hours
Focus: Floor Postures Dialogue, Physiology, Ghosh Lineage, Awareness & Presence
Between Immersions #2–#3
Nov 18 – Jan 13, 2027
4 Zoom meetings
Dates: 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 1/13
Floor posture team teaching
Vision setting & development goals
Immersion #3
Jan 14–18, 2027
5 days at Yoga Is Medicine
54 contact hours
Focus: Corrections, Modifications, Interpersonal and Power Dynamics in Teaching, Reading Interventional Research, Translating Media
Tuition Options
Early Bird rates apply when paid in full by June 15, 2026. Payment plans available for regular rates.
Basic: Core Teacher Preparation
Closest equivalent to other OHY and Bikram-type trainings; full teacher training without a post-training mentorship component.
Also good for students who want to deepen their understanding, and for those who are not sure about plans to.
Includes: Pre-immersion meetings, 3 immersions, and between-immersion meetings.
Does not include post-training mentorship or yoga membership.
Early Bird: $6,500
Regular: $7,200
⭐ Complete Training & Mentorship Program ⭐
Recommended for full teacher preparation with mentorship support
Includes: 3 immersions, all Zoom meetings, group & private mentorship through December 2027, and OHYA internship status.
Does not include regular yoga membership.
Early Bird: $9,500
Regular: $10,990
Complete Training & Mentorship Program with Yoga Membership
Recommended for those who want to continue group practice with Ann
Includes: 3 immersions, all Zoom meetings, mentorship through December 2027, 16-month unlimited yoga membership (livestream and in-person), and OHYA internship status.
Early Bird: $12,500
Regular: $13,000
Late adds to the mentorship may be possible at the discretion of the director; i.e. you may start the core training program only, and later request to switch up to one of the complete programs with mentorship. Deadline to request addition of mentorship level: October 1.
Note: Participants in Complete Training Programs are eligible for $500 off Ann’s 2027 Casa Om retreat (Jan 3–9, 2027).
Frequently Asked Questions
The curriculum covers:
- Standing and Floor Postures Instructional Dialogue
- Alternative Models and Principles of Anatomy & Physiology (including Gil Hedley’s Integral Anatomy)
- Anatomical & Physiological purposes and effects of OHY postures and sequence
- Breathing Techniques Specific to OHY Postures
- Cultural Considerations: History of Yoga in North America and the Ghosh-Bikram-OHYA lineage
- Yoga Physiology, including Neurophysiology
- Understanding and Communicating Yoga Research
- Perspectives on Coaching, Awareness & Presence
- Theory & Practice: Corrections, Modifications, and Special Circumstances
- Personal Development and Self-Discipline for Leadership
- Yoga Schools, Yoga Studios, Yoga Alliance, and Yoga Pants: the role of marketing and branding in a healing practice
- Translating Media and Student Testimonials
- Linguistic and Observational Analysis of a Yoga Class
- Power Dynamics in the Yoga World and Teaching Settings
- Emotion, Energy, and Embodiment
- Interpersonal Refinement of Teaching
This training is designed for dedicated Original Hot Yoga practitioners who feel called to teach, lead, deepen study, and/or to be spokespeople for this yoga method. It is also open to already-trained yoga teachers who wish to use the training as a continuing education intensive in the Ghosh-Bikram-OHYA lineage.
- 350 total Bikram Yoga classes practiced, OR a weekly Bikram/OHY practice for at least 2 years
- Steady, still, and mindful practice
- Demonstrated curiosity about self and others
- Positive, encouraging, and supportive attitude toward all practitioners
- Willingness and discipline to maintain a beginner’s mind
- Commitment to supporting the Ghosh-Bikram-OHYA lineage — keeping it strong, carrying it to the next generation, and supporting others who do so
Early Bird rates are available when paid in full by June 15, 2026. Early Bird registrants will receive the full Instructional Dialogue on July 1, 2026.
Regular rates take effect after June 15, 2026. Payment plans in three installments are available for regular rates. In this case, the Dialogue will be released in three parts (after each payment is received).
Ann’s mentorship program includes mentorship meetings, private mentorship conversations, and analysis of observed or recorded classes. It is distinct from the OHYA post-training internship.
The OHYA post-training internship is a 75-class process where the training graduate teaches classes to the public. Participation in Ann’s mentorship program is not a guarantee of available internship classes at Yoga Is Medicine, though internship classes may be available and can be requested separately. Internship classes are not paid.
Feel free to set up a chat with Ann with any specific questions, or fill out the Interest Form on this page and we will be in touch!
Express Your Interest
Not quite ready to apply but want to learn more? 1) Fill out & submit the form here and 2) schedule a zoom call with Ann to discuss your submission.
Ready to Apply?
Complete the application form and submit the $100 non-refundable application fee to reserve your spot in the review process.
Interested but not sure yet?