• The foundation to it all. Immerse yourself in the contextual history, philosophy, and science of a lifelong Yoga practice. We will study the subtle body, Ayurveda, ethics, Sanskrit, pranayama, meditation, anatomy and physiology, asana teaching methodology, and build your teachers toolkit.

  • Go deeper with an additional 300 hours, making your depth of study 500 hours total. Discover even more about functional yoga anatomy, the neuroscience of meditation, pranayama, and the bandhas. Enhance your ability to be a vessel for Yoga by studying core texts, philosophy, and more.

  • For those who want to uncover the deepest aspects of these Yogic traditions. Complete your transformation as a teacher and conduit of Yoga by learning the Art of Yoga Therapy. This is a two year course.

Our Approach

Gold Yoga School is rooted in the foundational teachings and living tradition of the Himalayan Institute approach to Yoga and Ayurveda as founded by Swami Rama. From this foundation, our school introduces modern scientific research and studies and explores how to apply these ancient teachings in a modern context. We lovingly lead our trainees in what we call The Gold Solution in which teaching becomes a life practice and an extension of oneself.

We rely on and thrive within a very small student:teacher ratio model, whereas each student works with the lead teacher individually to ensure maximum depth and integration of materials and practice occurs. Think of an old school apprenticship model.

Whatever your aim, we invite you to join us on the path: Maybe you’re interested in sharing Yoga with friends and family, deepening your own practice, or perhaps teaching some weekly classes.

 

Lead Trainer

Francesca Gold is a deeply feeling yoga practitioner, teacher, yoga therapist, and scholar who has been teaching for over 15 years. She works to align her inner reality and value system with how she shows up in the world. She has a gift for guiding people through a journey of self inquiry to uncover their truest selves. Her teaching approach includes direct observation and responding in each moment to who is showing up in front of her. Her vision for the future of yoga is one that is rooted in deep reverence for its origins while adapting it to our modern world.

Francesca has been teaching modules in 200 and 300 hour trainings around the country for the past eight years and co-led/organized a 200 hour teacher training in 2015 in Ojai. She’s pleased to be in partnership with her Alma Mater, Loyola Marymount University where she completed her Master of Arts in Yoga Studies, her Yoga Therapy certification, and has completed Post-Graduate Yoga Therapy course work.



Partnership with Loyola Marymount University

Gold Yoga School is pleased to partner with Loyola Marymount University (LMU) to offer an additional 50 hours of philosophy training as desired by students. Payment for the additional 50 hours goes directly through LMU.

Link to Yoga Studies Website ~ Registration Link

“Our foundational, 250-hour teacher training is designed for anyone looking to deepen their yoga practice and knowledge, as well as those beginning their journey as yoga teachers. In addition to becoming eligible for the Yoga Alliance 200-hour teacher registry, students will receive a transcript from Loyola Marymount University and complete 50 hours of philosophical training.

Professor Zoë Slatoff (M.A., Columbia, Ph.D., Lancaster) will provide depth instruction in Yoga philosophy, with 20 hours on the Yoga Sūtra in the fall and ten hours each on the Bhagavad Gītā (January and February), the Sāṃkhya Kārikā (February and March) and the Upaniṣads (March and April). Classes will be live streamed on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and accessible via recorded videos for the duration of each course. Professor Slatoff will meet students live one weekend per month to answer questions, particularly for students who view the videos asynchronously.” 

Words from happy teacher trainees

“I want to give a special shout out to you, Because of you, my fear, and my doubt are dissipating. Thank you for all your hard work, your vision and just being You. When I first came to this class, something that I've talked about for 25 years, I thought it was going to be completely different. To be honest, I had no idea what it was going to be like.”

“You’re so articulate. It’s a joy to listen, even though I only catch every other word.”

“Yesterday was pure magic. It surpassed my highest expectations.”

 

“So glad to be a part of this group. It seems I’ve found the right place for me. I am thankful for the direction, the wealth of knowledge and the combined experience of everyone participating.”

“This teacher training was fun, challenging and brought me so much growth (as challenges oftentimes do). Even with the fact I live a half an hour away from the studio, work full time and am a single mom, Francesca made this very accessible for me. I overcame some things during this training that have been really difficult for me like fear of teaching and avoidance of my own embodiment. This training has done more for me than show me how to teach others yoga, although my daughter now has her own yoga teacher at home 🙂. This training has taught me more about anatomy and how the mind can be a tool for achieving great things. Francesca has been a wonderful teacher, guide and mentor and is very intuitive which to me is key when practicing in the healing arts. I recommend this training even if you are not planning to be a yoga teacher but because you want to go deeper into your practice and see what other treasures can be found here.”

“The foundation created by the Breathe Ojai 200 hour training can easily become the backbone to your life’s routine.  One might be in danger of becoming a kinder and healthier person, a more inclusive teacher, increasingly patient and prepared for both the good and the bad and fascinated by the discernment between the two.  Developing the discipline required to adhere to the principles of an ethical yoga teacher is not an overnight process, and the training reflects this mindset.  Be ready to dive in and give it your all and become less concerned about the results.”

“After 4 very intense modules, I have realized that I'm back to my roots. I have always been a woman who didn't take for granted what someone told me as the truth. I have always questioned "what's it all about". I find myself asking those questions again. Pondering how, why, where of our existence.

It has tapped into my heart/consciousness, which I find has opened. My spirit has come home and is resting with me. With all the craziness in the world, in daily life, I feel a calmness. Yes, I'm raw, but that's ok. I want to thank you for helping me come back to this point. You're exceptional women. It's not a patriarchal comment. You're brilliant, caring, wonderful female energy.”

“Grateful, daunted, excited, overwhelmed, profoundly moved, intellectually stimulated - you name it, it's there. The philosophy part is huge, and I absolutely love it. Excited to be on this journey. Just want to give a shoutout to the amazing yoga teacher training course in which I am immersed this year. The pace is lovely and spaced out enough to allow time for absorbing the information.

The first three modules were rooted in history and philosophy, all blowing my mind. Yesterday we had a guest teacher/author/professor and doctorate from Loyola Marymount University and we learned — Sanskrit. The depth of wisdom we are learning, without simply moving into poses, is blowing my mind. The spiritual nourishment is worth it.”

  • Francesca Gold

    Lead Trainer, Founder Breathe Ojai & Gold Yoga School

    MA Yoga Studies, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Post Graduate work in Yoga Therapy

  • Breathe Ojai Yoga Teacher Training

    Dr. Christopher Chapple

    Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology, Founding Director of the Master of Arts in Yoga Studies at Loyola Marymount University: Jainism & Sallekhana Full Bio

  • Dr. Lori Rubenstein Fazzio Breathe Ojai Yoga Teacher Training

    Dr. Lori Rubenstein Fazzio

    DPT, PT, MAppSc, C-IAYT, Somatic Experiencing, Clinical Professor of Yoga and Health at Loyola Marymount University: Skeletal Uniqueness Full Bio

  • Breathe Ojai Yoga Teacher Training

    Taina Rodriguez-Berardi

    MBA, MA Yoga Studies, E-RYT 500, RPYT, YACEP: Social Justice & Activism Full Bio

  • Breathe Ojai Yoga Teacher Training

    Zoë Slatoff, PhD

    PhD in Religion and Philosophy from Lancaster University and an MA in Asian Languages and Culture from Columbia University, Professor of Sanskrit at Loyola Marymount University: Sanskrit & Philosophy Full Bio

  • Melissa Arellano

    RYT 200 Gold Yoga School, 50 Hour Yoga Philosophy Certificate through Loyola Marymount University: Meditation Techniques

  • Breathe Ojai Yoga Teacher Training

    ... and more. Stay tuned!

 

Our trainings are designed specifically for the person who wants to approach yoga and/or yoga teaching from a holistic and context rich perspective with an emphasis on embodied self-knowledge and personal practice. There is no need to want to become a teacher. In fact, focusing on being a student might just be a wonderful route to go! 

 200 Hour Teacher Training Apprenticeship

This training is offered in partnership with Loyola Marymount University (LMU). If you’d like to opt in for the full 250 hour training (200 with us, 50 with LMU), please register through them for the additional 50 hours of philosophy. Yoga Alliance accreditation is through the LMU partnership.

Dr. Christopher Chapple teaching about Jainism to our 2023 teacher trainees

Begin teaching from day one of your training. Each training day builds on the previous ones through a systematic approach to learning about Yoga from the inside out, and back in again. We focus on blending applied therapeutics, embodied self-knowledge and discovery with modern research and context rich offerings. Explore your unique teaching voice and find ways to apply your gifts with the world through our program. Enrollment for our 2025 cohort is open. Apply now.

  • Tuition is $3750 ~ payment plans available

  • Training dates set on a 1:1 basis

  • Cohort must be 2, 3, or 4 students

  • Tuition includes free (mandatory) classes with lead trainer in the studio

  • The main place of study for sessions and classes is Breathe Ojai

  • Training includes some online modules, class attendance, one:one mentorship, independent study/assignments, possible placement in community teaching opportunities, and more

300 Hour Teacher Training

Dr. Zoë Slatoff leading Sanskrit studies with our teacher trainees in 2023

This advanced training is for the dedicated teacher or practitioner who acknowledges they are also a lifelong student. Invest in your teaching career and in changing the lives of your students. Become a living embodiment of self knowing and an empowered Yoga teacher. You must have completed a 200 hour training already to be accepted into this training. Enrollment is closed but we expect to offer this in the future.

  • Tuition is $4850; payment plans available

  • Training dates set on a 1:1 basis

  • Cohort must be 2, 3, or 4 students

  • Tuition includes free classes with lead trainer in the studio

  • The main place of study for sessions and classes is Breathe Ojai

  • Training includes online modules, class attendance, one:one mentorship, independent study/assignments, and more

Payment Terms

There is a $250/$350 nonrefundable fee to register for either training (200 or 300). Additional payment toward either program is nonrefundable within 30 days of the start of the program and 75% refundable otherwise.

Absence Policy

Conducted on a case by case basis. You are invited to inquire regarding rates for making up missed sessions.

Looking for a different kind of learning experience?

This apprentice style approach may be the best fit for you. Become inspired to be of service, find reverence and deep respect for yogic teachings, and, most of all, continue on your own personal path to awakening.

Apply

Explore:

  • Your own connection to embodiment and self-inquiry

  • The healing potential of asana, meditation, and pranayama

  • Texts and context from Jain, Yoga, and Buddhist traditions

  • The effect of modern Yoga within our sociocultural landscape

  • The historical roots of Yoga

Learn how to integrate the following into your life/teaching:

  • Anatomy and Physiology

  • Subtle Body Anatomy

  • Alignment and Adjustments

  • Teaching Principles and Methodology

  • The Eightfold Path of Yoga

  • Sanskrit and more...

Apply now