2026/2027 Hatha Yoga 200-Hour Teacher Training & Immersion
The Vital Oak School of Yoga Studies at Yogadurango
with Deb Buck (Lead Trainer), Lynn Wickersham (Lead Trainer), Sheryl McGourty, Michele Lawrence, Andrew McGonigle, Bhavani Maki & Ruby Jo Walker
Description:
Rooted in ancient wisdom & the time-tested science of yoga, this in-depth yogic studies program is designed for students who wish to deepen their personal practice and to illuminate the 8-limbed path of yoga. Established in experiential learning & self-inquiry, we will utilize the tools of yoga to understand one’s self with more clarity, to intelligently lead us into our own transformation and to fortify ourselves at a deeper layer. Whether you are simply interested in immersing yourself in the teachings of Yoga or have the inclination to wholeheartedly share the art and science of yoga as a teacher, this program is for you.
This program is offered as an invitation to a process of transformation. A metamorphosis of becoming more of who you are; remembering one’s self as whole. Yoga is yoking together, integrating all parts of self. The practice lends itself to the exploration of relationship with self, community, Earth & cosmos.. Together as a community of students of yoga, we will cultivate a sacred container to begin/continue unpacking the vast teachings of yoga, honoring where they come from and our place within them.
Yoga is an endless process – let’s take heart and note that this is a humble beginning. We believe that being a student of yoga is a lifelong process. Sharing the sacred teaching of yoga comes from our authentic, personal experience of the integration of the yogic teachings and thus this training is highly experiential.
August 2026 ~ May 2027 | 10-Month Training 
Dates:
Meeting times:
Fridays – 1:30pm-5:30pm
Saturdays 11-5:30pm
Sundays 11-5:30pm
**Please note that Anatomy and Physiology (30 hours) with Andrew McGonigle will be held online. You will automatically be enrolled in this course once you make the commitment to participate in this 200-hour training/immersion. For more information about this aspect of the training, please check out details here: https://onlinecourse.doctor-yogi.com/p/30-hour-course-aym
This is a certified training credentialed by Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga School.
What you will receive from this training:
- Rich insight through the wisdom of Patanjali Yoga Sutras (20 sutras in total)
- Study of the intelligence of the 8-Limbed path of Yoga
- An expanded understanding of the nervous system through the PolyVagal theory, post-traumatic growth and resilience and how it intersects with the practice of yoga
- Clarity within the practice of functional hatha yogasana (alignment, biomechanics, sequencing, families of postures, modifications, intelligent movement, art of assists)
- An introduction to the subtle practices
- Embodiment of an effective teacher & space holder
- Exploration of voice & utilization of empowering language
- Restorative Yoga and Pranayama
- Intelligent study of anatomy & physiology as it pertains to yoga
- Teaching practicum
- Introduction to the subtle practices
- Introduction to Samkhya Philosophy
- History of yoga & lineage
- Ethics of being a yoga student/teacher
- Build a community of like-minded practitioners!
Investment:
$3100 for 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
*A non-refundable deposit of $500 holds your place in this training.
*10-class pack for classes at Yogadurango included in tuition
*Space is limited. We encourage you to make your deposit to hold your space.
*Payment Plans available and must be paid by the first day of training. If you are interested in a payment plan, please contact Deb at whitefeather7777@gmail.com.
1-2 Partial Scholarships available.
To sign up, specific questions or for more information, please contact Deb Buck at 970-946-7223 or email whitefeather7777@gmail.com.
Meet your Teachers:
Deb Buck – Lead Trainer – E-RYT 500, YACEP
Deb enjoys fusing devotion, strength, integrity, and grace in order to inspire contagious enthusiasm in service to Mother Earth, Community and Self. She practices deep interest in Yoga as a rich path of transformation, awakening innate intelligence and healing through which yoga combines the practical with mysticism. Deb embraces the boundless yoga practice as something that can open paths of transformation and nourish one’s unique spiritual way of life. Her specialty is to encourage students toward self-inquiry through their connection to nature as well as exploring how yoga practice can be a metaphor for how we choose to be in life and in relationship. She loves to discover and continuously question how to embody the practice; how to really walk the talk and perceives Yoga as path towards wholeness. Deb began yoga at the age of 19 eventually participating in her first yoga teacher training through Yogadurango in 2010. She has since invested her time and heart in study with Bhavani Maki, diving deep into the heart of Yoga Philosophy and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and studied with Eddie Modestini and Kristin Bosteels in the method of Yoga on the Inside. Deb is currently a Yoga Therapist in training with Inner Peace Yoga Therapy. She has also trained many hours with Ruby Jo Walker of Southwest Trauma Trainings in Polyvagal Theory, Resilience and Post Traumatic Growth.
Lynn Wickersham – Lead Trainer – E-RYT 500, YACEP, Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)
Lynn’s journey on the yogic path began in 2001 while in graduate school and grieving the devastating loss of her mother to cancer a few years earlier. Her first yoga class brought an immense sense of peace, a state of being completely lacking in her life at that time, and she was immediately hooked. Over the next several years she navigated through periods of stress, emotional pain, and grief, and through her dedicated study and consistent practice of yoga and meditation, she allowed herself space to heal and transform her grief. This process ultimately led her to the path of sharing yoga with others. Her life was forever changed after completing a residential yoga teacher training program at the Yandara Yoga Institute in 2009. Since that time, her home practice has expanded to emphasize Bhakti and Kundalini Yoga, as well as Classical Hatha Yoga. She has taught group and private yoga of various styles since 2007 and is a proud co-owner of Yogadurango. Lynn also plays and teaches the harmonium and applies sound energy as a tool for healing in her group classes and with private yoga clients.
In 2020, Lynn became a Certified Yoga Therapist after completing 3 years of study through Inner Peace Yoga Therapy. Her areas of specialty include grief, chronic pain, and neurological disorders. She works one-on-one, applying the tools of yoga to address the individual’s health concerns and empowers her clients to take an active role in their health and wellness. Lynn also offers small group yoga programs for people in pain or grieving the loss of loved ones.
Sheryl McGourty
Sheryl discovers great joy in the experience of being embodied. Sheryl began a steady yoga practice over 20 years ago and her initial training was in Nasik, India at www.yogapoint.com in 2005. Her dedication to yoga ignited while teaching middle and high school however, the earliest seeds were planted through a passion for dance. Sheryl has always been a teacher in some capacity. With a background in experiential education, she was guided to a path of working with people, holding space and facilitating healing. She enjoys connecting and listening to the similarities of the human experience. Sheryl strives to honor the art of teaching in her classes by offering an experience that is inspiring, resonate, digestible and authentic. Sheryl has taken countless hours of trainings and workshops and finds value in recognizing the similarities of varying spiritual disciplines. She has additional training in prenatal, kids, and trauma-sensitive yoga. Sheryl also leads retreats both locally and internationally. Sheryl is the founder and owner of Yogadurango. Yogadurango is Durango, Colorado’s community Yoga center in successful operation since 2006.
Sheryl has blended the sister sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda into her own life and helps others rediscover a true and balanced nature. She is a graduate of the Ayurvedic Health Practitioner (AHP) program through the California College of Ayurveda and shares her knowledge through seasonal cleanses, workshops, cooking classes, public lectures and individual consultations.
Sheryl finds grounding, strength and inspiration in connecting with the natural world. Her heart lights up through creativity, music, adventure, humor, leadership and community involvement but her most beloved pastime… being and laughing with her son, Cedar.
Michele Lawrence
Michele believes in yoga’s ability to heal and transform, and that yoga, regardless of one’s physical ability, is available to all. As a way to balance out her active life, Michele first stepped on a yoga mat in 1999. It was not long after that she began to practice regularly; and while she could not quite put her finger on it, she was amazed at how much better she felt. For the first time, she began to live in and appreciate her own body. And, more importantly, she started to understand that she was much more than her physical body.Michele started teaching yoga in 2005, has studied various yoga styles, yet is most drawn to the teaching and practice of Yoga Therapy. Through her own journey of Self-discovery, she has come to realize that yoga is a practice for all life situations. She leads retreats, teaches private yoga therapy sessions and a variety of classes including Yoga for Healing. Originally from New Jersey, Michele moved to Durango, CO in 2006. Along with her yoga teaching credentials, she also has an MBA, and has worked in large and small corporations for over 15 years. She still uses this skill set in her current endeavors: Michele is the founder and director of Inner Peace Yoga Therapy, an IAYT-accredited 800-hour yoga therapy certification program.
Andrew McGonigle – ERYT 500, C-IAYT
Andrew McGonigle has been studying anatomy for over twenty years, originally training to become a doctor and then moving away from Western medicine to become a yoga teacher, massage therapist, anatomy teacher and writer. He combines all of his skills and experience to teach anatomy and physiology on Yoga Teacher Training courses internationally and runs his own online Anatomy and Physiology Applied to Yoga courses. His first solo book project will be published in March 2021 (see cover below). He lives in Los Angeles with his husband. For more information visit: www.doctor-yogi.com
Bhavani Maki – E-RYT500, YACEP
International Yoga teacher and author, Bhāvani Maki, attended her first Yoga class at the age of nine, and began her exploration of Patañjali’s Aṣtānga Yoga in 1987. She founded Aṣtānga Yoga Kaua’i and began teaching in 1995, she opened Kauai’s first Yoga Shala, Yoga Hanalei, in 1999 and operated it for 20 years, and has offered Yoga Alliance teacher trainings since 2003. She has been featured in Yoga Journal, taught Yoga at TedMed in Washington DC, recorded classes for YogaDownload and been a main presenter at Wanderlust Yoga Festival. Bhavani has made seven trips to India to study with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, as well as hosted him twice on her home island of Kaua’i. She received her teacher training and authorization from Astānga Yoga Masters Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, South India, and Baba Hari Dass of Hardwar, North India. She studied Samṣkrta in Mysore, South India with Professor Narayanachaya, and regards Rama Jyoti Vernon as integral in her understanding of the Patañjali Yoga Sūtra, and weaving of metaphysical teachings into the practices of Yoga.
Ruby Jo Walker
Ruby Jo Walker is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of Post-Traumatic Growth Somatic Therapy™. For the last 30 years, my work has evolved from offering psychotherapy services into helping other helping professionals. I host trainings and supervision groups for therapists, healthcare workers, spiritual care leaders, bodyworkers, human services workers, advocates, educators, and anyone wanting to learn more about trauma. As an expert in interpersonal neurobiology, psychotherapy, and trauma treatment, my trainings, consultations, and therapy work incorporate cutting-edge principles of Polyvagal Theory, neurobiology, attachment-based perspective, resilience, and a somatic lens. These concepts are proven to better assist clients and patients as they develop resiliency and deep transformation in all areas of life. Ruby Jo’s certifications include: Certified Somatic Experiencing™ Therapist, Hakomi™ Certified Therapist, and Organic Intelligence™ Somatic Therapist, Expert Level.
Curriculum:
- Ethics, Lineage & History of Yoga
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- Yoga in a Modern & western world
- Lineage
- How Did We Get Here?
- Honoring those Who have Come Before
- Walking in the Footsteps of “Giants”
- Understanding the Types of Yoga (Jnana, Raja, Bhakti, Karma)
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- Who was Patanjali?
- What is Yoga?
- The Invitation
- Philosophy vs Embodiment
- Overview of Sutras
- 8-Limbs of Yoga
- Integrate 20+ Key Sutras
- Asana
- Asana Families
- Savasana
- Anatomy & Physiology of Asanas
- Appropriate Modifications & Variations
- “Props”
- Relationships of Poses
- Sanskrit Names of Poses
- Alignment
- What is Vinyasa?
- Restorative Yoga
- Effective Cueing
- Effective Sequencing
- Intelligent & Sensitive Assists
- Accessible Asana
- Yoga for different bodies
- Subtle Body Anatomy & Practices
- Prana & Vayus
- Bandhas
- Mudras
- Intro to Pranayama
- Pranayama
- What is Pranayama?
- Safety in Pranayama
- Pranayama Techniques
- Intro to Meditation & Mantra
- What is Meditation?
- Intro to Meditation Practices
- Shanti Path
- Invocation to Aum
- Gayatri Mantra
- Chanting Sutra
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Autonomic Nervous System
- Into to Polyvagal Theory
- Ayurveda: Yoga’s Sister Science
- Neurobiology of Trauma
- Neurobiology of Resilience
- Muscles & Bones
- Anatomy of the Joints
- Cardiovascular & Respiratory System A & P
- Psychology of Teaching Yoga
- Ethics & Responsibility
- The Many Hats of Teaching Yoga
- Trauma Sensitivity
- Cultural Appropriation VS Cultural Appreciation
- Authenticity
- Yamas & Niyamas of Becoming a Teacher
- Business of Teaching Yoga
- Professional Development
- Relationship to Competition
- The Art & Skill of Leadership
- Practice Teaching & Finding Your Voice
- Intro to Reading Bodies
- The Art & Skill of Holding Space
- Creating Container & Community
- Teaching Methodology
- Teaching to a group – find the middle ground
- Integration
- Group Dialogues
- Small Group Exercises
- Final written test
- Final Project
- Final group teaching practicum
Testimonials:
“Deb created an incredibly special space for us to come learn, explore and ultimately transform through the teachings of Yoga. She consistently showed up with presence, a caring nature and dedication to the teachings and the practice. It’s rare to find teachers who are so embodied; someone who is really walking the talk! Deb’s sharings on the Yoga Sutras are particularly profound. She is able to transmit the teachings in a way that resonates with each individual and provides them the support they need on their journey. The Asana practice she offers is one that is deeply grounding and nourishing. The group of students that were attracted to this training were heartfelt, compassionate and dedicated. I couldn’t imagine having a better group to learn and grow alongside. It’s impossible not to leave this training without experiencing meaningful transformation and a deeper sense of connectivity to oneself, others and the world around us.” Anya
“This was a journey without a known end for me but has given me a roadmap to a greater understanding of myself. I can’t imagine a better teacher than Deb. A vast knowledge given with compassion and heart. She has opened a door that only I can walk through. With love of others and of oneself. Deb is simply the greatest.” ~ Roy
“The 200-hour YTT with Yoga Durango is amazing! The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and skilled practitioners. They provide a safe, inclusive, supportive environment for students to learn, grow and flourish. Anyone interested in becoming a yoga teacher or who would like to deepen their learning should consider joining this incredible program and group of teachers who care so deeply about sharing yoga with others.“ Kelly
“I came to Deb’s teacher training with very little yoga experience; it was a deep dive into the yogi path. What I found was a whole-hearted program that brought together the eight-limb path and forged a beautiful and powerful community of like-minded individuals that supported each other on the journey. I savored this experience which has changed my life and put me on a path of remembering how to be a human and better manage my nervous system and health. I highly recommend this program to the novice as well as those looking to prepare for teaching; you will love it!” Jenn
“Sunday, April 28, 2024, I graduated from my 200Hrs Yoga Teacher Training lead by exceptional teacher, compassionate mentor and fierce leader Deb Buck at Yogadurango. These past 9 months have been nothing short of challenges, growth, laughter, tears, sweat, joy, adventures, magic, doubts, mystery, breakthroughs, and revelations. While this marked the completion of one journey, its ushers to the initiation of a new one. Going through this training has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long long time but I’ve always found excuses why I couldn’t do it… whether “the timing was not right”, or I was “too busy”, or “too scared” or I thought “I wasn’t in the right physical or mental place” or “I’m no longer in my prime” to embark such commitment, or because I couldn’t find “a teacher or school that I aligned with my expectations” and almost convinced myself that maybe “it was not for me” and that I should let it go. But when a dream is a true desire of the heart and not just a whim, it will not leave you alone and relentlessly, will find its way out and through you, because not only you need it, the world needs it, and the universe will conspire because it wants it to happen too! I am filled with so much gratitude for my teacher Deb, who above being an incredible teacher, she’s a exceptional human that provided a kind, loving, safe, compassionate, generous, honest, trustworthy, transparent, vulnerable and supportive container for all students of this class, to be able to grow, learn and integrate what was required of us, meeting us right where we were. This program and our teacher Deb, created a sacred space for all of the students to participate in co-creating a loving space where we could be completely vulnerable and show up for each other. Lastly, this program has helped me emphasize the understanding of interconnectedness and mutual support between all beings and how living in harmony with ourselves, others, Nature and the Cosmos requires reciprocity.” Melina