With over 200,000 classes under our belt, a network of 250+ teachers and over 150,000 happy customers, we’re experts in what it takes to be a great yoga instructor. Our yoga teacher training program is the first step towards realising your dream of becoming a yoga teacher, and will equip you with the tools you need in order to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry.

Our approach to yoga teaching training is practical, modern and career-focused

We’re practical people – we ground everything we do in reality. Our teacher training courses focus on teaching in today’s modern world, and will equip you with all the tools you need to deliver a great class.

We respect the past while embracing the future – we’re humbled by the thousands of years of yoga tradition that’s come before us, but are focused on ensuring that it stays totally relevant today and in the future.

Our yoga teacher training

Our aim is to take people who are passionate about yoga and turn them into great yoga teachers with promising yoga careers ahead.

  • All 2023 dates below!

  • Pretoria based

  • R20,000 full price, payment plans available

  • Full 200hr Vinyasa Flow YTT (you will be a fully qualified yoga teacher at the end of the course)

  • Led by Mischa Els of Hotpod Yoga Pretoria

  • We offer -R1 500 off your tuition when making a deposit 2 months prior to the starting date. You will have unlimited classes at Hotpod Yoga Pretoria during your YTT.

2023 Training Dates

The Weekender:
  • 12 Weekends in person over 8 months
  • 5 Zoom Sessions on Thursdays from 6-8pm
  • Intake open for Weekender course starting January 2023
The Intensive:
  • Monday to Thursday over 6 weeks
  • Monday 10am-4:30pm
  • Tuesday 8am-4:30pm
  • Wednesday 10am-4:30pm
  • Thursday 8am-4:30pm
  • Intake open for Intensive course starting February 2023
Online:
  • Monday & Wednesday Evenings 6-8pm
  • 9 Weekends, Saturday & Sunday 10am-2pm
  • Intake open for online course starting March 2023

Meet our Lead Teachers

Johlene Gerber

Johlene fell in love with yoga while she lived abroad, and found the practice very grounding during her travels. She started practicing yoga as a way to improve her mental health and still finds a lot of healing and integration through her practice today. After a few years of practice she completed her Yoga Teacher Training in 2018 and has been working as a full time yoga teacher since then. She is a qualified death doula, and is currently also immersed in Yoga Therapy training. Johlene is passionate about creating and facilitating yoga spaces that are inclusive and supportive. She believes in the science of yoga and has found it to be an incredible tool for personal transformation. She is thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to guide new teachers on their journey.

Abedah Musengi

My teaching style continues to evolve as I grow older and expand the modalities used to explore the potential of the human body. I have found roots in trail running, hiking, indoor rock climbing, weight training, slack-lining and AcroYoga. I constantly draw inspiration from my environment as well as other experienced, charismatic teachers who motivate me to continue serving the global community with the gift of yoga. Body Language is the most honest communication we share with one another. People have the tendency to say what they think you want to hear however, our bodies display the true essence of what is being shared. Watch closely how people look and move within your presence – you will come to know how they truly feel. The human experience is my meditation both on and off the mat. Yoga highlights the importance of regularly checking in with your mental, emotional and physical health. To be aware of your energetic frequency is to take responsibility for your mark on the World. It is easier to be aware of others if you see yourself honestly and treat yourself with compassion

Caitlin Clancy

Caitlin has always been a movement enthusiast. A dancer through and through; and yoga just felt like a natural progression into feeling and moving the body in a new way. It was love from day one. There is a fluidity and playful essence to all Caitlin’s classes. Light hearted and creative, she is passionate about creating freedom and feeling joy in the body through embodied breathing and movement. She likes to sprinkle her class with a balance of nourishment & challenges, flowing seamlessly together in a yoga dance. She has been a teacher with Hotpod since 2016, teaching both adult and kids flow as well as sharing on various YTT over the years.

Pete Richer

Peter (Pete) Richer was trained as a yoga teacher at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram in Kerala, India and at the Yoga Institute in Santacruz, Mumbai. He is a regular hatha yoga teacher at the Sivananda Yoga School in Johannesburg. He is registered with the Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 200 and a RYT 500 teacher and is a registered Continuing Education Provider with the Yoga Alliance. Peter specialises in seniors yoga and yoga for the older beginner. He is deeply committed to his own exploration of the history and deeper philosophies of yoga in their true meaning, with a particular interest in classical yoga’s evolution from Samkhya philosophy and its evolution into tantra and the Natha Sampradaya. He has taught yoga history and philosophy in a number of yoga teacher trainings in a variety of traditions. Peter is a father and a grandfather, has been married for more than forty years and has enjoyed a very varied life which has taken him down many interesting avenues of human development, healing and social interaction.

Claire Stephenson

Claire traveled to Bangalore India in 2007, where she discovered Sri Sri Yoga, inspired by its focus on Pranayama (the science of breathing) and Yogic lifestyle practices (Ayurveda). In 2008, she qualified as a Sri Sri Yoga Teacher. She carried on her journey to Germany, where she learned Ayurveda – The Science of Life and facilitated both massage and Yoga at the Art of Living Center in Hamburg. The Ayurvedic philosophy of a conscious set practice, diet and holistic prevention practices inspired Claire to return to India, where she completed an Introductory Course in Ayurveda at the Gujarat Ayurveda University in 2010. In the two years of her travels Claire embodied the holistic lifestyle. With an eclectic approach to her knowledge in Ayurveda and Yoga, Claire practices in the heart of South Africa today, where she is a qualified Hatha, Yin, Pregnancy and Kids Yoga teacher. She spreads her energetic spirit through teaching classes at several Yoga Schools, facilitating Yoga and Ayurveda workshops, practices and helps you discover your ‘true nature’ through Prakruti Assessments.

Kirsten Wilkinson

Kirsten (Kaye) Wilkinson, MA, E-RYT 500, RCYT, Qi Gong and iRest Certified, Thai Yoga Massage Certified, Ayurvedic Health Practitioner, Mind/Body Practitioner, Breathe to Heal Facilitator, Somatic Experiencing Advanced Cohort CSU Psychology and Mental Health Counselor Masters Candidate Kirsten is the Executive Director of Legacy Motion, an NGO that supports individuals and communities impacted by trauma by offering sustainable programing and trainings to community members in trauma informed, restorative movement based practices and somatic therapy modalities. She is also the founder of Healing Motion, a private practice that offers somatic coaching and embodied practices that support mental health by assisting individuals in discovering their innate wisdom, restoring their embodied strength, and transcending to holistic wellbeing.

Lucy Draper-Clarke PhD

Lucy has been standing on her head ever since she could stand on her feet. This love for yoga has taken her through Vinyasa Flow, to Yin Yoga and Mindfulness. She is now primarily a mindfulness and compassion trainer, with a doctorate in Mindfulness and Teacher Education. She brings meditation practices to those engaged in social change, offering skills to alleviate stress and increase resilience, while cultivating wise, compassionate action. She leads workshops and retreats around Southern Africa and practices with the Karma Kagyu School. Lucy’s current research at Wits is on African Contemplative Practices, Compassionate Activism for a life-sustaining society, and the Healing Arts. Students often comment on her light-hearted approach to teaching which allows them to learn through a joyful, yet deeply transformative practice.

Mischa Els

Mischa is an internationally qualified yoga instructor and also owner of the Hotpod Yoga Academy Franchise in Pretoria. She studied and assisted under lead teachers Nick Higgins and Charlie Morgan at Hotpod Yoga UK. She aims to offer high-quality Yoga Teacher Training in SA, developed by experts from around the globe. Mischa is thorough, and pays special attention to hands-on adjustments. She teaches postures in a simple yet dynamic way, bringing out the best in every individual she teaches. Her teachings are down-to-earth and clear, made simple for aspiring yoga teachers to learn and apply. Her classes are accessible, great fun, and influential. Mischa studied yoga through academies in India, London & the USA. She has additional experience in Thai Yoga bodywork, pilates, meditation, and gymnastics. She enjoys teaching the business of yoga through self inquiry and functional independent steps. She loves investigating, dreaming and thinking of ways with you to create a better life and happier community.

Dita Schoeman

My own journey took me from Nature conservation, through Fine Art and into Yoga, Minimalism and Permaculture; an Epic ride in search of Truth, Healing, Wholeness and Oneness (and I suspect it’s still only just beginning). I studied Vinayasa, Pre/Post Natal, Mindfulness and Kids Yoga and I am trying to apply all of it all at once while living in a Tiny House that myself and my family have built. I live with my husband, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 4 chickens, luckily I also have a Mountain in my backyard. Life is beautifully full and I would love to share some of that magic with you all.

Bruce Burger

Before Yoga, Bruce led a professional corporate life. In 2006 he studied Reiki at the Reiki Master Level and then in 2007 Mindfulness Meditation, and so began his journey into conscious living, eventually leading him to Yoga. First studying Vinyasa Yoga (ERYT200) and then studying Jivamukti Yoga (Certified 300 Hours), under guidance of his internationally recognised yoga teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Bruce compassionately teaches all levels of Yogis: absolute beginners to advanced Yoga practices, preferring to keep his teaching accessible and relevant to a modern world. His teaching emphasis still draws on the original Yogic texts (Shastra) and traditional Yoga teachings: Asana, Pranayama, Mantra, Dhyana and Bhakti Yoga (i.e. poses, breathing, chanting, meditation, compassion). “I love Yoga, and I love sharing it with others in order to manifest positive changes in this world.” Yoga certifications: Certified ERYT200 Vinyasa, Certified 300 hour Jivamukti

Learnings and expertise from the real world

We use learnings and expertise from outside the world of yoga to enhance our teachers’ skills. These include the following areas:

Performance and public speaking – the world of business and theatre helps us learn about dealing with nerves and performing under pressure.

The human body – the world of sports and medicine helps us take a practical look at what we’re made up of.

Customer experience – retail expertise helps us understand how to build customer relationships, read body language and deal with difficult people!

Brand and marketing – communications experts help us teach you how to market yourself and build a brand to help you achieve what you want to achieve in your teaching career.

We embrace design & technology

We’re a visual brand that embraces technology and design to enhance learning – we won’t be loading you up with photocopies from ancient textbooks, we’ll provide you with beautiful, easy-to-digest materials for you to refer back to for life as well as immerse yourself in during the course.

We give practical experience

We give people teaching experience while they learn. Students will be teaching from the start of the course to the end – starting small and growing as we go on. Teaching is a fast learning curve if you’re thrust into the fore – so that’s just what we intend to do.

Actual teaching is our focus

We cover all bases, ensuring a strong foundation across all the key pillars of yoga tradition and history but we focus predominantly on what’s practically important to be a great teacher.

Free yoga!

You can come to classes on the house – as part of the course, you’ll be getting involved in a range of classes from across the yoga spectrum but as well as that you’ve got unlimited Hotpod classes during your studies.

HPY Teacher Training Graduates

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