200 Hour Grit & Grace Yoga Teacher Training

The 200 Hour Grit & Grace Yoga Teacher Training is a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher training at Buka Yoga's Denver Tech Center studio in Denver, Colorado. It is built around the balance of Sthira and Sukha, effort and ease, or Yin and Yang: pushing forward, then finding grace in stillness and introspection. The program is for committed practitioners who want to study anatomy, philosophy and teaching in depth, whether or not they plan to teach. It is led through Buka Yoga, owned by Brooke Page-Thompson.

What to Expect

Though it is called a 200-hour training, the program runs to about 210 hours of in-person instruction, ten more than most programs. The extra time goes to practicum and mentorship, and to components the studio considers integral to becoming a teacher. Practice teaching begins early and builds to leading a full-length class.

The curriculum covers:

- Yoga theory and history
- Subtle energy bodies
- Anatomy and alignment of poses
- The Yamas and Niyamas
- Meditation and breathwork

Introductions to Energy Medicine Yoga, pre-natal yoga, Yoga Nidra, restorative yoga, Yin yoga and Yoga for First Responders are included as well. The training draws on classical yoga philosophy, Vinyasa and Yin.

The schedule runs from January to May and has three parts:

- Opening immersion: three days, Thursday 4 to 8pm, then Friday and Saturday 8am to 6pm.
- Weekly sessions: Wednesdays 5:30 to 9pm and Saturdays 8:30am to 4pm, with breaks for spring break and Easter.
- Closing immersion: four days, Wednesday 5:30 to 9pm, Thursday 4 to 8pm, Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 8am to 2pm.

Expect 2 to 4 hours of work outside class each week, spent reading, journaling, reflecting, meditating and practicing yoga. Students also complete at least 30 hours of personal practice at the studio, online or in person. Attendance of 95 percent is required. Zoom options are available along with additional considerations, and anticipated absences should be noted on the application.

About Brooke Page-Thompson

Brooke Page-Thompson is the owner of Buka Yoga, a boutique studio with two locations, downtown Castle Rock and the Denver Tech Center, and with nearly all classes also streamed online. The studio teaches traditional Hatha yoga built on proper body and breath alignment, and every class makes room for rest. Its teachers offer Hatha, Vinyasa, heated classes, Kundalini, meditation, restorative, yoga nidra, Reiki, sound baths and Energy Medicine Yoga, along with workshops, retreats and teacher training. Many of its teachers completed their training at Buka.

Buka describes itself as yoga for real life, for all body types and ability levels, rather than fad or performative yoga. Its values include rest as a skill, strength without burnout, presence over pressure and community. The word "buka" means "laughter" in Sanskrit. Buka became a Yoga Alliance Certified School in 2024 and has graduated three cohorts of 200-hour teachers.

The Place

Sessions are held at Buka Yoga's studio in the Denver Tech Center. Students come from across the Denver metro area and Colorado. One graduate describes the drive as a good 30 minutes each way and says it was worth it.

Before You Go

All levels are welcome, with a committed practice recommended. Trainees do not need advanced poses or extreme flexibility; the emphasis is on functional strength and intelligent teaching. The training is taught in English.

Tuition includes 210 hours of instruction, materials and a manual, and unlimited yoga at Buka Yoga for the length of the program. Payment plans are available, and there is a discount for paying in full at registration. The application fee is non-refundable and is applied to tuition once you are accepted. Supplemental books are required but not included, and accepted students are told which to buy.

Each cohort offers one scholarship spot for a student who feels called to teach but faces financial barriers. Recipients are chosen by application, based on financial need, alignment with the studio's community values and a clear intention to share yoga meaningfully.