Karla Brodie, faculty at Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training

200-hour Yoga Teacher Training

Donna Farhi, Evolving Towards Simplicity, Auckland 2026

Donna Farhi, Auckland 2027, Foundations of a Healthy Back

Pregnancy Yoga Training with Contemporary Yoga and Opti-mum

Pregnancy Yoga Training 2026

Neal Ghoshal, Director and Senior Tutor at Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training

Professional Development Trainings

Karla Brodie, Restorative Yoga Teacher Training, Auckland, New Zealand - Supported, Reclined, Bound Angle Pose

The Joy Of Rest, Mana Retreat, June 2027

Haidee Stairmand, faculty at Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training

Experienced Passionate Faculty

Sam Loe, Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga History and Philosophy

Navel Radiation Flowers. FAQ - Yoga in Auckland with Contemporary Yoga

Your Questions Answered

Sandy Farquhar - Supporting Our Students

Supporting Our Students

We believe in excellence in Yoga teacher training.

For us and our students, this is far beyond teaching asana.

Contemporary Yoga is a truly holistic programme that offers a transformational experience for students that explores deep into the Yoga tradition and modern movement theory to build skills that support and enhance a life of Yoga practice and Yoga teaching.

The amount of knowledge and understanding, experience and love that has gone into the teacher training is truly epic and has enabled such a deep and rich learning experience.
Caroline Bindon

Diverse, enlightening and empowering. The course exceeded my highest expectations and has equipped me with a toolbox of yoga teachings that I could apply in many circumstances to a wide variety of students.
Cam McLeay

Our next 200-hour course:

Immersion & 200 hour Training 2026
Part 1: 11th - 19th July (break day 15th)
Part 2: July - September (40 hours self-study)
Part 3: 26th September - 4th October (break day 30th Sept)

Venue: Meadowbank, Auckland

Course Investment: $4,895
Deposit: $1000

Inquiries and expressions of interest welcome: info@yogateachertraining.nz

Are you interested in deepening your understanding and experience of Yoga practice and teaching?

Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training is in its 12th year of offering teacher trainings. We have a passionate and experienced faculty and a curriculum that encompasses the many facets of practice and teaching Yoga here in Aotearoa and beyond.

Many of our students join us to deepen their understanding of all aspects of Yoga not necessarily to teach. Although, often through the process of training, students change their mind and want to teach - sometimes beginning with their family, friends and then community.

A number of our graduates have gone on to open Yoga centres or to further specialise in movement, meditation and therapeutic disciplines.

Enrolment numbers

There will be a maximum of eight participants on training and a minimum of six.

Who this training is for?

Community of any age and agility with a passion for Yoga and learning in an in-depth, co-created, supportive environment. It is also for those committed to developing and sustaining a life-long everyday Yoga practice, and those with a keen interest in developing a teaching practice.

The 200 hour training includes in-person training blocks, supported online learning, an inquiry project, one-on-one mentorship, and opportunities to understudy core faculty classes.

Certification

To obtain your Contemporary Yoga Teaching 200 hour certificate you must successfully complete ALL components of the training including all in-person hours, the online history and philosophy module and the inquiry project as well as practicum to the satisfaction of the faculty. This training certificate is recognised by both YogaNZ and Yoga Alliance.

Part One: Diving into Practice
11th - 19th July 2026
(break day 15th)

Part Two: Philosophy, History and Inquiry
July - September 2026
(40 hours self-study, including online modules and inquiry project)

Part Three: Emerging to Teach
26th September - 4th October 2026
(break day 30th Sept)

Course Investment: $4,895

Deposit: $1000
(paid on registration – holds your place on training)

The first block of in-person training - Diving into Practice – is where you will be immersed in the principles and practices of Yoga including essential anatomy and guidance on developing a personalised self practice.

It will introduce you to elements of yogic philosophy, pranayama, and pedagogy. These are all the ingredients to develop and enhance understanding and experience of Yoga as a sustaining and deepening life practice.

The second block of training – Philosophy, History and Inquiry – is self-paced and with support. You will complete an online module on the history and philosophy of Yoga with lots of rich resources to engage with.

You will also develop your own inquiry project on a topic of choice – guidance and support will be provided. This feeds into your practicum work and the final part of training. This block of training is designed to be consolidating, enriching and thought-provoking.

The third block is your second in-person training called Emerging to Teach.

This is a practical, in-depth immersion into Yoga pedagogy, the ethics of teaching, developing effective and inspiring class plans, anatomy and physiology, teaching skills, te ao Māori principles and Contemporary Yoga principles.

You will also learn about creating a brand, undertake safe and supportive teaching practicums, and you will be introduced to somatics, iRest Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga and more.

The 200+ hours of Yoga teaching training is truly to an exceptional high quality standard of teaching. The guidance and support during my training with you all has been a once in a lifetime experience.
Vicki Beatty

Everyone should take this course! It is such a unique course and experience that you will not find anywhere else.
Ruru Yang

Contemporary Yoga …

Go Beyond Asana

Understand and experience the very foundation of natural, functional movement. 

Each posture, transition and philosophy is a process that you’re lovingly and personally guided through to discover ease, stability, clarity and joy.

You’ll take profound life skills away with you, along with a personal resilience to support every part of your life.

Passionate Teachers

It’s our greatest joy to offer you the decades of experience between us.

We honour and encourage the process of curiosity, enquiry and discovery, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Each of us brings a highly specialist background and a whole lot of soul.

And we can’t wait to meet you!

Be Moved

We’ll take you deep into essential anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and postural analysis, and uncover how our natural developmental movement patterns grow into naturally aligned and easeful asana.

Get ready to go inward.

You’ll rediscover how you were meant to move and breathe in the most balanced and enjoyable way.

Live Well

Feel into the true depth of the Yoga tradition to develop skills that support and enhance your wellness as a human, and as a teacher.

This is a sustainable and nourishing training, designed to put you deeply in touch with inner resources that help you flourish on and off the mat.

Grow Your Yoga

Our vision is for you to leave confident to begin teaching safely and skillfully out in the community with a passionate sense of your own unique offering.

We’re registered with two major yoga communities - Yoga Alliance, and Yoga New Zealand.

Plus our specialised training programmes and mentorships are there to help advance you on your path.

Affordable and Flexible

This comprehensive Yoga training is designed to be within reach for students of all levels.

Choose from three formats of our 200 hour yoga teacher training throughout each year, and modules of your choice within our ongoing and specialised 300 hour training.

Payment plans are on offer for all programmes.

Advanced Yoga Teacher Training, Retreats and Events

Pregnancy Yoga Training, Contemporary Yoga

Pregnancy Yoga Training 2026
In-person 5 day intensive, plus online self-paced modules
100 hour certification programme
9th-13th September, Auckland

Humming Retreat, Karla Brodie, 2026

Humming Retreat
Mana Retreat, Coromandel
with Karla Brodie
16-18th October 2026

Donna Farhi, Evolving Towards Simplicity for CY

Foundations of a Healthy Back
A Yoga Intensive with Donna Farhi
16th - 12th April 2027
Herne Bay, Auckland

What Our Graduates Say
(read more here)

The learning environment was so supportive, inclusive and warm. Being able to immerse in this process was so valuable for my learning and development.

Dianne Hollands

… a mindful journey to come back home, to your true “being”, of who you are, where you are, and how you are going forward. It’s the shortest and most easeful pathway to discover your true “being”.

Nanxi Chen

What a way to further study and get deeper in my spiritual journey.

Contemporary Yoga Teacher Training has created the most valuable pathway for me to explore and dive within myself.

A journey – Shola home!

Emiliano Tade

More than I could ever have asked for. The teachings were just so insightful. Even with not having English as my first language, it was so easy to follow the material and classes. Thank you for making it so fun and accessible.

Jessica Sterkel

This course will really make you think about Yoga. It’s full of creative, fun and innovative thinking that will enhance your own practice and enliven your own classes.

This is Yoga for life!

Clare Leitch

The amount of knowledge and understanding, experience and love that has gone into the teacher training is truly epic and has enabled such a deep and rich learning experience.

Each teacher’s passion for sharing and facilitating is evident in the generosity of spirit and unique sharing of knowledge.

Caroline Bindon

The 300 hour yoga teacher training has surpassed all my expectations. The amazing blend of teachers results in a myriad of deep learning. Each teacher is an expert in their own area and shares their unique wealth of knowledge in a way which is easy to take on board.

Sandra Palmer

Thanks for being supportive in all ways. You cared for each us every day. Your knowledge and guidance are outstanding. You created a safe and contained space where we could learn and learn from each other.

Maria Gutman

A life-changing experience with lovely teachers!

Carolyn Austin

An outstanding teacher training that integrated so much valuable information from truly knowledgeable, gentle, kind human beings.

The knowledge shared I will value for life, and continue to thread through my own teaching.

Fleur Easter

Contemporary Yoga has changed the way I move - through life!

Karla, Neal and Haidee’s passion is contagious and this course is a real journey to embrace.

Marika Berney

The Pregnancy Teacher Training provided me with all the tools necessary to safely and effectively guide women through a Yoga practice during their childbirth journey.

The incredible wisdom and knowledge shared by the facilitators, allowed me to step competently into teaching Pregnancy Yoga with confidence soon after completion of the training.

As an extra bonus I have also been able to weave the learning I absorbed during the teacher training into my role as a midwife.

Julie Edlin

I strongly recommend this training. It’s a life-changing experience. The way I see things, smell, feel and my energy have completely changed throughout the course consistently. Beyond expectation. Absolutely worth the investment after many long years I’ve finally met myself!

Simply, divine! Organic! Full of love!

Monica Yoon

The training was such an amazing, exploratory journey of movement, anatomy, philosophy and so much more conveyed with enthusiasm, kindness, realness and acceptance.

I learned so much that I didn’t know I wanted to know and am excited to continue my Yoga journey.

Nadia Benton

What a transformational Yoga teacher training! These four amazing teachers create incredible alchemy in teaching Yoga. They create such a safe learning environment and there is wonderful support throughout. I highly highly recommend the courses at Contemporary Yoga.

Yumi Drozdowski

I can truly say that this training would benefit any yoga teacher - in fact, any person with a yoga practice. I not only gained a more compassionate perspective to yoga, but also toward myself.

Simply fantastical.

Summer Knight

This is an invaluable course that will expand your love and understanding of yoga beyond what you ever thought was possible!

Mia Pistorius

Words can hardly express how grateful I am for what I learned with their guidance in just three weeks, the most important of which was connecting with myself and others in a truly authentic, supportive, caring and sustainable way that I can’t wait to pay forward as a teacher. Thank you!

Sarah Hart

This training delivered on every level. The teachers, who embody Yoga fully and want to share and guide us. The facility, the students themselves. A wonderful, life-enhancing, entry into the teaching world.

Andrea Fletcher

Contemporary Yoga is connecting yoga back its roots in a very exciting, stimulating and open minded way.

Michaela Robinson

Exploring movement and asana in a refreshing way that deepened my self-discovery and personal physical understanding.

Anita Lucas

My teacher training has empowered me. It has given me a wealth of knowledge while allowing me the freedom to explore. The beauty of the course was the balance between structure and self development.

The respect my teachers give to yoga, and the generosity to share their knowledge in a gentle safe environment, was humbling.

Michelle Watson

The learning I have gained from this course of really helped me find not only my yoga knowledge, but myself. I thank the team for the amazing work they put into this course, as I have come out of it with a new perspective.

As I leave the training I can confidently say that I have come closer to my true nature, and I’m able to come closer to this more and more every day.

Dea Bashota

I could not be happier to have chosen this course. It has completely exceeded any expectations.

Rob Dawson

All teachers bring to this amazing training a vast experience, each one of them with their own identity and authenticity.

The Contemporary Yoga approach is to truly explore Yoga as a discipline which includes movement principles, patterns, Yoga traditions, anatomy, physiology, and much more.

This is the training that you really need - it will change your everyday life.

Valentina Piantoni

Just completed the 200 hour teacher training … a very empowering experience.

The teachers were outstanding: each teach from their own unique perspective inside a carefully crafted, well-designed programme of studies … a great combination of practice and theory.

Sandy Farquhar

A journey of self discovery, guided by a group of genuinely caring professionals. I leave the course feeling enriched.

Donna Cheyne

Wonderful experience, wonderful people, beautiful outcomes!

Lal Busher

The sequence of this course is undeniably strong and grounded. All the teachers bring compassion, ease, knowledge, flavour, enquiry and wholeness to everything they show, do, present and give. Making this course a full embodied experience, exploration and foundation to enliven new thoughts and ideas to take away for our own self-practice and to share with others.

Georgie Collins

Those who are serious about where to invest their time and money in a Yoga Teacher Training, can rest assured that the Contemporary team deliver a comprehensive training which enables a solid foundation from which to grow. Highly recommended.

KeiShana Coursey

The Contemporary approach to Yoga is so much more than how we move on the mat. It speaks to how we move through life. How we are in relationship to self and in relationship to others.

Thank you for an incredibly potent, immersive and all-round epic training.

Steph Le Gros

This Yoga teacher training and experience completely exceeded my expectations. There is so much intentionality from the teachers from the course materials, resources, programming and delivery that the entire experience feels like a Masterclass in unity. Every single topic we learned was applicable and necessary to my journey, learning and development as an aspiring Yoga teacher.

Dianne Hollands

This training has been an incredible gift for me and I am excited to share the teachings with others.

Stephanie Leighton

Contemporary yoga training has been the ‘icing on the cake’ and if you are ‘stuck’ or need a nudge in the right direction don’t hesitate and sign up now! You will never regret it!

Fiona Ross

Four generous and vastly different teachers combine to offer something more unique and valuable than expected. It is beyond yoga as I knew it — it was an investment in the rest of my life.

Sarah Hart

This training offers so much for enriching your lifestyle as a whole. It has influenced how I approach my social, personal and professional life in ways I would never have envisioned.

Beautiful people sharing the beauty of life.

Patrick Lamrock

Thank you! I feel so much gratitude to have participated in this teacher training. The teachers are so generous and open in their teaching and transmission of knowledge. A life-changing experience 🙂

Kay John

The manual is an amazing resource and always will be.

Meghann Stewart

This training has awakened in me the huge possibility that awaits. Moving away from the scripted style of teaching a new found freedom has been found an an excitement and what awaits. Thank you.

Sophie Hartnell

Thanks for being supportive in all ways. You cared for each us every day. Your knowledge and guidance are outstanding. You created a safe and contained space where we could learn and learn from each other.

Maria Gutman 
Maria Gutman

Contemporary Yoga has given me more than what I’d expect from a teacher training course. All the teachers are truly experts in what they do and their passion is infectious.

Alana Chao 
Alana Chao

Thank you! I feel so much gratitude to have participated in this teacher training. The teachers are so generous and open in their teaching and transmission of knowledge. A life-changing experience 🙂

Kay John 
Kay John

The Pregnancy Teacher Training provided me with all the tools necessary to safely and effectively guide women through a Yoga practice during their childbirth journey.

The incredible wisdom and knowledge shared by the facilitators, allowed me to step competently into teaching Pregnancy Yoga with confidence soon after completion of the training.

As an extra bonus I have also been able to weave the learning I absorbed during the teacher training into my role as a midwife.

Julie Edlin 
Julie Edlin

Contemporary Yoga is not so much a style but an approach to movement that combines ancient wisdom and modern research. The depth of knowledge the teachers can give you is immeasurable, and you’ll never look at Yoga in the same way.

Victoria Kvasniak 
Victoria Kvasniak

I could not be happier to have chosen this course. It has completely exceeded any expectations.

Rob Dawson 
Rob Dawson

An outstanding teacher training that integrated so much valuable information from truly knowledgeable, gentle, kind human beings.

The knowledge shared I will value for life, and continue to thread through my own teaching.

Fleur Easter 
Fleur Easter

Just completed the 200 hour teacher training … a very empowering experience.

The teachers were outstanding: each teach from their own unique perspective inside a carefully crafted, well-designed programme of studies … a great combination of practice and theory.

Sandy Farquhar 
Sandy Farquhar

Karla and Neal are incredible. They are truly exceptional teachers. They have such care, and hold such safe, honouring spaces, in a way I haven’t experienced with any other Yoga teachers.

Tui Williams 
Tui Williams

This course will really make you think about Yoga. It’s full of creative, fun and innovative thinking that will enhance your own practice and enliven your own classes.

This is Yoga for life!

Clare Leitch 
Clare Leitch

Words can hardly express how grateful I am for what I learned with their guidance in just three weeks, the most important of which was connecting with myself and others in a truly authentic, supportive, caring and sustainable way that I can’t wait to pay forward as a teacher. Thank you!

Sarah Hart 
Sarah Hart

I strongly recommend this training. It’s a life-changing experience. The way I see things, smell, feel and my energy have completely changed throughout the course consistently. Beyond expectation. Absolutely worth the investment after many long years I’ve finally met myself!

Simply, divine! Organic! Full of love!

Monica Yoon 
Monica Yoon

There is a richness and depth to this content with its real-life (on and off the mat) applicability. I have been moved by the sincerity and support of the teachers. I am so excited to share these teachings in a way that is accessible and empowering for students and wider community members.

Amy Massey 
Amy Massey

How wonderful, magical and unique it is when people come together and harmonize, creating a field that becomes nourishing for all participants and where many unique expressions find a safe place to share who they are and how they feel. 

The teachers have been so good at conveying the teachings through their joy, enthusiasm and love for Yoga.  They have been delicate, sensitive, caring to each and every participant.

Belinda Bettini 
Belinda Bettini

Thank you I am inspired, amazed, changed, still learning, moved. I am inspired to keep on learning and exploring and this course has totally changed my view and perception of yoga in a profound way.

Anne de Brouwer 
Anne de Brouwer

This was a really warm, exciting, encouraging and profound learning experience. The facilitation was awesome and there was such a wonderful sense of community amongst the practitioners. A beautiful balance of life-to-life and individual learning. I am so inspired to continue with the practice and to find ways to integrate it into other areas of my life and to share it with others.

Emma Willis 
Emma Willis

I was amazed by the depth and breadth of yoga on the human mind and body that the teachers of this course have.

Sarah Diskin 
Sarah Diskin

I would recommend this course to everyone, even those who are not into yoga or those who have not tried yoga before. This course is for everyone.

Kelly Rijnaarts 
Kelly Rijnaarts

It was an intensive training but it felt like a retreat. There were challenges but we all went through together with support and help from all the teachers. Everything we learned was useful and practical.

This training has everything!

Alicia Jung 
Alicia Jung

… a mindful journey to come back home, to your true “being”, of who you are, where you are, and how you are going forward. It’s the shortest and most easeful pathway to discover your true “being”.

Nanxi Chen 
Nanxi Chen

I can truly say that this training would benefit any yoga teacher – in fact, any person with a yoga practice. I not only gained a more compassionate perspective to yoga, but also toward myself.

Simply fantastical.

Summer Knight 
Summer Knight

Karla and Neal have created a course that is completely inclusive and is infused with kindness, curiosity and wisdom. All are welcome in the practice of Contemporary Yoga.

At the end of this course I am more knowledgeable, more able, more confident and more authentic. I have been moved and changed through this journey.

Shelly Fitness 
Shelly Fitness

A journey of self discovery, guided by a group of genuinely caring professionals. I leave the course feeling enriched.

Donna Cheyne 
Donna Cheyne

I feel exceptionally honoured to have spent time with Karla and Neal. Their passion and curiosity for movement and the authentic experience of self is inspiring and encouraging.

Jessica Dziwulska 
Jessica Dziwulska

All teachers bring to this amazing training a vast experience, each one of them with their own identity and authenticity.

The Contemporary Yoga approach is to truly explore Yoga as a discipline which includes movement principles, patterns, Yoga traditions, anatomy, physiology, and much more.

This is the training that you really need – it will change your everyday life.

Valentina Piantoni 
Valentina Piantoni

This course opened my eyes to the world of Yoga, deepening my understanding and personal practice.

It has set me up so well to teach, and to continue my journey. Everything I needed and more!

Jess Howse 
Jess Howse

The 300 hour yoga teacher training has surpassed all my expectations. The amazing blend of teachers results in a myriad of deep learning. Each teacher is an expert in their own area and shares their unique wealth of knowledge in a way which is easy to take on board.

Sandra Palmer 
Sandra Palmer

Contemporary Yoga is connecting yoga back its roots in a very exciting, stimulating and open minded way.

Michaela Robinson 
Michaela Robinson

What a transformational Yoga teacher training! These four amazing teachers create incredible alchemy in teaching Yoga. They create such a safe learning environment and there is wonderful support throughout. I highly highly recommend the courses at Contemporary Yoga.

Yumi Drozdowski 
Yumi Drozdowski

All the teachers are truly experts in what they do and their passion is infectious. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to do a yoga teachers training. It was much more than that, it was a life-changing, amazing experience.

Anne de Brouwer 
Anne de Brouwer

A life-changing experience with lovely teachers!

Carolyn Austin 
Carolyn Austin

This training surpassed all expectations – challenging, inspiring, and deeply informative. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world of yoga!

Bridget McNamara 
Bridget McNamara

Contemporary Yoga has changed the way I move – through life!

Karla, Neal and Haidee’s passion is contagious and this course is a real journey to embrace.

Marika Berney 
Marika Berney

This is an invaluable course that will expand your love and understanding of yoga beyond what you ever thought was possible!

Mia Pistorius 
Mia Pistorius

The Contemporary approach to Yoga is so much more than how we move on the mat. It speaks to how we move through life. How we are in relationship to self and in relationship to others.

Thank you for an incredibly potent, immersive and all-round epic training.

Steph Le Gros 
Steph Le Gros

Contemporary yoga training has been the ‘icing on the cake’ and if you are ‘stuck’ or need a nudge in the right direction don’t hesitate and sign up now! You will never regret it!

Fiona Ross 
Fiona Ross

My teacher training has empowered me. It has given me a wealth of knowledge while allowing me the freedom to explore. The beauty of the course was the balance between structure and self development.

The respect my teachers give to yoga, and the generosity to share their knowledge in a gentle safe environment, was humbling.

Michelle Watson 
Michelle Watson

Exploring movement and asana in a refreshing way that deepened my self-discovery and personal physical understanding.

Anita Lucas 
Anita Lucas

The 200-hour teacher training was an amazing, immersive experience. The breadth of material was exceptional and I walked away with a new-found appreciation for all aspects of Yoga as a way of life as well as a wonderful practice … just brilliant.

Olivia Rysenbry 
Olivia Rysenbry

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Music for Yoga – Ideas, Suggestions and Playlists

Music for Yoga – Ideas, Suggestions and Playlists

I LOVE music. I am constantly astonished by music. By the endless creativity of musicians to produce beautiful, moving, wild rhythms, melody and harmony. I could never imagine life without it. What a blessing music is in our lives!

Yoga is my other love. I regularly join the two together in my own practice and in my classes you will often hear me playing music to support the Yoga. Sometimes I may even bring my guitar and play live for people.

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