Spring Yin Yoga Training

Led by Christina Spencer // March 2026

Join Christina for a deep dive into the theory, philosophy, history and anatomy of Yin Yoga! Yin Yoga is the practice of slowing down, guided by curiosity, imagination and self study. This unique course of study offers two learning pathways over two weekends: a 25-hour Yin Student Training (YST) & 50-hour Yin Teacher Training (YTT).

The 25-hour Yin Student Training is for anyone interested in exploring how contemporary Yin Yoga practices and its Taoist roots influence the way we show up for ourselves and others. The 50-hour Yin Teacher Training is for folks who are interested in teaching Yin Yoga and will include a deeper dive into philosophy, theory and anatomy as well as pedagogy and practice teach.

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Overview

When is this taking place?

  • March 5-8 (YST & YTT) & March 12-15 (YTT)

  • Thursdays & Fridays 5:30-8:45pm; Saturdays & Sundays 10am-6pm

    • The second Thursday, we start at 6:45pm

  • Students must attend the full training

What is the cost?

  • 25-hr Yoga Student Training: $275 non-refundable investment

  • 50-hr Yoga Teacher Training: $550 non-refundable investment

  • $495 non-refundable investment for PYC YTT graduates (we offer a lifetime 10% training discount for all PYC Yoga Teacher Training graduates)

  • We are proud to offer 2 half scholarships as part of our ongoing work to diversify the Greater Portland yoga community. Please email jess@portlandyogacollective.com to inquire about scholarships.

Who is this for?

  • Who is the Yin Student Training for?

    • Folks interested in deepening their understanding of Yin Yoga

    • At the completion of the 25-hour training, students will receive a certification of participation (graduates will not be certified to teach Yin Yoga)

  • Who is the Yin Teacher Training for?

    • 200-hr YTT certified teachers

    • At the completion of the 50-hour training, participants will receive a Yin yoga teacher certification

Content

The 25-hour Yin Student Training will cover:

  • History of Yin Yoga

  • Taoism

  • Intro to Five Element Theory

  • Yin & the Nervous System

  • Five Element Qigong

  • Pranayama and meditation for Yin Yoga

  • Yin Yoga Anatomy: The Science of Stretching

  • Postures and developing a home practice

The 50-hour Yin Teacher Training will cover:

  • Five Element Theory deep dive

  • Energetic Anatomy of the Postures

  • Yin Yoga Pedagogy

  • Class Design

  • Practice Teach & Feedback

Teacher | Christina Spencer

For many years, Christina has found Yin Yoga to be a welcome “shady side to the mountain” to more Yang, effortful Yoga lineages. Her own Yin practice is supported and gentle, with surprising hints of fire. She is always asking herself “What if I use a strap like this…?” or “What if I put a bolster under me like that…?” This sense of curiosity has informed her Yin Yoga teaching practice, so that students in Christina’s Yin classes are encouraged to make contact with their own internal landscape as a guide for their experience. Christina’s classes are infused with the theory & philosophy of Taoism as a doorway to the self.

Christina is excited to offer this Yin Yoga Training as a way for folks to step into an intentional Yin Yoga practice grounded in theory and infused with curiosity and imagination.

Out in the world, Christina is either doing Yang things like hiking, gardening and adventuring with her partner and daughter, or Yin things like baking, reading, crafting and other forms of getting cozy.

What is Yin Yoga?

Yin Yoga encourages students to nurture and care for themselves with the use of yoga props. In poses held for 3-5 minutes (or even longer!), students are invited to take a peek inside and observe their own internal landscape with curiosity. Yin Yoga is an opportunity to explore your experience of dynamic harmony, which can be understood as the interplay between yin & yang energies. 

Throughout this course, you will practice Yin Yoga using a variety of props, learn about the history and appropriation of Yin Yoga, engage in discussions around classic Taoist texts, feel how Yin Yoga affects the Nervous System, practice pranayama and meditation, examine 5-Element Theory and study basic anatomy as it relates to Yin Yoga.

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