Jala Yoga, at Mellow Moods Cafe and Juice Bar, 117 West German Street, is expanding its offerings this year to include a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification program, led by Jala Yoga owner Christa Mastrangelo Joyce. Successful completion of this Yoga Alliance registered program leads to a Hatha Yoga Teacher Certification. The program takes place one weekend a month from May 2013 through January 2014. The cost is $2300, with a $100 early bird discount if registered by April 13. Different payment options are available, as are scholarships. An informational open house will be held on Saturday, April 13.

Jala Yoga’s Teacher Training is the first ever affiliate program of Charm City Yoga Center in Baltimore, Md. It is designed for serious yoga students as well as for those working in the health and wellness field, such as chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists and nutritionists, to receive a quality, well-rounded training to learn about every aspect of yoga. Teacher training students will deepen their own yoga practice, broaden into another dimension of health and well-being and gain the knowledge and skills to become a successful yoga teacher. Topics covered include study of physical postures, breathing techniques, anatomy, meditation, and philosophy.

“I am excited to offer Charm City’s fantastic program in Shepherdstown. It is truly an honor to bring this to our small town, where participants can learn in an intimate environment and not have to travel to a big city,” Mastrangelo Joyce says. “Through teacher training, Jala can do its part to bring more health and more love to our community. My goal is to have everyone doing yoga, and everyone needs the right teacher.”

Mastrangelo Joyce recently completed her 500 hour, advanced teacher training, with Kim Manfredi of Charm City Yoga. She began her studies of yoga in 2000 to facilitate physical healing, strength, and balance in her life, and was so inspired by yoga’s benefits that she became a teacher to share this experience with others. Mastrangelo Joyce has also studied with Shiva Rea, Tom Gillette, Maria Garre, Sadie Nardini, and in the Ashtanga yoga system. As the founder/owner of Jala Yoga, she has brought yoga to many local residents through weekly classes taught by a group of trained teachers as well as workshops led by guest teachers.

For detailed information about the Teacher Training program, please visit www.jalayogaflow.com/teacher-training, call 401-440-0279, or email jalayoga.christa@gmail.com.