Yoga Teacher Training & National Certification — 200hr

A 50+ Year Legacy, Carried Forward

In 1974, Lex Gillan founded The Yoga Institute in Houston, one of the oldest continuously running yoga teacher trainings in Texas. Since 2017, Farida has co-facilitated the program alongside Lex, and now serves as Director of The Yoga Institute at the Institute for Spirituality and Health (ISH), where she leads the training year-round. Graduates join a lineage of more than 3,000 certified teachers built over five decades.

Who This Training Is For

No prior teaching experience is required. Students join this program for a range of reasons: deepening a personal practice, learning to see yoga through a teacher's eyes, preparing to teach professionally in studios, wellness centers, or online, or building a livelihood rooted in purpose and service. Whatever brought you here, you'll leave with both the technical grounding and the confidence to teach.

Our Approach

The training blends Hatha and Raja Yoga, intelligent physical practice paired with mindfulness, ethics, and self-inquiry. The style is eclectic and non-dogmatic, bridging classical yoga philosophy with modern movement science and trauma-aware teaching, so graduates leave with both depth and the versatility to adapt across teaching settings.

What You'll Learn

  • How to teach a complete class, beginner through advanced, weaving together body, breath, mind, and heart

  • Sequencing, cuing, and alignment principles grounded in functional anatomy

  • How to identify your own authentic teaching voice

  • How to teach safely and inclusively across ages, body types, and abilities

  • Meditation, breathwork (pranayama), and yoga philosophy as the foundation of every class

  • The business and ethics of teaching - building a sustainable, professional path

The curriculum unfolds in three parts: what to teach (postures, breathing practices, meditation, and the foundations of yoga philosophy), how to teach (hands-on practicum, cuing, pacing, and holding space), and the business of yoga(transitioning into professional teaching, ethics, marketing, and building your own offerings).

Certification

Upon successful completion of coursework and assessments, you'll receive a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate. You'll be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as an RYT® 200 and will be automatically registered with the National Association of Certified Yoga Teachers (NACYT).

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Testimonials

  • From the very first email, Lex Gillian Institute made me feel welcome. The application process for my YTT 200 was easy, responses were quick, and I felt like I was in good hands before the program even began. The facility is comfortable and well-equipped — exactly what you need for an intensive format — with kitchen amenities and plenty of safe/free parking! The curriculum was rich and well-organized. Binders and handouts supported every lecture, and the discussions on yoga philosophy, poses, and anatomy were genuinely engaging and applicable. But the heart of this program is Ms. Farida Meguid. She is a gifted instructor who gave us every opportunity to grow — practicing and refining poses, assisting each other, building sequences, leading classes, and receiving real, thoughtful feedback on our flow, timing, and teaching presence. I walked away not just certified, but truly prepared and confident. I was teaching 3 weeks after the end of the program and making space to learn more. If you're searching for a teacher training program in Houston, look no further — this is a hidden gem right in the Medical Center, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

    ~ Karla G, CRNA, FNP, RYT

  • I completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at The Yoga Institute Houston in January with Farida. I enrolled hoping to deepen my understanding of yoga and the asanas, but I gained so much more during the seven days of class. Farida created a supportive, welcoming environment that encouraged personal growth, self-reflection, and confidence. Her depth of knowledge, presence, and genuine passion for yoga were evident in every class. The training was comprehensive, thoughtfully structured, and provided a strong foundation in asana, anatomy, philosophy, meditation, and the business of it all. More importantly, it helped me develop a deeper connection with myself and a clearer understanding of how yoga can positively impact every aspect of life. Farida's guidance inspired me to step outside my comfort zone, trust my voice, and embrace the journey of becoming a teacher. I left the program not only with a certification but with a renewed sense of purpose. I am incredibly grateful for this experience and would highly recommend The Yoga Institute Houston and Farida to anyone considering yoga teacher training, whether your goal is to teach or simply to deepen your personal practice. I look forward to coming back for continuing education at The Yoga Institute!

    ~ Nicole V

  • The Yoga Teacher Training program at the Institute for Spirituality & Health was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. The instructors created a welcoming and supportive environment that encouraged both personal growth and professional development. I enjoyed the training so much that I attended a second time. Each experience deepened my understanding of yoga, strengthened my confidence as a teacher, and helped me build meaningful connections with an incredible community of practitioners. The program goes far beyond earning a certification. It provides the knowledge, guidance, and inspiration needed to live and share the principles of yoga both on and off the mat. I am deeply grateful for everything I learned and highly recommend this training to anyone looking to deepen their practice or become a yoga teacher.

    ~ Andrew D

  • I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the incredible experience during the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training.

    From the very beginning, your professionalism, knowledge, and dedication were evident. You made sure every aspect of the training was thoroughly covered, both verbally and physically, ensuring that each student not only understood the material but was able to embody it in practice. Your attention to detail, patience, and ability to break down complex concepts made the learning process enjoyable and accessible.

    What I appreciated most was the supportive environment you created. You encouraged questions, provided constructive feedback, and helped build confidence every step of the way. By the end of the training, I felt significantly more prepared, knowledgeable, and confident in my ability to teach yoga.

    Your passion for yoga and commitment to your students truly shine through in your teaching. I am grateful for everything I learned and for the strong foundation you helped me build as a yoga instructor.

    Thank you again for your guidance, encouragement, and expertise. I would highly recommend your training to anyone looking to deepen their practice or pursue a career in teaching yoga.

    ~ Zineb B


  • Signing up for the Yoga Teacher Training at the Institute for Spirituality and Health was a revolutionary decision in my life.

    This 200-hr certification definitely marked a before and after in my own practice, as well as in my teaching path!

    The program is very well put together. We learned about the history of yoga, and took a dive into the 8 limbs that make up this life-style.

    Learning how chakras, pranayama & meditation can be paired with a yoga class was helpful and ignited our creativity for class design.

    There was a big focus on cueing, which is essential for us as new teachers. I loved our small class size (5 ladies). It felt super intimate and there was lots of time for questions, repetition and review.

    Giving us complete freedom for our final class was amazing. Each one of taught with our own style and format, and didn’t feel like we all had to stay true to only one lineage of yoga. 

    Farida is an amazing instructor with lots of knowledge. I appreciate her enthusiasm, patience and love for yoga. She always made us feel comfortable and held.

    I most certainly recommend this training to all individuals looking to deepen their own practice, and especially for aspiring yoga teachers. There is so much to learn and uncover within yourself, and the ISH a great platform to start this process!

    A huge thank you to Farida, Lex, and all the team that make this possible!

    ~ Briana Q