200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (for RYT-200)
300-hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training (for RYT-500)
Welcome to authentic, sustainable and relevant Yoga that is transmitted by teachers with passion, experience and an interest in sharing their knowledge. 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness, in collaboration with the River Flow Yoga Teacher Training School offers a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training and 300-Hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training.
Yoga teacher training deepens your understanding of yoga and helps you gain new insights into individual and group practice to:
• Deepen your personal practice
• Launch your teaching
• Infuse your current teaching with knowledge and new insights
The River Flow Yoga Teacher Training School Credentials:
- Yoga Alliance Approved 200-Hour Program for RYT 200
- Yoga Alliance 300-Hour Advanced Teacher Training for RYT 500
- Legally authorized by the Wisconsin Educational Approval Board to conduct yoga teacher training in Wisconsin
Our lead teacher and school director is Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT. See below for the faculty team of experienced Viniyoga teachers and Yoga Therapists.
Yoga Lineage
Our approach to Yoga adapts the tools and techniques of yoga to the individual and group. Our philosophy is to keep the time-honored and authentic tradition of yoga alive and relevant for the modern context. We transmit teachings consistent with the lineage of Viniyoga™, as transmitted to us by Gary Kraftsow of the American Viniyoga Institute. Gary’s teacher was TKV Desikachar, the son of “the father of modern yoga,” T Krishnamacharya.
Distinguishing features of this approach include:
– breath-centered movement
– use of repetition and stay in postures (asana)
– functional benefit of the posture (asana) over an exact form
– safe and intentional sequencing of practices
– adaptation of yoga tools and techniques for the practitioner and group
– a comprehensive set of yoga tools to assist the practitioner including asana, pranayama, meditation, sound, yoga philosophy, nyasa, mudra and more
The trademark for the term, Viniyoga is the property of Gary Kraftsow and the American Viniyoga Institute.
200-HOUR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING – Learn More
The journey in the 200 hr. Yoga Teacher Training begins with a focus on you and your personal practice as a means for understanding and living yoga. From that foundation, you will learn and practice the most important skills for teaching so that you can facilitate yoga for individuals and groups.
300-HOUR ADVANCED YOGA TEACHER TRAINING – Learn More
The 300 hr. Advanced Yoga Teacher Training is a springboard for deepening knowledge, personal practice and teaching skills for asana adapted to the individual and groups, pranayama, meditation, sound, mudra, nyasa and other symbolic aspects of yoga practice.
Meet the Faculty Team for the River Flow Yoga Teacher Training School:
Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Certified Viniyoga Teacher & Yoga Therapist, School Director & Lead Teacher
Lead Teacher – 200 Hour and 300 Hour Trainings
Mary Hilliker, RDN, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT has been a student of yoga for over 30 years and a teacher for 20 years. She has over 5000 hours of teaching experience. Her interest is in seeing each student in the training gain ease and confidence as a practitioner and as a teacher. Mary feels a commitment to seeing each individual and the group as a whole progress in their knowledge and skills. Her foundations include studying with Gary Kraftsow of the American Viniyoga Institute for 500 hr. Viniyoga Teacher Training and Yoga Therapy Training and Liz (Chandler) Patric for 200 hr. Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.
Andrew Beaumont, MD, PhD, RYT-500 C-IAYT, Neurosurgeon, Certified Viniyoga Teacher & Yoga Therapist, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour and 300 Hour Trainings
Dr. Beaumont has a deep interest in complementary care including Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture and Yoga. He is generous in bringing his physiology and neurosurgery background into the training in practical and accessible ways. You will find him engaging as he discusses the autonomic nervous system, the spine and adapting for health conditions. He is a talented yoga teacher in his own right and perceptive and kind as he helps others with their teaching skills. Andrew completed the 200 hr Viniyoga Wellness Instructor Training (2014-15), 500 hr. Viniyoga Teacher Training and Yoga Therpist Training with Gary Kraftsow at the American Viniyoga Institute.
Bill Miller, MA, RYT-500, Certified Viniyoga Teacher, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour and 300 Hour Trainings
Bill brings many years of experience in teaching methodology into his work with yoga teachers-in-training. His enthusiasm for yoga and teaching comes through in his gentle guidance. He helps students master skills one step at a time so that they gain confidence in their abilities to practice yoga and teach. Humor, sincerity, anc compassion infuse Bill’s mentoring. Bill completed the 200 hr Viniyoga Wellness Instructor Training (2014-15) and the 500 hr. Viniyoga Teacher Training (2019). He is Certified in Gentle Yoga For Low Back Care (30 hrs.) through Justine Shelton and Yoga Vista Academy (2017). He has also received training through the Veterans Yoga Project in Mindful Yoga Trauma Recovery (2016).
Heather Van Dalfsen, MEd, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Certified Viniyoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour and 300 Hour Trainings
Heather has been immersed in yoga for over 15 years, including over 9 years as a teacher. She received certifications as a Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist with Gary Kraftsow and the American Viniyoga Institute. Her experience as a High School & Jr. High English Teacher and Coach, business owner (Managing Partner, 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness) and experienced Viniyoga teacher at the 500 hour level informs her work with teachers-in-training. Heather has experience teaching students of all ages and in many different community settings. She brings great insight, creativity and kindness to students in the program.
Jane Wengert, RN, BSN, NC-BC, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, RYT-500, C-IAYT, Certified Viniyoga Therapist, Minocqua, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour and 300 Hour Trainings
Jane’s experience as a nurse and health coach, a former yoga studio owner, yoga teacher and Yoga Therapist combined with her sharp intellect enhances her work with teachers-in-training. She has over 20 years of acute care nursing experience in specialty areas such as oncology, coronary/surgical intensive care, and post anesthesia care. Jane holds certifications from a 200-hour hatha yoga teacher training, the AVI Foundations for Yoga Therapy Training (200-hr) and the AVI Viniyoga Therapist training and she continues to advance her knowledge and study of Viniyoga with her teacher Gary Kraftsow of the American Viniyoga Institute.
Jay Coldwell, RYT-200, iRest™ Level 2 Teacher, Certified Viniyoga Wellness Instructor, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour and 300 Hour Trainings
Jay’s passion for Vedic chanting and his accessible way of teaching Vedic chant and the Yoga Sutra-s of Patanjali enhances the student’s experience in our training program. Jay is a 200 hr. Viniyoga Wellness Instructor (2014-15 class) and Studio Manager for 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness. He continues to study Vedic chant with Linda Speckman and Sonia Nelson (Vedic Chant Center). He is an iRest Level 2 teacher. Jay brings his knowledge of healthcare where he worked on the insurance side of the industry as well as his wisdom about the daily workings of a yoga studio into the training. He leads chanting and discussion of the Yoga Sutras during each weekend session. Students appreciate his patient, encouraging and humorous approach to chanting and yoga philosophy.
Steve White, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, Certified Viniyoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist, Shorewood, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour and 300 Hour Trainings
Humor, intellect, and perspective are key qualities that Steve infuses into the teacher training. He also shows up with his immense yoga book collection to share resources and guide further study. Trained in Pilates as well as the Shambhala Buddhist tradition of meditation, Steve found yoga in 2006. Although initially trained in Vinyasa flow, Steve’s passion revealed itself in the Viniyoga tradition. Steve went on to study with Gary Kraftsow and the American Viniyoga Institute in the 500 hr. Viniyoga Teacher Training and Yoga Therapist Training. Steve has a passion for teaching the inner practices of yoga – pranayama, meditation, sound, nyasa, mudra, and symbolism. Steve offers classes and private sessions in the Milwaukee area through Yoga One.
Mary Kluz, MS, RYT-200, Certified Viniyoga Wellness Instructor, Wausau WI
Faculty – 200 Hour Training
Wit, wisdom, insight and excellence in teaching and group facilitation are qualities that Mary brings to the teacher training. In addition to her 200-hour Viniyoga Wellness Instructor certification, Mary also brings many years of experience as a facilitator with the UW-Extension into her interactions with students. Mary teaches ongoing classes at 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness for Stress Relief & Deep Relaxation and leads workshops on leadership, communication, team building and whole-hearted living. She is particularly gifted in teaching methodology and making yoga accessible for a wide range of students.
Pauline Zweck, E-RYT-200, Certified Viniyoga Wellness Instructor, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour Training
Pauline has over 13 years of experience as a yoga teacher, training in 2007 in Hatha Yoga and in 2014 as a Viniyoga Wellness Instructor. Her insight and fun-loving nature as well as experience with teaching beginning yoga students informs her teaching style as well as her mentoring of teachers-in-training. Pauline takes an interest in the transformation of every teacher-in-training. She wants to see you grow as a practitioner and as a teacher. Pauline teaches a variety of classes at 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness, including Yoga for Beginners & Beyond, and Senior Mat and Chair Yoga.
Renee Peterson, RYT-500, Certified Viniyoga Wellness Instructor and Prenatal Yoga Teacher, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 Hour Training
Renee’s care and nurturing of her yoga students carries over to her mentoring in the teacher training. Her experience in teaching beginners, seniors, pregnant women, postpartum women, toddlers and families provides unique insights for teacher trainees. Prenatal, Family Yoga and Yoga for Beginners and Beyond are among Renee’s regular classes at 5 Koshas Yoga & Wellness. Renee is certified as a 200-hour Viniyoga Wellness Instructor (2014-15) and Prenatal Yoga Teacher (Jennifer Colletti, Yoga Center of Minneapolis, 2017) in addition to completing the Yoga Bonding Postnatal & Mom and Baby Yoga Teacher Training Course (2016). She teaches across the lifespan and is particularly gifted with adapting yoga for a variety of individuals including prenatal and postnatal.
Sally Konkol, RYT 200, Certified Yoga Teacher, River Flow Yoga Teacher Training, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 hour Training
“My aim is to provide a gentle and supportive environment in which students feel comfortable learning yoga. We will focus on foundational postures that can be adapted to the individual, along with learning the benefits gained from the practice. Moving with your breath focuses you to slow down and be mindful in your practice. There is no judgment, no competition. I have been a nurse for 40+ years and have a caring and kind persona. I want to help people to explore how yoga can make a difference in their lives.”
Kerry MacDonald, RYT-200, Certified Yoga Teacher, River Flow Yoga Teacher Training, Wausau, WI
Faculty – 200 hour Training
“Self-discovery, assisting and leading to discovery of the benefits of yoga. Each person is an individual and therefore has different needs. I am interested in addressing the individual needs and helping you to get the most out of your practice. I would like students to feel confident and knowledge about their practice while exploring all the benefits the practice has to offer and apply it to daily living. I have been a stylist for 27 years, I enjoy getting to know people, this carries over into my teaching. Applying yoga into your job and daily living. Learning simple breathing techniques to help you relax under stressful situations and stretches to release tension.”
Testimonials
“I have never been part of something so unique as the River Flow Yoga Training Program! Everything was so positive! EAch one of the faculty brought a new perspective and contributed to the lessons at hand!” -Heather Grace
“Mary is a great mentor and instructor. Her experience and wealth of knowledge is so valuable. She is very professional and willing to share.” – Maria Gulan
“I would recommend this program to anyone who may have an interest in yoga – one of the best learning experiences of my life.” -Kristine Carne
“Mary excels in teaching. She brings an unparalleled level of expertise to the training and delivers the information in practical, relatable and often humorous ways.” -Jennifer Ransom
“The team of faculty are remarkably consistent – both in their knowledge and in their patience and support of students.” -Marita Hattem
“My life, my health, my energy, and my passion for yoga have all been transformed by participating in this teacher training program.” -Carrie Kubacki
What Participants Said Was the Most Valuable Aspects of the 300-hour Advanced Teacher Training:
Our Sangha
Mary letting us know that we can be who we are!
The ‘shifting” that I can sense is happening because of the program and all the resources you shared
Mary made me feel welcome and part of the group.
I loved the sutra lessons and chanting taught in an accessible way.
Breath ratios and techniques
The homework after the lectures and book resources, to learn more deeply and integrate the teachings.
I did like the continuity with the same students from start to finish.
Having a safe place to go beyond my comfort zone, even beyond my ‘window of tolerance’ to fin my current edges.
What Participants Said About How They Developed as a Yoga Teacher as a Result of the Training:
I see more possibilities.
I learned more about taking care of myself so I can show up for students.
Increased confidence and ways to build confidence.
Developing sequences
Finding ways to develop an idea using teaching principles so it is digestible.
A deeper understanding of what is important to me and how to care for myself with tools of yoga.
Taking care of self to be able to teach others.
Practicing and studying the sutras is helping to ground me more in my teaching. Reflecting more deeply on the sutras and their meaning and application in life has strengthened my teaching.
I plan my classes both sequence and breath and add other things like philosophy that I never did before.
I feel confident offering new things and have learned so much. I feel like I have people with me and backing me as I teach. The sangha is with me at my studio; before I felt more alone and not supported and that kept me from sharing deeper teachings.
More experience with deeper teachings. More confidence to teach these deeper teachings to others.