Pamela Meriwether assisting a student in yoga class, while other students practice in the background..

200 Hour Teacher Training

Begins August 21, 2026

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

✨

Download the Application.

✨

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. ✨ Download the Application. ✨

Do you have a passion to deepen your knowledge and experience of yoga, or to share the joys of yoga with others?

Whether your goal is to become a certified yoga teacher or just to deepen your own personal practice and understanding of yoga, the Sakhi Yoga School will give you a thorough foundation on which to build, and then will guide you into a deeper exploration of the practice and understanding of yoga.

About Our Program

The Sakhi 200-Hour Teacher Training is a Yoga Alliance Registered school founded in 2011. We offer a 9 month comprehensive curriculum of study and practice, providing a uniquely focused exploration into the life-changing practice of yoga.

Drawing from ancient and classical teachings of Yoga, as well as contemporary knowledge of the body and mind, this teacher training course is designed to expand one’s experience of yoga beyond asana on the mat, and into the farther reaches of yoga’s potential to create a life of fulfillment and bliss.

The scope, depth, and personal approach of this course have been designed to develop practitioners who embody yogic philosophy, and can share the authentic practice of yoga.

You will enrich your knowledge of Yoga philosophy, practices, and teaching methodologies - both for your own benefit and to the benefit of those you may choose to guide along the yoga path.

Apply Here

“Sakhi School is authentic to the ancient wisdom and science of traditional yogic studies. Not only do they teach you HOW to perform asana, pranayama, mantra, meditation - but more importantly they teach you the concepts behind the physical aspects of yoga. One of the most valuable take-aways is the ability to strengthen your own personal practice. I know my learning has just begun and I'm excited to see where my yoga journey takes me.”
–Olivia T.
"I am honored to be a part of the Sakhi family. The foundation that this school and its wonderful teachers have given me, has set me on a stable path of yoga both personally and professionally. Going through this teacher training is one of the best decisions I have ever made."
– Travis
“Today, I graduated and received a certificate of completion, but what I really received was lifelong friendships, a new perspective on life, a sense of peace and calmness, and a desire to continue learning. I couldn't have asked for better teachers, a better mentor, nor could I have handpicked better classmates to be alongside within this journey!”
– Jennifer
“Sakhi Yoga School was the best decision I ever made and it changed my life. I chose Sakhi because I was looking for more than just teacher training. I wanted to delve into the world of yoga, into the traditional teachings of the mind, body, AND the spirit. Sakhi provides the way to experience your own unique path and encourages you to explore your own inner self, personal growth, compassion, and of letting go. All the tools and teaching are provided in a dynamic and expansive setting to bring you closer to yourself and yoga way beyond your mat. What they don’t tell you is that you’ll also learn to be vulnerable, to let go, and to trust. You’ll open up to your fellow trainees, and you’ll laugh and cry together. It’s part of the amazing process and cultivates the emotional intelligence and empathy of yoga teacher training. Sakhi prepared me for the teaching world and then some. Sakhi Yoga was a once in a lifetime experience I'll always hold dear to my heart!”
–Amie B.
“The best decision I could have made was choosing this school to deepen my understanding of the vast practice and philosophy of yoga. Pamela is a true teacher who guides you through the entire experience while also allowing space for your own personal growth and discoveries, which is essential in a program like this. The training goes far beyond just the physical practice of yoga. It also explores important aspects such as meditation, mantras, and the deeper teachings that make yoga such a transformative practice.”
–Brigitte T.

Group of teacher trainees celebrating completion of the Sakhi Yoga School 200 hr Yoga Alliance certified training.

Faculty of the Sakhi Yoga School gather together to plan for the next teacher training.

Stack of books about yoga and meditation used in the Sakhi Yoga teacher training.

Students of Pamela sit cross-legged on the floor taking notes in their yoga teacher training binders.

A diverse group of teacher trainees from Sakhi Yoga School gather for a portrait at the end of their training program.

Graduates of the Sakhi Yoga School gather for a group photo.

Sakhi Yoga School students hug in a fitting image. The name for our school was chosen as a reminder of the ancient teachings that emphasize the importance of walking our paths together, in friendship and support of one another.

Sakhi Yoga students gather together at a community gathering welcoming teachers and practitioners.

A 10 weekend life-changing journey

- Enhanced personal yoga practice and understanding of the importance of continued practice and study.
- A better understanding of the breadth and depth of Yogic philosophy, and its attendant activities (including nutrition, devotion, service, and ethics).
- Working knowledge of the Yogic body, from both the Western (anatomical) and Eastern (energetic) perspectives.
- A supportive mentor, with whom you will be connected to throughout the course.
- How to assess and communicate to a classroom with increased observation, listening, and communication skills.
- How to develop an integrated, safe, and uplifting class plan.
- Sequencing for multiple experience levels and for desired energetic effects.
- An understanding of Asana as a metaphor.
- Experience in apprentice teaching with primary instructors.
- Pranayama: anatomy and energetics of breath.
- Teaching alignment, modifications, and giving adjustments.
- The study of the seminal philosophical texts of Yoga, notably The Bhagavad Gita and The Yoga Sutras.
- Basic Sanskrit for Yoga.
- Principles and practices of meditation, mantra, and kriya.
- An understanding of the Chakras and Nadis.
- Energetics and the Doshas, Gunas and Prana Vayus.
- Ethics, responsibilities, and business of teaching Yoga.
Schedule on Training Weekends:
Fridays 5:30pm-8:00pm
Saturdays 9:00am-6:00pm
Sundays 9:00am-6:00pm
Training Dates:
August 21-23
September 11-13
October 2-4
November 6-8
December 4-6
January 8-10
January 29-31
March 5-7
April 9-11
April 30-May 2* (see special schedule for our final weekend)
*Last Training Weekend Schedule :
Friday 9:00am-6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-6:00pm
***Note: You will also be responsible for taking 20 asana classes with Pamela (or approved teachers) over the course of 9 months.
The Rooted Community
141 S. Shandon Street, Suite F
Columbia, SC 29205
Amba Rate - $2590
(significantly discounted for those with reduced means)
Kama Rate - $2790
(low end of the standard rate)
Seva Rate - $2990
(encouraged for those who can afford to pay a little more so we can offer assistance to those with lesser means)
Sangha Rate – + a partial scholarship
(offered on a rolling basis, dependent on Seva registrations, and based on need)
Light on Yoga ~ B.K.S. Iyengar
Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha ~ Swami Satyananda Saraswati
The Heart of Yoga ~ T.K.V. Desikachar
The Secret of the Yoga Sutra, Samadhi Pada ~ Pandit Rajmani Tigunait
The Bhagavad Gita ~ translated by Eknath Easwaran
The Key Muscles of Yoga ~ Dr. Ray Long
Meditation and its Practice ~ Swami Rama
The Untethered Soul ~ Michael A. Singer

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

✨

Download the Application.

✨

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. ✨ Download the Application. ✨

Apply Here

Meet the Faculty

Pamela Meriwether

E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, RYS, Y4C, CVMT, YACEP
Founder and Director, Sakhi Yoga School

Pamela Meriwether is devoted to yogic learning and teaching. Certified by the Yoga Alliance as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher at the 500-hour level, she continues her learning as a dedicated student of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD. Pamela is a certified Yoga Therapist, Vishoka Meditation Teacher, ParaYoga Teacher, Four Desires Trainer, Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist, and a certified yoga teacher for cancer patients, through Y4C.
Hollace Masino

MS, E-RYT 500
Sakhi 200 & 300 YTT Teacher

Hollace is passionate about making the ancient wisdom of yoga easily accessible and relevant in today’s world. She has been a yoga student for over three decades and a teacher/trainer for nearly two decades including certifications from Kripalu and ParaYoga as well as thousands of hours of formal and informal training with Yoganand Michael Carroll, Yogarupa Rod Stryker, Pandit Rajmani Tuginait, Baron Baptiste, Stephanie Keach, Leslie Kaminoff, Gary Kraftsow, Cindy Lee, Annie Carpenter and many others who have shaped and informed her journey.
Hollace owned and directed a yoga school called Yoga Shala in both Charlotte and Minneapolis for many years. With the combination of yoga and curriculum design skills, she creates meaningful learning experiences that motivate and inspire. She enjoys spending time cross country skiing and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Liza Barbee

RYT 500
Sakhi 200 YTT Teacher
Liza Barbee has been teaching yoga since 2015 after earning her RYT 200 certification through Sakhi Yoga School. Her journey began by volunteering at Camille Griffin Graham Correctional Institution, where she led yoga classes for incarcerated women. This experience inspired her to pursue trauma-sensitive training, earning certification as a Trauma-Informed Yoga teacher through Street Yoga.
Liza later worked with veterans and service members through Big Red Barn Retreat, deepening her focus on healing-centered practices. In 2024, she became certified in Level One iRest® Yoga Nidra, further expanding her work in restorative and meditative healing practices.
She completed her 500-hour certification through Himalayan Institute in 2019. In addition to yoga, Liza is a licensed cosmetologist, holds a Bachelor of Science in Retail Management from University of South Carolina, and is the owner of Roots Studio, LLC, where she promotes holistic health and well-being. She feels deeply honored to share yoga as a path toward healing, balance, and connection.
Simone Mori Reed

E-RYT 500
Sakhi 200 YTT Teacher
Simone is a Hatha trained instructor with certification in Yin, Chair, and Children's Yoga. Through her personal practice, she has experienced how reconnecting the body, breath, and mind can be a powerful and transformative process that supports overall well-being and quality of life.
She is passionate about guiding students toward greater awareness of the mind-body-breath connection, inviting balance to the physical and emotional bodies through asana, meditation, and pranayama. She creates a welcoming and inclusive environment, offering classes that are thoughtfully structured while remaining intuitive and responsive to the needs of each group.
As a lifelong learner, Simone values continually returning to the seat of the student to deepen her own practice and understanding. She is also inspired by the principles of Ayurveda and holds a deep respect for the interconnectedness and prosperity of all beings.
Debbie Gilikin

RYT 500
Sakhi 200 YTT Teacher

Debbie began teaching yoga in 2012 after over a decade of practice, completing her 200-hour training at Sakhi Yoga in 2012 and her 300-hour certification in 2020. She maintains her commitment to deepen her studies. She has focused on deepening her practice and knowledge through various specialty trainings, including Restorative, Adaptive, Yin and wall yoga as well as pranayama and meditation. Debbie is passionate about sharing yoga, and loves growing as both teacher and student. Off the mat, she enjoys cycling and exploring the world.
Vicky Saye Van Horne

E-RYT 500
Sakhi 200 YTT Teacher
Vicky Saye Van Horne is a certified yoga teacher, specializing in trauma-informed techniques for self-regulation. Her practice of yoga began in 2007, initially coming to the mat to better manage anxiety stemming from a major life shift. In 2018, she became certified to teach through the Sakhi Yoga School and finds purpose in supporting others in their wellness journeys.
She has received training in trauma-informed yoga (Veterans Yoga Project), Yoga for the Mature Body (Diane Saccone, Asheville Community Yoga, NC), Chair Yoga (Carey Sims, Charlotte, NC), and iRest (Integrative Restoration) Yoga Nidra (iRest Institute, San Francisco, CA).
Anne Miller

E-RYT 200, Yoga for Autism
Sakhi 200 YTT Teacher
Anne was born in Ohio but has called Columbia home for more than forty years. A wife, mother, and active member of her church and community, she believes wellness begins with connection, compassion, and purpose.
A former dance major at Columbia College, Anne spent years as an ACE-certified fitness instructor, personal trainer, and business owner before discovering yoga through YogaFit. What began as continuing education quickly became a lifelong passion.
Today, Anne is a 230-hour Yoga Alliance-certified instructor who is also certified to teach children with autism and trauma informed yoga . She views yoga not as perfection or performance, but as a personal journey toward balance, healing, joy, and living fully within the community.
www.rootedyogasc.com
Angela Yong

E-RYT 200, Yoga for Cancer & Master Thai Bodyworker
Sakhi 200 YTT Teacher
Angela Yong is the owner of Fit Columbia in Five Points, celebrating 15 years in 2026. Since graduating from Sakhi Yoga School in 2014, she has studied yoga, bodywork, meditation, and strength training, bringing a non-traditional, accessible approach to movement and whole-body wellness—offering modalities like aerial yoga, wall yoga, yoga with animals, acroyoga, and more.
Inspired by her longtime mentor Pam Meriwether, Angela’s work is rooted in sangha (community) and breathwork—the belief that connection and breath are the foundation for living well.
Beyond the studio, she is the founder of Tour of Tea SC, a nonprofit that celebrates Asian culture and brings people together through shared experiences.
Learn more about Angela here.