50HR ROCKET YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

WITH LEON

WEDNESDAY 13TH - SUNDAY 17TH MAY 2026

 
 

Price:
£795

Super Early Bird until 31st October: £695
Early Bird until: 28th February 2026:  £750
Full price: £795

What is Rocket Yoga?
Rocket Yoga is a fast-paced and energetic style of yoga that was created in the 1980s by Larry Schultz, a student of Pattabhi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga Yoga. While it is rooted in the traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa system, Rocket Yoga breaks away from its rigid structure to offer a more accessible and playful practice. Schultz developed it as a way to bring the benefits of advanced yoga poses to students of all levels, encouraging freedom, experimentation, and self-expression on the mat.

The practice is typically divided into three sequences: Rocket I, Rocket II, and Rocket III. Rocket I draws from the primary series of Ashtanga and focuses on forward bends, hip openers, and core strength. Rocket II incorporates poses from the second series, emphasising backbends, twists, and spinal strength. Rocket III, often referred to as "Happy Hour," is a blend of the first two sequences and provides a full-body experience.

One of the key features of Rocket Yoga is its emphasis on inversions and arm balances, which are integrated into the flow and practiced repeatedly (although you don’t need to be able to do these poses to attend a Rocket class). The name "Rocket" comes from the idea that the practice "gets you there faster," referring to both physical progress and mental clarity. Overall, Rocket Yoga is ideal for those who enjoy a strong, creative flow and are open to challenging themselves while having fun.

About Leon:
Leon is a Rocket, Dharma and Ashtanga Teacher based in London. He has over 20 years of experience in yoga as well as training in various arts such as functional fitness, animal flow, capoeira, kettlebells, Indian clubs, callisthenics and boxing. He teaches in some of Londons most reputable studios and runs yoga trainings and retreats in Europe and beyond.

What you’ll learn in this training:
ASANA

  • Learn to teach Rocket 1 and Rocket 2 classes

  • Exploration into Rocket 3 (Happy Hour!!)

  • Handstands and arm balance workshops – breaking down the techniques and drills for arm balances, handstands and transitions

  • Learn the three faces of the practice (modification, classical and creative variation)

  • Adjusting / assisting – learn to effectively assist the foundational postures as well as the more advanced asanas

  • Mat markings – how to use mat marking as an alignment aid, tailored to your body and practice

PHILOSOPHY & HISTORY

  • History of Rocket yoga – Legacy of Larry Schultz, the lineage of Krishnamacharya and Pattabhi Jois in Ashtang

  • Usage and meaning of mantras – opening chants of the Ashtanga lineage

  • Lectures on the history of yoga since the 12th century, including the development of postural yoga in the 19th century

  • The application of the yoga sutras in our teaching and daily life

PRANAYAMA & KRIYAS

  • The four purifications – we will look in detail at this powerful morning pranayama sequence, used to purify and cleanse the body and mind

  • Using the mala beads as meditation and a pranayama tool

  • When and how to apply pranayama in personal practice and teachings

  • Ashtanga pranayama

Location:
Wellness Space, Unit 35 Wearfield, Sunderland, SR5 2TA. Check out some local info here.

Schedule and structure:
Wednesday 13th - Sunday 17th May 2026
9.30am-5.30pm
Every day will include two Rocket practices and one workshop / asana clinic. Prepare to be challenged in a fun and supportive environment and to take your practice to another level!

Who is the training for:
The training is open to students with a strong asana practice, as well as teachers who want to learn how to teach Rocket-Inspired classes. 
We are very excited to see the Rocket Yoga community becoming international, and this training is aimed at getting more teachers and students from around the globe to incorporate the Rocket in their personal practice and teachings.

Reading list and pre-training homework:
Below are the preferred texts for the training to be familiarised on your own prior, during & post training for study and preparation

The Practice Manual by David Swenson

The Sutras of Patanjali by Satchidananda

Moola Bandha
The Master Key by Buddhanada
Yoga in the kashmir Tradition by Billy Doyle
The Yoga Body by Mark Singleton

There will be homework prior to the course based on the reading list above. This will be confirmed to you in your confirmation letter. You will also need a Yoga Wheel for this training.

Accreditation:
Accredited by Yoga Alliance USA

Payment information:
£200 deposit is required to save your spot.
Full balance payment due: 30th April 2026

Questions:
If you have any further questions, please send them to Helen.
info@helendowneyoga.com
07715 249 290

 

If you joining us for a class, workshop, event or training and need a place to stay, check out our local info page below.