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yoga lovers & wellness enthusiasts
You're wellness is a priority - even if it hasn't been until now! You've got the yoga bug and you’re ready to deepen your practice, on and off the yoga mat. You you know you need to make big lifestyle changes, but you’ve no idea where to start. Perhaps you’ve lost your direction in life or you have personal baggage that you’ve been avoiding dealing with for years and you know it’s now or never. You could be in motherhood or menopause and what to understand what that looks like and learn how yoga can help with the changes and challenges ahead.
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aspiring yoga teachers/therapists
You’re completely new to teaching yoga, but you already know that teaching women is your calling and want to dive right into the in-depth expert knowledge on the female life stages and how yoga can empower women throughout life. You want the support of a loving all-female community as you begin your teaching journey. You want advice and support on how to create your personal yoga brand, and how to launch and grow your business from a master yoga teacher, who’s been there and done that.
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qualified yoga teachers
You don't feel confident advising your female students on the best yoga practices for their life stage and you want to teach yoga for the menstrual cycle; pregnancy and post-partum with baby - and throughout menopause. You want to do this in an integrated way as a complete feminine journey. Perhaps you’ve been yoga teaching for years but you still can’t fill classes or you’ve lost your momentum. Maybe you want to take your yoga business to the next level and want to learn how to firsthand from a multiple business award-winning yogipreneur. You want to join a high-quality, interactive and world-recognized yoga alliance international accredited 300/500-hour course.
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birth and baby workers and wellness entrepreneurs
You don’t necessarily want to teach yoga classes, but you want to learn yoga practices that will help your female clients throughout the various life stages, adding to your existing toolkit of skills. You may already work with women, but don't feel confident in your understanding of what they’re going through or in advising them on the best practices for where they are at in life. You want to know how to really create and grow your wellness brand from someone that's successfully done that over the past 15 years.
Become a Certified Women's Yoga Therapist
ACCREDITED BY
Introducing EMPOWER™ by YogaBellies:
EMPOWER™: The Women’s Yoga Therapist Training
A 300-Hour Specialist Qualification in Yoga Therapy for Women
Accredited by Yoga Alliance International
For every woman, at every stage of life.
You don’t need to be a yoga teacher already to join — just a woman ready to grow, heal and empower others.
Let me explain...
What Makes EMPOWER™ So Unique
EMPOWER™ isn’t another yoga teacher training.
It’s a therapeutic, evidence-based qualification that combines yoga, psychology, hormonal health, and feminine embodiment.
As both a psychotherapist and the founder of YogaBellies®, I’ve spent over twenty years helping women understand themselves — body, mind, and soul. I designed EMPOWER™ to bring together everything I know about female physiology, emotional wellbeing, and the psychology of change into one powerful training and personal journey.
When you complete EMPOWER™, you’ll be certified as a 300-Hour Women’s Yoga Therapist, qualified to work therapeutically with women one-to-one and in groups — supporting menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, postnatal recovery, perimenopause, menopause, and mental wellbeing.
EMPOWER™ Is About More Than Yoga
YogaBellies has never been about pulling shapes on a mat.
It’s about living yoga — and using it as a way to feel grounded, energised, and hormonally balanced all month long.
Most yoga was created centuries ago for young men — not women with cycles, hormones, hips, breasts and babies! EMPOWER™ reclaims yoga for women’s bodies, showing you how to adapt, honour and embrace your natural rhythms instead of fighting against them.
You’ll learn how to integrate:
🧘♀️ Therapeutic yoga for hormonal balance and women’s health
🧠 Psychotherapeutic insight into women’s emotional patterns and relationships
🥗 Nutrition, self-care and lifestyle tools to support long-term wellbeing
🌿 Ayurvedic wisdom and somatic practices for the female body
💬 Communication and coaching techniques to empower clients deeply and safely
A Personal and Professional Transformation
I created EMPOWER™ for women who feel called to something more.
Maybe you’re at a crossroads — ready for change, wanting more purpose, or craving deeper meaning in your work.
This journey begins by empowering you first.
You’ll experience your own transformation through the EMPOWER™ practices before learning how to guide other women to do the same.
You don’t need to have it all together — nobody does.
We come to yoga to find balance, not because we already have it.
My Story — Why I Created EMPOWER™
When I first started teaching yoga, I was a stressed-out business analyst with irregular cycles, PMS and burnout. My hardcore Ashtanga practice had stopped my periods altogether — I looked “fit,” but I was far from healthy.
As I prepared for pregnancy, I realised yoga wasn’t serving my female body the way it should. So I began studying how yoga could support, not sabotage, women’s health — and that’s how YogaBellies® was born.
Over the years, I developed therapeutic practices for each stage of a woman’s life: menstrual health, fertility, pregnancy, postnatal recovery, menopause, and beyond. As my own work evolved into psychotherapy, I began weaving in evidence-based approaches to help women not just move differently — but live differently.
That’s why EMPOWER™ is so much more than a yoga course.
It’s a complete mind-body therapeutic framework for women — a way to teach, guide and heal others through every stage of life.
What You’ll Learn
Inside EMPOWER™, you’ll gain:
✅ A deep understanding of female anatomy, hormones and life cycles
✅ Practical tools for yoga therapy, breathwork and somatic awareness
✅ Psychotherapeutic approaches to support mental and emotional health
✅ Specialist training in pregnancy, postnatal and baby yoga
✅ The skills to work one-to-one therapeutically with women
✅ Guidance on building your women’s wellness business
Check out below just some of the publications that Cheryl and YogaBellies have been featured in over the years.
What Some of Our EMPOWER Graduates Have Said:
This has changed my life - even if I hadn't wanted to become a Yoga teacher for babies and Mums and women, I would have done this. It covers everything and more and Cheryl has left no stone unturned to equip us all with the tools to live a better life on and off the mat! Thank you, Fee x
Fee Speed RYT-300 EMPOWER Graduate and Kids Yoga TeacherHaving taught and practiced yoga for over a decade I had never come across the style and form that the Empower 300 Hour YTT contained. I really enjoyed the depth of focus on topics often ignored (such as the different stages of a woman’s life). I thoroughly enjoyed the content and the community formed between the students and look forward to keeping in touch as we each move forwards in our own way.
Kim Katre RYT-500 EMPOWER Graduate and Existing Yoga Teacher 200-HourEMPOWER was everything I was looking for and more. I was at a loss with where to start becoming a women's yoga teacher. It has given me confidence and renewed energy. I wasn't sure how I would find the online aspect of the course, but it gave me the flexibility around my young family and I could catch up on my own time and the nest was perfect for additional support. We are women supporting women and it's brilliant. I wish EMPOWER wasn't ending because I have loved it so much.
Georgie Ward RYT-300 EMPOWER GraduateMeet The Teacher
Cheryl MacDonald, MA BA (Hons), PgDip Psy., E-RYT 500 Founder of YogaBellies® | Psychotherapist | Women’s Yoga Therapist Trainer
I’ve spent over two decades helping women understand themselves — their bodies, hormones, emotions and cycles — through yoga, psychology and lived experience.
I know first-hand that yoga isn’t about bending yourself into impossible shapes or chasing perfection. It’s about coming home to yourself. Everything I teach, I practise. It’s the difference between feeling flat and disconnected… and living with energy, confidence and joy.
I want women to stop forcing themselves into outdated yoga practices designed for young men — and instead, learn how to move, breathe and live in a way that honours your feminine body and nervous system.
Whether you’re navigating periods, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause or beyond, I’ll show you how to find the right yoga and therapeutic practices to help you feel balanced, strong and truly at ease in your own skin.
Over the years, I’ve taught and mentored thousands of women worldwide — and more than 100,000 women in the UK have attended YogaBellies® classes to balance hormones, relieve stress, prepare for birth, connect with their babies, and embrace menopause with confidence. I’ve also trained hundreds of teachers globally in my integrative, therapeutic approach to feminine yoga — creating a movement that’s changed how women experience yoga forever.
YogaBellies® has always been about more than poses. It’s about self-worth, body confidence, emotional wellbeing, and self-love — both on and off the mat.
Awards & Recognition
🏆 LuxLife Most Inspirational Women’s Yoga Teacher – 2021
🏆 Great British Entrepreneur Award – 2019
🏆 Scottish EDGE Award for Enterprise – 2013
🏆 Woman of the Year Award – 2014
🏆 Mumpreneur UK Award – 2012
🏆 3× What’s On for Little Ones Awards – 2014
🏆 Working Mums Top Employer Award – 2015
🏆 MumsClub Top 100 Businesses – 2012
You may also have seen me featured in:
The Huffington Post - talking about my yoga journey and YogaBellies® beginnings
As a winner of BBC Dragon's Den (watch us in the video below!) - the Dragons loved the concept of YogaBellies®
Appeared on ITV's This Morning - teaching yoga to women and children at various life stages
All of the magazines, TV channels and publications you can see on this page, talking about yoga for women throughout life
Been personal yoga teacher to celebrities such as Kimberley Walsh (Girls Aloud), Fearne Cotton and Catherine Tyldsley (check out some of the featured press below)
EMPOWER Guest Experts and Senior Yoga Teacher Team
Our EMPOWER Teacher Training also has a number of Guest Experts and Senior Yoga Teacher Mentors from across the globe (United Kingdom, Singapore, Dubai, and Thailand!) These women's yoga and health experts will lead sessions throughout the programme.
Watch YogaBellies on ITV's This Morning with Phil and Holly
Cheryl and her YogaBellies Teachers demonstrate yoga for mum and baby
What EMPOWER Students Have Said
Read Our Graduates Testimonials
A whole new depth of yoga knowledge *****
Empower 300 YTT *****
A course that every female can benefit from *****
Life Changing *****
Informative, relevant and manageable *****
Empower - Amazing! *****
Inspiring *****
I think the course title sums up the entire ethos of the course. Love It *****
A wonderful experience *****
Life changing learning opportunity noto be missed! *****
Why EMPOWER™?
EMPOWER™: A Life-Changing Journey for the Whole Woman
EMPOWER™ is the culmination of over 25 years of my personal yoga practice and two decades of teaching women’s yoga worldwide. For the past 15 years, I’ve trained teachers in the YogaBellies® method, helping thousands of women across the globe to reconnect with their bodies, balance their hormones, and feel like themselves again.
Now, I’m beyond excited to offer this specialist 300-Hour Women’s Yoga Therapy Qualification — a unique blend of yoga, psychotherapy and feminine embodiment — because I truly believe every woman can benefit from it.
You don’t need to be a yoga teacher to join us.
You just need to be ready to evolve — physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Whether you’re a yoga teacher, health professional, coach, mum, or simply a woman wanting more from life, EMPOWER™ will meet you exactly where you are and take you to where you’re meant to be.
What You Can Expect
This programme is about your personal transformation first.
As you learn to support other women, you’ll grow in ways you can’t yet imagine. You’ll rediscover your confidence, your joy, your energy — and learn to live and work in alignment with your body, your hormones, and your purpose.
You’ll gain the skills and tools to work therapeutically with women through all stages of life — from menstruation to menopause and beyond — but you’ll also live these teachings yourself.
Through EMPOWER™, you’ll:
Understand your own body and emotional patterns like never before
Experience deep self-enquiry and mindset growth
Learn to guide other women through the same transformation
Build a fulfilling career doing meaningful, heart-led work
This isn’t about learning sequences — it’s about learning yourself, so you can help other women do the same.
The Women’s Yoga Therapy Pathway
EMPOWER™ gives you the depth, tools and professional credibility to work therapeutically with women — not just teach them yoga.
You’ll graduate as a 300-Hour Certified Women’s Yoga Therapist, with practical expertise in:
🩷 Yoga therapy for women’s health, hormones and mental wellbeing
🤰 Pregnancy, postnatal and baby yoga (plus baby massage)
🌙 Menstrual and menopausal balance practices
🧠 Somatic and psychotherapeutic approaches to women’s emotional health
🥗 Hormone-friendly lifestyle and nutrition
💬 Coaching and communication skills for one-to-one client work
You’ll gain the insight to help women understand their cycles, emotions and physical needs — and guide them to live in rhythm with their natural flow.
Building Your Life’s Work
I don’t just want to train great teachers — I want to see women thriving in life and business.
You’ll get hands-on mentorship from me on creating your personal and professional brand, identifying your niche, and building a sustainable, soulful business that fits your lifestyle.
You’ll also gain access to the YogaBellies® global community, a sisterhood of women supporting women — because we rise higher together. You’ll find encouragement, friendship and collaboration that lasts long after your training ends.
You’ll have access to the YogaBellies® resource library, packed with class plans, templates and tools to help you run workshops, private sessions or online programmes with confidence.
A Holistic Reconnection to Your Whole Self
Over six months, EMPOWER™ will gently guide you through every layer of your life — mind, body and soul.
You’ll learn to:
✨ Eat and live in tune with your hormonal and energetic cycles
✨ Create self-care rituals that support your nervous system
✨ Reclaim your vitality, creativity and sensuality
✨ Build a business that feels like an authentic extension of who you are
This isn’t just a qualification — it’s a journey back to yourself.
Is EMPOWER™ for You?
Keep reading if you…
✅ Want an internationally recognised 300-hour Yoga Alliance International qualification
✅ Crave transformation in your personal health, mindset and life
✅ Want to support women therapeutically — not just physically
✅ Are ready to build or grow a successful yoga, wellness or therapy business
✅ Want to teach pregnancy, postnatal, menopause, menstrual and baby yoga — all in one integrated training
✅ Feel stuck or burnt out and need to rediscover your purpose
✅ Love yoga but want to go deeper — body, mind and soul
✅ Want to weave feminine yoga and embodiment into your coaching or therapeutic work
✅ Desire more confidence, clarity and community
✅ Are ready to be seen as an expert in women’s wellbeing
✅ Want to belong to a global sisterhood that truly supports you
Women Supporting Women
When you join YogaBellies® EMPOWER™, you’re not just signing up for a training.
You’re becoming part of a living, breathing sisterhood of women who want more for themselves and for each other.
This is the village we all need — one that celebrates women supporting women, sharing wisdom, and creating change from the inside out.
Together, we’ll rewrite what it means to live, teach and thrive as modern women — grounded, confident, cyclical and free.
Keep Reading If You...
- Want to earn your Yoga Alliance International 300-hour certification.
- Want to completely transform YOUR personal health, wellness and life on and off the yoga mat.
- Want to gain essential business skills to turn your dream of teaching yoga as a career into a reality
- Want to save thousands on learning key yoga practices for every female life stage in an integrated and logical way: Become qualified to teach yoga for pregnancy; post-partum with baby; menopause; the menstrual cycle and even baby massage!
- Want to take time out to figure out what YOU need from life and become your most vibrant self to do this!
- Struggle to find your unique voice or tribe as a yoga teacher or leader.
- Are passionate about the physical, mental and emotional benefits of yoga for women.
- Want to integrate feminine yoga practices into your birth, baby, or women's wellness work - even if you don't teach yoga!
- Want to become a better wellness leader by using the YogaBellies Sadhana to structure your offering and be able to create client yoga prescriptions, for female life stages and conditions
- Are ready to be seen as an expert in the field of feminine yoga.
- Want to gain confidence in and expand your yoga teaching skills or therapy/coaching practice.
- Don't know how to take your yoga business to the next level if you are already a yoga teacher.
- Are seeking a like-minded community of women supporting women.
- Are ready to make a life-changing impact on your female clients and students.
Being part of YogaBellies® means that you're connected with an amazing global network of like-minded women, who want to support you and won’t judge you – because they’re right where you are too. It’s about waking up to the value of women supporting women, bringing back sisterhood and ‘the village’ as something that is absolutely essential for our wellbeing.
On Completion of EMPOWER 300-Hr YTT You Will:
By the End of EMPOWER™ You Will...
When you complete EMPOWER™, you’ll not only be a fully qualified 300-Hour Women’s Yoga Therapist, but you’ll also have completely transformed how you live, teach and work.
This isn’t just a course — it’s a life reset.
You will have:
✨ Overcome limiting beliefs and cleared the mental and emotional blocks that have been holding you back — in your practice, career and life.
✨ Rediscovered your purpose and mapped out your long-term vision, with a clear, actionable plan to get there.
✨ Fully embraced a feminine yoga lifestyle — learning how to live and teach in harmony with your body, hormones and energy.
✨ Gained the confidence and knowledge to work therapeutically with women through every stage of life — from periods to postnatal recovery to menopause.
✨ Built a thriving yoga or wellness business that aligns with your values, with the ongoing guidance and mentorship to make it sustainable.
✨ Joined a global sisterhood of supportive, like-minded women who have your back long after training ends.
You’ll graduate feeling clear, capable and inspired — ready to make a real difference in women’s lives… starting with your own.
Training Resources To Suit All Styles of Learning
Access from your mobile, laptop, iPad or keep a physical copy
Handbooks, online resources, yoga videos, audio, cheat sheets, live and recorded yoga practice sessions and lectures, Asana manuals and more.
More Testimonials
What EMPOWER Students Have Said About The Course
"In the past I have enjoyed yoga (asana) meditation, eating well, reading, podcasts, and self-care and insight into the self. Following postnatal depression, these were the things that pulled me out of it in the end, not the antidepressants prescribed. After learning about the 5 doshas, I realize all of these practices were part of the yogic lifestyle. I've found all the different aspects of this course so interesting so far. The Vikalpha section made me cry, in a good way. When you asked us “Who do you want to be”
I am already starting to see how this course can help me feel more 'empowered' as a woman, to honour all the different aspects of being female. This course is helping me gain confidence. In your handbook you talk about 'Yogabellies does not promote a flat belly and welcomes all the natural curves of a woman' This is my Vikalpha, my self-doubt. Something that may seem so insignificant to some people but which has haunted me for years. Having IBS especially and gaining weight after two kids, means I most likely will always have a round, bloated belly. I have often hidden myself away, turning down social events and only daring to dream that I could be a yoga teacher.
This course is allowing me to think that as women we go through so many stages in our lives, and our 'bellies' are part of that :-) I am starting to learn to honour myself, to honour my body and it's this course that is helping me to heal :-) I definitely want to try and incorporate this idea into my business as it feels authentic to me."
"The content is absolutely amazing, so much information. I feel like I am learning way more than I ever realized I could!"
"I really like how you have set it out on the website, so I can keep dipping in and out when I have an hour or two free. Sometimes I literally manage one of your videos a day but I can clearly see where I'm at and keep writing notes on which section to do next."
"Gaining a better understanding of my own self in line with the lunar cycle and seasons, and now aiming to incorporate the affirmations and yoga practices in line with my natural cycle by listening to my emotions and body more instinctively to allow it to rest and recover when necessary, to just be, taking more me time and also accepting the different stages and cycles and allowing them to flow without resistance.
Really enjoyed this module, and also feel it has allowed the group to share real personal experiences with each other developing a real supportive sense of community in the course."
"Really enjoyed the practical aspect via the live yoga practice and also the videos provided with yoga asanas for menstruation and the luna class videos from the various yb teachers, to see how different teachers deliver the classes in their own style. Also the handy modifications list in the manual for menopause is a great reference to have at hand. Theoretical content - again a great breadth of information and ties in nicely with the yoga life journal."
YogaBellies helped me make a sustainable career of teaching yoga, and it offers this within a community of strong independent kind and intelligent women. I trained with YogaBellies in 2011 and after a period of illness, I'm back on board!
The EMPOWER Programme Will Help You:
This isn’t just a yoga training — it’s a complete mind-body transformation that touches every area of your life: your practice, your health, your work, and your purpose. Through EMPOWER™, you’ll:
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Get clear on what you really want from life — on the mat, in your relationships, and in your work — and create a plan to actually get there.
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Build a sustainable, soul-aligned career as a women’s yoga therapist or teacher, doing what you love while earning a fulfilling, steady income.
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Reclaim your energy and vitality through hormone-aware yoga, mindset tools and cyclical living — so you can show up fully for yourself and the women you serve.
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Confidently support women through every stage of life — from menstrual health and fertility to pregnancy, postnatal recovery, and menopause.
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Learn how yoga can complement and alleviate female-specific conditions, including PMS, PMDD, endometriosis, prolapse, and menopausal symptoms.
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Understand why women need a different kind of yoga — one that supports our bodies, hormones, emotions, and nervous systems both on and off the mat.
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Live in tune with your natural cycles and rhythms, honouring your body’s changing needs and learning to teach women to do the same.
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Discover the foundations of female wellness — the BAPs (back, abs and pelvic floor) — and how they underpin strength, hormonal balance and longevity.
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Turn your knowledge into a thriving, ethical business that aligns with your values, lifestyle and financial goals, with ongoing mentorship and support.
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Break through your personal and professional blocks, exceed your goals, and step fully into the confident, grounded, radiant woman you were always meant to be.
Katieanne Duncan-Bruce RYT-300
EMPOWER Graduate Testimonial
"Hi, I’m Katie! Over the past 6 months, I have been undertaking a 300-Hour Yoga Alliance International accredited Women’s Yoga and Empowerment Teacher Training called ‘Empower’.
My background is in the Entertainment industry and I have over a decade of professional experience. Holding a BA(Hons) in Dance, I have worked around the world as a performer as well as in various production and management roles.
However, the proudest yet most significant moment of my life was the birth of my identical twin boys Alfie & Charlie.
The challenges I faced physically and mentally during and after my multiple pregnancies are what drove me to become a yoga teacher. Following my C-Section, I needed a further 2 abdominal surgeries. This saw me dig into the depths of my physical and mental health. I was working full-time as a Dance Teacher & Team Leader in the Central Belt of Scotland. I loved it but thought about expanding my repertoire and had always taken an interest in yoga.
Intuitively, it felt like the correct step to seek out this opportunity and at the perfect time – after relocating to my hometown in the North East of Scotland after 17 years away.
I had heard about Yogabellies many years ago and saw Cheryl & Mike on Dragon’s Den. I was inspired by the business model and had been following them for a while. When I saw ‘Empower’ advertised I looked into it and immediately knew I wanted to add another string to the bow. I wanted to invest in good quality training and the programme was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. The timing was perfect for me! With the course being delivered online, it enabled live interaction with Cheryl from Singapore and other Senior Yogabellies Teachers from across the globe. The final module – Soulful Entrepreneur: Business, Branding, Leadership & Productivity was my favourite. Having Cheryl as a mentor all the way through has been so inspiring and really invaluable. She is so knowledgeable, welcoming and down to earth – a fantastic role model. The training included assignments and assessments, practice teaching, yoga teaching video submissions, modules quizzes, regular yoga practice, completing a reading list and actively working on my personal Empower plan.
I have learned so much during these past 6 months and can’t wait to get started with my plans. I feel confident in what I have learned so far and I’m excited about the future! I hope to start a range of Yogabellies classes in my area as well as launching my own business offering workshops fused with dance and yoga later this year.
I am truly grateful for the experiences and destinations my career has taken me and look forward to this next chapter of my journey. My twin boys are what have shaped me into the person I want to be today and I hope my experiences are what will help my future clients."
More EMPOWER Graduate Testimonials
I can honestly see why the course is called Empower. It’s so inspiring to me as a female. The wealth of information is amazing and will keep me invested to keep learning for years to come! Even if you do not want to teach at the end of it, I’m still on a bit of a journey with this 😊 the things you learn about yourself for your own personal development is great. I love the content. I’m a busy working mum of two kids so i do wish I had more time to spend on the course as I love it but I’m trying to give myself more time for me. That’s one of the things this teaches us. It’s not optional to look after ourselves as women, it’s essential. I’ve loved getting to know Cheryl who I think is the most incredible woman I’ve ever come across and the other ladies who are all so supportive. I just wished we all lived near each other but I’m sure we will all meet in person at some point in the future!
Nicola Emmett EMPOWER Graduate
I enrolled on the course with little yoga experience feeling excited and nervous all in one! The support from Cheryl and the ladies also enrolled is great, we are all learning together.
The course has lots of information and I had a lot to learn, this can be done in my own time which is great around family life and work. I’m so happy I decided to enroll, it’s life-changing! Absolutely amazing!
Want to Know More About What's Covered?
Here's a complete breakdown of the syllabus
Module 1. Empower
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Learn about YogaBellies beginnings and the foundation and theory behind what we do.
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An introduction to working with women, understanding your goals and blocks and overcoming them, creating your life strategy.
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Looking at challenging and changing beliefs: Samskara, Sankalpa, Vikalpa and Vasanas. Releasing Fear & Owning Your Desires. How to deal with the limiting beliefs holding you back from your vision–and put them to bed once and for all!
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Stop holding yourself back. How to release your obvious and not-so-obvious fears and cultivate serious confidence in who you are, what you do and what you desire. This includes examining your purpose and messaging and how to get clarity on your vision.
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Uncover the #1 belief you must cultivate if you want to feel confident in your work and earn what you're worth.
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Explore the basics of Ayurveda for women: The Doshas, practical lifestyle considerations for optimal yoga-living
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Creating a safe container, crafting ritual and holding space for optimal healing for you and your clients
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Learn about The YogaBellies Sadhana, the practice and system we apply throughout the female life stages to optimize our yoga practice for overall wellness and vitality.
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SENSE: Learn about YogaBellies grounding, embodiment and sensory practices, connecting to ourselves and alining with our external nd internal environment, to find equilibrium
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BREATHE: Explore the YogaBellies Key Pranayama practices for women's health
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MOVE: Discover the 29 key YogaBellies Asana, chosen for their therapeutic benefits for women throughout life.
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SLEEP: Uncover YogaBellies unique practice for the deepest level of relaxation. Our blend of self-hypnosis, yoga nidra, affirmations and nada yoga take Savasana to a different level.
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CIRCLE: Understand the importance of ‘the village’ for all women.
Module 2. Cycles and Seasons
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Dive deep into the roots of women in yoga and discover why it's essential that women have a unique yoga practice from men;
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Learn about the role of the Goddess and how we can embrace Maiden, Mother, Enchantress, and Crone archetypes throughout life for our personal empowerment;
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Learn why every female life stage is incredible and how to tune into the positive elements of each;
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Learn about the female reproductive anatomy and the physiology of the menstrual cycle and why this information is important and empowering for all women;
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Understand the influence and relevance of the lunar cycle to the female life and monthly cycles and why tuning into lunar energy can improve our personal wellness and help alleviate symptoms such as insomnia and anxiety;
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Learn how to chart and regulate your menstrual cycle (or the lunar cycle if you don’t menstruate!) and why it’s essential to be aware of where we are at in our cycle;
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Understand the phases of the menstrual and lunar cycles, so that you are able to plan your life around your hormonal peaks and troughs, by tuning into your natural energy levels, instead of fighting against them!
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Learn how to adapt your yoga practice for every stage of the menstrual cycle, so that yoga feels good all month long!;
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Learn yoga asana and practices to aid hormone-related ailments such as cramps; irregular periods; menstrual migraines; irregular periods and mood swings;
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Learn the YogaBellies method (The Sadhana) of Sense Breathe Move Sleep Circle to create (and teach) complete yoga sequences with all of the essential elements required for a therapeutic women's yoga practice;
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Explore how to adopt the correct feminine self-care practices and rituals for each stage of the menstrual cycle;
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Explore the Wheel of the Year and learn how to adapt your yoga practice and lifestyle by living in season;
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You’ll connect with and learn from like-minded women who are ready to embrace a feminine yoga practice as part of the YogaBellies community
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Gain a 50-hour Yoga Alliance International accredited qualification which allows you to teach yoga to and advise women throughout the menstrual cycle
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Be able to upgrade your qualification to the EMPOWER 300 Hour yoga teaching qualification at a later date
Module 3: Embracing the Crone
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Explore the beauty of perimenopause, menopause and what lies beyond. Uncover what women are experiencing at these times, on all levels. Understand the benefits of yoga for menopause and how to work with women to alleviate the most common symptoms.
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Identify the signs and symptoms for each stage of the Menopause and learn yoga practices for relief of symptoms
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Learn about the power of the Crone archetype and how to embrace her power in our everyday life
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Understand the role and importance of hormones in the female lifecycle. Discover how to use yoga to stimulate the endocrine system and balance hormonal fluctuations, not just in menopause, but throughout life.
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Explore the various types of hormone testing available for women and wether they are necessary
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Use the YogaBellies Sadhana of Sense Breath Move Sleep Circle to work with women throughout perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause.
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Explore common female conditions throughout life and key risk factors for women as they age. Learn what adjustments we can make to our yoga practice to benefit our clients.
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Understanding female anatomy and physiology as related to menopause and learning the BAPs practices. Discover the importance of working in the correct way with the BAPs (back, abs and pelvic floor) during menopause to strengthen the key seat of women's health
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Exploring hormone-balancing nutrition and self-care for Menopause and living a hormone-healthy lifestyle, including aromatherapy, herbs and supplements for optimal health
Module 4. Birthing the Mother
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The unique, world-renowned YogaBellies for Pregnancy Sadhana or method, which helps mothers have an optimal pregnancy and comfortable birth.
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Yoga practices, meditation and self-care that is not only safe but therapeutic for pregnancy and birth. YogaBellies only uses postures and practices specifically beneficial for pregnant women.
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How to approach pregnancy naturally and give mum and baby the best possible chance for optimal health throughout.
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Prepare for a fast and comfortable birth, free from fear and anxiety and learn positions and practices for natural birthing.
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Find out about what to expect for mum and baby, the incredible journey of psychological and physiological changes that a woman travels , guided each step of the way by world-class experts in prenatal yoga and wellness.
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How to pregnancy-related alleviate ailments such as morning sickness; SPD and sciatica and more, using your YogaBellies practice.
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Anatomy and physiology during pregnancy, how organs function during pregnancy, an overview of the complications, including miscarriage, premature labour, hypertension, preeclampsia and body mechanics.
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Examine the incredible journey of psychological and physiological changes that a woman travels during pregnancy and childbirth. Human anatomy and physiology (both physical and subtle body) related specifically to considerations during pregnancy.
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Dive into the female reproductive system and the YogaBellies BAP's philosophy, that women must maintain the integrity of the Back, Abs and Pelvic Floor, during pregnancy and beyond.
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Find out how holistic birthing practices, nutrition, and supplementary treatments can benefit your clients during pregnancy and birth
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YogaBellies SLEEP practices (our blend of self-hypnosis, yoga nidra and nada yoga) for pregnancy, that will help relax and destress your clients from conception to birth
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This is a guided deep-dive into living a yoga lifestyle for pregnancy and birth.
Module 5: Mother and Child
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Learn everything you need to know about postpartum anatomy and physiology. What is mum going through at every stage of the fourth trimester and beyond emotionally, physically and spiritually.
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Use the YogaBellies Sadhana of Sense Breath Move Sleep Circle to work with postpartum mum - with and without baby.
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Principles of postnatal recovery (core-realignment, pelvic joint stabilization and decompression of the spine, by means of gentle isotonic stretches using deep abdominal breathing and some bandhas)
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Progression of Asanas after childbirth. Simple teaching points ensure safe transition from yoga class to home practice, applicable to both experienced yogini and women new to yoga.
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Postnatal relaxation with baby and without baby: integration of the birth experience; postnatal self-nurturing practices; principles of integrative relaxation and self-referral for calming self and baby
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Postnatal yoga to address common complaints (weak pelvic floor, instability of pelvic joints, lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain, split abdominal muscles
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Explore the powerful journey into motherhood and the psychological and physiological changes that a woman goes through after childbirth.
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Understand the critical stages of post-natal recovery and the key health themes of the fourth trimester. Identify key risk factors to look out for in class; what changes mum should expect and what adjustments we can make to benefit mother become comfortable in her new post-partum body.
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Learn about the importance of healthy BAPs (back, abs and pelvic floor) in the postnatal period and how to begin safely working with these key areas for full recovery. Learn about core activation and working with Diastasis Recti.
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Learn the yogabellies SLEEP practices (our blend of self-hypnosis, yoga nidra and nada yoga) beneficial for mum AND baby, to allow the deepest levels of relaxation and rejuvenation.
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Explore YogaBellies baby yoga postures for infants and toddlers to incorporate into your class: Why they are beneficial and how they can assist their growth, development and overall health.
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Become a qualified YogaBellies NURTURE/Baby Massage Instructor , looking at how baby massage benefits both mum and baby and how to teach a class
Module 6. Soulful Entrepreneur
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Embrace a positive money mindset and become comfortable with charging what you are worth
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Craft your personal vision for life, your mission statement and create a clear business plan
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How to create your soulful brand identity and how to get your message to the right people
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Identify 'your tribe,' uncover why they love you and differentiate your teaching to make an impact
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How to create your 'Signature Offer' and a bespoke range of classes, services or products around that
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Implement the Basic Funnel of Know. Like. Trust.
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How I create kick-ass Lead Magnets to build my email list.
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My business tool Rolodex: My best practices, apps, tools, and project management systems
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Discover how to be your best self on social media: be authentic, knowledgeable and effective
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Create an actionable plan for your yoga business, eliminate overwhelm and make things happen
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How to create an online 'funnel' to promte and sell your offerings, from classes to products. Create a lead magnet, tripwire and core offering. Cheryl will take you step-by-step how to earn money from your yoga business while you sleep!
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Align your business with your core values and cement your place as an expert in your field
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Learn everything else you ever need to know about a successful yoga business in these 121 sessions
Get The Support You Need To Run Your Yoga Business
One to one therapy, group classes, online and more
Whether you’re a brand-new yoga teacher or you’ve been teaching for years, you'll benefit from Cheryl's 20 years of yoga business experience.
Established for 20 years as one of the world's leading yoga collectives for women, multiple yoga and business award winner, Cheryl will support you on your yoga business journey.
This programme gives you an immediate head start with your women’s yoga business by providing you with an established women's yoga qualification as backing for your yoga business and classes.
How Does EMPOWER Training Work?
The EMPOWER™ Plan
Your journey begins with clarity. Together, we’ll help you identify what you really want from your life — personally, professionally and spiritually — and we’ll use that as your roadmap throughout the programme.
Your EMPOWER™ Plan becomes your anchor, helping you get exactly what you need from the training.
Pre-Recorded Live Sessions & Expert Masterclasses
You’ll have access to over 90 hours of recordings from live trainings and guest expert sessions — featuring specialists such as cardiologists, physiotherapists, nutritionists, weight management experts, and female sexuality coaches.
Every session was originally delivered live — so you get the full experience and wisdom of interactive learning, without needing to show up at a set time.
You can stream the videos on our training platform or app, or even download them to watch offline on your laptop, TV or tablet — perfect for busy women on the go.
Handbooks, Manuals & Class Plans
Each module comes with a comprehensive handbook, plus the complete YogaBellies® Asana Manual, which includes adaptions for every female life stage and common women’s health condition.
Online Learning at Your Own Pace
You’ll receive:
🩷 30+ hours of recorded YogaBellies® classes to observe, study and practice
🩷 60+ hours of video lectures, asana breakdowns and anatomy tutorials
🩷 Lifetime access to all materials, so you can revisit the content anytime
🩷 Bonus hormone-balancing recipe book and meal plans to support your personal health throughout the journey
Everything is hosted on our user-friendly online platform (and mobile app), so you can access the course anywhere, anytime — no fixed schedules, no pressure, no overwhelm.
Assignments & Assessment
To qualify for your 300-Hour Yoga Alliance International certification, you’ll complete a series of practical and reflective tasks designed to help you embody your learning:
Practice teaching videos
Online module quizzes
Yoga and menstrual/moon cycle practice logs
Assigned readings and reflections
Your personal EMPOWER™ Life & Business Plan
This is a self-paced, flexible certification — but still with clear guidance and accountability to ensure your success.
Final Integration: Your Personal Life & Business Plan
In your final month, you’ll review your original goals and create a powerful, personalised roadmap for your life and business.
You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your strengths, your direction, and a grounded plan to grow your wellness work — all while maintaining your own health and balance.
Support & Community
You’ll have access to a private online forum where you can connect with fellow EMPOWER™ students and YogaBellies® teachers worldwide. It’s a welcoming, judgment-free space to ask questions, share progress and stay motivated.
While this version of EMPOWER™ is entirely self-led (reflected in the course price), you can also book optional 1:1 mentorship sessions with Cheryl if you’d like personalised guidance during your journey.
⚡ EMPOWER™ Training Format at a Glance
| 💠 | Details |
|---|---|
| ⏰ Duration | 3–6 months (with up to 12 months total access) |
| 💻 Format | 100% online, self-paced learning |
| 🎥 Content | 90+ hours of recorded training, expert masterclasses & practice videos |
| 📱 Access | Desktop, tablet or mobile app — stream or download anytime |
| 🧘♀️ Resources | Handbooks, asana manuals, class plans, recipe guides & more |
| 🌍 Community | Private online forum for students & YogaBellies® teachers |
| 💬 Support | Optional 1:1 mentorship with Cheryl available |
EMPOWER Course Curriculum
View the contents of each module below
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Welcome! START HERE
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How to Master the EMPOWER Journey: Where Everything Is and How It Works
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An Overview of Your Attendance and Assignments
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Reading and Teaching Kit Lists
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Track Your Unique Journey
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Your EMPOWER Plan
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Empower Live Classes Video Vault
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Welcome!
FREE PREVIEW -
Module 1 Handbook
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The YogaBellies Sadhana
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An Overview of the Koshas
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SENSE: Yogaroma
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SENSE: Nada Yoga and Sacred Sound
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BREATHE: The Sadhana
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BREATHE: The Respiratory Diaphragm
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MOVE: The Sadhana
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MOVE: YogaBellies Asana Manual
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MOVE: Asana Categories
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MOVE: Cheryl's Overview of the 29 Asana
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MOVE: The 29 YogaBellies Asana Individual Instructional Videos
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SLEEP: The Sadhana
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Session Replay Video: Luna Class with SYT Siobhan
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Assessment Module 1
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Assignment: Module 1 Feedback Form
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OMWork Further Study and Reflection
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Welcome!
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Vikalpas and Releasing Your Limiting Beliefs
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Yoga for Dosha Balancing
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Workbook: Vikalpas, Your Limiting Beliefs and Tapping Into Your Divine Purpose
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Ayurvedic Diet and Lifestyle
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Living Your Yoga: An Introduction to Ayurveda and Doshas
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OMWork Further Study and Reflection
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Welcome!
FREE PREVIEW -
Module 2 Seasons and Cycles Handbook
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HERStory and The Triple Goddess
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Quiz: Which Goddess Archetype Do You Embody?
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Webinar Replay: Why The Right Yoga Practice Has Extra Benefits for Women
FREE PREVIEW -
Is Your Menstrual Cycle Normal? Quiz
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Menstrual Physiology
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Female Monthly Cycles and The Moon
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The Menstrual Cycle: An overview of the physical, spiritual and archetypal meanings of your cycle
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Syncing Your Menstrual Cycle with The Lunar Cycle
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Charting the Eleven Moon Centres
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Yoga Throughout the Stages of the Menstrual Cycle: Walk through of the Asana
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Asana Modifications and Recommendations Throughout the Menstrual Cycle
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Adapting Your Yoga Practice Throughout the Month: Additional Pointers
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Yoga and Self-Care During Menstruation
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Quick Reference: Modifications for The Menstrual Cycle
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YogaBellies Seed Cycling Cheat Sheet
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Yin & Yang
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An Introduction to Seasonal Yoga
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Seasonal Yoga
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The Wheel of the Year
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Solstices
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Adapting Your Yoga Practice By The Wheel of The Year
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What Is Luna by YogaBellies?
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Watch Live YogaBellies LUNA Classes in Action
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Recap with Cheryl: Seasons and Cycles
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OMwork, further reflection and study
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Assessment Module 2
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Assignment: Video Submission
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Assignment: Feedback on Seasons and Cycles
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Assignment: Submit Review of The Yoga Life Journal
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Welcome!
FREE PREVIEW -
Module 3 Handbook
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The Power of Menopause
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Is This Menopause?
FREE PREVIEW -
What Are Hormones and How Yoga Can Help to Balance Them
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Yoga Practices to Stimulate the Endocrine System and Impact Hormones
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Are You Suffering From (Peri) Menopause Symptoms?
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Is Hormone Testing Necessary? (video)
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YogaBellies Guide to Hormone Testing - Everything you need to know in a Handbook
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Why Yoga Is So Incredible As Women Age
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The Stages of Menopause and What Happens
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The YogaBellies Sadhana for The Stages of Menopause
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MOVE: Therapeutic Asana and Modifications for Menopause with Ellie
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Reference Table: Yoga for Menopause Asana Modifications and Recommendations
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Common Female Conditions
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Female Anatomy and Pysiology
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All About the BAPs (Back, Abs and Pelvic Floor)
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The Core and Back
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The Respiratory Diaphragm
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Vaginal Atrophy
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Embracing a Hormone Healthy Lifestyle: Endocrine Disruptors and Eating for Hormonal Health
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Herbal Remedies and Supplements for Menopause
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Aromatherapy for Menopause
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GUEST SPEAKER REPLAY: DR MIKE MACDONALD: A Cardiologist Guide to Longevity and Wellness in Women
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Watch LIVE CorePlay Classes in Action
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CorePlay Class Run-through with SYT Ellie
FREE PREVIEW -
Recap with Cheryl: Menopause
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Assessment Module 3
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Assignment: Video Submission
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Assignment: What Did You Think of Module 3 Embracing the Crone?
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OMWork and Further Reflections
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Welcome!
FREE PREVIEW -
Module 4 Handbook
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The Female Reproductive System
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Overview of The Trimesters of Pregnancy
FREE PREVIEW -
Contraindictions for Exercise in Pregnancy
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Pre-existing Health Conditions and Pregnancy
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An Introduction to Yoga and Pregnancy
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SENSE in Pregnancy
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BREATHE: Pranayama for Pregnancy and Birth
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BREATHE: YogaBellies Breathing Practices for Pregnancy and Birth (videos)
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MOVE: Practice Considerations Through The Trimesters of Pregnancy
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MOVE: Adapting Yoga for Pregnancy: Discussion and Class Runthrough
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MOVE: Adapting Your Yoga Practice During Pregnancy
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MOVE: Therapeutic Asana and Modifications for Pregnancy
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MOVE: YogaBellies for Pregnancy DVD Sequence Breakdown
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MOVE: Asanas for Pregnancy Modifications: Quick Reference Guide
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MOVE: Checking for Diastasis Recti (video)
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MOVE: YogaBellies for the Pelvic Floor
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MOVE: YogaBellies Pregnancy Yoga Sequences Quick Reference
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SLEEP: Deep Relaxation in Pregnancy
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Holistic Remedies for Common Pregnancy Complaints
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BIRTH: YogaBellies Guide to Birth Preparation
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BIRTH: Preparing for Birth (video)
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BIRTH: Alternative Wellness Trends in Pregnancy and Birthing
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Recap with Cheryl: Pregnancy and Birth
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Watch YogaBellies for Pregnancy Live Class Videos
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Assessment Module 4
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Assignment: Video Submission
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Assignment: Review Module 4 Birthing the Mother
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Assignment: Submit Reviews of YogaBellies for Pregnancy and Birth ROCKS Books
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OMWork and Further Reflections
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About this course
- 205 lessons
Regular Price
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Access to ALL Course Content Immediately
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FREE Yoga Teaching Foundations Course
£3497
Pay Over 6 Months
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Access Module 1 Immediately on Sign Up
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Access Module Content Monthly Over 6 Months
£639 per month x 6
FAQ
Got More Questions? We Have Answers
🏡 Where does the EMPOWER™ training take place?
The EMPOWER™ 300-Hour Women’s Yoga Therapist Training is 100% online and completely self-paced.
You’ll have 12 months total access to all course materials and recordings, although most students complete the training comfortably in 3–6 months.
Once you enrol, you get immediate access to everything — including video modules, pre-recorded expert sessions, handbooks, and downloadable resources. You can study anytime, anywhere, from your laptop, phone, or even our dedicated mobile app.
All content is professionally filmed and divided into bite-sized, easy-to-follow lessons, so you can fit your learning around work, family, and life.
🎥 How is the EMPOWER™ training delivered?
You’ll move through a mix of:
Pre-recorded training videos and live-session recordings (90+ hours total)
Handbooks and class plans for every module
Guided self-practice and reflection exercises
Assignments, reading lists, and optional assessments
A private online community forum where you can connect with other women taking EMPOWER™
Everything is designed to give you the same depth and connection of in-person learning, but with total flexibility and freedom.
🌸 Do I need to be a yoga teacher or have a 200-Hour YTT already?
No, absolutely not. You do not need a previous yoga qualification to join EMPOWER™.
Many of our students join for personal growth, healing, or professional development in other fields (e.g. midwifery, therapy, coaching, physiotherapy, fitness, or women’s health).
If you don’t already hold a 200-hour yoga teacher certification, we’ll give you extra reading and practice guidance, plus the option to complete our Yoga Foundations course to fill in any gaps.
🎓 What exactly is a 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training?
Think of EMPOWER™ as a Master’s-level qualification in women’s yoga therapy and feminine wellness.
Unlike traditional 300-hour YTTs that focus mainly on asana and philosophy, EMPOWER™ integrates:
Yoga for every female life stage (menstrual, fertility, pregnancy, postnatal, menopause)
Female anatomy, hormones, and psychology
Psychotherapeutic tools and mindset work
Women’s health and wellbeing education
Business and marketing mentorship
It’s a comprehensive professional and personal transformation programme — blending yoga therapy, science, and psychology into one life-changing qualification.
🧘♀️ What’s the difference between a 200-Hour and 300-Hour training?
A 200-hour training covers the basics of teaching general Hatha yoga.
EMPOWER™, on the other hand, goes far beyond that. You’ll not only learn to teach yoga for women at every stage of life, but you’ll also gain tools in hormonal health, therapeutic yoga, somatic psychology, cyclical living, and business mastery.
In short — if a 200-hour course is like a Bachelor’s Degree, EMPOWER™ is your Master’s.
👩🏫 Who is EMPOWER™ for?
EMPOWER™ is for women who are ready to step into their purpose — whether that’s deepening their personal practice or turning their passion into a career.
It’s perfect for:
Yoga teachers wanting to specialise in women’s yoga therapy
Therapists, midwives, doulas, nurses, and wellness professionals
Fitness and pilates instructors working with women’s health
Women craving personal transformation and community
Anyone ready to build a business that aligns with their body, values, and feminine energy
📄 Will I receive a certificate after completing the training?
Yes — on completion, you’ll receive triple accreditation:
YogaBellies® Certified Teacher – EMPOWER™ 300 Hours
Yoga Alliance International – 300-Hour Women’s Yoga Therapist Certification
World Yoga Federation Approval
If you join any of the 50-Hour Mini Courses, you’ll also receive a downloadable YogaBellies® certificate for that module, which counts as credits towards your 300-hour EMPOWER™ qualification (valid for up to 3 years).
⏰ How long will it take to complete?
You can move through EMPOWER™ entirely at your own pace.
Most students complete the training in 3–6 months, but you’ll have 12 full months of access to revisit materials, refresh your skills, and continue deepening your practice.
🌍 Can I take EMPOWER™ if I live in another country or time zone?
Yes! EMPOWER™ is completely online and designed for global access.
We already have students from the UK, Singapore, Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, and Dubai, all working through the course at their own pace. Time zones don’t matter — you can log in anytime.
💬 Will I get one-to-one access to Cheryl?
EMPOWER™ is a fully pre-recorded and self-paced programme, allowing you to study when it suits you.
However, Cheryl offers optional 1:1 mentorship sessions if you’d like personalised support during your journey.
💻 Is online training really effective?
Absolutely. EMPOWER™ was designed to be a deep, embodied, and interactive online experience, combining pre-recorded teachings, expert masterclasses, and guided practices that you can revisit anytime.
You’ll have ongoing access to a private forum, downloadable resources, and lifetime access to key materials — so you can return to the content again and again as you evolve.
Online training also saves you the cost and logistics of travel or accommodation while giving you a richer, more flexible learning experience.
💰 How much does the EMPOWER™ Programme cost?
The full EMPOWER™ 300-Hour Women’s Yoga Therapist Programme costs £1,997, which includes 12 months of access to all online materials, resources, and recordings.
We also offer a 3-part payment plan (or 6-month plan during promos) so you can spread the cost easily.
🌺 Can I join individual modules instead?
Yes! You can take individual 50-Hour Specialist Women’s Yoga Courses (e.g. Pregnancy, Menopause, or Menstrual Yoga) as stand-alone trainings.
These are also accredited by Yoga Alliance International, and each includes a downloadable certificate that can later be counted as credits towards the full EMPOWER™ qualification (within 3 years).
🔖 Is YogaBellies a franchise?
No — YogaBellies® is no longer a franchise.
We now offer stand-alone trainings and qualifications with no ongoing fees, restrictions or licensing commitments. You have total freedom to teach, build your own brand, and create the business you want.
