200-Hour Training

“This class did miles more than teach me how to be a yoga instructor; it opened the physical, mental and spiritual world of yoga to show the all-encompassing nature of the practice. Michael and Donna are both steeped in a lifetime of practice on all three levels and deliver what they know with a deep interest in nourishing you in every way. I wish the class hadn’t ended.” –Megan

“This training program was extremely thorough in breadth and depth, covering yoga history, the sutras, meditation, chanting, asanas, and class planning as well as special modules like pre-natal, restorative yoga, ayurveda and injury prevention. The two lead teachers (Michael Aronoff and Donna Coogan) brought a wealth of knowledge from their own extensive training and experience, which enhanced the modules greatly. The modules built sequentially over the course of the training program, creating a strong foundation for us as we worked toward leading our own classes. Michael and Donna were always available outside of the training program to answer questions, offer extra help, etc. I highly recommend this wonderful program! It was a wonderful, deep personal journey and has trained me well to be a yoga teacher.” –Alice

“Michael and Donna exceeded my expectations for the teacher training. They taught with great passion as they shared their extensive knowledge of the history of yoga, meditation techniques, chants, yoga sutras, the importance and role of breath, the physical practice and detailed instruction on proper alignment, anatomy and so much more… Throughout the training, they took great care and concern that we understood what we learned before delving deeper into a topic or proceeding and were always available for questions, or concerns. I feel confident in being able to teach with what I’ve learned from both of them.” –Elvira

About the Teachers:

Michael Aronoff is the founder of Awaken Yoga and Meditation Center located in Greenlawn, NY within the town of Huntington. He has been studying yoga and meditation for over 35 years and began teaching meditation in the late 70’s. He met his first guru, Sri Chinmoy, in 1978 and began studying zen meditation with John Daido Loori, abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in 1990.

Michael became a formal student of the MRO in 1995 and took jukai (Buddhist precepts) in 1998 receiving the name “Kenjo”. He has studied yoga with many of today’s modern masters. These include Beryl Bender Birch, David Swenson, Sri Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India, and Shiva Rea.

Michael has received teachings from His Holiness The Dalai Lama in Dharmsala, India and Thich Nat Hahn in Plum Village, France. He has taught at workshops and teacher trainings throughout the US. While maintaining a consistent meditation and yoga practice for most of his life, Michael raised four sons and ran his own law practice. In 2004 Michael gave up the practice of law to devote himself to teaching yoga and meditation full-time.