The New Dharma Institute
About The New Dharma Institute
Sugar Mountain Yoga Teacher Training
Offered through the Yoga Institute of the Berkshires
A 200-Hour Yoga Alliance–Approved Program in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts
This comprehensive, alignment-based, and philosophy-intensive training is rooted in the rich lineage of non-dual Śaiva Tantra and modern science. Designed for both aspiring teachers and dedicated practitioners, the program honors yoga as a transformational path for householders navigating a complex, ever-changing world.
Key Features of Our Professional & Comprehensive Curriculum
Accredited 200-Hour Curriculum aligned with Yoga Alliance standards
Rooted in the Six Nested Layers of the Self, a Tantrik framework for embodied transformation
Loop-and-Spiral Educational Design to ensure deep integration and retention of key teachings
Anatomy & Physiology Series with focus on functional anatomy, nervous system regulation, and women’s reproductive health taught by a doctorate in physiology
Extensive Study of Yoga Philosophy, including Yoga Sutras, non-dual Śaiva Tantra, and Ayurveda
Daily Practices of Asana, Pranayama, Meditation, and Mantra, woven with neuroscience-informed sequencing and trauma-sensitive teaching methods
Required Homework and Journaling, including a dedicated practice journal for personal growth
Training in Accessibility, Inclusivity, and Real-World Application, including adaptive yoga and scope of practice
Guided Practicum and Mentorship, to prepare you to teach with integrity, confidence, and compassion
A Supportive, Intimate Learning Environment in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains
Our Experienced Faculty
Kat Whitney, Ed.M
Founder + Lead Trainer
Kat holds a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, with a background in teaching, curriculum development, and developmental neurobiology. With over 35 years of yoga practice and 25 years of teaching experience, she has served as lead teacher or core faculty on eight yoga teacher trainings. Her teaching blends neuroscience, somatics, classical yogic wisdom, and modern pedagogical precision to support embodied transformation.
Dr. Stephen Trumble, PhD
Guest Faculty – Anatomy & Physiology
Stephen is a university professor with a PhD in Comparative Physiology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. With over 15 years of teaching experience at the college level and an Olympic-level track star, his work bridges biology, movement science, and evolutionary anatomy. His engaging, accessible teaching style empowers students to understand how yoga functions in real human systems — from breath and stress regulation to structural integrity and aging physiology.
And other guest teachers and faculty as available
Personal Experience: Our Offer to YOU
One of the most profound and joyful experiences of your life
An experience of the power of joy, celebration, and laughter in the learning process
An honoring of the abundance and beauty already present in your life and practice
Rigorous and compassionate support on your path of discovery
Masterful access to all the tools of yoga that are both ancient and modern, practical and profound
An awakening of your capacity for loving-kindness and radical compassion through self-awareness and respect for the dharma of others
Meaningful, lifelong friendships and a sense of true sangha
The discovery that your true self is a gift to all beings, a source of ananda (bliss) in the world
Whether you intend to teach or deepen your personal practice, you will emerge with lifelong tools to navigate life skillfully, share yoga authentically, and serve others from a place of joy, clarity, and love.
Programs offered
Upcoming cohorts
| Program | Start | End | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RYS 200 | 2025-09-12 | 2026-06-07 | — |
What they teach
Meet the team
Student reviews
Rated but no written review.
The New Dharma Institute is an absolutely incredible institution rooted in deeply powerful education. The curriculum is highly intelligent, carrying its students through an organic progression of deep dive study and expansion. The emphasis on principles of alignment, sequencing and anatomy provide a very strong foundation for students early in their teaching journey and those who have been teaching for years alike. This program provided me with a deeply integrated understanding of both asana and philosophy that is truly authentic. The teaching was intimate, thorough and attentive, this program was clearly a true offering of teachings, not just a run-of-the-mill training. Every student was important, no one was left behind, everyone was supported and pushed equally. The progression felt challenging and rich but absolutely manageable. I had an amazing experience studying with The New Dharma Institute. I am leaving with an incredible foundation, confidence in my teaching and hunger for more exploration. I cannot recommend this place of study and expansion highly enough. Thank you, New Dharma!