-200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training- 

​We’re so excited to introduce The Empowerment Studio @ SSYN 200-hour YTT, led by Tessa Mazzeo,
Olivia Bumpus, and Liz Johnson. Each came to yoga in their own way but share a deep love and
enthusiasm for the practice. Creating this training has been a passion project —using their collective
knowledge to develop something truly special.
Some highlights of our curriculum:
- Physiology and biomechanics of yoga asana
- Contraindications and modifications
- Essential and creative use of props
- Smart and creative sequencing
- Effective cueing and honing your voice
​- History and evolution of yoga
- Yoga philosophy
- Creating a welcoming and inclusive teaching environment
- Verbal and hands-on adjustments
- Pranayama and breathwork
- Business of yoga

meet your teachers:

Olivia Bumpus

Olivia teaches smart and challenging vinyasa classes infused with a welcoming energy, lots of curiosity and play, and plenty of modifications to make the practice accessible for all. Her classes draw influence from the movement modalities that she’s grown to love and are threaded with subtle Dharma as a reminder to care for and connect with the self.
Favorite pose: Adho Mukha Vrksasana (handstand) 
Most challenging pose: Sarvangasana (shoulderstand)
Olivia has been practicing for over ten years and has nearly 700 hours of training under her belt. Always a student, she continues to deepen her yoga studies and learn from her senior teachers as much as possible, including Nikki Vilella, Giulia Pline, Tim Kelleher, Emily Jonas, Renee LeBlanc and Caitlyn Visconte. As a teacher she feels honored to observe and learn from the wisdom of her students every day.

Tessa Mazzo 

Tessa is a student first and a teacher second. She loves learning all she can about the practice of yoga and bringing all of her knowledge to her classes in a fun and dynamic way. Her classes honor the Yin and the Yang of yoga; incorporating elements of power and strength balanced by ease and relaxation. ​
​Favorite pose:  I can't pick one! 
Most challenging pose: depends on the day ​
Tessa completed her 200 hour RYT  with Stacey Bell and Carrie Parker-Gasteleu as well as her 30 hour Yin certification with Deb Donnelly and Crystal Paone of Yinside Yoga. She deepened her knowledge even further, completing a 100 hour certification with Brittany Messuti and Jessie Shapiro.  She is currently completing her 300 hour RYT She can’t wait to see you on the mat!  When she is not on her mat, she is cross-fitting, playing with her puppies and bird or reading

Liz Johnson

Liz teaches cheerful, flow-focused vinyasa classes that build strength while linking movement with breath, a connection that she has found to be wildly centering. She was introduced to yoga after graduating college, and consider her background in gymnastics and collegiate cheerleading (Go RU!), she was hooked. She loves that it’s an infinite invitation for self-exploration and is continuously amazed at the opportunities it offers for the mind to grow and the body to strengthen. 
Favorite pose: Astavakrasana (Eight Angle Pose)
 Most challenging pose: Garudasana (Eagle pose)​
Liz is 500-hr RYT.  She has studied with  MJ Turnbull,  Thomas Paniconi, Meg Soucy, and Maria Stavropoulos. She’s also heavily immersed in the world of holistic health, currently completing her Integrative Health Practitioner certification. As a “Manifesting Generator,” she loves to do EVERYTHING, from voice overs, hitting the slopes to learning new things.
"Plenty of individual attention and mentorship will be available for each student to make sure that you feel confident and supported every step of this journey. We know that there’s a lot to learn in a teacher training, but our structure is developed to help you feel inspired by this, not overwhelmed, the whole way.
The decision to commit to a yoga teacher training is a big one, and you may be putting some thought into whether it’s the right time, the right choice, the right path…We’ve been in your shoes. All three of us can say with certainty that our YTT experiences were transformative, and we’re
forever grateful for them. We hope that if you join us, your experience is just as wonderful. If you feel called to this training, please reach out with any questions you may have. We’d be honored to be a part of this new chapter of yours."
​                                    - Liz, Olivia & Tessa

Dates & Additional Information

Investment & Details:
Training 2025 Info Released Soon
Dates:
Fall 2025-Spring 2026
Released Soon
Graduation requirements:
To receive a diploma and letter of completion, you must have all required hours complete, quizzes &
homework complete and pass the final practicum. Although this is an in person training, As long as it has
been pre-arranged, there will be the option to zoom into class on an as needed basis. Any in-person
requirements that are missed will need to be made up at a mutually convenient time with one of our
teachers. Please note that we will do our best to accommodate but there may be the need for an
additional cost to the trainee.

Attendance Policies:
We understand that life happens, and therefore have developed flexible policies so that you can complete your training regardless of sickness, familial obligation, moving or other hurdles. 
You may miss and make up for no more than 50 hours of in-person training sessions. It is up to you to arrange either zoom-in or make up the session with one of your trainers. If you miss sessions without making arrangements with a trainer, you will not graduate from the program and will not be issued a refund. 
Makeup Options: 
via Zoom:
  • If an obligation has you out of town, but you are still available, you may tune in  to the training online via Zoom. This must be arranged ahead of time with one of your course trainers. Note that only a max of 50 hours may be completed via zoom. 
Written assignment:
  • If you are unable to attend a session in-person or virtually, you may request to have the session recorded. You will then watch the recorded training session and provide a summary of the topics covered as a written assignment, due before the next session. This must be arranged ahead of time as not all sessions will be recorded. 
Private session: 
  • If desired, you may arrange a private sessions with one of your trainers at the cost of $150 per hour. The amount of time needed to cover an entire weekend of training is up to your trainer, depending on the topics missed.