ABOUT THE TRAINING:

With 10 years experience and having led over 25 200hr yoga teacher training programs, Yoga Academy International is considered one of the world’s best yoga teacher trainings.  Whether you’re new to yoga or you’ve been practicing for ages, this is the next step…

You want to dive deeper, you want to learn more about your own mind-body connection, get to know yourself better. You want to learn about muscles, yoga posture alignment, yoga philosophy. You want to live by the beach.  You want to be outside and active every day, you want to eat delicious healthy food. You want to be in a community of other like-minded travellers… you have come to the right place!

WHEN YOU GRADUATE OUR PROGRAM YOU WILL BE CERTIFIED TO TEACH YOGA ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF YOGA ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL 200HR TEACHER TRAINING:

  • Small class sizes
  • Gorgeous training lcoation
  • Many teachers, many styles
  • Focus on personal growth
  • Highest standard of yoga education globally

YOGA ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL’S ACCREDITED 200HR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM HAS BEEN RANKED AS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

OUR STUDENTS HAVE DESCRIBED OUR TRAINING AS “LIFE CHANGING!”, “PARADISE” AND “THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!”.

The course:

In this yoga teacher training you'll learn about...

  • Physical yoga practice principles, posture breakdown and alignment
  • Anatomy for yoga teachers & injury prevention
  • Yoga history & philosophy
  • The eight limbs of yoga
  • Pranayama, yoga breathwork 
  • Meditation
  • Mantras
  • Yoga lifestyle & ethics
  • The business of yoga
  • Marketing & social media skills

While our yoga teacher training is vinyasa based, you’ll also get to experience other styles of yoga like Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Kundalini Yoga and Ashtanga yoga. 

Deepen your UNDERSTANDING OF THE Postures, anatomy, LIFESTYLE and PHILOSOPHY AOF YOGA.

Take this course for you! Yes, you will learn so much about yoga alignment and theory, but we also place a BIG focus on personal growth and getting to know yourself better! You’ll learn alignment of yoga postures, adjustments, and how to effectively guide your future students. You’ll also learn tools to better your own life, on and off the mat so that you can live more passionately and authentically. 

Our graduates have gone on to teach yoga internationally, lead retreats, open their own studios and work with huge wellness industry brands. About 50% of our students simply take this training to learn more about yoga, get to know themselves better and get a much needed break to reassess where they are at in life.

We promise to nurture and support you toward becoming the happiest you have ever been. Our caring team of teachers provides a compassionate and safe space for you to explore your own yoga evolution. We have decades of yoga, movement, mindfulness and meditation experience.  We are here for you so that you can thrive, providing you with a safe and loving space every step of the way.

Our 200hr yoga teacher training is internationally recognized and yoga alliance registered.

Course Highlights:

  • Yoga posture alignment
  • Yoga philosophy & ethics
  • Anatomy
  • Teaching methods
  • Leadership skills
  • Meditation & Mindfulness
  • Injury prevention
  • Sequencing & class structure
  • Business of yoga, marketing & social media skills

Transform your life in 3 weeks!

YAI's 200hr yoga teacher training is perhaps the best investment I ever made in myself. The container they created to open up, be vulnerable, and allow myself to be exposed and loved because of who I am underneath my filters and masks...that is a rare gift in our world. I stretched and grew and softened and learned and made lifelong memories and friends. If you're unsure, afraid, or a little uncertain about where you are in life and if this school is for you...take the plunge.
Estevan Jimenez
U.S.A

daily schedule:

 

  • 7:00 – 8:30am Led yoga practice
  • 8:30 – 9am meditation
  • Breakfast break
  • 10am – 1pm Yoga Theory
  • Lunch break
  • 3:30pm – 5:30pm Workshops, Teaching Practice, Communication skills
  • sunset break
  • 6:00-7:30pm Evening satsang, philosophy & ethics
  • 7:30pm dinner

Our schedule is 5 days on 1 day off.  Days off are so you can relax, enjoy and explore. Take surf lessons, go zip lining, take a boat trip, go horseback riding, get a massage, or simply laze by the pool.

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Awaken your intuition.
ignite your passion & creativity. 
Live in joy.

" THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN A COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS OF MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT. WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY TEACHERS AND FELLOW STUDENTS, WHOM I'VE FORMED LIFE LONG BONDS, I FOUND A STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE I NEVER KNEW I HAD. I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT YOGA ASANAS AND PHILOSOPHY, ANATOMY, SEQUENCING AND TEACHING TECHNIQUES. I FEEL CONFIDENT NOW TO BEGIN MY JOURNEY AS A YOGA TEACHER, BUT THE LESSONS GO SO MUCH DEEPER. THERE ISN'T A SINGLE ASPECT OF MY LIFE THAT WILL GO UNTOUCHED BY THE PERSONAL GROWTH I'VE EXPERIENCED. IT WAS LIFE CHANGING!"
uplift your yoga career kim wozencroft
Kim Wozencroft-Miller
Canada

Location

3 weeks in paradise...

Our 200hr yoga teacher training takes place at a completely private, retreat centre ON THE BEACH in Popoyo, a world famous surf destination. The beach goes on for miles and it is really a picture of paradise. Pristine, tranquil and with some of the best sunsets you’ll ever see in your life. 

We’re just 3hrs from the Costa Rica (LIR) airport.  Our location is gorgeous, safe and secure. You can walk from the Shala right out on to the sands of the Pacific Coast of Guasacate Beach, and surf right out front! There’s a yoga Shala, pool, philosophy space, dining area and big, modern rooms for our students. It’s super cute! 

Location highlights:

  • Beach front
  • Cute town with great restaurants close by
  • SUPER safe area
  • Private retreat centre
  • Huge pool

 

GETTING HERE: There are many options for getting to us. You can fly into Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) airport or Managua, Nicaragua (MGA) and we can have our retreat center partners arrange your transfer to us.  Once you register for the up you’ll receive more info on getting here. Our partners at the retreat center can also help you with transport to us!

One of the most highly recognized and respected trainings worldwide!

Support:  

 

We always have at least 3 but usually 4-6 teachers at EVERY 200hr yoga teacher training. We take a maximum of 16 people! We believe in small group sizes and individual attention. Our teachers are more like personal mentors for you. 

Experience:  


Your lead teacher has been teaching yoga for over 15 years and has led 37 yoga teacher trainings. She has accumulated more than 10,000 formal training hours. Your co-teachers have years of experience and thousands of hours of formal yoga education.

Program: 

We are know globally as one of the top rated yoga schools in the world. We have raised the bar and set a new standard for yoga education. In training with us you will be getting a top tier yoga education

Location & Food: 

 

We handpick gorgeous, inspiring and special locations for each and every training. We are obsessed with food! We source local ingredients, use local chefs and at all of your residential yoga teacher trainings, your meals and stay are always included.

Price & Accreditation

Yoga Academy International is a recognized and registered yoga school with the international Yoga Alliance. When you graduate our course you will be certified and eligible to teach yoga anywhere in the world. On completion of this course can register with Yoga Alliance as RYT-200.


Your stay + meals are included in the course price

200hr teacher training

February 8 – March 1, 2025

★ 21 nights stay
★ private ocean-front retreat center
★ 3 meals locally sourced, organic meals per day
★ Full Yoga Teacher Training program
★ Course manual
★ Full retreat center access- pools, yoga spaces, living room & library
★ Yoga Alliance certification

$3860 

includes your stay, meals + full yoga training

Payment plans are available. You do not have to pay for the full course all at once. 

Also included:

 

  • Full Yoga Teacher Training program (top rated internationally)
  • Yoga Academy International teacher training manual
  • Daily guided yoga flows, and Meditation practices
  • An opportunity to live your yoga, lifestyle and ethics
  • Campfires, singing, dance parties, stargazing
  • Full access to all retreat centre facilities, any time, including private swimming pool, 2 yoga spaces, and library
  • A safe, sacred space for you to grow in to the most authentic and happy version of yourself

Why choose Yoga academy international?

Small Class Sizes

 

We prefer an intimate experience where we get to know each and every one of our students and give them the individual attention they deserve. 

We host a maximum of 14-18 students at each training or retreat. 

Many teachers

 

We have at least 4 teachers at EVERY 200hr yoga teacher training. 

We want you to get a variety of perspectives, a diverse education and a wide range of class styles. 

 GORGEOUS locations 


At all of our teacher trainings you will be surrounded by nature and can watch sunset every day (sunset is very important to us). 

You will get to explore your practice in mind, body and spirit while also being immersed in the beauty of the natural world.

 

PROFESSIONAL & HIGH STANDARD OF EDUCATION

 

While demanding, our program truly prepares our students for professional careers in yoga. 

Our students have a very high success rate when they leave us. Many have gone on to open their own studios, lead international yoga retreats, teach at conferences and festivals, open successful coaching businesses and more. 

 

High Return rate

 

70% of our graduates come back for more trainings! We must be doing something right… 

Not only do our students come back for more trainings with us, they often come back and visit during our 200hr programs just to hang out at Yoga Academy again, take our morning flows and be part of our community. 

 

 Commitment to Excellence

 

We love what we do and we are committed to creating the best programs possible. Our teachers are continuously going back to school and taking trainings ourselves. 


GET TO KNOW YOURSELF

 

Even if you don’t plan to teach yoga professionally, take this training FOR YOU. 

We promise that you will learn so much about yourself, your dreams, your goals, your desires and your physical body during this training experience. We believe EVERYONE should take a yoga training like this, simply to better your own life and live each day with more vitality. 

 

Focus on happiness 

and personal growth 

 

We want you to thrive. We want you to find the best of yourself. We will encourage you to live joyfully and we will mentor you every step of the way. 

The Big questions...

Why we do it...

Yoga has given us the gift of greater happiness and understanding ourselves better. We want to give you the opportunity to get out of your head and into your heart too. We are here to offer you tools to live a more happy, passionate life and be surrounded by gorgeous nature every day! We believe in positive experiences with amazing people, working hard and spending time outdoors! 

Our team of yoga and health professionals share one common love: helping others achieve balance in their lives, finding inner-peace and contentment. They strive to see beauty in the everyday and appreciate life for all it has to offer. We want to pass on this way of interpreting the world to you. We want you to feel at ease in your body so you can get to know your soul.

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Why you should do it...

  • Adventure- say YES to a new you!
  • A month away at the beach
  • Meet like-minded people
  • Deepen your practice
  • Explore yoga philosophy
  • Understand the mind-body connection better
  • Lifelong friendships
  • Watch sunset every day…

the reasons to take our 200hr hour yoga teacher training are endless. Even if you don’t plan to teach yoga professionally, this experience will take you on a journey of self discovery. Allow yourself the space to take an objective look at your life while immersing yourself in a truly healing and transformative retreat. We welcome yogis of all ages and levels.

Our personal insights and our proven process will give you an expanded awareness not only as a teacher, but more importantly as a human being. In short, our mission is to inspire you to BE the best version of YOU – on and off the yoga mat. Learn, explore and grow in a safe and supportive environment..

Chase your passions!

what our students are saying:

TEACHER TRAINING WITH YOGA ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL IS AN AMAZING AND POWERFUL EXPERIENCE. THERE ARE THE IMMEDIATE BENEFITS YOU EXPERIENCE WHILE IN TEACHER TRAINNG AND THEN THERE ARE THE BENEFITS WHEN YOU RETURN HOME AND INTEGRATE ALL THE INFORMATION AND EXPERIENCES.
Hari Khalsa
USA
I FEEL INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE SPENT FOUR WEEKS IN A BREATHTAKING PLACE WITH A GROUP OF SUCH BEAUTIFUL SOULS. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SPOKE TO ME MOST DURING THIS EXPERIENCE WAS THE AUTHENTICITY WE WERE ENCOURAGED TO APPROACH OUR EXPERIENCE, PRACTICE, LEARNING, AND SHARING. THIS EXPERIENCE BROUGHT ME CLOSER TO MYSELF AND MY YOGA PRACTICE, FILLED ME WITH JOY, AND MADE ME EVEN MORE EAGER TO SHARE THIS PRACTICE WITH OTHERS. THIS TRAINING AND THE PEOPLE I MET WILL FOREVER HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.
Nikki Symanovich
USA
This trip was simply life changing! Amazing community, such passionate teachers and the best atmosphere. I feel so refreshed and recharged after this trip and I feel it has really given me the tools to go into the yoga world. The food and accommodation was lovely and I would thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone. Thank you YAI for your love, your passion and for the most incredible month away.
Grace Colebrook
United Kingdom
Trying to describe this trip I am missing words. Starting with a unique, incredible location, a breathtaking view over the ocean and the horizon while doing, experiencing , practicing, feeling Yoga. The food - OMG the food was incredible. Charlotte cooks everything fresh. It was always plenty and so delicious. She is a little kitchengodess, promise. And last but not least our lessons, practice the whole YTT experience was so much more then I expected. I learned so much not only about Yoga but about myself and met not simply new friends but a new family 😀 I am very grateful for this experience and would recommend it to everyone.....
Nora Lüdersen
Germany
I had a great experience. The food, location and program were exceptional. Thank you for a wonderful program!
Lacey Payne
USA
AMAZING. Life changing experience in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by the most beautiful view and lovely people. Highly recommend!!
Lauren Evans
USA
It was absolutley magical and I would definetley recommend it for anyone!
Bryanna Pollack
USA
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE! THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHING AND EDUCATION WAS TRULY FANTASTIC. THE STAFF ALONG WITH ALL OF THE EXPERT GUEST SPEAKERS WERE SUPER SUPPORTIVE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE. I FEEL WELL EQUIPPED AND EXCITED TO GO OUT INTO THE WORLD AND SHARE WHAT I HAVE LEARNED. I ESPECIALLY LOVED THAT WE WERE ENCOURAGED TO EMBRACE OUR OWN STYLE OF TEACHING. THE STUNNING AND MAGICAL LOCATION WAS THE CHERRY ON TOP!
Sonya H
Australia
THIS TRAINING ALLOWED ME TO LOVE MYSELF IN A WAY I’VE NEVER DONE BEFORE. THIS IS TRULY AN AMAZING COURSE THAT DIGS DEEP INTO YOUR EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND SPIRITUAL SELF. I COULDN’T HAVE DONE ANY OF THIS WITHOUT THE AMAZING TEACHING TEAM. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TRAINING, NOT BECAUSE I TOOK IT (I LOVED IT), BUT BECAUSE YOGA ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL IS DETERMINED TO RAISE THE BAR OF YOGA TEACHER TRAINING! THANK YOU! NAMASTE
Sanna Paulsson
Sweden

Refund policy:

A non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space in this yoga teacher training program. Your initial deposit is not refundable under any circumstances. 

Payment plans are available. The full remaining balance owing of the course is due 21-days prior to the start date of the yoga teacher training program. 

A full refund, minus the deposit fee will be offered for cancellations made more than 60-days prior to the start date of the yoga teacher training program. 

Refunds will not be offered on cancellations made less than 60-days in advance. Refunds will not be given to students who fail to show up for the program for any reason. Refunds are not offered more than 60-days in advance for any reason. 

Once a Yoga Teacher Training Participant arrives to our program location, your space in the program has been accounted for and therefore we cannot offer a refund for any reason. There will be no refunds offered for participants who leave our program after arrival. 

At Yoga Academy International we adhere to a Code of Conduct that we ask our students to follow in order to maintain a safe and loving environment. If a yoga student is in violation of our Code of Conduct and being particularly disruptive during our program (i.e. being rude to other students and staff, inviting guests in to his or her room from outside of the training, bringing drugs or alcohol on to our teacher training property, sexual harassment or sexual violence of any kind) that student may be asked to leave our program. If a yoga teacher training student is asked to leave our program that student will not be offered a refund. 

If a yoga teacher training participant leaves our program after arrival for any reason, the yoga teacher training participant is responsible for all arrangements and costs associated with travel and accommodation for their departure from our yoga teacher training program. 

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I'm so happy you're taking this exciting step and applying to our program!

I personally read and respond to every application… I can’t wait to hear more about you! 

Yoga Academy International Faculty:

Lauren Rudick

Lauren Rudick

Lead teacher and founder of Yoga Academy International, Lauren is a globally celebrated yoga instructor. She has been teaching yoga for over a decade and comes from a variety of lineages and traditions. Lauren has lead yoga retreats and workshops in over 2-dozen countries and continues to study with world-class instructors whenever possible. She has been featured in Women's health Magazine, YogiTimes, Optymyz and get out there to name a few as well as on countless podcasts and newspaper articles. Lauren has solid roots in Iyengar based Hatha yoga with continued studies in Vinyasa flow, Anusara, Ashtanga, Restorative, Bhakti and Yin Yoga. She is inspired by teachers who tell stories. She has studied under Seane Corn, Chris Chavez, MC Yogi, Susan Cohen, Mercy Ananda, Nancy Goodfellow and many others. Lauren is passionate about sharing yoga from an authentic and soulful point of view. She believes that yoga practice can help uncover the veils that hide us from achieving our full potential.  Lauren is E-RYT 500 registered with Yoga Alliance. 

Hatti Williams

Hatti Williams

Hatti Williams is an Astrologer, Sound Healer, Fashionista and Yoga instructor. She completed her 200hr yoga teacher training and Yin Yoga teacher training with Yoga Academy International in Greece. Hatti then went on to study Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing where she learned more about the energetic body and Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridians. Hatti has a gift for bringing the mystical to life through her lectures and teachings. She offers a digestible and soulful take on astrology and merges the ancient wisdom of yoga with our understanding of the celestial universe seamlessly.

Angie Pone

Hatti Williams

Originally from Argentina, Angie is now a beach babe and a Nicaraguan local. She teaches soulful yoga classes that include Whim Hoff style breath work and themes sprinkled throughout that really connect yoga philosophy with movement.

Teresa Edmilao

Teresa Edmilao

Teresa has been practicing massage therapy since 2006. She has a 3000hr diploma in Massage Therapy from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Vancouver, BC. Teresa has a passion for helping people connect with their bodies. She lives by example, inspiring people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Teresa spent 7 years practicing massage therapy in Canada to people from all walks of life; students, athletes, desk workers, labourers, youth, elderly, dancers, and accident victims. Teresa is also a fire dancer and hula hoop dancer. She has experienced numerous injuries has personally been through the rehabilitation process many times. It was these experiences that have lead her to delve deeply into the study and application of anatomy and movement. Teresa offers anatomy classes at Yoga Academy International. Her teachings are thorough, meticulous but fun, drawing on every day life experience to help yogis understand their bodies better. 

Will Peters

Will Peters

Making yoga accessible and enjoyable, regardless of who you are and how strong or flexible you are, is his priority. With a passion for all things health and wellbeing, Will’s aim is to inspire anyone and everyone to step on the mat to gain the physical and mental benefits that yoga can provide.Born in the UK, Will is a qualified and registered yoga teacher with over 250 hours of training. Will places an emphasis on alignment and safety. Outside of teaching, Will is an enthusiastic yoga student, constantly pushing his body and mind to new limits. Whether it’s learning to handstand, progressing towards the splits or practicing mindfulness exercises, Will loves to learn new things and grow. This provides continuous evolution to Will’s teaching as he brings new-found energy and knowledge from my personal practice into class.

Nancy Goodfellow

Nancy Goodfellow

Yoga director and co-owner of Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica, Nancy is extremely well known for her inspiring and creative daily classes, workshops,and retreats, with students both locally and internationally. Her twenty years of committed practice, thousands of hours of trainings, and continual curiosity towards life’s most mysterious aspects are all part of why she has so many devoted students. She began her Yogic studies in the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition under the guidance of her first teachers, Dominic Corigliano, Tim  Miller and Pattabhi Jois. Nancy has completed over 500 hours of Yoga Alliance teacher trainings and began teaching in 1998. Nancy dedicated many years of study to the Anusara method with its amazing principles of alignment, Tantric philosophy and Bhakti filled practice. She completed over 500 hours of certified Anusara teachings and traditional non-dualistic Tantra studies.

Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason

Chef Charlotte Mason hails from Boston where she used work in high end restaurant kitchens and then later opened up her own catering company. Burnt out and needing a break, Charlotte went on a surf vacation to Nicaragua and 3 weeks later moved cross continents and has been there ever since. Charlotte's love of sourcing locally, creating exceptional plant-based dishes and combining flavours makes her food loved by everyone. Charlotte is passionate about health and wellness and is also a certified yoga instructor. Giving back not only with flavours, Charlotte frequently teaches yoga classes in Spanish for local women and helps empower local women to follow their dreams and speak their minds. In joining Yoga Academy International, Charlotte has added so much to the experience by creating comfort and family feelings found only when gathering around a table to share delicious meals together. When not on Yoga Academy International's trainings, Charlotte creates gourmet pop up dinners around Nicaragua and chefs at yoga retreats around the world.  

Sanne Hofman

Sanne Hofman

Sanne is a ray of sunshine! Before joining the Yoga Academy International team, Sanne was a neuropsychologist in Holland. On her path, she felt that her chosen field was not quite the right fit. So Sanne set off on a journey through Central America to get to know herself better. Along the way she met her partner Toby in Panama. Together they worked and traveled through Central America eventually finding their way to Maderas Beach, Nicaragua. They loved the spot so much that they decided to move there and eventually got jobs managing a boutique hotel. Wanting to expand her offerings at the hotel, Sanne took Yoga Academy International's 200hr teacher training in 2018. She then furthered her studies in the Chakra-Vinyasa Training and went back to Europe to take Thai Yoga Massage training. Sanne is compassionate, loving and kind. She is an example of how to live yoga ethics while still being true to who you are. Sanne offers YAI students endless encouragement and love as well as unwavering support on their journeys. She can always be counted on for a listening ear, a compassionate friend, a glowing smile or a warm hug when you need it most. 

Chakra-VInyasa Yoga Retreat Brochure

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Yoga class in Playa Maderas

The class price is $12. Please check in and pay at reception on arrival. 

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