Have you ever heard of Prana? The basic energy that courses through us? In this video, Lauren offers you a little tidbit about yoga philosophy. Simply doing the movements does not a yogi make. Postures with no intention is just exercise. Yoga helps us understand, build and harness our prana.
What is Prana?
Have you ever heard of Prana? The basic energy that courses through us? In this video, Lauren offers you a little tidbit about yoga philosophy. Simply doing the movements does not a yogi make. Postures with no intention is just exercise. Yoga helps us understand, build and harness our prana.
Train with us:
200hr yoga
teacher training
The perfecti foundation to becoming a professional yoga teacher.
Advance your teaching career and gain additional certifications. We offer modules in Yin Yoga, Kids Yoga, Acro Yoga, Chakra-Vinyasa Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Tantra Yoga and more! Available in person and online.
Chakra Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training. A 60hr immersive training for teachers. Beach front. Stay & meal included.
Go on a soulful journey into the chakra system...
Our chakra-Vinyasa yoga teacher training is an immersive, retreat style experience for yoga teachers. this 1-week training includes your stay and meals. Enjoy our oceanfront retreat centre, jungle and ocean view yoga spaces, meditation platforms, virtually private beaches and miles and miles of unspoiled paradise.
This is a full and complete course on its own. It is also a module of our Yoga Alliance registered 300hr YTT.
This teacher training includes your stay + 3 meals per day at our retreat center at Maderas Beach, Nicaragua. Located just outside of the lively beach town of San Juan Del Sur, Maderas beach is a safe and quiet haven. Our oceanfront private villa is the perfect setting for a month spent in paradise! You’ll get sunset views every evening from our dipping pool and our yoga shala boasts a 180 degree view of the ocean and the surf break! We also have a jungle yoga deck and 82 acres of hiking trails on this private property to explore.
Every morning you can meditate on the cliffs of this dramatic coastline that gives way to perfect beaches for walking and some world-class waves for surfing. This place is serene and stunning.
GETTING HERE: Maderas beach is located just 2-houra from Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) airport and 2-hours from Managua Airport (MGA). Flying in to either airport. We can have our partners at the retreat center organize your transfers to us at Maderas Beach.
Yoga Academy International is a recognized and registered yoga school with Yoga Alliance. When you graduate our course you will be a certified chakra-vinyasa yoga teacher. This course also counts as 60hrs toward Yoga Academy International’s 500hr YTT. On completion of 3 elective modules + our core module, you can register as RYT-500.
Tuition for this program is $1765USD. Your chakra-vinyasa yoga teacher training includes:
9 nights at our private, oceanfront retreat center
3 locally sourced healthy meals daily
Daily Asana and Meditation practice
An opportunity to live your yoga, lifestyle and ethics
Campfires, singing, dancing, stargazing
A safe, sacred space for you to grow in to the most authentic and happy version of yourself
Mentorship and personalized guidance
* please note, there is 1 day off mid-way through this training. Meals will not be included on the day off. This is your opportunity to support local restaurants and visit the area!
There are no extras or hidden fees associated with our program. We invite you to come as you are and we will provide you with everything you need. Payment plans are available.
NOT JUST AN AVERAGE YOGA TRAINING; IT WAS AN ENRICHING LIFE EXPERIENCE. I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT THE MANY ASPECTS OF YOGA AND MEDITATION. AS WELL AS MORE ABOUT MYSELF. I RECEIVED THE TOOLS TO LEAD A MORE EMPOWERED AND CONSCIOUS LIFE. THE GENUINE LOVE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FROM THE SKILLED INSTRUCTORS AND MY FELLOW STUDENTS WAS APPARENT ON A DAILY BASIS AND SO APPRECIATED. I ENJOYED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS COMPREHENSIVE AND WELL-PLANNED PROGRAM. GREAT VARIETY OF KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS. I’M FOREVER GRATEFUL.
MS
Sweden
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
I feel very lucky to have stumbled on to the gift of this practice, and I love that now I get to introduce it to others. I get to encourage the uncovering and discovering that inevitably comes along with it, not only during the asanas, but during those unexpected quiet moments of stillness…those golden moments where you find yourself going inward, and you find yourself. I’m SO excited to continue being a student of yoga…to continue being a teacher of yoga…to keep moving on this path
JulieAnn Delude
USA
PLEASE NOTE: A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN THE PROGRAM. A 50% BALANCE OF PAYMENT IS DUE 30-DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE TRAINING. THE REMAINING BALANCE IS DUE 10-DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE YOGA TEACHER TRAINING. A FULL REFUND, MINUS THE DEPOSIT FEE WILL BE OFFERED FOR CANCELLATIONS MADE MORE THAN 60-DAYS PRIOR TO THE START DATE OF THE TRAINING. CANCELLATIONS OF LESS THAN 60-DAYS ADVANCED NOTICE WILL BE REFUNDED 50% OF THE TEACHER TRAINING PRICE. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE OFFERED ON CANCELLATIONS MADE LESS THAN 30-DAYS IN ADVANCE. REFUNDS WILL NOT BE OFFERED ON DISCOUNTED RATES.
What does it even mean to be a spiritual sell out? How do we hold up our own standards and our own self-respect and self-worth? How can we maintain our practices and stay true to who we are? How can we continue to be our best selves? I’m sharing this because recently I did feel like a spiritual sell out. I shared my story in this video and so much more!
Hi Yogis, Here is a quickie video refresher/intro on the 8 limbs of yoga!
The 8 limbs of yoga were part of the Ashtanga Yoga or 8-limb path set out by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. The yoga sutra, written around 800C.E. was 196 phrases meant to help us live more soulfully and more mindfully. This was Patanjali’s interpretation of the ancient yogic texts; the Vedas and the Upanishad.
Patanjali described an 8 fold path to enlightenment that included ethics, disciplines, physical postures, breath control, meditation, withdrawal of the senses, intense focus, tuning inward and oneness.
Join internationally renown Tantric Yoga Teacher Nancy Goodfellow as she introduces you to this amazing practice! This course is challenging, uplifting, insightful and deep. It is perfect for a yogi ready to learn more, go deeper- mind, body and spirit and gain more understanding of the ancient traditions of yoga. Nancy guides safe and structured Tantric practices that include explanations of.why Tantra is practiced in this way, mudras, mantra, meditation and so much more. Contains over 3 hours of guided asana practice and more than 10 hours of video content!
Turn Your Life Upside Down is a 4-week 4-module course designed to get you knowing what your passions are, what makes you come alive and then take the steps toward living that dream! Lauren Rudick takes you on a journey into yourself. This course contains 5 guided yoga practices, 7 guided meditations, a fully illustrated e-book and journaling exercises.
Join Lauren in living a lifestyle of passion. Turn Your Life Upside Down!
Join internationally renown Tantric Yoga Teacher Nancy Goodfellow as she introduces you to this amazing practice! This course is challenging, uplifting, insightful and deep. It is perfect for a yogi ready to learn more, go deeper- mind, body and spirit and gain more understanding of the ancient traditions of yoga. Nancy guides safe and structured Tantric practices that include explanations of.why Tantra is practiced in this way, mudras, mantra, meditation and so much more. Contains over 3 hours of guided asana practice and more than 10 hours of video content!
Uplift your yoga career is everything a yogi needs to know to elevate a great career in yoga, raise your income and create an awesome yoga following. The full course includes guides on getting jobs, marketing, social media, creating workshops and growing a loyal following in yoga.
We are still continuing to offer membership to our online yoga studio at significantly reduced rates.
Our online studio and online courses are NOT the same. The studio is streamable online content with various teachers. The courses are an opportunity to go WAY deeper into a particular discipline or style.
During stressful times like these that we need wellness and mindfulness practices the most.We are giving you almost free access to our entire online studio library. It’s like Netflix, but yoga for Just $1 per month.
We want to invite you to practice with us from the comfort of your home.
FULL ACCESS to our online studio for only $12 for the entire year. Use code yoga12 to sign up today.
If you are already subscribed, feel free to share page with others who need heart opening meditations, yoga practices to keep them physically fit and well and yin yoga to reduce stress and stiffness.
We have classes in English, French and Norwegian and have just added almost a dozen new practices.
Hundreds of practices available – unlimited yoga for all levels – beginners to super advanced – continuing education for yoga teachers
Whether you are brand new to yoga, super advanced or on your yoga teaching journey, we have practices and classes for you. Our online instructors have been handpicked for their teaching style, commitment to practice and specialty in their individual yoga discipline. We have classes ranging from 2 – 90 minutes waiting for you!
Membership is just $98 per year!
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But what about our
yoga trainings abroad?
We are keeping a close watch on how the situation is changing day by day. At this point in time it is highly likely that our YIN YOGA TEACHER TRAINING at the end of April will be postponed for 1 year. We will continue to watch the COVID-19 situation closely and make a final decision by April 1, 2020. Good news- you now have time to sign up at save up for it! This luxury training is amazing and we can extend a payment plan to you over 12 months. This means for less than $200/month you can get to this INCREDIBLE luxury experience.
We are still saying optimistic that our 200hr YOGA TEACHER TRAINING this July will run as scheduled. We are hopeful and keeping faith that we will be able to stop the spread of this virus shortly and continue to create magical experiences in paradise.
UPCOMING TRAININGS:
200hr yoga
teacher training
in playa maderas
Taking place on the spectacular cliffs of Maderas Beach, this 200hr Yoga-Alliance Registered Teacher Training is the perfect foundation for becoming a professional yoga teacher.
THIS is an amazing course with KPJAY Authorized level 2 teacher Tina Bock! Tina has spent years studying in Mysore, India under Sharath Jois and takes a very traditional but fun approach to Ashtanga Yoga. This program is an ELECTIVE MODULES THAT MAKES UP OUR ADVANCED 300HR YOGA TEACHING CERTIFICATION.
Let’s start with this- what is a chakra? Why should you give a shit about your chakras?
The chakras are a kind of energetic anatomy in the body. We have many chakras in our bodies but 7 major ones. The 7 major chakras are like wheels or gears. They turn on their own axis but affect the motion of chakras above and below them. When we are feeling whole, healthy, stable our chakras are spinning in a balanced way.
Chakra = WHEEL
The 7 major chakras align themselves along the Shushumna Nadi. The Shushumna nadi is the central energetic axis of our body. In yogic terms, it is the energetic or subtle body superhighway in the body, just as the central spinal column is the information superhighway of our physical body. There are two minor nadis that swirl around the Shushumna nadi. These are the ida and pingala nadis. The ida nadi represents our feminine qualities and the pingala our masculine ones. The points where the ida and pingala nadis intersect is the area where our 1st and 6thchakras live. The other chakras are between these intersections.
Interestingly, the areas where the chakras live in the energetic body are also where there are major collections of nerve ganglia in our bodies. This is one area where yoga and science meet. It is no surprise that the major chakras, our energetic berometer in the body is also along the same channel that the central nervous system is.
Sometimes emotional or physical ailments can effect the way our chakras turn, either causing them to spin too slowly (under-active) or too quickly (overactive), they can also be open or closed. The balance of our chakras will affect the way we interact, act and react in our world.
Chakra imbalances can arise or resurface at various point in our lives. Sometimes a physical injury can knock a chakra out of balance, sometimes an emotional injury can. Sometimes we carry things from long ago that are triggered by a seemingly unrelated event. This can also cause a chakra or chakras to turn in an imbalanced way. Sometimes chakra imbalances are inherited from things we’ve learned from friends, family, loved ones or from our own patterns of behaviour.
The chakra system is yet another yogic tool that we can use to better understand our physical and emotional bodies, what makes us tick, why we act and react in the ways that we do. With knowledge and awareness comes the ability to grow and make change. The better we get to know ourselves, the more able we are to find our individual happiness and live our own best life.
Check out the video below as Yoga Academy International founder Lauren Rudick offers her take on why you should give a shit about your chakras:
Fill out the form above and we will contact you with sign up details for this experience and answer any questions you have!
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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.
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.
Liv Townsend
Liv townsend
Despite being ‘self-taught’ in the early days, Liv took her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in London in 2016, an additional 200hr Rocket & Vinyasa Training in 2020 and completed her 500hr training with Jason Crandell in 2021. Liv takes a lot of inspiration for the mechanics and science of movement from other disciplines such as martial arts, gymnastics, calisthenics and resistance training. Her favourite teaching style is a combination of Vinyasa and Hatha yoga which a friend of mine so perfectly suggested it be called VinHatha! There’s not a great deal of chaturanga-updog-downdogs, but instead we challenge the body in more unique ways, manipulating our body weight to find both length and strength in the entire body.
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.
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.
Perrine Marais
Lauren Rudick
Known in Quebec for her empowering and effective teaching, Perrine has completed over 1400hours of trainings. After her 200hr certification in Costa Rica, she wanted to deepen her knowledge and practice from a more traditional approach. So Perrine travelled to India where she accumulated overr 1000 hours of Hatha yoga training at the Patanjali International Yoga Foundation. Before joining the Yoga Academy International team, Perrine joined her teachers and lead 5 trainings in India. Constantly yearning to expand her education, Perrine has taken 2 yin yoga teacher trainings, a Sup Yoga teacher training, Thai Yoga Massage and Myofacial release. In teaching she hopes to share her love of yoga with others as a way to secure their confidence with exploration and movement of the functional body but also tap in to the deep energetic intelligence within.
She is registered with yoga alliance as E-RYT 500.
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.
