LEARN TO SHARE AUTHENTIC YOGA
from the ancient tradition to the modern world
Experience Total Immersion in Yogic Culture
The spirit of Bali is calling to you.
Are you ready to answer?
This is your moment.
The decision to become a qualified yoga teacher starts a journey of the mind, body, and spirit. It’s a path that lays itself at the feet of those who receive the calling, and it’s a calling of wisdom, love, and compassion.
You could go your entire life just practicing yoga for yourself–(you’re welcome to attend this training just to deepen your own practice and knowledge)–or, you could take your passion for the practice and share it with the world.
That’s an act of love.
This is your chance to learn the intricacies of the practice, from the ancient philosophy and history, to the details of our body’s natural alignment in asana, to the spiritual depths reached through meditation.
Whether you’re seeking a career change or simply an escape into yourself, this experience is sure to change your life forever.
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Becoming a Teacher : What You’ll Learn
Asana (the poses) are only one of the 8 parts of Yoga. This training dives deep into all 8 limbs, so you’ll not only have a full understanding of how to teach an inspiring and anatomically safe class, but also profound hands-on experience with yoga philosophy, spirituality, and meditation, all while connecting deeply with Balinese Hindu culture.
ANATOMY & OUR BODIES IN ASANA
- Through this course, you’ll learn to listen to and understand your body on a deeper level, and to help your students connect with their own bodies in your asana class.
- The anatomy modules are taught in an easily digestible way so that the information can be internalized by all trainees, no matter your background, and will cover teaching not only the basics, but also specific injuries and how to modify your teaching for specific conditions, as taught by experts in the field.
- Your lead teacher, Megan, studies yoga therapy with Dr. Ganesh Mohan, and A.G. and Indra Mohan, India’s top yoga therapists in the direct lineage of Krishnamacharya. She also learned anatomy through the teachings of Leslie Kaminoff (the author of “Yoga Anatomy”) and emulates his “safety without strictness” style of alignment.
- We’ll start from the beginning by mastering the breath and the teaching of simple poses, and progress towards advanced asana like arm balances and inversions.
HOW TO TEACH TO ANY STUDENT
- Learn to share your love for yoga with others in a way that is safe and effective for their individual needs, whether they’re a total beginner or an advanced practitioner.
- You’ll learn how to sequence practices that allow your students to progress and improve, while holding space for them in your unique way.
- We’ll explore traditional hatha yoga as well as the more modern vinyasa style, so that you’ll be comfortable teaching multiple styles to many different kinds of students.
- You’ll learn effective cuing and word choice, hands-on adjustments, how to conduct a class, workshop, or retreat, as well as the business and ethics of being a yoga teacher.
- With small class sizes (under 20), you’ll have ample time to practice teaching to your fellow students, so you’ll come away with the confidence to start teaching classes immediately.
MEDITATION, MANTRA, & THE MIND
- According to the ancient tradition of yoga, the practice of asana was meant to prepare the body for meditation. This training has a strong focus on building a lasting meditation practice.
- We’ll spend one day of the training in total silence, as a silent meditation retreat to experience the power of meditation on our minds.
- Each evening’s lessons throughout the course will end with a different meditation technique, so that you can not only learn how to teach them, but also experience them for yourself to understand which type works best for your mind.
- You’ll learn ancient Vedic mantras and have the opportunity to chant them with a Balinese priestess in sacred ceremony.
- We’ll explore the concept of chakras and movements of prana in the body, Ayurveda, and so much more.
YOGA HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, & SPIRITUALITY
- We’ll trace the history of yoga from samkhya philosophy, through the ancient Hindu texts, to the Indian tantric sages, to Sri T Krishnamacharya (the father of modern yoga) and his students who spread the teachings, to the practice as we know it today.
- Your lead instructor, Megan’s, specific area of expertise is in Hindu mythology as it relates to the asana, so you’ll learn the origins of the asana and the incredible stories of the gods that inspired the names of the poses, while experience Balinese ceremonies to those same deities.
- With a deep emphasis on the roots of the practice, you’ll be sure to avoid culturally appropriating a practice that has ancient spiritual ties, so that you can share the teachings authentically with all audiences.
- We’ll also connect closely with Balinese culture here on The Island of the Gods.
TWO LOCATIONS : Experience More of the Island
SIDEMEN | THE SACRED VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS
The first ten days of our training will be in the most stunning location we’ve ever visited, in the shadow of the sacred Mount Agung in the village of Sidemen (pronounced: see-duh-min). Our retreat center here is home to a Balinese priestess and healer, and we’ll be welcomed into traditional Balinese ceremonies and cleansing rituals right on site. The energy of this location is POWERFUL.
The sprawling gardens of our yoga home overlook the deep rice-field-terraced valleys of the sacred village, and our two yoga shalas both have stunning views. There’s a pool and delicious Indian restaurant to enjoy, as well as massage rooms tucked into the jungle.
Each room is equipped with open-air terrazzo bathtubs, air conditioning, and luxury beds. We feel so blessed to be able to call this place home, and can’t wait to welcome you.
BALIAN | AN OCEANFRONT SHALA IN THE SECLUDED SURF PARADISE
After the deep spiritual immersion during the first half of the training, we’ll travel together to a village called Balian, famed for its amazing surf break, beautiful rolling waves, and empty beach. Just an hour up the coast from Canggu, we’ve found the perfect hidden gem to experience how Canggu used to feel before all the tourism.
Our yoga space in Balian is a spacious wooden shala with a raftered roof, wedged between the river and the open sea. The view from all angles of the yoga shala is unbelievable, with sparkling water as far as the eye can see. Here, we’re steps away from the beach, and you can swim or surf during your breaks. Like stepping back in time to our ancestral roots, we’ll stay in traditional wooden bungalow style rooms–less luxurious than the rooms in Sidemen, but with all the comforts of home (air conditioning, hot water showers, and comfy beds!) With an oceanfront swimming pool and restaurant, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the sun, sand, and sea. In our free time, we’ll explore the coast’s incredible hidden coves, inlets, and cliffs.
During the course, we’ll enjoy daily meditation on the beach, and you can go for swims, sunbathe, or book massages during your breaks from class.
Our Sacred Space : What We Provide
COURSE MATERIALS
- Before the course, you’ll receive a .pdf version of the course manual. Physical copies can also be ordered free of charge.
- We’ll also inform you of mandatory pre-reading to prepare you for the experience, which will include additional books for your continued yoga education.
- We’ll provide all yoga mats, bolsters, and blocks (unless you’d like to bring your own) as well as any special materials like japa mala beads that you may need.
- You’ll receive Balinese ceremonial clothing to wear when attending sacred events, as well as a canvas Yogatrotter bag to carry your notebooks to and from class.
- Upon acceptance of your application, we’ll also provide a packing list for you of suggested clothing and school supplies that you should bring.
SACRED TEACHINGS
- The Yoga you’ll be practicing will stay as close to the source of Yoga’s 8-limbs (as defined by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras) and the hatha/vinyasa tradition of Sri T Krishnamacharya as possible. This means that classes will go much deeper than just the asana poses. Our focus is on “chitta vritti nirodha,” the quieting of the mind’s fluctuations, to allow you to find deep and lasting peace within yourself.
- You will be guided by expert instructors as well as Indonesian spiritual teachers throughout the course to fully integrate the teachings of all aspects of yoga.
- We strongly believe that not all of us learn our best just from listening to lectures, so you’ll have as much visual, kinesthetic, auditory, and hands-on in-the-moment learning experiences as possible to help you retain the maximum amount of information possible.
FOOD & ACCOMMODATION
- One of our main goals is to help you integrate and experience Balinese culture, get to know the locals, and support the local community. We’ll travel to local temples and experience ceremonies from Balinese priests to help you see yoga through the eyes of the people who LIVE it every day.
- All food and accommodation are provided during this training. We’ve learned that students can focus more on your studies when you aren’t concerned with where you’re going to eat next or rushing from far away hotels. This allows the immersive experience to be fully immersive, so that you can retain more knowledge.
- Our venue provides comfortable accommodation (in either single or shared rooms) with aircon, hot water, and swimming pool. Delicious vegetarian meals are provided three times a day, and we can work to meet any other dietary restrictions you may have.
Example of Daily Itinerary
morning
6:00-8:00 AM ASANA, PRANAYAMA, & MEDITATION
8:00-9:30 AM DELICIOUS, HEALTHY BREAKFAST
9:30-11:30 AM LESSON ABOUT THE ANATOMY OF CERTAIN ASANA
mID-DAY
11:30-1:30 PM HOW TO CUE THOSE ASANA & PRACTICE TEACHING
1:30-3:30 PM DELICIOUS, HEALTHY LUNCH
3:30-5:00 PM PHILOSOPHY LESSON & SATSANG
EVENING
5:00-6:00 PM AFTERNOON YOGA FLOW
6:00-6:30 PM MEDITATION LESSON & PRACTICE
6:30-SLEEP PM DELICIOUS, HEALTHY DINNER, RELAX, & SLEEP
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
MEGAN MULRINE SAUKULAK
Megan, the founder of Yogatrotter, is a yoga instructor at the E-RYT 500+ level who has trained more than 600 yoga teachers in Bali, Hawaii, and the mainland USA in all levels of YTT.
On her yoga journey, Megan spent three years in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, deepening her understanding of Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices while teaching yoga to Japanese locals, expats, and US Marines. During this time, she traveled to Bali, Thailand, and Cambodia to seek greater knowledge of eastern philosophies, and felt a deep past-life connection to Bali, the Island of the Gods, eventually moving there to lead trainings for a number of different yoga schools.
While in Bali, Megan has been studying Hindu philosophy and the ancient stories (puranas) as they relate to yoga with the priestess Bunda Parvati (Mama Ati), as well as continuing her studies of Buddhist meditation with the healer Pak Merta Ada. She traveled to India in 2019 to learn kirtan and Vedic mantra chanting at the Krishna School of Music in Rajasthan, and is currently working towards her certification in Yoga Therapy with Dr. Ganesh Mohan, A.G. and Indra Mohan, the leading yoga therapists in the Krishnamacharya lineage in India.
Megan is known for weaving stories and music throughout her teaching to connect students to their highest selves.
THIA MOANA
Moana is an E-RYT 500 teacher trainer who has been guiding students through yoga teacher trainings and yoga retreats in Bali for more than ten years. Originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, Moana spends her time surfing, teaching yoga, and leading kirtan on Nusa Lembongan, a small white-sand island off the coast of Bali. The soul-level connection that she makes with students is often one of the most profound parts of the training.
A multi-instrument musician and singer, Moana’s expertise lies in mantra singing, meditation, movement, and hypnotherapy. Her voice frequently triggers deep spiritual experiences for students during savasana, and her sense of humor and lightness brings joy to every moment of the course.
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NOTE: Due to Covid-19, all students must be fully vaccinated in order to enter Indonesia and attend this training.
Info on visa and travel requirements will be provided once your YTT application is approved.
PRICING INFORMATION
Price includes all nights’ accommodation in a large private room to yourself with private bathroom. Rooms are equipped with aircon, hot water, and comfortable beds for a full night’s sleep. Three delicious vegetarian meals a day are included, as well as tuition and material for all classes and experiences, and a guaranteed amazing time. Price is in USD. Your only additional costs are your travel expenses.
Price includes all nights’ accommodation in a twin room shared with another student, Rooms are equipped with aircon, hot water, and comfortable beds for a full night’s sleep. Three delicious vegetarian meals a day are included, as well as tuition and material for all classes and experiences, and a guaranteed amazing time. Price is in USD. Your only additional costs are your travel expenses.
NEEDS-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS
We never want money to be a barrier to yoga, so we offer a number of full and partial scholarships throughout the year, as well as monthly payment plans. If you are currently experiencing a financial hardship and would like to be considered, please click here to apply.
UNSURE IF YOU’RE READY FOR A YTT?
We have a lot of thoughts on this! Read our blog post to help you decide.