50-Hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training in the Sacred Shadow of Arunachala

The day starts early with a Yin practice and pranayama, moving through the major meridian lines and target areas of the body—hips, spine, and shoulders. Holds of three to six minutes give you time to notice what actually happens when you stop pushing and start waiting. After a South Indian breakfast, the morning is split between Yin philosophy and teaching methodology. You'll learn about the differences between Yin and Yang yoga, the history of the practice, and how to use props to make postures work for bodies of all shapes and histories. Teaching practice is hands-on: you'll practice verbally guiding classmates, learn trauma-sensitive adjustments, and figure out how to sequence a Yin class from start to finish.

Afternoons are given to anatomy and fascia. There's real theory here—the 14-10-7 model of joints and meridians developed by Paul Grilley, the differences between tension and compression, and the fundamentals of myofascial release using massage balls. But it's framed practically: how does this information change the cues you give when someone's hip won't open? What do you say when a student reports sharp pain versus dull ache? The aim is to leave not only with your own practice deepened but with a toolbox you can actually use when you teach.

The setting shapes the experience as much as the curriculum. Tiruvannamalai is one of the holiest towns in South India, home to Ramana Maharshi and full of pilgrims who circumambulate the mountain on full-moon nights. The ashram's own grounds—rice paddies, gardens, a yoga shala with mountain views—keep the whole week feeling like a retreat inside the training. Evening kirtan and mantra chanting close the day, and there's a movie night and free excursions to local sites of interest woven in.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in shared rooms - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus snacks - Welcome drink - Teacher training course and certification - Certificate upon successful completion - Evening activities including kirtan, movie night - Course manual - Free excursions to sites of interest - Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and bolsters - Registration with Yoga Alliance - Pre and post retreat support from our team - WiFi connection

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary