15-Day Wilderness Yoga Teacher Training in the Mountains of British Columbia

This is not your typical studio-based teacher training. You're based at Kootenay Yoga School's home camp, deep in the forests of the Kootenay Boundary, and the training is deliberately small and immersive. The days are long, but they're broken up by the kind of quiet moments you don't get in a city: a cup of tea by the wood stove in the morning, a walk to the creek between seminars, and the chance to watch the light change on the mountains as you practice.

The curriculum covers the full 200-hour Yoga Alliance syllabus, with 100 hours of techniques (asanas, pranayama, meditation), 25 hours of teaching methodology, 20 hours of anatomy and physiology, 30 hours of philosophy and lifestyle, and 10 hours of practicum. But the approach is holistic and hands-on—this is not a course where you just sit in lectures. You'll be practicing daily, designing your own sequences, and learning how to hold space for students with real confidence. The philosophy modules look at both traditional and modern ethics, and there's a strong emphasis on business and nutrition for anyone planning to teach professionally.

The teaching team is led by Stephania Spitzer (who overseas the school), with lead trainer Sarah Martinuik on the ground. Sarah has taught internationally for years and is known for being thorough, engaging, and equally at home in the off-grid classroom as she is on a mat. Reviews single out the quality of the teaching, the the school's care for students, and the thoughtful planning, with many students calling it the best investment they've made in themselves.

Because the group is capped at 18, you get personal feedback and a real sense of community. The location, a few hours from Grand Forks, BC, is truly wilderness—you'll trade your phone screen for birdwatching, stargazing, and the sound of the creek. It's an intense two weeks, but past students keep coming back to the same words: supported, cared for, and unforgettable. That's the standard you're walking into.

What's included

- 14 nights cozy cabin or tent accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Group excursions and activities (nature walks, cacao ceremony, birdwatching) - WiFi connection - 2 Yoga Alliance accredited manuals in PDF form - Pre- and post-retreat support from our team - 200-hour Teacher Training course and certification - Certificate upon successful completion - Evening activities: kirtan, movie night, candle making, mala making

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Travel insurance - Flight costs - Transfers to and from the property - Printed manuals (available for $50 each)