Soma Yoga Institute

If you are searching for a therapeutic teacher training program that is inclusive, well put together and nothing short of life changing... look no further.

Soma Yoga Institute is amazing! The instructors are passionate, skilled and supportive. The content is thorough, diverse and well thought out. Whether you are just starting your journey or have years of experience - their programs will fit your needs.

As a disabled individual it hasn't always been easy finding accessible programs. I was pleasantly surprised to feel so well understood, that every single one of the faculty are proficient in adaptations and that they were patient with my "quirks" like intermittent vocabulary loss and debilitating fatigue.

They've also always got great content on social media, offer complimentary info sessions on an ever changing variety of subjects and are quick to respond to inquiries!

I can't possibly thank Liz and the instructors at Soma enough. This program has changed me in so many ways and I can't wait to share my new skills with others!

Thanks again, Soma! 🙏🕉

I really appreciated the opportunity to immerse myself in this 200 hour yoga teacher training. It provided an opportunity to disconnect from work and dive into the content. The yoga instruction and approach of this training was exactly what I hoped for and much more. The alignment was my favorite. I loved my classmates, we were all so different yet it felt like a very inclusive group. Thank you so much for everything and the knowledge shared this immersion will be with me forever.

Soma Yoga Institute was such a wonderful experience! I learned so much and feel confident as a new yoga teacher. The teachers, Liz and Peggy, were incredibly knowledgeable and kind. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to take their practice deeper and learn about proper alignment, postures, and mediation techniques. Thank you Soma!

I loved everything about this program, especially the therapeutic approach, variety of topics studied, and the teachers! I am much more aware of my body and how to focus on proper alignment and organize sequences. This whole program is one big life changing experience. I am so much grateful for all the knowledge and goodness I received. I would definitely train with Soma Yoga Institute again – when Peggy and Jess are going to be the instructors again, I’m there!

I love this beautiful location of Salvatierra. It was peaceful, and the perfect place to focus on a yoga teacher training course. I was blessed to have a wonderful group of students to share this experience with, no drama or clicks. I learned so much from Peggy and Liz and I feel confident to begin teaching. I also learned how to better center myself with meditation and coming into the space of Yoga. I feel I am able to be present and in the moment better than before I arrived. I’m working on seeing others with eyes of love including myself which helped me tone down the inner critic. I loved learning about Ayurveda and Chakras to understand myself at a deeper level and how to find balance. I enjoyed the reflections of the Yoga Sutra to understand the deeper essence of yoga - Lindsay

The knowledge I received in this 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training exceeded my expectations. I feel more comfortable teaching Yoga, as well as facilitating teacher trainings having this added knowledge as part of my skillset. I loved the focus on anatomy. Before this course, it had never been a strong suit of mine, and I feel confident in teaching anatomy now. It has been eye opening to explore new ways of cueing that make sense based on the biomechanics of the body. I also appreciated the therapeutic focus of the course. This training helped me get clear on my vision and have a strong desire to focus on manifesting my vision into reality. It also helped me gain more compassion for others through understanding that we're all having very different experiences in life. - Kathryn

I took my 200 hour trauma informed yoga teacher training with Soma. I cannot say enough good about the experience. Liz and Alison were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and enthusiastic about everything they taught. I attended the ~3 week intensive in Costa Rica, and the way it was structured fostered an immediate sense of camaraderie among what was an otherwise diverse group of people. I left the experience feeling qualified and capable of teaching, and excited to begin to do just that. I plan to return to the Soma Yoga Institute for my 300 hour teacher training when I'm able. If you're considering yoga teacher training, you'll be hard pressed to find a better program than Soma, and I encourage you to sign up.

I enjoyed the overall format of this Yoga teacher training course. Its effectiveness was felt in the first five days of the program while I was learning about the asanas, improving my practice, and being introduced to the important concepts of pranayama, and the eight limbs and other Yoga philosophies. I always felt able to sit with the moment and see how a concept resonated with me. My experience of the poses changed from “are we done yet” to “this is balance and ease”. The Chakras, the doshas of Ayurveda, the anatomy, along with the philosophy, took me to a better understanding of yoga. The asanas are only a small part of this ancient practice. The power of the breath means so much more to me now, especially as the path to inner peace and true nature. My confidence as someone who could teach yoga at my desired level is confirmed. - Nan

I loved that the program delivered on all of its promises: a practical education based in alignment and teaching. I loved that we jumped right into teaching. Soma teacher training began with the end in mind. From the beginning, the focus was always on information to guide me in my own practice and how to teach it. I also adored getting outside, being present and meditating in the California redwoods, the beach, and at the river. Most of all, I loved how kind and inclusive the group and program were. I loved how easy it was to be seen, heard, and answered. I feel confident about the logistics of teaching and excited to contribute to something that has meant so much to me and given me so much.

What I enjoyed overall was watching the teachers model the yogi life in all aspects of what it means to be a yogi. The lessons I have learned at yoga teacher training were to be more mindful, meditation and the power of the breath, and having compassion towards others including myself. I would absolutely recommend Soma Yoga Institute to others, especially because it is alignment based and because it embodies all components of yoga. Peggy was the essence of lightness, reassurance, discipline, and professionalism to help us grow and become our personal best. Jess was a lovely, passionate teacher in similar ways as Peggy, keeping her individuality, while being consistent with the principles, ideas, and concepts of Soma Yoga Institute as a whole. - Lynn Lind

As an educator and teacher trainer, I have very high standards for educational programs and my 200 hour yoga teacher training with Soma Yoga Institute far exceeded my expectations. The instructors were masters at sequencing the content including alignment, cueing, yoga philosophy, anatomy, chanting, and more. Each participant had two practicum teaching experiences which was very useful for getting teaching feedback and experience. I recommend this training to anyone who wants a high-quality science and heart-blended program in a gorgeous remote location in Costa Rica in the company of wonderful humans.

I went feeling apprehensive about a million things and left feeling enriched, excited, and enthralled at the entire experience! Exceptional balance of mind body practice with firmly compassionate invitations for deeper exploration. The program ignited my knowledge to learn more about the way of yoga. Teachers are inspirational and masters at holding the room. Brought an eclectic group of 20 yogis at different levels together and facilitated us taking care of ourselves and each other. Went with my husband and we both signed up for more on-line training with Liz and Peggy. They created a space so conducive to learning and growing and practicing and loving that we’d recommend them for anyone looking to explore or deepen their practice.

This 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training was a fantastic experience even online with teachings and connections that reach far beyond class time. Thank you a thousand times over. - Kristin

I enjoyed the information in the curriculum and the balance of teaching styles between Alison and Liz, as well as their caring presence. I loved the secluded location of Zen Spirit, right on the beach with amazing accommodations and food. I cannot wait to bring all of the concepts I learned into my life and appreciated the one-on-one insights I received during my conversations with my teachers, I will carry their advice and share it, like a ripple in a lake, for a lifetime. I feel confident and proud to step into the teacher’s seat. I will definitely recommend Soma Yoga Institute and will return in the future for my training needs. Liz and Alison, I love you both—thank you for everything, I cannot imagine not coming here and I am so glad I can share what I learned with others. You both rock! Soma Yoga Institute is the real deal. This is exactly what a teacher training should be. Liz and Alison created a supportive, loving environment fir us to learn and grow into thoughtful informative, safe, and authentic teachers. After completing this training, I feel confident and excited to go out and offer my community the transformative space of yoga. I will continue to integrate these teachings and wisdom into my life forever. I will also forever hold this experience with Soma Yoga dear to my heart. Thank you for your care and empowerment! --Mariah Kontopoulos

I just completed my 200 Hour YTT with Soma Yoga Institute and I feel completely ready to begin teaching yoga classes. I really enjoyed learning the "Soma" way. The focus on alignment was extremely beneficial. Learning from experienced and caring teachers made a great impact on me. Liz, Peggy and Christine have vast knowledge and are happy to share it with us in a kind, compassionate way. They each have a lovely spirit, filled with enthusiasm and support, alway encouraging us to be our best selves. The manual provided is full of amazing information. I loved the location of Okreblue in Greece, a beautiful location with delicious food and amazing staff. So just jump in, you wont be sorry you did! - Paula

I feel so empowered! I came to Costa Rica looking for a teacher training and instead I got every tool I need to train and help myself throughout my life. The curriculum was carefully crafted and was so perfectly well rounded. It provided everything I was looking for. The instruction and educational style was hands-on, so I never struggled with my learning disability. The location, weather, and group size were all perfect and I felt so loved and cared for. The wealth of knowledge the teachers have is amazing, especially with how the yoga industry is evolving. The manual and continuing education is so fantastic and I would love to do the advanced teacher training and learn more about alignment and catering to my class. I have already recommended this program to others and the 200-hour training has me excited to come back for the 300-hour training. This training gave me the tools for self-care and the strength to employ them so I am well-equipped now. I now know not only how important the space of yoga is to allow people safety and growth, but also the magnitude of the work that goes into creating and holding this space. Yoga is a life long journey and I feel more connected than ever. This experience has deepened my love for yoga and my need to share it —Roxanne

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this great and unforgettable experience in Costa Rica. This yoga teacher training deepened my ability to be more mindful to myself, others and everything. It opened up a dimension of spirituality and inspiration to take care of myself and to honor myself more. Alison’s yoga classes gave me a deep understanding of self-love, appreciation and love for this planet and they were also very calming and grounding. I truly valued Peggy’s huge knowledge of alignment and assists in asana. I also appreciated the healthy and yummy meals and fruit drinks we received every day! My body feels so much better now compared to when I arrived. I enjoyed absolutely everything about this yoga teacher training program, especially the perfect mix of our instructors Peggy and Allison! - Annette

Simply put, this experience has been life changing. I came to this yoga teacher training with the assumption that I was going to learn how to teach an asana practice, but what I am leaving with cannot possibly be put into words. What I can say is it was pure bliss. I now have a much deeper spiritual interest and understanding of yoga, a deeper love for myself, and an endless gratitude for my own practice. Our instructors, Peggy and Allison, were nothing short of spectacular; they are inspiring, knowledgeable, humble, kind, loving, and their grace knows no bounds. The 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training was such a blessing and I cannot thank Soma Yoga Institute enough for the experience. It was pure light. I am, and forever will be, grateful and honored to have been a part of it.

The opportunities for self-reflection and openness to creativity in this program was awesome! I felt as though the work around self-growth was especially transformational. My understanding of yoga is much deeper and more complex, and this knowledge has anchored me in my personal practice. I loved this experience so much I took the 300-hour Advanced program with Soma Yoga in Greece in 2022 as well and was not dissapointed. It was as incredible as my 200 hour training. I am just so grateful for finding such an amazing program and such kind, loving teachers with so much incredible experience.

The 200 hour YTT course with Soma Yoga Institute in Greece was amazing!!! The instructors and students were definitely what made the trip unforgettable, but I also enjoyed the well thought-out schedule. I appreciated the consistency from day to day with the occasional surprise from time to time. I enjoyed that the first week of the course was busier, then we had a little more time to explore the area throughout the last week. I feel more confident after completing this training and I definitely have a much better understanding of all aspects of yoga. I really enjoyed being exposed to so many types of yoga and that the emphasis was placed on alignment and doing what is right for your individual body. I would definitely love to train again with Soma Yoga Institute, and I want to recommend the program to others as well. Molly and Liz make a great team! I really enjoyed both of their styles of teaching even though they were different. It was great to see that the approach can be diverse but still wonderful!

--Jennifer Mattingly