
questions we often get asked
Questions & Answers
We have made a list of the more frequently asked questions we get about our trainings and retreats. Do reach out if you have any more questions. We are always happy to chat.
For who is our program?
We are calling in emotionally mature, self-aware beings who want to dedicate time and energy to go deeper into their body wisdom, but also in their leadership role and capacity to impact. We create a space for growth, we ask you to step up, to show up and to be seen.
If you are finding yourself at the moment in a position where you need personal healing, you could consider one of our certified affiliates to work with you personally.
What to expect?
Our mission is to spread the love for yin globally while creating high industry standards.
No doubt ‘yin is in’ and with it comes a huge amount of unskilled and untrained people providing yin yoga classes. And while these classes often can be beautiful offerings and might be ‘yin’ in their nature, very often they are not what we consider ‘yin yoga’ in the yoga sphere.
The yin yoga practice according to the principles and components, follows the foundations laid out originally by Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, and Bernie Clark are defined.
The consideration of an individual skeletal structure, functional alignment and working with ‘yin tissue’ not only stretches but also strengthens them and requires quite some ‘know-how’.
Addressing the physical benefits as well as the energetic layer when working with the Taoist philosophy, the meridians and chi flow need serious study.
Transforming a yin yoga class into a in yoga healing experience needs skill, practice and talent.
We are here for it. And we offer you the opportunity to explore these things with us. And ultimately to help us spread the word with our affiliate program.
What not to expect
Our focus is on offering you a high-quality education in the perfect learning environment, so we just would like you to be prepared:
At times it can be intensive and demanding, do not expect a yoga holiday or a luxourious retreat stay. With completion you receive a certificate & a diploma, it is an education aimed to prepare you to be able to teach professionally. There will be limited time for your self-study and rest, please use this time carefully.
We offer an educational teacher training program, not a wellness or self-healing retreat. Homework is given, you will be asked to teach and hold presentations, self-study and the successful completion of an exam is required. However, we also aim to incorporate some fun and your weekends are free for you to explore 🙂
Managing your tropical travel expectations
We often see reality not matching people’s expectations of that picture-perfect tropical paradise at first, especially when jetlagged and tired disappointment sets in easily. Expect ‘Asian standard’, even though all our destinations have their own beautiful charms, it can be a little rough around the edges, please remember on Instagram everything looks better 😉
Our venues are selected with two things in mind: learning and nature immersion. Often you will find more of a yoga school camp environment and not a luxurious holiday retreat! Our aim is to keep our programs accessable, and while we always offer our courses in really outstanding locations, be aware the price reflects the standard of the accomodation offered. The rooms are absolutly comfortable and have everything you need, but if you are in a place in life where you would like to pamper yourself a bit more, book yourself in a private room close by and just join us for the day program. For the tuition fee the shared room price applies in this case.
Ideally arrive a few days before start of the program, expolre the country, allow yourself to rest and acclimatise. Don’t take things too seriously in those early days, give yourself time to adjust yourself and your expectations, and we are sure you will leave with big love in your heart for our location and its people.
What do I need to bring to my teacher training?
We recommend that you to bring a few sets of comfortable light yoga clothing and swim wear, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, something a little warmer for the early mornings, a white outfit for our opening and closing ceremony, a reusable water bottle, and your own yoga mat.
How experienced do I need to be to start the training?
Yoga is about doing the practice according to the capability of your body and growing in your practice every day. Therefore we feel it doesn’t matter if you are experienced or not, if you are open-minded with a love for adventure, a dedication to learning and your own personal development then you are at the right place! However, certain programes are more or less suitable for different stages of your yoga journey, just get in touch to discuss which one is best suitable for you.
How does a typical day look like?
Here is an example day, but we adjust to sunrise/sunset, temperature/mosquito time and it might change a bit from day to day depending on sunset/sunrise times and our venue.
Weekdays are study immersion, your weekends are free to explore the area and dedicate yourself to some self-study. Saturdays and Sundays are free and there are no meals provided.
The mornings start with a nature meditation followed by some movement with guided yang yoga classes. After breakfast, there are theory and methodology classes till lunch, followed by a long midday break. The late afternoons are dedicated to the yin yoga practice and a sunset circle to complete the day. Days can vary, but here is an example day:
- 06:30 – 07:00 Sunrise Sadhana – Spiritual Self-Practice Time
- 07:00 – 07:15 Nature Meditation
- 07:20 – 08:30 Guided Yang Yoga Practice
- Breakfast Break
- 09:15 – 10:15 Theory
- 10:20 – 11:20 Theory
- 11:30 – 12:30 Methodology
- Lunch & Afternoon Break
- 15:30 – 17:30 Yin Yoga Immersion
- 17:45 – 18:45 Sunset Circle
- Occasional optional evening activities
First & last day timings for your travel planning
The first day starts with an opening circle at 17:00, followed by our first dinner together. The last day is reserved just for your checkout.
Do consider the exhaustion of overnight travel, jetlag and arrival at an unknown destination – adjusting to different climates, time zones and foods can be tricky, take it slowly and arrive a few days early if you can. You could check out the beautiful beaches nearby or the ones close to the airport for a smooth arrival.
Booking a shared room
Our shared room option is always shared with the same gender.
How do I need to prepare for the course?
Although you will benefit from having a regular practice before starting, it is not a necessity. It is however advised to have an affinity with yoga and to be familiar with the practice. Check with us specifically the requirements for the program you choose.
Other than that you only need to have an open mind and a love for adventure 🙂
Will I be able to teach classes after my teacher training?
Yes, you will receive a Yoga Alliance-affiliated certificate when you complete your course. We will give you all the knowledge and tools you need to be a yoga teacher. In most of our courses you will have plenty of opportunities to practice teaching and receive constructive feedback. It is then up to you if you feel ready to take on teaching. Some students feel ready while others feel that they need to practice and continue learning before teaching others.
I have special dietary needs (gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy)
We have a love for a conscious lifestyle and follow an Ayurvedic yogic diet, therefore our offered food is always fresh and pure, as organic as possible, and mostly vegan.
If you have any specific requirements (especially allergies e.g. nut allergy) please let us know in your application so we can prepare to accommodate that.
What is the difference between the 100 and 200 hour Yin Yoga Therapy concept?
The 200-hour course is designed for people who are at the beginning of their yoga teacher path as a first foundational yoga teacher education. The 200-hour certificate will qualify you to register with Yoga Alliance as a teacher.
Here you will have more time to dive deep into the yin side of yoga as well as explore general anatomy and yoga humanities. There is also much more opportunity to actively practice teaching yourself to gain teaching experience to develop your own style of teaching.
The 100-hour course is designed for people who have already done a general foundational yoga education course before and have teaching experience (or simply do not have the time to go for the full program right away). With this program, you will receive a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education certificate, but it does not qualify for a first registration with them as a yoga teacher. Some of these hours can be collected to work towards to your advanced 300-hour Yoga Alliance certification with us.
In any case, even for experienced teachers, there is a lot of value in going for the longer program as a profound yin yoga therapy immersion. There are so many layers to yin, the Daoist philosophy and the way we can benefit from the wisdom of the meridians and chi flow to ultimately transform a yoga class into a mindful healing space, or offer more personal tailored sessions to our students when it comes to physical or energetic healing. So if you have the time and resources we recommend taking a deep dive into the yin side and going for the longer immersion.
However, both concepts are high-quality Yoga Alliance-affiliated programs with extracurricular Oriental medicine workshops, which allow you to learn all about yin yoga as a healing method and mindfulness practice. With successful completion of any one of the courses you also will receive the Yin Yoga Therapy™ Diploma.
300 hour Yoga Alliance program
The 300-hour Yoga Alliance certification is an advanced level of training that builds upon the foundation established in the 200-hour certification. To pursue a 300-hour certification, a yoga teacher must first complete a foundational 200-hour certification program (with any foundational yoga teacher training school – RYS 200), and then complete 300 hours of additional training.
All of these additional 300 hours have to be with the same Yoga Alliance-affiliated institute (registered yoga school – RYS 300). We offer to collect these 300 hours with our different shorter modules where we then tailor your individual schedule according to your availability and interest and match it to fulfil the required curriculum.
After completion of (any) 200 and our 300-hour certification, you will be able to register as a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance RYT 500.
How can I pay directly?
International Payment – best with Wise
To transfer money internationally Wise is the best free alternative. We use Wise for all our international transactions.
Once registered you then can easily send to The Body-Mind-Soul Center by simply using our email.
First, choose to send to Indian currency INR, and then find us with the email yinyogatherapytraining@gmail.com (Aman Sethi) and all the details should pop up.
Google Pay & UPI /VPA
Google pay: +91 77 98 05 15 19
UPI / VPA: bodymindsoul@icici
Cryptocurrency Wallet
Kraken.com: AA23 N84G DRGY GKYI
Bank details India:
The Body-Mind-Soul Center
ICICI Siolim, Bardez, Goa
AC No: 154205000840
SWIFT: ICICINBBXXX
IFSC Code: ICIC0001542
no IBAN for Indian accounts
How can I pay a part of the training fee now and the other part later?
Use the code PAY70LATER to pay 30% of the course fee now and 70% before the course starts.
What is your payment policy?
Upon acceptance into the program, the applicant must pay a deposit of 30% to hold the applicant’s place in the program.
The deadline to pay in full is thirty (30) days prior to the start date of the training.
Read more about tuition & refund policy here >
What are your regulations during the Covid period?
We follow all international guidelines and the country’s restrictions, we also keep a close eye on any updates of the country’s regulations. During the classes, there is plenty of space to keep distance and we do encourage you to take your own yoga mat and sanitzier with you at all times. We will be providing you personal yoga equipment (blankets, bloster covers etc) to ensure everyone’s safety.
Cleaning:
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against coronavirus. Linens and towels washed in accordance to local guidelines. Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays. The accommodation partner we work with follows the guidelines of the local authorities. Equipment for activities is disinfected before and/or after use.
Physical distancing:
Cashless payment available. Speceous venues and shalas where physical distancing can be maintained. Activities and meals take place in outdoor areas where possible.
Safety features:
Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by the local government. Hand sanitizer available in guest rooms and key areas. Protective masks are available for all staff and for clients.
What happens in case of pandemic related travel retrictions?
In case travelling is not possible for you because of government restrictions we will refund the fees back to you. No risks involved!
To make it more reassuring, you can pay the remaining fee after the deposit in person once you arrived safely.
Visa regulations
Visiting the Maldives is the most simple, everyone gets a 30 day visa upon arrival.
For Bali, Indonesia, 80+ nationalities can get a Visa on Arrival at the airport for IDR 500,000 (ca USD 35). The Visa is valid for 30 days. Here is the official site for details: https://www.imigrasi.go.id/en/ and apply for your tourist visa here: https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/
Everyone visiting India requires a visa to enter the country beforehand. We recommend you to get a simple tourist visa, many countries are eligible for an online electronic short-term visa: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html or you might need to get in touch with your closest embassy directly. Each country has different visa rules and regulations – lately, the electronic visa is given is valid for 30 sometimes up to 90 days. Please find more details here http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ and inquire about the process, rules and regulations specific to your country.
For Sri Lanka, check out the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) beforehand with which you will be issued a 30-day short visit visa with entry – https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/visainfo/center.jsp