namasteph yoga blog

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a program for your yoga teacher’s training. Cost, location, and schedule are all important factors. It’s also important to find a style that you like and a teacher you resonate with.

I really enjoyed Shiva Rea’s Embodying the Flow Foundational Teacher Training Intensive. It’s only four days. The great thing about it is that you can take one module and see if you like it before committing to the entire program.

I made friends with a yoga teacher at Shiva’s class, who had spent over $2,000 for a month-long intensive and quit before the first week was done. This was because her trainer was so bad at yoga, she couldn’t even hold tree pose without falling over. My friend never got a refund on her money. She was very excited to be in Shiva’s class and thought it was muuuuuch better.

So…here’s the scoop on Shiva’s training:

1. Go to Shiva’s training if you like vinyasa flow. Don’t expect a lot of serious background in poses and strict alignment - go to Iyengar or Anusara for that. But if you want to know vinyasa flow, then go to Shiva. Shiva is practically the inventor of vinyasa flow, so you are getting it right from the horse’s mouth.

2. Shiva’s training is broken up into modules, and it is not residential unless you take the two-week intensive at Kripalu. So while you will not get a month-long residential experience, the classes are better suited for people who can’t afford to get away from their lives for a month at a time.

3. Shiva’s classes generally have about 40-50 people in them, with very capable teaching assistants helping out. If you want a more intimate environment, her training may not be for you.

4. Shiva will often include traditional yogic philosophy and yogic spirituality in the classes. You will be chanting mantras, singing kirtan, and perhaps participating in a Hindu ritual. If you are not interested in this side of yoga, a more “yuppie” yoga school might be better for you.

5. Shiva has a philosophy of assuming great intelligence in everyone. This can be very positive, but it also means she digs deep into material quickly and there’s not a lot of handholding. You will be expected to do private study.

6. Sometimes Shiva does not follow a strict schedule, since she’s about “the flow,” so if that sort of thing bugs you, you might find training with her to be a little frustrating. You might prefer a more traditional school with a rigid schedule.

Final word: Pretty much everyone I spoke to at Shiva’s training thought it was terrific. If you enjoy her videos and her philosophy, you should definitely consider taking some of her trainings. I think she is fantastic and well worth it.