A. Soma Yoga Institute ONLINE & In Person in California

Overall School Rating

4.89

Based on 531 reviews

What is a School Review?


NPS Score 9.5/10


3 more Locations

Connect with Us

101 H Street

Arcata, CA, USA

Types of Yoga Taught

Flow Yoga

Alignment-Oriented Yoga

Spiritually-Oriented Yoga

Gentle Yoga

Specialty Yoga

Trainings Formats

Full-time
usually intensive/immersion

Part-time
spread out over time

Weekends only

Modules
several, shorter immersions

Residential
trainees stay on-site

Non-residential
trainees commute to the program

Destination / retreat

Languages

English

Other Locations

Soma Yoga Institute - Costa Rica
Playa Coyote, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Soma Yoga Institute Greece
Okreblue Yoga Center
Naousa Paros, Greece

Soma Yoga Institute Peru
Samadhi Sacred Valley, Huayllabamba, Peru

About Soma Yoga Institute

Dedicated to a Therapeutic Approach, High Quality Content, and Accessible Practices Rooted in Tradition Backed by Science Soma Yoga Institute has a world-class faculty team steeped in the traditions of Yoga. Their excellence has been cultivated through decades of enduring...

Dedicated to a Therapeutic Approach, High Quality Content, and Accessible Practices Rooted in Tradition Backed by Science

Soma Yoga Institute has a world-class faculty team steeped in the traditions of Yoga. Their excellence has been cultivated through decades of enduring dedication to their own practice and in-depth study, often in a variety of lineages. We are comprised of master-level Yoga teachers, Certified C-IAYT Yoga Therapists, and those who have been teaching for over 25 years.


We are now enrolling for both LIVE IN-PERSON IMMERSIONS AND ONLINE 200 Hour AND 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Trainings.

Next 200 Hour Immersion Dates

November 14-December 2, 2024 Peru
January 5-22, 2025 Costa Rica
February 15-March 5, 2025 Costa Rica
May 18-June 4, 2025 California
June 25-July 12, 2025 Greece
https://somayogainstitute.com/

Next 300 HOUR Immersion Dates
Greece 2026 TBA
https://somayogainstitute.com/300-greece

Next ONLINE 200 Hour Program Start Dates:

October 15, 2024
February 1, 2025 
March 15, 2025
June 15, 2025

**Complete in 8 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks or up to 8 months. Register as an RYT-200 upon graduation.
https://somayogainstitute.com/course-200

Next 300 HOUR ONLINE Dates
Starting in September 2025
https://www.somayogainstitute.online/300hrOnlineYTT


ONLINE INFORMATION

Offering the 200 Hour ONLINE Yoga Teacher Training. Deepen your practice and/ or Become an RYT 200 certified to teach yoga.

Program includes Online Live Zoom Group Calls + One to One Faculty Mentoring + Pre-recorded Content + Lifetime Access 

Learn more about our 200 Hour Online YTT program and meet the teachers.  Sign Up For the Free Webinar Here

You may also get in touch with us by visiting our website here, calling us at 808-333-9591, emailing us at somayogainstitute@gmail.com or setting up a meeting via phone, zoom or facetime here.

Upon successful completion, you will be eligible to register with Yoga Alliance as a RYT-200. Please email us at somayogainstitute@gmail.com for more information). Our program has personalized one-to-one teacher mentoring and live zoom calls as well as prerecorded content.  

Please visit our website: https://somayogainstitute.com/course-200

Soma Yoga Institute offers 200 hour and 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training Programs. 

The 200 Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training includes vinyasa flow, bio-mechanically sound alignment principles and the path of Yoga as a framework for Holistic Health. This program offers students in-depth skills to explore Yoga as a vehicle for vibrant health, self-transformation, and personal empowerment. Our curriculum includes a unique blend of alignment based vinyasa flow, a solid foundation in Hatha Yoga and 200 hours of instruction offered within a holistic wellness framework. The instruction will cover a wide range of yoga techniques including yoga postures, anatomy, relaxation, breath awareness, pranayama, meditations to calm the mind, contemplations to transform limiting tendencies into life affirming thought patterns, and the application of clear principles of alignment to create safety, balance and freedom in yoga poses. Students explore concepts from Ayurveda, the Upanishads, Patanjali and the Chakra System as frameworks for the application of yoga as a journey towards radiant health and wellbeing. The asana emphasis includes both level one/two alignment based vinyasa flow sequencing as well as gentler and restorative variations. Rather than offer standard sequencing or rigid methodologies, students are exposed to frameworks that inspire each trainee to adapt the practices, awaken their creativity and find their own authentic voice as a teacher. Graduates of this program feel empowered to teach a variety of yoga class types, including: all levels vinyasa yoga, alignment-based classes, yoga foundations, senior, gentle, and restorative.

The 300 hour Advanced Yoga Teacher Training course is designed specifically for those who are ready to deepen their knowledge base, teach with more authenticity, expand their repertoire and increase their efficacy in offering yoga as a vehicle for positive personal and planetary transformation and change. The program is open to yoga teachers from all disciplines with six months or more teaching experience (or by permission).
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First Registered May 2014

Reviews

As part of the Yoga Alliance Social Credentialing system, teachers that register with Yoga Alliance must submit a review of the RYS training program they completed.

Feedback from trainees provides Registered Yoga Schools with the opportunity to understand their trainees’ experiences in order to continually improve their trainings.

By choosing to display comments, schools enable trainees to provide insight into a school’s culture and training which helps potential trainees choose the right teacher training for their individual path with yoga.

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  • 5 out of 5
    By: Debbie Boolinoff Sep 16, 2024
    Training Program held on Aug 01, 2024—Aug 18, 2024

    I completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training with Soma Yoga Institute in Costa Rica in August, 2024, and the experience was amazing. The depth of knowledge both Liz and Molly demonstrated, their inspiring teaching styles along with their personalized attention and patience clearly portray they are experts in their fields. They created an encouraging and supportive environment, where I felt safe to explore both my physical practice and inner work. The training was set out in such a way that was easy to understand and apply, both in the philosophy of yoga and in the practice of yoga. The class size was perfect and allowed for meaningful connections with both instructors and with the wonderful group of yogi-peers. We were encouraged to share our experiences, challenges and progress in a safe and nurturing environment. I have grown not only as a yoga practitioner but definitely as a person. After completing the training, I am confident and excited to teach and continue to develop my skills and knowledge. This program is exceptional and invaluable.

    • General Comments

      I completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training with Soma Yoga Institute in Costa Rica in August, 2024, and the experience was amazing. The depth of knowledge both Liz and Molly demonstrated, their inspiring teaching styles along with their personalized attention and patience clearly portray they are experts in their fields. They created an encouraging and supportive environment, where I felt safe to explore both my physical practice and inner work. The training was set out in such a way that was easy to understand and apply, both in the philosophy of yoga and in the practice of yoga. The class size was perfect and allowed for meaningful connections with both instructors and with the wonderful group of yogi-peers. We were encouraged to share our experiences, challenges and progress in a safe and nurturing environment. I have grown not only as a yoga practitioner but definitely as a person. After completing the training, I am confident and excited to teach and continue to develop my skills and knowledge. This program is exceptional and invaluable.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Ivy Epstein Sep 16, 2024
    Training Program held on Aug 01, 2024—Aug 18, 2024

    This 200 hour yoga teacher training gave me the confidence to move safely in my body and use yoga to connect more deeply with myself and express myself freely. I also feel empowered to continue deepening my relationship with my spirituality and the universe through my commitment to this practice. I love that. I appreciated the reminders that what will truly create good yoga teachers are the gifts we all have inside ourselves. I also love the community we created here which was made possible through the depth of the program. I loved the sections on sequencing. It felt so freeing to learn the tools to express myself creatively and safely through yoga rather than memorizing sequences. This training was more than I could’ve wanted. It was incredibly thorough and well thought out. I could feel the teachers were teaching from the place of love, joy and passion, and inspired me to connect with my own gifts and share them in my own way. The training was definitely transformative to my self-confidence and something I will never forget.

    • General Comments

      This 200 hour yoga teacher training gave me the confidence to move safely in my body and use yoga to connect more deeply with myself and express myself freely. I also feel empowered to continue deepening my relationship with my spirituality and the universe through my commitment to this practice. I love that. I appreciated the reminders that what will truly create good yoga teachers are the gifts we all have inside ourselves. I also love the community we created here which was made possible through the depth of the program. I loved the sections on sequencing. It felt so freeing to learn the tools to express myself creatively and safely through yoga rather than memorizing sequences. This training was more than I could’ve wanted. It was incredibly thorough and well thought out. I could feel the teachers were teaching from the place of love, joy and passion, and inspired me to connect with my own gifts and share them in my own way. The training was definitely transformative to my self-confidence and something I will never forget.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Jennifer Melo Sep 16, 2024
    Training Program held on Aug 01, 2024—Aug 18, 2024

    My experience with Soma Yoga Institute was phenomenal! I opted for the in-person training in Costa Rica and it exceeded my expectations. While challenging, it was also fun and interesting, and wonderfully instructed. I would recommend Soma Yoga Institute to anyone seeking to deepen their own practice, immerse themselves into the world of yoga, and learn to become a thoughtful yoga teacher - All within a loving, diverse, and safe environment. If you're on the fence, I'm telling you with 100% sincerity...JUST DO IT! :)

    • General Comments

      My experience with Soma Yoga Institute was phenomenal! I opted for the in-person training in Costa Rica and it exceeded my expectations. While challenging, it was also fun and interesting, and wonderfully instructed. I would recommend Soma Yoga Institute to anyone seeking to deepen their own practice, immerse themselves into the world of yoga, and learn to become a thoughtful yoga teacher - All within a loving, diverse, and safe environment. If you're on the fence, I'm telling you with 100% sincerity...JUST DO IT! :)
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Frank The Yogi Sep 05, 2024
    Training Program held on Mar 15, 2024—Jun 15, 2024

    Great for anyone that is looking for in depth knowledge of yoga great instructors.

    • General Comments

      Great for anyone that is looking for in depth knowledge of yoga great instructors.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Julie Colletti Sep 03, 2024
    Training Program held on Aug 01, 2024—Aug 18, 2024

    The way this 200 hour yoga teacher training courses laid out was smartly done. I liked the structure of the days, I loved how in-depth we went into sequencing and all of the group work. The concept of jumping into imperfect action spoke to me and everything deepened as a result. There was a lot I did not know about Yoga before. I refocused my own practice and now I am fully ready to get out there and be a yoga teacher. I LOVED the chakras class, I feel like the creativity of it cracked me wide open. I have such deep gratitude for my teachers, Liz and Molly, and the insane kindness they extended towards me is unforgettable. Thank you for holding the space for me and all the hard work you put into this. The dedication and care you both possess simply radiated out of this program and you brought together an inspired and beautiful group of people. Thank you for permanently altering the trajectory of my life.

    • General Comments

      The way this 200 hour yoga teacher training courses laid out was smartly done. I liked the structure of the days, I loved how in-depth we went into sequencing and all of the group work. The concept of jumping into imperfect action spoke to me and everything deepened as a result. There was a lot I did not know about Yoga before. I refocused my own practice and now I am fully ready to get out there and be a yoga teacher. I LOVED the chakras class, I feel like the creativity of it cracked me wide open. I have such deep gratitude for my teachers, Liz and Molly, and the insane kindness they extended towards me is unforgettable. Thank you for holding the space for me and all the hard work you put into this. The dedication and care you both possess simply radiated out of this program and you brought together an inspired and beautiful group of people. Thank you for permanently altering the trajectory of my life.
  • 4.5 out of 5
    By: Christina Leone Sep 02, 2024
    Training Program held on Mar 15, 2024—Jun 15, 2024

  • 4.5 out of 5
    By: Alison Munn Aug 28, 2024
    Training Program held on Mar 15, 2024—Jun 15, 2024

    The diverse experience of the instructors is what made Soma Yoga Institute's 200 hour YTT the right program for me. Liz, Peggy, Samantha and Molly all offered different styles, ways of teaching and areas of expertise, which enhanced the training. The information in the modules, especially the class videos, were impactful and I find myself referring to them often.

    • General Comments

      The diverse experience of the instructors is what made Soma Yoga Institute's 200 hour YTT the right program for me. Liz, Peggy, Samantha and Molly all offered different styles, ways of teaching and areas of expertise, which enhanced the training. The information in the modules, especially the class videos, were impactful and I find myself referring to them often.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Sofia Vargas Aug 26, 2024
    Training Program held on Aug 01, 2024—Aug 18, 2024

  • 5 out of 5
    By: Autumn Zuleeg Aug 23, 2024
    Training Program held on Aug 01, 2024—Aug 18, 2024

  • 5 out of 5
    By: Janelle M Adsit Aug 13, 2024
    Training Program held on Oct 15, 2023—Jan 31, 2024

    I'm delighted to be a Soma student! It was wonderful to meet Peggy, Sam, Molly, and Liz through the videos and to get to know each person's style and approach. The course is very thorough. I think it provides exceptional training in alignment and anatomy. The course has been supportive of my wellbeing, and I say this in a holistic sense. I'm very grateful. - Janelle

    • General Comments

      I'm delighted to be a Soma student! It was wonderful to meet Peggy, Sam, Molly, and Liz through the videos and to get to know each person's style and approach. The course is very thorough. I think it provides exceptional training in alignment and anatomy. The course has been supportive of my wellbeing, and I say this in a holistic sense. I'm very grateful. - Janelle
First Registered May 2014

School Reviews

Total Reviews: 531

By Debbie Boolinoff RYT® 200

Sep 16, 2024

I completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training with Soma Yoga Institute in Costa Rica in August, 2024, and the experience was amazing. The depth of knowledge both Liz and Molly demonstrated, their inspiring teaching styles along with their personalized attention and patience clearly portray they are experts in their fields. They created an encouraging and supportive environment, where I felt safe to explore both my physical practice and inner work. The training was set out in such a way that was easy to understand and apply, both in the philosophy of yoga and in the practice of yoga. The class size was perfect and allowed for meaningful connections with both instructors and with the wonderful group of yogi-peers. We were encouraged to share our experiences, challenges and progress in a safe and nurturing environment. I have grown not only as a yoga practitioner but definitely as a person. After completing the training, I am confident and excited to teach and continue to develop my skills and knowledge. This program is exceptional and invaluable. Full Review

By Ivy Epstein RYT® 200

Sep 16, 2024

This 200 hour yoga teacher training gave me the confidence to move safely in my body and use yoga to connect more deeply with myself and express myself freely. I also feel empowered to continue deepening my relationship with my spirituality and the universe through my commitment to this practice. I love that. I appreciated the reminders that what will truly create good yoga teachers are the gifts we all have inside ourselves. I also love the community we created here which was made possible through the depth of the program. I loved the sections on sequencing. It felt so freeing to learn the tools to express myself creatively and safely through yoga rather than memorizing sequences. This training was more than I could’ve wanted. It was incredibly thorough and well thought out. I could feel the teachers were teaching from the place of love, joy and passion, and inspired me to connect with my own gifts and share them in my own way. The training was definitely transformative to my self-confidence and something I will never forget. Full Review

All Reviews (531)

Teaching Staff

Samantha Akers

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Liz Heffernan

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Molly Masaoka

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Peggy Profant

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

Alison Scola C-IAYT

E-RYT® 500, YACEP®

All Teaching Staff (5)

Yoga Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(6). Yoga Alliance Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). This website refers to the two organizations as "Yoga Alliance." Copyright 2024 Yoga Alliance. Yoga Alliance, the Yoga Alliance logo, RYS, RYT, and YACEP are registered marks with the USPTO and other jurisdictions.