School Profile Reviews | Yoga Alliance

A. Soma Yoga Institute ONLINE & In Person in California

4.89

Based on 572 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 California
101 H Street suite g
Arcata, CA, USA

Soma Yoga Institute Greece
Evia Silence
Boúfalon, Greece

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

June 25-July 12, 2025 Greece
August 1-18, 2025 Costa Rica
December 1-18, 2025 Costa Rica
January 5-22, 2026 Costa Rica
https://somayogainstitute.com/

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

Next ONLINE 200 Hour Program Start Dates:

June 15, 2025
September 1, 2025
October 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


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).

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: Selene Wirthman Jun 22, 2025
    Training Program held on May 18, 2025—Jun 04, 2025

    This training was all-encompassing and absolutely life-changing. Both Liz and Peggy's dedication to the practice of Yoga and years of experience shined through in every Philosophical story, lesson on anatomy, and every teaching of Asana alignment. The amount of information we gained after 2 1/2 weeks was immeasurable. This was my first training with them but certainly won't be my last! Highly recommend.

    • General Comments

      This training was all-encompassing and absolutely life-changing. Both Liz and Peggy's dedication to the practice of Yoga and years of experience shined through in every Philosophical story, lesson on anatomy, and every teaching of Asana alignment. The amount of information we gained after 2 1/2 weeks was immeasurable. This was my first training with them but certainly won't be my last! Highly recommend.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Michelle Brown Jun 15, 2025

    Soma has deeply knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful master teachers that make each component of their program engaging and worthwhile, Both the 200 hr and 300 hr programs are well organized, informative and prepare each student for teaching.

    • General Comments

      Soma has deeply knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful master teachers that make each component of their program engaging and worthwhile, Both the 200 hr and 300 hr programs are well organized, informative and prepare each student for teaching.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Michelle Reece Clark Jun 13, 2025
    Training Program held on May 18, 2025—Jun 04, 2025

    They knew what we needed-before we did! There are no words to express how much gratitude I have for Soma Yoga Institute. From day one, they put all my fears to rest-Was I too old? Too out of practice? Too unsure?-they met every doubt with love, presence, and wisdom. This training changed my life on every level. I deepened my personal practice, gained confidence as a teacher, and finally understood alignment in my body. The rich history woven into every class touched me spiritually in ways I didn’t expect. I felt myself getting stronger every day. This was truly an incredible journey in a magical place. The perfect balance-nurturing and wise. I will absolutely be back for more.

    • General Comments

      They knew what we needed-before we did! There are no words to express how much gratitude I have for Soma Yoga Institute. From day one, they put all my fears to rest-Was I too old? Too out of practice? Too unsure?-they met every doubt with love, presence, and wisdom. This training changed my life on every level. I deepened my personal practice, gained confidence as a teacher, and finally understood alignment in my body. The rich history woven into every class touched me spiritually in ways I didn’t expect. I felt myself getting stronger every day. This was truly an incredible journey in a magical place. The perfect balance-nurturing and wise. I will absolutely be back for more.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Julie Graham Jun 11, 2025
    Training Program held on May 18, 2025—Jun 04, 2025

    A supportive, loving community was fostered at Soma Yoga Institute. Regardless of background or experience, students were met with respect. So much information was provided! I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in pursuing yoga teaching, or interested in deepening their own knowledge.

    • General Comments

      A supportive, loving community was fostered at Soma Yoga Institute. Regardless of background or experience, students were met with respect. So much information was provided! I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in pursuing yoga teaching, or interested in deepening their own knowledge.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Tina Feustel May 09, 2025
    Training Program held on Aug 01, 2024—Aug 18, 2024

    The yoga training was by far one of the best experiences of my life. I didn’t just learn a lot about yoga, but also about myself. The community was incredibly warm and supportive – we truly felt like a family. There was always space to ask questions, and I felt heard and understood at all times. The content was exciting, deep, and presented with so much care and intention. The location in Costa Rica was absolutely stunning – the perfect place to fully immerse in the practice. I can apply so much of what I learned directly in my daily life and in my own teaching. The materials we received were high-quality, inspiring, and a great foundation for continued learning. I felt seen, supported, and encouraged throughout the entire training. Looking back, it was the best decision I could have made – it truly enriched my life.

    • General Comments

      The yoga training was by far one of the best experiences of my life. I didn’t just learn a lot about yoga, but also about myself. The community was incredibly warm and supportive – we truly felt like a family. There was always space to ask questions, and I felt heard and understood at all times. The content was exciting, deep, and presented with so much care and intention. The location in Costa Rica was absolutely stunning – the perfect place to fully immerse in the practice. I can apply so much of what I learned directly in my daily life and in my own teaching. The materials we received were high-quality, inspiring, and a great foundation for continued learning. I felt seen, supported, and encouraged throughout the entire training. Looking back, it was the best decision I could have made – it truly enriched my life.
    School response
    Soma Yoga Institute
    May 16, 2025
    Thank you so much, Tina, for your beautiful words. It was a joy to have you with us for the Costa Rica yoga teacher training. We're so glad you felt supported, inspired, and deeply connected—both within yourself and within our yoga community. Your kind reflections mean the world to us, and we’re honored to be part of your journey. Wishing you continued growth and joy in your practice and teaching!
  • 4.5 out of 5
    By: Lyra McKee Apr 27, 2025
    Training Program held on Jun 15, 2024—Aug 31, 2024

    As a result of my participation in Soma Yoga Institute’s 200-hour online teacher training, my understanding of yoga is so much more profound and informative of my daily life, habits, and patterns than it ever was before. My yoga asana and meditation practices are more balanced and grounded in the philosophy and history of yoga as well as physical and pranic alignment principles. My body has changed and moved toward alignment in ways I didn’t even realize were possible for me. I really enjoyed the focus on bodily alignment and biomechanics to inform and ground all of the physical practices we discussed. Even having practiced several types of yoga over the course of many years, I have learned so much about the proper alignment of the joints, engagement of the muscles, and just how to hold and treat my body so much better! I also love that the training was so respectful of and dedicated to the history and philosophy of yoga as a way to properly contextualize and inform our practice in its origins and cosmologies. I was very happy to be able to pursue a yoga teacher training that explored all 8 limbs of yoga and several different styles (Vinyasa/hatha/yin/restorative/nidra/somatics), which will give me a flexibility for the kinds of classes, workshops, and communities that I can teach. I have started sharing the joy of yoga with my loved ones and feel much more confident doing so as well as sequencing my own classes.

    • General Comments

      As a result of my participation in Soma Yoga Institute’s 200-hour online teacher training, my understanding of yoga is so much more profound and informative of my daily life, habits, and patterns than it ever was before. My yoga asana and meditation practices are more balanced and grounded in the philosophy and history of yoga as well as physical and pranic alignment principles. My body has changed and moved toward alignment in ways I didn’t even realize were possible for me. I really enjoyed the focus on bodily alignment and biomechanics to inform and ground all of the physical practices we discussed. Even having practiced several types of yoga over the course of many years, I have learned so much about the proper alignment of the joints, engagement of the muscles, and just how to hold and treat my body so much better! I also love that the training was so respectful of and dedicated to the history and philosophy of yoga as a way to properly contextualize and inform our practice in its origins and cosmologies. I was very happy to be able to pursue a yoga teacher training that explored all 8 limbs of yoga and several different styles (Vinyasa/hatha/yin/restorative/nidra/somatics), which will give me a flexibility for the kinds of classes, workshops, and communities that I can teach. I have started sharing the joy of yoga with my loved ones and feel much more confident doing so as well as sequencing my own classes.
    School response
    Soma Yoga Institute
    May 16, 2025
    Thank you so much, Lyra. We’re honored that the training supported such meaningful shifts in your practice and understanding of yoga. Your reflections on alignment, philosophy, and the 8 limbs speak right to the heart of what we hope to offer. Wishing you all the best as you continue sharing the practice and stepping into your path with your Yoga Alliance certification.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: YAN LIU Apr 09, 2025
    Training Program held on Sep 01, 2024—Nov 30, 2024

    This training has reinforced my decision to share yoga with others, equipping me with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to guide and support others on their own yoga journeys. It has strengthened my belief that yoga is not just about movement—it's a practice of healing, connection, and self-discovery. I truly enjoyed the flexibility of this program, allowing me to work at my own pace while deeply absorbing the material. The curriculum was well-structured and comprehensive, covering everything from anatomy to sequencing and philosophy in a way that felt both practical and enriching. The teachers were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive, always providing insightful guidance. I also appreciated the emphasis on self-reflection and personal growth, which helped me not only develop my teaching skills but also deepen my own practice. More than just the physical benefits, my practice has also deepened my self-awareness and emotional regulation, which has positively influenced my relationships. These profound changes in my own life inspired me to delve deeper into yoga beyond just personal practice. I realized that if yoga could bring so much transformation to my life, I wanted to study it further so that I could share its benefits with others. Overall, it was an engaging, well-organized, and transformative experience that has given me confidence as a future yoga teacher. - Yan

    • General Comments

      This training has reinforced my decision to share yoga with others, equipping me with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to guide and support others on their own yoga journeys. It has strengthened my belief that yoga is not just about movement—it's a practice of healing, connection, and self-discovery. I truly enjoyed the flexibility of this program, allowing me to work at my own pace while deeply absorbing the material. The curriculum was well-structured and comprehensive, covering everything from anatomy to sequencing and philosophy in a way that felt both practical and enriching. The teachers were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and supportive, always providing insightful guidance. I also appreciated the emphasis on self-reflection and personal growth, which helped me not only develop my teaching skills but also deepen my own practice. More than just the physical benefits, my practice has also deepened my self-awareness and emotional regulation, which has positively influenced my relationships. These profound changes in my own life inspired me to delve deeper into yoga beyond just personal practice. I realized that if yoga could bring so much transformation to my life, I wanted to study it further so that I could share its benefits with others. Overall, it was an engaging, well-organized, and transformative experience that has given me confidence as a future yoga teacher. - Yan
    School response
    Soma Yoga Institute
    May 16, 2025
    Thank you, Yan, for sharing your journey so beautifully. We’re honored that our online training supported such meaningful transformation—both personally and professionally. It’s inspiring to hear how the program helped you connect more deeply with yoga’s purpose, and we’re thrilled you now feel confident to guide others. Wishing you all the best as you move forward with your Yoga Alliance certification and the path ahead!
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Julia Nardi Apr 09, 2025
    Training Program held on Mar 15, 2024—Jun 15, 2024

    Liz Heffernan, Samantha Akers, Peggy Profant, and Molly Masaoka are incredible teachers with a wealth of knowledge that they're thrilled to share with the world and I'm grateful to have learned from them!

    • General Comments

      Liz Heffernan, Samantha Akers, Peggy Profant, and Molly Masaoka are incredible teachers with a wealth of knowledge that they're thrilled to share with the world and I'm grateful to have learned from them!
    School response
    Soma Yoga Institute
    May 16, 2025
    Hi Julia. We're so glad the 200 hour online yoga training was a valuable experience for you, and we truly appreciate your kind words about the teaching team. Wishing you all the best as you move forward with your Yoga Alliance certification and your path in yoga. Thanks so much for your review. We appreciate it.
  • 5 out of 5
    By: Majbritt Johansen Apr 01, 2025
    Training Program held on Sep 01, 2024—Nov 30, 2024

  • 5 out of 5
    By: Hira Piracha Mar 20, 2025
    Training Program held on Feb 01, 2023—Apr 01, 2023

    The pace of teaching was great. All instructors we knowledgable, encouraging and inspiring.

    • General Comments

      The pace of teaching was great. All instructors we knowledgable, encouraging and inspiring.
    School response
    Soma Yoga Institute
    May 16, 2025
    Thank you, Hira! Wishing you all the best as you continue your journey with your Yoga Alliance certification and beyond.
First Registered May 2014

School Reviews

Total Reviews: 572

By Selene Wirthman RYT® 200

Jun 22, 2025

This training was all-encompassing and absolutely life-changing. Both Liz and Peggy's dedication to the practice of Yoga and years of experience shined through in every Philosophical story, lesson on anatomy, and every teaching of Asana alignment. The amount of information we gained after 2 1/2 weeks was immeasurable. This was my first training with them but certainly won't be my last! Highly recommend. Full Review

By Michelle Brown RYT® 500

Jun 15, 2025

Soma has deeply knowledgeable, caring and thoughtful master teachers that make each component of their program engaging and worthwhile, Both the 200 hr and 300 hr programs are well organized, informative and prepare each student for teaching. Full Review

All Reviews (572)

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®

Christine McArdle Christine McArdle

RYT® 500, E-RYT® 500, RCYT®, YACEP®

Jessica Trudeau

E-RYT® 500

All Teaching Staff (7)