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meeting the inner teacher

​You can develop a regular meditation practice. And ​if you want to live with more ease, ​focus, creativity or joy, you really should! ​M​ost of us get discouraged because we have erroneous notions about what ​meditation is​ “supposed to​​“​ be.​  Drawing on ancient texts, modern science, and her own years of daily meditation practice, Aaron will help you dissolve any preconceived notions that may be blocking you, and help equip you with powerful tools for taking the life-changing journey inward.

Among the resources you will discover over the 4 weeks: 

• Accessible techniques for stilling the mind and making meditative states possible.

• A list of classic obstacles that pop up for new mediators and advice about how to move beyond them.

• Access to guided meditations and other tools to help you do your own home practice.

• Aaron’s support via email and phone for questions that arise between the sessions.

• A community to hold you accountable for reaching your goals and to bolster your efforts for those 4 weeks and beyond!

Aaron has stu​died ​with masters of various ​meditation ​traditions from around the world​ and tested all of the wisdom she found “out there” against her own inner compass. ​She has ultimately ​come to an exuberant and non-dogmatic embracing of every human’s access to Truth through stillness, sincerity and fearless exploration. She teaches weekly​ ​meditation ​and yoga ​classes and has helped ​dozens of students successfully develop a ​lasting and ​satisfying home practice. For more information  about her visit diasyoga.com.

200 hour Shala Teacher Training

The Shala 200-hour Teacher Training

Bring resilience and peace into your home, workplace, neighborhood, and community. 

October 2025-April 2026  Now taking applications!
Online and In Studio
Scholarships for BIPOC yogis
Yoga Alliance Certified
For more information email info@theshala.com

PAYMENTS

Please email info@theshala.com to inquire about paying in full or to set up a payment plan.

OVERVIEW

The Shala’s 200-hour training is designed for students seeking a stronger connection with the profound Indian and Buddhist teachings our practices are rooted in, and in becoming skilled practitioners and teachers. Individuals interested in deepening their connection with these traditions, without aspirations toward teaching, are also welcome. 

Comprehensive and rigorous, The Shala Yoga offers vinyasa-style asana classes, many of which incorporate pranayama, mindfulness, meditation, chanting, yoga ethics, and philosophical study. We are committed to the principles of compassion and generosity, truth and justice, steadiness and ease; our program aims to develop these qualities in our trainees so that each and every one finds their own way to bring resilience and peace into their homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities. 

COMMUNITY

Graduates of our program often share that one of the most rewarding aspects of this training is the opportunity to bond, collaborate, and build community with one another. We emphasize partner and small-group dialogue as a means of exploring yoga’s many facets from different perspectives and lived experiences, and of facilitating enduring friendships.

TRAINING

DEEPEN

Through experiential and interactive learning, our training dives deep into: 

  • Establishing a consistent asana and meditation practice
  • Developing a confident and authentic voice, adaptable for in-person, outdoor, and online spaces
  • Building an understanding of important philosophical concepts, and learning how to relay these concepts in accessible, relevant terms (i.e., through dharma talks)
  • Designing intelligent sequences
  • Delivering clear alignment instruction
  • Offering effective assists
  • Instructing to all levels
  • Studying, contemplating, and interpreting critical texts
  • Engaging in mutually supportive relationships with fellow trainees 
  • How to weave practice and its principles into daily life
  • Community-building and community outreach, including expanding access to diverse populations and environments 

ENGAGE

We engage with an array of therapeutic applications:

  • Ayurveda (nutrition, self-care routines, seasonal modifications, etc.)
  • Anatomically-informed approaches to working with injuries
  • Yoga therapy: theory and practice
  • Restorative
  • Prenatal and postpartum
  • Trauma-informed 

EXPAND

We understand yoga as an expansive, vital, and evolving tradition. Our workshops focus on:

  • Asana, pranayama, and meditation
  • Lineage, history, and philosophy
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Chanting and Sanskrit 
  • Yoga therapy
  • Trauma-informed technique
  • Yoga and Buddhism
  • Yoga and social justice
  • Yoga and ethics
  • The business of yoga

PRIMARY TEACHERS: Sharon Salzberg, Barbara Verrochi, Kristin Leigh, Maria Rubinate, Constance Kassor, Kate Johnson, Joe Miller, Jenny Meyer, Shevy Katan, Sasha Ginetti, Ashley Dorr, Domenick Schiavone, Maria Cutrona, Annie Piper, Julie Peacock, Jenny Campbell,  Sherry Russell, Jackie Brown & Julianna Takacs.

SCHEDULE 2025-2026 (subject to change)

13 Weekends, Sat: 9-11 and 12:30-3:00, Sun: 10:30-12:30 and 2:00-4:30

  • October 18-19, 25-26
  • November 8-9,  22-23
  • December 6- 7, 13-14
  • January 10-11,  24-25
  • February 7-8, 21-22
  • March 7-8, 28-29
  • April 18-19

Friday evening, 5:15 to 6:45pm

  • March 20, 27
  • April 17 

Wednesday evenings Buddhist Studies 6:30 to 8:00pm (See Buddhist Studies page)

  • Oct 22
  • Nov 5
  • Dec 3
  • Saturday Dec 21, Jan 10
  • Feb 4
  • March 4, 18
  • April 1

TUITION 

  • A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot, and is due before the training begins.
  • Early Bird payment: $3300 full payment before September 15.
  • $3550 full payment after September 15.
  • Payment plan available (with additional processing fee of $75). 
  • We offer 15% off of tuition as a work-study option for trainees who request financial assistance. Opportunities are limited.
  • We offer a 30% scholarship for BIPOC trainees, in keeping with The Shala’s aspirations for a more racially diverse teaching body.
  • Please note: Work-study and BIPOC scholarship cannot be combined.

“I really loved being part of The Shala YTT, I met the most wonderful and supportive group of yogis – teachers and fellow TTs alike. We are still in touch as we continue our journey. We learned so much about all aspects of yoga such as anatomy, sequencing, meditation, sutras, sanskrit, bhagavad gita, ayurveda, different styles of yoga, like restorative and prenatal and were really immersed in what it means to be a yoga teacher. I also appreciated that the common theme of the training was to find our own voice and style. We were guided so beautifully by all the teachers who shared their unique wisdom and experience. Now we can choose to dive even deeper into whatever area we are most drawn to on this great path. I am so grateful to Barbara and Kristin for creating this program in a safe and supportive space and feel lucky to have been a part of it.”

Julia Reimer

 

“The Shala YTT program has been a rich and wonderful experience all around. I was initially attracted to the training as a way to deepen my own practice and understanding of the many facets of yoga — including yoga history & philosophy, ayurveda, chanting, meditation, and so much more. But I quickly became fascinated by the tools and techniques one needs to become a teacher, such as sequencing, anatomy, an introduction to various styles of yoga, and rich and important conversations on cultivating diverse and inclusive yoga communities. Not only have I had the chance to travel much further on my yoga path than I’d imagined, but I also became acquainted with and connected to a supportive, talented, and compassionate group of teachers and fellow teacher trainees. The Shala YTT program is thoughtfully designed, expertly led, and open-heartedly encouraging. Barbara and Kristin have created a beautiful, welcoming, and accessible space for all who wish to pursue this path.”

Shana Kimball

New Year’s Eve Retreat in Miami

Yoga classes on the roof deck & beach front

2 classes a day, including NYE and New Year’s morning

Meditation and Kirtan

Spa treatments available

Choose your own dates/price package

Reg deadline November 30th

email juliannayoga@gmail.com for more info/register

300 hour Shala Teacher Training

The Shala 300-hour Teacher Training

Bring resilience and peace into your home, workplace, neighborhood, and community. 

October 2025-April 2026 Accepting applications now!
Online and In Studio
Scholarships for BIPOC yogis
Yoga Alliance Certified
For more information email info@theshala.com

PAYMENTS

Please email info@theshala.com to inquire about paying in full or setting up a payment plan.

OVERVIEW

Our 300-hour advanced teacher training invites trainees to delve more fully into the physical, philosophical, practical, and professional dimensions of yoga. At the Shala, we value an ongoing commitment to education and development as practitioners and instructors. We believe that a strong and sustained personal practice is what allows teachers to continue flourishing in their craft. We believe, too, that the challenges and complexities of modern life call for steady guides dedicated to teaching skillful action. We are committed to the principles of compassion and generosity, truth and justice, steadiness and ease; our program aims to develop these qualities in our trainees so that each and every one finds their own way to bring resilience and peace into their homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities.  

COMMUNITY

Graduates of our program often share that one of the most rewarding aspects of this training is the opportunity to bond, collaborate, and build community with one another. We emphasize partner and small-group dialogue as a means of exploring yoga’s many facets from different perspectives and lived experiences, and of facilitating enduring friendships.

OUR 300-HOUR TRAINING FOCUSES ON: 

  • Advanced asana study, including sequencing, yoga therapy, anatomy, and physiology
  • Pranayama and meditation 
  • Lineage and history of yoga
  • Immersive study and discussion of Buddhist and yogic philosophies
  • Sanskrit pronunciation and chanting
  • Skill-building for effective and accessible meditation instruction
  • Sharing contemplative and embodiment practices with diverse communities
  • Exploring the relationship between yoga, Buddhism, and social justice
  • Fostering supportive, generative friendships within each training cohort
  • Final research project/presentation and mentorship

FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT 

The 300-hour Training provides an opportunity for trainees to work one-on-one with a senior teacher to investigate particular subjects of interest, practice teaching, review sequences, learn chants, hone teaching voice, and more. All trainees conceive of, carry out, and present an individual research project on a subject of their choosing. The research project will culminate in a final oral presentation and related asana class. Some past research projects include:

  • How yoga impacts different systems of the body
  • The relationship between yoga and social action
  • Yoga viewed in a historical context
  • Sequencing and assisting (verbal and hands-on)
  • Co-teaching classes, workshops, and retreats
  • Classical texts of the yoga canon
  • Reading, speaking, writing, and memorizing Sanskrit
  • Yoga therapy and yoga for particular conditions
  • Writing and delivering dharma talks that illuminate asana practice

SCHEDULE 2025-2026 (subject to change)

13 Weekends, Sat: 9-11 and 12:30-3:00, Sun: 10:30-12:30 and 2:00-4:30

  • October 18-19, 25-26
  • November 8-9,  22-23
  • December 6- 7, 13-14
  • January 10-11,  24-25
  • February 7-8, 21-22
  • March 7-8, 28-29
  • April 18-19

Friday evening, 5:15 to 6:45pm

  • March 20, 27
  • April 17 

Wednesday evenings Buddhist Studies 6:30 to 8:00pm (See Buddhist Studies page)

  • Oct 22
  • Nov 5
  • Dec 3
  • Saturday Dec 21, Jan 10
  • Feb 4
  • March 4, 18
  • April 1

TEACHERS: Sharon Salzberg, Barbara Verrochi, Kristin Leigh, Maria Rubinate, Connie Kassor, Kate Johnson, Joe Miller, Jenny Meyer, Shevy Katan, Sasha Ginetti, Ashley Dorr, Domenick Schiavone, Maria Cutrona, Annie Piper, Julie Peacock, Jenny Campbell,  Sherry Russell, Julianna Takacs, Constance Kassor & Jackie Brown.

PRE-REQUISITES

  • 200-hour certification or teaching experience
  • Minimum 5 years of consistent yoga practice
  • A completed 300-hour teacher training application. Email info@theshala.com for more information.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Attend 25 asana classes at The Shala 
  • Attend one or more weekly meditation classes at The Shala 
  • Attend scheduled meetings 
  • Attend scheduled peer meetings for practice, study, and practice teaching
  • Complete all written homework and required reading

TUITION

  • A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot, and is due before the training begins.
  • Early Bird: $3500 if paid in full before September 15.
  • $3750 if paid in full after September 15.
  • Payment plan available (with additional processing fee of $75). 
  • We offer 15% off of tuition as a work-study option for trainees who request financial assistance. Opportunities are limited.
  • We offer a 30% scholarship for BIPOC trainees, in keeping with The Shala’s aspirations for a more racially diverse teaching body.
  • Please note: Work-study and BIPOC scholarship cannot be combined.

 

mexico retreat with ashley and domenick

Join us for 2 daily yoga classes, meditation, 3 meals a day, boutique hotel accommodations, beach, fun and friends all set on the Caribbean Sea! Spa services and excursions available. Airfare not included.
Early Bird Prices from $1250 to $1950 (depending on occupancy).
After November 1st $1350 to $2050.
To register or for more information please email ashleydorr@hotmail.com.

Limited space available. Secure your spot with a non-refundable $500 deposit by October 31st.

the metta project

This Fall’s Metta Project will support two causes: Project Lift who provide psychosocial and expressive arts therapy for Syrian Child Refugees in Turkey. And Operation Shanti who support Orphans and Disadvantaged Youth in India. Proceeds will be divided up amongst both of these wonderful organizations who support children in holistic ways.

Metta is the pali word for lovingkindness: a practice where we offer kind wishes of peace and well being to others. We believe that by building awareness, dedicating our practice and making small offerings, we can work to make a difference in the lives of others, ourselves and the world around us.

circle of health

This will take 1 mins of your time…tops !! Please read (and hopefully donate to)  this most awesome cause that myself and a group of magnificent women, including Julianne Moore, Molly Guy,  Jemima, Domino, Lola Kirk  and Frances Tulk-Hart, are trying to raise money for.  In this day and age it’s shocking  that 1 in 3 women still die in childbirth and that so many children are in such awful danger.  Let’s try and start bringing an end to this pain.

Our efforts will culminate in afternoon party at the Mccarren Hotel on November 14th featuring all of the hosts above as well food, drinks, music, tarot, flower crowns, balloons, talks and more. Click here to donate inhershoes.cohintl.org/kristin-leigh.COHI Deck_Page_1

yoga 101

Have you ever wanted to try your first yoga class, but lacked the confidence to take that first step? Or have actually taken that first step only to find an absence of guidance needed to meet your beginning needs

When we decide to commit to that first yoga class, an attentive and skillful teacher is one of, if not the most necessary ingredients needed to cultivate a positive long lasting experience with our budding practice.

Join Now Yoga teachers as in an offering of foundational teaching towards building an asana practice from the ground up. This course will include 4 one hour and fifteen minute classes designed with the intention of developing a steady and growing understanding of how to work with the poses to support your own particular set of needs.

Of course you won’t be a yoga master by the end of the 4 weeks. However, you will have more confidence, knowledge and awareness to enter an open level class with enough poise to enjoy a safe, yet fulfilling yoga practice.

This is where it all begins.