This teacher training 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 therapeutic 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, anatomy-informed 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. Expect to practice asana from all category of poses including standing poses, hip openers, forward bends, backward bends, twists, inversions, balancing, supine, seated and prone. Modifications for all levels of practitioners are provided and all levels of abilities are welcome to attend.
Rather than offer standard sequencing or rigid methodologies, students are exposed to frameworks that inspire each yoga teacher to adopt 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.
CURRICULUM INCLUDES VINYASA FLOW, THERAPEUTIC ALIGNMENT PRINCIPLES & THE PATH OF YOGA AS A FRAMEWORK FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
Certification as a RYT-200 with Yoga Alliance
A solid foundation in classical Hatha Yoga – including alignment based vinyasa flow and restorative yoga within a therapeutic framework.
An anatomy and biomechanically informed alignment system that helps to address common misalignments and keeps your students safe
Modifications and adaptations for all bodies, including special populations such as seniors, pregnancy, and those with injuries
Gain insights into your (true) nature through the wisdom of Yoga and its philosophy
Explore breath work, mantra and meditation as tools to create vibrant health and wellbeing in your life
Learn the art of sequencing yoga classes that honors your authentic voice and meets the needs of your student population
Business of Yoga & How to Build Your Yoga Community
Learn to share the practices with others in a safe and powerful way
Build self-confidence and tap into your amazing potential in a supportive, nurturing environment
Train with highly experienced, knowledgeable and passionate teachers and yoga therapists
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"My heart feels blown open (like hanuman)! This 200 Hour yoga teacher training gave me the confidence to share my love of yoga, of breath and of mindfulness. I feel more confident with my ability to venture forth and share yoga with my friends, family, students, healthy aging groups, and absolutely everyone. I really enjoyed the morning silent and guided meditations, this time helped bring me to my sankalpa. I also really appreciated how the daily schedule was set up including our 1/2 day trips. These assisted in keeping us grounded. I absolutely receomend this program!"
- McKenna
Peggy Profant, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500 is a certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapy, Anusara Yoga certified, and a lead teacher trainer for Soma Yoga Institute since 2016. Her approach blends the ancient wisdom of yoga with biomechanically sound alignment to help her students become more firmly anchored in their true, radiant self. Every class she teaches is an artistic expression with meaningful and uplifting heart themes partnered with skillful sequencing and therapeutic alignment.
meet your instructors
Peggy Profant
more about peggy
Liz Heffernan, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT is an international yoga teacher and Integrative Yoga Therapist. She draws from over two decades of personal yoga practice, 25 years of teaching and extensive training in the Hatha yoga systems of Kripalu, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Ashtanga and Anusara. She currently directs and leads Yoga teacher trainings and workshops in worldwide locations, provides unique one-to-one mentoring for yoga teachers wishing to improve their skills and delivery, instructs daily yoga classes and offers private therapeutic sessions.
Liz Heffernan
more about Liz
C-IAYT YOga Therapist, E-RYT 500, Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher
C-IAYT Yoga Therapist,E-RYT 500
She first discovered Kripalu yoga and changed the course of her life in her formative teen years in 1980. In 1994 she met her teacher, BNS Iyengar in Mysore, India who taught her the traditional forms of Ashtanga yoga. In 2001 she became interested in a more therapeutic approach to help her heal from injuries. She found Anusara Yoga and delighted in it's style of weaving meaningful heart themes into therapeutically aligned sequences. Peggy pursued the rigorous path to become a Certified Anusara Teacher in 2004 and began to delve into more studies of the therapeutic aspects of yoga.
Every class she teaches is an artistic expression with meaningful and uplifting heart themes partnered with skillful sequencing and therapeutic alignment. As a yoga practitioner and teacher for over 25 years, Peggy has always been intrigued by the aspects of mental well-being through yoga. In her studies to become a yoga therapist, she focused primarily on yoga psychology and the healing benefits of yoga for herself and her clients.
Peggy is a thoughtful and encouraging mentor to many students and yoga teachers in her community and around the globe. It is her wish to empower her students, friends and colleagues to overcome obstacles to self love and allow each person to joyfully offer their gifts back to humanity. In addition to Yoga, traveling and being in nature with her family is where she finds her deepest joy and peace. Peggy founded and operated a premier yoga studio in Arcata, Om Shala Yoga, for 10 years, and co-founded World Family Yoga leading family retreats in Costa Rica. She has been leading workshops, retreats and Yoga Teacher Trainings since 2005.
Peggy profant
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Liz is the Founder and Director of Soma Yoga Institute, a world-wide, in-person and online yoga teacher training school that embraces a therapeutically-oriented, heart-centered approach. These programs, heralded by many as truly inspirational, combine modern day biomechanics and research driven science with ancient teachings and serve to teach adaptive Yoga for all BODIES as a practice for vibrant health, self-transformation and personal empowerment.
Liz has trained extensively in the Hatha systems of Kripalu, Ashtanga, Anusara and Integrative Yoga Therapy.
In her work as a yoga therapist, Liz specializes in working with students with musculoskeletal issues as well as helping seniors age gracefully. She is highly skilled in adapting practices to meet the complex health challenges associated with aging. In collaborative partnership with Yoga 4 Brain Health she has co-founded the Memory Maintenance Yoga Teacher Training program that certifies Yoga teachers to help their communities delay the onset of memory loss related diseases through Yoga. Liz also serves as a faculty-mentor for the Kripalu School of Integrative Yoga Therapy supporting professionals on their journey to become yoga therapists.
Liz is known is for her ability to bridge the gap between the ancient perspectives of yoga and contemporary daily life. Her teaching weaves together philosophy, creative sequencing, clear alignment, mindful breathing, and compassionate self-inquiry to form a tapestry that reflects her heartfelt commitment to this transformative path.
Liz believes that the path of Yoga brings greater ease, not just to the individual, but to all beings everywhere, and ultimately uplifts planetary consciousness one conscious breath at a time.
Liz heffernan
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the details
THE STUDIO
Blue Lake Sanctuary is a custom home yoga studio large enough to accommodate 16 people located in Peggy's abode in Blue Lake, CA. With artfully designed architecture, wood heat fire, and radiant heated floors, this space is perfect for hosting classes, retreats and trainings. In the upstairs kitchen and dining area, with its lovely pastoral scenery and views of the redwood forested hills, we will enjoy delicious, healthy lunches together each day. Blue Lake Sanctuary is also walking distance to the Mad River for beautiful nature hikes and swimming holes on warmer days.
Tuition: $2747 USD includes lunch each day (except on your day off). Price includes yoga teacher training tuition, and a 200 page yoga teacher training manual, six months access to our online yoga teacher training material, as needed mentoring after the program ends, and healthy lunches each day.
May 18-June 4, 2026
tuition
Deposit & Tuition Payment Schedule
A $500 USD deposit will reserve your space and will be applied to the full tuition price listed above. Deposits and tuition payments minus a 10% processing fee, are refundable up to 31 days prior to retreat start date. The 10% processing fee will apply to all refunds and this fee covers credit card charges and administrative processing fees.
50% of your tuition payment is due 3 months prior or within 2 weeks of signing up and the final tuition payment is due no later than one month prior to the program start date. If you would like to discuss alternate arrangements or a payment plan, please feel free to contact us directly and we would be happy to work something out.
Fee-free transfers for documented health/emergency situations: If cancellation is necessary prior to the first day of the program due to documented health or emergency situations, a student’s deposit and tuition will be fully transferable to a future program with Soma Yoga Institute. In all other circumstances, due to the logistics involved in planning immersion programs, we regret that we are unable to issue deposit/tuition refunds 30 days or less prior to program start date. No refunds are issued on or after the program start date for any reason.
program Dates
10:00
Daily Schedule
12:30
13:30
17:30
Yoga asana practice, meditation and pranayama
Methodology, alignment study, anatomy, teaching skills
Delicious, Healthy Lunch Prepared For You
Restorative or Yoga Nidra. Philosophy, lifestyle, and ethics, and practice teaching
Most evenings are free but some home assignments may be required occassionally.
**There will be one full day and one half day off to rest and explore the area.
08:00
HOUSING
(Arrive on May 17 for an 8:00am start on May 18)
- Camping with Tent or Van Option: $450 for 18 nights
- Glamping Tent Provided: $720 for 18 nights
- Private Loft in Shared Group House: $720 for 18 nights
- Private Room in Shared Group House: $1260 for 18 nights
- Small RV with Bed and Sink + shared bath: $900 for 18 nights
- Tiny House Shared Bath: $900 for 18 nights
- Single Private Bath: $1260 for 18 nights
Additional options can be found through Airbnb www.airbnb.com and/or VRBO www.vrbo.com/. If you would like to be paired with a roommate please let us know and I can share your email so you can speak directly with one another.
To
We are pleased to offer this 200 hour teacher training is set in beautiful Arcata/Blue Lake, California, near the majestic Redwoods.
During the program students will have time to enjoy majestic and ancient Redwood forests, wild and scenic rivers, dramatically gorgeous beaches and immerse into
the local culture of Arcata. Trips will be planned to the nearby sites throughout the program so students may take in and experience the areas diverse natural
beauty. Surfing, hiking, biking and rock climbing are just a few of the diverse activities which the local area offers.
The training will be held at Blue Lake Sanctuary, a large private yoga studio with ambient heated floors, is located just 15 minutes from downtown Arcata, making it an ideal location to explore and soak in all the community has to offer. There are a variety of locally owned
restaurants and natural and organic grocery stores,
Arcata Natural Foods, and Wildberries Marketplace, which both serve ready-made food. Wildberries marketplace also features a community "box office" which
sells tickets to local events and festivals. There are also many locally owned artisan stores and on Saturdays, Arcata holds a local agricultural farmers market, drawing
members of the surrounding community, for fresh, organic goods, music and community.
Join Us Near The Majestic Redwoods
Complimentary airport transportation is provided from Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) in Humboldt County, California to your housing location. Shared shuttles may also coordinated from San Francisco Airport (SFO) at an additional cost if others are interested. Please contact us for more information on the SFO shuttle.
transportation
This experience made the most positive and loving impact in my life. Learning alignment and ways to practice safely have exponentially improved my understanding of yoga and mindfulness and have smoothly transitioned into my personal practice. After this course my confidence is at an all time high. Liz and Peggy are the greatest Yoga duo ever!! So knowledgeable and loving! - California Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
-Brandon Jensen
The sense of community and constant support is what I loved most. From the moment I arrived, my nerves eased—everyone was so welcoming. The days were beautifully organized with just the right balance of activity and rest. Teaching from day one built my confidence immediately. The alignment work was a game-changer—I only wish I’d learned it sooner. I feel ready to teach beginner and senior yoga classes, which was my goal, and I’m walking away more patient, open-hearted, and confident. The property radiates loving and healing energy, and the dinner club added joy to the experience. I would absolutely recommend this training—and do it again in a heartbeat.
-Julie Graham, California Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
I loved it all—the structure of the program, the content, the people, the teachers, the location. Every piece of this experience has shifted my perspective on life itself. The grounds at Blue Lake are breathtaking, and the house felt like home thanks to Peggy and her family’s warmth and kindness. I appreciated having a private, quiet space off-site where I could unwind and reflect. Teaching from day one was empowering—it pulled me out of my head and into purpose. My favorite topics included Ayurveda and alignment, and I especially valued the challenge of self-study, which helped me re-examine my life choices with compassion. Yes, I’d absolutely do another training with Soma!
-Chloe Campoli, Northern California Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
Everything here was wonderful. Now looking back through my notes after these 18 fantastic days, I realized how much I have learned. I improved my personal practice through the alignment study. My understanding of yoga changed from seeing it as a way to stretch and restore from cardio, to a holistic practice to increase awareness and well-being. It effected my relationships as I learned to gain more empathy and widen my perspective on other people’s paths. Finally, my confidence received a massive boost. I am very grateful to our teachers, Liz and Peggy, for guiding us through with such kindness, care, diligence and professionalism. They are both wonderful teachers and their love for yoga shines and inspires. - 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
-Marta Galofre, International Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
This training enriched every part of my life. The curriculum blended yoga philosophy, practical asana, meditation, and breathwork in such a meaningful way. I felt nurtured and cared for the entire time. Liz and Peggy are a peaceful, perfect teaching pair. I especially loved the chair yoga workshop and the time spent on safe alignment—it changed how I practice. Dinner Club at the Blue Lake Yoga Shala was a highlight, and I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at Peggy’s house again. The only challenge I faced was within my own body—dealing with limitations—but that only deepened the learning. I will 100% be back and highly recommend this to anyone seeking a truly transformative experience.-200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
-Joanne Stock, California Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
This was an experience of a lifetime, and I loved it all. When I arrived the ease into the classes and course material was great. We started from the basics and worked our way into understanding why yoga is so complimentary to everyday life. I learned a lot with the alignment component and now understand my body through these many hours of practice. I’m forever grateful to the teachers, Liz and Peggy, for the impact they have made in my life. Through this immersion, I came into an inner peace that I have been seeking. – 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
-Shezelle Weekes, 200 Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate - International Student
This program completely transformed my understanding of Yoga. The alignment brought ease and joy into my practice as well as a new deep sense of trust. It gave me the confidence to share the practice with others without fear. Liz and Peggy are inspirations, their way of being in the world has modeled compassionate presence and lightheartedness, attentive listening and careful speech. I loved hearing the stories, I keep mulling them over as they are so rich with insight into the human condition. I felt so supported throughout the entire process. I never thought I would be able to stand in front of the whole group and teach (while still breathing) let alone that it could be fun. The teachers feedback and support gave me a wonderful sense of confidence. I am so thankful.
-Lina Crowley, Local Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate - California
I came out of this yoga teacher training with more confidence and a balanced mind. My practice is way more efficient from learning proper alignment and my ability to teach what I know to others is developing through the strong support of this community and my education. The community of support and new friends has been very healing; it inspires me to keep developing my health and mindset. I am humbled by the quality of education I have received. - 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
-James Hendricks, California Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
The therapeutic alignment, philosophy and chanting were some of my favorite aspects of the curriculum. I also loved the safe, supportive environment that Sam and Peggy created for us to feel comfortable at home, and to learn and absorb as much as possible. I have already taken a 200 hour program before but having been given the additional refinement on many aspects of what I have previously learned, coupled with the new material made this the perfect YTT experience. I am SO happy with all of it. I will absolutely recommend Soma to all and be back to return for more trainings.
-Larrisa Noto, International Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
Yes! I recommend Soma Yoga Institute. I really enjoyed the skill level of the yoga teachers Liz and Peggy. I gained a layer of confidence as a yoga practitioner and novice teacher. I enjoyed Ayurveda and inversion day. Ayurveda, because it's about living your daily life with a healthy lifestyle, and inversion day, because it was both challenging and fun at the same time. I also have a deeper understanding of all the different yoga practices and a more profound knowledge of its origins and intellectual meanings.
-Alexandre Teck, 200 Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Graduate
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