Imagine spending ten days immersed in the practice of yoga on one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, ancient valleys, and the peaceful rhythm of the Pacific Ocean, you'll step away from the distractions of everyday life and into an environment designed for learning, renewal, and personal transformation.
Our Hawaii 200-Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training takes place at the beautiful Hawaii Island Retreat Center (HIRC), a sanctuary thoughtfully designed in harmony with nature. Set on 50 private acres along the North Kohala Coast, the retreat offers elegant Hawaiian-style accommodations, quiet walking trails, open-air gathering spaces, a solar-heated saltwater infinity pool and hot tub, and countless places to rest, reflect, and reconnect.
Here, the natural beauty of Hawaii becomes part of the learning experience, creating the perfect setting to deepen your practice, build confidence as a teacher, and experience the transformative power of yoga.
Hawaii Island Retreat Center (HIRC) offers luxury accommodations in elegant Hawaiian style in harmony with nature. Visualize a very special location of
intentional peacefulness, set among towering evergreens and ocean breezes along Hawaii Island's North Kohala coast.
When you visit you quickly realize the wonder of this sacred land. Here, you can relax and unwind in gardens, wild groves, and along ancient valley trails. The 50
acres of private coastal lands provides many opportunities for light hiking, jogging, meditative walks, and quiet time in nature .
The Hawaii Island Retreat Center campus includes a solar heated, salt water hot tub and infinity swimming pool, open-air patios and balconies, a private library and
theatre room and wireless internet in public areas.
Hawaii Island Retreat is a leader in sustainable travel and green living.
Join Us on The Stunning Hawaiian Coastline
"I am very excited to go home and continue my practice and development as a yoga practitioner and teacher. As a yoga teacher already, I came to this 200-hour therapeutic yoga teacher training hoping to gain a better understanding of my body, as well as the knowledge of how to craft sequences and create better classes, and I have absolutely obtained that. I have much more confidence now. I believe I will be a really good teacher one day, due in large part to this program and what I learned during my time on retreat."
- Angela
curriculum highlights
A Unique Hybrid Learning Experience
During Your Hawaii Immersion You Will Learn
Required online modules include:
Please note: This teacher training program is approved by Yoga Alliance (YA), and graduates are eligible to register as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). The therapeutic perspective and curricular components of this program are based on the instructors' credentials as Certified Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT) and reflect an evidence-informed, therapeutic approach to yoga.
Our 200-Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training combines the transformative experience of an immersive retreat with the flexibility of self-paced online learning.
During our time together in Hawaii, we focus on the subjects that are best learned through direct experience, personal guidance, and hands-on practice. You'll spend your days moving, learning, and teaching as you explore anatomy, pose study, biomechanics, alignment, therapeutic applications, sequencing, pranayama, meditation, yoga philosophy, and practice teaching—all while receiving personalized guidance and individualized feedback from our experienced faculty.
To complement the in-person immersion, students also complete online learning modules that expand their education into specialized areas of yoga. This allows us to devote our retreat time to practicing, teaching, and embodying the material rather than trying to fit every topic into an intensive residential schedule.
The online modules may be completed before the retreat or anytime within one year after the program, giving you the flexibility to continue learning at your own pace while meeting the requirements for Yoga Alliance certification.
- Certification requirements for registration as an RYT-200 with Yoga Alliance
- A solid foundation in classical Hatha Yoga, including alignment-based Vinyasa Flow and Restorative Yoga taught within a therapeutic framework
- Functional anatomy, biomechanics, and alignment principles that help you teach safely and confidently
- Modifications and adaptations for all bodies, including seniors, prenatal students, and those recovering from injury
- Practice teaching with personalized feedback to help you develop confidence and your authentic teaching voice
- The art of sequencing meaningful, balanced, and therapeutic yoga classes
- Yoga philosophy and self-inquiry to deepen both your personal practice and your teaching
- Breathwork, meditation, mantra, and nervous system regulation practices
- Business of Yoga and practical tools for building your yoga community
- Learn to share yoga with others in a safe, compassionate, and powerful way
- Train with highly experienced teachers and Certified Yoga Therapists in a supportive and nurturing environment
As part of your 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, students also complete a series of required self-paced online modules that complement the in-person immersion and provide a broader, more comprehensive education. These specialized courses allow us to dedicate our time together in Hawaii to hands-on learning while giving you the flexibility to complete additional study at your own pace.
- Yin Yoga or Restorative Yoga
- Ayurveda and Yoga
- Yoga Nidra
- Sanskrit
- Teaching Yoga to Beginners
- Energy Body & Chakras
- Teaching Yoga to Aging Populations
- Business of Yoga
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
get the complete curriculum guide
Liz Heffernan is an international yoga teacher and Integrative Yoga Therapist with over 25 years of teaching experience. Specializing in Hatha, Vinyasa, and therapeutic yoga, she is known for creating accessible, body-inclusive practices that blend ancient yoga wisdom with modern biomechanics. As the founder of Soma Yoga Institute, Liz is passionate about making yoga approachable and transformative for all students through mindful movement, alignment, self-inquiry, and compassionate teaching.
meet your instructors
Liz Heffernan
more about liz
MA, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Cathryn Wilson is the Director of Soma Yoga Institute and has been teaching since 2012. She specializes in the intersection of yoga, mental health, and embodied awareness, bringing a therapeutic and compassionate approach that emphasizes nervous system awareness, self-trust, and authentic expression. Cathryn’s teaching is also deeply influenced by her studies in Indian philosophy and Indian dance at the University of Hyderabad in India.
Cathryn Wilson
more about Cathryn
MA, ApCC, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
program Dates
sign-up today!
the details
Hawaii Island Retreat's garden-side dining room opens onto fragrant tropical gardens. Here you will enjoy delicious organic farm-to-table cuisine prepared with fresh ingredients harvested from the retreat's own gardens and orchards.
Three meals each day are provided, with the exception of dinner the evening before your day off and lunch and dinner on your day off. Students typically use this opportunity to explore local restaurants while the kitchen staff enjoys a well-deserved break.
MEALS
Daily schedule
ALL INCLUSIVE tuition PACKAGES
Hybrid Program Requirements
-200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Tuition
-Beautiful accommodations (based on room selection)
-Delicious and nourishing brunch and dinner each day
-Comprehensive 200-page Yoga Teacher Training Manual
-50-page Yoga Asana Guide and Sanskrit Dictionary
-Lifetime access to our complete Online Learning Library
-All required online learning modules
-Ongoing Zoom mentoring and support after graduation as needed
Prices for July 25th-August 3rd:
- Yurt Double $4,750
- Hotel Triple $4,950
- Hotel Double $5,500
- Bungalow Double $5,900
- Hotel Single $6,600
- Bungalow Single $7,000
- The full Hawaii residential immersion
- A required book study
- The required online learning modules
The online coursework may be completed before the retreat or anytime within one year after the program, allowing you to fully immerse yourself while in Hawaii and continue your education after returning home.
Meditation by the ocean, pranayama, and gentle movement
Breakfast
Yoga asana practice, techniques, or teaching methodology
Lunch
Restorative or therapeutic practice, Yoga Nidra, philosophy, anatomy, physiology, and practice teaching
Free time to rest, swim, hike, or enjoy the beauty of Hawaii
Dinner
Evening session
06:30
07:30
08:30
12:00
13:00
16:00
18:00
18:30
Deposit & Tuition Payment Schedule
A $500 USD deposit will reserve your space and will be applied to the full tuition price listed above. Deposits, tuition, and housing payments minus a 10% processing fee, are refundable up to 30 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.
Retreat costs (housing and food) are due three months prior to the start date of the program or within two weeks of registering and your 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 residential programs in retreat settings, we regret that we are unable to issue deposit/tuition/housing refunds 30 days or less prior to program start date. No refunds are issued on or after the program start date for any reason.
July 25-August 3, 2027
Students will enjoy one full day off to explore the beauty of the Big Island.
Fly into Kona International Airport (KOA). The retreat center is approximately 1 to 1½ hours from the airport.
Group shuttle service is available on arrival day and departure day for $75 per person each way.
Detailed shuttle times will be confirmed approximately two weeks before the program begins.
transportation
We make it EASY & SAFE for You!
"As a Medical Doctor and yoga practitioner wanting to teach, I really appreciated the anatomy and alignment study this program offered. Learning alignment and applying it to pose analysis was incredibly helpful in learning to teach and practice safely. I also loved the morning meditations and the supportive community we created together. I highly recommend this program."
-Dr. Robert Johnson
"I loved this yoga teacher training so much, it is quite possibly the biggest gift I’ve ever given myself, and the beautiful part is that by improving my confidence as a teacher and a spiritual seeker, I can radiate this gift to so many others. Molly & Liz are exceptionally informed, inspired, and patient. Their energies balance each other beautifully, Molly’s vivacious, pitta drive, combined with Liz’s sacred knowledge of yoga, created a dynamic and transformational experience for the student. I loved the therapeutic focus and attention to alignment, artful sequencing, the study of the yoga sutras and pranayama. It’s important for me to feel connected to a small and intentional community and because there was so much emphasis on creating a loving, supportive and nurturing environment throughout the program, I felt that with these teachers and this group. "
-Darcy Page
"I️ loved learning yoga with attention to alignment and balancing the muscle engagement with active extension. I️ was never taught this and it has brought an incredible amount of healing to my body. I️ discovered that I️ had been practicing yoga with misalignments and actually creating self-harm pushing my body past its edge, overstretching and building patterns into my practice that were actually hurting me, much about my body. This is the best learning and healing I️ gained and I️ could not be more grateful as my body is feeling much more healthy and happy! I️ also enjoyed the practice teaching experiences and receiving the opportunity to teach senior yoga. I️ loved being able to gain the knowledge, practice, and skills to discover where my work lies. I️ have gained a greater self-confidence in clearly and authentically communicating with others and looking at all beings through eyes of compassion, choosing kindness as I️ take the seat of the teacher."
-Heidi Alexis Hall
"This course was amazing. I absolutely loved the course and our group. The content was exactly what I wished to study and I am so blessed and grateful I came to Hawaii. Liz and Molly are both incredible teachers that blend beautifully together. Their dynamics and diversity are amazing. There was the perfect blend of asana, yoga nidra, meditation, pranayama and yoga philosophy. I loved the fact that we were thrown into the deep end and asked to practice teach from the first day. I loved the way the postures were broken down, I did poses I couldn't do before and I now understand where the obstacles lie in poses I haven't achieved yet. I also now understand alignment whereas beforehand I felt I wasn't doing the poses properly. This program will change my life. It has given me the tools to confidently do a home practice every day and take home to Ireland the skills gained to incorporate with my clients."
-Jennifer Coady
As a competitive gymnast and diver, I was taught to push my body to the limits, to accept pain or even seek it. 17 broken bones or more, I’ve lost count, I’ve lived a very painful life spiritually and physically. Before I came here, I viewed yoga as primarily a physical exercise, another way to get stronger and push myself. In this YTT I have shifted that, I’ve learned to love myself unconditionally! I learned that I don’t need a “fitbit” to count calories or track my steps to tell me how I feel about myself at the end of a day, because I am exactly where I need to be, I am perfect right here in this moment and every other moment I will be blessed to experience. Overall the setting was perfect, the process and pacing of the curriculum gave me so much confidence to teach! Our instructors, Liz and Molly are so knowledgeable about yoga and so authentic and real to their true natures and they made the perfect team! pe to emulate these qualities as I go on and teach."
-Jill Mazur
"I felt seen the entire program, it was so supportive, so informed, and so compassionate. The instructors, Liz and Molly, really live the yoga philosophy and modeled it every day for 21 days. They are both so real and so accessible. I can’t think of a better place to begin a yoga journey. I leave confident in the tools I have received and I know with the wisdom and concrete knowledge provided within this immersion program that I will grow to be an amazing Yoga teacher. I feel that this program was made especially for me. I am so excited to continue my Yogic path."
-Chanin Hardwick
"I loved this; the people in the group, the teachers, Kalani Oceanside Retreat and the useful and varied teachings. I am grateful for the holistic approach to yoga, the philosophy, the meditation, hopefully, this will help me towards being with the best version of myself. I also loved the chakra day. I got to know things I thought I knew from a different perspective."
-Bodil Fuhr
"This yoga teacher training was very comprehensive. Both instructors, Liz and Molly, are fonts of knowledge and wisdom. They have been doing this for a long time and it shows. They also took good care of us personally as well. They created a safe space in which to explore yoga’s deep transformational topics. On the physical level, I learned more about alignment which helped me even out muscle imbalances I have due to injuries. The anatomy was very interesting as it related to the alignment. I understood the philosophy of Yoga and the 8-limbs on a much deeper level and it leaves me wanting to pursue further study. The immersion format helped me further pursue my true Self which I will bring to my personal relationships. I’m not a better person, I’m just more me!"
-Genevieve Hebeka
"This was a huge and transformational journey; spiritually, physically and mentally. My perception of the world around me, as well as the people that occupy it, has grown much more humble. My personal practice has embodied a level of ease and love that is starting to bleed out into my life off of the mat. The knowledge that I obtained these past weeks really boosted my professional confidence. The pose studies were awesome and I loved the history and philosophy too. Our instructors Liz and Molly really strike a nice balance as neither one felt overpowering of the other and each was unique, I have nothing but praise and respect for them. The prep and intention that went into each days lesson was immense. High fives! I am inspired to share what I know and to proliferate Yoga.”
-Justin Gumb
"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 reccomend this program!"
-Joy Aldrich
"This was an amazing experience. It was my second 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. I learned so much and feel like I have become a stronger teacher. I now feel more confident in my awareness of my body and therefore my understanding of how to teach others proper alignment. I feel the daily classes advanced my yoga practice and increased my confidence as a teacher. I loved the morning meditation, yoga philosophy, our dance parties, the restorative yoga, and the alignment lessons."
-Clayton
GET YOUR FREE curriculum guide
