Visualize waking up every morning at the base of majestic mountains, in the valley of the Incas. You will venture into a land abundant with sacred places, mysticism, and shamans and have a chance to mingle with the lovely sweet people of Peru. The special Nidra Wasi Retreat Center is located at the feet of Apu Intihuatana, Pisac´s main archaeological site, in the Sacred Valley.
Nidra Wasi is surrounded by beautiful mountains and within a holistic yoga and medicine community. A 15 minute walk takes you to the rich cultural town of Pisac and it's lively marketplace. Opportunities exist during the program to visit Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo on your off time. This lovely retreat offers pools, saunas, fire circles, beautiful hikes, opportunities for a sweat lodge with a cold plunge pool and inspirationally constructed Yoga Studio spaces. Their buildings are a mixture of a traditional construction and western architecture. You will find the comfort of the modern world in contact with the nature and breathtaking views of the mountains. You will also enjoy the temple, Yoga Studio, Spa and restaurant.
join us in the sacred Valley
"This experience was a blessing and one of the best gifts of my life. It was a profound healing time for me, on so many levels, more than I️ imagined. The surroundings of nature, the support of all the yogis, nourishing meals, daily meditation, and daily asana formed the perfect container for this journey. I really liked how the daily agenda was broken up with meditation at the beginning of the day and a nice variety of daily Asana, lecture, group work, and solo reflection time. I️ really liked the intelligent and thoughtful approach to sequencing, looking at alignment through different bodies was eye opening. I️ so enjoyed the Ayurveda and philosophy. Our teachers are so knowledgeable and experienced. I️ highly recommend.
- Carolyn
curriculum highlights
Please note: This teacher training program is approved with Yoga Alliance (Y.A.) and graduates are eligible to register with Y.A. as a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200-hour level (RYT-200). The therapeutic perspective & curricular components of this program are based on the instructors' registration as a Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT) and not derived from their status as an E-RYT 500 with the Y.A. Registry as the Y.A. Registry does not certify therapists, solely yoga teachers.
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
Peggy Profant, E-RYT 500, and Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher, is a playful, passionate and adventurous spirit who is on a lifelong path of
Yoga. She first discovered Kripalu yoga as a teenager and changed the course of her life in 1980.
meet your instructors
Peggy Profant
more about peggy
Liz Heffernan, E-RYT 500, is a recognized international yoga teacher with over two decades of personal practice and 22 years of teaching. She trained extensively in the Hatha systems of Kripalu, Ashtanga and Anusara and works as an Integrative Yoga Therapist.
Liz Heffernan
more about Liz
E-RYT 500 Certified Anusara Yoga Teacher
E-RYT 500, C-IAYT
Yoga was her refuge during her academic
years in college. Post graduating and working in the world as a Naturalist and Wilderness Therapy Guide, she dreamt of traveling in India to
learn more about yoga from it's source. In 1994 she met her teacher, BNS Iyengar in Mysore, India who taught her the traditional forms of
Ashtanga yoga. She returned from India with a new romantic interest in a traveling German man and soon started a family. They put roots in
Arcata, California in 1997 when Peggy finally began to teach 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 poetic yet scientific style of weaving meaningful heart themes into
therapeutically aligned sequences. Peggy became a 500 hour Certified Anusara Teacher in 2004 and continues to study yoga therapy. A
strong believer in the benefits of meditation, she volunteers to lead meditations after most classes. As a Certified Yoga Life Coach, Peggy is a
thoughtful and encouraging mentor to many students and yoga teachers in her community helping them to bring the benefits of yoga into all
areas of life. In addition to Yoga and traveling, being in her garden, in nature and with her family is where she finds her deepest joy and peace.
Peggy founded and operated Om Shala Yoga for 10 years, and co-founded World Family Yoga leading family yoga retreats in Costa Rica. She
has been leading workshops, retreats and Yoga Teacher Trainings since 2004.
Peggy profant
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Samantha Akers began practicing yoga in 2000, after being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. She credits Restorative Yoga
and meditation, to her healing. She began teaching yoga in 2002, receiving her first certification in Hatha and Kundalini with Karuna Yoga in
Los Angeles. She went on to graduate from her 500 hour program in 2009. She became increasingly interested in the Therapeutic Style of
Iyengar Yoga and studied Therapeutics with Judith Lasater, Leeann Carey and Russ Pfeiffer. Samantha is also a massage therapist, specializing
in combining mindfulness with bodywork, earning her certification from one of the only 1000 hour programs in Los Angeles, in 2009.She sees
over 50 private students a month, mixing modalities of yoga, meditation and bodywork.
She began studying mediation with Pema Chodron in 2000. Her current teachers are Shinzen Young and George Haas at Against the Stream
in LA. She just completed and 11 month training in Developing Meaningful Relationships through Meditation with George, in 2014.
In 2012, she opened TheraYoga Studio in Los Angeles, bringing the TheraYoga Method (TM) to the community.
samantha akers
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the details
Enjoy three wonderful and healthy meals each day prepared by the local chef's at Nidra Wasi. Explore Peruvian cuisine and experience whole foods deliciously prepared often in ceramic pans using fresh, local organic ingredients. Expect a variety of vegetarian meals including vegan and gluten free options.
meals
tuition & lodging
Price includes yoga teacher training program tuition, a 200-page yoga teacher training manual, three delicious meals a day (except on the days off), lodging at Nidra Wasi Holistic Retreat Center and use of the facilities.
Triple Occupancy $3750
Double Occupancy $3850
Single Occupancy (single bed) $4050
Single Occupancy - Matrimonial Room (double bed) $4750
The Peru program is scheduled as an intensive program. While the program days are full, the activities of the day are kept diverse and active. The days really are a wonderful mix of digesting concepts intellectually, applying the concepts experientially, and diving into the practices of yoga. Care is taken within the program schedule to ensure that students have a healthy experience both physically and mentally. We promise not to keep you sedentary for too long. There is physical activity and deep relaxation built into the program every day. Two days off mid-program provide you with time to explore and adventure to local sacred sites.
Meditation, pranayama, and gentle movement
Breakfast
Yoga asana practice plus techniques or teaching methodology
Lunch
Restorative, gentle, therapeutic practice, or Yoga Nidra. Philosophy, lifestyle, and ethics, anatomy, and physiology, practice teaching
Afternoon break to rest, walk to town or take a hike
Dinner
Evening session
06:00
07:30
08:30
Daily Schedule
12:00
13:00
16:00
18:00
18:30
program Dates
October (dates TBD)
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.
Plan to fly into the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Cusco Airport (CUZ), Peru. Taxi to the retreat is approximately $40. We will coordinate shared taxis when possible and help you coordinate your transportation needs. It is not required to get a tourist visa prior to entering Peru for citizens of the United States, Canada, European Union Countries, and Switzerland. Please double check and make sure your Passport is valid six months beyond intended stay and have tickets and documents to show your return flight or onward travel. Also, ensure that you have two free pages in the visa section of your passport to allow for the tourist entry stamp at the airport border.
transportation
"I came for the purpose of learning how to safely get back into yoga after living in chronic pain for over 2 years. I am leaving with no pain in my mind, body, and heart. I was given the space to rest, recover, and to love myself.
The love and care of the instructors was amazing. Sam’s soul oozes with love and gratitude and that spills over to her students. Her zest and love for what she does makes you feel safe, loved, and excited to delve into self-study. She taught me how to calm my mind, open my heart, and know that it will be OK. Peggy gave me confidence and space to feel like I could physically practice again. Her love, patience, and direct approach is amazing. She made me feel safe on my mat and retrained me on proper alignment that has forever changed my practice. The entire experience was so magical."
-Marlo Drago
"This experience has lifted me out of a stagnant place in my life and gave me new perspective. It allowed me to find myself again. The understanding I have of yoga now is more than I ever imagined with in-depth understanding/knowledge of the body and mind. I now feel comfortable designing my own sequences, practicing at home, and giving back my experience to the community. I truly believe my personal relationships will improve as a result of this 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training experience, as well as the way I look at the world. Peggy and Sam are the best teachers ever! Peggy is such a grounded soul, which was a totally positive influence on my life. Sam shines her heart out through her entire being and exercises love in all situations. This whole program came together beautifully. I cannot wait to recommend this program and to return to Soma Yoga for future training."
-Tess Johnson
"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."
-Larissa Noto
"This YTT was well-organized, thoughtfully sequenced, and led by two exceptionally knowledgeable, talented, and present instructors, Sam and Peggy. I loved the anatomy study and Sam ignited a passionate fire in me to always stay current with this ever-evolving, highly practical topic! I loved that Sam is a profoundly present and knowledgeable instructor. Her enthusiasm and openness and principled instruction comes from a very authentic and humble place. I also loved Peggy, who is full of physical and spiritual knowledge and her ability to present it to us as future teacher is remarkable. I would absolutely recommend this YTT course, which far exceeded my expectations, I also hope to return for a 300-hour YTT with Soma Yoga Institute, hopefully in Greece in 2021. "
-Rachel Drummond
"I loved the unity and connection of this program. It was such a safe space that was beautifully held for us all of which stemmed from Sam and Peggy’s leadership. The immersion and being able to practice what we preach around the clock surrounded by other yogis was amazing. I am so excited to recommend this training to others and hopefully train more with Soma Yoga in the future. Peggy and Sam are bright shining beings that so graciously guide people into the space of yoga. They created a warmly supportive environment that emanated through the entire group and training. Their vast catalog of knowledge comes through in everything they teach."
-Sandra Aurelia
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