New Student Information
Everything you need to arrive prepared, supported and ready to begin your training with us.
What to do first
So you can arrive fully present and ready to begin, please consider these recommendations.
You will receive a welcome email with any pre-course requirements and information. Please read this carefully — it may include:
- Course resources such as a PDF manual and/or access to a video library
- Essential information like access to the building
- Any pre-course preparation requirements
Some courses include one or more required texts. For those on the 200 and 300 hour programmes we also have a full recommended reading list, which you are sent when your place is confirmed. If you are unable to find this please email the team and request it.
- Full attendance is expected and required for certification — please plan ahead and notify the team early if you anticipate missing any hours.
- If lateness is unavoidable, please message ahead.
For the full attendance policy — including certification thresholds and how absences are handled — see our Terms & Conditions.
- As a trainee, your personal practice is part of the growth, learning and exploration — and you are expected to maintain a regular practice.
- If you don't currently have a consistent personal practice, now is the time to establish one. Even 20 minutes daily at home, at whatever level feels right for you, will deepen your learning significantly.
- You're also very welcome to attend Vahni classes at The Shala — students on the 200 hour and 300 hour programmes receive a 20% discount on classes throughout their studies with us.
- Teacher training is not only what happens on the weekends — it's also about what happens after and in between, and this may include assigned readings and reflective writing between sessions.
- On the 200-hour training, plan for approximately 3–5 hours of study per week outside of contact weekends. This includes practice journalling, reading, and preparation for practicum teaching.
- Keeping a reflective journal is highly recommended whilst studying with us — a place to track your growth and setbacks as both practitioner and teacher.
- Assessment on our Module courses is ongoing and informal — your tutor will check in with you throughout, and will raise any concerns should they have any.
- Assessment criteria for our 200-hour are detailed on the course page.
For more details on how a course is assessed, see our FAQs.
- Depending on the tutor, you may have a private WhatsApp group for your course. You'll be added automatically a day or two before the course begins.
- You are also invited to join the closed Shala Community Facebook Group for our students.
Come prepared
In-studio training days run from 10am–6pm. These can be full, tiring and deeply rewarding. Here's what you'll want to have with you.
Your mat & props
Bolsters, blocks, straps and blankets are available at the school but it's best to bring your own mat — if you need to borrow one, you may.
Lunch & snacks
Good cafés are nearby but training days can give you an appetite — bring snacks. If you bring your own lunch there is a fridge and microwave for your use, and we request you eat food in the studio not the lounge.
Drinks
Filtered water and tea is available. Please bring a reusable bottle.
We request that phones remain on silent and preferably out of sight during teaching hours. Tutors will often allow students to film and we request that one person is nominated to do this and share content with the school and with the group.
How the days unfold
Training weekends follow a consistent rhythm that allows you to settle, go deep and integrate. Here is the shape of a typical day.
"The rhythm of the weekends — arriving, practising, resting, departing — becomes its own kind of practice over the course."
Access & Studio Etiquette
- The access codes will be sent by automated email to you — check your spam.
- There are two keypads at the street level door; please use the keypad on the left.
- If the door does not open on the third floor, the bottom lock may be engaged and you will need to wait until a member of staff arrives. There is a doorbell at this level — if in doubt, you can ring.
- Please save these codes on your phone. A member of staff may not always be available to let you in if you are running late.
- Please arrive at 9.45 so we can start promptly at 10am. If you are late and a meditation is in progress, please do not go into the studio until you can hear talking.
- The reception area is a food-free zone — please eat in the studio if you have your own food.
- Keep the studios tidy during training — our cleaners are usually not able to access the studio during intensive training periods.
- Please refrain from mobile phone usage in the studios. Phones should be on silent and preferably out of sight during teaching hours.
- Remove shoes on arrival and leave bags under the benches in the changing areas — take valuables into the studio with you.
- If you have a suitcase, please ask someone from the team to put this in the store room.
- Be as quiet as possible when arriving, during breaks, and when leaving, to avoid disrupting other yoga and Pilates classes in progress.
The Shala is located on the third floor. Facilities include:
- Reception/lounge area
- Three studios (Mysore, Hampi and Pushkar) with full props — bolsters, blankets, blocks, bricks, straps and eye bags available
- Cloakroom/changing room (gender neutral) and toilets (gender neutral x 3)
- Showers x 2 (please note we do not provide towels or shower toiletries)
- Free tea and filtered water available
Please note: there is no lift in the building. If you have any mobility requirements, please contact us before to discuss accessibility issues.
Joining virtually
Some of our courses are offered as livestream or as hybrid — with the option to attend in studio or via virtual livestream. Here is everything you need to know.
- The Zoom link will be sent out one hour before the session starts — please check your inbox, including spam, social and promotions folders. The link will remain the same throughout the course.
- Make sure the correct name is displayed on your Zoom account before joining.
- Use the raised hand function if you wish to speak.
- Keep yourself on mute at all times except when invited to speak.
- Please be mindful of how much you're speaking and whether your questions are relevant to the whole group — allow quieter members of the group space to contribute.
- Use the chat function to message the tutor or the whole group as needed.
- Keep your camera on unless you are uncomfortable to do so — this creates a safer, more connected space for all.
- Please be aware that sessions are usually recorded and shared with attendees. Your visuals will not appear in the recording but any audio will.
- Hybrid courses offer the choice of attending in studio or via virtual livestream — you select your format at booking.
- A designated facilitator is available during most hybrid sessions to support the livestream experience.
- Formats are not mixed within a single course — you opt for either in studio OR livestream (one exception: Core Module 1).
For switching between formats, admin fees and the school's right to convert format, see our Terms & Conditions.
We're here for you
Training can bring up unexpected things — personally, practically and physically. If you are concerned about whether you are ready for a course or the timing is right for you, please speak to us first. Message the team.
- Each course is run by a tutor, who should be your first point of contact once the course has begun.
- Practical and administrative enquiries should consistently be channelled through the admin team at teachertraining@theshala.co.uk.
- Tutors will reach out if they have any concerns about your progress or wellbeing.
- If you're going through a difficult time — personally or professionally — you can speak confidentially to your tutor.
- We can also point you toward appropriate external support if needed.
- Our role is one of teachers, not trained therapists or medical professionals.
If you have a medical condition or mental health concern that may affect your training, please review the disclosure requirements in our Terms & Conditions.
Getting to the Shala
The Shala is in West Norwood, South London — well connected by rail, bus and cycle routes.
Tulse Hill — 10 min walk (Thameslink, direct from Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras International / Kings Cross)
We recommend arriving 10–15 minutes early for your first session.
We'd love to hear from you
If anything isn't covered here, or you just want to talk things through before you start, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
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