Stories from our community
Twenty-nine years of teachers, practitioners, and friends. Here are some of their reflections.
Featured Stories — in their own words
For over 40 years yoga has been one of my main practices — to keep me here on earth. I'd thought I'd lost the deeper aspect of my practice, and connection with my wisdom mind. I can't even begin to describe how we all created a miracle — it's like we all drank so deeply from the same well, full of the specific food we needed, and let go of the bits that are not serving us anymore. May we all light up the world we find ourselves in, sharing what light we have from the pool of eternal flame within us that never ceases to burn.
From the first module in my Level 2 teacher training — Yoga Nidra with Melanie Cooper and Jennie Wadsten — to the final one, Asana in Depth with Gingi Lee and Melanie Cooper, it has been such a momentous journey and I have relished every second. I could never have foreseen how it has changed me both inside and out. It's not about the certificate when you reach that milestone — it's about what you learn with every step of the path. The meaning of the words "Yoga is a journey of the self, through the self" in the Bhagavad Gita have never rung true as much as they do now.
I loved every minute of my 300hr training at The Shala. With every module I felt that my knowledge and confidence was growing, and that I couldn't wait to introduce the things I was learning into my regular classes. It has certainly made me a more compassionate and empathetic teacher, and through the care and diligence of the teachers I feel much more able to cater for a diverse range of students. I now have a much broader range of skills which has opened doors to many employment opportunities and a deeper connection to my own practice.
Highlights of the course — the teachers. Gingi's great, kind and gentle power. Ella's love and attentiveness. Melanie's coolness and clarity. Matthew's magnificent storytelling. Hamish's wise words. Charli's epic sound ceremony. Seeing my peers teach. Teaching my exam class. All the beautiful added extras — lunches together, chatting on the sofa, the studio flowers, books, oils, bubbles, nibbles, socks.
Learning from people who have such experience in the yoga world on a deeply spiritual level was a gift. The feeling of belonging and knowing I was where I needed to be was wonderful. This wouldn't have been the case if not for the community and homely setting created by the Shala and the invitation to come as I am. The course is so well designed — to cover an array of knowledge from philosophy to meditation and anatomy as well as the study of asana. From day one the teaching cohort were well supported and nurtured.
Much more than a 200-hour Yoga Alliance accredited course. It is a creative, modern yoga teacher training programme put together by the most talented, authentic and experienced yoga teachers. The course offers students the clearest view of where the evolution of yoga has taken us — from its very origins to the philosophy, anatomy, spirituality and evidence-based benefits of yoga practice. It is a course that shows you the path, avoids the dogma and adapts to the student's individual needs. This is a yoga course for a lifetime.
The Shala is a unique and magical place to practice and study yoga. The depth and breadth of knowledge and experience among the teachers is extraordinary, and their approachability, warmth and passion is exceptional. The teacher training courses and CPDs are so beautifully planned and delivered with such professionalism — but also taught from the heart, with soul and passion. This is, for me, what makes The Shala unrivalled in the yoga community.
Words can't capture how amazing my experience doing the 200H Yoga Teacher Training course with The Shala was. The quality of practical teaching was incredibly high, and there was also a great focus on the spiritual and philosophical elements of yoga which I really enjoyed. Gingi, Charli and Ella are so warm and made the course accessible to a wide variety of practitioners, encouraging us to find our unique style. The sense of community was incredible and has given me a feeling of huge support and confidence to go out into the world and spread the wonders of yoga to others.
This course has truly been life-changing. It was a journey to the depth of my soul, opening my mind and my heart. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had this opportunity of community, connection and personal transformation during such a tumultuous year. It was incredibly challenging but even more rewarding. It was a privilege to have been guided and nurtured by the team, who have an incomparable wealth of knowledge and experience. Each teacher and student generously created a space where it felt safe to laugh, to cry, to grow, to learn, to teach, to love, to share, to connect, to move, to trust, to overcome, to believe, to let go, to express, to shine, to simply be. There are no words to express how eternally grateful I will be for this life-affirming experience.
More Voices
There are so many benefits to mention, but briefly — it'll deepen your own practice, you'll meet like-minded people, and strong bonds will be formed. Most importantly you'll emerge as a teacher, confident with the material behind you to lead a class, share your knowledge, and keep the flame of yoga alive.
It helped me come out of my shell and share my passion with others — offering a welcoming community and a great opportunity to connect and grow.
The course was a watershed for me. I have been practising yoga for over twenty years, and was reluctant to pursue teaching. The course gave me confidence and strengthened my love of the practice. I felt that the course had really helped me in my personal development as a human being.
A truly transformative Level 2 journey. The structure of choosing your own modules allowed me to focus where I needed depth — and the calibre of teaching throughout was extraordinary.
The Shala has provided a beautifully balanced teacher training course and one of the most worthwhile experiences I've ever had. They have created an exceptional learning environment with wonderful teachers whose devotion to the art, science and discipline of yoga is matched by their gift and expertise in teaching it.
The focus on finding my own voice as a teacher is a gift I will forever be grateful for. Gingi's focus on asana integrity, authenticity, and subtle adjustments has boosted my confidence in listening to my body and trusting the process of daily practice.
Life-changing. I knew the Shala's YTT was going to be good — just not how good. The team's compassion, coupled with their unbelievable depth of knowledge and experience, really makes the course.
Yoga Teacher Training at The Shala has been a fantastic experience start to finish. The teaching staff are amazing in every sense of the word — their depth of knowledge combined with a playful and caring attitude to learning creates a perfect environment from which to explore the foundations of the practice.
Gingi, Charli and Ella have created a beautiful course that enabled everybody to grow in their own individual ways. Everybody on the course felt seen — wherever they were in their lives and practice was valued. I did not expect to feel a sense of overcoming personal barriers which allowed me to exceed my expectations of myself.
To be able to choose how to make up the hours — after the core module is complete — is such a wonderful idea. The list of available options was inviting, and to my delight there were plenty of courses to choose from. It might've been 300 hours of study and practice, but it was delivered with a deep understanding, a supportive team of teachers and a huge heart.
The professionalism and attention to detail is exceptional, but also the team's ability to create a space that is nourishing and accepting was equally important. The best thing I have ever done in my life was to embark on this journey. This beautiful space has a very special place in my heart.
I have absolutely loved studying for the 300-hour certificate with the Shala. It's really worked for me — being able to choose the modules, focusing on specific areas such as yin, yoga nidra, mindfulness, breathwork and yoga philosophy, with such inspiring teachers. And being able to do all of that remotely, in my own time scale.
Graduate Interview
Lesley Collinson on her Shala journey
Our teacher training manager Rina sits down with Lesley Collinson to discuss her experience studying at The Shala School of Yoga.
Lesley graduated from our 200-hour programme in 2019 and went on to complete her 300-hour programme with us. Here she talks about her journey in conversation with Rina.
Ready to start your training?
Explore our 200-hour foundation programme or our modular 300-hour pathway.