What is ISHTA Yoga?
The ISHTA mission is to blend the ancient and contemporary teachings of yoga and science into a system that embraces and responds to individual students’ needs. Our name itself embodies our multi-dimensional approach. As the name of our lineage, ISHTA is an acronym for the Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurveda, or a combination of physical, energetic, and healing practices. But ISHTA has a double meaning that stretches back to the very roots of yoga; ISHTA is also a Sanskrit word translating to “indidivualized” or “personalized,” emphasizing the personal journey we encourage and guide our students to embrace and our teachers to create practice for. Read more about ISHTA here.

What makes the ISHTA Yoga Teacher Training Program unique?
The lineage and teaching of ISHTA Yoga is a uniquely modern, individualized and integrated approach to the ancient science of yoga. While the body is studied and experienced in detail through in-depth practice, posture labs and studies of anatomy and asana, ISHTA provides a comprehensive foundation for all aspects of yoga, including the practice and teaching of subtle and causal body anatomies (nadis / meridians, chakras, etc); pranayama and kriya; meditation; nondualistic Tantric philosophy; and Ayurveda, the ancient Indian life science of healing through understanding the unique elemental makeup of every being. The ISHTA-trained practitioner learns to teach safely, confidently, and compassionately to the individual. Our philosophy is to recognize the inherent strengths of each student and to enhance these strengths through personalized practice. ISHTA is a holistic system that recognizes all aspects of yoga and integrates them into a practice that is profound, affirming and life-changing.

Is this program appropriate for me if I am not necessarily interested in teaching?
Definitely. ISHTA’s 200-Hour teacher training program is a yoga immersion designed to deepen your own practice and your understanding of yoga first. While it is also the first step toward teaching yoga as a career, many trainees enroll in the program without plans to teach. The in-depth experience of yoga will be rewarding for you regardless of your future intentions. We encourage all trainees to simply take this step on their journey and see where it leads them!

I am not able to do some advanced postures. Can I still take this training?
Yes! While this training is not suitable for the brand-new yogi, we welcome all serious students with a minimum of 6months of consistent practice. The Teacher Training Program is an inclusive program. Since yoga is an individual practice, we expect and welcome different levels of physical ability. While your understanding and practice of asana will evolve a great deal through the training, yoga is much more than that! Your commitment and desire to deepen your understanding of yoga are what matter most.

Is attendance at all the sessions mandatory to receive ISHTA Certification and to register with Yoga Alliance as a certified teacher? What if I have to miss a session?
Yes, 100% attendance as well as completion of all subsidiary requirements (homework, etc) is required to successfully complete your training. If you know in advance you will have to miss a session and you would like to receive certification, makeup options are available, though some do incur added cost. Exceptional emergency circumstances leading to more significant conflicts are responded to on a case-by-case basis. Detailed makeup procedures are provided upon enrollment; ask us if you have questions.

How do I receive my certification and register with Yoga Alliance?
Once you have successfully completed all requirements of the training (100% attendance or completed makeups, 100% completion and passing grade on homework, successful completion of written and practical final exams), you will receive a graduation certificate and the necessary paperwork to register with Yoga
Alliance. More information about Yoga Alliance registration is available at http://www.yogaalliance.org.

What is a Yoga Alliance-registered training?
Yoga Alliance is the leading internationally-recognized standard of yoga training and certification. A 200-Hour/Level 1 Yoga Alliance-certified training requires a minimum of 180 contact hours and 200 total training and practice hours. The ISHTA 200-hour training meets and exceeds this standard.

SCHEDULING AND COSTS
How much does the training cost?
The 200-hour training tuition for the 2025-26 cycle is 2950 EUR (Earlybird discount) or 3350 EUR (full price).
– Payment is in full prior to training start, unless a payment plan is arranged. The discount rate is for full
payment by the earlybird discount deadline (September 5 for this cycle).
– Tuition includes all training and recorded sessions, access to the online ISHTA training guide for the duration of your training, and a package of free or discounted classes either online for our headquarters in New York, or to Julie and Saura’s classes in Berlin.
– Space is limited. A €500 non-refundable deposit will secure your place in the training upon acceptance.

There are a few potential forms of workstudy scholarships:
– The ITA (In-Training Assistant) scholarship is a work-study position, where one trainee joins the training as an administrative assistant to the training. This position includes a tuition discount and 5-10 additional hours of organizational work per training week. If you are interested in applying to become an ITA, please note this with your application and provide a CV / resume and cover letter with relevant experience.
– Platforms such as Jobcenter / Arbeitsagentur sometimes offer support for vocational training. Check with your case worker to see if you qualify.
– Yoga Alliance offers 4-10 scholarships per year for dedicated students entering career training. The process is highly competitive and timelines vary – check http://www.yogaalliance.org/About_Us/Our_Foundation/Scholarships for more details.
– If you have other skills which may be suitable for work exchange, please feel free to ask Julie and Saura about a potential fit. However, other than the ITA, no other workstudy positions are guaranteed.

When will the training meet?
While each training’s schedule is adapted to best serve the needs of the material and the group, most trainings meet in-studio 1 weekend per month, sometimes with an additional 1-2 weekday sessions or extra weekend day. Hours are generally 18-20/21h for evening sessions, 10 or 13-19h Saturdays and 10-17:00h Sundays, with an hour meal break on full training days. A detailed schedule will be provided as each group forms.

What about live / recorded online material?
– The ISHTA global hybrid format combines the best of in-person and online learning, offering you personal support and guidance in studio while giving you flexible access to our full global faculty of expert trainers worldwide.
– This training is offered in full in hybrid format, meaning nearly all sessions can be completed online as needed. Online sessions are offered in both live and recorded formats for greatest flexibility and accessibility.
– While individual formats vary, most trainees choose to complete their training with a mix of live and online study (for example, 60-70% in studio / 30-40% online). Your exact ratio may vary, but live sessions are always prioritized, so the amount of recorded / online material may be limited in order to best support your in-person learning.

Where will the training meet?
All Berlin studio training sessions meet at Bija Yoga Berlin, Grimmstrasse 19, 10967 and SVERA, Ohmstrasse 11, 10179, unless ontherwise noted.

How much time outside of training should I budget for homework and practice?
ISHTA and Yoga Alliance require a minimum of 20 hours of out-of-training practice and study time over the course of your 6-month training; in general, between homework, class attendance, practice teaching and study groups, most trainees easily meet or exceed this. It’s up to you and your practice!