18 Day 200-Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training in Playa Coyote, Guanacaste, Costa Rica December 1-18, 2025

Costa Rica Yoga Teacher Training

Join this Yoga Alliance registered program which includes a transformational and therapeutic approach to yoga. We will explore vinyasa flow, Hatha, and restorative yoga through an anatomy-informed alignment system. You will learn modifications and adaptations for ALL BODIES, including special populations such as seniors and those with injuries. Our therapeutic perspective explores Yoga as a vehicle for vibrant health, personal empowerment and total well-being. We combine modern-day biomechanics and research-driven science with ancient teachings. You will leave with an understanding of anatomy, alignment, and modifications to keep your body safe for a lifetime of practice. Our non-dogmatic approach explores Yoga philosophy as a practice of radical self-love uncovering perspectives that encourage body positivity, unconditional acceptance, personal empowerment, and true mind-body-spirit health and wellness. Graduates of this program are prepared to teach a variety of yoga class types, including all levels of Vinyasa yoga, alignment-based classes, yoga foundations, and senior, gentle, and restorative yoga.

Highlights

• Learn to teach from the “eyes of love” and help the world heal one mindful breath at a time
• Anatomy-informed alignment principles mindful Vinyasa, Hatha, and Restorative practices
• Eligible to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion
• Magical, oceanside location, sunrise beach meditations, views, and a yoga studio with an infinity pool
• Modifications and adaptations for all bodies, including special populations
• Explore concepts from Ayurveda, the Upanishads, Patanjali, and the Chakra System
• Explore breath work, mantra and meditation
• 17 nights accommodation and three delicious healthy meals per day

Skill level

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Yoga styles

• Anusara
• Hatha
• Vinyasa
• Yin
• Restorative
• Nidra
• Transformational
• Therapeutic
• Alignment

Accommodation

• Facilities
• Swimming pool (outdoor)
• Café
• Dining area
• Environmentally friendly
• Meditation garden
• Picnic area
• Poolside bar
• Restaurant
• Special menu request
• Terrace
• Yoga deck
• Yoga shala
• Yoga studio
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi
• Laundry
• Parking lot
• Outdoor shower

Salvatierra resort is simply a spectacular venue for a yoga teacher training. It offers two yoga studios, the yoga deck with unparalleled views, and a lovely indoor space with wood floors and windows on all sides. There are two pools on property, oceanside cabinas, a magical beach for morning yoga, and delicious, healthy food.

Accommodation choices at Salvatierra
A variety of accommodation choices await.

Choose from:
Beach Cabina Triple
These intimate rooms have large balconies that open on beautiful ocean views. The rooms are tastefully furnished with two single beds and one queen size bed.
Each room has a private bathroom as well as outdoor or inside shower, they are equipped with solar hot water and safe for personal belongings. Free Internet access is available as well.

Beach Cabina Double
These intimate rooms have large balconies that open on beautiful ocean views. The rooms are tastefully furnished with two single beds.
Each room has a private bathroom as well as outdoor or inside shower, they are equipped with solar hot water and safe for personal belongings. Free internet access is available as well.

Beach Cabina Single
These intimate rooms have large balconies that open on beautiful ocean views. The rooms are tastefully furnished and provide the perfect space for one with a luxurious king size bed.
Each room has a private bathroom as well as outdoor or inside shower, they are equipped with solar hot water and safe for personal belongings. Free Internet access is available as well.

Program
Curriculum Overview
This teacher training offers students in-depth skills to explore Yoga as a vehicle for vibrant health, self-transformation, and personal empowerment. Our curriculum includes a unique blend of alignment-based vinyasa flow, a solid foundation in Hatha Yoga, and 200 hours of instruction offered within a therapeutic framework.

The instruction will cover a wide range of Yoga techniques including Yoga postures, anatomy, relaxation, breath awareness, pranayama, meditations to calm the mind, contemplations to transform limiting tendencies into life affirming thought patterns, and the application of clear, anatomy-informed principles of alignment to create safety, balance, and freedom in Yoga poses. Students explore concepts from Ayurveda, the Upanishads, Patanjali and the Chakra System as frameworks for the application of Yoga as a journey towards radiant health and wellbeing.

The asana emphasis includes both level one/two alignment-based vinyasa flow sequencing as well as gentler and restorative variations. Expect to practice asana from all categories of poses including standing poses, hip openers forward bends, backwards bends, twists, inversions, balancing, supine, seated, and prone. Modifications for all levels of practitioners are provided and all levels of abilities are welcome to attend.

Rather than offer standard sequencing or rigid methodologies, students are exposed to frameworks that inspire each yoga teacher to adopt the practices, awaken their creativity and find their own authentic voice as a teacher.

Graduates of this program feel empowered to teach a variety of Yoga class types, including all levels of Vinyasa yoga, alignment-based classes, Yoga foundations, senior, gentle, and restorative.

Schedule
The Costa Rica 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.

You will be provided one full day off for rest or to explore the local area.

Sample Daily Schedule

• 06:30 Oceanside sunrise meditation, pranayama, and gentle movement
• 07:30 Breakfast
• 08:30 Yoga asana practice plus techniques or teaching methodology
• 12:00 Lunch
• 13:00 Restorative, gentle, therapeutic practice, or yoga Nidra. Yoga philosophy, lifestyle, and ethics, anatomy, and physiology, practice teaching
• 16:00 Afternoon break to rest, swim or take in the amazing sunsets of Costa Rica
• 18:00 Dinner and sunset at the beach
• 19:00 Evening session

Included excursions
There will be one full day off mid-way through the program to explore the local area. Students often take surf lessons, go horseback riding, restore with a massage day, visit the nearby town of Samara, go snorkeling, take trips to the national park or explore local beaches.

Unique features

• Activities
• Kayaking
• Surfing
• Swimming pool (outdoor)

Facilities

• Café
• Dining area
• Environmentally friendly
• Meditation garden
• Picnic area
• Poolside bar
• Restaurant
• Special menu request
• Terrace
• Yoga deck
• Yoga shala
• Yoga studio
• Services
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi
• Laundry
• Parking lot

Instructors

Liz Heffernan, E-RYT 500, C-IAYt, MA

Liz Heffernan, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT is an international yoga teacher and Integrative Yoga Therapist. She draws from decades of personal yoga practice, 25 years of teaching, and extensive training in Hatha and Vinyasa yoga through a variety of lineages including Kripalu, Integrative Yoga Therapy, Ashtanga Yoga, and Anusara. She currently directs and leads yoga teacher training programs, continuing education, and workshops in worldwide locations, provides unique one-to-one mentoring for yoga teachers wishing to improve their skills and delivery, instructs daily yoga classes and offers private therapeutic sessions.

Jess Trudeau, E-RYT 500

Jess Trudeau, E-RYT 500 first began practicing yoga in 1999 as a young college student and fell in love with it’s creative nature. The practice has been her foundation through the carnival of life including motherhood and a tumultuous illness with Guilliane-Barre that left her temporarily paralyzed in 2016. She believes her yoga and meditation practice to be the shining light through any darkness on her path as it has helped her recognize the body’s phenomenal potential to overcome.

Food
Three delicious and healthy meals are prepared for you each day. Soma Yoga Institute also offers afternoon smoothies at no extra charge. At Salvatierra Retreat in Costa Rica, the cuisine is delicious, healthy, locally sourced, and organic when possible. The menu features whole food, a yogic diet that is gluten-free and plant-based with amazing seafood options. Most of the fruits and vegetables are organically produced on the Salvatierra farm. When purchasing outside of the estate, the chefs always privilege local organic products. Therefore, buying locally is helping the local Costa Rica community. In brief, it is a true farm-to-table experience.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free alternatives are provided to all students and included in the price of tuition. Students who have special dietary requirements are encouraged to let them know in advance as they will do their best to accommodate them.

The following meals are included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Drinks

The following drinks are included:

• Water
• Coffee
• Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

• Organic
• Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
• Seafood
• Yogic
• Other dietary requirements on request

If you have special dietary requirements it’s a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)
The surrounding areas have a wide array of activities and excursions to experience including surfing, visit the town of Samara, boat tours, walking tours, ziplining, sea turtle watching, and horseback riding.

Spa treatments
Massage treatments are available onsite.

What’s included

• 17 nights accommodation
• Three healthy and delicious meals per day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Daily afternoon smoothies
• Full yoga teacher training tuition
• A comprehensive 250-page YTT manual
• Ability to study with experienced teachers/yoga therapists who are passionate about their craft
• Daily morning beach side meditation pranayama (breathing), and gentle movement practices
• Active hatha and vinyasa flow classes with alignment with options for all levels
• Restorative yoga and deep relaxation to nourish your nervous system
• Oceanside meditation practices and beach yoga
• Eligibility to register with Yoga Alliance upon completion of the course
• 6-month access to the 200-hour online YTT content (An essential resource to support you as you move out into the world teaching yoga)
• The study of yoga philosophy to gain insights into your (true) nature through the wisdom of Yoga
• Chakras, yoga history, Ayurveda and so much more
• As-needed mentoring after the program ends
• Use of the hotel facilities including pool
• Daily room cleaning
• One load of laundry per week
• Day off to explore the surrounding area

What’s not included

• Airfare
• Additional activities
• Spa treatments
• Excursions
• Discounted shuttle service for 75 USD (one way) from the airport
• Personal expenses

How to get there
Arrival by plane

Please book your flight to arrive at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) or Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Transfer from and to the airport on the group shuttle is provided for a reduced fee (specified times only).

From Liberia International Airport, arrange to fly into the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Costa Rica. The group shuttle departs from the airport at 9:00 am and 3:30 p.m. on arrival day (Dec 1) and returns for flights departing after 12:30 p.m. on departure day (Dec 18).
Shuttle from Liberia to Salvatierra takes approximately 3 hours. The group shuttle charge is 75 USD per person each way.

From San Jose International Airport, arrange to fly into the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica. The group shuttle departs from the Adventure Inn (15 minutes from the airport) in San Jose at 10:00 a.m. on arrival day and returns departing SalvaTierra at 7:00 a.m. on departure day for flights leaving after 3:00 pm.

Shuttle from San Jose to Salvatierra takes approximately 5 hours. The group shuttle charge is 100 USD per person each way.

The Adventure Inn in San Jose is a great place for the first night with free airport shuttles if you are a guest and a large breakfast included in the price. You may book a room directly with them. The shuttle will depart directly from this hotel and on the return take you directly to the SJO airport.