Thinking of doing a yoga teacher training in a beautiful exotic destination with strong mystical roots and a living yogic heritage?
You might be thinking of India, Nepal, maybe Bali, but there’s a new kid on the block in the yoga tourism scene and it’s making a real case for a re-examination of what it means to be a yogi.
Peru has become increasingly popular due to a growing fascination with the native shamanism that grew up in the Amazon basin among the local tribes, many of whom lived in isolation from modern civilization until very recently.
These traditions emphasize a heart-focused spirituality with deep connections to plants, animals and the wisdom of “Pacha Mama,” which could be translated as the Divine Feminine, or Mother Earth. Many have found a natural affinity between this type of shamanism and the contemplative practices of yoga.
Most teacher trainings in Peru will feature some kind of focus on the local shamanic traditions in addition to the usual Asana, Pranayama and meditation practices.
Some will include plant medicine ceremonies, though the powerful Ayahuasca and Huachama will generally only be offered as an optional extra on days off. These powerful hallucinogens can be life-changing for some, but they are not for everyone and it is recommended to research them extensively before attending a ceremony.
Most of the teacher trainings here are conducted by international retreat organizers who hold them on a semi-regular basis at local venues, though we have included some local yoga schools as well.
Here are our picks for the top ten Yoga teacher trainings in Peru.
Kula Collective
Kula Collective is a very popular facilitator of Yoga teacher trainings and transformational retreat experiences. They hold trainings in exotic locations all over the world, most notably in Guatemala, Bali, Costa Rica and Peru. Their Peru training is held in the bosom of the Sacred Valley, the ancient homeland of the Incas.
Program: Their 200 hr Spirit Journey Yoga teacher training invited participants to connect with the land, with the animals and plants and with their own true nature at the deepest level. The Kula training provides a strong foundation in traditional yogic principles that balances the spiritual and the scientific while also giving time for participants to experience the unique shamanic roots of this part of the world. Hikes and tours to surrounding sacred sites are included, and students will have the opportunity to participate in optional plant medicine ceremonies on their days off, though these are not included in the price.
What We Like: Kula Collective has emerged as an industry leader in destination trainings and retreats. They are very popular, boast a stable of experienced teachers from a variety of backgrounds and have a proven track record of high quality yoga education.
Cost: The base price for tuition is $2850 plus additional room and board packages that total $1795 for a shared room and $3235 for a private room.
Address: Nro. 03 Sector Llamaccaya Rosacaballerayoc Parcela 03, 080401, Peru
Inbound School Of Yoga
Inbound School Of Yoga is located on a peaceful ashram setting in the Sacred Valley outside of Cusco. They hold teacher trainings, retreats as well as organizing an annual yoga festival that is held on the premises. They believe in promoting yoga as a path of spiritual liberation and focus on the integration of physical practice with the three yogas of the Bhagavad Gita: Karma, Bhakti and Jnana.
Program: They hold 200 hour teacher trainings throughout the year, each of them three weeks in length. Their focus is holistic, emphasizing devotional practices as much as the physical aspects of modern yoga practice. Ashtanga Vinyasa, and alignment-focused Hatha is combined with contemplative practice and a strong emphasis on the philosophical foundations of the tradition.
What We Like: The training is held at the beautiful Sradhavan Eco-ashram. A traditional spiritual environment that is conducive to deep immersion in yogic practice. Many retreat providers in Peru offer extensive tour packages and plant medicine ceremonies along with their Yoga programs. We think it’s good that there are options for a deep experience without the distractions of the tourist treadmill.
Cost: $1600
Address: Sradavam Eco Yoga Ashram, Sacred Valley, Cusco 08150, Peru
Durga Excursions
Durga Excursions is a unique yoga retreat provider that provides destination teacher trainings. They focus exclusively on Yin Yoga in their trainings and most of their offerings are short term immersions that total 50 hours. Their Peru trainings are held at the glorious Samadhi Retreat Centre, which boast an incredible view and one of the most Instagram-friendly shalas on the planet!
Program: Their Sacred Valley 50 hr Yin Yoga training is a one week immersion that focuses on Yin and Restorative Yoga. Philosophically, they focus on a blend of Buddhist concepts with the traditional eight limbs of Yoga and teach participants to integrate the energetic principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine into their Yoga practice.
What We Like: If the focus of your practice is Yin Yoga, or you’re a Yoga teacher looking to add Yin Yoga to your skillset, Durga may provide the best option in all of Peru for a dedicated training. Lead teacher Kali Basman is an internationally recognized teacher with a focus on Yin, Restorative and Mindfulness practices.
Cost: $2080 for shared accommodation. Private accommodation. may be available. Contact for details.
Address: Huayllabamba 08670, Peru
School Yoga Institute
School Yoga Institute is an international yoga school that runs teacher trainings all over the world in a variety of formats. They have a large and experienced team of lead teachers and retreat facilitators and have been conducting spiritually-focused yoga education for over 20 years.
Program: Their Peru retreat is held in the Sacred Valley and focuses on blending a rigorous education in traditional Yoga and mindfulness practice with a thorough immersion in the local shamanic practices of Peru.
What We Like: Their trainings are held at the beautiful Munay Sonqo eco-resort, which has emerged as one of the most popular retreat centres in South America. The centre features three separate complexes, each of them set amid beautifully maintained grounds that feature spacious yoga shalas and sacred temple environments.
Cost: $2200. Payment plans are available. Early bird discounts are also available.
Address: Nro. 03 Sector Llamaccaya Rosacaballerayoc Parcela 03, 080401, Peru
Aumkar Tantra
Aumkar Tantra is an International Yoga school that holds immersive trainings in a variety of locations around the world, including Thailand, Mexico and Peru. Their trainings focus on integrate a modern yoga practice with the traditional principles of the Indian systems of Tantric ritual practice and philosophy.
Program: Their Peruvian training is a 16 day intensive held outside of Cusco and features a blend of Tantra-informed Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga with in-depth meditative techniques and non-dual spiritual philosophy. Lead teacher David Aumkar is a highly experienced Yoga teacher who has studied an incredibly wide-range of spiritual disciplines including Ashtanga Yoga, Theravada Buddhism, Taoism and both Tibetan and Indian Tantric lineages.
What We Like: Aumkar Tantra grounds their teaching in Kashmir Shaivism, the path of expanded consciousness. Kashmir Shaivism is one of the roots of Hatha Yoga and has become one of the most influential sources of modern non-dual spirituality. Though the modern spiritual scene is highly influenced by it, it is rare to see it covered in modern yoga education.
Cost: $2890
Address: Cusco, Peru
Healing House
Healing House Cusco is a yoga studio that holds daily classes in a variety of styles. They also play host to the Pachananda School of Yoga and Sacred Dance. Pachananda Yoga teaches a blend of Vinyasa and Restorative styles combined with focused energetic work and the principles of the Ayurvedic system of traditional Indian medicine and lifestyle.
Program: Their 200 hour teacher training is an immersive one month program that aims to train students to teach engaging Vinyasa and Restorative Yoga classes while bringing the ethos of joyful awakening into their everyday life. Trainings also include individual mentorship and a focus on teaching diverse audiences.
What We Like: Their teacher trainings are led by Pachananda founder Niki Coate who has been a dedicated student of Yoga for 16 years. Her influences are enormously diverse and range from Ashtanga Vinyasa to Iyengar and Anusara to Yin.
Cost: $2700 for shared accommodation. Private accommodation is available at an additional cost.
Address: Qanchipata 555, Cusco 08003, Peru
Sembrando Semillas Con Yoga
Sembrando Semillas Con Yoga is a yoga school in Cusco with a strong focus on social engagement and ecological education. The school runs teacher trainings and transformative Yoga retreats throughout the year. They are also directly affiliated to a local NGO that performs service work in local communities.
Program: Their 200 hour teacher training is a 22 day immersive program. The daily schedule includes morning meditation, Pranayama and mantra practice, as well as a yoga philosophy lecture. Asana practice occurs at noon and then again at 3pm. The style of Asana practice is a mix of Ashtanga and Iyengar styles.
What We Like: Trainings with Sembrando Semillas Con Yoga are kept to small groups of about 5 – 9 students. This keeps the setting intimate and allows each student to get plenty of one on one attention from the teacher
Cost: Contact for more information
Address: Pisac 08004, Peru
Andean School Of Yoga
The Andean School of Yoga offers yoga classes, retreats and teacher trainings in the Sacred Valley. Their centre is located at the foot of the ancient ruins of Apu Intihuatana, and they emphasize a deep, personal experience of Yoga that is grounded in the wisdom of the land, the body and the sacred wisdom traditions of the world.
Program: Their program includes both a thorough grounding in technique and alignment along with the development of more subtle, intuitive aspects of practice and teaching. Asana, Pranayama and meditation are all given equal focus and students will gain a complete understanding of anatomy and physiology so that they are able to teach diverse populations in a wide variety of environments.
What We Like: Their programs are held at the lovely Nidra Wasi retreat centre, an eco-resort setting that features environmentally integrated accommodations that are all built from minimally-processed local materials like mud, wood and stone.
Cost: Their 200 hour “Andean Experience” teacher training starts at $2500
Address: Sector San Luis Tambo de Gozo Along the, Riverside 08105, Peru
Yoga Retreat Peru
Yoga Retreat Peru was designed to give people a place to get away from the distractions of everyday life and focus on a practice of spiritual transformation and discovery. Founded by Giancarlo, a local yogi dedicated to service and healing, the centre offers retreats and teacher trainings throughout the year.
Program: Their 21 day training is an inclusive package that features daily vegetarian meals as well as hiking and tours to local natural and historical sites. Their yoga practice is based around a merging of Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga styles combined with the study of safe and informed teaching methodologies.
What We Like: Their training is structured around the ancient Andean spiritual vision of the cosmos. Each week features a different focus. Week one is “Uku Pacha,” the underworld, week two is “Kai Pacha,” the here and now and week three is “Hanaq Pacha,” beyond time and space.
Cost: Contact for more information
Address: Urubamba, Cusco, Peru
EarthSea Yoga
Earthsea Yoga is a yoga school originally based out of Singapore that hosts most of their trainings in Koh Samui, Thailand. They now also hold trainings in Peru. Their philosophy emphasizes a merging of the masculine and feminine, the yin and yang, and a balancing of each of the five elements in body, mind and spirit.
Program: Their teacher training program is a 16 day intensive that follows a rigorous daily schedule of practice and study. Mornings begin with a meditation at the crack of dawn, followed by strength building Asana practices. The middle of the day is set aside for clinics on alignment and anatomy, as well as a daily satsang, where participants will discuss yoga history and philosophy. Afternoon practice is Yin based to find rejuvenation and grounding at the end of the day.
What We Like: The retreat is held at a rustic farmstay in the town Urubamba. Urubamba is the cultural heart of the Sacred Valley and is the perfect jumping-off point for tours of Incan ruins like Machu Picchu.
Cost: $3000 for a shared room. $3500 for a private room.
Address: Carr. al 5to Paradero de C.P. Yanahuara (Valle Sagrado), 08660, Peru
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