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The Courage to Lead - A 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training

Date
August 31 - September 17, 2026

About this Retreat

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Details of this retreat

Fully Accredited by Yoga Alliance

This training is for those who envision a peaceful, loving world and wish to activate their communities by sharing compassion, wellness, and joy. In a world of overwhelm, fear, and uncertainty, we need leaders who are equipped, calm, and ready to serve.
Shivakali Yoga  and Ratna Ling offer a 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training, steeped in the ancient spiritual, philosophical and meditative traditions of Yoga, and grounded in modern anatomical studies, intentional sequencing, and mindful approaches to practice.

This 18-day Yoga Immersion offers students the lived experience of the teachings.  In addition to yoga anatomy and physiology studies, we will participate in meditation, ceremony, council, and selfless service, exploring what these practices & teachings mean for ourselves as individuals, and for our community as a whole.
Watch the VIDEO!

Whether you are interested in teaching your loved ones, earning an income as a Yoga instructor, or solely feeling called to deepen your personal practice, we welcome you to join us on this journey.
ORGANIC VEGETARIAN CUISINE, TIMBER-FRAME PRACTICE ROOMS DESIGNED AS SACRED ARCHITECTURE, 3 MILES FROM THE BREATHTAKING SONOMA COAST, 120 ACRES OF REDWOOD FOREST, CANYONS, RESERVOIRS, DEER AND OTHER WILDLIFE
COURSE OF TRAINING

This training is rigorous and immersive, and attendance to all sessions is required to be eligible for certification. Any missed sessions will require make-up work/hours.  *This program is also available for audit, for those interested in practicing with us without receiving certification.



Our Yoga Teacher Training in the Sonoma Redwoods progresses through a map of the chakras, starting at the root of and culminating in the crown.  

When we begin in the root chakra, students will ground their intentions for teaching/practice, and learn the vast history of Yoga from the Vedas through the Upanishads, Buddhism, Yoga Sutras, Bhakti traditions, Tantric Lineages and contemporary Yoga Schools.  In the sacral chakra, we will uncover the countless layers of the subtle body, learn the principles of Ayurveda, and gain an overview of classical Tantra. As we progress through the navel chakra, we will explore Yoga's connection with power, fire, and explore our work ethic & the business of Yoga.

In the heart, we encounter the devotional path of Bhakti Yoga, as well as ceremony, prayer and healing.  We will connect in nature, and receive teachings on the heart of our practice. We share in men's and women's circles as a step in our process of uniting energies, wherein we also honor identifying with a group other than your assigned-at-birth gender and exploring the group you feel called to.  

Moving upwards into the throat chakra, students will learn about the Sanskrit language, pronunciation, principles of chanting, and a wealth of mantra & deity practices.  Progressing to the third eye, the training becomes increasingly more subtle, as we encounter an array of Yogic meditations, explore Yogic Buddhism, and turn inward in silence.  Culminating in the crown, trainees will receive kundalini awakening practices, learn Shakti mantra, Yogic ritual, and receive an initiation into the practice.

Each of our days will include a thorough overview in the anatomy/physiology of Yoga-Asana (postures), a comprehensive outlook on teaching methodology, an intensive dissection of major and minor poses, workshops on adjustments/alignment, and plenty of time for practice teaching.  There is also time for you to be alone in nature, to reflect, hike, stargaze, and relax in quietude.  Bodyworkers and energy healers will be available to support your health and progress.


Come join us in the redwoods.
LEAD TRAINER:  GLORIA BARAQUIO
and Special Guest Teachers!
*THIS 200-HR PROGRAM IS FULLY-ACCREDITED BY THE YOGA ALLIANCE.
RATNA LING RETREAT CENTER

This 120-acre property has been blessed and empowered with a pure intention to serve all.  Inspired by the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the retreat center is named Ratna Ling, which literally means “Jewel Place”, a sanctuary for healing, wisdom, and expansion.  The elegant cottages and structures have been designed to be in harmony with the trees and nature surrounding them. Enjoy the beauty and sacred design of the timber-frame Lodge, Yoga Studio, and Meditation Temple.  All this, with tons of space to wander and roam with the resident deer, turkeys, hares, butterflies, and dragonflies.



Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will consist of wholesome organic vegetarian meals with vegan options, unique desserts, and healthy snacks/teas. Accommodations are spacious cottages with a deck and expansive views. There are options for a private room or shared space. Massage and Healing sessions will be offered daily during free time, for an additional cost by veteran practitioners.  The yoga retreat is located near Timber Cove, California.  You'll find us in a redwood forest near the ocean, with the purest air and quiet you can imagine, in a majestic meditation paradise.

For those looking to teach, this Yoga Teacher Training in the Sonoma Redwoods will provide a vast, comprehensive tool-kit for teaching physical postures, breathing techniques, alignment, adjustments, as well as mantra, meditation, and more.  The principles we instruct can be applied to any style of yoga you feel compelled to offer.

For students looking to deepen their understanding, this will be a dynamic expansion of both knowledge and practice--a sincere exploration of what it means to truly practice YOGA.

WHAT STYLE IS SHIVAKALI YOGA?

We teach presence-based vinyasa, inspired by ancient traditions of meditation, mantra, ritual, and postures, and supported by modern studies of anatomy, physiology, psychology, and metaphysics.  Our practice serves first to awaken the body and move blocked energy, and then to soften the mind and nurture our inner being. Uniting the masculine + feminine aspects of practice, we find freedom in movement, draw awareness from the mind/root to the heart, and allow insight to arise naturally and freely.


PRIVATE ROOM IN SHARED COTTAGE: $7500 
TWIN BED IN SHARED ROOM: $5500
Fees must be paid in full 30 days prior to the training. A $200 registration fee is non refundable.  If canceling 30+ days before the event begins, any payments made will be transferrable to a future Ratna Ling Retreat.
 
BIPOC SCHOLARSHIPS AND PAYMENT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IN NEED.
Please email scholarship inquiries to gloria@shivakaliyoga.com.
 

Sample Daily Schedule:

6:00-8:00am: Morning Yoga Sadhana (Yoga, Meditation, Chanting, Arati)

8:00-9:30am: Breakfast Break / Seva

9:30-10:45am: Class 1 (Anatomy, Methodology, or Philosophy Lecture/Discussion)

11:00am-12:15pm: Class 2 (Anatomy, Methodology, or Philosophy Lecture/Discussion)

12:30-2:30pm: Lunch Break

2:30-4:00pm: Posture Clinic

4:15-5:30pm: Practice Teaching Exercises

6:00-7:00pm: Dinner Break

7:00-8:30pm: Evening Program (Restorative Yoga, Meditation, Song Circle, etc.)

 

 

Testimonial from Shivakali 2018 Graduate

Shivakali YTT was transformative.  As a fitness professional of ten years, I was expecting a certification that covered anatomy, class programming , and progressions and regressions of postures. We got that, and so much more.  The experience shook my priorities: I was stressing about things that didn't matter and neglecting things that did.  The time at Ratna Ling with the Shivakali family was a much needed outlook and attitude reset, and since my time there I've been empowered to make some career and life changes that were long overdue and critical.  I'm happier now; I'm more relaxed, I feel more grateful about my day-to-day, I speak my truths (and that's been working!), I've stopped self medicating, I'm making better money with a better tribe. The process was uncomfortable, but necessary.  I can't recommend this program enough: go in yourself, come out your true self. 

-Aurora C.

 

For more information about Shivakali Yoga, visit www.shivakaliyoga.com.

Getting Here

Location icon Ratna Ling Retreat Center

Accommodation

Shared Room (twin bed) plus meals and tuition
Private Room (queen bed) plus meals and tuition

Customer Reviews

4.95 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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The most peaceful retreat center set in nature
I LOVE Ratna LIng. It is remote, peaceful, with nothing but nature sounds to hear. The fall is lovely here. Lots of wind, the sound of leaves and birds and trees. It's a very easy place to disconnect from all the city things and people here. The retreat program I participated in was not overly scheduled, calm, healing. Food was super fresh, vegetarian, and lovely. The cottages are soooo nice! I left wanting more time there...

5.0
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Best retreat in Bay Area
This was my third time and all I can say is each time I fall in love even more with Ratna Ling! The entire wooded forest, the gorgeous cabins, the free roaming turkeys, the incredibly delicious meals and Ofcourse the energy of peace radiating through out. Linda the director co led this retreat which was filled with insights and activities to calm and reset. Forest meditation to self massage techniques. We also received books and a journal. I highly recommend a Ratna retreat to everyone!

5.0
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What a weekend
The center is nestled in the trees and mountains and just a lovely setting. The guest cabins are gorgeous wood structures and so well appointed. The 2 bedroom cabins are lovely private and nestled in the trees, the decks face away from other cabins so you feel like you are in your own world. The furniture lovely and comfortable and the spa bathtub was a total oasis of relaxation itself. We didn't get to use the wood stove but it looked inviting. While we didn't experience any rain - the metal rooves on the cabins would have made such a sound. The main lodge was a 5 minute walk on a paved path through nature. The wooden structure has high ceilings, beams, warm woodwork and stone work and is quite beautiful. There are fountains and outdoor seating. The vegetarian meal were so delicious - both a feast for the taste buds and the eyes. the fresh baked bread and desserts were scrumptious. So many fresh local ingredients. The yoga room had a gorgeous wood ceiling and many windows, such a warm welcoming space. Many acres to explore and enjoy.

5.0
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Beautiful
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4.0
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Yoga retreat
The location was absolutely spectacular. The cottages are so beautiful clean and quiet. The linens were so nice and being a picky pillow person, loved the pillows. A half empty bottle of body wash was our only amenity for showering maybe a bar of soap next time ?
Directions and map to cottage 15 were very unclear. My carpool mate, and I had trouble finding it initially according to the map, when we finally located it she continued on to her cabin. I had some trouble locating the front door.
My roommate was found wondering around lost in the dark worried she was going to have to sleep in her car, thank goodness for our flashlights on our phones . So happy to have run into her! I’m not sure how an emergency would be handled if one were hurt walking alone? (You might want to suggest a rating of walking abilities to your future visitors)I couldn’t figure out the gate to return and get back to lodge on foot so I was late for the intro and my yoga mat was way in the back, so I (and others ) had trouble hearing. Car was very nice to come and get me.
Once I figured out the walking path back to #15 about a 8 minute walk, with a little help from my fellow yogis I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful walk.
The tour of the temple was so beautiful and informative.
Although it was a bit of a rough start, the experience was lovely.
The food was outstanding.
The staff were so wonderful and friendly. The new friends and connections made were wonderful.

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