Pranayama Teacher Training
Pranayama Teacher Training
108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States
Up to 30 in group
November 9 - 13, 2026
Retreat Highlights
- In-depth exploration of pranayama theory and techniques for health and detoxification
- Advanced methodology for designing dynamic classes and inspiring students
- Techniques for overcoming negative emotions and managing stress through prana
- Guided study of the subtle body and the awakening of Kundalini energy
- Earn approximately 34.5 continuing education hours toward RYT 500 certification
About this Retreat
Swami Karunananda has had 50 years’ experience teaching all aspects of Yoga. She designed and conducts teacher training programs in Raja Yoga and in Meditation. She served as president of Satchidananda Ashram in California and in Virginia, and as director of the San Francisco and Santa Barbara Integral Yoga Institutes. She compiled and edited The Lotus Prayer Book and Enlightening Tales as told by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Her book, Awakening: Aspiration to Realization through Integral Yoga, makes the Yoga teachings accessible and provides inspiration and guidance for the spiritual journey.
Krishna Howeth has been a devotee of Swami Satchidananda since 1984. He moved to Satchidananda Ashram, Yogaville in 1990. He completed Integral Yoga Basic Teacher’s Training in 2007 and Intermediate Teacher’s Training in 2008. He has
studied Hatha Yoga with Senior Integral Yoga Teachers, as well as Doug Keller, Eric Schiffman and Nischala Devi. He completed Integral Yoga Raja Yoga Teacher’s Training in 2016 and Advanced Integral Yoga Teacher’s Training in 2017. He is certified with the Yoga Alliance ERYT 200 and RYT 500. Krishna teaches all levels of Hatha Yoga and seeks to support students to experience their own inner peace through the teachings of Swami Satchidananda.
Details of this retreat
Pranayama enables us to unlock the great power and mystery that lie hidden in the breath. By regulating the breath, we can energize, strengthen, detoxify and relax the body. There are methods to calm, balance and focus the mind. Through regular practice, the dormant subtle energy within is awakened leading to the highest spiritual realization.
As a Yoga teacher, you are a link in an eternal chain — one that continues with each new student who discovers and embraces the teachings. While Hatha Yoga asanas have gone mainstream, the subtler teachings of pranayama are not as widely known. This training is an opportunity to clarify, deepen and refine your own practice of pranayama and to learn how to skillfully impart these teachings to others.
A thorough exploration of pranayama theory and techniques will cover the following topics:
Pranayama and Health
Pranic Healing Visualization
Prana and the Mind
Overcoming Negative Emotions
Dealing with Stress
Prana and the Subtle Body
Awakening the Kundalini
An in-depth discussion of teaching methodology will include:
How to Design a Class
Elements of a Dynamic Teaching Style
Inspiring and Guiding Students
Join us and discover a deeper dimension for your practice and teaching. Immerse yourself in a beautiful, natural Yoga environment and emerge with teachings and techniques that support greater health, happiness and peace.
Prerequisites:
Participants must have completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program. If your training was in a style other than Integral Yoga, we ask that you become familiar with the Integral Yoga approach prior to the program.
Here are some opportunities:
- IY Hatha Level 1 with Sri Swami Satchidananda (1.5 hr)
- IY Hatha Level 1 with Saci Murphy (Full 1.5 hour class)
- IY Hatha Level 1 (1 hr short version)
You may wish to explore additional teachings on Integral Yoga TV. Both paid subscriptions and free video content are available. Further Integral Yoga resources can be found on YouTube and other social media platforms by searching “Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville.”
Integral Yoga 300-hour Program Leading to RYT 500
Continuing Education: Approx. 34.5 Training Hrs.
More Information:
If you take Swami Karunananda’s Meditation Teacher Training and Integral Yoga Pranayama Teacher Training in 2026, you are eligible to receive a 10% discount on both programs' tuition.
Tentative Schedule
All activities at the Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, Virginia Ashram are structured around the daily schedule of the ashram which includes meditation and Hatha Yoga each morning and evening prior to breakfast and dinner, as well as noon meditation held in Guru Bhavahan and Lotus prior to lunch.
MONDAY
2:00 PM
Registration
5:00–6:00 PM
Introduction and Intention Setting
6:00–6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:30 PM
Supper (at reserved tables)
7:30–7:45 PM
Welcoming and Ashram Orientation
7:45-9:15 PM
Session 1 Overview with Swami Karunananda
TUESDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7-8:30 AM
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1, Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2, Integral Yoga Hatha- Gentle/Chair
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Prananyama Session
11:45 AM
Announcements Staff
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 PM
Lunch in
3:00-5:00 PM
Prananyama Session
6:00-6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30–9:00 PM
Prananyama Session
WEDNESDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7-8:30 AM
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1, Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2, Integral Yoga Hatha- Gentle/Chair
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Prananyama Session
11:45 AM
Announcements Staff
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 PM
Lunch in
3:00-5:00 PM
Prananyama Session
6:00-6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30–9:00 PM
Prananyama Session
THURSDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7-8:30 AM
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1, Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2, Integral Yoga Hatha- Gentle/Chair
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Prananyama Session
11:45 AM
Announcements Staff
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 PM
Lunch in
3:00-5:00 PM
Prananyama Session
6:00-6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30–9:00 PM
Prananyama Session
FRIDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7.00-8.30 AM
Hatha Yoga Class
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Q and A with Swami Karunananda
11:30 AM
Announcements and Evaluations
12–2:00 PM
Check-out time for Retreat participants
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation in
12:45 PM
Lunch in
As a Yoga teacher, you are a link in an eternal chain — one that continues with each new student who discovers and embraces the teachings. While Hatha Yoga asanas have gone mainstream, the subtler teachings of pranayama are not as widely known. This training is an opportunity to clarify, deepen and refine your own practice of pranayama and to learn how to skillfully impart these teachings to others.
A thorough exploration of pranayama theory and techniques will cover the following topics:
Pranayama and Health
Pranic Healing Visualization
Prana and the Mind
Overcoming Negative Emotions
Dealing with Stress
Prana and the Subtle Body
Awakening the Kundalini
An in-depth discussion of teaching methodology will include:
How to Design a Class
Elements of a Dynamic Teaching Style
Inspiring and Guiding Students
Join us and discover a deeper dimension for your practice and teaching. Immerse yourself in a beautiful, natural Yoga environment and emerge with teachings and techniques that support greater health, happiness and peace.
Prerequisites:
Participants must have completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program. If your training was in a style other than Integral Yoga, we ask that you become familiar with the Integral Yoga approach prior to the program.
Here are some opportunities:
- IY Hatha Level 1 with Sri Swami Satchidananda (1.5 hr)
- IY Hatha Level 1 with Saci Murphy (Full 1.5 hour class)
- IY Hatha Level 1 (1 hr short version)
You may wish to explore additional teachings on Integral Yoga TV. Both paid subscriptions and free video content are available. Further Integral Yoga resources can be found on YouTube and other social media platforms by searching “Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville.”
Integral Yoga 300-hour Program Leading to RYT 500
Continuing Education: Approx. 34.5 Training Hrs.
More Information:
If you take Swami Karunananda’s Meditation Teacher Training and Integral Yoga Pranayama Teacher Training in 2026, you are eligible to receive a 10% discount on both programs' tuition.
Tentative Schedule
All activities at the Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, Virginia Ashram are structured around the daily schedule of the ashram which includes meditation and Hatha Yoga each morning and evening prior to breakfast and dinner, as well as noon meditation held in Guru Bhavahan and Lotus prior to lunch.
MONDAY
2:00 PM
Registration
5:00–6:00 PM
Introduction and Intention Setting
6:00–6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:30 PM
Supper (at reserved tables)
7:30–7:45 PM
Welcoming and Ashram Orientation
7:45-9:15 PM
Session 1 Overview with Swami Karunananda
TUESDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7-8:30 AM
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1, Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2, Integral Yoga Hatha- Gentle/Chair
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Prananyama Session
11:45 AM
Announcements Staff
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 PM
Lunch in
3:00-5:00 PM
Prananyama Session
6:00-6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30–9:00 PM
Prananyama Session
WEDNESDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7-8:30 AM
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1, Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2, Integral Yoga Hatha- Gentle/Chair
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Prananyama Session
11:45 AM
Announcements Staff
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 PM
Lunch in
3:00-5:00 PM
Prananyama Session
6:00-6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30–9:00 PM
Prananyama Session
THURSDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7-8:30 AM
Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 1, Integral Yoga Hatha – Level 2, Integral Yoga Hatha- Gentle/Chair
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Prananyama Session
11:45 AM
Announcements Staff
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation at LOTUS
12:45 PM
Lunch in
3:00-5:00 PM
Prananyama Session
6:00-6:30 PM
Meditation
6:30-7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30–9:00 PM
Prananyama Session
FRIDAY
6-6:45 AM
Integral Yoga Meditation
7.00-8.30 AM
Hatha Yoga Class
8:40 - 9.30 AM
Breakfast in
9:30-11:30 AM
Q and A with Swami Karunananda
11:30 AM
Announcements and Evaluations
12–2:00 PM
Check-out time for Retreat participants
12–12:30 PM
Noon Meditation in
12:45 PM
Lunch in
Getting Here
Yogaville, 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States
Directions
Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.
Accommodation
Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory
The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)
Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.
Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.
Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room.
Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds.
Shared bathroom
Dorm rooms are not coed
Availability is Gender Specific
Private Dormitory
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only
LOTUS Guest House
A Private Room with a Private Bath. All rooms come with a desk and chair.
Camp-Site
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3. Also, all camp-sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience. Price is per person per night.
Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Organic, vegetarian/vegan food
Labeled ingredients
Lacto-vegetarian
Gluten-free and vegan options
Salad bar
Large herbal tea selection
Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe
What's Included
- Accomodations
- Meals
- Meditation Sessions
- Yoga Classes
What's Not Included
- Transportation
- Airfare
Last Chance
